The Sushi Box FX Secret Society

[bassbrad]

With a 12AX7 you will get the full potential from clean to saturated while a lower gain tube might not reach the same level of saturation but will allow more precise and gradual slope. A lower gain tube might also be a solution for high output basses that might overload the input stage too quickly.
On the UA for example I don't find it necessary to lower the potential but with the higher gain preamps like the JC Emerald or Smoke Signal a lower gain tube is more pleasing and easier to stay in the clean zone. YMMV

 

[Jeff Kissell]

Thanks, that’s what I figured. Seeing as this is primarily a preamp for a piezo pickup on an upright bass, having control over the saturation into distortion is the goal. I’m currently using a HW Slampegg Bee with an NOS JAN 12AT7 for this bass. But, I just ordered an Elementary without a tube to see if the eq is a little more naturally optimal.

 

[JKos]

In general, what’s the difference between running a higher gain tube at a lower gain setting versus a lower gain tube at a higher gain setting?

I think you meant that.

 

[Sushi Box FX]

Question?
In general, what’s the difference between running a higher voltage tube at a lower gain setting versus a lower voltage tube at a higher gain setting? Is it just a more gradual slope?

*edit*
I’m specifically asking regarding the input gain stage for Sushi Box pedals.

J

I'm assuming you're talking about a higher gain tube, like 12AX7 versus 12AU7.

The answer is basically that you get a wider range. With a 12AT7 and the gain cranked you may have the same amount of dirt as you would with a 12AX7 with the gain around 1:00 (number are examples and not actual data), but the real benefit is when you put in a 12AT7 it's easier to dial in settings that would be micro-turns of the dial with a higher gain tube.

As a guitarist one of my favorite dirt pedals was always the Rat, but I realized it had way more gain on tap than I would ever need. So when I built mine, I put in a lower value pot for the gain, which meant that the maximum gain was 1/2 of what it otherwise would have been, but that also allowed me to dial in more mid-gain tones that weren't otherwise available because you can't turn the gain knob that small of an amount.

That's basically the kind of thing you're doing. If a 12AX7 cranked is too much dirt and you know you will only ever want half that, then you can put in a 12AT7 and open up a wide range of sounds in between completely clean and completely cranked that you wouldn't have otherwise been able to get.

 

[Jeff Kissell]

I think you meant that.

Sure that works, I’ve heard it referred to both ways but whatever is more accurate as long as we all are understanding the concept is fine with me… I’ll use gain.

 

[Jeff Kissell]

I'm assuming you're talking about a higher gain tube, like 12AX7 versus 12AU7.

The answer is basically that you get a wider range. With a 12AT7 and the gain cranked you may have the same amount of dirt as you would with a 12AX7 with the gain around 1:00 (number are examples and not actual data), but the real benefit is when you put in a 12AT7 it's easier to dial in settings that would be micro-turns of the dial with a higher gain tube.

As a guitarist one of my favorite dirt pedals was always the Rat, but I realized it had way more gain on tap than I would ever need. So when I built mine, I put in a lower value pot for the gain, which meant that the maximum gain was 1/2 of what it otherwise would have been, but that also allowed me to dial in more mid-gain tones that weren't otherwise available because you can't turn the gain knob that small of an amount.

That's basically the kind of thing you're doing. If a 12AX7 cranked is too much dirt and you know you will only ever want half that, then you can put in a 12AT7 and open up a wide range of sounds in between completely clean and completely cranked that you wouldn't have otherwise been able to get.

I’m pretty sure I’ll want at least a little break up available even if I may not use it regularly. (I sent you an email regarding this.)
The thing I know for sure is that having a tube buffering the wild*ss transients that are generated by a piezo on an upright makes a big difference in the amplified tone.

 

[DLOonTour]

I purchased a Smoke Signal second hand, is there any way to tell by a photo if it has the Underground Accelerator mod? I read about so much UA love, I had to ask. Also, does anyone know what the filter switch does? I cannot hear a difference.
I love this pedal by the way! A sushi box fix pedal and my Broughton HPF are my always on. Excitedly waiting to see that future compressor!

 

[FenrirofOld]

Next month I plan to put in an order for an Underground Accelerator Hand Wired. Gonna pair it with my Tone Hammer 500 to get more of that tube richness. Working on starting a pedal board for more Pop/Funk, so a compressor and a few other things are on the list too.

 

[SoulReflection]

Next month I plan to put in an order for an Underground Accelerator Hand Wired. Gonna pair it with my Tone Hammer 500 to get more of that tube richness. Working on starting a pedal board for more Pop/Funk, so a compressor and a few other things are on the list too.

I just ordered the stock UA because Nathan is building them with the same output as Hand Wired. So, put your savings towards his new "Slice" compressor and be happy . I can vouch for the fact the the UA puts out and the EQ bypass switch is a great feature.

 

[FenrirofOld]

I just ordered the stock UA because Nathan is building them with the same output as Hand Wired. So, put your savings towards his new "Slice" compressor and be happy . I can vouch for the fact the the UA puts out and the EQ bypass switch is a great feature.

Oh stupendous! Thanks for the info. I'll plan on that and just hold off till I can order both

 

[Mojo34]

The thing I know for sure is that having a tube buffering the wild*ss transients that are generated by a piezo on an upright makes a big difference in the amplified tone.

I had never really thought about that. Call me crazy, but could that be one of the reasons my electric upright with Piezo pickups sounds so nice with a More (really just the EUB preamp > More > Two Notes Cab M > powered speaker)? In any case, upright or Fender, More is always on.

 

[Sushi Box FX]

View attachment 5221578 I purchased a Smoke Signal second hand, is there any way to tell by a photo if it has the Underground Accelerator mod? I read about so much UA love, I had to ask. Also, does anyone know what the filter switch does? I cannot hear a difference.
I love this pedal by the way! A sushi box fix pedal and my Broughton HPF are my always on. Excitedly waiting to see that future compressor!

That does indeed have the UA mod to the clean channel, I can tell by the look of the capacitors on there. The filter switch is supposed to be a pseudo cabsim type thing, it's just a fixed frequency filter. I did the math on it once, can't remember what it was.

Next month I plan to put in an order for an Underground Accelerator Hand Wired. Gonna pair it with my Tone Hammer 500 to get more of that tube richness. Working on starting a pedal board for more Pop/Funk, so a compressor and a few other things are on the list too.

I just ordered the stock UA because Nathan is building them with the same output as Hand Wired. So, put your savings towards his new "Slice" compressor and be happy . I can vouch for the fact the the UA puts out and the EQ bypass switch is a great feature.

I've actually started quietly discontinuing HW models one by one for that reason. It's more circuit boards and more components to keep on hand, and the difference between the two is getting smaller. Basically as soon as I run out of boards for one, instead of re-ordering I've been removing it from the website. HW Finally disappeared over a month ago, HW Elementary disappeared a few weeks ago. I still have HWUA and HW Slampegg boards on hand, but that's about it.

 

[rwkeating]

Was there ever a higher voltage hand wired More? Is the More voltage going to be upped along with the other pedals?

 

[Hasty]

The thing I know for sure is that having a tube buffering the wild*ss transients that are generated by a piezo on an upright makes a big difference in the amplified tone.

Amen!

 

[Sushi Box FX]

Was there ever a higher voltage hand wired More? Is the More voltage going to be upped along with the other pedals?

The reason a handwired More was never done was because the larger components would require it to go in a larger enclosure, which in my opinion makes it a less pedalboard-friendly tool. Part of More's charm is the size, and a huge pedal with a single knob isn't very enticing.

That being said I've been re-designing each of the SMD designs when I run out of boards of the 235V versions, and More is certainly on the list, but I do still have a handful of the originals to sell off before I redesign it.

 

[jmmyoh]

I have a question about single slice. @Sushi Box FX , With the compression turned down will the tube boost be similar to the boost channel on sunnday drive?

 

[Sushi Box FX]

I have a question about single slice. @Sushi Box FX , With the compression turned down will the tube boost be similar to the boost channel on sunnday drive?

Very different character. The boost on Sunnday Drive when used by itself is just a single gain stage, whereas Single Slice will be 4 gain stages.

 

[Thegrobe]

I recently picked up an Underground accelerator from the TB classifieds and OH MY GOD IT'S FANTASTIC it's exactly what my tone needed. That is all.
Oh and I'm going to need more sushi-tubey pedals.

 

[Michael Vee]

I, too, will buy the Single Slice when it's available.

 

[bassbrad]

I recently picked up an Underground accelerator from the TB classifieds and OH MY GOD IT'S FANTASTIC it's exactly what my tone needed. That is all.
Oh and I'm going to need more sushi-tubey pedals.

Careful, it can become an addiction thanks to our resident pusher man @Sushi Box FX

Sincerely, the owner of 11 SushiBoxFX devices.