• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Tube driven Pedals.

#102
el murdoque said:
Hey El Jefe,
did you roll tubes in the Locomotive yet?
I found mine to be very bright sounding, which is a good thing with my main bass that has a set of Optima flats that are on there for more than a year now, so adding brightness is totally fine - but when I use something fresher, it sounds like broken glass.
Click to expand...
I never tube rolled this one - I was pretty happy with the default tube.
 
  • Like
Reactions: el murdoque
#103
HelpImaRock said:
I never got into tubes in pedals. When I started, most tube pedals had starved voltages with LEDs behind the tubes to make them look like they were glowing. This has obviously changed over the past decade. But there's still something risky to me about putting a tube on the floor and then stomping on the casing. So I stick to solid state.
Click to expand...

I get you. When I started looking for a preamp pedal, I had tube driven pedals ruled out for exactly those reasons. In my experience tubes in pedals either did nothing but look good, or they added more noise than mojo. That changed when I tested the first Alembic F2-B clone.
 
  • Like
Reactions: monsterthompson and moon-bass
#106
IMG_20220124_1823379.jpg
IMG_20220124_1821158.jpg
IMG_20220124_1821476.jpg
IMG_20220125_2037172.jpg
IMG_20220124_1821158.jpg
IMG_20220124_1822112.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: el murdoque, kraken_kr, Zbysek and 3 others
#109
Used to have a Markbass Compressore, it definitely warmed u p the sound but in a clean manner, no grit out of it.

Now looking again for a pedal to warm up my tone. I use a Tone Hammer Preamp, so the grit is there but I need to fatten and round my tone with that tube vibe. Im between an Night Owl Edison Preamp or the Triode Beelzebub...

IMG_20180212_233918_841.jpg
 
#110
Yes to all the questions.
I too have the Locomotive. This has been the keeper compared to the others I've had, Re; the Loco has its own blend knob, and the use of a 12AY7 to me makes is more controllable and creamier sounding.

I have tried tube rolling in it since I have bunch laying around, any of the 12AX just made it sound harsher. I have a couple late 50's 12AU and it sounded great, they sound much like the stock tube. In the end I put the stock 12AY back in it, its more controllable that way.

The previous tube pedals I'd had before were the Mesa Bottle Rocket, there is no 'mild'.
I also had the DHA VT1eq pedal.
 

Attachments

  • 20211128_102434-1.jpg
    20211128_102434-1.jpg
    162 KB · Views: 69
Last edited:
#111
el murdoque said:
-Do you use a pedal that's having a tube inside?
-One that runs at proper voltage?
-Is it a pedal that runs off DC voltage and is fed 9-18V?
-Is it possible to use it to add tube grit?

If your answer to all of the above is 'Yes', please let me know which pedal it is!
Click to expand...

I don’t have it any longer, but I used to own a Mesa/Boogie V-1 Bottle Rocket. Two 12AX7 tubes, 18 V *AC* power supply, big, heavy, metal enclosure, high plate voltage, great sound. Definitely worth a look if you want a power hungry gigantic metal beast of a pedal to add saturation to your tone.

Oh, and also, I used to run 12AU7s in it for lower gain.

MESA/Boogie®
 
#112
TimboZ said:
I have used a VHT Valvulator in the past. (Still have it but not currently using it)
It is not a starved plate tube circuit like a lot of pedals. It is a buffer with a few 9v power outlets.
It adds a bit of warmth and a touch of compression but no grit or distortion.
Click to expand...

I used to have one of those, too. I loved it. But, I sold it because I was desperate for money at the time.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TimboZ
#113
That being said, using tubes in small signal applications doesn’t have anywhere near the same effect as using tube/output transformer power amps, so try not to buy too much into the idea that a tube pedal is magic.
 
#115
I've got two Sushi Box pedals that each impart that character in their own way, the o.g. microtube Particle Accelerator and Slampegg. Two pedalboards, so both get powered up frequently and satisfyingly.

Also I had a Two Notes Le Bass once upon a time, and it really takes its tube from mild to pure insanity and everything in between.
 
#116
watt said:
bassslinger murd,

yes to all four, 12at7 is getting 300+ volts and you have gain and level controls.

I use a hand wired _space heater_ from sushi box fx on ALL my recordings.

on bass, watt

mike watt's hoot page
Click to expand...
Hi Mike. I've been trying to decide on my first tube driven pedal. Space Heater is a big contender for the Sushi products or the new Edison Nightowl (Slampegg is a serious Sushi Box contender too). After reading your post and may have made up my mind - there is a handwired Space Heater for sale. I see your coming to the Royal Room in Seattle in April. I'm really looking forward to the show at Wayne Horvitz's club - can't wait. Take care, Patrick.
 
#117
bassslinger patch,

I got the handwired _space heater_ now and love it more - I s h i t thee not. bitchin stuff, truly.

on bass, watt

mike watt's hoot page


Patchman777 said:
Hi Mike. I've been trying to decide on my first tube driven pedal. Space Heater is a big contender for the Sushi products or the new Edison Nightowl (Slampegg is a serious Sushi Box contender too). After reading your post and may have made up my mind - there is a handwired Space Heater for sale. I see your coming to the Royal Room in Seattle in April. I'm really looking forward to the show at Wayne Horvitz's club - can't wait. Take care, Patrick.
Click to expand...
 
  • Like
Reactions: bonin in the boneyard, s_wood, bassbrad and 2 others

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back