Real tube pedals for lower gain sounds.

johnnyseven · Post by **johnnyseven** » Wed Nov 24, 2010 1:11 pm

GeorgeF's Television thread got me thinking about real tube pedals for lower gain sounds. Anyone know of any? I'm not thinking as low gain as George was after just nice lower gain OD sound, most clips i've seen of real tube pedals only seem to offer high gain/metal tones.

George · Post by **George** » Wed Nov 24, 2010 1:13 pm

YES JOHNNY! Totally relevant to my interests.

Ro S · Post by **Ro S** » Wed Nov 24, 2010 1:57 pm

Some of examples of real tube overdrive/distortion:

Other than the more expensive Radial Tonebones and Butler's...

- Nady TD1 (the recent one, not the 80s one) (doscontinued? but still available on closeout deals);
- Aria Platinum Drive (discontinued?);
- the newish Seymour Duncan one;
- Coopersonic Valveslapper;
cheaper options:
- Behringer VT911;
- Behringer VT999

Dunno whether any above will do low enough gain for what you want though.

However, Blackstar do a range of real tube gain pedals, ranging from 'Overdrive' to higher gain ones. Might be worth investigating them?

And also: the discontinued Vox Cooltron series might suit. There's a 'Big Ben Overdive', a booster one I think, and a 'Over the Top Boost' (last one based on a Vox AC30 amp)

Fran · Post by **Fran** » Wed Nov 24, 2010 2:01 pm

The Aria Platinum Drive is very high gain, even after changing the pre-amp valve for a 'cleaner' type. I struggled to get any decent crunch sounds from mine, it was just balls out Distortion and loud.

Johno · Post by **Johno** » Wed Nov 24, 2010 2:07 pm

Mesa V-Twin
Coopersonic Dirt box
Hardwire CM-2 tube overdrive

Ro S · Post by **Ro S** » Wed Nov 24, 2010 2:13 pm

Johno wrote:Mesa V-Twin
Coopersonic Dirt box
Hardwire CM-2 tube overdrive

Pretty sure two of the above are not real tube pedals.

I forgot to mention in my last post the Ibanez Tube Kings. They do an Overdrive and a Distortion.

edit:
Also - Biyang do a couple of real tube gain pedals. Probably fairly cheap.

Simon · Post by **Simon** » Wed Nov 24, 2010 2:18 pm

Vox Cooltron Big Ben is a great pedal, nice tube overdrive pedal and not too expensive if bought second hand, they're discontinued now though. Sold mine to Mr Person a while back...

George · Post by **George** » Wed Nov 24, 2010 2:28 pm

Ro S wrote:
Johno wrote:Mesa V-Twin
Coopersonic Dirt box
Hardwire CM-2 tube overdrive
Pretty sure two of the above are not real tube pedals.

I forgot to mention in my last post the Ibanez Tube Kings. They do an Overdrive and a Distortion.

edit:
Also - Biyang do a couple of real tube gain pedals. Probably fairly cheap.

Tube King OD looks like a good shout, can't quite find a demo on youtube though! Except some strung out looking dipstick

[youtube][/youtube]

George · Post by **George** » Wed Nov 24, 2010 2:31 pm

This video gives good signs! Think it's the HT version.

[youtube][/youtube]

Disgusting toes on display though.

Ro S · Post by **Ro S** » Wed Nov 24, 2010 2:42 pm

^
I think that's the earlier, discountinued version (before the current 'lozenge' shaped white and red ones). I think production took places in two different counries; one my be fancied more than the other. Good chance of getting one of them second hand. Maxon also did a version.

Gabriel · Post by **Gabriel** » Wed Nov 24, 2010 3:24 pm

Waiting for the Winter wrote:Vox Cooltron Big Ben is a great pedal, nice tube overdrive pedal and not too expensive if bought second hand, they're discontinued now though. Sold mine to Mr Person a while back...

its a really nice pedal, I'd recommend one if you can find one.

They have quite a nice range of drive, from a fairly clean boost up to a fairly heavy overdrive.

Progrockabuse · Post by **Progrockabuse** » Wed Nov 24, 2010 3:29 pm

i missed out of one of those Big bens ages ago. really nice pedal.

PM'd J7

SGJarrod · Post by **SGJarrod** » Wed Nov 24, 2010 5:33 pm

Talk to Mike of MBM......on freestompboxes.org there is a scheme for a pedal designed and made by a member named BajaMan..... real tube, suppose to be superb and I am sure Mike could slap one together....just an idea

scheme

thread

sound samples are 1/2 way down on pag 4

mickie08 · Post by **mickie08** » Wed Nov 24, 2010 5:48 pm

SIB Varidrive. But they are pricey, huge, and draw a ton of power (uses a standard amp style power cable...)

SGJarrod · Post by **SGJarrod** » Wed Nov 24, 2010 5:53 pm

Maxon Tube Series

TB09

TOD9

all Maxon Goodness

SGJarrod · Post by **SGJarrod** » Wed Nov 24, 2010 6:09 pm

Maxon Tube Series

TB09

TOD9

all Maxon Goodness

Dannymec · Post by **Dannymec** » Wed Nov 24, 2010 8:46 pm

GeorgeF wrote:
Tube King OD looks like a good shout, can't quite find a demo on youtube though! Except some strung out looking dipstick

[youtube][/youtube]

You can see the old one in the background on that wall of pedals. I wish his playing wasn't so wanking so I could actually hear a modest demo.

Kenny from Moneen uses the old brown box ones.

Will · Post by **Will** » Wed Nov 24, 2010 8:56 pm

If you can find one for cheap:

Ro S · Post by **Ro S** » Fri Nov 26, 2010 9:26 pm

Blackstar tube boost on sale on ebay;

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Blackstar-HT-BOOS ... 43a34e223e

fostewi · Post by **fostewi** » Fri Nov 26, 2010 9:45 pm

Ro S wrote:Blackstar tube boost on sale on ebay;

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Blackstar-HT-BOOS ... 43a34e223e

I don't know anything about these pedals but they are on sale at Moog audio in Canada too : http://www.moogaudio.com/boutique-effec ... 02&sort=2a