Do tubes in pedals work?

Protect yourself at all times. Follow my instructions at all times. Ready? Touch gloves and come out swinging.

(No relic content, but I have a feeling there will be differing opinions here.)

If you don't know what I'm talking about,
http://tonebone.com/tb-plexitube.htm
http://www.modkitsdiy.com/pedal/persuader

The Vox Valvetronix amps also have a starved-plate (B+ ~+/-35V) valve used for modelling, it does not appear to be used for amplification (gain) as such but to control the "computer chip" modelling processor.

Yes it works, but it is not doing what you might be led to believe it is doing. It is not operating like a pre-amp valve in a guitar amp.

Pedal FX with valves do this too.

Never played one but have had bandmates over the years that had 'em. Guitarist currently in my band has an old Butler Tube Works. Doesn't sound nearly as good as a good old Blues Driver.

The Vox Valvetronix amps also have a starved-plate (B+ ~+/-35V) valve used for modelling, it does not appear to be used for amplification (gain) as such but to control the "computer chip" modelling processor.

Yes it works, but it is not doing what you might be led to believe it is doing. It is not operating like a pre-amp valve in a guitar amp.

Pedal FX with valves do this too.

What he said. I can't think of any stomp box with a tube that doesn't use a starved plate design.

The Effectrode pedals advertise voltages of over 250v in their pedals.

my elecro- harmonix black finger tube compressor has 300 volts with 2- 12ax7's...you have to spend time with it to learn how to operate it correctly.

but i like it.

Thanks for the info. Both look interesting. I have a Universal Audio 1176 and a LA-610, I'd be curious to compare these to both units. As I wouldn't mind capturing some of that mojo on my board.

About 12 yrs ago I had that big ole Mesa Boogie tube drive. At the time I thought it was "cool" yet was never impressed with the sound. It just made things a little "edgier".

I've mucked about a bit with a Mesa V-Twin, I don't think that they're starved-plate. From what I gather there's a fair few opamps in them though. Sounded pretty good through a Hot Rod Deluxe.

I've mucked about a bit with a Mesa V-Twin, I don't think that they're starved-plate. From what I gather there's a fair few opamps in them though. Sounded pretty good through a Hot Rod Deluxe.

I'm fairly certain it's a low plate voltage. And yes it is a valve & op-amp combination.

I'm fairly certain it's a low plate voltage. And yes it is a valve & op-amp combination.

I did a bit of digging before I posted that; as far as I can establish, the valves see a B+ of ~250V. I'm going off info from The Internet though and I rarely trust that guy 100% :smile:

The Hughes and Kettner Tube Factor Overdrive Pedal runs at 290 volts.

It is not operating like a pre-amp valve in a guitar amp.

The overwhelming majority of tube pedals work this way - the tube is not a gain source.

Even if you could make something with proper working voltage for dual triode preamp tubes, it wouldn't have the portability advantages.

There are pedals that use submini tubes that actually do get the gain from the tubes, but they are not synonymous with dual triode types. It doesn't mean they sound bad, just different.

The Zendrive II replaces the solid state diodes from the I with a tube wired as clipping diodes, and it is a good "evolutionary step" IMO.

...But there is a SUPER smart guy named Merlin Blencowe who has come up with the Spark Gap:

http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=89363.0

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j207/merlinblencowe/Spark%20Gap%20EB91%20PEdal/SparkGapGlow.jpg

He discovered that a dual triode is a poor choice as a clipping diode in a drive pedal. A different type of tube with a small plate to cathode spacing was needed to get really great soft clipping characteristics, with the plus being that they seem to sound best at around 4VAC to the filaments (instead of the standard 6.3VAC in other "normal applications").

...Hence the name "spark gap," because of the small spacing where the electrons are "exchanged."

So the Spark Gap does actually work at 9VDC, because the tubes are utilized in a different manner. So in this case, "tubes in this pedal do work," but it is still a hybrid, and the tubes are used for the overdriven/distorted sound that most of us seem to find so pleasing.

And as is usually the case, the most cutting edge pedals are not something that are typically mass produced by a company - Mr. Blencowe came up with this one as a free offering to the DIY community. You'd have to get someone to build one for you, but all the info to do it has been provided.

A few guys I know have Blackstar pedals with tubes in. I'm not blown away by the sound any of them get. They sound like pedals to me.

I've noticed a lot of people younger than me buying amps and pedals without hearing them first with the decision largely based on the fact they have tubes in. 'Tubes sound better, man,' they tell me... OK...if you say so.

I've had my Tonebone Classic for about 10 yrs. now and still totally dig it. I believe there's a tube in there. What it does exactly...:?:

PJ

I've had my Tonebone Classic for about 10 yrs. now and still totally dig it. I believe there's a tube in there. What it does exactly...:?:

PJ
Wish I had kept mine, easily one of the best pedals/preamps I've owned in my 25 years of playing. Though I don't know either how much the tube actually did to the sound ...

I've had a couple, including a H&K and a T Rex Room Mate - over all 'Meh' and I flipped them both within weeks.

I have one of these. I think you could get it as a pedal. It is OK I liked it into the nose of my Twin or Super but didn't use it much with my Boogie DC-5.
http://shudderspeed.tripod.com/tubedriver.jpg

The overwhelming majority of tube pedals work this way - the tube is not a gain source.

Even if you could make something with proper working voltage for dual triode preamp tubes, it wouldn't have the portability advantages.

There are pedals that use submini tubes that actually do get the gain from the tubes, but they are not synonymous with dual triode types. It doesn't mean they sound bad, just different.

The Zendrive II replaces the solid state diodes from the I with a tube wired as clipping diodes, and it is a good "evolutionary step" IMO.

...But there is a SUPER smart guy named Merlin Blencowe who has come up with the Spark Gap:

http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=89363.0

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j207/merlinblencowe/Spark%20Gap%20EB91%20PEdal/SparkGapGlow.jpg

He discovered that a dual triode is a poor choice as a clipping diode in a drive pedal. A different type of tube with a small plate to cathode spacing was needed to get really great soft clipping characteristics, with the plus being that they seem to sound best at around 4VAC to the filaments (instead of the standard 6.3VAC in other "normal applications").

...Hence the name "spark gap," because of the small spacing where the electrons are "exchanged."

So the Spark Gap does actually work at 9VDC, because the tubes are utilized in a different manner. So in this case, "tubes in this pedal do work," but it is still a hybrid, and the tubes are used for the overdriven/distorted sound that most of us seem to find so pleasing.

And as is usually the case, the most cutting edge pedals are not something that are typically mass produced by a company - Mr. Blencowe came up with this one as a free offering to the DIY community. You'd have to get someone to build one for you, but all the info to do it has been provided.

okay i have to build one of these