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Vintage threads from the first ten years

Re: Chandler tube driver schematic

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12/14/2000 7:41 AM
aron	Re: Chandler tube driver schematic This stuff is so weird. I got 2 tubes with mine, a military 12au7 and crappy 12ax7. I didn't like either. I popped in a Mullard and wow! Still, I have lots of SS stuff that sounds lots better, but the Tube Driver does have its place. I haven't gotten rid of it.

12/13/2000 6:02 PM

Hi Doug, Here's some addition to the bait. That unit that Tim worked on sounded really good through his minimarshall rig in a live setting. Perhaps the hype has a little basis. I read at Analog Mike's forum that Eric Johnson still relies on his A/C powered floor models as one of his key tones.

I have in the past been pretty skeptical of tube preamp/pedals, but this one sounded real nice.

Knowing what I know of you from following you on the forums and hearing your sound samples, I think you are a great candidate for liking this pedal.

Tim still hasn't figured out if the tone was coming from the tube or the opamp.

12/13/2000 6:27 PM

I've been scared off by the complexity/cost of the high voltage units (may as well build an amp). On the other end, I built a starved-plate circuit many years ago and hated it. Seeing as how this appears to be *the* BK Butler unit, it's worth trying the low-voltage route again, IMO. The AC wall-wart really simplifies the whole thing too. And with better opamps as well as charge-pump ICs available now (for upverting B+), might actually be able to do something pretty cool here.

Thanks!

Doug

12/13/2000 6:27 PM
aron	Is this the same Chandler Tube Driver pedal I have? If so, with good tubes it does higher gain levels fine. Although it's pretty buzzy sounding all around.... My vote goes for something like the Varidrive - high voltage, smooth, real tube sound.

12/13/2000 8:40 PM

Buzzy sound?

I've chimed in before but I'll repeat myself anyway. Even though the rackmount doesn't get good reviews and isn't sought after much, I think part of it is the way it is dialed in. The contour and bias knobs don't appear to do much but the very last part of the knobs travel does make a difference; dime both controls. The same is true of the high EQ knob except at the other end of the knob's travel. Turn the high EQ completely OFF, otherwise it is buzzy. You also get this nice, thick midrange hump that kicks in. When dialed like that into my 50-watt FrankenPlexi, mine gets a great grind, infinite sustain (well...until the good feedback takes over), and also touch feedback that's controllable. Almost like the amp is cranked but more over the top. Then again, what's smooth to me might be buzzy to others.

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