*Updated: Review - Effectrode Tube Vibe (3-tittied warble box)

Trelwheen

Trelwheen

Well-Known Member
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Review -
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Choosing the right univibe was kind of a big deal. It will play a large part in some upcoming recording projects. It had to have great fidelity and very tweakable parameters. It had to be the real deal, built with photoresistors and incandescent lamp. Digital or FET versions were not considered.

After a good bit of research the Tube Vibe won out, and the Fulltone Mini Deja Vibe was the first runner up. It was close. They both sound great. The Tube Vibe simply has more available control and lots more headroom.

Build quality is as good as it gets, top shelf components are used inside and out. Pots and switches are solid and smooth. Heavy duty, beautifully finished enclosure. Controls are laid out perfectly. Reminds me of gear made in the 1930s. Overbuilt with an art deco flair.

The Tube Vibe's performance reflects the top-notch quality of the build. The sound is full and lush with great definition at all settings. Full of colorful harmonics. It's got massive headroom, owing to the all-tube audio path running at full plate voltage. It doesn't lose its composure or get sloppy or flabby, even at extreme settings. Lots of other univibe pedals can only reach unity gain or just a little above. This one is even capable of slamming the front end of your amp.

The controls are very tweakable and provide wider parameters than most other offerings. Settings at slow speeds and low intensity can yield subtle sweetening effects. The mid ranges are where Trower/Hendrix type effects are found. At further extremes are fast B-3 warbles and sweeping mayhem kinds of things. I bought the Tube Vibe primarily for the latter purpose - high gain mischief and big sonic soundscapes. It brings all that and a lot more, without breaking a sweat. I think I made the right choice. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a seriously good and versatile Vibe.

Original Post -
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My #1 pick after playing and/or listening to just about all of the currently produced options.

I love what these things do in high gain applications. Can't wait to throw it in front of a screaming 2203 or Mesa TC100

Should be here by the weekend. Don't bother calling me, I'll be busy!!!!
 
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Trelwheen said:
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My #1 pick after playing and/or listening to just about all of the currently produced options.

I love what these things do in high gain applications. Can't wait to throw it in front of a screaming 2203 or Mesa TC100

Should be here by the weekend. Don't bother calling me, I'll be busy!!!!
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Really looking forward to hearing your review of this fine looking pedal.
Mitch
 
Trelwheen said:
I've really got this thing dialed in. For leads I am turning the rate waaaaay down slow and setting the intensity at about 11:00. You can't hear the sweeps when it's set that way. You get that thick, wide spaciousness that brings the solo out in the mix.
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I really would love to hear it.
 
ninjaking67 said:
I suspect you could replace the 12AT7s with 12AX7s to get more gain and use it as a Univibe/OD combined.
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Yes! I'm looking forward to trying different tubes.

It's got one 12AU7 and two 12AT7s. According to the manual , changing the AU7 will alter the gain characteristics. I'm guessing the AU7 is V1.

Someone had already replaced all three tubes with some pretty decent ones....A Sylvania 12AU7 and two Amperex 12AT7s. As it is, it'll push the front end of the amp a bit, much like a clean boost. The sound quality is very HiFi and we'll defined. I don't want it to lose those traits...... however, if I can find the right combination for a bit of hair when I crank it up while still retaining the "beauty" of the sound, I'll be shickled titless.

I've got lots of 12AX7s and a couple of AT7s I'd like to try in the 12AU7 slot.

It'll have to sound really good to knock my old DriveMaster off the board! I've never found an OD that works as well as it does with all my Marshall amps.
 
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