I Think I Made A Hasty Purchase…

Cadorman said:
Looks like you should be able to pop that white holder off the side and wiggle the tube out. I'd do it. What could go wrong?
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Yeah. I was wondering if TC Electronic had soldered the tube directly to the PCB! But, I found a post somewhere on The Gear Page where someone had dissected one and there was a tube socket. So, that’s cool. One guy said he liked the sound of a JJ ECC83 in it the best. Another guy had a mod where he soldered a 2.2 nF capacitor across the volume pot to tame some of the highs.

So, I may have just purchased a new toy to play with! Actually though, if I don’t like it I’ll probably send it back since it is brand new…or maybe not!
 
smitty_p said:
Yeah. I was wondering if TC Electronic had soldered the tube directly to the PCB! But, I found a post somewhere on The Gear Page where someone had dissected one and there was a tube socket. So, that’s cool. One guy said he liked the sound of a JJ ECC83 in it the best. Another guy had a mod where he soldered a 2.2 nF capacitor across the volume pot to tame some of the highs.
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Well, this is good to know. Therefore, you can mod the piss out of it... :2Thumbs:
 
smitty_p said:
Yeah. I was wondering if TC Electronic had soldered the tube directly to the PCB! But, I found a post somewhere on The Gear Page where someone had dissected one and there was a tube socket. So, that’s cool. One guy said he liked the sound of a JJ ECC83 in it the best. Another guy had a mod where he soldered a 2.2 nF capacitor across the volume pot to tame some of the highs.

So, I may have just purchased a new toy to play with! Actually though, if I don’t like it I’ll probably send it back since it is brand new…or maybe not!
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Bah! If you don't like it I'll buy it.
 
smitty_p said:
I’m hoping I don’t end up with a little fizz box!
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I don't think you need worry, as can be heard in the video posted earlier.
Starved plate designs do seem to lack the dynamics of a tube operated at high voltage though.
The Reverend Billy G was a well known user of the Tube Driver.
When building these type pedals for others I would, on request put a tone control in them, though I always advise against, telling them to use their guitars tone controls.
There are "high voltage tube" overdrive/distortion effects available, like the Garnet Herzog. Basically/almost a 5f1 champ circuit running into a resistive load/voltage divider, used to get that great American Woman guitar tone. Of course, they are much more costly. Cheers
 
ivan H said:
I don't think you need worry, as can be heard in the video posted earlier.
Starved plate designs do seem to lack the dynamics of a tube operated at high voltage though.
The Reverend Billy G was a well known user of the Tube Driver.
When building these type pedals for others I would, on request put a tone control in them, though I always advise against, telling them to use their guitars tone controls.
There are "high voltage tube" overdrive/distortion effects available, like the Garnet Herzog. Basically/almost a 5f1 champ circuit running into a resistive load/voltage divider, used to get that great American Woman guitar tone. Of course, they are much more costly. Cheers
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Thanks for the info. But let me ask, you said,”There are "high voltage tube" overdrive/distortion effects available, like the Garnet Herzog. Basically/almost a 5f1 champ circuit running into a resistive load/voltage divider, used to get that great American Woman guitar tone.”

In all seriousness, how hard would it really be to build something like this? Are there decent schematics available? I mean, although my technical amplifier training is limited, I do have a formal training in electronics, although mostly in RF. I’ve looked at the Champ circuit. It’s pretty simple (much of what I love about it!).

Maybe I’ve gone at this the wrong way. Maybe I should be looking for a good schematic and just build my own pedal. Do you know of a good high-voltage tube overdrive pedal schematic? Taking the time to source parts and build my own doesn’t scare me away.
 
smitty_p said:
Thani’s for the info. But let me ask, you said,”There are "high voltage tube" overdrive/distortion effects available, like the Garnet Herzog. Basically/almost a 5f1 champ circuit running into a resistive load/voltage divider, used to get that great American Woman guitar tone.”

In all seriousness, how hard would it really be to build something like this? Are there decent schematics available? I mean, although my technical amplifier training is limited, I do have a formal training in electronics, although mostly in RF. I’ve looked at the Champ circuit. It’s pretty simple (much of what I love about it!).

Maybe I’ve gone at this the wrong way. Maybe I should be looking for a good schematic and just build my own pedal. Do you know of a good high-voltage tube overdrive pedal schematic? Taking the time to source parts and build my own doesn’t scare me away.
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Quite easy to build, & yes, schematics of various models available. Not much difference between the models, I think mainly just in the resistive load/voltage divider circuitry. Here's a couple of schematics16294074328357971618485657503569.png1629406253377759910714654630899.png
There are other model schematics available online. Cheers
Edit:
Notice that the effect is switched in/out by relay. Cheers
Edit (again, haha).
As you already have a Champ amp, even though it isn't the 5f1, you could use it. You could quite easily make up the resistive load & voltage divider (potentiometer) etc "external" to the amp (a diecast enclosure with ventilation holes added), even put a simple 2 or 3 pole double throw footswitch in, for switching the effect in/out. Just a thought. Cheers
 
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smitty_p said:
I suppose part of it is that I rarely, RARELY make sudden purchases. I usually weigh these purchases very carefully…sometimes for days or weeks.

Part of my doubt may be due to having made a relatively sudden purchase, which somewhat out of the ordinary for me.

I plan on pairing this up with my Fender Champ (1973 Silverface). Hopefully, they sound good together.
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I have the same problem, not just with gear but with a lot of stuff I buy. I think I overanalyze it and think too often of the negatives that may come about instead of just making the purchase and enjoying. Sometimes that causes me to miss out.
I hope you will be very pleased with it with no regrets!
 
Ozzie said:
I have the same problem, not just with gear but with a lot of stuff I buy. I think I overanalyze it and think too often of the negatives that may come about instead of just making the purchase and enjoying. Sometimes that causes me to miss out.
I hope you will be very pleased with it with no regrets!
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Thanks, Ozzie. I’ve learned that a great deal of how good a pedal will sound comes down to the amp it’s paired up with. This seems to be especially true of gain pedals.

But, I’ll know by this time next week!
 
Well…I’ll post a more thorough review later.

But, let me just say….

I’m relieved.

This pedal doesn’t suck! And, it pairs up nicely with my little Fender Champ. Humbuckers work well with it and a Strat doesn’t sound brittle and nasally. I was most concerned about that. It’s not noisy either, which is nice.
 
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