TubeWorks Blue Tube Pedal .... any experiences ? (also the Real Tube version)

[crusty philtrum]

Yesterday I was given a Tube Works 'Blue Tube' pedal by a friend, which contains a 12AX7 valve (tube). I remember when he, and another friend, got these pedals. I wasn't impressed at all, they didn't sound any better than s/s overdrive pedals to my ears. Apparently my friend felt the same way, the pedal quickly fell into disuse and was almost forgotten for years until he gave it to me yesterday.








Some quick research tells me that it's almost identical to another model called the Real Tube. I think later this design, from B K Butler, was manufactured by Chandler.

I did a whole lot of reading online last night and it seems most people would swap out the 12AX7 and install a 12AU7 (lower gain). I found schematics for both the Blue Tube and the Real Tube, and there is only a couple of parts that are different.

It has occured to me that with a tube swap to the 12AU7 and upgrading the capacitors in the signal path, I might be able to make this into a useful pedal (clean boost/ light overdrive/ eq)

Has anyone had any experience with these pedals ? Any opinions to share, good, bad or indifferent ? Any thoughts, experiences and ideas are welcome .....

[guitfiddle]

Re: TubeWorks Blue Tube Pedal .... any experiences ? (also the Real Tube version)

They're awesome. I used one on my board for al ong time before it was stolen. I put a nice tube in there, and it smoothed it out for me. Great pedals.

[crusty philtrum]

Re: TubeWorks Blue Tube Pedal .... any experiences ? (also the Real Tube version)

They're awesome. I used one on my board for al ong time before it was stolen. I put a nice tube in there, and it smoothed it out for me. Great pedals.

Cool. Did you change the tube type, or was it another 12AX7 ? What kind of amp were you running it into ? Were you running the drive up higher for some crunch or keeping it low for more of a cleaner boost ?

[guitfiddle]

Re: TubeWorks Blue Tube Pedal .... any experiences ? (also the Real Tube version)

I went with a Telefunken 12AX7, but didn't have the pedal long enough to try different types. I ran mine into a '68 Bassman amp with a G12M-70 loaded 4x12. I kept the drive around 1 o'clock, and the level set to a bit of boost depending on how loud the amp was running (4 1/2 in the following clip...loud).

I used it to give me the low fi tone that let me go back into the mix a bit, and my Rocktron Austin Gold to push the tone out front a bit more. I was using a '78 Les Paul Custom at the time, too. The Bluetube has a very soft OD character and was, to me, remenicent of Jimmy Page's earliest tones with Zeppelin when he was running a KT66 tubed Marshall.

Here's a clip of a tune I recorded with that setup. http://soundclick.com/share?songid=6448685 You'll hear how it sounds kind of spongy on rhythms all over the tune, but on the solo you can really hear it. At the very beginning of the solo, I punched in with a different pedal, a cheap little Danelectro Fab OD. There is a pause, and then from the second phrase on, you hear the Blue Tube, and how spongy it is...in a good way. I love that loose low end tone for leads. The tune cuts out early cause I uploaded a wav file instead of MP3.

I'd love to have another...if you decide you don't like it, you can always send it up my way...lol

[LReese]

Re: TubeWorks Blue Tube Pedal .... any experiences ? (also the Real Tube version)

I've got a Real Tube, liked it a lot with a 12AV7 (yes a 12AV7) even over a Butler Tube Driver.. Still very noisy.

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: TubeWorks Blue Tube Pedal .... any experiences ? (also the Real Tube version)

Yeah play around with the tube....and I think there is a few good mods for it as well....
Just forgot what those where...hehe

[o.p-i.v]

Re: TubeWorks Blue Tube Pedal .... any experiences ? (also the Real Tube version)

i have the real tube version and dig it, its little grindy, garagey, not smooth and creamy if thats what you're looking for, i like it though

[guitfiddle]

Re: TubeWorks Blue Tube Pedal .... any experiences ? (also the Real Tube version)

i have the real tube version and dig it, its little grindy, garagey, not smooth and creamy if thats what you're looking for, i like it though

That's what the 12AU7 is for...to make it creamy and smooth. A good AX7 will make it smoother than it is stock with the Ei 12AX7 tubes they used in them at the factory.

[crusty philtrum]

Re: TubeWorks Blue Tube Pedal .... any experiences ? (also the Real Tube version)

Thanks so much for this comprehensive post. I listened to the track (good song, i enjoyed it, nice feel about it) and it is very much as you described. I'm kinda busy with other stuff at the moment, but i think i'll try it with a 12AU7 and maybe upgrade the signal path caps after hearing it in it's original configuration. Upgrading the op-amp chips would be easy enough too.

I'm not sure this one would be a good one for you though, it's a 240 Volt model, hehe. If it's a 'starved plate voltage' circuit, it would be twice as starved running on 110 Volts.

I went with a Telefunken 12AX7, but didn't have the pedal long enough to try different types. I ran mine into a '68 Bassman amp with a G12M-70 loaded 4x12. I kept the drive around 1 o'clock, and the level set to a bit of boost depending on how loud the amp was running (4 1/2 in the following clip...loud).

I used it to give me the low fi tone that let me go back into the mix a bit, and my Rocktron Austin Gold to push the tone out front a bit more. I was using a '78 Les Paul Custom at the time, too. The Bluetube has a very soft OD character and was, to me, remenicent of Jimmy Page's earliest tones with Zeppelin when he was running a KT66 tubed Marshall.

Here's a clip of a tune I recorded with that setup. http://soundclick.com/share?songid=6448685 You'll hear how it sounds kind of spongy on rhythms all over the tune, but on the solo you can really hear it. At the very beginning of the solo, I punched in with a different pedal, a cheap little Danelectro Fab OD. There is a pause, and then from the second phrase on, you hear the Blue Tube, and how spongy it is...in a good way. I love that loose low end tone for leads. The tune cuts out early cause I uploaded a wav file instead of MP3.

I'd love to have another...if you decide you don't like it, you can always send it up my way...lol

[guitfiddle]

Re: TubeWorks Blue Tube Pedal .... any experiences ? (also the Real Tube version)

Thanks so much for this comprehensive post. I listened to the track (good song, i enjoyed it, nice feel about it) and it is very much as you described. I'm kinda busy with other stuff at the moment, but i think i'll try it with a 12AU7 and maybe upgrade the signal path caps after hearing it in it's original configuration. Upgrading the op-amp chips would be easy enough too.

I'm not sure this one would be a good one for you though, it's a 240 Volt model, hehe. If it's a 'starved plate voltage' circuit, it would be twice as starved running on 110 Volts.

You're welcome, and thanks!! I was just kidding, but it never hurts to try. I can find them on Ebay three out of every four weeks, I just never have gear cash at the right time.

[dbfs]

Re: TubeWorks Blue Tube Pedal .... any experiences ? (also the Real Tube version)

Some quick research tells me that it's almost identical to another model called the Real Tube. I think later this design, from B K Butler, was manufactured by Chandler.

I did a whole lot of reading online last night and it seems most people would swap out the 12AX7 and install a 12AU7 (lower gain). I found schematics for both the Blue Tube and the Real Tube, and there is only a couple of parts that are different.

Has anyone had any experience with these pedals ? Any opinions to share, good, bad or indifferent ? Any thoughts, experiences and ideas are welcome .....

The 12AU7 offers me more (OUTPUT) headroom level with less Overdrive (DRIVE)on my Real Tube pedal (black case)
Also this is starved plated technology.
Which acts as a tube buffer circuit to the in-line op amp for the eq'uing and gain and level controls.
Had mine since late '80's
The 12AX7 was too saturated for me in most case, hardly gained it, but with the 12AU7 it is perfect for those using a crunch amp setting who want a add a sustainful smoothing factor to a solo.

I did not change anything but the 12AU7, knowing full well I would get less Drive/Gain from the tube.

[Jeffblue]

Re: TubeWorks Blue Tube Pedal .... any experiences ? (also the Real Tube version)

I really did something different and way out there with one of my BK Butler Blue Tube pedals. I had cut a hole in the side of the chassis and created a 9 pin to an octal socket adapter and wired it appropriately and added a 6SL7 preamp tube and it sounds great.
I also have another Blue Tube pedal (Tube Works) and a BK Butler Real Tube with an 8414A (Military grade 12AU7) and that sounds incredible.

[Jeffblue]

Re: TubeWorks Blue Tube Pedal .... any experiences ? (also the Real Tube version)

Sorry.........that tube in the Real Tube pedal is a 5814A. I have also run these pedals with a 12BH7 with excellent results.

[DinoTrousers]

Re: TubeWorks Blue Tube Pedal .... any experiences ? (also the Real Tube version)

We had a Tube Works Smooth 303 come through my shop once. I really wish I had picked it up. It was pretty funky looking, and sounded pretty nice. I want to say the previous owner had put an old 12au7 in it

[Jeffblue]

Re: TubeWorks Blue Tube Pedal .... any experiences ? (also the Real Tube version)

If you have one of these pedals, for me, it isn't a useful tone with a 12AX7. A 12AY7 is interesting. 12AU7 is the way to go unless you use a 12BH7.