Need user opinions on certain pieces...
- Thread starter B2D
- Start date
sosomething
Seymour Duncan Customer Support
Re: Need user opinions on certain pieces...
Never used a Valvulator, but I've heard good things.
I have never seen a useful or practical application of the BBE as applied to a live guitar rig. They can be useful in the studio for bringing some sizzle or thump back into a dead-sounding track, but they're pretty much a solid-state-ifier when run through a guitar amp.
Never used a Valvulator, but I've heard good things.
I have never seen a useful or practical application of the BBE as applied to a live guitar rig. They can be useful in the studio for bringing some sizzle or thump back into a dead-sounding track, but they're pretty much a solid-state-ifier when run through a guitar amp.
D
DeadSkinSlayer3
Guest
Re: Need user opinions on certain pieces...
I have to agree, the BBE really doesn't do anything a good EQ and OD can do better. In fact, all it does is boost low and high frequencies, apparently that "time correction" thing they go on about.
I have to agree, the BBE really doesn't do anything a good EQ and OD can do better. In fact, all it does is boost low and high frequencies, apparently that "time correction" thing they go on about.
Re: Need user opinions on certain pieces...
Hmm.... very interesting.
I don't know how reliable the sources are, but a lot of Harmony Central reviews on the Valvulator seem to cite reliability as a problem.
I'm basically looking for something (or a combination of no more than two peices) that will help reduce tone loss caused by long cable lengths and reduce extraneous noise. I don't know of any other line drivers/signal buffers other than the Valvulator... anyone got any suggestions?
Hmm.... very interesting.
I don't know how reliable the sources are, but a lot of Harmony Central reviews on the Valvulator seem to cite reliability as a problem.
I'm basically looking for something (or a combination of no more than two peices) that will help reduce tone loss caused by long cable lengths and reduce extraneous noise. I don't know of any other line drivers/signal buffers other than the Valvulator... anyone got any suggestions?
ErikH
Well-known member
Re: Need user opinions on certain pieces...
Check here: www.generalguitargadgets.com and look at the Buffer-IC and Buffer-Discrete. They're under the Effects Projects, Boosters/Routers.
One can be made on perfboard rather than an etched PCB. With such a small parts count, both of those are easy to make. And they work great. I built the IC version myself and use it in the effects loop of my amp.
EDIT: Almost forgot, Boss and Ibanez pedals have buffered bypass circuits to help with this problem too but you can still use an outboard buffer as well at the end of the pedal chain right before the cable to the amp.
If you're handy with a soldering iron, make your own buffer. It's really easy and all the parts can be had from Radio Shack and other online sources like Small Bear Electronics or DigiKey or Mouser. All the BBE stuff IMO is over-hyped buffers.B2D said:
Check here: www.generalguitargadgets.com and look at the Buffer-IC and Buffer-Discrete. They're under the Effects Projects, Boosters/Routers.
One can be made on perfboard rather than an etched PCB. With such a small parts count, both of those are easy to make. And they work great. I built the IC version myself and use it in the effects loop of my amp.
EDIT: Almost forgot, Boss and Ibanez pedals have buffered bypass circuits to help with this problem too but you can still use an outboard buffer as well at the end of the pedal chain right before the cable to the amp.
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Matt Blackett
New member
Re: Need user opinions on certain pieces...
I have a Valvulator and I've never had any issues with reliability. It's great if you're running a lot of pedals and cable. It really does bring back what you lose with all that circuitry. My only hang with it is its size--it's a little bulky for a pedalboard. I do like what it does for a pedal-heavy rig, though.
I have a Valvulator and I've never had any issues with reliability. It's great if you're running a lot of pedals and cable. It really does bring back what you lose with all that circuitry. My only hang with it is its size--it's a little bulky for a pedalboard. I do like what it does for a pedal-heavy rig, though.
Re: Need user opinions on certain pieces...
I'm running in order...
-TU-2
-Crybaby 535Q
-Fulltone OCD
-Fulltone Ultimate Octave
...then into the amp via a 15ft Planet waves cable, then two more 15 footers making the effect loop run out to these:
-MXR M117R Flanger
-Boss DD20 Gidadelay.
I'm actually in the process of getting up the $$ for a head case with a small built-in rack on it. The rack would mainly house a Furman Power unit and a shelf to hold my attenuator and the Valvulator, if that's what I end up getting.
Thanks for the advice, guys. Keep it coming.
Matt Blackett said:
I'm running in order...
-TU-2
-Crybaby 535Q
-Fulltone OCD
-Fulltone Ultimate Octave
...then into the amp via a 15ft Planet waves cable, then two more 15 footers making the effect loop run out to these:
-MXR M117R Flanger
-Boss DD20 Gidadelay.
I'm actually in the process of getting up the $$ for a head case with a small built-in rack on it. The rack would mainly house a Furman Power unit and a shelf to hold my attenuator and the Valvulator, if that's what I end up getting.
Thanks for the advice, guys. Keep it coming.
Re: Need user opinions on certain pieces...
A few q's...
What's the actual difference in sound that you notice when using/not using the buffer?
Is it better to stick the buffer in the loop of the amp or RIGHT after the send jack of the fx loop on the amp (like with a patch cable)? If I use it after the last pedal going into the amp will the low impedance carry over to the fx loop?
ErikH said:
A few q's...
What's the actual difference in sound that you notice when using/not using the buffer?
Is it better to stick the buffer in the loop of the amp or RIGHT after the send jack of the fx loop on the amp (like with a patch cable)? If I use it after the last pedal going into the amp will the low impedance carry over to the fx loop?
ErikH
Well-known member
Re: Need user opinions on certain pieces...
I run about 30' feet of cable between the guitar and amp.
18' from guitar to Crybaby (true bypassed), in to a AMZ Mosfet Boost (also true bypassed) via a 1' patch cable, then 10' from the booster to the amp. I have about 4' in the loop. Technically, I should have buffer out front but I like it after the delay in the loop. It works great for me.
The only reason my pedals out front are true byass is because Crybaby's naturally suck tone when in bypass mode anyway so that's worth changing and with the booster, since I made it, I figured why not. I haven't done anything with buffered bypass yet (like Boss and Ibanez pedals).
Good question. A lot of people don't know what to expect. What I've noticed is it brings back lost clarity. It's not really boosting like a true booster would do, but it's kicking up the signal just enough to keep it clean yet bring back all that was lost going from point A to point B. I notice it across the spectrum actually.B2D said:
This all depends on how much cable you're running. With your rig, I would definitely put one after the Gidadelay in the effects loop. You might want one after the Octave before going to the amp but you should be OK with just one. Try it first and then go from there.B2D said:
I run about 30' feet of cable between the guitar and amp.
18' from guitar to Crybaby (true bypassed), in to a AMZ Mosfet Boost (also true bypassed) via a 1' patch cable, then 10' from the booster to the amp. I have about 4' in the loop. Technically, I should have buffer out front but I like it after the delay in the loop. It works great for me.
The only reason my pedals out front are true byass is because Crybaby's naturally suck tone when in bypass mode anyway so that's worth changing and with the booster, since I made it, I figured why not. I haven't done anything with buffered bypass yet (like Boss and Ibanez pedals).
