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2 TO 3 PRONG POWER CORD MOD ON MY VACUUM TUBE PEDAL..................

JeffBlue

Active member
Joined
Sep 16, 2012
Messages
348
I have a BK Butler Real Tube pedal which is supposedly the precursor to the Tube Driver pedal. My pedal had a 2 prong cord which means the chassis was ungrounded and introduced line voltage noise and someone added an in-line on/off switch. I installed the new cord and now there isn't any noise, just excellent tone.
 

TM1

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 27, 2003
Messages
8,349
There is alot of stray signal/line noise in that pedal. Grounding the AC really removes most of that as it gives it someplace to go. I had one of the Tube Works versions from the late `80's. I have one of theearly `90's versions now. Identical inside! I did replace the 12AX7 with a 12AU7 and that made it far more useable. But they've always been a nice OD I think. I found they work best with lower output guitars as it gives them some balls..
 

JeffBlue

Active member
Joined
Sep 16, 2012
Messages
348
There is alot of stray signal/line noise in that pedal. Grounding the AC really removes most of that as it gives it someplace to go. I had one of the Tube Works versions from the late `80's. I have one of theearly `90's versions now. Identical inside! I did replace the 12AX7 with a 12AU7 and that made it far more useable. But they've always been a nice OD I think. I found they work best with lower output guitars as it gives them some balls..

I just let go of a Tube Works (Taiwan version, noisy) Blue Tube pedal, I have a BK Butler Blue Tube pedal that I modified to use a 6SL7 octal tube (I had to punch a hole in the side of the chassis and figure how to wire a homemade noval to octal adapter) sounds excellent and I am using a 12BH7 (a longer 12AU7 type tube) in my Real Tube pedal and that sounds great. I agree that a 12AU7 sounds much better in these pedals than a 12AX7. Typically I use these pedals as a clean boost because they enhance the initial signal when used this way. I mostly try to adjust the pedals as transparent as possible and use other pedals for the dirt.
 
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