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Post subject: Can a single 12AX7 tube make all the difference?
Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2012 7:51 am
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Aspiring Musician
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For the sake of matrimonial bliss it has been decided that I am free to unleash the full power of my HRD provided I comply with certain time restrictions. So for those times when the amp and others in the household are in sleep mode, I'm looking at a multi-effects pedal.

The two candidates are the BOSS ME-25 and the Vox ToneLab ST. I have no first hand experience with either of these units so I would very much like to hear from those who do. What I'm a little skeptical about is the 12AX7 tube in the Vox ToneLab ST. According to the company:

    "The valve circuitry features a real 12AX7 vacuum tube – along with other components – to cleanly mimic the interaction that occurs in a tube amplifier in a way no digital circuit can. This distinguishes the ToneLab ST from other manufacturer’s modeling units. This fundamental difference is the basis for the awesome sonic power available in the ToneLab ST that no other multi-effect unit can obtain."

Impressive, but is it true or just a marketing gimmick?

Thanks and Cheers!
BM

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Post subject: Re: Can a single 12AX7 tube make all the difference?
Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2012 8:32 am
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Tube loaded OD pedals (like the Matchless HotBox) have a more tubey-like, slower OD crunch than most solid-state driven pedals. However, a LOT has to do with the setup of the circuitry, whether tube or transistor/chips. I wouldn't say that the presence of a tube is always the main difference in tone.

HTH! :mrgreen:


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Post subject: Re: Can a single 12AX7 tube make all the difference?
Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2012 9:26 am
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hi. I had the little vox floor board with the tube in it and i didnt much care for it. The effects were ok but i didnt think the amp models sounded good. I know im violating sacred law here but i dont think tubes are always better. I have a analogman boss ds1 that kills almost any distortion pedal ive ever used. and while im not against tubes and i know they sound great and all, after having several tube amps and spent tons and tons of money on repairs, new tubes, blowing tubes at bad times, biasing issues and stuff i often use a solid state setup for live gigs. once they mic you and put in the PA it doesnt really matter how loud you are. im considering a mustang floor now that they dropped the price to 200$. i havbe a superchamp x2 that for all its digitalness sounds really really good especially at high volume. anyways blah blah blah the only thing that really matters is your ears so close your eyes and give it an honest listen and go with what makes you wanna rock!
cheers


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Post subject: Re: Can a single 12AX7 tube make all the difference?
Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2012 3:18 pm
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Aspiring Musician
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Hey guys, thanks for the feedback. As always, much appreciated.

Since posting I've had a chance to try out the Vox Tonelab ST and I cannot say that I was blown away by the quality of sound. Maybe I'm just too picky.

Hopefully I'll get a chance to try the BOSS ME-25 soon.

Cheers!
BM

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Post subject: Re: Can a single 12AX7 tube make all the difference?
Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2012 8:31 pm
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Since you have a tube amp, adding a pedal with a tube in it isn't going to shine as well as adding the same pedal to a solid state amp.

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Post subject: Re: Can a single 12AX7 tube make all the difference?
Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2012 6:36 am
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shimmilou wrote:
Since you have a tube amp, adding a pedal with a tube in it isn't going to shine as well as adding the same pedal to a solid state amp.
Thanks for chiming in, shimmilou.

When I auditioned the Vox Tonelab ST I did so through headphones because this is how I plan on using it for the most part - see my first post regarding "matrimonial bliss" - but if I'm understanding you correctly then the inclusion of the 12AX7 is not a "total" marketing gimmick.

andygutmonkey wrote:
... im considering a mustang floor now that they dropped the price to 200$. ...
I checked this out yesterday but didn't get very far because I was pressed for time, and the music store clerk doing the demo wasn't too sure how the units functions. I'll go back at some point and give the Mustang Floor a fair shake.

Cheers!
BM

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Post subject: Re: Can a single 12AX7 tube make all the difference?
Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2012 6:45 pm
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Bluer Monkey wrote:
... - but if I'm understanding you correctly then the inclusion of the 12AX7 is not a "total" marketing gimmick...


Yes, a tube in the signal path can add some tone that can't be achieved with solid-state only components. I used a DOD VGS 50 multi effects pedal for years, and typically I liked the distortion effects that included the tube, more than the ones that didn't. Although I now prefer guitar and tube amp with no effects at all, but sometimes use a POD, mostly by itself with headphones.

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Post subject: Re: Can a single 12AX7 tube make all the difference?
Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2012 7:36 pm
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shimmilou wrote:
... Although I now prefer guitar and tube amp with no effects at all, but sometimes use a POD, mostly by itself with headphones.
Ditto!

I ended up going with the BOSS ME-25.
Many of the stock sounds are okay, some are exceptional, and some have limited applications, to put it politely. :wink:

Cheers!
BM

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