The tube in the vox tonelab

tsd · 21st July 2007

Hello,

so is it more of a gimic thing or is it acually an important part of the preamp?

thinking of swapping it out for something better, but dont want to waist my time if its not even part of the sound... like the breakinger tube stuff.

cheers!

Blindside · 21st July 2007

I've got the VOX Cooltron Bulldog OD/Dist. pedal, which is, by far, the best I've ever heard. Assuming it's the same tube, it is a Electro-Harmonix 12au7, which is a really nice tube. You could swap it for a JJ or Mullard of the same flavor (or 12ax7), but there's really no need to. EH makes nice stuff and the 12au7 is warmer than the 12ax7. Bottom line: don't f*** with it. It would probably be a waste of money. A NOS mullard is really sexy to think about, but the EH is damn good and until it is done, I'm not going to mess with mine. Just my $.0000002.

Edit: Gimmick or not, the Bulldog blows away ANY dist, pedal I've ever played. Balls. Pure balls.Maybe it's coincidence, but it sounds like tube warmth to my ears. With the exception of mics, I'll take tube over solid-state any day.

tsd · 21st July 2007

Thanks for the advice. great information!

Todd24 · 30th July 2007

My understanding is that the tube is powered with low voltage and really doesnt do much if anything.

That said, if you like the way it sounds............why would it matter.

Todd24 · 30th July 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blindside

I've got the VOX Cooltron Bulldog OD/Dist. pedal, which is, by far, the best I've ever heard. Assuming it's the same tube, it is a Electro-Harmonix 12au7, which is a really nice tube. You could swap it for a JJ or Mullard of the same flavor (or 12ax7), but there's really no need to. EH makes nice stuff and the 12au7 is warmer than the 12ax7. Bottom line: don't f*** with it. It would probably be a waste of money. A NOS mullard is really sexy to think about, but the EH is damn good and until it is done, I'm not going to mess with mine. Just my $.0000002.

Edit: Gimmick or not, the Bulldog blows away ANY dist, pedal I've ever played. Balls. Pure balls.Maybe it's coincidence, but it sounds like tube warmth to my ears. With the exception of mics, I'll take tube over solid-state any day.

Replaceing a 12au7 with a 12 ax7 will give some surprising (probably not good if you hope to be able to get a clean tone) results. They have considerably more gain.

COuld be a good test to find out if the tubes actaully in the path though.

mikey · 3rd August 2007

mine sounded better with a Telefunken tube

change it

Liverfluke · 24th August 2007

In the Tonelabs, the EH 12AX7 is an important part of the sound. I have - and understand - the circuit diagrams. Yes, it's run at low voltage, but that results in it producing more distortion, not less. It really is reconfigured according to whether the amp model you are using is Class A or A/B, with or without negative feedback etc. And it does sound better - less fizzy - with a Groove Tubes GT12AX7M in there instead.

21st July 2007	#1
tsd Gear maniac Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 174 Thread Starter	The tube in the vox tonelab Hello, so is it more of a gimic thing or is it acually an important part of the preamp? thinking of swapping it out for something better, but dont want to waist my time if its not even part of the sound... like the breakinger tube stuff. cheers!

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
New Vox Tonelab LE Came In	rockrev	So much gear, so little time!	2	6th July 2007 01:30 AM
VOX ToneLab SPDIF into FirePod?	PorkPie5000	Low End Theory	0	25th June 2007 09:28 PM
Vox Tonelab and AC-30s	lloyd	So much gear, so little time!	5	1st April 2005 05:53 PM
Anyone used the Vox Tonelab yet ?	MickeyBee	So much gear, so little time!	4	9th December 2003 01:59 PM

21st July 2007	#2
Blindside Gear addict Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 485	I've got the VOX Cooltron Bulldog OD/Dist. pedal, which is, by far, the best I've ever heard. Assuming it's the same tube, it is a Electro-Harmonix 12au7, which is a really nice tube. You could swap it for a JJ or Mullard of the same flavor (or 12ax7), but there's really no need to. EH makes nice stuff and the 12au7 is warmer than the 12ax7. Bottom line: don't f*** with it. It would probably be a waste of money. A NOS mullard is really sexy to think about, but the EH is damn good and until it is done, I'm not going to mess with mine. Just my $.0000002. Edit: Gimmick or not, the Bulldog blows away ANY dist, pedal I've ever played. Balls. Pure balls.Maybe it's coincidence, but it sounds like tube warmth to my ears. With the exception of mics, I'll take tube over solid-state any day.

30th July 2007	#4
Todd24 Gear maniac Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 183	My understanding is that the tube is powered with low voltage and really doesnt do much if anything. That said, if you like the way it sounds............why would it matter.

3rd August 2007	#6
mikey Lives for gear Joined: Sep 2004 Posts: 587	mine sounded better with a Telefunken tube change it

24th August 2007	#7
Liverfluke Gear interested Joined: Jun 2007 Location: Worcester Posts: 8	In the Tonelabs, the EH 12AX7 is an important part of the sound. I have - and understand - the circuit diagrams. Yes, it's run at low voltage, but that results in it producing more distortion, not less. It really is reconfigured according to whether the amp model you are using is Class A or A/B, with or without negative feedback etc. And it does sound better - less fizzy - with a Groove Tubes GT12AX7M in there instead.