what can replace my Valvulator?

[Agramal]

I like my Valvulator, but it takes up an awful lot of real estate on my pedalboard. Since I'm trying to downsize, what are some smaller alternatives that are equally or even more effective? Can something like the Catalinbread Super Chili Pocoso be used to replace the Valvulator?

[keith_t4e]

My brother uses the VHT and I got to tell you it works very well. If you are looking for a small buffer or simply something that will change your signal from high to low Impedence I can name a coupld. I can't say they are everything the Valvulator is. Andy Fuchs makes a new pure gain when off changes the signal as does the MI Boost N Buff. Of the two I'd go with the Fuchs Flush though. I'm not sold on the need to change my signal; however, when I do I'll probably get the Framptone three banger which I believe does that as well as accounts for amps to be out of phase too. Hope this helps. Of yea, look into the Rocket booster which does 21 different things including buffer.

[shakti]

Keith,

just a word of well meant advice: I had the Framptone 3-Banger, and absolutely hated, hated, hated that thing. The buffer in it is truly atrocious. As an amp switcher it works extremely well, but there was actually a tiny volume drop with it...or maybe it was just that the buffer squashed the signal so badly that all life was lost. This was particularly bad with fuzzes, where you get a very colourful signal with lots of overtones. The Framptone just killed that completely. It was weird...I got my board set up with it, and finally my switching problems were solved, but the rig was just uninspiring to play, and I finally narrowed it down to the Framptone. Once I replaced it with a true bypass, non-buffered switcher (Lehle), everything was restored.

All of this was done with a VHT Valvulator in the chain, so it's not just a result of using a buffer. Not all buffers are created equal, and so far, the Valvulator is by far the best one I've tried. It retains the feel of going straight into amp much better than anything, even if it *will* colour your signal ever so slightly (though you can tweak that colour by using different tubes, and don't believe the manual...a good NOS tube *will* make a considerable difference). Considering you also get a power supply built in, I think it's a no-brainer, and I'm surprised it's not more popular around here...

[Agramal]

Originally Posted by shakti

Keith,

just a word of well meant advice: I had the Framptone 3-Banger, and absolutely hated, hated, hated that thing. The buffer in it is truly atrocious. As an amp switcher it works extremely well, but there was actually a tiny volume drop with it...or maybe it was just that the buffer squashed the signal so badly that all life was lost. This was particularly bad with fuzzes, where you get a very colourful signal with lots of overtones. The Framptone just killed that completely. It was weird...I got my board set up with it, and finally my switching problems were solved, but the rig was just uninspiring to play, and I finally narrowed it down to the Framptone. Once I replaced it with a true bypass, non-buffered switcher (Lehle), everything was restored.

All of this was done with a VHT Valvulator in the chain, so it's not just a result of using a buffer. Not all buffers are created equal, and so far, the Valvulator is by far the best one I've tried. It retains the feel of going straight into amp much better than anything, even if it *will* colour your signal ever so slightly (though you can tweak that colour by using different tubes, and don't believe the manual...a good NOS tube *will* make a considerable difference). Considering you also get a power supply built in, I think it's a no-brainer, and I'm surprised it's not more popular around here...

Actually, I've always liked the very slight difference the Valvulator makes to my tone. I feel like it "warms" it up ever so slightly.

Hmmm. Maybe I will just stick to it, then.

[keith_t4e]

That is too weird. I've spent a few minutes today looking at the Lehle site. Brad Whitford and Joe Bonamasso both use Lehle. I've wondered about their claim that changing your signal isn't a good thing. What I liked about the Framptone was its ability to resolve two amps being out of phase. Thanks for the warning. For the $$$$ that thing cost I think I'll pass on it and go with the Lehle. Right now I use a George Lynch Morely Tripler. I haven't gotten around to buying a beter one yet.

[michael_smurphy]

I have mine mounted under my TT board... so problem is solved.

[shakti]

Slightly off topic, but if you want to use a Lehle switcher and also want to combine amps and resolve grounding and/or phase issues, I believe the Dual will do that, and still retain 100% true bypass tone. I currently have the 1@3 which does a fantastic job of switching to one amp at a time, or being able to mute completely. It's also possible to route the signal to all three outputs at the same time, but that may lead to phase and/or grounding issues. You can think of the Dual as the same thing, only you can switch the phase on one output, plus one output is electronically isolated from the others, so you will be able to set it up for operating two amps without problems. Plus you can use it to mute entirely, and it has stereo in which you can route to two amps....yummy!!

Just make sure it's the newer, SGoS version.