Any tonelab SE users please read

[sparky_8]

I have been using one of these for a few months now. I love a lot of the effects however the distortion settings really lacked a lot to me. Well, I got curious and put in a JJ 12au7 into it today and it is so much better now. All the effects, distortions, everything is just better. Tone is clearer notes are more defined. I would suggest it to anyone.

[EL34]

thanks for the tip sparky. :AOK

[sparky_8]

There is also a tube trim adjustment I got to messing with last night after I posted this. Sounds a lot better now that that is set correctly too.

[Scott Peterson]

Originally Posted by sparky_8

There is also a tube trim adjustment I got to messing with last night after I posted this. Sounds a lot better now that that is set correctly too.

I am a former owner, but would love to learn more about the adjustment. Where is the trimmer?

[sparky_8]

Well. You have to go into the trim mode to see the numbers etc. You do this by holding the ^ (or up arrow) and the rename button at the same time as powering the unit on. Also you need to have all the cables disconnected from it except the power. After you power it on you can release all the buttons and the unit displays tube trm (or tube trim) on the lcd screen. Give it 5 minutes to warm up and it should settle on a number. I have tested a few tubes now and all of them sounded best (to me at least) at about 5900-5950. You can adjust the trim through on the back of the unit. I don't have it in front of me. But there is a small hole in the back in between 2 of the jacks. I think it's between the send and right output jack. You can get to it with a small phillips screw driver. You can see the trim adjusting on the lcd and adjust until you get it adjusted where you want it. This and the tube mod is the whole key to get your tonelab se where you want it tonewise. I was on the verge of selling mine until I did this.

[Frank Prince]

Thanks for the tip. I like the sound of my SE fairly well and have been using it for gigging for a few years, but things can always be better! I will try this.

[Memorex]

Actually, the recommended setting for the tube trim is when all 5 of the tuner LEDs come on, if you're too high or low, the display will shift to the right or left 2 LEDs. There's a considerable range in which all 5 LEDs come on, so the adjustment is not that critical.

BTW, some guys at the Tonelab.net board have posted sound samples of the 12AX7EH (factory) and the JJ 12AU7, as well as other tubes. To my ears, the factory tube gives the fattest clean sounds, but the 12AU7 definitely adds definition to medium overdrive sounds.

[sumis]

thanks for the info. been thinking about changing the tube.

i've found that the unit actuallt takes pedals quite well. a good thing since its gainer sounds are nowhere in the same league as the clean to crunch sounds. the built in 'ts' is ok, but the 'rat' is pretty bad imho, but with my bb preamp in front, the tonelab sounds comes to life in high gain land.

.

[sparky_8]

Originally Posted by GuitarTone

I dont believe you, there is no way the tube can make that much of a difference, impossible.

I've owned a Tonelab since the day it was released years ago, changed tubes to see what difference they made......result, no difference.

I don't care if you believe me or not. That's all. I had a different experience. How can you judge my ears?

Oh. And how would I benefit from lying? I don't sale tubes...

[EL34]

Is there a way to make the bias adjustment with the standard tonelab? (not the SE floor model)

[sparky_8]

Originally Posted by EL34

Is there a way to make the bias adjustment with the standard tonelab? (not the SE floor model)

Yes. Much more complex... have to partially disassemble the unit. I know you can download a service manual and find out exactly how to do this at www.tonelab.net The site is offline for maintenance at the moment. The file you need is under the download section. I will direct link it when the site is back up. Good luck in your tweaking.

[EL34]

Originally Posted by sparky_8

Yes. Much more complex... have to partially disassemble the unit. I know you can download a service manual and find out exactly how to do this at www.tonelab.net The site is offline for maintenance at the moment. The file you need is under the download section. I will direct link it when the site is back up. Good luck in your tweaking.

Found it...thanks. You press down the "utility" and "write" buttons while powering up, and then following the instructions per your previous post. The bias trim pot is accessible through a small hole on the back of the unit. It's a very sensitive adjustment. thanks!

[sparky_8]

Originally Posted by EL34

Found it...thanks. You press down the "utility" and "write" buttons while powering up, and then following the instructions per your previous post. The bias trim pot is accessible through a small hole on the back of the unit. It's a very sensitive adjustment. thanks!

Cool. I had read somewhere that the adjustment was much more complex. Glad to know for you it's not. Have fun! Let me know what your results are.

[alejin]

I have a VOX ToneLab LE and I like the sound in First instance,but I`ve not decided to keep it yet:
I have a problem with distortions.
It seems like if distortions do not understand the low notes in the guitar,dispite of the fact that the MIddles,Treble, and presence are in the max ( 10,0 ) and the bass in ( 2,0 ) I do not manage to take it out of that excess of bass or opaque sound in general.
Also with the clean I can`t increase the CH Vol more than 5.7 becouse it start to make a noise when you hit hard a chord or note.
If somebody knows how to fix that please let me know,
Right now I`ve been thinking about that mess of changing the valve for the JJ 12AU7,I`ve already taste a JJ but not the mentioned model before
I am thinking of buying a EQ MXR KFK for the VOX or the POD 2.0.
The VOX sounds more real than the POD 2.0 but it is like if had a compressor or something that makes everything opaque.It happens with cleans to.
Also I`d like any recomendation for use of Wah in clean tones,because it get a little distorted.
For distortions I am using the UK`80s with the UK T75 4x12 with no compressor or any other pedal becouse i feel it begins to sound to process.
For cleans the UK blues and the AC 30