BK Butler Tube Driver

[Wagster]

I just picked up a BK Tube Driver and so far I'm not liking it as much as my BB Preamp. I've tried it through the Deluxe and the VX (Vox) side of my Mod 50. I've tried it both with clean and dirty settings on my amp. Can someone share some wisdom on getting this thing to sing? BTW I'm using a NOS 12au7. I really dig Andy Timmons tone for a reference.

Thanks,
Billy

[Aran]

If it is anything like the Real Tube OD he made later on, and I still own, turn the HIs way down. You'll get a much nicer sounding grind that way. I's say no higher than 9:00. Mids and Bass adjusted to taste from there out.

[Stormbringer]

Billy, I used to have one and they are kind of finnicky but to me good tones could be had by keeping the gain at 5 or 6 tops, Hi almost off, Low at 5 or 6 and volume to taste.

It also helped to have a NOS RFT ECC83 in, and sometimes goose it with a fuzz or other OD - like Gilmour sometimes does. I was able to get great tones at home with a Strat and a Marshall but couldn't get the pedal to cut through in a band situation.

[Wagster]

Originally Posted by Stormbringer

Billy, I used to have one and their kind of finnicky but to me good tones could be had by keeping the gain at 5 or 6 tops, Hi almost off, Low at 5 or 6 and volume to taste.

It also helped to have a NOS RFT ECC83 in, and sometimes goose it with a fuzz or other OD - like Gilmour sometimes does. I was able to get great tones at home with a Strat and a Marshall but couldn't get the pedal to cut through in a band situation.

It doesn't cut like my BB Preamp. I was hoping to get some EJ and Timmons type tones. I know it's in there somewhere but I'm just not finding it. I might be more of the Plexi thing that I'm hearing mixed with the TD that I'm liking.

[Stormbringer]

Give Tonedog a call, he used to have one and can give you a few tips on settings he used. I do remember we had similar settings but he can be more specific.

[Starsailor]

General rule of thumb, in my opinion, the higher you set the drive the lower you should set the Hi knob.

For Andy Timmons tone I set mine:

Vol - 10:00
Hi - 10:00
Lo - 3:00
Drive - 3:00

I use a 12au7 too.

[Head+Cab]

Originally Posted by Stormbringer

and sometimes goose it with a fuzz or other OD - like Gilmour sometimes does.

This is the answer for Gilmour tones - use 2 Tube Drivers (or one other OD): one as a clean volume boost, and one for overdrive (see his recent pedalboard here for an example).

[chemical69]

Originally Posted by Wagster

I just picked up a BK Tube Driver and so far I'm not liking it as much as my BB Preamp. I've tried it through the Deluxe and the VX (Vox) side of my Mod 50. I've tried it both with clean and dirty settings on my amp. Can someone share some wisdom on getting this thing to sing? BTW I'm using a NOS 12au7. I really dig Andy Timmons tone for a reference.

Thanks,
Billy

You can see Timmons' TD settings in the Mesa Boogie demos where he goes through his rig on the Mesa site.

I remember his EQ knob (only one on his TD) was turned down to 9:00 and gain about noon.

[tejastubes]

NOS RCA 12au7 cleartop for best tone.

[Wagster]

Originally Posted by Stormbringer

Give Tonedog a call, he used to have one and can give you a few tips on settings he used. I do remember we had similar settings but he can be more specific.

I bought his Tube Driver.

[Wagster]

Originally Posted by Starsailor

General rule of thumb, in my opinion, the higher you set the drive the lower you should set the Hi knob.

For Andy Timmons tone I set mine:

Vol - 10:00
Hi - 10:00
Lo - 3:00
Drive - 3:00

I use a 12au7 too.

Through the VX side of my Mod 50 set clean these settings sound very nice. Not very good for chords but it really sings. It does remind me a lot of Andy Timmons tone.

Thanks!

[CE-2 Man]

I'd love to help out here but my F*%*$&$ Tube Driver is still being held by the F***&£! Royal Mail until i pay a £30 F*"**£& CUSTOMS CHARGE!!!!! And ofcourse its Easter Weekend and their not delivering anyhow so no TubeDriver for me till atleast Wednesday next week.....FOR CHRIST SAKE!!

[philrob1]

I also find that in my setup, that the tube driver only really works well as a volume boost, just like Gilmour uses. I find that I cant get a very Gilmourish lead tone from it, its much too fizzy I find, even with a 12AU7.