Tube Driver Clone?

[TheHonestPedalReview]

Is there a company that clones the Tube Driver? I know of the Dover Drive and I’m considering it but I’m curious if there are any other clones that are currently made out there that also use a tube?

Thanks!

 

[bakelite]

I thought you could still order these from Butler. What is it about the original that makes you want a clone instead?

 

[captaincoconut]

The Dover Drive isn't an actual Tube Driver clone.

 

[Grendel2000]

PastFX makes the TD-Y. It’s solid state but voiced to replicate a tube driver tone. Highly endorsed by Bjorn over at Gilmourish and others.

 

[Warm Socks]

No tube in it, but the MXR FET Driver is supposedly related to that circuit, with FETs in place of the tube. I can nail my favorite Tube Driver tones with it. True sleeper pedal.

 

[John Mark Painter]

These are excellent.
Not the same as a Chandler though.
The PastFX Will actually go more neutral than the Chandler will.

TD-Y Overdrive

www.pastfx.com

 

[Oinkus]

Butler Audio

 

[TheHonestPedalReview]

I thought you could still order these from Butler. What is it about the original that makes you want a clone instead?

I don’t want to deal with the wall plug. That’s really the only reason.

 

[Big in Japan]

I was made to understand that the TC Electronic Tube Pilot is a clone of the 9-volt Tube Driver. It's pretty darned cheap too.

TC Electronic | Product | TUBE PILOT OVERDRIVE

www.tcelectronic.com

 

[PatrickE_FenderADV]

Used MXR fet drive?

 

[glenecho]

No tube in it, but the MXR FET Driver is supposedly related to that circuit, with FETs in place of the tube. I can nail my favorite Tube Driver tones with it. True sleeper pedal.

Interesting, I wasn't aware of this. I have an actual Butler Tube Driver but it would be nice to check out the MXR as the Butler is just plain huge and takes up a ton of space.

 

[TheHonestPedalReview]

No tube in it, but the MXR FET Driver is supposedly related to that circuit, with FETs in place of the tube. I can nail my favorite Tube Driver tones with it. True sleeper pedal.

Used MXR fet drive?

I might actually get this one used! There seems to be quite a few up on Reverb.

 

[Warm Socks]

Interesting, I wasn't aware of this. I have an actual Butler Tube Driver but it would be nice to check out the MXR as the Butler is just plain huge and takes up a ton of space.

I might actually get this one used! There seems to be quite a few up on Reverb.

It's definitely worth a try at the prices it's typically going for used. Someone said this in another thread a while back, but I've found that the key to getting good TD type tones out of the FET Driver is engaging the high cut and setting the EQ knobs, especially the bass knob, pretty low.

I'd like to pick up a TD-Y and compare it to the MXR at some point. Never played one, but I hear more clarity at lower gain settings in the PastFx clips. The MXR is fuzzier and unrulier.

 

[iam_krash]

PastFX makes the TD-Y. It’s solid state but voiced to replicate a tube driver tone. Highly endorsed by Bjorn over at Gilmourish and others.

it's an outstanding pedal! I own two!

 

[TheHonestPedalReview]

The Dover Drive isn't an actual Tube Driver clone.

I did not realize this! What is supposed to be then?

 

[nastynate]

I might actually get this one used! There seems to be quite a few up on Reverb.

There are a couple different versions of the MXR FET Driver out there. The black Bonamassa version has a full sized JRC4558 chips and people say it has more clarity and is a bit smoother. The blue Bonamassa version is the same circuit board as the standard white production model. Never played the black one, but the blue and white models sound identical (I ended up with the blue one for looks).

 

[TheHonestPedalReview]

There are a couple different versions of the MXR FET Driver out there. The black Bonamassa version has a full sized JRC4558 chips and people say it has more clarity and is a bit smoother. The blue Bonamassa version is the same circuit board as the standard white production model. Never played the black one, but the blue and white models sound identical (I ended up with the blue one for looks).

Thanks for this bit of info! I guess that’s why the JB version is basically $200 used, and the white version is $100-$150 used. I might need to save up for the JB version. It will match the rest of my board!

 

[violentlydave]

I did not realize this! What is supposed to be then?

I believe its trying to be a Tube Driver into a fuzz face, to capture the Eric Johnson tone give or take. It IS a fantastic pedal, but more than just trying to be a Tube Driver.

 

[crazymahler]

The closest I ever got to a Tube Driver is a BD-2 Blues Driver.
At medium to high gain they’re pretty close, and I think the BD-2 low gain sound is better.
And if you like guitar volume cleanup, the BD-2 is way better.
But the Tube Driver is awesome, and there’s no pedal I’ve found that is exactly like it.

 

[eriwebnerr]

I dont know if any that have a tube in it. Hagerman makes the Reactivator which has a tube at low voltage and can definitely cop Tube Driver type tones but its overall less compressed and more raw and open sounding. The BD-2 or the Past FX are your best bet if you really have to have the Tube Driver in pedal board friendly format