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One never needs to exchange preamp tubes because they hardly ever fail. The only reasons for exchanging them are a sudden microphonic susceptibility or you simply wish for more/less gain in a certain position (V1 and/or V2).
I bought the second version from some kid at work that didn’t realize what kind of killer pedal he had for $100. I’d had my eye on buying one for a year before that for $300 new. This was 25 years ago. I still use and love it.
I bought the second version new and have the original power supply. It is an unusual voltage but it it not like you can't find other power supplies that won't do the trick. I used mine to create drive channels for my old ampeg vt-40 (Kinda of like a Fender Super Reverb) which I played strictly clean. Really loved the Blue channel and also dug the clean channel. The red channel was always too thick and smooth for me at anything above 10 o'clock. ("Horses for courses" though. I am a blues player.) The blue channel sounded great with a tube screamer in front of it too. It is a full preamp and not an overdrive pedal. It can record direct and lots of people loved it for that. Changing out the tubes definitely changes the gain structure despite how it may be doing so. Mine has been in the closet for years since I sold that ampeg and there it will probably stay despite its coolness. Friends of mine remember the blue channel and ask for me to break it out once in a while.
Mateo, what do you mean by unusual voltage? Like 15 Vac? I m asking cause my unit has the original PS also and it reads 15VAc on the multimeter. Thanks!
I use mine (I have the original supply too (I bought mine new once) with the Thomann Harley Benton Powersupply. Works great. Powers everything on that pedalboard.
There are more versions of these two pedals than is said here. I have a V2 - looks like a V1 but has the adjustment pots underneath. I've also seen a plain flat metal case version. Edit: sorry, didn't realise you can take the metal foot plate cover off, leaving a flat plain case.
Ive found a 12at7 tube for the clean is my go to choice. The left tube is for blues and solo the right for clean channel. I thought someone would find this helpful. I love the clean channel and always have it on.
+Joel D Thanks for that info. I took out the chinese 12ax's that it came with and put in NOS RCA 12ax's in there. Changed the sound a lot. More warm with the tube overdrive and crunch. I have some NOS 12at's too so I will try your idea.
To me they sound almost identical. Maybe it's the difference in the tubes (brand or age) but the newer one sounds a little better to my ears. I found one for sale but I'm not sure if I really want it or not. Is it hard to find or get a power supply for these?
shnobel Hi! Could you the same democomparison on bass guitar? Ben sheperd from soundgarden used these as his main drive on bass you see. Would be awesome!
Yes but only if you push the preamp tubes and power amp tubes. Meaning you gotta crank it. So an attenuator between your power amp and cab is the way to go.
One thing they forget to tell you is you need the 'Mesa' power supply to operate it...if you're going to buy one, you better make sure you get the power supply, or you're screwed!
