Blue Tube preamp

Brent LaBeau · Post by **Brent LaBeau** » 12 Mar 2008 12:30 pm

Howdy folks,
I have an old Blue Tube 903 that I have replaced the 12AX7 with an old Philips 12AU7. And for the record I LOVE it!

Here on the Forum I have read references to the Blue Tube w/ Steel Mod. Are these references to the 903?
Or to the 904?

Or the Presonus models?

Is there one that I'm missing?
Is there one that is ideal for steel guitar?

Also, what is the "Steel Mod"?

Thanks,

Rev. LaBeau

Dennis Wallis · Post by **Dennis Wallis** » 13 Mar 2008 2:43 pm

I use the rack mounted version Blue Tube without ANY mods and I love it. Kinda touchy to get just right but after that works great.

David Mason · Post by **David Mason** » 13 Mar 2008 4:49 pm

Your Blue Tube 903 (with a 12AU7) should be anointed a National Treasure, I love the old Butler stuff. They seem to run hot - you have to change the tube at least every couple of years, and always carry a spare on hand for sure. Otherwise it's as good a load as a preamp tube can get, I also like his "Real Tube" OD units. It's not power tube distortion of course, but people have opinions about everything... them little Butlers can sing.

Jim Sliff · Post by **Jim Sliff** » 13 Mar 2008 9:49 pm

I think these are great in low-gain mode with 12AU7 or 12AY7's.

With 12AX7's they add far too much preamp gain, and a resulting icepick/bucket of bees fuzzy sound. But the low-gain tubes used in these can REALLY warm up even many SS amps.

Mitch Adelman · Post by **Mitch Adelman** » 14 Mar 2008 6:56 am

I was a big fan of the Blue tube stuff until I tried and bought Brad Sarno's Black Box. Much better tube preamp for steel IMHO and worth the switch.There is no comparison. Try it and you might make the switch like me.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 14 Mar 2008 7:18 am

There is Tube Works rack mounted Blue Tube and also the Blue Tube II. The Blue Tube II is a two channel pre-amp and sounds great.