Tube steel driver boxes

Donald Dunlavey · From: Jonesboro, Georgia, USA

Need someone to help me understand about these tube boxes to warm up the tone of the steel through solid state amps. I've read some about the black box, would like to know how well it actually works. And what other boxes are available that do the same thing similar or better. Any sites recommended will be glad to read up, but I prefer experienced opinions. Thanks Don

David L. Donald · From: Koh Samui Island, Thailand

Hi Don.
There is, as of the moment, no other "Box" that does what the Black Box does.
It was purpose created by Brad for this usage.
He saw a hole in the signal chain and filled it.

if you plugged into a tube amp direct you would get the same effect. as long as your volume control, if on the instrument, is full output,
and no volume pedal is in use.

I tried the BB in ST Louis on an old PP and a Zane Beck.

It is a cool, box and does what it is supposed to.
ie put some tube warmth and pick up / tube interaction before any other gain / tone changing stages :
Like pedals, effects, pots etc.

It may not be the mandatory addition for all people, but it is cool, it works well, and as advertised.
And I wish I had one over here now.
But it is not because I don't want it bad,
that I don't have it YET.

[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 02 January 2005 at 06:27 AM.]

Jerry Tillman · From: Florida

You can do this to some degree with a tube reverb unit or tube preamp of some kind.You have to watch for to much drive coming in the front end though.The Blackbox seems to have this worked out already although I have not used one I see good reports about them.I spoke with Cindy Cashdollor about warming her signal with a tube reverb unit.This works also but probly not just like the blackbox or mesaboogies preamp.You have to put lower output preamp tubes for steel guitar or you get distortion.The preamp tubes open the sound up and stop the to clean or sterile sound. ls

Richard Cooper · From: Eads,TN,USA

The Steel Guitar Black Box made by Brad is
the best thing I have ever found to get the
sound I wanted,it is more then just warming it up.
To me it sounds like you just put in a new pickup
and are playing thru a better amp.

Bill Tauson · From: Chino Valley, Az.

I had a Profex II and I thought that it was the best sound I ever had. It eventualy gave out through age and now I have a trans tubefex. Works well, but not as warm a tone. Why the difference? Was there a tube in the Profex II that I lost? I'm thinking the Black Box might bring it back for me.

David L. Donald · From: Koh Samui Island, Thailand

The only problem with using your reverb, tube or not before your pedal is that when you dip the pedal the reverb / environment ALSO dips. So it sounds unnatural. A sound usually goes off intonthe environment, but the nevironment stays the same.

Now if you want that as an effect, cool.

If you have a tube 1st stage unit, and plug in dierctly,
and then down the line send it out to your pedal and back through the return, then you might get a better tone. But that depends on the ealiest stages of the unit in use.

The strongest points for Brad's design are
1.) purpose built for this.
2) short cable runs, for pickup to tube interaction.
2) topshelf components fit for an audiophile.

One poster above noted it was more than just warming.
That also goes to the heart of the issue.

it is ALSO a question of your picking attack and the tube interacting. Not just a tube in the chain.
The attack and decay if the electrical signal in a tube is much "sweeter" or less harsh, or more imprecice in a musical way, than a transister.

[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 02 January 2005 at 01:04 PM.]

Forum Index > Electronics		Next oldest topic :: Next newest topic

All times are GMT - 8 Hours	Jump to: