Getting a Black Box again

Larry Behm · Post by **Larry Behm** » 25 Oct 2006 3:54 am

I used one with my Webb, sold both to get a FSK, sold it got a Webb again because it was available. Wayne Franco brought down the new version of the BB (variable knob) I plugged it into my PP-Webb system, I ordered one Tues.

I really like the way it cleans up the low end, and brings out the mids. I tend to play most of my stuff from string 4 down so this is going to be fantastic once again.

The new varialbe control really give every user more to work with in tailoring their sound.

Larry Behm

Brad Sarno · Post by **Brad Sarno** » 25 Oct 2006 7:08 am

Thanks for the comment Larry. Yea, the new Black Boxes ship with the Vari-Z built in. In case people don't know this, I can add this control knob to the older models for $15 (+$10 for return shipping). Essentially the Variable Impedance (Vari-Z) knob varies the load on the pickup. On a magnetic pickup this acts like a tone control, but a bit different sounding than a typical capacitor based guitar type tone control. The original Black Boxes were fixed at 450k Ohms. The Variable Z knob will swing from 50k to 1Meg (1000k). This can get your pickup dialed in a range that goes from very dark and mellow to very bright and snappy and anywhere in between. It's a great way to perfectly match any pickup to your particular preamp or amp and speaker combination.

Brad

Pete Burak · Post by **Pete Burak** » 25 Oct 2006 7:51 am

Brad,
I think I will send mine in for the mod.
One observation... I notice that the SGBB affects different pickups differently.
Some with a very noticable difference, some more subtle (when A/B'd with/without SGBB).
This upgrade can only increase the funn factor!
Cool,
pete b.

autry andress · Post by **autry andress** » 25 Oct 2006 8:02 am

I'm sending my Black box to Brad for the
up grade, just got back from Fed Ex awhile
ago. It will be there Friday.[This message was edited by autry andress on 25 October 2006 at 09:05 AM.]

Larry Hamilton · Post by **Larry Hamilton** » 25 Oct 2006 8:31 am

Got my SGBB at the Dallas convention this year. Every time I think about selling it, I discover something new. It's a keeper for sure. Used it with My Emmons with TrueTones, Desert Rose with E-66's, then Star PU's, NV 112, Evans Or Session 400, Hilton pedal. It seems I can dial in that little something without changing the amp. Like most things, you either like it or you don't. But I like Mine. Never leave home without it. My opinion only.

------------------
Keep pickin', Larry

Jackie Anderson · Post by **Jackie Anderson** » 25 Oct 2006 9:44 am

I got mine upgraded -- Brad was, of course, quick on the turnaround -- and I like it even better than before. You can get a more consistent improvement from different pick-ups and/or different sounds from the same pick-up -- what could be better? (Answer: Brad will think of something, and make it available). I just can't imagine playing without that little purple light down by my feet....

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 25 Oct 2006 10:09 am

I particularly like it for D-10's
because one knob can give both necks
a great character very fast and easily.

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 26 Oct 2006 2:31 pm

the only black box i know is the one they can never find after the plane wreck.

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 26 Oct 2006 2:49 pm

I like the way it improves the taper of my pot volume pedal.

Topic moved to 'Electronics' section of the Forum.

Øystein Røysi · Post by **Øystein Røysi** » 28 Oct 2006 4:28 am

Hi,
I'm just curious. How does the Black Box work on regular 6-string, or lap steel, for that matter? And, how does it really work on the sound; i.e. what does it do?

------------------
Cheers,
Øystein

Ayers Acoustic
Gold Tone Solid Spruce Weissenborn
National Dynamic
Fender SRV Strat
Koch Twintone II

Tim Harr · Post by **Tim Harr** » 28 Oct 2006 5:48 am

go to:
http://www.steelguitarblackbox.com

All of your questions may be answered there

Bill Tauson · Post by **Bill Tauson** » 28 Oct 2006 7:32 am

I know there are hundreds of options out there. I've have a couple of rack effects and all kinds of toys. Always fought with the unwanted noises and ground loops,etc. Finally went back to a couple of stomp boxes and Brad's black box. It's simple, quiet, and I get a great tone.

Øystein Røysi · Post by **Øystein Røysi** » 28 Oct 2006 9:44 am

I've been to the Black Box site and looked earlier. Maybe I should read through it one more time. I might have forgotten the important bits...

Thanks for the reminder!

------------------
Cheers,
Øystein

Ayers Acoustic
Gold Tone Solid Spruce Weissenborn
National Dynamic
Fender SRV Strat
Koch Twintone II

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 28 Oct 2006 6:52 pm

Øystein, my lead guitarist has been using mine
in his rig for our amp'ed up gigs.

He likes it a lot.
It gives him a greatly improved sense of touch,
before the Sansamp or other distortion pedal.
As well as clean or gritty into the Line 6 Amp.

It gives the solid state pedals a better
set of harmonics to work on.

it is used on the Fernandez wammy bar/roland guitar synth,
a Strat, and an semi-hollowbody Alicia, (Thai) guitar with equally strong results.

When I go do a steel gig I have to
go drag it back for my use... That about says it.

Øystein Røysi · Post by **Øystein Røysi** » 29 Oct 2006 5:17 am

David,
Thanks for your reply! It seems to me that the Black Box does quite subtle things to the sound, and that they can be somewhat difficult to describe. Is this an accurate observation? Thanks for giving me a better understanding of how it works!

------------------
Cheers,
Øystein

Ayers Acoustic
Gold Tone Solid Spruce Weissenborn
National Dynamic
Fender SRV Strat
Koch Twintone II

Al Sato · Post by **Al Sato** » 29 Oct 2006 12:46 pm

I use the Black Box for my Stringmaster and my Telecaster. It works its magic on both. I am accustomed to playing my Tele directly into a tube amp and the response to my picking is very similar when I play into the Black Box. I don't get that same feel when I play into effects pedals such as I use now. Also, it might be fairly noted that the difference is most noticeable when you remove the Black Box from the signal chain. It's like your standard of living - you don't really notice the incremental improvements until you have to give them up. I won't give mine up, for Telecaster or Stringmaster.

Al

------------------
So many stringed instruments, so little time...

[This message was edited by Al Sato on 29 October 2006 at 12:47 PM.]

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 30 Oct 2006 5:07 am

The magic is the direct pick/pickup/ tube connection,
with nothing buffering or interfering in between.

Try plugging right into your favorite tube amp
with your guitar flat out.
And check for the attack and tone you get
with just pick and fingering changes.

Now a days we use a lot of boxes between pickup and amp,
this gives a huge loss of this tube interaction.
The BB puts that back AND gives
a true tube harmonic output to
your floor devices.
What would be a fine stomp box like a Tube screamer,
becomes a much more expressive, harmonically rich sound.

When you add the vari Z impedance control,
it is like plugging into DIFFERENT
tube pramp designs. Fenders have one impedance, Marshals another, etc.

Vari Z gives you a wide ranging CHOICE
of 1st stage tube preamp impedance.

In some ways it is subtle,
but in other ways it is a very strong component
of your POTENTIAL sound.