Which is better? Tube Amps Vs Tube Pedals

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🔥 Synergy unit

Timestamps
00:00 Intro
02:47 Clean tone
03:05 Synergy distorted tone
03:20 Behringer Tube Monster circuit discussion
04:19 Behringer distorted tone
05:03 Behringer Tube Monster circuit discussion (continued)
05:47 Seymour Duncan circuit discussion
06:34 Seymour Duncan Twin Tube distorted tone
07:47 B. K. Butler Tube Driver circuit discussion
08:45 B. K. Butler Tube Driver distorted tone
09:29 Radial Tonebone Classic circuit discussion
10:35 Radial Tonebone Classic distorted tone
12:17 Side by side comparison of all
13:38 Overall thoughts

In this video, I explore the fascinating world of tube-based guitar pedals and compare them to traditional tube amplifiers. While distortion and overdrive pedals are prevalent, tube-based pedals have become more niche over the years. This comparison aims to highlight the differences, similarities, and unique characteristics of these pedals.

I start by discussing the history and current status of tube-based pedals. A decade ago, these
pedals were more popular, with models like the Tube Driver being a staple on many pedalboards. Today, though, brands like Friedman and Kingsley still produce tube pedals, they are less common. The circuits in these pedals differ significantly from those in tube amps, particularly in how they clip the signal. This difference can make it challenging to replicate the exact sound of a high-gain tube amp with pedals alone.

To illustrate these points, I compare several classic tube pedals to one of my favorite tube “amps”, the Synergy Module (Mark II CP). This all-tube, high-voltage unit is based on the Mark II C+ amp and provides additional high-gain, high-voltage tube channels to an existing amp. I demonstrate its capabilities by playing through a clean channel and then with higher gain settings.

Next, I introduce the Behringer Vintage Tube Monster, a clone of the Ibanez Tube King TK999. This pedal features a noise gate and operates at lower voltage, combining tubes with op-amps for a distinct sound. It produces a crunchy, sizzly tone, with the tubes starved for voltage to enhance distortion.

I then showcase the Seymour Duncan Twin Tube, which operates at higher voltage and functions more like a traditional tube amp. It uses non-standard tubes to achieve its sound, producing a fuzzy tone that requires careful adjustment to control the bass for a crunchier distortion.

The BK Butler Tube Driver follows, a pedal similar in design to the Behringer Tube Monster. It uses op-amps to boost the signal before distorting it with tubes. While not an exact replica of a tube amp, it provides a unique clipping and distortion characteristic.

Lastly, I present the Radial Tonebone, a pedal that was highly popular in the early 2000s. It offers various tone-shaping switches and uses tubes like clipping diodes with minimal voltage, combining op-amps and tube clipping. I demonstrate it with a medium gain setting, showcasing its versatility and sound quality.

After comparing these tube-based pedals, I revisit the Synergy module and play each circuit side by side to highlight the differences and similarities in their tube-based sounds.

Comment below with your favorite tube-based pedals and how they compare to traditional tube amps.

[irvingperes]

Yes, Brian. The answer is yes. If you made a pedal with actual tubes, we’d gladly buy it.

[SlowPursuit]

I have a tube pedal running into a tube amp.
Its all so vintage & tube driver-ish that the clocks go back 15 minutes every time I power up.

[SlowToe]

50 years of experience right here! Happy belated birthday Brian 🎉

[Ottophil]

Ive been playing 2-4 shows a month for the last year. I quickly gave up my precious half stacks and twins for a friedman IRX and a class D power amp pedal, and a 1x12 cab. I don’t even think of it as a pedal. My amp is at my feet now. Its not digital (unless I use the IR’s) and it sounds “real” at home I still use a 6505+ for distortion. And fender twin for cleans. But live, its friedman IRX doing both.

The high voltage tube gain is my only acceptable path. If i played clean only:id of gone digital eventually. Friedman is worth every single penny

[Superjet]

Enjoyed this, and the way you basically explained how each circuit worked. Thank you Mr. Wampler!

[RenanSilva-uejp]

Harlot v3 from kingsley, my all time favorite drive pedal. versatile, powerful and enough features to allow me to use any kind of guitar on a set and compensate accordingly, love it to death!

[russellc]

Great explanations of the circuits of each pedal. Thank you.

[mrbassdbd]

I have the behringer with a less gainy tube in it and it has always been amazing

[robertbarajas]

You're the Man Brian. Technical Genius.. I think tube driven distortion and overdrives are cool..

[jeffhughes]

Thank you for this video Brian. I'd love to see how you would approach building a vacuum tube based pedal

[watcherzero]

I have a Mesa Boogie V Twin that I bought back in 2009. It's one of my fav pedals.

[vonmilash]

I have an old Mesa Boogie v twin and I don't care what anyone says. put a ts9 or mojo mojo in front of it and it's as good as any amp you can mane. It chugs even with my cheepie Squier tele.

[christopherallen]

I have pedal I bought off Ebay from Aurhur Sounds store that's an exact circuit part for part and same voltage of an SLO preamp's lead channel. I absolutely love it and when I'm not recording direct in with it, I plug it into the return of the effects loop of either of my amps.

[buzzyboy]

I know I’ll never be able to replicate this tone no matter what I do but I do enjoy watching and listening. It’s just so thick sounding.

[Sainte]

I used the Behringer with a tube screamer for 2 years and loved it. I only paid $15 for it on Amazon. Probably the most value I've ever gotten from a pedal. In fact, I had a couple of their pedals, most I didn't like except for their tube drive and their reverb. Effectrode is by far my favorite tube driven pedals nowadays.

[evancrocker]

The Hughes and Kettner Tube Factor was a cool pedal I used for a bit and still own. I swapped out the stock tube for a lower gain 12AU7 or 12AT7 and it sounded even better. It was equally great as both a boost to an already dirty sound or as a distorted rhythm tone on the clean channel.

[riffmondo]

Tube Monster is a great one.
I was surprised when I got one a played around with it.

[dukey]

Blackbird really shines once connected to a clean amp with high headroom, it sounds fantastic ever~!

[OgamiItto]

I used to have a rack unit from Digitech called the GFX-1 Twin Tube that did great tube distortion. It had a built-in noise gate, 5-band graphic EQ and a really sweet compressor (among other effects). It did a great simulation of a cranked Marshall, really good tone. Try one of those if you can find one. They seem to be rare these days, but not expensive.

[petekoerner]

Got the BK a couple months ago. He’s great to work with and the pedal is awesome! 12AU7 and a bias. He’ll tell you the bias does something magical around 2:30, and he is correct. I’ve been playing the pedal at 2:30 MST everyday and it sounds great! 😂