Tube preamp pedal in front of a Polytone?

[steinny]

I occasionally use a solid body through my MB III -- looking for a tube pedal to put in front of it that will give it a little tube-like warmth and breakup -- not looking for overdrive, just a little warmth and breakup when pushed, a la a Princeton or Deluxe Reverb.

Anyone have any experience with this/suggestions?

[medblues]

I have a Damage Control Preamp that has two 12AX7s in it but it is out of production occasionally comes up used. Depending on your budget and space availability there are several devices in pedal or rack format.

Eric Sarno makes the most expensive and the highest regarded ones:
SMS Preamps, Pedals & Gear

Also look here and here. These will give you enough ideas I hope.

[Cunamara]

I've used an ART Studio MP mic preamp with my AI Clarus. I don't recall every using it when I had my Polytone (and why oh why did I sell that?). With the Clarus I find that it works best in the effects loop rather than in front of the amp.

But most OD pedals with the gain set low can give you what you're looking for. Just a tiny bit of hair on the notes when you push it.

[whiskey02]

I tried a tube pre amp years ago and was quickly dissatisfied with the tone and the noise it added. A simple clean boost can get you what you need.

[Herbie]

I have dreamed about just the opposite: Polytone preamp to a tube power amp.

[medblues]

I have dreamed about just the opposite: Polytone preamp to a tube power amp.

There is a thread titled Polytone in a pedal, it might become a reality if enough people here wanted it. One potential issue is that some people think Polytone is characterized as much by the custom Eminence drivers and the power amp ICs as its preamp characteristics. I read this in a few places when I was considering changing the speaker. However, I never tried to connect the Polytone Mini Brute headphone output to a powered speaker or another power amp.

[mr. beaumont]

As to the OP, I've done all my country gigs for the last two years with a Polytone and a tech 21 blonde.

[paulkogut]

I will second the Sarno Music Solutions recommendation (Fair warning, I'm listed on the SMS website as an artist/endorser). I use the CTP as part of my main rig, and use the Steel Guitar Black Box tube buffer on amps-du-jour. I have an Earth Drive that is always on, output cranked and drive cracked just enough to provide that interactive breakup that makes playing through a Deluxe so enjoyable. Here's a clip of me with the gear mentioned above. Best wishes for dialing in your sound!

PK

[jorgemg1984]

If you can try an old Ampeg amp, the preamp is similar to the Poltone but it's all tube. Although being open back and a Jensen type speaker amp, it will sound different.

As for the Polytone pedal, I'm the responsible for that I agree the power amp ICs, cubic speaker cab and the speaker play a big role. I use mine with a digital rig and tried it with several speaker cab impulse responses and it always sound great and very poltytone like. I would love an impulse response of an 80s Baby Brute cab though.

I could try it with a tube power amp but I must admit it's not really something I am interested in. For jazz I find the power amp irrelevant (exception being the Polys).

[Drifter]

If the Effectrode Blackbird is as good as their other pedals, it's the one that'll make you happy.

I know the Tube Drive and Tube Vibe, they're pure tonal bliss, not cheap but worth every penny.

SR-71 Blackbird Preamp ? More in Nov | Effectrode

[medblues]

As to the OP, I've done all my country gigs for the last two years with a Polytone and a tech 21 blonde.

Were you using two amps simultaneously ?

[marcwhy]

Not a "pedal," but this would be great: http://frenzeltubeamps.com/page17.php

[MaxTwang]

Kingsley gets a lot of love at The Gear Page. Kingsley has a selection of tube based pedals and run the tube(s) at 250 volts which is a good thing (some tube pedals run at a much lower voltage).


I would also recommend trying some of the solid state clean boost to low/mid gain pedals out there. I have tube and solid state Zendrives and don't think anything is gained with the tube. The Ethos pedals are also worth a look for solid state, the new Clean-Fusion looks interesting (the original Ethos Overdrive is outstanding).

[mr. beaumont]

Were you using two amps simultaneously ?

No, the blonde is a pedal.

[medblues]

No, the blonde is a pedal.

Duh, I was thinking of their "pedal platform" amps.

[Thumpalumpacus]

I will second the Sarno Music Solutions recommendation (Fair warning, I'm listed on the SMS website as an artist/endorser). I use the CTP as part of my main rig, and use the Steel Guitar Black Box tube buffer on amps-du-jour. I have an Earth Drive that is always on, output cranked and drive cracked just enough to provide that interactive breakup that makes playing through a Deluxe so enjoyable. Here's a clip of me with the gear mentioned above. Best wishes for dialing in your sound!

PK

That is some great playing, whoa Nellie. And yeah, smokin' tone, even through my little earbuds.

[Herbie]

There is a thread titled Polytone in a pedal, it might become a reality if enough people here wanted it. One potential issue is that some people think Polytone is characterized as much by the custom Eminence drivers and the power amp ICs as its preamp characteristics. I read this in a few places when I was considering changing the speaker. However, I never tried to connect the Polytone Mini Brute headphone output to a powered speaker or another power amp.

I remember the thread but I have been too lazy to ask anyone to make it for me. And too "busy" in adjusting my 5e3 clone to be a great jazz amp. In fact on low volumes it is not so far from Polytone.

I tried once to connect the Mains Out of my Mini Brite IV to my 5e3 clone but result was just buzz. I have to study that a bit more.

[maggles55]

I tried once to connect the Mains Out of my Mini Brite IV to my 5e3 clone but result was just buzz. I have to study that a bit more.[/QUOTE]

Lucky you did not destroy either amp!

[miken]

I just recently connected my pedal board to a Yamaha G100. The only reason was because the internal reverb is crazy noisy. I have a nice hall reverb pedal on there (can't remember the name now). However, I kicked on a Fender Bassman pedal and adjusted the gain to the point just before break up. At least the digital version of that. It sounds really great. I have had that Fender pedal for a few years and never really thought much about it. But, now I feel like I'm using it right.
I've used a couple of arch tops with it and it sounds good. My Epiphone Dot sounds amazing through this set up. A really classic jazz tone to my ear.
That pedal is probably $75 or so. Might be a cheap option to try. There is a pedal that is supposed to simulate a 65 Deluxe Reverb too.

[steinny]

Anyone tried one of these?:

[lawson-stone]

Hasn't this Boss Deluxe Reverb pedal gotten pretty bad reviews?

[Frank67]

The Boss is an ok pedal. I prefer the Basmann version though. It gives sounds in the ballpark of a deluxe, but of course doesn't really sound like a real tube amp. It distorts easily and I think it is mainly for the blues crowd that wants the sound of a cranked deluxe rather than the jazz crowd that might prefer the pristine cleans. Everytime I play it, I end up a bit "meh... Ok, but ... Let's turn on the twin instead"

[miken]

Hasn't this Boss Deluxe Reverb pedal gotten pretty bad reviews?

The reviews are probably based on unrealistic expectations. If it breaks down or falls apart, that's one thing. As far as tone goes, a Boss pedal will never sound like a Deluxe Reverb or a 59 Bassman. They do have an interesting tone for their own sake though. Like I said earlier, I really like to sound of the Bassman pedal when it's gain is set to right on the edge. It is the same kind of edge that a tube amp gives you, clearly not tubes though. (I'm not sure if that makes sense??). It does not have 4 10's and the big cabinet or the tweed covering or the open back and on and on. It just sounds pretty cool.
So, if you want it to sound like a Deluxe Reverb or Bassman, you will be disappointed. If you want a fun little pedal that will give you a different tone and texture, you will probably be thrilled.

[lawson-stone]

The reviews are probably based on unrealistic expectations. If it breaks down or falls apart, that's one thing. As far as tone goes, a Boss pedal will never sound like a Deluxe Reverb or a 59 Bassman. They do have an interesting tone for their own sake though. Like I said earlier, I really like to sound of the Bassman pedal when it's gain is set to right on the edge. It is the same kind of edge that a tube amp gives you, clearly not tubes though. (I'm not sure if that makes sense??). It does not have 4 10's and the big cabinet or the tweed covering or the open back and on and on. It just sounds pretty cool.
So, if you want it to sound like a Deluxe Reverb or Bassman, you will be disappointed. If you want a fun little pedal that will give you a different tone and texture, you will probably be thrilled.

The complaint I've heard is that it just doesn't have a clean sound. I haven't heard it myself, of course, but before I'll plunk down $75-100 I want better reviews than that. Amp modeling these days is so good I see no excuse for conspicuous failure to cover the range of sound advertised.

[Bushwackbob]

I have a minty Sarno V8 octal preamp sitting on a shelf if anyone cares to make a reasonable offer. I never really bonded with it. Has the XLR out. PM me if interested.