Tube Driver? (NHC)

[Jorge]

What's the difference between the "Chandler" and "Tube Works" versions? They obviously look the same from the outside, save for a minor lettering difference.

One is a little over $100 used, the other more than $500!

Is it because Eric Johnson uses/used the former? If it's the only difference, I am not paying that kind of money. Any other difference in components/sound?

[ZR]

Peso?you around??!!

He's the resident expert because he used to be the head rocket scientist over there or maybe he just got the president coffee and took notation... I forget. He did complain about his knees hurting all the time so throw that into the equation! ; )

[Guest Mike Lee]

They are different. The original "BK Butler" Chandlers are the "good" ones, while the reissues are OK but not quite the same. The Real Tube single channel preamp that's yellow and black is actually very close to the original Chandler. The Real Tube that is tan and black and looks like the Chandler is completely different.

This is what Peso told me a while ago...

[Jorge]

This is what Peso told me a while ago...

...and after that his knees started hurting, LOL?

(seriously, thanks guys)

[Jimbilly]

Until Peso clears it all up, the BK Butler ones are the good ones, Peso fingerprints are on each and every one of those. I got one a few months ago (guess where), and it appears to be a real early one, I was showing it to Peso, and I told him it had Mauser pots in it, -his jaw dropped!, we opened it up and he tells me its REALLY early. Although the paintjob is 'custom' from some later owner

(my new $25 camera does ok on closeup!).

[pesocaster]

ZR You'll pay.. hahahahahhahahahha I was the Tech Mgr. from 89' - early 98'

OK here's the rundown:

Chandler units that say Concept and Design by B.K. Butler are "the" originals (GOOD ONES)

... the later Chandlers without his name are an imported copy (with some "errors") .... This goes for the racks and pedals

The Tube Works Real Tube Rack (single Chan) are virtually the same ans the Chandler TD Rack.. Black and Yellow Lettering (GOOD ONES)

Tube Works reissued the 4 knob Tube Driver pedal in Late 95' ... they are the same circuit only sith some improved components... they kick ass just like the originals..... They were built in Denver and have a single sided PCB.

The 3 Knob version is more of a fuzz box... not the same beast at all...

Then when Tube Works was sold and moved to WA state (later Sold to Genz Benz in AZ) they were using an imported pcb towards the end of 97' ...

So in review... if you are not sure on the Tube Works look inside and make sure it has a single sided PCB (all traces one side of the board) those are the good ones...

any questions feel free to e-mail me...

[Rockola]

For years, one of my best friends had an original in storage. I think it was a short term effect rendered expendable once he got his Boogie.

I quizzed about it a few times, reminding him that he had a good one but doesn't seem all that hip to it. I would like to re-explore it again.

hmmmmm.

S.

[tomteriffic]

Now I have to dig through and see what I've got. I know it's an early 4-knobber, black with yellow lettering. It's still in a moving box somplace, or in a steamer trunk with a 200 Lb TV on top of it.....

My fave trick was that, with just a bit of gain and EQ to suit ya, it would transform a cheap crappy SS practice amp into a satisfying musical experience. That's saying a lot and no other stompbox OD/Fuzz/Distortion has been able to match it for that quality.

Got it for $25 from a computer and TV repairman buddy of mine. He still has 4 very early Music Man amps he won't sell me.......

[tomteriffic]

Upon Further review... Its a 5-knob, 3 band EQ, says Real Tube 12ax7a Tube Overdrive. Tube Works, USA. No mention of BK Butler. I'll have to crack it open and check the PCB. Built like a tank, though.

[ZR]

Rob,

Tech mgr? That's what you're calling it now? ok...whatever makes you feel better! ; )

Seriously, what's the deal with the Ibanez Tube King pedal? Was it really a Tube driver? It was made in the USA. Did you guys make them for Ibanez? I had one before and it was nice.

[wgarces]

Peso?you around??!!

He's the resident expert because he used to be the head rocket scientist over there or maybe he just got the president coffee and took notation... I forget. He did complain about his knees hurting all the time so throw that into the equation! ; )

I've got one of those TW rack Tube Driver and I was surprised how well it worked being that I paid twenty bucks for it. Got it on ebay.

[pesocaster]

Rob,

Tech mgr? That's what you're calling it now? ok...whatever makes you feel better! ; )

Seriously, what's the deal with the Ibanez Tube King pedal? Was it really a Tube driver? It was made in the USA. Did you guys make them for Ibanez? I had one before and it was nice.

Listen here Spanky... hahahaha

Yea, Tube Works made the 2nd generation of Tube Kings (TK999US) for Ibanez ... personally I think they are the best of the tube OD's out there..... I have a one off prototype with a black case ...

[HAMERMAN]

Peso,

Where does a Dean Markley Tube Overlord fit into the picture? (Or does it)

[pesocaster]

Peso,

Where does a Dean Markley Tube Overlord fit into the picture? (Or does it)

Clone of the Tube Works Real Tube pedal... with a small but important mistake on the PCB...

[pesocaster]

Upon Further review... Its a 5-knob, 3 band EQ, says Real Tube 12ax7a Tube Overdrive. Tube Works, USA. No mention of BK Butler. I'll have to crack it open and check the PCB. Built like a tank, though.

Hey Tom,

if you take a pic I can tell you if it is the real deal.... also those boards on the Real Tube Pedals are double sided.....

[Disturber]

Rob,

Tech mgr? That's what you're calling it now? ok...whatever makes you feel better! ; )

Seriously, what's the deal with the Ibanez Tube King pedal? Was it really a Tube driver? It was made in the USA. Did you guys make them for Ibanez? I had one before and it was nice.

Listen here Spanky... hahahaha

Yea, Tube Works made the 2nd generation of Tube Kings (TK999US) for Ibanez ... personally I think they are the best of the tube OD's out there..... I have a one off prototype with a black case ...

I have an Ibanez PUE5 TUBE pedal board.

I find the tube overdrive in this unit to

be very usefull. It sounds great.

How does it stand in comparison

to these other tube pedals mentioned

here? I don't think they are made by Tube Works?

d

[tomteriffic]

Upon Further review...  Its a 5-knob, 3 band EQ, says Real Tube 12ax7a Tube Overdrive.  Tube Works, USA.  No mention of BK Butler.  I'll have to crack it open and check the PCB.  Built like a tank, though.

Hey Tom,

if you take a pic I can tell you if it is the real deal.... also those boards on the Real Tube Pedals are double sided.....

I'll dig it up again soon, Rob, kinda busy today. I did crack it open, though and the PCB, I think, qualifies as single-sided. There's a resistor and a cap on the back side that may have been put there by the guy I bought it from. He's a pretty darn good solder geek and, if he was replacing them, putting them there would be easier than fighting your way through the dense component loading of the other side, not to mention the silicone goop that holds everything in place when the pedal gets thrown around. Also the leads on these two pieces are a bit longer than the stuff on the other side.

It's a bit twitchy to set up, but once you do, it's one of the nicest boost/OD pedals I've ever used.

[MTM105]

My Tube Works Real Tube with a 12au7 tube is the backbone of my effects board. I can't believe that I played for so many years without it. Customer service is excellent, whereas I was unable to be reached by email and within a day I was contacted by phone. I think it was Jeff Benz (sp?) himself. I butchered a wire and needed a new transformer and for $10 I was on my way.

[hiwatt357]

ZR You'll pay.. hahahahahhahahahha I was the Tech Mgr. from 89' - early 98'

OK here's the rundown:

Chandler units that say Concept and Design by B.K. Butler are "the" originals (GOOD ONES)

... the later Chandlers without his name are an imported copy (with some "errors") ....  This goes for the racks and pedals

The Tube Works Real Tube Rack (single Chan) are virtually the same ans the Chandler TD Rack.. Black and Yellow Lettering (GOOD ONES)

Tube Works reissued the 4 knob Tube Driver pedal in Late 95' ... they are the same circuit only sith some improved components... they kick ass just like the originals.....  They were built in Denver and have a single sided PCB.

The 3 Knob version is more of a fuzz box... not the same beast at all...

Then when Tube Works was sold and moved to WA state (later Sold to Genz Benz in AZ) they were using an imported pcb towards the end of 97' ...

So in review... if you are not sure on the Tube Works look inside and make sure it has a single sided PCB (all traces one side of the board) those are the good ones...

any questions feel free to e-mail me...

So...where does that put mine?

My girlfriend bought this one for me for our first Christmas together in 1989 (I know...I should have married this girl). It doesn't say anything about B.K. Butler, but it also says "Made In USA".

As far as I know, it was new and not used.

[straightblues]

I have the new Maxon Real Tube Overdrive RO881. It is expensive but very very good. I bought it at auction for Tsunami relief for $300. I haven't compared it with the old Tube Works pedals but I can't imagine them sounding much better.

[hudpucker]

'BK Butler' Chandler Tube Drivers

guts of an '86.

[pesocaster]

My girlfriend bought this one for me for our first Christmas together in 1989 (I know...I should have married this girl). It doesn't say anything about B.K. Butler, but it also says "Made In USA".

As far as I know, it was new and not used.

That is definately not one of the BK units.... I belive that is one of the last of the "Chandlers" not a bad pedal by any means ... but if you were to A/B it to a BK unit it is pretty noticable... different beasts...

[pesocaster]

'BK Butler' Chandler Tube Drivers

the fist one (far left) looks interesting.... that may have been one of the "transitional" units..... not sure it's a BK though..... the silkscreen on case is different and the transformer is center mounted.... if you were to send me a pic of the inside I could tell you for sure...

[BCR Greg]

ZR You'll pay.. hahahahahhahahahha I was the Tech Mgr. from 89' - early 98'

I thought Tech Mgr was the title given to the floor sweepers?

Love ya, Peso. Gimme a kiss....

[KorinaHound]

(I know...I should have married this girl)

Have you got her number?

KorinaHound