Tube Driver

There are very few pedals/preamps that I would rate a 10 in sound quality. This is it for distortion or overdrives. I can only describe the tone as awesome. Just everything I want in an overdrive. It has a crunch that you can't get in any other preamp or pedal. The best way to descibe this is through Eric Johnson.just add a decent delay and chorus pedal. Listening to his Bloom album pushed me over the edge of being a tone freak. The only issue I ran into with this is using other distortions/fuzz/overdrives in the line with it. For some reason it just doesn't jive right with distortion pedals that well. It sometimes gives a little buzz. Tubescreamer-like overdrives usually do fine, but with the Boost switch on the rack version, don't really need an additional boost. For a while I was using a Ruby tube (not too sure who makes them) but I think I put a Sovtek in it a couple years ago. That or a J/J. I guess to a degree its all hearsay. I'm not sure anyone listening would give a **** what kind of tube you're using regardless of the sound difference you think it makes... so maybe I'm not that much of a "tone freak"

I blew a fuse once at a show, thats when I was relieved to discover it's true bypass. At the time I was using a Boss SD-1 in front of the Tube Driver, so I just cranked up the drive and I stayed in business. If I had a spare fuse on me at the time it would have been a 10 second fix. That coupled with the freak possibility of blowing a tube, or shorting out for some reason (I think its at least 25 years old) I'd have to say its a bit less reliable than most overdrive/distortion units

I have the rack version of this pre-amp You can't really get a bad sound out of it. I like it because there's a little more control(bias and contour controls and of course the Boost switch) than the pedal version

I kinda support myself these days

If I lost both my arms, I still wouldn't sell this unit. I might let my little brother use it... but only under my supervision. I honestly don't think the modern emo junkies and metal head high schoolers would find any interest in stealing this type of equipment. It looks old and beat up. these new kids just want anything that says Mesa on it. ::rant complete:: I've been playing a mex strat with some Dragonfire pickups in the neck and bridge and a DiMarzio Blue Velvet in the middle. Pretty much using the Fender Blues Jr amp, but occasionally I'll use a Fender Bassman 50. I once ran the tube driver through a Roland Jazz Chorus, and really liked what I heard, but not near as much as the fender tube amps. At first I was afraid this unit would limit me to playing classic rock or blues, but I actually played some newer cover songs with it and people really loved the sound. My initial fears of this being a one-trick-pony were quickly absolved. I'm interested in trying the Butler Audio reissue. They've supposedly done some nice improvements. If anyone has one and wants to trade out for it, I got a closet full of effects pedals I'm ready to get rid of. just email me

The sound is great, but it's very iffy depending on the preamp tube used.  Case in point - I ripped out the original tube years ago and put a Sovtek (I think it's a 12AT7)in place of it.  I then ignored the pedal for the longest time because of scratchy pots, etc... that I was apparently too lazy to look into.  I eventually changed that tube to a Groove Tube 12AX7 which, quite honestly, sounded terrible.  Very high gain, crunchy tone, not what I was looking for.  Up until the other day I had that same crappy tube in there until I decided to find the old Sovtek and put it back in.  I also cleaned the pots and switch.  WHAT a difference.  Now I can actually use this pedal and it sounds exactly like it should; warm and punchy.  Add this next to a TS-808 and you have great overdrive.  The thing about this pedal that I think makes it versatile is that you can vary your tone based on the tube.  The Sovtek is very warm and smooth, and doesn't have a dirty gain, but once it's boosted you can hear the warmth come through.  It's a very pleasant sound.  The manufacturer didn't really intend for the end-user to change the tubes, but I found it to be pretty easy and non-threatening to the unit, and in the end I'm much happier.  The pedal does have some hum, but it goes away sometimes.  I'm leaning more towards thinking it's a grounding issue but I can't figure out why. 

I give this a mid-rating because it's old, and even though it seems to function better since cleaning the controls, there's still that chance that it won't operate perfectly the minute you have an audience.  I generally have another overdrive in the chain anyway so if I needed to it would make a worthy backup. 

Very easy to understand, only 4 controls and very basic.  Output level, hi/low eq, and tube drive.  My unit is an early rev, but not the first run.  I have the one Eric Johnson uses (the originals were a bit different, and the rev3 versions had the wall wart).

Never dealt with Chandler, but they were just the distributors.  BK Butler is the brains and hands behind these pedals.  His design; hand-wired and very well made.  These pedals turned up for a while  under the Tube Works name, as miniature versions of the original, and the same concept is in the Tube Works Blue Tube.  The Chander version is designed better, IMO.  BK is actually re-issuing these pedals under his own name but in the same outfit and design as the originals.  I would think if you needed support he would be the one to talk to, and from what I've read he's very friendly and answeres all his e-mails. 

Overall a great addition to my setup; gives my overdrive a warmth that is missing from most solid-state pedals.  I originally bought it about 8 years ago because Eric Johnson uses it, and I figured I'd get magic tone..heh.  Well, that never happened but I've found my own settings that work well with it and sometimes can get that velvety, violin-type tone when used with the right combination of instrument/amp.  Besides the Tube Driver, my chain of effects are: Ibanez TS-808, ProCo RAT, EH Small Clone, EH Small Stone, MXR 1500 Delay, and MXR Analog Delay.  My amp is a Fender Deluxe Reverb re-issue, and my guitars are: 68' reissue Stratocaster, vintage blonde Telecaster, Gibson SG standard, and an Ibanez AEL10 acoustic. 

Simply put, this is perfect tone for my needs. Smooth overdrive, incredible sustain.... and no added noise... I use it with a Bassman LTD or my vibrolux and it gives me the earlier break up I am looking for. Super smooooth and creamy.... Guitar wise, i'm a big fan of Gibsons with P90's. I really can't speak to this pedal in conjunction with Fender guitars, but it seems pretty friendly with any guitasr I've fed it

Considering the age of this pedal, I would have to give high marks on reliability. I have had zero issues (knocking on wood)and I have a fairly early model

I picked up this pedal recently (4months ago)after searching for one for a while.. I use this daily, mostly for recording. Expensive, but the search for tone can be that way. Can not get much easier... dial in your tone to taste. It's important that you pair this pedal with a compatible amp..

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Overall, I love this pedal. Probably (ok, it is..) overpriced, but there is a reason they are sought after by some. I also dig the "hugeness" of the pedal, you can't miss it in a crowd.