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BGRA: Tube Works Blue Tube rack unit, model #RT-904
| Manufacturer |
Tube Works |
Model |
Blue Tube rack unit, model #RT-904 |
| Reviewer |
Hugh Odom |
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| Experience |
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Item owned |
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| Review Date |
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Price paid |
$325 list |
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Dimensions | standard single rack space |
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Electronics | single 12AX7 tube |
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Controls | boost and bypass switches, drive control, bias |
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Power | 115V AC. |
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This was my Christmas present this year; I asked for the foot
pedal version and got the more expensive rack-mount unit. (And
some people say there's no Santa.)
I have an SWR WM 15 combo amp, which is all transistor (unlike
SWR's higher end equipment). I am using the Blue Tube to add
a little warmth to my tone and to get just a little tube
distortion when called for. The unit can be used as an effect
or as a stand-alone pre-amp to drive a power amp.
With 7 variable controls on this unit, plus about the same
number on my amp, it has taken considerable fiddling to get the
tone I want. It will produce lots of usable tones, from mild
tube warmth to totally nasty distortion. It does take some
effort to get a good clean tube sound out of it.
My Blue Tube came with no owner's manual, so I had to figure it
out on my own. I called Tube Works the day after Christmas and
they sent me a manual (only one page) no questions asked; it
arrived less than a week later- good service.
The contour control adjusts the amount of low end fed through
the tube, the bias controls the cathode voltage of the tube
(which affects the distortion). Other controls are pretty
self-explanatory. I'm running the Blue Tube via the effects
loop on my amp; this allows me to vary the amount of signal
sent through the Blue Tube if I want to.
The unit appears well-built, with quality feeling controls,
heavy AC cord, good jacks, etc.
A good add-on for a "sterile" transistor amp or anyone who
likes some dirt with their bass.
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| construction |
 | (100%) |
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| usefulness |
| (75%) |
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| value |
| (95%) |
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| overall |
| (85%) |
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