Industrial News Buzz - Now available in limited quantities from Tubemodules.com, the Solid-State Tube module. Now you can have the tube sound without the tube problems! What is it? The Solid-state Tube Module is an engineered product that duplicates the response of the best audio tubes available. Because it is engineered, it can be made to have any sound profile you can describe: bright, crystaline, dark, mid-rangey, boomy, bassy, etc. I'm just using words now that I read and hear musicians use to describe sound, but these words can be made into actual devices.

 

If you have a special need, contact me and we can make a custom device for you. The High-Gain version was a result of such a need. The modules are made to replace the first and maybe second preamp tubes, usually labeled "V1" and "V2" in most amps. These are the tube positions most responsible for the clean sound of and amp. If they are not good, or if the tube low end response is limited, the amp will sound thin and weak. If this tube position is too low in gain, the amp will never be able to drive the output hard enough for a good sound. Replaces 12AX7, ECC83, ECC803, 7025 and their equivalents.

 

Do not use in a position where a 12AT7 or 12AU7 is used, because usually the circuit for those require too much current. What models are there? There currently are three module versions: Raw - a really bright sound for metal and distortion work Tubular - a warmer sound that is like an old-stock tube Hi-Gain - more gain and a deep bottom end What does it sound like? Reports have been that, in an A/B switched test with identical amps, it sounds like the best tubes available. What other qualities does it have? It produces virtually no heat. It is low-noise, and of course is not microphonic. It is not a vacuum tube, but its characteristic curve is like a vacuum tube.

 

No modification of the amp is needed. Why did you make it? Like everybody else, I get bad tubes sometimes. If I want them tested, the price can go over $45 for each tube, and that is still no guarantee that they will be what I want in a preamp tube: low noise, low microphonics, and at least standard gain. Why should anybody want it? If you have a problem with microphonics in your preamp tubes, or too much noise or hiss, or low gain from your tubes, you may want to try one. As a friend of mine said, "You can have the tube sound without the tube problems!" I routinely come across tubes in old amps that are the original tubes. Preamp tubes made back then DO last a LONG time. The tubes made these days are not so good, in my experience. I often have to replace tubes that are less than ten years old because they die, get microphonic, or get noisy! So the claim that these will reduce the need to replace preamp tubes can be made with some qualifications if you have commonly-available preamps tubes. Caution! Since these are solid-state devices, they could be affected by voltage spikes on the guitar amp inputs. Lightning strikes would not be good for them. Severe static electricity could hurt them, and you. It is strictly a first-preamp tube module, usually labeled as V1 and sometimes V2. Other positions are possible, but I need to tell you that if the current draw is too much, my module will fail. The module is not appropriate for the phase inverter position in most amps.

 

If you have a question as to whether these would work in a certain amp, give me a call. One thing I found recently is that some amps put the filaments in series, so if you pull the tube out that you want to replace, and none of the other tubes will light up until you put a tube back in that spot, then you can't use these as they are now. Conclusion I am aware of some previous attempts at a similar product. Almost all the previous designs were less than open in discussing their technology, some for good reason. I don't want to reveal the innermost secrets of my designs, either. I'd rather not release my "secret formula" to the public and the competition.

 

But I think you will like what you hear. Price is $65 to $85 per module, depending on model. Modules are guaranteed for 6 months unless they are opened or abused (that will be determined when I examine them). If a module fails in normal use, I will replace it free. If they don't work in your application and I said that they would, I will refund your purchase price.