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Hi everyone,

I have built a Tube Driver to TH's specs and it's a fantastic kit!

http://www.madbeanpedals.com/forum/index.php?topic=28204.msg273363#msg273363

However...I am running my harmonica mic through it to get some real tube overdrive sound but the output is so high that I have to turn the pedals volume down to near minimum as well as my amps volume our I get OUTRAGEOUS and violent feedback.

I don't want to keep the pedals volume output this low as the pedals volume seems to interact with the gain to give the "sound" I like. I was wondering if I might put a second volume pot before the output jack as a sort of attenuator and if so, what value it should be? Are there other solutions I might consider?

I hope someone can help.

Here is my completed Tube Driver built to TH's specs! I built it into an old slot car transformer case trying to utilise as much of the existing drilled holes as possible. I added another custom tube guard to keep with the Atompunk look. Hope you like it! It's an AWESOME pedal with a vintage Mullard tube fitted!

Hi folks.

I just finished my Tube Driver build (Toms variation) on the Tube Driver125B V1.2 PCB.

Everything worked great on the first go and MAN does this thing pump out some great tube of sound!

I am having one weird problem. When I play (and ONLY when a note has been struck) I get a noticeable static/fizzing sound along with the strings note. It's not CRAZY loud but it is there for sure. I switched tubes and it still happens. I played with the gain and it seems to make no difference.

Any Ideas what could be causing this static/fizz when it's playing a note. It is quiet as you would like when strings aren't being played.

I'm using a vintage Mullard ECC81 but it did pretty much do the same thing with a Shuguang ECC81 as well.

I also played with the trim pot a little but this didn't seem to effect it much if at all.

Hi folks.

I just finished my Tube Driver build (Toms variation) on the Tube Driver125B V1.2 PCB.

Everything worked great on the first go and MAN does this thing pump out some great tube of sound!

I am having one weird problem. When I play (and ONLY when a note has been struck) I get a noticeable static sound along with the strings note. It's not CRAZY loud but it is there for sure. I switched tubes and it still happens. I played with the gain and it seems to make no difference.

Any Ideas what could be causing this static crackle when it's playing a note. It is quiet as you would like when strings aren't being played.

This is my Decopunk/Atompunk style Valvecaster pedal.

I love the sound of an overdriven tube amp but I also love the convenience of a battery powered, solid state amp. What to do? Enter Matsumin Valvecaster. This is a simple, low voltage pedal that drives a 12AU7 tube to pretty convincing overdrive.

I like the retro feel of tubes and I thought this clever and rich pedal circuit needed a stylish home in keeping with the feel of its main component.

I spotted 2 vintage Weston electrical meters online and the idea hit me, mount the valve externally and make a show of it. I took cues from the shape of the upper plinth and the meters viewing window and after some careful measuring of the tube, socket and meters body I made a template and cut 6 cooling fins from 2mm aluminium. After further measuring I drilled the tube hole and mounting points. I used 5mm hex stand offs between each fin. After a lot of sanding and finishing the radiator was done.

I removed all of the meters guts and external fittings and drilled where I needed to for the power input (no room for an internal battery) and pilot light ( a fender amp jewel light with a led imbedded in it with translucent silicone for diffusion. The Valvecaster has 3 controls, volume, tone and gain. The meter had 4 terminals so I fitted a 4th pot that switches on and can set the brightness of a 3mm led that illuminates the tube from below emulating a tubes glow. I drilled out the meters original brass terminal screws and used them as control knobs.

The input and output jacks fit amazingly well owing to the efficient and space saving point to point wiring of the circuits components onto the valve socket itself. I used a daughter board on the foot switch which makes true bypass, ground connections and hook ups a cinch.

And there we have it, a real tube based, Machine age style overdrive emulator pedal...as used by The Rocketeer!

Here are some shots of my Valve-e-tizer...90% done. Going to redo the graphic...needs tweaking...add some graphics for in and out and power and then give it a satin finish.

Got my Valvetizer 1.5 boards on the weekend and built a pedal today....LOVELY! The board takes solder so well!

I did notice that the output is a bit boomy. Does anyone have any suggestions to get a wider tonal range? Could use a LOT more in the brighter range.