The 2006 BK model is delivered with a 12AX7 tube which is a bit too aggressive for my taste.
The BK has a bit more presence and a generally more aggressive tone, although this can to some extent be “controlled†by replacing the stock tube. Tonewise, I would perhaps place the Chandler somewhere between a Tube Screamer and a BK Tube Driver. The Chandler Tube Driver (in David’s rig from 1993-2006) has a slightly warmer tone than the new BK Butler model (in David’s rig from 2006).
David uses two Tube Drivers in his rig but you could easily substitute one of them with a Power Boost for a hint of that vintage flavour. The main difference is the dynamics and warmth you’ll get from the tube in the Tube Driver but my experience is that with the gain all the way up the Colorsound manages to stay more focused and compressed. They both got that powerful transparent tone with thundering lows and a crisp top. The Colorsound Power Boost and Tube Driver are very similar, which may be one of the reasons why David chose the Tube Driver. The pedal was also an essential part of his tones on 2006 On an Island album an tour.
The classic Colorsound Power Boost was David’s main overdrive unit in the 70’s and after some experimentation with different units in the 80’s he settled with the Tube Driver during the Division Bell sessions in 1993-94. Ever since 1994’s Division Bell he’s been using the Tube Driver as his main overdrive unit and it’s been one of my favourites for the last couple of years. Thank you so much I'm going to love working with it.David is often associated with his lead tones but he’s a master creating the sweetest overdrive tones too. And I can't believe you got it to me in four days. You were right in suggesting I get the Bias model. You have done a wonderful thing for musicians and music by inventing and building these. Just wanted to let you know, I received the TD on Saturday morning and was able to use it on the gig Saturday night. for a bit of Gilmour, honestly instant ‘Comfortably Numb’ tone - just out of this world and loud as all hell :D It adds a whole other dimension and is hard to imagine the pedal without. absolutely blown away by the sound especially with the Bias knob. Gday there BK, just got the tube driver in my hot lil hands this morning. Well now I have tried it and it's AWESOME!! The Bias dials in everything from creamy to nasty!! There's a huge variance that I'll have to find my 'sweet spots' depending on which amp and which guitar I am using. I got the Tube Driver with Bias last week and was too busy to test it out.
User Comments regarding the Bias mod upgrade: Most players find a 'sweet spot' about 2:30 - 3 o'clock on the control.Īll in all, it is a 'pro tool' type of control that each player can set to their own subjective taste.
It does not change the EQ directly but because the way the tube responds can be varied you will hear EQ differences at various settings. Technically it varies the electrical 'strength' of the tube and that affects gain, texture and dynamics. The Bias control also adds dynamics and allows you to custom match your Tube Driver for any particular pickup/amp combination. Just go up or down a few clicks and he nails what he wants. Eric Johnson used to spend a lot of time looking for perfect tubes to use in his standard Tube Drivers, but now he can just set the bias easily with the stock tube. The Bias control is very helpful as it adjusts the amount of current applied to the cathode of the tube. David Gilmour, Joe Satriani, Billy Gibbons and many other pros now use the Bias mod. Now he uses a Bias mod Tube Driver on stage. This saved him from sorting through literally hundreds of tubes to find the exact one he wanted.
My solution was to install a 5th control that controls the tube cathode current and enables him to ‘dial in’ the tube characteristics he wanted. Years ago, Eric Johnson requested that I install an extra pot in some of his Tube Drivers to help him match the tube response to his super critical hands and ears.