BK Butler Tube Driver (Page 1 of 2)

Plugging the Tube driver into a amp will not achieve the violin tone..  I have three tube drivers and they are all different.  Try the Genz Benz one.. that is actually the best in my opinion.  Also using a 12AT7 in them helps..  To get the violin tone.. you need a real plexi Marshall set at 5 or 6..  a fender Spring, a delay or echplex and the tube driver. 
Hope that helps..
Joe B

That cool Joe, I also prefer a lower gain NOS preamp tube in my Tube Driver.  I have the 3 knob Tube Works/BK Butler model like what Andy Timmons uses.  Joe is 100% correct about the voilin tone.  You need a cranked up Plexi style amp with the Tube Driver, Echoplex, reverb, and optional compressor.  EJ use to use a TC Sustain in the old days. I love my Keeley Compressor to fill those duties.  Also don't overlook the effects of a non true bypass wah on the signal path.  I get a way better violin tone when my Vox wah is in my chain (really helps mellow the sound).

Suggested Tube Driver settings: Volume 9-10 o'clock, all eq knobs to "0", and gain to taste.  My gain settings are between 11 o'clock and noon.  Don't forget the 12AT7 or 12AU7 tubes.  They are a lot less harsh and the gain is much more controllable with these tamer tubes.  Good luck.

Genz Benz?  They don't make a tube driver, they make amplifiers...?

Genz Benz acquired the rights to Chandler.  So now they are the same company.  BK is still in business though.  I own a 910 and a 12AU7 will make the best sound in the world.  I will slightly disagree with JB here in the need for the plexi, although the route he suggested is certainly correct.  Though he is one of the high priests of tone (much respect JB), one fact was overlooked: two BK TD's stacked through a cranked black face bassman or bandmaster.  Of course no Fender guitar, instead a G&L Legacy!

*notes down the value of the G.B Tube Driver now 10x the price*    Cheers, Joe. hahaha

Check The Gear Page dude, they are on sale there quite often for way better prices than eBay.  A new BK one with the bias will probably run you between 250-300 bones.  And yes, they do sound way fatter when played through a cranked non mv amp.  EJ's drummer noted that his volume actually decreases when he steps on the Tube Driver so that's how I set mine.  Slightly less than unity volume and it really makes a big difference.

I have a tube driver from the man himself. Freaking love it!!!!

Keep in mind, what works for one, may not for another. There's many of us who've gone through a pot load of fx pedals. Some we keep, others are passed along or sold. Which makes me ask the question: "if this thing your selling is the cats ****, why are you selling it?"

Something to think about.

Stay Safe
me

Yep