What is it?
The BK Butler/Chandler Tube Driver seems to have been around forever and has been a staple in the rigs of several luminaries: David Gilmour, Eric Johnson, Billy Gibbons and the two Joes – Satriani and Bonamassa – have been seen to use it.
That large mains-powered valve‑based overdrive is now the inspiration for the Venus, which takes the idea and enhances it with some real pedalboard-friendly practicality, notably a relatively compact-sized enclosure and standard nine-volt operation.
When you take into account both the pedal and rackmount versions, there have been lots of Tube Driver variations, but Crazy Tube Circuits tells us that it has concentrated all of the different voicings and features into one pedal.
Original Tube Drivers featured an ECC83 valve that users sometimes changed for an ECC82, but this pedal opts for the best of both worlds with an ECC832, which is half EEC82/half ECC83, although you can easily put in a valve of your own choice.
Specs
- PRICE: $312/£235/€299
- ORIGIN: Greece
- TYPE: Valve-based drive pedal
- FEATURES: True bypass, power-up choice of bypass or active, 2 output level options, easy 4-screw valve access for changes
- CONTROLS: Volume, Bias, Drive, Hi, Mid, Lo, Tight switch, Line Driver switch, Bypass footswitch
- CONNECTIONS: Standard input, standard output
- POWER: Supplied 9V DC adaptor 500mA
- DIMENSIONS: 66 (w) x 126 (d) x 57mm (h)
- CONTACT: Crazy Tube Circuits
Usability and sounds
The Bias control sets the sweet spot for different valve types, but you can also use it for a wide range of variations in the drive sound: for example, turning it anti-clockwise from its end stop will take you from the smoothest overdrive through gnarlier drive/distortion to gated fuzz sounds.
We also get plenty of output volume available for boosts, with even more provided by selecting Line Driver output mode, while the Drive knob itself dials in the dirt from just beyond clean to really creamy and full-on drive, dripping with sustain and cleaning up nicely with guitar volume.
A trio of extremely effective Hi, Lo and Mid EQ controls are well capable of matching the sound to your amp (particularly the Mid knob) and/or tweaking it to exactly fit your sonic needs, while the Tight switch is great for taking out any unwanted flub and keeping that low-end in check.
Overall, you’re getting huge flexibility in natural drive tones that will sit just right with your amp.
Verdict
Verdict: ★★★★★
Guitar World verdict: We didn’t have an original Tube Driver for direct comparison, but the Venus does the exact same job in a smaller footprint with an extended feature set and none of the drawbacks, such as mains-transformer hum. While Gilmour admirers will like its smooth, sustained lead sound, there’s actually something here for all drive lovers. Bit of a game-changer, this one!
Hands-on videos
That Pedal Show
AndyDemos
R.J. Ronquillo
- “Whether you’re an AC/DC fan or not, there are some classic tones to be found within this little box of rock”: Crazy Tube Circuits Heatseeker review
- This article first appeared in Guitarist. Subscribe and save.
