Brad
02-23-2005, 09:40 PM
I had been on a quest for an inexpensive clean boost for quite some time when I came upon an iteresting little device called The Valve on ebay. The Valve ( there is no tube in it ... runs on a 9v ) comes is several permiations. The one I bought is is in a small, MXR size plastic box. It consists of a chicken head volume knob an in/out switch, input and a male jack. The male jack plugs into your amps input and you plug your guitar cord into the the input of the valve. Very similar in scope to the old Electro harmonix LPB-1 power booster. I see now where they make a pedal version of the valve. I may send this back and have it converted...but, I may just leave it as is.
While I did not wind up with the clean boost I was looking for, ( and several emails with the builder confirmed this before I bought it ) I was rewarded with a great sounding, easy to use, touch sensitive, boost/blues overdrive I can control from the volume pot on my guitar.
For as simple as this device is, it holds a plethora of excellent tones. A big key to unlocking it's secrets is to spend some time with it experementing with different volume levels on the amp and effect. You can go from clean to mean to scream with a simple twist of the guitars volume control. It also works very well with other overdrive/fuzz units.
So far, I've tried it with several teles, a strat, A PRS EG3, a 67 ES-335 and a P-90 equipped Peavey Firenza. While the valve does an excellent job of preserving each guitars inherent sonic character, what amazed me is how each guitar reacted with the valve. With my strat and PRS EG3
( which is like a strat with 3 Lindy Fralin zero hum pickups ) the tone ( at lower levels ) takes on a glassy sweetness that is mesmerizing. It's hard to stop playing when one finds this tone. Much like the 80's funk-a-duck tone from Niles Rogers and the Michael Jackson "Thriller " era, it's that wonderful, greasy, funky, studio quality tone. Up the wicket on the volume control and your into Albert King, Albert Coliins blues tones. Using the neck pickup on my stock 71 tele is pure blues heaven. Everything from Little Milton to Johnny Copeland tones abound. Running a Bad Monkey, Fabfuzz ( another awendamusic creation ) or Marshall Bluebreaker pedal into the valve produces stellar results. Again depending on where the valves volume control and overdrives controls are set, you can get anything from mild boost to stinging overdrive to Rory Gallagehr tones to SRV all the way to Gary Moore style blues shred.
As simple as it is, a vast amount of tones reside in this little plastic body. The more I use it, the more I discover. It always brings a smile to my face when I plug it in.
The builder of the pedal, Craig Vasily ( www.awendamusic.com ) is a wonderful person to deal with. Craig hand makes a variety of pedals. From several versions of the Valve to 3-4 different fuzz tones to overdrives to compressors to trem units. All are high quality and very inexpensive. The valve set me back all of $24.95. I think his prices may have increased a bit since I got this one, but even at twice the price, it would be worth it. He sent a detailed manual and warranty along with it. If something did go wrong, I have no doubt Craig would stand behind his work. He's aces in my book.
If you play blues or rock and are looking for a simple, cost effective tone enhancement, do yourself a favor and check one out.
While I did not wind up with the clean boost I was looking for, ( and several emails with the builder confirmed this before I bought it ) I was rewarded with a great sounding, easy to use, touch sensitive, boost/blues overdrive I can control from the volume pot on my guitar.
For as simple as this device is, it holds a plethora of excellent tones. A big key to unlocking it's secrets is to spend some time with it experementing with different volume levels on the amp and effect. You can go from clean to mean to scream with a simple twist of the guitars volume control. It also works very well with other overdrive/fuzz units.
So far, I've tried it with several teles, a strat, A PRS EG3, a 67 ES-335 and a P-90 equipped Peavey Firenza. While the valve does an excellent job of preserving each guitars inherent sonic character, what amazed me is how each guitar reacted with the valve. With my strat and PRS EG3
( which is like a strat with 3 Lindy Fralin zero hum pickups ) the tone ( at lower levels ) takes on a glassy sweetness that is mesmerizing. It's hard to stop playing when one finds this tone. Much like the 80's funk-a-duck tone from Niles Rogers and the Michael Jackson "Thriller " era, it's that wonderful, greasy, funky, studio quality tone. Up the wicket on the volume control and your into Albert King, Albert Coliins blues tones. Using the neck pickup on my stock 71 tele is pure blues heaven. Everything from Little Milton to Johnny Copeland tones abound. Running a Bad Monkey, Fabfuzz ( another awendamusic creation ) or Marshall Bluebreaker pedal into the valve produces stellar results. Again depending on where the valves volume control and overdrives controls are set, you can get anything from mild boost to stinging overdrive to Rory Gallagehr tones to SRV all the way to Gary Moore style blues shred.
As simple as it is, a vast amount of tones reside in this little plastic body. The more I use it, the more I discover. It always brings a smile to my face when I plug it in.
The builder of the pedal, Craig Vasily ( www.awendamusic.com ) is a wonderful person to deal with. Craig hand makes a variety of pedals. From several versions of the Valve to 3-4 different fuzz tones to overdrives to compressors to trem units. All are high quality and very inexpensive. The valve set me back all of $24.95. I think his prices may have increased a bit since I got this one, but even at twice the price, it would be worth it. He sent a detailed manual and warranty along with it. If something did go wrong, I have no doubt Craig would stand behind his work. He's aces in my book.
If you play blues or rock and are looking for a simple, cost effective tone enhancement, do yourself a favor and check one out.