Tubes in Overdrive/Distortion pedals, worth it?

[Valtiel]

Chances are if it's big, its better.

Reason: Preamp tubes in mic preamps are in two categories: high voltage design, and starved plate design. If you see a mic preamp that can fit in your pocket AND uses a tube, chances are it uses a starved plate design, which means you're not driving the tube anywhere NEAR hard enough to get a rich, full tube tone. You're basically just gonna get fuzz.

If the pedal is big, and heavy, AND uses a tube, it might be worth it.

Very good point, this is along the lines of what I was going to say. If the pedal is actually utilizing the tube at full voltage then they can be worth the extra size and cost but forget it if your tube OD pedal uses a regular 9v adapter or batteries.

 

[rsm]

Well, I got my EH English Muff'n, but haven't played it yet. Its big, but not heavy; uses a 12v AC adapter at 1000 mA.

edit: It sounded like shit, like a broken speaker in a bad way. Sending it back, got the RA number already.

 

[AmpliFIRE]

I've owned a Tube Driver and Tube King....neither one of them did anything for me. I'll stick with my SS pedals