From k2mojo@groovedaddies.com Thu Apr 29 07:44:03 2004
Subject:Blue Tube experiment (was: At the risk of starting a range war.........)

Tony,
Well, at least it's nice to know that I'm not hearing things that aren't there ;-) I was having pretty much the same results as you, but I was kicking up the Blue Tube a little higher, maybe half way up because anything past that started to create more of an unnatural or buzzy sounding distortion. I tell ya, I've got 4 different gain stages to adjust and it's tricky to get them all set just right before things start buzzing, so I've still got some more tweeking to do. Another problem I have is that subtle changes in tone, like what the Blue Tube would add, are most often just lost once the rest of the band starts playing; aside from the intro to "Try A Little Tenderness", I'm pretty much competing with Stratocasters and crash cymbals all night. Still, I think this experiment is worth pursuing, because as long as the Blue Tube is helping and not hindering, the extra couple of pounds it adds to my rack is no big deal.
BTW, anybody who wants to experiment with the same configuration is very welcome. These routinely go for only $80-100 on eBay, and IMO, the BlueTube is about the best deal that I know of in a clean, flexible, dual-tube stereo preamp for any application.

Ed Fliege
k2mojo@groovedaddies.com

----- Original Message -----
From: Anthony Campo
To: CloneWheel@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, April 29, 2004 6:29 AM
Subject: [CWSG] Re: Re: At the risk of starting a range war.........

Ed and Dave,

I couldn't help chiming in on this thread. I use a CX-3 ver2, Speakeasy and Leslie 145.
Ed I read your original post on the Blue Tiube setup you were using and my band (The Kerry Kearney Band) was openingg for Sonny Landreth out here on Long Island, NY and I dicided to try your expairment with placing the Blue Tube in between the Speakeasy and the CX-3. I only use the Speakeasy and Leslie for larger shows and that was the last time I used that rig,so! It was about 2 months ago.

I found first off that my pedal had more gain at a lower arch point but it was still exponential. That is it wasn't an abrupt increase in gain but very Hammond like which I liked, I just didn't have to press the pedal down as far. I keep my gain knob on the CX-3 set to "off" and just drive the overdrive by the pedal in the cx-3 settings. I use either Type1 or Type 2 preamp setting in my CX-3 patches. Mostly type 2.

But the main point is that the my sound had more presence at lower volumes. It didn't really overdrive any differently to my ears. Just more presence and fuller sounding. Which for me was a good thing. It was warmer also as I recall, enough so that I noticed. Of course when the guitars kicked in on the show and the frequency canceling and the stage mix etc,etc it was not as noticeable but I felt it was a worthwhile expairment.

Mind you I used very little gain on the Blue Tube, like a 1 or 2 setting tops, more than that and I was afraid in the passion of the show I would blow something. I think I set the Tube at less than 5 also. I have my settings logged with my gear somewhere if you really want to know! I'll probably use that setup again for the next big show. I felt it made a difference and helped the digital-ness of the CX-3 alittle more than with just the Speakeasy. I have a 1967 vintage B3 and Leslie that I never take out(at least so far!)
I've been playing Hammonds/Leslie's since 1972 so I know the sound I want....

Just my 2 cents here!

Tony Campo
The Kerry Kearney Band

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Message: 6
Date: Tue, 27 Apr 2004 23:34:14 -0500
From: "ed fliege"
Subject: Re: Re: At the risk of starting a range war.........

Dave,
My recent addition of the Blue Tube is just kind of an experiment, one
that I'm not 100% sure is all that beneficial. The Speakeasy performs
best when you can give it plenty of gain to start with, and so I
thought I'd play around with adding the Blue Tube between the CX-3 and the
Speakeasy (I already owned the Blue Tube, so it's not like this is
costing me any money). With the Blue Tube added, sometimes it seems like the
Speakeasy sounds a little smoother and less forced, and then other
times I can't really tell much difference, so now I'm starting to wonder if
it's all just in my head ;-) I probably need to due some sort of
blind A/B test on myself, but at this point it seems that any benefit the
Blue Tube might add is so subtle that I wouldn't advise anyone to rush
right out and get one.
To be clear, I was very happy with my Speakeasy before I added the
BlueTube; I just have an illness that dictates that I never leave my rig as
is for longer than three weeks. Get yourself a Speakeasy - you'll be
happy you did. But before you buy one, I'd suggest giving Steve Hayes a
call and discuss with him which Clone you're using and he'll set you up
with the Speakeasy version that will work best for you. Steve can be
reached at 717.292.0814, and he loves to talk gear.

Ed
----- Original Message -----
From: david strauss
To: CloneWheel@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, April 27, 2004 5:46 PM
Subject: Re: [CWSG] Re: At the risk of starting a range war.........

Ed: I saw in an earlier post that use both a blue
tube and a speakeasy for your cx-3, and was curious as
to why you use two preamps. Can't you get what you
want from the speakeasy alone? I appreciate any
comments you may have, as I am in the market for a
speakeasy. Thanks

Dave

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