Description
The Blackbird™ “Tube Tone Engine” is an all-tube preamp in a pedal—the genuine article! This versatile tone machine gives guitarists access to a wide palette of rich, burnished guitar sounds. Whether recording direct to computer in the studio, or with a tube amp in a live situation, this pedal delivers—big-time! The tone of the drive channel is like “Bourbon & Honey”—the overdrive is rich, full-bodied and warm. And the clean channel is as smooth as glass, which adds a pleasing lift to the guitar tone.
The Gain Channel
The gain channel is all-tube, based on the same type of high voltage, vacuum tube clipping circuitry found in custom, top-of-the-range, tube amps. Winding up the gain knob gradually fattens up the sound until it becomes a sweet, bluesy overdrive, full of richness and even harmonic overtones. Not only that, this channel features a second, entirely different voicing (“CREAMY”), where the tubes are “hot” biased. Hot biasing introduces more harmonic content to thicken up the soup. Dig-in with the guitar pick and the Blackbird responds musically, working with you, to create soaring, expressive solos. Ease-off, and the Blackbird’s natural tube compression ensures you’ll effortlessly transition right back into rhythm or chord playing. All the right sounds are there: classic rock, crunch and devastating harmonically-saturated guitar sounds.
The Clean Channel
The clean channel is pure, glassy and sweet and lends itself to country and jazz playing. This channel is a replica of the Fender® “Blackface” tube circuit, and like the Blackface circuit, it responds well to high-output pickups and boost pedals. Give it a push and it will break-up nicely; then push it a little harder, and you have classic 1970s overdrive. The tone and feel of the pedal is beautifully balanced—it doesn’t get any better than this. The clean channel is perfection; the last word in depth and clarity—that polished, classy sound that tubes excel at.
Tailoring The Tone
Get under the hood and “tweak” the Blackbird to find your own unique signature sound. The Blackbird’s overdrive response can be altered by adjusting tube bias points and swapping out tubes. This gives guitarists access to a virtually unlimited range of classic and customised amp voicings.
Biasing
The internal “BIAS” trim-pot affects the biasing of the third tube gain stage in the 4-stage clipping circuitry. Biasing affects the sensitivity, biting point and “feel”of the drive channel. Rotating the trim-pot clockwise increases bias voltage, “hot” biasing the tube stage and rotating anti-clockwise “cold” biases the tube. Note: Bias adjustments only affect “CREAMY” voicing of the Blackbird’s drive channel.
Tube Swapping
Swap out tubes to change the character of the drive channel. Substitute the stock 12AX7 with another B9A type, such as a 5751, 12AY7 or 12AU7, to alter the Blackbird’s tone, sensitivity, biting-point and gain. The Blackbird is designed to allow easy access to the tubes for this purpose—so feel free to experiment. In less time than it takes to change a light bulb, you can swap out a tube for another type, or even a NOS (new old stock) brand.
It’s a tone hound’s dream—discovering bargain vintage Mullard, Sylvania, RCA tubes, and then using them to tailor your tone to your tastes. From subtle break-up, to mellow blues and vintage or saturated modern rock distortion, the Blackbird does it all. And the best thing is: it’s sound is authentic—real tube tone—there’s nothing like it.
Bassists! Yes, that’s you. The Blackbird is great for electric bass—better than most so-called “bass-friendly” pedals. Its input stage possesses excellent low-end response and it effortlessly handles higher output levels from bass guitar. We recommend ordering a Blackbird with lower gain 12AY7 or 5751 tubes installed. Just give Sam a call to find out about availability.
Named after the coolest plane ever built: The SR-71 Blackbird with a top speed of Mach3+ and the ability to outrun surface-to-air missiles. Like it’s counterpart, the Blackbird “Tube Tone Engine” puts you in full control of your core drive sound.
FEATURES
- Two Channels: The Blackbird’s clean channel is identical to Leo Fender’s “Blackface” circuit. The overdrive channel is a “hot-rodded” 4-stage tube clipping circuit—think “Dumble”, but with more mojo!
- Classic Tone Stacks: Dedicated “BASS”, “MIDDLE” and “TREBLE” controls for each channel—the same passive tonestacks as in Fender’s “Blackface” amps.
- Tube Buffered Output: Connects to the input of a guitar amplifier. This output is buffered by a low impedance tube cathode follower stage with up to +10dBu of gain. Low impedance ensures zero tone loss when driving long cable runs.
- Transformer Balanced Out: Professional 600Ω balanced output for direct recording. Connects to mixing desk, PC sound capture card or power amplifier. Adds +6dBu gain.
- All Tube: The Blackbird is an entire vacuum tube preamp in a pedal. The signal path is 100% analogue and the tubes operate at real amp plate voltages. Further, D.C. powered tube heaters ensure lowest possible noise.
- Audiophile Components: Absolutely no skimping on component quality. The Blackbird’s audio signal path uses polyester capacitors and instrumentation grade metal-film resistors throughout.
- Compact: The Blackbird is small enough to fit in a gig bag with your cables, tuner and other tools of the trade. And, it makes a great backup as a spare rig—don’t leave home, or be at home, without one!
- Tough: The electronics are housed in a tough, powder-coated aluminium alloy enclosure with a stoved epoxy silkscreen. Built for the road and to withstand the most punishing touring schedule.
- True Bypass Switching: Effectrode’s unique “anti-pop” footswitching circuitry utilises a sealed, gold-contact audio relay, rather than a clunky mechanical footswitch.
- “Dakaware” Knobs: Authentic Bakelite Dakaware Chicago 1510 knobs custom made in the U.S.A.
- Includes 12VDC 1.5A Wall-Wart: High quality low-noise switched mode power supply operating from 100-240VAC mains input. Supplied with various adapter plugs to facilitate connection to mains outlets in other countries. Compatible with all Effectrode pedals.
