Peavey Tube Sweetner

Danny Hullihen · Post by **Danny Hullihen** » 17 Mar 2002 5:30 pm

Has anyone had an opportunity to try one of these units with steel guitar yet? I've been using one for about three weeks now with a Session 2000 and Nashville 1000, and I really like what this unit does with enhancing the EQ, and the low end really comes alive like nothing I've ever heard before!

I'm going to try to have one of these with me at the Dallas show, and I'll be using it when I play at the Chattanooga show in April if anyone would like to check it out or ask questions about it.

Dennis Detweiler · Post by **Dennis Detweiler** » 17 Mar 2002 7:22 pm

I saw a "Tube Sweetener" in a past issue of the PV Monitor. A more current issue doesn't show the Sweetener, but now shows the "TMP 1"
It's a tube mic preamp rack mount. Is this the same thing or a replacement for the "Tube Sweetener"?
Does it add warmth to the notes?

Danny Hullihen · Post by **Danny Hullihen** » 18 Mar 2002 8:11 am

Dennis. The Peavey TMP-1 is not the same as the Peavey "Tube Sweetener." The Tube Sweetener is a two-channel Tube Line Amp, and has more control options than the TMP1, and features three 12AX7 tubes.

I've posted a picture of this in two sections for reasons of clarity, but this unit is actually a 1-space rack mount, featuring two seperate (but indentical) channels.

I'll give you a description here of what the controls are, and a little info of how they work.

#1 in the photo is a Bypass switch.

#2 is a signal strength indicator which lights up proportionally to the amount of effect has on the audio signal it is processing.

#3 is a control called "Sugar" This control adjusts the amount of compression applied to the audio signal. As with any compressed signal, you have to use this with a bit of descrepency, but in addition to the compression, this control ads a very nice even-harmonic content, which is what makes the signal sound a lot more "full" (if you will,) verses a shallow sound.

#4 is a control called, "Spice." The control acts as a tone control. The hot side of this control gives you more highs and lows with reduced mids for a more traditional tube sound. The mild side provides a nice high end roll-off for a more warm or mellow tone.

#5 is a level control. This adjusts the channels output level. I found it worked best to set this control to match the output level when in the bypass mode. When you switch in and out of the dry/wet mode, you'll realize the overall effect the Tube Sweetener has on your sound. The difference is really quite dramatic.

#6 is a simple power switch.

The back of the unit has input and output jacks for both channels of course, and an input pad switch. This is a nice feature that inserts a 10dB pad at the input to reduce the level and help avoid overdriving the input stage.

In any event, that's brief description of this unit. Mike Brown might be able to give you a bit more detail on this than what I have here, but I hope this helps.

The two sides have been done separately for better resolution.

Left:

Right:

[This message was edited by Danny Hullihen on 18 March 2002 at 08:19 AM.]

Dennis Detweiler · Post by **Dennis Detweiler** » 18 Mar 2002 11:09 am

I think I want one?

I'd like to try one, but there are none in stock around here. Maybe I can pressure the PV dealer to stock one.
Thanks
Dennis

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 18 Mar 2002 1:13 pm

I love the 'sugar' and 'spice' but they've left out 'everything nice'. Maybe that's for the Sweetener Plus upgrade due out later this year.

------------------
Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2000 Fessenden S-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Emmons D-10 9x9, 1971 Dobro

Dennis Detweiler · Post by **Dennis Detweiler** » 18 Mar 2002 1:52 pm

OK Larry!

And another model that doesn't fatten the sound quite so much (less fattening) will be the "Nutra TubeSweetener"

Danny Hullihen · Post by **Danny Hullihen** » 18 Mar 2002 4:40 pm

If I remember correctly, I believe the retail price on this unit is $299.99. If you compare this to similar units like this, I think you'll find it's a really good deal for everything it does.

Larry, since the Peavey Tube Sweetener does bring up the low end response quite a bit, I'll ask Peavey to consider renaming the next production run of these the "Sweet & Low". It will make your sound as clear as a "Bell"

Unlike the above "names" you guys have come up with for this, this one is non carcinogenic, and does not cause fibromialgia or formic acid poisoning with extended use.

All kidding aside, this really is a great device, and once you try it, I'll bet you'll agree.

Dennis Detweiler · Post by **Dennis Detweiler** » 18 Mar 2002 6:41 pm

Danny....did you used to play an MSA and Lloyd Green style through a ShoBud amp? For Dick Root? About mid to late 70s?

Danny Hullihen · Post by **Danny Hullihen** » 20 Mar 2002 8:55 am

Dennis. In the early and mid 70's I was with Jimmie Dickens and then later with Jeannie Pruitt. I was using a Sho-Bud ProII D-10, and a Sho-Bud Christmas Tree amp sometimes. (Good sounding amp, but just not enough power for the large venues.) Most of the time, I used Fender Twins with JBL's and E.V. SRO's in them. Talk about heavy! Thank God for rodies.

[This message was edited by Danny Hullihen on 20 March 2002 at 09:00 AM.]

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 20 Mar 2002 10:58 am

Dennis,
You're thinking of Danny Dunn.

Danny H,
I'm still in the market for Everything Nice.

cu in GR
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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2000 Fessenden S-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Emmons D-10 9x9, 1971 Dobro

[This message was edited by Larry Bell on 20 March 2002 at 11:40 AM.]

Dennis Detweiler · Post by **Dennis Detweiler** » 20 Mar 2002 3:09 pm

Ooops sorry! Got my Dannys mixed up. Does Dunn ever post on the forum? I can't recall seeing him on here.
Thanks
Dennis

Dennis Detweiler · Post by **Dennis Detweiler** » 23 Mar 2002 8:14 am

Danny....where are you adding the Sweetener in sequence to your other rack units?
I have one coming into our local PV dealer in Iowa City for a trial run.
I'm using a Furman PQ-3, rack delay, rack reverb.
Thanks
Dennis

Danny Hullihen · Post by **Danny Hullihen** » 24 Mar 2002 3:19 pm

Dennis.

The way I'm using the Peavey Tube Sweetener is going direct into the input in the back of the unit from the volume pedal, and then out of the unit into the the input on the amp. If you find that your signal is too hot, there is a "pad" button on the back of the Tube Sweetener you can use.

By all means give this unit a try. I think you're going to like this thing.

Mike Brown · Post by **Mike Brown** » 27 Mar 2002 6:24 am

Danny suggested that I bring a Tube Sweetener to the to the Texas show, but our truck had already left. But, I have personally used the Tube Sweetener on a gig with my Nashville 400, and it did a really good job of warming up the front end with tube characteristics.

The U.S. MSRP is $299.99 and can be purchased from your local authorized Peavey dealer. To locate a dealer in your area, please use this link off of the Peavey site;http://www.peavey.com/support/dealerlocator/

Or, if you need further information, please don't hesitate to contact me here at Peavey by phoning our U.S. toll free number at 1-877-732-8391 or outside the U.S. at (601)483-5365, Monday through Friday from 8AM-6PM CST.

Mike Brown
Peavey Electronics Corporation

Roger Crawford · Post by **Roger Crawford** » 27 Mar 2002 2:47 pm

Danny...where can you be found at the Chattanooga show ?

Danny Hullihen · Post by **Danny Hullihen** » 27 Mar 2002 5:07 pm

Roger. I own the Jagwire String Company, and I will have a booth there. Stop by and see me, it will be a pleasure to talk with you. I will also have a Peavey Tube Sweetener there with me, and I will be using it on my show. You can try it out if you want to. This is really an impressive unit.