Any Info on Tubeworks Steel Mods?

Steve Feldman · Post by **Steve Feldman** » 5 Aug 2001 7:55 am

Does anyone have any experience with the new (~6-9 months old) steel mod done by TubeWorks on their 9002 preamp? I have one ~1-1/2 years old that had the older mod when I got it. I sent it in in April for the new mod, that was supposed to clean up the clean channel even further. The result: much more dynamic response in terms of bass and treble respons (not so mid-rangy), but the dad burned thing distorts at lower gain on the clean channel! It's almost impossible to get a clean signal, and so it's going back to Tubeworks, either for a workaround, or an un-do.

Anyone have any similar experiences? ALSO: Does anyone know how to identify the OLDER Blue Tube preamps - e.g., the ones made by Butler?

Thanks a bunch,
Steve<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Steve Feldman on 05 August 2001 at 08:55 AM.]</p></FONT>

Leon Roberts · Post by **Leon Roberts** » 6 Aug 2001 5:02 am

Steve, I have an older Blue Tube II. It was purchased in 1994. I had to send it to the factory for the steel modification. On return to me, the factory had etched "STEEL MOD 8-23-94 on the rear of the unit. The Preamp I have is a blue, single space preamp. On the left side of the face are painted decals stating" Concept & Design, B. K. BUTLER, Made in USA". On the right side the following " Tube Works, Two Channel Tube Preamp, RT-924". At the top center of the face,"BLUE TUBE II". On the rear of the unit are both "LINE LEVEL" and "INSTRUMENT LEVEL" out puts. Also a stereo "EFFECTS LOOP". with adjustment pots. It also has other "outputs" for tuners or whatever. The only advice I could give You about Tube Works Preamps would be to make sure the adjustment pots on the effects loop are set properly for whatever processor is used. The scale on the pot adjustments are from "0" to "10". I use a BOSS SE-50 and I have mine set at "4". Not being familiar with the newer Tube Works units, I can't say what the differences are. I might add that my unit has served me well these 6+ years. I hope this information can be useful.
Leon

Steve Feldman · Post by **Steve Feldman** » 6 Aug 2001 7:09 am

Thanks for the info, Leon. Interesting to note that the old Blue Tubes have a stereo effects loop. The newer 9002s have stereo input and only a single output on the effects loop.

What did the steel mod do for you?

Leon Roberts · Post by **Leon Roberts** » 6 Aug 2001 8:52 am

Steve, I didn't use my Blue Tube II enough, before sending it back for the modification, to tell You just what the difference was. I can say that when the unit returned, it was everything I expected it to be. As for the stereo effect loop, some of the experts might not agree. However, mine has one send jack and two return jacks, "LEFT" & "RIGHT". For my purposes, I consider this stereo. I was never one to pick the fly droppings from the black pepper. E-mail me if I can help out in anyway. Leon