Product Description
This two channel tube distortion pedal combines the natural warmth and harmonic generation of a 12AX7 tube with the control and saturation of their unique multi-stage solid-state drive circuit. This combination provides incredible gain with tons of overtones and, when combined with their unique passive-interactive EQ, produces four generations of Marshall Plexi tones worthy of a Shakespearian Ode.
Designed to enhance on-stage functionality, the Plexitube features two distinct distortion channels for on-the-fly transition between rhythm and lead settings. Channel-1 has been optimized for rhythm with chunk rhythm tones and scooped out mids for a thunderous wall-of-sound and complete world domination. Channel-2 is optimized to produce razor-sharp cut for solos and sustaining mids that are so smooth, they can make a grown man cry. This is augmented with an effects loop that can automatically turn your delay on for leads. No tap dancing!
When the Plexitube is off, true-bypass connectivity ensures the natural tone of your guitar goes directly to your amp without obstruction or a tone robbing load.
The Radial Tonebone Plexitube takes metal guitar one step beyond anything you have experienced so far. God save the Queen!
Features
12AX7-equipped tube distortion
Clean, rhythm and lead in one pedal
Insert loop on lead channel for effects
True bypass clean for natual tone
Huge chunky rhythm settings with scooped mids
Plexitube Setup:
The Plexitube is your 'Plexi-in-a-box'! Just plug the Plexitube output into your amp to open up a world of tube driven British rock tones. The separate trim, drive, contour and eq controls give you instant command of both rhythm and lead distortion settings as well as a true bypass mode that ensures that nothing gets in the way of your pure guitar-to-amp tone.
... But that's just the begining because you've also got a foot-switchable effects loop at your disposal thats there when you need it and out of your clean signal path when you don't.
You will be amazed at the breadth and scope of the sounds just waiting to be discoverd in this truly versitile pedal!
Development
Since Radial introduced the Tonebone Hot British, scores of players have commented on how they have finally achieved the type of fat rich tones that they can hear in their head, but have been unable to achieve through their amp. In fact, the comment Radial get most of all is that the Hot British is likely the best 'Marshall-in-a-pedal' made today.
But if you know guitar players, the one thing that never changes is their constant quest to move one step beyond and in this case, this is literally what Radial has done.
For players that want to use the Hot British for both rhythm AND for soloing, transitioning between two drastic settings by twisting knobs is simply impractical. For many, having two Hot British pedals on the pedalboard has been the only solution. This certainly works but requires more real-estate and costs more. To simplify the process, players have been asking us to provide a more compact all-in-one solution. This is the Plexitube.
The Process...
During the development process, Radial found that the type of player that would use a multi-channel Tonebone Hot British would approach his tonal selection very differently than a player using a multi-channel Tonebone Classic. For rhythm, Classic player tends to look for tones that begin with slight overdrive that sound like an amp breaking up and the lead tones tend towards Clapton and Hendrix where mid range is prominent. The Trimode accomplishes this by providing two separate input drive levels and output levels like a traditional two channel amp.
The Plexitube is different. The metal player has pretty much determined that he will be working with full-on distortion but needs to severely alter the tone as he transitions between rhythm and lead. For rhythm, the tones need to range from -in your face Marshall to huge scooped out mid tones that create sonic wall. For leads, the tone shifts to cut through the mix without being overly loud.
In technical terms, it comes down to how much of the frequency spectrum you want to control. The human voice and the solo guitar live in the midrange while bass and drums sit below and cymbals sit on top in the high-frequency zone. The scooped out mid tones that have become signature to so many of today's metal guitar players move the sound energy out of the mid range zone into the bass and high frequency zones, leaving the mid range free for the voice and lets the lead guitar cut through.
The Plexitube presents the guitarist with two distinct channels that meet with commonality, but expand off to their distinct roles to optimize both lead and rhythm tones. This is achieved by allowing the player to select various voicing curves and tune them in using the contour control.
As detailed above, the 3 position voicing switch on each channel is arranged slightly differently whereby on the rhythm channel, its voicing control is always active. This differs from the lead channel by introducing an 'extra scoop mid' instead of the original Hot British setup that would let you bypass the voicing altogether. This option is however maintained on channel-2.
Keep in mind that either channel may be used for rhythm or lead for two different rhythm or lead tones from a single pedal. A rhythm guitarist may wish to transition between a 'Boston' or 'Doobie Brothers' style distortion that is rich in the mid range and then punch in a 'Metalica' or 'Nirvana' style scooped tone as he transitions from song to song. The Plexitube easily makes this possible. For the lead guitarist that is looking for two different solo tones, the Plexitube lets you transition from 'Van Halen' type saturation to 'Queen' style bandpass mid tones.
These drastic tonal variations are attained by selecting the voice control to either boost or cut the mid range and adjusting the contour to find the 'sweet spot' for the tone you are looking for. One thing for sure, the Plexitube will never leave you short when it comes to creating new and exciting tonal textures.
To further advance 'playability', the Plexitube introduces the concept of an effects loop in the solo channel. This unique feature lets you create a separate pedal chain for soloing that will automatically activate the moment you toggle from rhythm to lead. You could for instance have a delay ready and waiting so that when you hit channel-2 for a solo, the delay also goes on with a single foot stomp. No more tap dancing! This feature makes performing on stage easier and gives the impression of a more professional guitar setup.
The Tonebone Plexitube steps up on-stage performance with great tone and grater functionality.
More Features
Build like little Sherman tanks... yet compact enough to fit on your pedalboard, Tonebone pedals are among the world's most compact tube distortions. Tonebones use a proprietary hybrid circuit that combines the control of a dual-stage solid-state front end with the natural harmonic generation and warmth that only a real live 12AX7 tube can generate.
The tube is mounted on its side to keep the pedal profile down for easy pedal action and is powered by an external 15VDC supply. Power is internally regulated and filtered to eliminate noise. To further reduce self-noise a unique ground plane circuit topology is employed that makes Tonebone tube distortion pedals the quietest of all pedals in their class.
Tonebone is also built tough; 14-gauge steel construction reduces stress on the PC board and a baked enamel finish will keep your Tonebone looking great for years!
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