Tubesteader introduces a new compact version of the Lightkeeper, an all-tube preamp based on the clean channel of the Dumble ODS "HighPlate" design.
Featuring a 12AX7 vacuum tube, this preamp is all about bright clarity and articulation. Its got a vintage Fender vibe but with tighter bass and more prominent mids, thanks to the Dumble-refined tone stack, which takes a classic Fender circuit to the next level. In addition to a familiar array of control knobs – Gain, Volume, Treble, Mid, and Bass – the Lightkeeper features a pair of three-way Deep and Boost toggle switches, offering a wide range of tone tweaking. When set in the middle position, they can also be controlled by the on-board or external footswitch.
The Lightkeeper requires 12VDC@350mA, which is boosted inside the pedal up to 280VDC for optimal performance of the 12AX7 vacuum tube.
The Lightkeeper V2 street price is $279. It is available at select retailers and can also be purchased directly from the Tubesteader online store.
For more information, please visit tubesteader.com.
Lightkeeper V2 - tube preamp/transparent overdrive pedal
How the FELiX 2 can make any pickup-equipped acoustic instrument—from guitar to bass (upright or not), mandolin, uke, and more—sound flat-out wonderful.
Grace Design FELiX2 Preamp
Released 6 years ago, FELiX helped usher in a renaissance of amplified acoustic sound quality and functionality. What once required racks of studio gear and stage techs to achieve, FELiX made available in a single, affordable and rugged /compact floor unit. Since its release, we have worked together with many demanding players to improve and hone its features and functionality, and are now pleased to announce the latest version of this little champ – FELiX2.
Streamlined simplicity makes acoustic sound sweetening a piece of cake.
Streamlined and intuitive. Nice range in controls. 18V means extra headroom. Quiet.
Busy graphics make control names hard to read.
$169
Orange Acoustic Pedal
orangeamps.com
I understand why a lot of my acoustic-playing chums avoid DI boxes. They aren't the sexiest pedals in the world, and a lot of them can look pretty intimidating—with parametric EQs, notch filters, phase switches, and other highly inorganic devices that don't do much for a focused, spontaneous performance mindset. But the fact is that even a simple DI can prevent a lot of headaches. And the very streamlined Orange Acoustic Pedal (which seems conceived for the DI-averse) makes fixing or fine-tuning a baseline amplified acoustic tone feel a lot less like a chore.
The Orange Acoustic Pedal is super-intuitive (which is a good thing, given that the graphics render the control names a bit indecipherable). It's easy to add or subtract a touch of bass and treble to very effective ends. And small adjustments to those two controls alone can do much to eliminate problem frequencies or add body and excitement to flat-sounding piezos. The midrange, notch, and Q-factor controls (the latter two isolate specific mid frequency ranges and narrow or widen the range of the selected frequencies, respectively) take more practice to master. But doing so can make the Orange feel like a scalpel for eliminating problem peaks. The 18V Acoustic Pedal and its useful effects loop are also super-quiet and do a fantastic job of preserving signal integrity. There is no shortage of solid DI options in this price class, but Orange's quiet performance, high headroom, and satisfying, intuitive operation make it an appealing option for DI newbies and players that like keeping their DI solution simple.
Test Gear
Takamine Blue Rose with Ct4-Dx preamp, Martin 00-15 with L.R. Baggs Element