The Blackbird Vacuum Tube Preamp is landing!

For release this summer – this beautiful pedal is a true two channel tube preamp in a pedal. The circuitry is based on a Fender Blackface preamp section with a whole bunch of enhancements including:

Hot-rodded drive channel with four tube gain sections
Dedicated interactive Bass, Mid, Treble tonestacks for each channel
Adjustable tube biasing on the gain channel
Tubes are swappable to allow you to alter the fundamental tone of the pedal
On-board Jensen C12N speaker emulator. Based on an inductor/capacitor circuit that accurately replicates the response of this classic speaker
Selectable classic or modern, creamy drive tones

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61 COMMENTS

Jorge July 7, 2013 at 05:34:52 Log in to Reply

Hi Phil, reading the previous posts I understand you can plug the blackbird to a power amp, this should be obvious but just to make sure...does this mean I can plug it specifically in the return input in the fx loop of a guitar amp?

phil August 19, 2013 at 09:25:24 Log in to Reply

Hi Jorge,Sorry for the delayed reply. Yes, you can plug the Blackbird into a power amp.BestPhil

phil March 9, 2013 at 12:35:11 Log in to Reply

Thankyou Michel, I'll be working on the delay soon. Got to get the Vibralux and Delta-Trem pedal designs finished first.

Michel March 9, 2013 at 11:16:57 Log in to Reply

Phil you're just amazing ! Your effects are awesome, they sing so good ! I have the BB and the TV (first generation) and it's a great pleasure to play with them, each time and more in more. Your BB is very awesome as you have thought it. I'm waiting your delay with eagerness.Have a great day.michel

Jason Heaton January 25, 2013 at 06:25:26 Log in to Reply

spent all night looking and OD/Distortion pedals...saw this and literally wept. rediscovering electric guitar again after a 2 year stint playing just acoustic. got an orange 20 watt solid state practice amp & a decent modeler to tide me over, yet i yearn for over saturated tube goodness. i remember the Mesa V-twin. it was ok for its day. i personally like the tone of a single rectifier with 6L6's pushed to the max:)You hit the jackpot with the "tube drive" tho my friend. sweet as candy...just wish i could get my hands on one! hooked to an AC30 or Orange 50 watt 2-12 combo loud as hell. sigh! what a sound that would be to behold!

phil January 25, 2013 at 06:42:08 Log in to Reply

Hi Jason, The Tube Drive pedal will be back in production later this year. :)

tony December 19, 2012 at 05:44:57 Log in to Reply

Hi Phil,How can I buy this pedal now? Because store in this website says it's not in stock. Can I buy it by custom order or do I have to wait until second production?Additionally, can I get any information about tone stack of this pedal? Because I love fender twin reverb like sound and I hope this pedal is close to it or can be ordered like it...Thanks

phil December 19, 2012 at 09:00:54 Log in to Reply

Hi Tony,Yes, you can. Just send an email to Sam at our sales address and she'll send you information on how to order. I had to take the pedal off our shop page as we couldn't keep up with sales.ThanksPhil

michel November 27, 2012 at 11:05:20 Log in to Reply

Thank You. Have a good day.

michel November 27, 2012 at 12:00:50 Log in to Reply

Hi Phil, sorry for my ignorance but what does it mean : 'Adjustable tube biasing on the gain channel' is it the possibility to choose between overdrive and distortion ? (Please use simple words !lol!) Thanks for your answer and for the quality of your effects.

phil November 27, 2012 at 08:56:17 Log in to Reply

Hi Michel,Adjustable biasing means that the drive response of the Blackbird can be tailored to your tastes, that is the feel and clipping characteristic. The toggle switch on the back selects between overdrive and distortion. Also different tubes can be used in there for high and medium gain drives.

Anthony November 16, 2012 at 02:45:02 Log in to Reply

Phil, If I run the Blackbird direct out - would I place verb and delay after and then DI it to the board? Or would I run it like an amp that doesn't have an effects loop - meaning, verb/delay/effects into Blackbird then direct out? I guess I'm simply wondering if the speaker emulation will be effective if I run a pedal between the Blackbird and the board.Thanks for the help. Anthony

phil November 17, 2012 at 12:10:32 Log in to Reply

Hi Anthony, Yes, I would try that. Running delay after the speaker emulation should be okay. I added reverb to my soundsamples post recording which is a similar thing.

Glenn November 9, 2012 at 10:13:13 Log in to Reply

I'm starting to think the Blackbird is just a beautiful myth.

phil November 10, 2012 at 05:04:14 Log in to Reply

Hi, I can understand that. Please be assured we're shipping them out as fast as I can make them.

Alex October 16, 2012 at 10:58:06 Log in to Reply

Hi Phil, have you got a release date for the Blackbird now? Thanks Alex

phil October 16, 2012 at 12:01:58 Log in to Reply

Hi Alex,Any day now. I'm just doing final checks and then we'll be shipping them out to customers.

Andres September 24, 2012 at 09:55:51 Log in to Reply

Hi, I have the effectrode tube drive and I can not wait this new pedal, please get him out fast. Thanks from Bogota Colombia.

Randy September 16, 2012 at 09:08:48 Log in to Reply

When can we expect these Blackbirds to be hitting the dealer's showroom floors?

phil September 16, 2012 at 05:33:31 Log in to Reply

Hi Randy, Late October.

Alex August 18, 2012 at 03:39:41 Log in to Reply

Hi Phil,How has production gone on the Blackbird?Is it now ready for release?Any new clips into an amp's front end or power section?Cheers, Alex

phil August 19, 2012 at 05:08:10 Log in to Reply

Hi Alex, We're still in production. I'll let you know as soon as begin shipping. I'm putting new samples demonstrating the Blackbird connected to an amp (which sounds awsome by the way!) up very soon. Best regards Phil

David Goldenberg July 28, 2012 at 06:20:36 Log in to Reply

Please notify me when Blackbird is available.

phil July 28, 2012 at 07:50:21 Log in to Reply

Hi David,The Blackbird be going into production next week and will be available in 6 weeks time.

Dirk July 10, 2012 at 11:45:11 Log in to Reply

Dear effectrodes!As the other guys I´´m looking forward to the shippingdate of my blackbird.When can I expect it ?Kindest regards Dirk

phil July 10, 2012 at 12:13:33 Log in to Reply

Hi Dirk,We're running a few weeks behind on schedule with the Blackbird. I estimate mid-August shipping. Apologies for the delay. Best regards Phil

Olivier Arbona July 9, 2012 at 03:14:09 Log in to Reply

Finally, I found the tone stack's frequencies of the Fender Super Bassman (vintage passive channel):BASS (15dB range @ 40Hz with MID and TREBLE at 5), MID (15dB range @ 400Hz with BASS and TREBLE at 5), TREBLE (9dB range @ 4kHz with BASS and MID at 5).Please, It would be possible to fix the middle pots of the drive channel on 800hz ?

phil July 9, 2012 at 08:47:39 Log in to Reply

Oliver, If Leo Fender can do it then Effectrode can!

Olivier Arbona July 9, 2012 at 12:37:52 Log in to Reply

Great!!! Thank you very much. I like very much all the stompox that I bought from you, and I like - also very much - working with you because you are very nice and very professional guy. For the tone stack, I would want that the bass pots are fixed on 40Hz. Those of the middles 750Hz. And those of the treble on 4kHz. Well, say to me if i) is possible for you to make these modifications. So not, propose practicable frequencies for you to me. I have not yet managed to find on Web, that they are the frequencies of the tone stack of the new amps Fender Bassman (300 and 100T), but if you know them and what they are practicable on your Blackbird, then I shall prefer it those. Thinks again.

phil July 9, 2012 at 08:46:42 Log in to Reply

Hi Oliver,Okay, that's great to have a specific spec to work to. I'll create a model of this and see what we can do. You'll have to give me a few weeks as I'm busy getting the next batch of compressors and final adjustments on the BLackbird before it goes into production. Do give me a reminder if I don't get back to you on this. Best Phil

Olivier Arbona July 7, 2012 at 06:18:14 Log in to Reply

Hi, Phil. Being immensely satisfied to my Tube-drive that you had modified me very friendly, it's also possible to you to modify the frequencies of Tone Stack of this preamp to be able to use it with my passive bass ? I think that this Fender's preamp would be a perfect partner / 2nd channel of my Alessandro Basset Hound bass amp. Best regards,

phil July 8, 2012 at 05:59:50 Log in to Reply

Hi Oliver,Yes, we can do mods. I would increase the couple capacitor values to extend low frequency response. Also, you can specify what adjustments to the tone-stack you want and I can work out if it's feasible to modify it..

JP June 26, 2012 at 04:47:17 Log in to Reply

Hey can u include a headphone jack. This will really benefit for people who wanna use ear phones.

JP June 26, 2012 at 04:47:17 Log in to Reply

Hey can u include a headphone jack. This will really benefit for people who wanna use ear phones.

phil June 26, 2012 at 08:17:17 Log in to Reply

You can connect headphones to the DI output.

Frank June 5, 2012 at 09:34:48 Log in to Reply

Hi Phil, please don't forget to make one for use with bass guitar and an orange led for the drive channel. :) Can't wait for the bird to land! By the way, your compressor is the best one I ever played with!

phil June 5, 2012 at 11:12:57 Log in to Reply

Hi Frank, I've more options for you. I'm working on putting a dual color LED in there. The standard will be red/blue. Red for hot modern lead and blue for bluesy/rock modes. I've red/amber LEDs here which I can do for an option and will have a look for red/orange as well. The color options are limited but I'm sure we can come up with something.

Frank June 5, 2012 at 04:20:07 Log in to Reply

You really make my day, Phil!

phil June 6, 2012 at 08:14:18 Log in to Reply

Tim May 29, 2012 at 06:01:11 Log in to Reply

So wait until the Effectrode Echo comes out and then put it in line after the preamp :)

phil May 29, 2012 at 07:07:09 Log in to Reply

Or reverb - I'd like to have a go at building a tube driven spring reverb pedal. That wat you can have a whole vintage tube amp on your pedal board :)

Tim May 29, 2012 at 11:33:29 Log in to Reply

Hi Phil,Might the pedal include an effects loop for adding a reverb pedal?Thanks,Tim

phil May 29, 2012 at 12:12:59 Log in to Reply

Hi Tim, There's simply no more space inside or out to add an effects loop as the Blackbird is already jam-packed with 3 tubes, 9 pots, 3 jack sockets and toggle switches. You could consider replacing reverb after the output of the pedal, just like in a real tube amp though.

phil May 29, 2012 at 08:11:11 Log in to Reply

Hi Alex,Testing on the Blackbird is going well. I'm just making a few final adjustments to the speaker emulator drive circuit. The Blackbird will be capable of modern hi-gain drive and connection to a power amp. Additionally for really immense grunge sounds you can 'front-end' it with the Fire Bottle boost - things start getting a little out of hand though! :) We've started making them and will have stock in July.

Alex June 1, 2012 at 03:15:03 Log in to Reply

Thanks Phil!I will be getting one of these. Do we just wait 'til they launch and order one or put a deposit on them?Cheers, Alex

phil June 1, 2012 at 06:03:52 Log in to Reply

No need for a deposit Alex - just wait for the release date - it won;t be long now.

Brian June 23, 2012 at 10:52:57 Log in to Reply

Phil, any more news on the release date?

phil June 23, 2012 at 03:19:00

Hi Brian, Still aiming to release the Blackbird in July.

Alex May 29, 2012 at 04:47:18 Log in to Reply

Hi Phil, how did the audio testing phase go?Can this pedal be used straight into a power amp (or amps FX return) or is it for running into the front end of a clean amp?Does the high gain side reach 'modern' levels of gain?I am very interested in this unit...when do you think it'll launch and how long will the lead/build time be? Do you have to pay up front or just deposit/expression of interest?Thanks, Alex

Scott May 28, 2012 at 11:34:33 Log in to Reply

Phil, is the Blackbird designed to be plugged into a power amp or to be used in front of an amp?

phil May 29, 2012 at 08:04:26 Log in to Reply

Hi Scott, The Blackbird has two outputs - one is for direct connection to a guitar amp. The other is for connection to a mixing desk, sound capture card or headphones. You could use either of these outputs to a power amp as they are both low impedence outputs with drive capability. Which you use would depend on the type of speakers you have connected to your power amp. If they are full range, then I recommend the DI out.

Simon Ball May 21, 2012 at 10:23:29 Log in to Reply

Great , thanks Phil :)

Simon May 21, 2012 at 10:30:51 Log in to Reply

Cant wait for it ! Any idea of the expected price ?

phil May 21, 2012 at 01:48:35 Log in to Reply

Hi Simon, I'm still tallying up component costs, however I estimate the Blackbird will cost between $459 and $479.

Dan Steenson May 12, 2012 at 08:47:53 Log in to Reply

Looking forward to 'Blackbird ROARING in the dead of night'

J.C. Russell May 6, 2012 at 06:42:44 Log in to Reply

Have you tried the BlackBird in combo with the firebottle phil? I can't wait to hear them together. I'm in love with your Effectrode Videos idea, no one can demo your pedals better than the man who designed them-you. I just purchased some NOS 1961 JAN Phillips 5751's and can't wait to pop'em in this Blackbird. I put one in the top position of my Tube Vibe and it sounds wicked. Have you already created the BlackBird's Manual? I'm still not understanding what the Bias switch does, I'd like to read the manual. Keep on ruling the world of sound Phil...

phil May 14, 2012 at 05:18:34 Log in to Reply

I'll try out the Blackbird with the Fire Bottle later this week. This week is audio testing week (I get to play some guitar!). Will start the manual later this week.

Lyle Moxsom May 3, 2012 at 06:00:33 Log in to Reply

So. Frickin. Excited. I just dont want it to dissapear before I can get the money. This pedal is mine!

phil May 3, 2012 at 08:57:12 Log in to Reply

Don't worry it won't disappear :)

Phil Gooch May 1, 2012 at 03:04:33 Log in to Reply

Can't wait for this, combined with the Delta-Trem this should be awesome!

phil May 1, 2012 at 05:32:24 Log in to Reply

Yes it should be an amazing setup with way more tone flexibility than a tube amp!

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