Hagerman Valve: Starved Voltage Done Right!

Jim Hagerman is known for his expertise in the world of tube pedals more than anything else, and he's now turned his hand to conquering an area of the market in which many others have fallen short...starved voltage. The concept is traditionally known for its sputtery, 'misbehaviour' of the tube more so than warmth and dynamics...but is it possible to run a 12AU7 at starved voltage and still have it sound...well, tubey?

The VALVE is a very simple one-knob pedal giving +20dB of tube gain - but it only takes 135mA of 9V juice, so you can run it off any power supply with ease. It has a very warm and thick EQ, so it's equally at home booting a bright, clean amp as it is making a bass guitar more exciting. So today, I'll be experimenting with both.

What do you think? Do you prefer it on guitar or bass? Comment below!

Guitar is a Gronlund R16 Redeemer Jr w/ TV Jones Ful-Fidelity Filter'Tron. Amp is a Dr Z Z-Wreck running into a Zilla Studio Pro 2x12 cabinet loaded with Scumback S75-PVC AlNiCo and Celestion AlNiCo Gold speakers. Recorded with Aston Spirit Condenser, '70s Sennheiser MD441 and sE RNR1 ribbon mics, with a Schoeps CMC6 room mic.

0:00 Intro
3:05 Guitar Demo
7:41 Bass Demo
8:47 Outro

www.facebook.com/joeperkinsmusic
[email protected]

Vector images by freepik.com