Q: How important is ventilation and cooling for tube life?

A: Because we are ‘starving the tube’ with low voltage, the tube will last a long time and will never get very hot. The air vents on the side panel provide sufficient ventilation to keep the Tonebone running cool 24/7.

Q: Don't tubes required high voltage to work?

A: This is true. To make tubes sound good and clean, they need lots of voltage. Since we are not trying to get the tubes to sound good, but are trying to get the tubes to distort, we starve them to suit our purpose. Nasty trick… but it works.

Q: Can I change the tube from a 12AX7 to a 12AT7 or some other similar octal plug tube?

A: No. Tonebone pedals combine other electronics along with the tube to form a hybrid circuit which in turn, creates the sound. Changing the tube could cause the circuit to malfunction.

Q: How often should the tube be replaced?
 
A: After 2-3 years of normal use, you may change the tube. But we only suggest doing so if you find the tone is lacking or output down from when you first plugged it in.

Q: How do I change the tube?
 
A: Complete instructions with pictures are provided in the Tonebone user guide (2.1mb zipped pdf).

Q: Why does the Tonebone require 15VDC to work?

A: Even though we are starving the tubes, we still need sufficient voltage to get the heater coils to work. The typical 9V supplies just do not have sufficient voltage to do the job.

Q: Are there any manufacturers that make multi-power supply bricks for Tonebones?

A: Yes; The Cioks DC10 and AC10 both have 15V outlets for Tonebone pedals.

Q: What happens if I run an 18V or high voltage to the Tonebone?

A: You will overheat the internal power supply circuitry and damage your Tonebone.

Q: Is Tonebone 'true bypass'?

A: Yes. When the pedal is off, the sound passes straight through it without connecting to any electronic circuitry, even if the power adapter is not plugged in.

Q: What is 'true bypass'?

A: The term 'true bypass' came about because of the problems associated with some pedals that even when off, were affecting the tone by loading down the guitar's pickup. This means that instead of 100% of the signal bypassing the effect pedal circuitry, some of the signal is 'sucked' into the pedal even when it is not being used. The perfect ‘true bypass’ switch completely disconnects the pedals circuit board from the signal path. Unfortunately, this type of pure mechanical switch causes pops in the audio path when switched in and out.

Q: Can Tonebone be plugged thrugh an amp effects loop?

A: It depends. If the insert or effect loop has been designed for guitar level products you can do this. You should however be careful as some effect loops are LINE LEVEL, which means they are designed for studio effects. Too high a level could damage the input of the pedal.

Q: Can I use the Tonebone between the pre-amp output and power amp input on my guitar amplifier?

A: Once again, it depends on the way the manufacturer built the amplifier. If the signals are 'guitar level' then you will not have any problems. Check the amp manufacturer's owner's manual to be sure.

Q: Is there any advantage of using the Tonebone in an effect loop?

A: It depends. As far as sound quality it should not make any difference. On the other hand, if you are using a brand of pedals that does not have true bypass, then it is nice to get these out of the loop when not being used.

Q: Can I record straight off the Tonebone's output?

A: Yes, just plug the 'Bone into a line level mixer input. Frank Gambale (of Chick Corea's band) reports that recording right off the Tonebone worked beautifully for him.

Q: Can I use the Tonebone directly into a computer?

A: Yes - But it will not sound the same as through an amplifier. You will have to try to simulate the way your amplifier and speaker sound by rolling off high end and then maybe adding some compression.

Q: Can I use Tonebone with any and all guitar amps?

A: Yes, Tonebone's tone controls and circuitry have been designed to work with all guitar amps, either tube or solid-state.

Q: How can I get more sustain with my tone?
  
A: Sustain is created by combining distortion and mid range. Engaging the Hot British MID BOOST and FAT voicing switches will add tons of sustain!

Q: Do you plan to make a dual-channel Hot British pedal?
  
A: We already did! It's called the PLEXITUBE.

Q: What is the difference between the Hot British and the Classic distortion circuitry?
  
A: The Classic employs two gain stages while the Hot British employs three gain stages. This allows the Classic to clean up like a real tube amp while the Hot British will produce more harmonics and saturation.

Q: Can the Hot British make it possible to practice quietly in an appartment through a big amp like a marshall and a 4x12 cabinet?
  
A: Yes. The problem with big amps is that they always sound best when they are turned up loud. This of course can create a new problem with unhappy neighbours! The Hot British is able to generate the distortion, harmonics and extra bottom-end of an amp turned-up without being loud..

Q: What were the amplifiers used in developing and testing Tonebones?
  
A: As most guitarists know, the mother of all amplifiers is the Fender® Bassman™. Both Tonebones were optimized using the Bassman as a starting point and then each was refined based on where we wanted the sound to go. The Marshall JCM800 was our model for the Hot-British and a vintage Fender was our model for the Classic.

Q: What made you select the EQ points that you did?
  
A: After years of working with musicians and then applying facts such as where 12" drivers work and how popular amps such as Marshall and Fender work, we found that these frequencies seemed to fit very well in the scheme of things.

Q: When did you first start making distortion pedals?
  
A: The first distortion pedal made was a custom solid-state device in 1975. The first tube distortion was tested around 1978. We made dozens of prototypes in order to get us to where we are today!

Q: The current Tonebone looks different from the original one from years ago. Has the sound changed?
  
A: No. The sound is exactly the same. We improved the graphics, moved the LED, and added a extra filtering on the power side. Same 'Bone sound, same 'Bone channel.

Q: Are there any manufacturers that make multi-power supply bricks for Tonebones?

A: Yes; The Cioks DC10 and AC10 both have 15V outlets for Tonebone pedals.

Q:How well will either the Hot British or the Classic work with a bass. Is there any reason not to pursue this idea?

A: There are many bass players using both these pedals. The only issue I
have is that distortion pedals tend to focus the sound in the mid range,
and then the natural bass can be lost.  This is why we make a product
called the BigShot MIX. It let's you mix in the effect with the bass..
So this would be the extra piece that could really be cool. Lots of heavy players (eg: Billy Sheehan) do it this way.

Q:Can you adjust the bias of the tube in the Hot British or Classic?

A: No. The 12AX7 tubes are only seeing 15V which is the minimum they can run on. So there are no internal controls to push the tube one way or another. Lots of heavy players (eg: Billy Sheehan) do it this way.