TC Electronic Tube Pilot and BK Butler Tube Driver

Richie J from A Dreary Fall checks out the TC Electronic Tube Pilot and compares it to his BK Butler Tube Driver. From Richie: "Both sound great for what I need them to do. The ability to EQ the Tube Driver is a big advantage, but the Tube Pilot really does sound great (and in a live setting would no doubt work)." Richie used his Fender 1962 Reissue Stratocaster into his 1959 Reissue Bassman. There is a slight delay on the tracks as Richie typically has that effect engaged when he's using the Tube Driver. If anyone is interested in hearing a more direct comparison/demo between the two, just leave a comment and we'll try to do that.
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[@crate3232]

They sound very similar. The EQ circuit adds some versatility to the Butler, but if you just want that vibe the TC seems to be doing it.

[@richiejguitar]

I think this is a great assessment. Definitely not the same sound, especially with the ability to EQ the Butler, but there is certainly a closeness.

[@wallbreakers5062]

I like the TC better, so a little shocked. I suppose both are useful depending on what gain stage you need your EQ at or if you need the exact sound by said artist.

[@jayjackson4073]

I have the Tube Pilot But not the Tube Driver. The Tube Driver sounds better but at the prices they want for one is at least 4x the cost as the Pilot. I have changed the Tube from the Bugera 12AX7 to a Mullard 12AU7 and when I opened it up I took the whole board off, Located the Tube bias voltage trim pot and adjusted it a little lower voltage. And then use a EQ just after to dial in the tone better. So all in all it is a pretty good Dynamic Tube OD pedal . Thanks Dreary Fall and thanks TC electronics.

[@richiejguitar]

Good suggestions! I've heard of people trying the tube replacement, but haven't done that myself yet. Going to need to check that out. Also, great idea running the Tube Pilot with an EQ pedal...I might try that tonight actually.

[@EddieZep]

Kudos for the really well done video comparison, should all be like the comparison videos. I didn't know these two pedals sounded so similar, frankly I didn't give much credit to the new Tube Pilot, but I changed my mind. Congratulations again.

[@richiejguitar]

Sorry for the delayed reply. Thank you so much for the kind words!

[@blueshorecreative3146]

Thanks dude for the quite empirical review. I just ordered the TC. It's cheap and it works.

[@richiejguitar]

Happy to help...sorry it took so long to reply! How's the TC working out for you?

[@VintageRandom]

Man all gear comparison videos should be like this. First off, that initial clean tone is gorgeous. As for the pedals, the Pilot sounds more open which for me is a plus. Ordering one. I have a bunch of old 12ax7's from the fifties that I got from an old oscilloscope. Gonna roll some tubes in this pedal. Thanks. Subscribed.

[@raymondtong2640]

I cannot hardly tell the differences. You? Great comparison

[@richiejguitar]

Thank you very much. With this set up (the way I typically use it), the sound is really close. The Tube Driver has a little more low end here it seems. I think if you start comparing the two using different amps and guitars, the ability to EQ the Tube Driver would become more beneficial to tailor the sound. That said, I would totally gig with the Tube Pilot. I'm looking forward to spending more time with it.

[@MarsHalekGuitar]

I found this video because I've seen the Tube Pilot going really cheap. It does sound good here. Thing is, is that how you would EQ the Butler if you weren't doing a comparison? It's kind of like the expensive one is set up to imitate the cheaper one. Those EQ knobs could make a world of difference. Also, we're not seeing the range of the gain and output controls, which maybe considerably different. Still, for the price, the Pilot sounds pretty darn good and you can set your EQ elsewhere in the chain. I do have a Butler "Smooth Tube" pedal, which came out when they decided to do variations on the original in wedge shapes of various colors. I need to experiment with that one more. If I buy a Pilot, maybe I'll do a comparison, too.

[@robertopalmieri3803]

I got the Tube Pilot a couple of weeks ago and I have to admit I don't quite love it. It has way less headroom than I was hoping for so it really doesn't work for just slightly breaking up the amp, which is the main thing I wanted to do as I play lots of ballroom stuff where I need a crystal-clear amp. You can crank it but that fuzzy overtone just gets everywhere. The one thing I really like to do with it is big swells with the volume pedal but honestly it's just not enough to spend money and lose some pedalboard real estate over.

[@richiejguitar]

Yep, I agree it doesn't do the slight breakup as well as other pedals. I do like the almost fuzz-like tones you can get out of it for songs that need that sound, so I've been keeping it handy and using it a fair amount, but totally get not wanting to lose pedalboard space if you don't need that sound that often. Pedalboard space is precious!

[@sparkyguitar0058]

Change the Tube. Each in the family of 12a_7 will work. At least on my Butler Tube drivers. It comes with a 12ax7 but I'm using a 12au7 with is 1 of the lightest gain. Also I'm running at 18v. This could ruin yours so try at your own risk. 18v gives higher headroom on my T D. Makes the gain come in later on the gain knob giving more volume without the crazy out of control gain. Been experimenting with 3 of these tube power pedals. The 1 on my board and 2 others in my collection. A regular 5 knob w/ cord T D and a Behringer VT911 vintage tube O D. I did the Bitmo mod to this to see if I could really like this 1 but at this time, don't really care for this 1. But that's my opinion and others may love this 1.

[@WilDBeestMF]

I feel like for the break up thing people are seemingly hearing in their heads when they buy the tube pilot? This thing works better on bass. Great for that, tbh.

[@luizalbertokoehler4904]

They sound very similar in this video, but the sound of both sounds shrill to me!!!! To correct this, I believe that a change in eq. from BK would help, which is not possible in TC

[@jacobbockover1628]

Im pretty broke right now and would have the bk if i could but i got the tube pilot. It can be shrill n it hard for low gain tones. Right now im running after an eq and a warhorn. I also like the tones i can get running it into my flanger on filter mode.

[@tolvajakos]

i know it is through a fender bassman but that is seriously nice tone for such a cheap pedal (i mean the tube pilot).

[@richiejguitar]

Thanks! It's a cool pedal, especially at the price point like you said.

[@FFGG22E]

They sound similar enough. Crank up the gain on the pilot and they will sound the same

[@anup_pinkfloydian]

Has anybody tried adding an EQ pedal after the Tube Pilot? Does it sound similar to the TD pedal?

[@richiejguitar]

Hey. Yep, someone mentioned that earlier and I think a few of us gave it a try. As expected, you can certainly shape the tone like that and get it sounding closer. If I get the chance I'll post a video showing what the EQ pedal does. At the very least it let's you flavor the tone to taste better. When I tried it, I just used an MXR 10-band.

[@thomaspatrickhenry]

Thanks for the comparison... appreciated. :) I'm wondering if the EQ issue could be solved by adjusting the amp or instrument's tone rather than relying on the pedal's tone control/EQ.... Thanks again! :)

[@richiejguitar]

No problem! Sorry for the super late reply. I posted another video recently just messing around with some Beano riffs where I used the Tube Pilot and I actually did have my tone knob rolled down some :) I liked the sound.

[@WanderingForest]

Спасибо.

[@4vinylsound]

Tube pilot has a bit more presence and mid range but thin. bk butler richer n creamier. I actually like the tube pilot bit better. I have a BK Butler, you could check it out on my vids here.

[@gooseabuse]

Have you ever plugged either of these straight into effects loop return? I was just curious if they can act as the sole preamp since they're sort of designed like one.

[@richiejguitar]

Hello. Hmm, I actually haven't tried this. I'll see if I can do some research to see if anyone is doing this. Years ago I remember a forum where folks were posting their results from running various ODs, boosts, etc. through the effects loop...some reported OK results, while most weren't pleased. I get what you're saying about this pedal though and I can try to give this a shot and let you know what it sounds like!

[@tolvajakos]

@@richiejguitar i once had to do this as the front end of my amp was failing during rehearsal. not with the tube pilot, but with my whole pedal rig (no preamp among them). it worked like a charm. although i do have a bunch of boosts on my board, maybe that did the deed.

[@nunoharris]

Hi. Is TC Tube Pilot pedal similar to the Original B K Tube Driver ? Thanks

[@richiejguitar]

It's definitely meant to be a cheaper alternative to the Tube Driver. I've been able to get some similar sounds out of them, but YMMV.

[@piedpeter1]

Cream song at 3:20 aprox you can really the depth of bk tube driver, bk = better

[@stonkpuppets6393]

Hi

[@deanallen927]

WOW! 400ma for the TC. Glad I didn't just jump up and get one.

[@richiejguitar]

Good point that I should have mentioned in the video! Thanks for bringing that up for folks to consider.

[@nicholasberndt6224]

Put them in series. See what happens.

[@joshualacey8828]

Sound like Les Claypool.

[@peekaboo4390]

The Butler is way better warmer adding even harmonics. It's day and night to my ears.

[@dezionlion]

Nothing in concept like a tube driver

[@davidlloyd9598]

Tube Driver wins. I really wanted to like the tube pilot but it loses all the extra harmonic richness and clarity. The Tube Driver sounds so musical. Great comparison.

[@richiejguitar]

Thanks! The Tube Driver really is amazing. I'm tempted to experiment running the Tube Pilot in conjunction with a 10-band EQ or something to see what the extra EQ ability would do.

[@davidlloyd9598]

@@richiejguitar I think a tube change might make the tube pilot more rich and creamy. I think a 12AU7 has more headroom than a 12AX7. I currently have a Vintage tube monster by Behringer and it has a 12AU7 in it and sounds really organic and harmonically rich.

[@JohnyToGoodForSchool123]

This proves tube pilot is based in BK butler.

[@lonewolf8188]

I think is based on the Chander Butler.

[@key_session]

keep NOT UNDERSTANDING THAT all pedals can look alike IF SET IN A CERTAIN WAY, But what's the point ?!The truth is in the differences, in what one pedal can do and another can't!, In its unique characteristics, and not in the similarities ..., So, what's the point of this video test?! ....

[@philazur9450]

This is a pedal comparison.... The goal IS to see how close the TC is from the original b.k Butler. For those of us who love the sound, but can't affort to pay 300usd for the real thing. To hear the differences, you obviously start to set them to sound as close as possible. This is the point of any pedal comparison on KZbin (except when you want to compare categories, say Tone Bender vs Fuzz face vs Muff for instance). How can you not get that?

[@dezionlion]

All new tc stuff is digital crap

[@alexisdepena8635]

😂😂😂😂🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡😝😝😝😝

[@MrGallade475]

there is literally a 12ax7 tube in the tube pilot

[@Craig52-zq1bt]

I will bet you think Sovtek tubes sound great.