The rackmount Tube Driver, and the one to have. This is the TDR-101 from the era when B.K. Butler and Chandler built them in partnership, widely held to be the original and best version of the rack before the two split. It runs a real vacuum tube for genuine tube overdrive, from warm, harmonic grit to thick, singing sustain, with Line and Instrument ins and outs so it happily takes guitar, bass, synths or line-level sources. Drive, Bias, Master, Contour and a three-band EQ give you deep control, and there's a switchable boost on the front panel and via footswitch for solos and lifts.

FEATURES & PROS:

• Real Tube Overdrive: an actual vacuum tube driving the signal, the heart of the legendary Tube Driver sound.
• The Good Era: the BK Butler and Chandler partnership build, rated the best version of the rack.
• Line and Instrument I/O: takes guitars, bass, synths and line sources in and out.
• Deep Control: Drive, Bias, Master, Contour and a three-band EQ to dial it in.
• Switchable Boost: front-panel and footswitchable bypass and boost for solos.

GENRE / USE

• Guitar and bass overdrive, from warm tube grit to singing sustain
• Synth processing, a noted favourite for adding tube warmth and drive to synths
• Studio colour on tracks, drum machines and DI sources
• Boosted solos and lifts via the front panel or a footswitch

THE WORD: Pedal of the Day calls the Chandler Tube Driver an underground legend, a real-tube overdrive that has been a staple for countless famous and influential guitarists thanks to its killer overdrive tone; their verdict is that if you can get your hands on one, do so. Read the Pedal of the Day review.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Model: Chandler / B.K. Butler Tube Driver TDR-101 (rackmount)
• Type: real-tube overdrive and preamp
• Tube: vacuum-tube gain stage (12AX7 type)
• Controls: Drive, Bias, Master, Contour, three-band EQ
• I/O: Line and Instrument inputs and outputs; footswitch input for bypass and boost
• Lineage: B.K. Butler's Tube Driver design, BK and Chandler partnership build
• Origin: made in USA
• Condition: used