The 23Fe was developed in 2023 in an effort to create a really bad transformer, while retaining somewhat of a decent frequency response, minimal insertion loss, and a robust enough build to handle getting tossed around without breakage.  Technically speaking, the worse a transformer performs, the more colorful it is.  Unfortunately with the 23Fe, it had a bit too many issues, so a revision was necessary.  During the manufacturing phase, the 23Fe had a 40% failure rate, which is obviously not good.  Furthermore, during the warranty period about 4% failed - also not good.  About 2% were returned because the buyer found it to be noisy and a small number of people reported they felt it was... believe it or not, "too colorful".  I can't please everyone, but I'm really trying with the new 23Fe+. 

Lightning Boy Audio

Product Page

Review by Talk Bass.com

23Fe+

Einzigartig im Design, ist der Op-2 Comp ein 100% vakuumröhrenbetriebenes optisches Kompressorpedal. Keine ICs, PCBs oder Transistoren.  Schneller Attack mit einstellbarem Knee und Ratio und den gleichen Auto-Release-Eigenschaften wie der berühmte LA-2A Studio-Kompressor.  Handverdrahtet von Punkt zu Punkt in den USA, nur mit den besten Komponenten in Militärqualität.  Entwickelt, um einen überragenden Röhrenton zu liefern.  Geringes Rauschen und robuste Bauweise.  Entwickelt für Studio-Klangqualität.

Unique in design, the Op-2 Comp is a 100% vacuum tube powered optical compressor pedal. No IC's, PCB's or transistors.  Fast attack with adjustable knee and ratio, and the same auto-release characteristics as the famous LA-2A studio compressor.  Hand wired point-to-point in the USA using only the finest military-grade components.  Engineered to deliver superior tube tone.  Low noise and built tough.  Designed for studio sound quality.

Review by Ovni Labs

Review by Compressor Pedal Reviews

Manual

Official Product Video

Demo by germanndude

Demo by intheblues

Demo by Pete Thorn

OP-2 Comp

Der Thunder Knob war ein Vollröhrendesign, das eine 12AX7-Vakuumröhre bei 250 V betrieb, um einen satten Röhrenton mit Tonnen von Headroom zu liefern.  Das Pedal nimmt einen Standard-9V-Gleichstromeingang und verstärkt ihn intern über LBAs eigenen rauscharmen DC-to-DC-Spannungsbooster. Jeder Standard-9V-Pedaladapter funktioniert, wenn er mindestens 350mA Strom liefern kann.     

Eine der wenigen Besonderheiten dieses simplen Designs ist der Thunder-Schalter.  Dieser Schalter schaltet zwischen „Normal“, einem sanften Ton und einem leichten Grad an Verzerrung (man denke an die frühe Phase des Aufbrechens eines Röhrenverstärkers) und „Thunder“ um, der eine erhöhte Verzerrung, Höhen und Lautstärke bietet.  Und wenn „Thunder“ aktiviert ist, leuchtet das Lightning Boy-Logo auf!

Der Thunder-Regler bietet ein sehr geringes Rauschen, einen leisen True-Bypass-Schalter, viel Gain und den speziellen Lightning Boy-Sound.

The Thunder Knob was an all-tube design that ran a 12AX7 vacuum tube at 250V to deliver lush tube tone with tons of headroom.  The pedal takes a standard 9v DC power input and boosts it internally via LBA's custom low noise DC to DC voltage booster. Any standard 9v pedal adapter will work if it can output at least 350mA of current.     

One of the few features of this simplistic design is the Thunder switch.  This switch toggles between "Normal" which is a mellow tone and a mild degree of distortion (think early stage of break up from a tube amp) and "Thunder," which offers increased distortion, treble, and volume.  Plus, when "Thunder" is engaged the Lightning Boy logo lights up!

The Thunder Knob offers very low noise, quiet true bypass switching, plenty of gain, and that special Lightning Boy sound.

Review by Effects Bay

Demo by Ken S

Demo by HarryAndAGuitar

Thunder Knob

Der Lightning Boy 23Fe ist ein passiver Audio-Transformer mit hochohmigem, massiven Eisenkern und einem Übersetzungsverhältnis von 1:1 – entwickelt für den Einsatz mit E-Gitarre, Bass und Synthesizern.

Schon ein einzelner 23Fe im Signalweg reicht aus, um aufzufallen – er ist ein farbenfrohes kleines Kästchen. Ein Paar davon sorgt für einen deutlich knackigen, komprimierten Sound mit dunklem, rauem Charakter. Der 23Fe harmoniert besonders gut mit dem 2020S. Im Vergleich dazu empfinden wir bei LBA den Klang des 2020S als cremig und schön, während der 23Fe kantiger, mittenbetonter und eher old-school klingt – er hat einfach „Vibe“.

The Lightning Boy 23Fe is a passive, 1:1 ratio high-impedance solid-iron-core audio transformer designed for use with electric guitar, bass, and synth. 

One 23Fe in your signal path is enough for anyone to notice it's a colourful little box, where a pair can offer an obviously snappy, compressed sound, with a dark and gritty tone. The 23Fe pairs very well with the 2020S. In comparison, we here at LBA like to think of the 2020S as sounding creamy and pretty, whereas the 23Fe sounds more edgy, mid-forward, and old-school-ish (It has a vibe).

TalkBass Discussion

23Fe Instrument Transformer

Unlike most vacuum tube pedals by other manufacturers, the NuVision utilizes a 100% pure vacuum tube audio path operating at high voltage.  There are no transistors or clipping diodes in the audio circuitry of this pedal.  The NuVision is a limited release instrument preamp pedal.  It features a pair of new old stock nuvistor vacuum tubes and an interesting passive EQ circuit.  Designed to run on a standard 9v DC adapter (300mA+), the pedal boosts the voltage internally to 200v to run the tubes at their ideal plate voltage for the big headroom and responsive feel of a tube amp.  Designed, assembled, and hand wired by the good wizard himself. 