Bulldog Distortion

DISTORTION

The effect pedals in the COOLTRON series are clearly pedal mines of a special kind. After all, they contain a genuine 12AU7 preamp tube, which stands for bite, warmth and tons of fat, but is still not a battery guzzler. A power supply unit is an optional extra in the truest sense of the word: nice, but not indispensable. Two channels - each with its own GAIN and level control - with a wonderfully growly tube sound. The name says it all: with the VOX Bulldog Distortion, you'll scorch the hair of even the fans in the back row. “Gain 1” covers the ‘vintage’ distortion range, while “Gain 2”, in keeping with the spirit of the times, is more aggressive and has slightly emphasized mids. Both modes can be roared from “subtle” to “completely sick”. And if you want it to thump with a high level of exaggeration, simply turn the BASS control up further. With less drive, on the other hand, it provides an additional boost of warmth. With the VOICE control of “Gain 2”, you can then add those sandpaper applications to the sound where the wallpaper comes off the walls even three blocks away. Finally, the TREBLE control is used to round off or pimp up the irresistible sound. The Bulldog pedal is equipped with a true bypass circuit. As is well known, tubes require a voltage that a battery-powered effect pedal has not yet been able to handle. Countless inventors have already attempted to address a tube using the less-is-more method. However, this only works to a limited extent, because a tube does not like to play under a tariff and is then stingy with the sound. Their power consumption is far higher than what a battery can withstand for more than a few minutes. And your audience isn't paying for your battery changing skills on stage! For this reason alone, the COOLTRONs are really cool. The COOLTRON circuit is based on two unconventional signal paths: a “servo circuit” that creates the right atmosphere between the plate and the grid in the tube, thus ensuring stable conditions in which the tube can flourish without restriction; and a patented power supply that feeds the tube's heating elements with economical low voltage. As the tube runs on a low flame, so to speak, the anode current is far below the control value. This in turn means that the cathode no longer needs as much heat to supply a sufficient amount of current. This is why the 4 AA batteries in the COOLTRON pedals have a sensational service life of 18 hours!