Metalbox Tube VCA

I received this a couple weeks ago, but haven't had a chance to rack it up and try it out yet, as I've been super super super sick. Anyway, I wanted to post up a few pics, as there aren't any online anywhere.

Really cool looking module by Metalbox, based on a Ken Stone PCB. Includes a bizarre Russian vacuum tube that apparently was used on MiG-29 fighter jets!

Really cool, and hoping to feel better soon so I can have some time to play with this one. Some pics of the guts below for you guys as well.

New Metasonix Product Unveiled!

Well, I've been sitting on this information for a little over a week now, and it's been HARD! Haha, seriously. Lucky me, Eric Barbour once again gave me permission to break the news of his new product, on the eve of the NAMM show. He said "tuesday morning", but really wasn't clear on what time ;) Since it's now technically tuesday morning (yeah, even in California, I waited....), and since there's already been a bit of info starting to float around, I'm not sitting on this any longer!

Anyway, without further ado, yes you speculating bastards, yes indeed...

IT'S THE GUITAR AMP!!

Some people prayed, some wept, some swore he would never do it. Here it is you crazy freaks. It's pretty hard to believe, I'll give it that. Look at that thing!

I do wish I had an image of Dave's art on the other side. And I can't tell you at the moment what it's called, but my money's on "Fucking Fucker".

It's the psychotic Metasonix amp. It's like a nuclear bomb just went off. I can't wait to learn more about this, and to see what guitar players think. This is insane.

Little is known at the moment - just the pics, that Dave's art will be on the other side, and that's it. Obviously we are looking at a 2 channel amp. There's loads and loads of crazy tubes inside. I do believe I spot at least one or two BN6 tubes, but I would have put money down on that anyway. There's a bunch of beefy transformers AND a switching power supply (as pointed out on Matrixsynth). There's a great jab at Bill O'Reilly. There's absolutely no room for anything else in there, but there are some very interesting controls, like 'reverb', 'phase' and 'ream your ass'. This thing is going to be a LOAD of fun for anyone who gets to play with it. Bring earplugs, really big ones.

Another question that's nagging at me - is Eric going to get in trouble at NAMM for the name of the product and the artwork? It would be absolutely fantastic publicity if he did.

I'm really, really looking forward to more info about this.

Guitar players, come on, unless you really want to keep rewarding an industry that feeds you reissue after reissue after reissue of the exact same crap year after year, go buy something like this. Reward the guys who are pushing for something different.

Thanks Eric! We love your stuff so much man, please keep it up & best of luck at NAMM!

Head on over to Metasonix's webpage where there is sure to be more information, and most likely a VERY amusing press release, any time now.

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PS. Some of you long-term Muff Wigglers out there may remember my big 'scoop' last year with the TM-7 announcement...) I'm extremely grateful to Eric, not only for all the incredible and unique products, but also for trusting me with advance information and letting me break this news. It's really exciting for me.

Is this the Metasonix blog??

Well, lots of Metasonix content lately... what can I say? You are either a believer or not, and I'm sure you can guess where I sit.

Partially paranoia that it will be discontinued now that TM-7 is a standard item, partially trying to get in 'before the price increase' (i've not yet had to pay MSRP for any of my 7 yellow boxen......), partially thanks to the tax man... I've just ordered a TM-5 preamp from Big City Music.

I feel a little dirty not patronizing my good (great!) friends at Analogue Haven. However they are out of stock on TM-5's, and they have already upped their prices. I don't think it's fair to ask them to bring one in at the new pricing, and sell it to me at the old figure.

Also to say - Roger at Big City Music seems to be a really nice guy! Had a good chat with him on the phone.

Anyway, this puts my Metasonix setup in a pretty awe-inspiring state (even for me who gets to enjoy these goodies almost every night....). I've now got all of these nasty yellow units, except for the new TM-7 Scrotum Smasher (which I figure I can take my time with, it'll be available for a while, letting me sit and hope to find one of the limited edition stereo ones, after the early adopters and bandwagon boys get tired of theirs and need some cash!)

Also missing the TM-4 Stereo Preamp. This one may be a bit tricky - it wasn't produced for long before Metasonix discontinued it in response to a huge lack in interest. Sad, as I can only imagine how sweet it would be when Eric turns his tube know-how into producing a pristine tube amplifier. Still hoping to find one on EvilBay some lucky day....

One step closer to enacting my 'awesome, secret plan' for what to do when I have all 8 of these things. It's gonna be big, it's gonna need constuction, it's gonna need custom DIY circuitry... that's all I can say right now, but you guys are going to bust a nut when the time comes. Think late 2007.

(special note for Muff Wiggler blog enthusiasts [yes all three of you!] - you may notice that i've FINALLY started using tags on my posts. This is the first one, kinda historical moment, no? I wonder if they're any good for anything.....)

edit: Damn, i just cannot type today. Good thing I'm not in writing mode for work. I've had to edit this stupid post more times than I can friggin' count, and I'm not doing it again, so if you find typos, just deal with it, m'kay?