Some Thoughts On The Valvette Custom Drive
I’ve had my Valvette Custom Drive for a while now. I can’t remember exactly when I got it, but I think it was early 2010.
Of all the drive pedals I go through (both in my personal quest for tone and for DB’s reviews section) very few have stayed with me quite like the Custom Drive. Although it is said to be heavily based on the Hermida ZenDrive I don’t think the two sound too alike. Both are low gain but it is hard to describe just how low gain the Custom Drive is. Even with the gain cranked into a clean channel you get no breakup, just a smooth, clear gain that adds a fluid sound to anything you play. It is almost like a slightly dirty boost with a LOT of treble available.
I’m using it as my main lead boost on a dirty amp channel just for a little extra bite, definition and gain.
It is nice to know that whilst my rig is in constant evolution, there are one or two constants, this being one of them.
I’m sad to say that the Custom Drive is no longer in regular production, Johan (the guy behind Valvette) is very busy and rarely gets time to himself, let alone time to do MORE work. So what is the future of the Custom Drive? I’m unsure, I think Johan will return at one point and build a few more batches but I can’t say when that will be. These are as rare as hen’s teeth and I have only ever seen one on eBay, and no, you can’t have mine!
24 May 2011, 1:55 pm
I must say Im the proud owner of Valvette Custom Drive s/n : 0012
Came across it by pure fluke as I know Johans brother here in Tenerife.
Describing is hard. But one word comes to mind: WARM.
I play a VHT Ultralead with a Nova System and the VCD next to the BB preamp. The combinations possible are awesome.
If you do encounter one, jump on it.
17 May 2011, 12:32 am
After 18 years of TS-9, the Valvette Custom Drive is my standard overdrive since I got it, ‘nuf said. It’s an incredible pedal, especially when run at 18 Volts, then it has incredible transparancy, dynamics and headroom. The tone control is also great, it doesn’t really add treble to the signal going into the gain, so that the overdrive stays true to the guitar sound, but it’s like it influences the EQ of the overdrive part only, in a much more natural way than blending overdrive pedals like the T-Rex Moller or the likes. Then with the Bright switch off, it has a smoothening EQ effect, like the best 808 with “lead boost” settings ever. I can flick the Bright switch with my foot to switch between transparent drive boost and tubescreamer-like lead boost, very practical, and there are more uses for this pedal, e.g. treble boost or creamy bluesy overdrive.
The build of the pedal is very good, I don’t think I’ll need a spare.
Very satisfied with my VCD with serial number 0007.
16 May 2011, 9:52 pm
I’m very sad to hear this news, I’ve been wanting one for quite some time but never have the cash to get one. Please keep us imformed if he builds another batch!