Joe, I have to tell you that I would never use a 40+ year old component in a new production product. I have never used a TIS58 JFET in my pedals. Instead, I found a current production JFET that is not only very close to the TIS58, but also has more consistent performance between individual JFETs. Peter Clinch.
I have the Secret one myself. One thing the secret does is after that 3dB+, if you turn it to max it actually goes lower. Manual states it to sound like a old broken down one all the way up. For its max volume it’s about 3oclock on the dial. Any further and it’s more an effect an the volume drops. With that out the way my thoughts… On a Les Paul it’s terrific! It makes the center and Rhythm selected more usable while giving it a 3d like tone. On a clean guitar or with delay and reverb it’s heavenly sounding. The Dark mode for me is way to dark for my Les Paul/Sky King amp combo. Maybe dark would sound better on a Tele. I’ve heard many say dark mode sounds more like an old clean Marshall amp. The Bright is where I live on clean, and edge of breakup. It makes delays and individual notes stand out. Very rounded and articulate. But this can be harsh for some distortion pedals. For me a Rat pedal yikes it’s harsh! But for a Big Muff that lacks mids, it actually sounds really good! The distortion pedals you use with it can really be a big deal. But also opposite! If you find some to bright you can use the dark mode. Now enter the mid mode….in this mode I found I could pretty much keep it on all the time, and worked with most all distortion pedals. But gets a tad bit aggressive. There are things on this pedal I feel if the bright was a hair darker, and darker was brighter it would be perfect. The mid mode solves this, but it can be very actually mid focused, and the sustain I get sounds like 60s breakup or just a different sound that’s hard to explain. It just pushes a bit more, and it seems to give a loud sustain for me when notes resolve. Almost like certain freq are jumping out the amp, and others drop off. I’ve tested it in a very loud band space. Overall I’m satisfied with it for always on clean in Bright. Distortion use Bright works for dark/less mid distorted pedals like Big Muff, but a Rat pedal or Boss distortion I have to turn it off or put it into mid. So clean playing on all day. Distortion I use it to accent a part, or push my Green Muff to be heard. It’s very particular once you get outside a clean guitar. I’m sure maybe if I EQ my amp different, and pedals I could get an even sound. But that’s a lot to sacrifice to keep one pedal on. To me I just keep it on bright always on for clean to BluesBreaker style playing.
I said “That one sounds better….no, wait…that one sounds better” about 20 times. One thing for sure - I need a PreAmp pedal. Thanks for another excellent educational video.
Hi Joe, Enjoyed the video. I've been using the Chase Tone Secret Preamp for about 5 years and absolutely love it. It's on all the time, Bright EQ. Recently bought a 2nd one from Chase Tone (in purple) because I wanted a backup or maybe for a nother board, or, may hook them up together and....kaboom! Thanks for the channel and all the great videos!
I was really curious to hear a proper comparison of those two units. To be honest, when i was JUST listening to the video without watching it, i couldnt hear a really noticeable difference. There is a slightly more clarity on the Chase Tone but, to be honest, you can't go wrong with one or the other.
I think the Chase Tone takes the edge here. As others have noted, it just has better note separation/clarity. Plus, more authentic components/fabrication. I like the ClinchFX as well, though.
Very similar, but at times the Clinch had a bit more fullness at times and the Chase Tone had a slight little more sizzle on top. Given they were so close, I might lean Chase Tone because I tend to like a bit more tweakibility. Although I also like simplicity, so go figure.
The ClinchFx is so awesome. So is the Spaceman Atlas III. I can't stand pedals that have such a ridiculous amount of Boost/Level available. It makes it difficult to find unity gain. The two aforementioned pedals have an excellent sweep.
Been listening to you waxing on for 7 minutes and then ....WTF would you run them at those voltages? run them at their max and let the chips fall where they may, we don't need you to level the playing field ffs
The Clinch is designed to run on both 9v and 12v - and running it on 12 is what _they_ recommend for the ‘correct’ internal EP3 voltage. So I _did_ run both at their max; not any higher. So that’s “WTF” I did it.
Thank you for making this video. I really like your honesty and thoroughness. You are a very valuable part of the youtube guitar gear world. I've been down a rabbit hole on these two pedals. Think I'll pull a trigger on the Clinchfx...
Joe, excellent comparison. This is perhaps the ultimate rabbit-hole for experienced guitarists. I researched this myself a year or two ago and chose the Chase Tone Secret, FWIW. My choice was basically based upon what you outlined at the video's end. My LP with Seth Lover PAFs just seems to come alive with the Secret, although it probably would with Clinch- they really are just sooo close. Great video!
Might be an idea to do another comparison between the two pedals where you have other pedals running into them. I have an SP and find it quite subtle on its own but much more noticeable depending on what you put before it, particularly in terms of dirt pedals.
Big time! My Russian Big Muff it fills in the mids and doesn’t burry it in a mix. But on a Rat I have to turn it off or put it in mid mode. With effects it doesn’t do much but enhance for me. For me I keep it on bright with effects and turn it on with the Big Muff. But mostly it plays well with clean to Blusebreaker. I didn’t find it worked well sometimes with a Rat style and some Tubescreamers, and def not a Shredmaster. I love it on ambient clean sounds though, and that’s when I keep it on. The mid mode solved most of this, but accents the mid frequencies and has an aggressive breakup that sustains while other notes drop off…it can sound really wild! I’m still messing with it, but for cleans, effects to light breakup I keep it on. I put mine between a Boss RE20 and a SA Collider. The Boss RE20 is in a bypass loop to take the LED volume control out when not on. It def gives a cool sound running it into the Source Audio/Strymon style pedals. And is great for picking and ambient work. I still may try it last. But such a big pedal board I tend to use the buffers on the effects pedals, and they do a good job. However prob gonna try it last again this weekend to see.
Top notch comparison as always, Joe, so glad to see more content from you as of late. I agree with your analysis and point about the psychology behind connecting with our gear. As far as higher powered pedals, I've become a fan of vintage pedals that have a power cord built in, recently purchased a giant chrome 70's Morley PFV phaser and it blows away any other phaser I've heard, the power must make a difference. Cheers!:)
...now, how crazy would it be to get the circuit of the tone chaser out of the pedal...and put it into a guitar? Built in FX 😂... I would never do it...would I?
Great comparison vid - and will settle many Gear Page discussion threads. I also have the JRAD APE, which sounds also sound great as an authentic EP preamp.
Such a great video I've been hoping someone would do this. I own a Tone Secret and an original EP-3 Echoplex I need to do a shootout of the two. The EP-3 is such an awesome tone enhancer (best sounding effect I've ever heard), but a pain in the arse to deal with unfortunately.
It definitely can do - these types of pedals only really give about +3dB of boost, so they're not really level boosters in the way that most boost pedals are. They're more about the tonal enhancement, and spicing up the signal going off to your amp rather than pushing the front end too significantly.
Joe, I have to tell you that I would never use a 40+ year old component in a new production product. I have never used a TIS58 JFET in my pedals. Instead, I found a current production JFET that is not only very close to the TIS58, but also has more consistent performance between individual JFETs.
Peter Clinch.
Interesting to know - many thanks for the clarification. :-) Apologies for the slight inaccuracy!
I just picked up a Secret Preamp pedal after watching your demo Joe. I'm not disappointed! This thing is amazing!
Glad to hear it mate - it was my favourite of the two :-)
I have the Secret one myself. One thing the secret does is after that 3dB+, if you turn it to max it actually goes lower. Manual states it to sound like a old broken down one all the way up. For its max volume it’s about 3oclock on the dial. Any further and it’s more an effect an the volume drops. With that out the way my thoughts…
On a Les Paul it’s terrific! It makes the center and Rhythm selected more usable while giving it a 3d like tone. On a clean guitar or with delay and reverb it’s heavenly sounding. The Dark mode for me is way to dark for my Les Paul/Sky King amp combo. Maybe dark would sound better on a Tele. I’ve heard many say dark mode sounds more like an old clean Marshall amp.
The Bright is where I live on clean, and edge of breakup. It makes delays and individual notes stand out. Very rounded and articulate. But this can be harsh for some distortion pedals. For me a Rat pedal yikes it’s harsh! But for a Big Muff that lacks mids, it actually sounds really good! The distortion pedals you use with it can really be a big deal. But also opposite! If you find some to bright you can use the dark mode.
Now enter the mid mode….in this mode I found I could pretty much keep it on all the time, and worked with most all distortion pedals. But gets a tad bit aggressive. There are things on this pedal I feel if the bright was a hair darker, and darker was brighter it would be perfect.
The mid mode solves this, but it can be very actually mid focused, and the sustain I get sounds like 60s breakup or just a different sound that’s hard to explain. It just pushes a bit more, and it seems to give a loud sustain for me when notes resolve. Almost like certain freq are jumping out the amp, and others drop off. I’ve tested it in a very loud band space.
Overall I’m satisfied with it for always on clean in Bright. Distortion use Bright works for dark/less mid distorted pedals like Big Muff, but a Rat pedal or Boss distortion I have to turn it off or put it into mid. So clean playing on all day. Distortion I use it to accent a part, or push my Green Muff to be heard. It’s very particular once you get outside a clean guitar. I’m sure maybe if I EQ my amp different, and pedals I could get an even sound. But that’s a lot to sacrifice to keep one pedal on. To me I just keep it on bright always on for clean to BluesBreaker style playing.
I said “That one sounds better….no, wait…that one sounds better” about 20 times. One thing for sure - I need a PreAmp pedal.
Thanks for another excellent educational video.
FINALLY a good thorough comparison between these too, I have been waiting for god knows how long! Excellent as always, Joe
Hi Joe, Enjoyed the video. I've been using the Chase Tone Secret Preamp for about 5 years and absolutely love it. It's on all the time, Bright EQ. Recently bought a 2nd one from Chase Tone (in purple) because I wanted a backup or maybe for a nother board, or, may hook them up together and....kaboom! Thanks for the channel and all the great videos!
Very close but Chase has the edge on clarity and complexity
I was really curious to hear a proper comparison of those two units.
To be honest, when i was JUST listening to the video without watching it, i couldnt hear a really noticeable difference. There is a slightly more clarity on the Chase Tone but, to be honest, you can't go wrong with one or the other.
I think the Chase Tone takes the edge here. As others have noted, it just has better note separation/clarity. Plus, more authentic components/fabrication. I like the ClinchFX as well, though.
Exotic did a very nice simple circuit Great price as well Listening now Chase Tone seemed to a bit better definition Gonna check the demo out
Very similar, but at times the Clinch had a bit more fullness at times and the Chase Tone had a slight little more sizzle on top. Given they were so close, I might lean Chase Tone because I tend to like a bit more tweakibility. Although I also like simplicity, so go figure.
"So Thorough" and informative. Fantastic work here. Enjoyed it brother. oNe LovE from NYC
ALOT i didnt know about a certain unit, and im a huge gear nerd, thank you sir.
Both are great, but would take the Chase for the mids.
The ClinchFx is so awesome. So is the Spaceman Atlas III. I can't stand pedals that have such a ridiculous amount of Boost/Level available. It makes it difficult to find unity gain. The two aforementioned pedals have an excellent sweep.
We need to also test the Catalinbread Epoch Boost and Dunlop EP101 in here as well and do a shootout of them all
Look forward to seeing your video :-)
Also worth noting that Duracells will give you a little more upper mid push than Ever Ready batteries.
Chase sounds more rich, harmonic overtones yada yada.... neither sound as good as Audio Kitchen The Small Trees for this magic tone 3D thing.
Umm yes! Hey Joe what do you like better in general? Small Trees or an Echoplex boost?
Bad impedance miss match on some amps, beware! Big volume mismatch/drop.
Been listening to you waxing on for 7 minutes and then ....WTF would you run them at those voltages? run them at their max and let the chips fall where they may, we don't need you to level the playing field ffs
The Clinch is designed to run on both 9v and 12v - and running it on 12 is what _they_ recommend for the ‘correct’ internal EP3 voltage. So I _did_ run both at their max; not any higher. So that’s “WTF” I did it.
Thank you for making this video. I really like your honesty and thoroughness. You are a very valuable part of the youtube guitar gear world. I've been down a rabbit hole on these two pedals. Think I'll pull a trigger on the Clinchfx...
Joe, excellent comparison. This is perhaps the ultimate rabbit-hole for experienced guitarists. I researched this myself a year or two ago and chose the Chase Tone Secret, FWIW. My choice was basically based upon what you outlined at the video's end. My LP with Seth Lover PAFs just seems to come alive with the Secret, although it probably would with Clinch- they really are just sooo close. Great video!
The Chase tone seems to have more mids clarity when railed. That's pretty much the only difference to my ears.
Hey Perky, what are your thoughts on the Catalinbread and/or the Dunlop ones also? have you played those?
Might be an idea to do another comparison between the two pedals where you have other pedals running into them.
I have an SP and find it quite subtle on its own but much more noticeable depending on what you put before it, particularly in terms of dirt pedals.
Big time! My Russian Big Muff it fills in the mids and doesn’t burry it in a mix. But on a Rat I have to turn it off or put it in mid mode. With effects it doesn’t do much but enhance for me. For me I keep it on bright with effects and turn it on with the Big Muff.
But mostly it plays well with clean to Blusebreaker. I didn’t find it worked well sometimes with a Rat style and some Tubescreamers, and def not a Shredmaster. I love it on ambient clean sounds though, and that’s when I keep it on. The mid mode solved most of this, but accents the mid frequencies and has an aggressive breakup that sustains while other notes drop off…it can sound really wild!
I’m still messing with it, but for cleans, effects to light breakup I keep it on. I put mine between a Boss RE20 and a SA Collider. The Boss RE20 is in a bypass loop to take the LED volume control out when not on. It def gives a cool sound running it into the Source Audio/Strymon style pedals. And is great for picking and ambient work. I still may try it last. But such a big pedal board I tend to use the buffers on the effects pedals, and they do a good job. However prob gonna try it last again this weekend to see.
Top notch comparison as always, Joe, so glad to see more content from you as of late. I agree with your analysis and point about the psychology behind connecting with our gear. As far as higher powered pedals, I've become a fan of vintage pedals that have a power cord built in, recently purchased a giant chrome 70's Morley PFV phaser and it blows away any other phaser I've heard, the power must make a difference. Cheers!:)
I liked the clinch better. But no idea which is closest to what they're trying to emulate
My conclusion is they both sound great with the LP
...now, how crazy would it be to get the circuit of the tone chaser out of the pedal...and put it into a guitar?
Built in FX 😂...
I would never do it...would I?
Great comparison vid - and will settle many Gear Page discussion threads. I also have the JRAD APE, which sounds also sound great as an authentic EP preamp.
Such a great video I've been hoping someone would do this. I own a Tone Secret and an original EP-3 Echoplex I need to do a shootout of the two. The EP-3 is such an awesome tone enhancer (best sounding effect I've ever heard), but a pain in the arse to deal with unfortunately.
Thanks Joe. I put my Chase Tone Secret Preamp after kingsley constable &Hatchet.Sounds great.
I love your ears 👂. I agree with your analysis most of the time, and in this case, you're dead on.
Hey Joe! It would be great to see you hunt down and compare the best analog solutions for a rotary/leslie pedal.
Great comparison thx🎸⭐️
If I am not interested in boosting my amp, does it make still some sense to include these pedals in my chain? Thanks for the video
It definitely can do - these types of pedals only really give about +3dB of boost, so they're not really level boosters in the way that most boost pedals are. They're more about the tonal enhancement, and spicing up the signal going off to your amp rather than pushing the front end too significantly.