The Darkglass Vintage Microtubes is an overdrive pedal for bass from Darkglass Electronics, part of the maker's Core Series1. Darkglass calls it "our tribute to some of the most legendary sounds in rock history," a pedal that "provides warm tube-like tones with a natural dynamic response that echoes the organic compression of old tube amps and reel-to-reel tape machines"2. Premier Guitar describes it as meant "to deliver a wide spectrum of classic, overdriven bass" tone3.
What it does
The pedal pushes a bass signal into warm, tube-like overdrive rather than modern high-gain distortion. In Premier Guitar's review, the writer tested it "using a vintage Ampeg B-15 while alternating between a Fender '75 Jazz reissue and a '78 Fender P"3. The reviewer's verdict on its character:
"Fortunately, the Microtubes Vintage won't let you get too far off the beaten path."
In other words, the pedal keeps the player's core bass tone intact even when the tone controls are pushed, rather than reshaping it into something unfamiliar3.
Bass Musician Magazine's Kilian Duarte noted a build detail that still applies to Darkglass units: "each are individually hand signed to assure that they were inspected and tested before shipment," with certain models carrying founder Douglas Castro's signature on the back2.
Where it came from
The Vintage Microtubes followed the original Microtubes B3K, arriving in early 2013 according to Aion FX's circuit history of the pedal family4. It became the vintage-voiced branch of the Microtubes line, later joined by the Vintage Deluxe V3 and the Vintage Ultra, which add preamp and EQ features on top of the same overdrive concept.
The maker's manual states the pedal complies with EN55013, EN55020, EN60555-2, EN60555-3, RoHS and WEEE requirements, and was "tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B Digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC rules"5.
The maker's product page lists the Vintage Microtubes as sold out as of October 20261. Players looking for the same voicing with more control may want to look at the current Vintage Deluxe V3 and Vintage Ultra models.
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Questions
What does the Darkglass Vintage Microtubes do?
It is an overdrive pedal for bass. Darkglass describes it as a tribute to some of the most legendary sounds in rock history, providing warm tube-like tones with a natural dynamic response that echoes the organic compression of old tube amps and reel-to-reel tape machines. Premier Guitar's reviewer found it delivers a wide spectrum of classic, overdriven bass tone.
When was the Darkglass Vintage Microtubes released?
The Vintage Microtubes was released in early 2013, according to Aion FX's account of the pedal's history. It sits in Darkglass's Core Series, and the maker's product page currently lists it as sold out.
Who makes the Vintage Microtubes?
Darkglass Electronics, the Finnish bass gear maker, builds it. Each unit is individually hand signed to show it was inspected and tested before shipment, and certain models carry founder Douglas Castro's signature on the back.
Sources (5)
- Vintage Microtubes, Darkglass
- Review - Darkglass Electronics Vintage Microtubes - Bass Musician Magazine, The Face of Bass, Bass Musician Magazine, 2015-07-01
- Darkglass Electronics Microtubes Vintage Pedal Review, Premier Guitar, 2013-06-11
- Maelstrom Bass Drive / Darkglass Microtubes B3K, Aion FX, 2021-11-12
- Vintage Microtubes Manual, Darkglass
