The Electro-Harmonix CMOS Hot Tubes Overdrive is a reissued overdrive pedal built around a CMOS overdrive circuit. The original Hot Tubes was released in 1978 and was designed to replicate the organic overdrive of a vintage tube amp; after countless guitarists asked for the 1970s CMOS pedal to return, Electro-Harmonix reissued it in a compact, nano-sized chassis1.
What it does to your sound
Electro-Harmonix describes the CMOS overdrive circuit as able to deliver a fattened tone at lower gain settings or transform your amp into a dimed vintage model with high sensitivity and a musical feel, all without compromising or coloring the original tone1. In other words, it is aimed at players who want anything from a subtle thickening of a clean sound to a full-on pushed-amp overdrive, depending on where the gain is set.
Controls
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Overdrive | Adjusts the gain1 |
| Tone | Can add extra warmth or sizzle1 |
| Volume | Sets the overall output level of the pedal1 |
| Tone On/Off switch | Disengages the tone circuit for a beefier, more transparent sound1 |
The Tone On/Off switch is the control that sets the Hot Tubes apart from a simple three-knob drive: with the tone circuit out of the signal path, the pedal's effect on your core tone is reduced further1.
Power and bypass
The pedal comes equipped with a 9-volt battery. It can also run from an optional standard 9.6-Volt/DC200mA AC adapter, which is not included1.
True bypass switching is featured to preserve your signal integrity while the pedal is not in use1.
The reissue and the original
The reissue Hot Tubes is, by Electro-Harmonix's description, a faithful re-creation of the original design, presented in a compact, nano-sized chassis and housed in a compact die-cast package1. The original dates to 1978, when it was designed to replicate the organic overdrive of a vintage tube amp1. At a US list price of $71.87 as of September 2013, it sat at the accessible end of Electro-Harmonix's overdrive range1.
Players comparing it with other drives from the same maker may also look at the Electro-Harmonix Hot Tubes Nano, the Electro-Harmonix Hot Tubes OD, the Electro-Harmonix Soul Food or the Electro-Harmonix CRAYON 76 Full Range Overdrive, and at the wider field in the Overdrive Pedals section.
Videos
EHX
EHX
The Bass Channel
Questions
Is the Electro-Harmonix CMOS Hot Tubes Overdrive true bypass?
Yes. The pedal features true bypass switching, which Electro-Harmonix says is included to preserve your signal integrity while the pedal is not in use. When the Hot Tubes is switched off, your guitar's signal passes through without going through the overdrive circuit.
Does the Hot Tubes take a battery?
Yes. The CMOS Hot Tubes Overdrive comes equipped with a 9-volt battery. It can also be powered by an optional standard 9.6-Volt/DC200mA AC adapter, which is not included with the pedal.
What does the Tone On/Off switch do?
The Tone On/Off switch lets the player disengage the tone circuit entirely. Electro-Harmonix says this gives a beefier, more transparent sound, while the Tone knob itself can add extra warmth or sizzle when the circuit is engaged.
Is the Hot Tubes a faithful copy of the original pedal?
Electro-Harmonix describes the reissue Hot Tubes as a faithful re-creation of the original design, presented in a compact, nano-sized chassis. The original was released in 1978 and was designed to replicate the organic overdrive of a vintage tube amp.
How big is the Hot Tubes reissue?
The reissue is housed in a compact die-cast package with a nano-sized chassis, so it takes up little room on a pedalboard compared with the original 1978 version.
Does the Hot Tubes come with an AC adapter?
No. The pedal can be powered by an optional standard 9.6-Volt/DC200mA AC adapter, but the adapter is optional and the pedal ships equipped with a 9-volt battery instead.
Sources (1)
- Demo Video: Electro-Harmonix CMOS Hot Tubes Overdrive Pedal, Guitar World, 2013-09-24
