The Xvive Tube Squasher is a low- to medium-gain overdrive pedal, the low-gain counterpart to the high-gain Golden Brownie in Xvive's line. It was designed by Thomas Blug, the German guitarist and amp designer who developed two pedals for Xvive, and it uses FET based circuitry to give natural tube amp overdrive12.
MusicRadar's reviewer Trevor Curwen described what the pedal delivers: "What you are getting here is a smooth valve-like overdrive that responds organically to your playing dynamics, as well as plenty of extra gain to drive your amp while you are at it"1.
Controls and the mode switch
The sound is delivered via a familiar array of drive, level and tone knobs, and there is also a toggle switch for two quite different modes1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Drive | Sets the amount of overdrive, alongside level and tone1 |
| Level | Sets the output level1 |
| Tone | Focused on upper mid presence so you can dial in a tone to suit your amp's voicing1 |
| Mode toggle | Two modes: one full and fat in the bottom end, the other with some bass filtered out1 |
The two toggle positions give the pedal two distinct characters. One setting offers the sound with "nowt taken out", full and fat in the bottom end, while the other filters out some bass for a tauter low end that lends itself nicely to chordal rhythm playing1.
Where it sits in Xvive's line
The Tube Squasher is part of the Blug-designed range that also includes the Xvive Sweet Leo and Xvive T2 DynaRock overdrives2. Within that family, the split is by gain: "Where the Golden Brownie does the high-gain-amp-in-a-box thing, the Tube Squasher falls squarely into the low- to medium-gain overdrive category"1. For a wider view of the type, see the site's page on overdrive pedals.
What reviewers said
MusicRadar's verdict on the pedal: "A reasonably-priced low-gain drive pedal with a fat sound and the option of something leaner1."
Trevor Curwen, MusicRadar1
Questions
Who designed the Xvive Tube Squasher?
The Tube Squasher was developed by Thomas Blug, described by Guitar Interactive Magazine's Jonathan Graham as a German guitar supremo and amp designer. Blug developed two new pedals for Xvive, and the Tube Squasher sits alongside other Blug-designed Xvive overdrives such as the Sweet Leo and DynaRock.
What is the difference between the Tube Squasher and the Golden Brownie?
According to MusicRadar's review, the Golden Brownie does the high-gain-amp-in-a-box thing, while the Tube Squasher is its low-gain counterpart, falling squarely into the low- to medium-gain overdrive category. The two pedals cover opposite ends of the gain range in Xvive's line.
Is the Xvive Tube Squasher a high-gain pedal?
No. MusicRadar's reviewer Trevor Curwen placed it squarely in the low- to medium-gain overdrive category. It aims at a smooth valve-like overdrive that responds to playing dynamics, with extra gain to push an amp, rather than the high-gain territory covered by the Golden Brownie.
What does the mode switch do on the Tube Squasher?
The toggle switch selects between two quite different modes. One setting offers the sound with, in MusicRadar's words, 'nowt taken out', full and fat in the bottom end. The other filters out some bass for a tauter low end that lends itself nicely to chordal rhythm playing.
Is the Tube Squasher a FET-based circuit?
Yes. Guitar Interactive Magazine reported that the pedal uses FET based circuitry to give natural tube amp overdrive, which is how the design aims at a valve-like response without tubes in the pedal itself.
Sources (2)
- Xvive Tube Squasher review, MusicRadar, 2015-10-12
- Xvive Release Selection of New Pedals Including First Artist-Inspired Line, Guitar Interactive Magazine, 2015-10-16
