Tone Press version

[rschultz]

I'm thinking of buying a used Tone Press. How do you tell between the original, and the new updated version? Is it called v1 and v2? As I understand it, the only difference is a few more dB of output. Not sure if how important that is.

[David Barber]

Hi, I got your phone calls and your email too, but I'll only answer here in case it is searched in the future. All you have to do is look on the right side of the PCB for the brown electrolytic caps that say "Elna", those are the new components. Most of the shipping boxes say "Latest Upgrades"...easy!

[rschultz]

Hmmm... I never called nor emailed. Someone ELSE must be interested in the same thing!
Thanks.

[rschultz]

Some people say the Tone Press can be a bit noisy, particularly at higher sustain levels. Does v2 address this with better quality caps maybe? Would it be Worth it to upgrade a v1 to a v2 by swapping out those caps? I could do this myself if you sold me the components.
Thanks.

[David Barber]

Some people say the Tone Press can be a bit noisy, particularly at higher sustain levels. Does v2 address this with better quality caps maybe? Would it be Worth it to upgrade a v1 to a v2 by swapping out those caps? I could do this myself if you sold me the components.
Thanks.

Compressors get a bad rap of being noisy, it's the nature of the beast that they pull the quietest sound to a louder level the higher you set the sustain control. The Tone Press is quiet as far as compressors go, but there are lots and lots of noisy pickups and cables who's noise is amplified by the highest settings of the sustain. My suggestion is use good quality humbuckers that are potted and check out the Dimarzio strat and Tele pickups like the Area T 615 and the Area 61 Area 58 etc. The highest settings of all compressors are like a magnifying glass for noise, do you blame the glass that let you see (hear) the noise, or the source of the noise itself? Changing caps in the Tine Press will not change how noisy pickups and cables are.

[rschultz]

David,

Thanks for the clarification. I have had a few Barber's and so far I like them a lot. Keep doing what you are doing:)