Guitar Gear Gems: Lightkeeper V2, Sol Drive, & Bogren Digital
2,8 / 5,0 | 
This week on Guitar Gear Gems, we look at the Dumble-inspired Tubesteader Lightkeeper V2 preamp pedal, powered by a single 12AX7 vacuum tube. Then we check out the AmpMojo Sol Drive, another pedal inspired by Dumble and tube-driven. Finally, we look st the latest Bogren Digital Ampknob MLC S_Zero 100 software, which emulates a boutique amp.
Tubesteader Lightkeeper V2
If you are looking for Dumble-amp tones but aren’t looking to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars, the new Tubesteader Lightkeeper V2 preamp pedal might be for you. These are designed and made in Montreal, Canada, and are based around a single 12AX7 tube. They offer tones that are inspired by the amplifiers made by Alexander ‘Howard’ Dumble.
They are powered by a standard 12VDC input, which is then internally amplified to 280VDC. This helps achieve the tube amp tone that guitarists strive for.
Deep and Boost
The pedal has controls for Volume, Gain, Treble, Mid, and Bass. It also has two three-way switches, Deep and Boost. These switches offer more tonal options and broaden the range of this preamp pedal. When set in the middle position, they can be activated by the dedicated footswitch.
These pedals are available to preorder online with a roughly two-week wait time. As they are hand-built, it is best to check the wait time before ordering, as it is subject to change.
MSRP – GBP 225
AmpMojo Sol Drive
The AmpMojo Sol Drive is the second pedal inspired by Dumble’s work. This overdrive is driven by a Tung-Sol 12AX7 vacuum tube. However, the manufacturers state it will also work with other pre-amp tubes so that users can experiment.
It was designed by Brian Shira and Dan Shugar to achieve Dumble-style tones. It has a nice, simple control layout and a dual triode pre-amp tube to add a rich harmonic. These are all handmade in the USA, so again, they are another excellent quality effect pedal.
Controls
The controls consist of Gain, Voice, Tone, and Level, making it easy to use and dial in the tones you are looking for. It has top-mounted jacks and is a true bypass circuit, so it is perfect for most guitar rigs.
Another great-sounding Dumble voiced pedal, and now I’m wondering if I could stack it with the Lightkeeper V2 above?
MSRP – USD 299
Bogren Digital Ampknob MLC S_Zero 100
The Bogren Digital Ampknob MLC S_Zero 100 is another of their OneKnob solutions for great guitar tone in software. It runs in VST3, AU, AAX, and standalone formats under Windows and Apple Mac systems, including Apple Silicon.
It is based on a boutique three-channel MLC SubZero 100 amp and is designed to be very easy to use. Bogren’s plugins have a straightforward layout that belies their complex and well-designed amp tones. The software emulates all three channels and comes with two built-in virtual speakers labelled Vintage and Modern.
- Channel 1: Clean
- Channel 2: Classic tube crunch
- Channel 3: High-gain
Adjusting the single Gain knob allows seamless transitions between all three channels, as I said, a simple user interface.
IRDX
For users who want to use Impulse Responses, the IRDX adds a realistic, non-linear response to make them sound more natural. They also include a foot-switchable boost pedal to add tightness to the low end and extra output, along with a useful built-in tuner.
Introductory Offer
The software is currently offered at USD 39 Introductory Price and will rise to USD 49 once the promotion has ended.
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