Anybody know about the UE400? Log Out | Topics | Search
Moderators | Edit Profile

Ibanez Collectors World » Effects » Anybody know about the UE400? « Previous Next »

Author Message
Jake
Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:06 am:   

I recently picked one of these up (a UE400). It's a rack mount package of Compressor, Phaser, Overdrive and Stereo Chorus/Phaser with a seperate master pedal and effects loop. You can set the position of each effect and the loop in the signal chain and it has your typical set of analog style knobs for each effect.

I believe these were essentially the "-9" series effects of the late '70s/early '80s, but it could possibly have included the previous pedal series which included the TS-808. Does anybody know for sure? The switches on the foot pedal look more like the 808 era pedals. I'm extremely impressed by the quality of the sound and lack of noise in the circuit, and the overdrive, whether it be TS-808, TS-9 or something else, is the best I've heard.

Thanks,

Jake
Shane P
Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:06 am:   

I have also just picked up a UE-400, I was wondering if anyone could shed some light on the vintage of this impressive model.I must say how impressed I am with this analogue effects unit.
I love the retro sounds on offer from this unit.


I compared it to a friends Zoom 8080 digital Fx processor and the vintage sounds on offer didn't sound anywhere near as good in our humble opinions.I would love to hear what others who own and use one of these think.
andy
Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:06 am:   

I have a UE 300 which is the pedal version with chorus, compressor and TS.
The printed circuit board is from Maxon - who also made Tube screamers under their own name - OD808.
The date on the voltage regulator IC is week 44 1981 thus guess the device was assembled end 81 early 82.
The Tube screamer is definitely a TS9 not a 808.
Thepedals on mine are different from my TS808 they are wider.
As a unit its one of the best.
However I prefer my 808 to the TS9 as a overdrive unit
Cy moonen
Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:06 am:   

I have a ue700 which has worked fine until recently, My tech is going to look at it but says hardn without a circuit diagram. Any ideas Cy.
Challenger (Challenger)
Posted on Wednesday, January 08, 2003 - 3:08 pm:   

Let's keep this one amongst ourselves, shall we?
This thing is a sleeper. It contains highly coveted effects when you consider them as stand alone units, but it is somehow unequal to the sum of it parts(?). It is without question the 'Rodney Dangerfield' of the vintage effects market. I just got one for $135, on eBay, no less. The current market value of a P.O.S. TS-808 is more than twice that, AND THIS HAS ONE IN IT...!?! Not to mention THE OTHER THREE EFFECTS and LOOP, it never needs batteries, it keeps the stage neat, it's difficlt to steal, people won't spill anything into it... The list goes on and on.
Why?
Who cares?
I'll keep collecting these things at bargain basement prices until the rest of the hype-slaves wake up. Then I'll cash in. Avoid people like me - buy them now before 'infidels' jack the prices up beyond reason. All it would take is for a high profile player to tout one of these in an interview (it's bound to happen - they're too good), and the sky's the limit.
Sixvsix (Sixvsix)
Posted on Wednesday, January 08, 2003 - 7:05 pm:   

Ahh yes, I acquired one of these when they first appeared around 1979. Had it a few years and used it when I was playing with Dianno for a while.

Having owned both the TS808 and the TS-9 around the same time, I concur that the overdrive in the UE400 sounds basically the same. In the end I came to the conclusion that my 74' Marshall sounded better.

Personally I think the whole TS thing is out of control, so you're quite right in saying that the UE400 looks like a good buy right now.

six
Bryant (Bryant)
Posted on Tuesday, April 01, 2003 - 1:22 pm:   

How does one tell the difference between the 808/ts9 versions of the ue400? I have one with the small 808 type buttons, purchased in 4/82
Orval (Orval)
Posted on Tuesday, April 01, 2003 - 6:22 pm:   

i dont know much about the internals, but i do
have a ue400 with the small 808 style buttons
and a later one with 9 style buttons. there is
also a difference in the face panel color(close but different).
i have not played through the 9 style but the
earlier one has a phaser that is addictive.
they are great effects that can be arranged in
any sequence and has a patch in for an external loop.
Tg4080
Username: Tg4080

Registered: 01-2006
Posted on Friday, April 14, 2006 - 2:05 pm:   

I totally agree with you, the phaser on this unit is hands down the best ive heard. The overdrive and compresser were great as well. I found myself easily getting great tones from this pedal, especially classic rock style voicings. However, I think that mine had an issue but the chorus waves sounded choppy.
Cestlamort
Username: Cestlamort

Registered: 05-2006
Posted on Wednesday, May 03, 2006 - 10:55 am:   

I just (last week) picked up a ue405 (9-series) to go with my ue400 (808-style, with "overdrive"). Both were heartbreakingly cheap and I couldn't be happier (other than having to prune stuff from my rack to make room). I vote to keep things hush-hush on these till everyone has picked one or both up.

The phasor really surprised me: I had never actually liked one before this--it now creeps its way into songs all the time now. The delay on the ue405 seems to be more ad9 than ad80, fwiw, but my unit is 9-series, so that makes sense.

The ue400 works great with one exception: engaging the flanger/chorus has a significant volume boost, so much so that I have had to compensate by rolling off the guitar volume (and eq'ing the level down when on). Has anyone else experienced this?

Is there a trimpot/micropot on the inside that will lower the volume for this one effect? (I'm hesitant to start tweaking w/o some guidance). Right now, it is a bit of a pain, though.

Best,
Geoff
(first post to board--thanks for the resource.

Add Your Message Here
Post:
Bold text Italics Underline Create a hyperlink Insert a clipart image

Username: Posting Information:
This is a private posting area. Only registered users and moderators may post messages here.
Password:
Options: Enable HTML code in message
Automatically activate URLs in message
Action:




Thank you for supporting Ibanez Collectors Forum. Please help your favorite Ibanez guitar site as we endeavor to bring you the latest information about Ibanez custom vintage electric and acoustic guitars. Here you can discuss ibanez, guitars, ibanez guitars, basses, acoustics, acoustic, mandolins, electric guitar, electric bass, amplifiers, effect pedals, tuners, picks, pickups.