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The Pultec EQH-2 tube program equalizer is a cost effective and excellent sounding alternative to the more expensive EQP1A. The main difference is the EQH2 has two less high frequency choices, and its top end goes up to 12k instead of 16k like the EQP1A.
Frequency settings
- Low band shelf 20 - 30 - 60 - 100 Hz
- Low band Boost from 0 to 13.5 dB,
- Low band Attenuate from 0 to 17dB
- High bell frequencies 3 - 5 - 8 - 10 - 12 kHz
- High bell boost from 0 to 16 dB
- High bell attenuate from 0 to 16dB (10kHz shelf only)
History
The name Pultec is an abbreviation of Pulse Techniques Inc., a company that consisted of two men: Gene Shenk and Ollie Summerland. These electronic wizards made every piece of their gear by hand at their factory in Teaneck, New Jersey, not far from Les Paul’s house. In fact they even collaborated with Les on some projects. Although they made a number of other products, (such as the MB1 Microphone Booster and PC-10 phono preamp), Pultec is most famous for their passive equalizers. Their EQ's were based on a design created by Gene Shenk (contrary to popular belief, only the negative feedback circuitry of the amplifier was licensed from Western Electric).
The original product, released in 1955, was the EQP-1, a passive equalizer with no gain make up stage. It was not until 1961 that the updated version was released, the EQP-1A. This model included some extra frequencies, and a tube gain stage to make up for the signal loss of the passive EQ circuit.
In 1971, Pultec introduced the EQP-1A3, which was identical in all respects to its predecessor the EQP-1A, except that it fit into a smaller, 2U rack unit, and bore a new brushed aluminum faceplate. These units were still tube based. It was not until many years later, near the end of their production years, that Pultec switched from tube designs to solid state. Thus all solid-state versions had a silver faceplate, but so did many of the later tube units.
The various EQ models produced by Pultec include the EQP-1, EQP-1A, EQP-1A3, EQP-1A3SS, EQP-1R, EQP-1RS, EQP-1S, EQP-1S3, HLF-3C, EQH-2, and the MEQ-5. With top-notch, hand-made craftsmanship and a unique sound, Pultecs remain one of the most sought after of the vintage passive equalizers.