Tube Works was founded by B.K. Butler in 1987 as a vehicle for his tube-based guitar effects and amplification designs. The company is best known for the Tube Driver, a 12AX7-powered overdrive pedal descended from Butler's earlier prototypes and refined through the Real Tube and 911 Tube Driver iterations. The Tube Driver became a cornerstone of the boutique overdrive world, prized for its amp-like dynamics and harmonic response, and has been associated with players such as David Gilmour, Eric Johnson, Joe Satriani, and Billy Gibbons.

Beyond pedals, Tube Works produced a line of hybrid amplifiers and preamps, most notably the RT-series combos and heads (including the RT-3100, RT-3160, RT-3175, and RT-3300). These designs paired 12AX7 tube preamps with MosValve MOSFET output stages, aiming to deliver tube warmth at the power and reliability of solid-state circuitry. The MosValve power amp modules were themselves sold as standalone units for rack and DIY builders.

The product catalog also included direct boxes, Real Tube-branded effects, and rack preamps aimed at guitar and bass players seeking tube coloration in compact formats. The brand's legacy rests largely on the Tube Driver's status as a reference overdrive and on the RT-series amps' role in popularizing hybrid tube/MOSFET designs.

Tube Works has 12 products cataloged on Equipboard, including Overdrive Effects Pedals, Guitar Amplifier Heads, and Guitar Power Amplifiers. Their gear is featured by 15 artists, with the strongest followings in Rock, Pop, and Blues. Notable users include David Gilmour, Peter Steele, and J Mascis.