I was looking at the Tech 21 Sansamp Bass Driver with three channels.

Being used with a Fender Jazz FSR through an Ampeg SVT 450H, good investment?

Thanks!

I'll try to save you from the wrath of the regulars. . .

This pedal has been discussed numerous times in the effects forum. Do a search for SansAmp and/or BDDI and you'll find a wealth of info.

Here's my short answer though - yes, in general this pedal is a good investment. I've used it as a D.I./pre-amp numerous times when going through a venue's house system. I also use it on my board to give me that tube sound for certain songs or just because many distortions sound good running before it.

Personally, I don't really use it for overdrive as much as for tone shaping. The gain rarely goes past 10 o'clock on mine, as I rely on other pedals to add dirt to my tone.

I have the standard BDDI because I got a good deal on it used, but if I was buying new I'd get the programmable. As it is I have a couple different settings that I use for covers and originals.

Thanks!

you cant go wrong. The Sans Amp is not perfect. It tends to to scoop out your mids and colors the tone in its own not subtle way. But it is a very useable tool and very fun to mess with.

Get the pedal if you want to shape your tone, do not get it just to have an overdrive. In my opinion the overdrive this gives is weak.

However it's great to add versatility to your tone

Again, i'll repeat. If you want an actual great sounding full, this pedal is a quiet whisper to what you want.

This must be the most discussed topic in this forum!

Short:
Yes, get one.
Go easy on the Blend, Bass & Treble.

It will sound great!!!

Lets give in a start a MegaThread already...

here, here. and sticky it.

simply the best investment I've ever made.

would be good to do into the BassDriver and then into the "effects return" of the Ampeg, effectively bypassing the Ampeg preamp and giving you something different to work with.

would be good to do into the BassDriver and then into the "effects return" of the Ampeg, effectively bypassing the Ampeg preamp and giving you something different to work with.

I'm pretty sure what he's talking about is doing a Bass->BDDI->'Receive' of Amp's Effect loop.

On many amps doing this effectivly bypasses the amp's preamp allowing you to use the head as a power amp and to use the preamp of your choice, in this case we're talking about the BDDI. In some amps this isn't the case, but after discussing things with 8mmOD on these boards, he says it works with all of his Ampeg heads, so I'm betting it works with yours as well.

But seriously, MegaThread.

I'm pretty sure what he's talking about is doing a Bass->BDDI->'Receive' of Amp's Effect loop.

On many amps doing this effectivly bypasses the amp's preamp allowing you to use the head as a power amp and to use the preamp of your choice, in this case we're talking about the BDDI. In some amps this isn't the case, but after discussing things with 8mmOD on these boards, he says it works with all of his Ampeg heads, so I'm betting it works with yours as well.

But seriously, MegaThread.

yup, that's what I'm saying, into the "EFFECTS RETURN" not the send, just plug bass>SansAmp>Effect return of Ampeg>power section of Ampeg>speakers :)

IMO, a BDDI is always a worthy investment, not matter what bass and amp you use.

yup, that's what I'm saying, into the "EFFECTS RETURN" not the send, just plug bass>SansAmp>Effect return of Ampeg>power section of Ampeg>speakers :)

Yeah, I figured thats what you ment, but I found the wording of your first post a little confusing. Sorry.

I have the programable one, and I love it. Perfect to bring to a gig if you don't like lugging a amp around...

Yeah, I figured thats what you ment, but I found the wording of your first post a little confusing. Sorry.

no worries, I confuse myself on an hourly basis...ok, maybe every 15min. or so :D

Hey thanks guys, I'll definetely purchase that now, I like the bypass idea with the head also, I was worried about what two sets of knobs and eq would do?!?! No worries now though, appriciate it!

Hey Pete, why is there not a Stingray in your avatar???

HHHHHHMMMMMMMMMMM???? haha

Get the pedal if you want to shape your tone, do not get it just to have an overdrive. In my opinion the overdrive this gives is weak.
+1, for tubey tone it is excellent. Overdrive, not so good.

It was sooo nice to open this and find that someody hadn't "do a search"-ed the poor guy to death!!!!

Thank you to whoever was going to do that but didnt!!!

+1 to everyone who calls the SABDDI a valuable tool.

RyRob - With your solid state Ampeg, you can use the SABDDI as a pre-amp to make it sound like a "real" SVT (an all-tube one). Contrary to some opinions, it can also be used for some pretty damn good overdriven tones.

For me, my 3-channel SABDDI is used as a recording tool to replicate my SVT-CL and could be used for DI-only gigs to get "my sound".

I still much prefer the Aural Bass Xciter and my modded ODB over the BDDI. But the BDDI is a cheaper pedal, and it's still great.

I say if you want a pedal that can mold your tone, and you've tried this out of YOUR bass and like it, it's the best investment you can ever do for yourself. I still think my Xciter is the best pedal I've ever invested in; it's given my Spector not just dominance over the metal end of bass, but also given me a great Sublime-esque tone with a quick switch of the knob.

I have found it makes ordinary gear sound very good and good gear sound better. I'm glad I bought mine and wont be selling it in a hurry... except maybe for the 3 channel one.

Please take note of my sig :)

The BDDI got me through 2 years of cheap gear, and absolutely saved me on two seperate occasions - I only sold it to get my RBI.