EDEN VT.40 AMP: Demeter pre/400 watts!

Joebone · #1 12-04-2006, 09:11 PM

PRICE REDUCED: BACK FROM EBAY DUE TO NON-PAYING BUYER

This is the Eden VT.40 amp, which preceeded the World Traveler Series. I think Mike Watt used one of these for a very long time. Asking $525.00 -- had it up as a buy-it-now on ebay at that price, but some miserable @#$%@*@! punched the button, then tried to pull a Nigerian-style scam -- so here it is, offered at that price.

The heart of this unit is a tube-based pre-amp circuit designed by James Demeter: in addition to the usual bass, mid, treble and "presence" dials, there are four switches that permit further tailoring by selecting between 60 or 120 Hz., 240 or 480 Hz., two points on a "presence" continuum, and 3kHz or 6kHz. These selection points are interdependent. Compared with many eq sections this system at first seems not to provide a wide range of control, but after living with it for a while you come to realize that it gives you some really practical alternatives that dial in pretty easily.

There is also a very good compression unit, featuring fully adjustable Threshold and Ratio.

Gain is regulated by Pre- and Master-volume switches.

The solid-state Power amp is good for 220 Watts at 8 ohms or 400 watts at 4 ohms, but 4-ohm is the minimum rating.

The rack ears are integral with the cabinet, flaring from the side panels. The back features two 1/4" speaker outputs, an ajustable XLR out, an effects loop and a ground lift.

I'm selling this amp because a Thunderfunk works better for my jazz-latin meanderings...but if I played ANY rock, I'd choose this unit over the Thunderfunk, 'cuz when you push the preamp, that big, smooth tubey sound is incredible! However, backing off on the gain and working the EQ also lets you do the hi-fi thing. All in all, this is a remarkable amp that some folks prefer to current Eden product, and your web search (I'm not gonna cite to competing bass sites) will illustrate the high regard in which these amps are held.

This particular sample was rehabbed by a tube-savvy tech in Baton Rouge, and looks to have come from Nashville in the first place. It has had some life experience and one knob is a non-original but identical replacement from Eden, but the front looks great, with a burnished patina that can only come from age. The tech raved about parts quality being a step above what you find today (Nichicon Muse capacitors!!!)

Pictures available upon request.

ThumbyAche · #2 12-04-2006, 09:36 PM

I used to have one of these for many years and I still miss it sometimes, got rid of mine because I needed more power for what I was doing. The only problems I had is when I pushed it really hard for gigs where I needed more power. I loved the tone and while the controls are simple and pretty subtle...great tone! I liked it better than the WT-500 I had at the same time. Great price, somebody should snag this for small/medium size gigs, especially for rock/blues stuff.
I would get it but I still know where my old one is and just waiting to get it back hopefully.

Major Bump!

Quadzilla · #3 12-04-2006, 09:36 PM

I had one of these. Sold mine to a.green.martian (maybe he willl comment also). Great head! Free bump!

a.green.martian · #4 12-04-2006, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quadzilla

I had one of these. Sold mine to a.green.martian (maybe he willl comment also). Great head! Free bump!

I love mine, and it really can cover the full range of sounds, from a sparkly clean hi-fi tone to an overdriven dirty tone that's just mean.
If I had the money I'd buy this just to have a backup.

Good luck with the sale!

Joebone · #5 12-04-2006, 11:00 PM

Gentlemen:

Thanks for all of the bumps! Don't go starting up a big, bad case of seller's remorse, now...not that it would take much to do that!

pickles · #6 12-05-2006, 08:21 AM

Pretty sure that's a top quality DBX compressor in there too. I always thought these (along with the T series cabs) sounded better than the current eden products, which makes it some of the best sounding gear around.

Joebone · #7 12-05-2006, 12:28 PM

Well, here's a hoot: this same amp has come up on Ebay, with an opening bid of $550.00!

http://cgi.ebay.com/RARE-Eden-VT-40-...QQcmdZViewItem

Theirs looks cleaner than mine, as I have some scuffing on the top-plate and have not otherwise cleaned it up, and I'm missing that one control knob. However, I don't know if thiers has had the advantage of a careful going-over by a tech...and I doubt they have my big, bad sticker on the bottom from "Corner Music" down in Nashville!

BTW: you can download the manual for this unit from Eden!

http://www.eden-electronics.com/info...s%20Manual.pdf

The compressor "incorporates advanced DBX technology." However, the manual does not clarify the power output at 8-ohms. Apparently it is somewhere betwen 220 and 250 watts.

Joebone · #8 12-07-2006, 05:04 PM

Bump...

Joebone · #9 12-07-2006, 05:27 PM

Bump...

ThumbyAche · #10 12-08-2006, 06:09 PM

Wow...I didn't see that one coming, yah so that is my old VT.40 (the really clean one) that is on EBAY and so much for me getting it back...it will probably sell. I took excellent care of it. Oh well, that's how it goes I guess. Hope you sell yours man, it's a great head.

omardottcom · #11 12-09-2006, 07:13 AM

Can someone tell me what "bump" means... it's the only thng anyone on here says and I have no clue what they are talking about... "bump the price down maybe??" I dunno. Just Curious.

a.green.martian · #12 12-09-2006, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by omardottcom

Can someone tell me what "bump" means... it's the only thng anyone on here says and I have no clue what they are talking about... "bump the price down maybe??" I dunno. Just Curious.

"Bump"ing the thread to the top of the first page.