FS: Demeter VTBP-201 (black face)

pocketmonster · #1 05-06-2009, 10:01 PM

Demeter VTBP-201: $400 shipped

The famous black-faced tube pre-amp w/ Jensen direct out, very good condition, a bit of light scratching

This is the most transparent pre I've heard, and my sound man said it is the cleanest signal he had ever gotten over a direct out - thanks of course to the Jensen.

If you play a bright bass through a bright speaker, this may not be the one for you. But, if you want to hear almost exactly what your bass sounds like, this is the ticket. It is warm across the spectrum except that the highs are on the bright and glassy side (but clear and accurate... it isn't adding anything that shouldn't be there).

Shipping to CONUS included, will accept any type of check as long as it clears. Paypal not preferred but e-check is OK. No trades. Shipping will be insured for full amount.

JAUQO III-X · #2 05-06-2009, 10:06 PM

I own the exact model and I have used it on numerous recordings. No hype at all it really is one of the best overall pre's made.

I have had engineers ask me if I'm bringing it with me when they know I'm coming in for a session.

Toolmybass · #3 05-07-2009, 06:40 AM

What is the diff between the black one and the white one?...I was looking to get the white one.

My understanding is that if your using solid state and want a warmer "tubey" type sound this is a good unit?

Bass player from Tool uses one and his bass and his speakers are very bright! as too are mine. Any suggestions? You mentioned that this "may not be for you" on the brightness comment.

Thanks for help ahead of time
TMB

pocketmonster · #4 05-07-2009, 08:54 AM

I have no experience with the white one. The black one is a tube sound - but a clean, warm tube sound, not dirty or distorted in any way. As for the highs, I play an MTD and find that it is very bright through this pre. A hi-fi bass through a hi-fi pre creates a lot more mids and highs than a traditional setup. That could work if that's the type of sound you are after, but I have to cut the highs on my onboard bass EQ to compensate. The sound is somewhere in the same tonal range as an LMII or SA450 with the VLE control as bright as it goes, but the sound is purer than these amps by a substantial margin.

About the only drawback folks on TB cite about this model is that the EQ section in this pre is for minor adjustments. That is basically a trade-off in design because the pre is all about transparency, meaning it is not designed to "transform" the sound. The whole pre, especially the Jensen direct out, is arguably the cleanest signal you can pass.

edbutler3 · #5 05-07-2009, 01:58 PM

I have this same unit, and one thing about it I didn't understand at first is that the Presence control is *boost only*. So, if you start out with all the knobs at 12 o'clock, thinking you'll get a flat sound that way, what you actually are getting is a big boost at 2kHz or 4kHz, depending on which frequency you've selected with the switch. To get a close to flat sound, you actually need to turn the Presence control all the way off, and Bass, Mid and Treble at 12 o'clock.

Note that there's also a Bright switch in addition to the Presence knob, so you have a whole lot of treble boost available if you want it.

Mine will also produce a nice aggressive "grind" if I turn the volume above 12 o'clock, but my tubes have been swapped, so YMMV. At lower settings, it is very clean and warm.

pocketmonster · #6 05-07-2009, 03:16 PM

Thanks for posting that extra info.

I came to that same conclusion regarding the presence knob. (Never have seen a manual for this thing.) It definitely adds a lot of highs, so I typically run it close to full counter clockwise. We used it in a big Christmas production a year ago, and the sound was magnificent - with the presence off and the highs trimmed down a bit.

I don't think I've ever gotten a dirty sound out of it... I'll assume we are not running the same tubes.

RS · #7 05-07-2009, 04:58 PM

Every time I see one for sale, I contemplate buy one as a backup. No preamp sounds as good to me. The EQ is not complex but is perfectly voiced for jazz basses.

pocketmonster · #8 05-07-2009, 05:27 PM

I'm not bent on selling this one... and now you guys are trying to talk me into keeping it...

Still for sale... for now...

edbutler3 · #9 05-07-2009, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pocketmonster

Thanks for posting that extra info.

I came to that same conclusion regarding the presence knob. (Never have seen a manual for this thing.) It definitely adds a lot of highs, so I typically run it close to full counter clockwise. We used it in a big Christmas production a year ago, and the sound was magnificent - with the presence off and the highs trimmed down a bit.

I don't think I've ever gotten a dirty sound out of it... I'll assume we are not running the same tubes.

It sounds like you and I are using similar settings. I have the Raytheon 5751 tubes in mine, courtesy of jeffjones, the previous owner. They sound great, but I haven't tried any of the more typical 12AX7s in it, so maybe the 5751s are what allows me to get a mild overdrive sound. Or it could just be a hotter input from my bass.

What's your opinion on the 60Hz/120Hz Bass switch and the 2kHz/4Khz Presence switch? I guess the Presence one doesn't matter so much since we both keep the control mostly off, but then it also sounds like the switches are a bit "interactive" -- like they affect the overall tone even when the knobs are set flat. I always use the 60Hz setting for Bass. The 120Hz setting really changes the character of the tone, and I like it somewhat, but I always end up switching back to 60Hz because I crave more deep bass. It might be cool to combine the 120Hz setting with a lower bass boost from an active bass's onboard preamp (or even a separate parametric EQ), but I haven't tried that yet.

RS · #10 05-07-2009, 05:56 PM

The switches do somehow seem to interact. I keep mine at 60hz and 4k all the time though.

jeffjones · #11 05-07-2009, 06:02 PM

Well, I sold mine to Ed Butler, and ended up buying another one from another TBer, because I missed it so much. I haven't found anything else that sounds so good. I put more Raytheon 5751s in my new one too.

Pickebass · #12 05-07-2009, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffjones

Well, I sold mine to Ed Butler, and ended up buying another one from another TBer, because I missed it so much. I haven't found anything else that sounds so good. I put more Raytheon 5751s in my new one too.

I'm going to try the Raytheon tubes... sounds like a good idea.Like Jeff, I bought one and sold it and bought it back again. If you have a good bass and just one to plug and play... this is it!! Free bump for a great pre.... somebody buy this before I have 2!!

tommysalami · #13 05-08-2009, 06:42 PM

Where are you buying the Raytheon 5751's. I'm thinking about trying 1 in my HBP1.

**Joelc73** · #14 05-08-2009, 07:54 PM

Bump for one of the all time greats. This is the only pre I've been using lately. It's so simple and sounds so good. A real masterpiece.

JC

jeffjones · #15 05-08-2009, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tommysalami

Where are you buying the Raytheon 5751's. I'm thinking about trying 1 in my HBP1.

I look for them on ebay. I like the CK 5751's.

pocketmonster · #16 05-08-2009, 10:55 PM

Sigh... you guys have almost talked me out of selling it... I love this pre... I just don't love the two piece solution with carrying a separate amp. Is there a lightweight amp you've found that sounds really good with it? It has to be a no compromise sound, otherwise it isn't worth it.

FYI, I'm playing mostly through the LMII and SA450 because they are the closest sound I could find to the Demeter in a one piece solution (and light weight to boot).

**Joelc73** · #17 05-09-2009, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pocketmonster

Sigh... you guys have almost talked me out of selling it... I love this pre... I just don't love the two piece solution with carrying a separate amp. Is there a lightweight amp you've found that sounds really good with it? It has to be a no compromise sound, otherwise it isn't worth it.

FYI, I'm playing mostly through the LMII and SA450 because they are the closest sound I could find to the Demeter in a one piece solution (and light weight to boot).

Not lightweight but about as good as it gets is the Demeter into an Berg IP 310.

Pickebass · #18 05-09-2009, 11:01 AM

You're gonna laugh... but one of my favorite setups with this pre is a peavey dpc 750. Not the lightest amp but really sounds good with a single speaker at 8ohm. Someone had the dpc1400 for sale here

pocketmonster · #19 05-10-2009, 01:08 PM

Mother's Day bump

msquared · #20 05-10-2009, 02:24 PM

Note: This one has the IEC C13 power socket (the same plug that most contemporary amps have) on it rather than the older style permanent power connector. Definitely a plus!