MXR M-80 vs. Tech 21 VT Bass

[sykes of christ]

I can get a new modded VT pedal with a DI built in from Putnam guitars.

So what pedal would be better to use as a preamp?

I only use bass for rock music, so I'm going for a fat tone. I also use a 5 string. If anyone has any experience with these two pedals let me know, which would suit me best.

[silky smoove]

I've owned both and they are both drastically different.

The VT is great for copping Ampeg type tones. SVT, B-15, etc. Good stuff with quite a large variety on tap. The DI mod is nice, but you might consider holding out for the VT-Deluxe which is supposed to be released very soon. The VT will drive a power amp.

The M-80 does one thing and one thing only, which is turn your signal into a scooped-out nu-metal player's dream tone. If you're not looking for that type of tone I would avoid this pedal like the plague. I also found the distortion to be awful for anything but industrial/noise type music. Not a versatile pedal at all. I don't think this will drive a power amp, but I don't know that for a fact.

[chodycody]

personally i wasnt too impressed with the M80, i liked the tech 21 much more.

[JoshuaTSP]

Originally Posted by silky smoove

I've owned both and they are both drastically different.

The VT is great for copping Ampeg type tones. SVT, B-15, etc. Good stuff with quite a large variety on tap. The DI mod is nice, but you might consider holding out for the VT-Deluxe which is supposed to be released very soon. The VT will drive a power amp.

The M-80 does one thing and one thing only, which is turn your signal into a scooped-out nu-metal player's dream tone. If you're not looking for that type of tone I would avoid this pedal like the plague. I also found the distortion to be awful for anything but industrial/noise type music. Not a versatile pedal at all. I don't think this will drive a power amp, but I don't know that for a fact.

While I mostly agree......

The effected clean tones of the M80 really aren't bad. The dirt isn't the worst either, but not nearly as good as the VT Bass.

The VT Bass is super flexible, that's for sure.

[sykes of christ]

So you're saying the current vt pedal won't drive a power amp? The sansamp dealer who mods these pedals said it would?

[dannnnn]

I've never tried the VT (I want to), but I agree about the
M-80. It didn't have a very pleasing sound to me. I'd hoped for something tube-like, but it didn't sound that way to me. Also, the DI on mine picked up radio all the time.

[Rick Auricchio]

The VT will indeed drive a power amp directly. It has tons of output level.

[tallboybass]

SansAmp ParaDriver if you axe me.

[BigOldHarry]

Every MXR pedal I've ever seen was noisy as heck. I'd avoid it. Sansamp = good.

[sykes of christ]

Originally Posted by tallboybass

SansAmp ParaDriver if you axe me.

Why the ParaDriver? I am playing stoner rock type stuff with this rig? Would it suit me better than the VT?

[JoshuaTSP]

Originally Posted by sykes of christ

Why the ParaDriver? I am playing stoner rock type stuff with this rig? Would it suit me better than the VT?

Definitely the VT then......

I'm in a stoner/sludge/metal type band and I just picked up the VT last week.

It's EXACTLY what I've been looking for. I've tried a lot of the more popular dirt pedals....never was happy until the VT. It's so flexible and musical sounding.....you just can't beat it.

With the gain up higher you can do some really nasty sustained cranked amp type tones.

[tallboybass]

The ParaDriver will go deep and dirty if you want....and drive a power amp, and doesn't have to be modded for a DI.

What IS your rig?

[sykes of christ]

Originally Posted by tallboybass

The ParaDriver will go deep and dirty if you want....and drive a power amp, and doesn't have to be modded for a DI.

What IS your rig?

I'm running a peavey 1820 with a crown xs 700. The VT will probably be my preamp.

[tallboybass]

Should sound awesome ....and LOUD!!

[rpsands]

I enjoy the M80 but without a significant mod it cannot drive a power amp.

[JimmyM]

ya, as long as you understand that the vt is all ampeg all the time, it's a great pedal.

[Jumbotron]

I gigged with the m80 for five years and I liked it fine. It's a bit noisy if you crank the high eq up, and I never engaged the little scoop button (which avoids the (dreaded) nu metal tone). The distortion was ok. I like the VT better, but I use it as a dirt box, not a di.

[MNAirHead]

Totally different beasts..

The M80 is a great all around DI box for the budget..

The VT is a different purpose, different price point etc.

I own them both (along with others)

Sincerely I'm not convinced your band mates, sound guy or paying audience can hear the difference.

Yes the M-80 distortion is silly -- but then distorted basses are silly.

[silky smoove]

Originally Posted by sykes of christ

So you're saying the current vt pedal won't drive a power amp? The sansamp dealer who mods these pedals said it would?

Just to clarify; No one in this thread has said that. It will definitely drive a power amp. Some power amps with input sensitivity greater than 1.0V might not be driven to clipping, but they should be okay. 1.0V or less is ideal.

[JoshuaTSP]

Originally Posted by MNAirHead

Yes the M-80 distortion is silly -- but then distorted basses are silly.

I SLAP YOUR MOUTH!