VT Bass Deluxe + Pwr Amp as your rig?

geoff_in_nc · #1 10-13-2011, 05:28 AM

I wasn't sure if this should go in Amps or Effects... Amps won the coin toss.... I'm interested in the possibility of using a VT Bass Deluxe as a lone preamp, going into a standard rackmount poweramp type setup.

I know it can be done but is anyone doing it? Can you drive the poweramp via the 1/4" output leaving the XLR open for DI usage?

What kind of tones are you going for in your setup and what CAN you get? I'm not super educated on describing tones, but I'm looking for something anywhere from Flea on BSSM for example, to some more mellow MoTown type tones, to harder edged and more growly rock tones, but not hard distortion really. I've got a older cheap multi-effects pedal that purports to model an SVT and an SWR in their docs (vague on what specific models), and I like those tones, but don't like the Trace Elliot model as much for whatever that's worth. I'm playing a Jazz layout bass.

Oh, if the VT DLX isn't right for what I'm describing, is something else viable? Doesn't MXR have a somewhat similar pedal? Does it have presets?

Thanks for any help!

lomo · #2 10-13-2011, 05:38 AM

I just started experimenting with this a few days ago. Crown XLS 1500 with VT Dlxe, Eden WTDI or both. So far I am very impressed. The rig provides essentially unlimited power (I'm running it bridged for about 1K watts into an LDS 15/6). The tonal possibilities are VERY varied and flexible. The VT Dlxe alone provides 6 custom presets and I like the WTDI for a dash of simple compression. The amp is 12 lbs racked, and the 2 pedals together weigh as much as a canteloupe. I'm using 3 presets clean (one thick and balanced, one mid forward and very aggressive, one scooped and mellow) and 3 presets dirty with the same basic eq as the clean ones. I cannot imagine a more versatile rig, especially considering you could have the poweramp and numerous pedal DIs to choose, depending on your mood (MXR, Sadowsky, EBS, etc). IMO the VT Dlxe can easily provide the tones you describe. I chose not to build a rack around a 9 lb amp, but to keep it alone in a 2-space and be modular.

Yes, you can drive it with the 1/4", which is a bit hotter than the XLR.

4-string · #3 10-13-2011, 05:44 AM

Try before you buy. The VT has a distinctive voice that is impossible to dial out IMO. Which of course is fine for those who want that kind of tone all the time, but I don't so I use it only for a couple of songs.

Personally, I couldn't live with a rig that were built around the VT bass, but I believe many people could and do. YMMV.

**Matthew_84** · #4 10-13-2011, 05:47 AM

Yeah, it can be very versatile. One thing that I've done, which I'd recommend to everyone doing this, is put a 10-band EQ in the effects loop. This allows me to drop some of the higher frequencies which can be very prominent on the VT deluxe (because of the speaker sim), and even the level at 31 hz because I found the bass to be a little boomy, this tightened it up a bit, but that could have just been an adjustment to my liking. I haven't heard many people say they find it boomy, though I have heard many people mention the high-end sparkle.

But also, once you get your custom tones in, as you play in different rooms, you may need to slightly adjust the EQ to fit the room. This way you can make the minor changes without disturbing your settings.

Oobly · #5 10-13-2011, 05:55 AM

lomo, do you find the VT bass output hot enough for the Crown on its own? I have an XLS1500 also and find it needs a pretty high input level.

OP, there are LOTS of preamp options to go with a racked power amp. I chose a Dave Hall Amps pedal for mine, specifically the VT2-Twin-EQ-Std-Bass, VT2-Twin-Std-Bass details

The Aguilar Tonehammer apparently does the job very well, too.

ReDnEcK_SaMuRaI · #6 10-13-2011, 06:03 AM

The output of the VT is more than enough to drive a power amp. I have used this set up for about a year now. I love it light and portable. I highly recommend it to anyone wanting an ampeg type tone. It does an SVT sound very well, and a Motown thump.

Moreheadroom · #7 10-13-2011, 06:09 AM

I ran my VT and Tonehammer like this a couple of months ago while I was between amps.
You could get almost anything out of the pair of them.
They are just totally different animals and I couldn't pick a favourite if I tried.
Depends on what your chasing I guess.
Between both of them it was probably the best amp I ever used....I reckon the VT will do
pretty much what your looking for though.

basswave · #8 10-13-2011, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oobly

lomo, do you find the VT bass output hot enough for the Crown on its own? I have an XLS1500 also and find it needs a pretty high input level.

OP, there are LOTS of preamp options to go with a racked power amp. I chose a Dave Hall Amps pedal for mine, specifically the VT2-Twin-EQ-Std-Bass, VT2-Twin-Std-Bass details

The Aguilar Tonehammer apparently does the job very well, too.

+1 to the above.

To be honest I really do not know much about the VT pedal, I never used one myself.

However one of the reasons why I picked up the Tone Hammer is because it does have enough signal for a power amp. Its a great on the fly tool has a decent flat tone (relatively speaking)

I suggest checking this out.
Aguilar Amplification: Bass Pedals, Bass Pickups, Bass Preamps, Bass Amplifiers, and Bass Speaker Cabinets

PS great thread...

Son of Bovril · #9 10-13-2011, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oobly

lomo, do you find the VT bass output hot enough for the Crown on its own? I have an XLS1500 also and find it needs a pretty high input level.

I do exactly that with the VT Bass and I have way more level than I need, especially if you are using a bit of the gain knob as well... I sometimes actually have to dial back on the volume

Oobly · #10 10-13-2011, 08:51 AM

Thanks, ReDnEcK_SaMuRaI and Son of Bovril, that's good to know. By the way, I prefer Bovril to Marmite...

(ex-Capetonian)

old-fashioned · #11 10-13-2011, 08:54 AM

You'll get lost in the mix.

Eric Moesle · #12 10-13-2011, 09:06 AM

For the past six months I've used a VTDeluxe through a QSC 3002.

I can assure you it has more than enough gain to drive ANY power amp, and its insane to allege you will get lost in any mix with this thing. Quite the contrary.

JimmyM · #13 10-13-2011, 09:28 AM

The only reason I wouldn't do it is it's kind of a pain to dial in with the knobs being so sensitive. But it will work. And no, you won't get lost in the mix any easier than you would with any other preamp.

Scott549 · #14 10-13-2011, 09:32 AM

I have had good luck using the VT Deluxe through a GK Backline 600. I'm basically using the Backline as a power amp -- I've got the EQ flat. You can get a lot of different sounds out of the VT Bass, and the direct out is great for PA-supported gigs.

Low Class · #15 10-13-2011, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4-string

Try before you buy. The VT has a distinctive voice that is impossible to dial out IMO. Which of course is fine for those who want that kind of tone all the time, but I don't so I use it only for a couple of songs.

Personally, I couldn't live with a rig that were built around the VT bass, but I believe many people could and do. YMMV.

+1!

lomo · #16 10-13-2011, 10:58 AM

Just a follow up note that although the VT Dlxe will drive my Crown XLS 1500, there is still room for it to be driver harder as the Crown has fairly low input sensitivity. I am boosting the VT with an Eden WTDI (between the VT and power amp) to max fully saturate the input and get max volume. The WTDI also allows me to have some compression and eq not provided on the VT. Very tweakable and works great, plus a have a choice between the DIs of the 2 pedals.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric Moesle

For the past six months I've used a VTDeluxe through a QSC 3002.

I can assure you it has more than enough gain to drive ANY power amp, and its insane to allege you will get lost in any mix with this thing. Quite the contrary.

+1. The output from the 1/4" is very high. Even the xlr out is plenty, although noticably weaker than the 1/4".FYI as far as the VT's high end sparkle goes, IME a little roll off of the passive tone control on my bass is sufficient to mellow this entirely....not an issue at all for me. In the end I will still be sticking with my M9, mainly because in spite of the minimal weight penalty (30 lbs racked compared to a 12lb rack and 2 pedals/cables) it is faaar simpler. No tweaking and checking and connecting 3 elements and powering them all, etc. Great tone with onboard compression, eq, etc with no fuss.

geoff_in_nc · #17 10-13-2011, 03:36 PM

Thanks to all who've responded so far.. even if you're not +1'ing the idea. I'd rather hear a variety of viewpoints anyway... there's something to learn from people who don't like stuff just at least as much as those who do like stuff.

As for the Aggie box, I'll look into that too, don't know anything about it yet. The reason the VT appeals to me is specifically the presets. I'm not big into effects, but I'm interested in having several different tones or characters available without fiddling with knobs.

lomo · #18 10-13-2011, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geoff_in_nc

I'm not big into effects, but I'm interested in having several different tones or characters available without fiddling with knobs.

Other options for this are the GB Shuttlemax series, which have footswitchable, adjustable mid cut, low boost, high boost and SS and tube channels with individual eq. These can be set up to footswitch easily between about 8 flavors. Also, the M6 has 5 separate "voice" eq settings accessible by footswitch. The TC heads have presets as well. Lots of ways to go.

rptrsn2 · #19 10-23-2011, 07:51 PM

I,ve got the BDDI deluxe run into the fx returrn of a Gk700rbii. Started out using it just into the input to add some grit and couple tone selections but now using it all the time. My gk has some years on it and was gonna but another for backup but thinkin now just a class d pwr amp. Originally had the VT but liked the BDDI better

tech21nyc · #20 10-26-2011, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lomo

+1. The output from the 1/4" is very high. Even the xlr out is plenty, although noticably weaker than the 1/4"....

This doesn't sound normal. Perhaps you have the pad engaged on the XLR out. The XLR out is normally 0dB and the pad will knock it down -20dB. The 1/4" out is normally -10dB or instrument level and the boost adds +10dB to bring it back to 0dB. These are all conservatively rated specs and will vary with your input source and how the pedal is set.