Add a 2nd VT-bass to board or something different?

stflbn · #1 10-07-2008, 01:09 PM

Currently I'm transitioning from a Line6 x3 Live to a peddleboard. It was more than I was using and I realized I only really needed a few specific things.

Modern sound - done deal via my current basses and NeoPak
Chorus - CEB-3
Synth/Wah - Ibanez suited my needs best
VT-bass - purchased for light grit alternative sounds

(NOTE: I'm not looking for more grit or over-drive. The existing VT-bass handles that fine.)

What I'm finding is that the VT-bass is wildly adaptive and I'm using it for both my grit rock/alt sound, but also using it for more tubey dubby older sounds also... sometimes with grit but usually not.

I find myself turning nobs on the VT-bass quite a bit more than I expected to get different great sounds, which is great because i'm getting to know where it's sounds exist quick. However, I'm not a big fan of dialing knobs when playing live.

So, should I add a second VT-bass to my pedal board or look at something else that brings other different options to the table?

Thoughts? Suggestions?

.

stflbn · #2 10-07-2008, 01:16 PM

I've contemplated another VT-bass, a Tonehammer, something as basic as a Boss EQ, Sansamp BDDI, MXR M-80, etc.

andvari7 · #3 10-07-2008, 01:58 PM

Having two pedals that perform the same function can give you the opportunity to get different sounds out of each of them. Go for that VT-Bass - it was the smart purchase the first time, wasn't it?

stflbn · #4 10-07-2008, 02:03 PM

Ya, that's my impulse. Use one for smoother/older school sounds rather than my typical modern sound, use the other for more edgy slight grit sounds.

Just seems odd to me visualizing two sitting on my pedalboard when there's other stuff out there's that's also very good.

Currently narrowed down to:
VT-bass (know I like this)
ToneHammer (basically a Aggy 3-band in a box. My basses are active 3-bands... one has an OBP-3)
MXR M-80 (appealing)
Barber linden EQ (smooth)
Xotic Bass RC Booster (Appealing and smooth)

Boss GEB-7 (Probably will grab one of these anyhow either way)

.

Jared Lash · #5 10-07-2008, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stflbn

Ya, that's my impulse. Use one for smoother/older school sounds rather than my typical modern sound, use the other for more edgy slight grit sounds.

Just seems odd to me visualizing two sitting on my pedalboard when there's other stuff out there's that's also very good.

Currently narrowed down to:
VT-bass (know I like this)
ToneHammer (basically a Aggy 3-band in a box. My basses are active 3-bands... one has an OBP-3)
MXR M-80 (appealing)
Barber linden EQ (smooth)
Xotic Bass RC Booster (Appealing and smooth)

What about the OLC Flipster? It could probably handle your old school sounds, moving the VT to grit duty.

dannybuoy · #6 10-07-2008, 02:17 PM

Or a Barber LTD SR / B-Custom Cool, or DHA VT1 to push your VT Bass into grittier territory?

Ryan Mohr · #7 10-07-2008, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBigO

What about the OLC Flipster? It could probably handle your old school sounds, moving the VT to grit duty.

+1, The Flipster would cover the "smooth" EQ in the Linden, and the old school tubiness of the VT Bass. Only problem is if you don't know how to build it, you have to wait 4 weeks.

stflbn · #8 10-07-2008, 02:23 PM

HOw does the Barber STD SR vary from the Barber Linden EQ?

Regarding Flipster... ya, I'd have to have it made. I'm not looking for the stress of doing it myself, even though I'd love the opportunity of putting my own visual flair on the pedal. Big difference in price between buying or creating it yourself. :-/

And I don't need the VT-bass any grittier. It's much much more than what I need from that standpoint. I only ever add just a touch of grit.

James Hart · #9 10-07-2008, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBigO

What about the OLC Flipster? It could probably handle your old school sounds, moving the VT to grit duty.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AqueousView11

+1, The Flipster would cover the "smooth" EQ in the Linden, and the old school tubiness of the VT Bass. Only problem is if you don't know how to build it, you have to wait 4 weeks.

+1 I use mine to 'vintage' up my tone now that I've come back to solid state amps.

Quote:

Originally Posted by stflbn

Regarding Flipster... ya, I'd have to have it made. I'm not looking for the stress of doing it myself, even though I'd love the opportunity of putting my own visual flair on the pedal. Big difference in price between buying or creating it yourself. :-/

well it costs money to finish the boxes AND build the circuits... you have to expect a wide price difference between a pro built and finished boutique pedal and a pile of electronic components with a pre drilled bare box.

stflbn · #10 10-07-2008, 02:55 PM

Hmmm... I've been eye-balling the do-it-yourself flipster info on the site.

I'm capable enough soldering and electronics wise to wire in my own John East PreAmps, pickups, jacks and such in basses, etc.

I think I could probably pull it off based on looking at the tips and instructions and such.

Looks like a nice project for a winter weekend.

James Hart · #11 10-07-2008, 02:59 PM

I bought one prebuilt, but also built one from a kit for a friend. I've had a little bit of electronic experience when I was younger... the Flipster wasn't too hard of a build (though I have no clue how to powder coat and all that other fun stuff for finishing the boxes)

Ryan Mohr · #12 10-07-2008, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stflbn

HOw does the Barber STD SR vary from the Barber Linden EQ?

Regarding Flipster... ya, I'd have to have it made. I'm not looking for the stress of doing it myself, even though I'd love the opportunity of putting my own visual flair on the pedal. Big difference in price between buying or creating it yourself. :-/

And I don't need the VT-bass any grittier. It's much much more than what I need from that standpoint. I only ever add just a touch of grit.

The Barber LTD SR and Linden EQ are nothing alike, one is a low-gain overdrive that is quite transparent, and the other is the Baxandall tonestack in a pedal.

stflbn · #13 10-07-2008, 03:20 PM

Ok, in this case it's definitely the Linden EQ that I'd be more interested in between the Linden EQ and the LTD SR.

stflbn · #14 10-07-2008, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Hart

(though I have no clue how to powder coat and all that other fun stuff for finishing the boxes)

I'd probably do something a combination of hand painting, Waterslide's and then Poly coating or something.

VtheMech · #15 10-07-2008, 03:37 PM

why stop at two? go for 3!!!

stflbn · #16 10-07-2008, 03:54 PM

LoL.

That would be pretty funny.

VtheMech · #17 10-07-2008, 04:44 PM

that's the setting i use... "really pissed off"

ihateusernames · #18 10-07-2008, 06:39 PM

my opinion is there is far too much fun stuff out there to buy two of the same. i love a barber ltd in front of the sansamp rpm. it's the only od pedal i can set to sound great on it's own and that same setting goes very well into the settings i use in the rpm for four very distinct tones (clean, ltd, rpm, ltd + rpm)

KarateKid25 · #19 10-07-2008, 07:12 PM

Two of the same can be a good thing. Im not doing it right now, but in the past, I was using 2x Cream Pies on my board. One was set purely as a clean boost while the other was set more on the dirty side.

I just figured that I liked the size and the look of the Cream Pie and it had what I wanted sound wise, so the easy solution was to just stick with another Cream Pie.

JimmyM · #20 10-07-2008, 11:33 PM

I would need 4 or 5 VT's to get what I want out of one. But I'm going to hold off until they come out with a programmable VT. You know they will since it's such a big hit. But since you only need two, I don't see what it could hurt having two.