bass DI pedals

marlond · #1 09-14-2010, 01:08 PM

I want a simple small pedal like the Tech 21 or Aguilar Tone Hammer, just in case the **** hits the fan and something in my rig is not working right or their is a crappy backline that I have to use.

What are some good pedals? So far I'm looking at the Tech 21 SansAmp Bass Driver DI or the Aguilar Tone Hammer.

I play Alt Rock and am currently using an SVT CL and will soon be stepping up to an SVT2 Pro.

What pedal will be better? Any other ones I should look at?

Size does matter because this is a "save my ass pedal", not something I will be using regularly.

AndersS · #2 09-14-2010, 01:11 PM

I'm not sure if I think it's better than the Bass Driver or Tone Hammer, since I have never tried any of the two, but the Sadowsky Outboard Preamp is both smaller, has an On/off footswitch, a mute switch and both tuner, jack and DI outputs. I love it

MK1 · #3 09-14-2010, 01:17 PM

I personally don't like any of the sound shaping DI's. I think just a plain active DI like the Countryman or Radial J48 sound better and you won't get any opposition from any sound guy with either of those. If you feel you need some sort of tone shaping you may like the VT Bass pedal into the DI.

P-oddz · #4 09-14-2010, 01:41 PM

My vote: the Tone Hammer.

You get the tone shaping, which is VERY usable, but it also has a pre/post DI, so you can also run it WITHOUT your EQ settings. To my knowledge the Sansamp does not.

The Tone Hammer EQ is extremely flexible with fully sweepable mids (which the Sansamp does not have control over, and is a very important part to EQ'ing a bass IMO), and it's built like a tank.

Nothing but a "two thumbs up" from me.

RickenBoogie · #5 09-14-2010, 05:19 PM

I keep an MXR M-80 in my gig bag for just such an emergency. Solid.

Kael · #6 09-14-2010, 05:27 PM

The SABDDI can do pre or post. I'd snag the SABDDI for the use outlined in the original post. It emulates an amp which would make it preferable to just a DI in most cases IME. I have the Sadowsky too. It does well at improving already good gear. If you are running without an amp though, soundmen almost always seem to prefer my SABDDI. I've not gigged a tonehammer, but I've played around with one.

FWIW, I do about 50% of my gigs without an amp these days so I've dealt with this issue a lot.

ric stave · #7 09-14-2010, 05:30 PM

I have tried/owned the Sansamp BDDI, the ToneHammer and the MXR M-80.

All are good, the BDDI has an on/off switch, but really functions as on/bypass. If "Bypass" works for you, then just get a straight DI.

The MXR and the ToneHammer each have 2 seperate 'channels' - I liked the ToneHammer better overall, but the main drawback is that when you engage the 'distortion/overdrive' channel, the volume is outrageous compared to the normal volume. If they would put an adjustable level on that section, it would be my choice, hands down. The MXR has a very good sound in both channels, but the distortion/overdrive channel is something you'll have to check out and see if it fits your needs.

IMHO....

BillyIVbass · #8 09-14-2010, 05:36 PM

Hartke makes the VXL attack. It's cheap and does its job. My only suggestion: if you use it, leave it on all the time vs. using it as an effect.

A Radial DI is cool if you don't want tone shaping.

The Sansamp have always felt too sterile sounding for me, but other guys love 'em.

P-oddz · #9 09-15-2010, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ric stave

I have tried/owned the Sansamp BDDI, the ToneHammer and the MXR M-80.

All are good, the BDDI has an on/off switch, but really functions as on/bypass. If "Bypass" works for you, then just get a straight DI.

The MXR and the ToneHammer each have 2 seperate 'channels' - I liked the ToneHammer better overall, but the main drawback is that when you engage the 'distortion/overdrive' channel, the volume is outrageous compared to the normal volume. If they would put an adjustable level on that section, it would be my choice, hands down. The MXR has a very good sound in both channels, but the distortion/overdrive channel is something you'll have to check out and see if it fits your needs.

IMHO....

I would slightly agree with the AGS switch being a drawback to the Tone Hammer (only if your intent is on having a DI that works as a stomp box overdrive as well). I don't think the pedal was designed to be used as such. The signal pushes too loud to just kick in mid song, so it deters it from being used in that manner. The argument I would pose to that though, is that if you treat the Tone Hammer as an always-on signal (with the AGS engaged) the AGS acts as a very warm, pushed-tube-like signal, capable of a nice warmth (for added girth) or extreme tube saturation (for a heavy overall signal).

SO instead of kicking on an overdrive via the AGS switch - you dial in the slightly pushed (or heavily pushed if that is your preference) overdriven signal and it sounds glorious. Instead of using the TH as an overdrive kick-in pedal, you use a different overdrive pedal to push your signal to desired grind. IME, the TH plays very nicely with other pedals.

countrybassist · #10 09-15-2010, 09:18 AM

[quote=marlond;9706749]

What are some good pedals? So far I'm looking at the Tech 21 SansAmp Bass Driver DI or the Aguilar Tone Hammer.

I prefer the SA

I play Alt Rock and am currently using an SVT CL and will soon be stepping up to an SVT2 Pro.

A CL to a SVT2 a step up? Not IMO

QUOTE]

Feral Feline · #11 09-15-2010, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MK1

... If you feel you need some sort of tone shaping you may like the VT Bass pedal into the DI.

One step better than VT Bass into a DI is putting a DI into the VT Bass.

Marlond, since you're already using an SVT with another one on the way, why not stick to your tone and get a modded VT Bass pedal. Lots of the VT owners are having the pedal modded by Mike Putnam:

- DI with pre/post EQ, phantom power, ground lift
- Sweepable mid
- blend
- speaker emulator cut-out switch

You can even order the pedal brand-spanking new directly from him, have him add all the mods and you've got your "backup" SVT rig-in-a-box shipped right to your door.

BTW, FWIW, I use a Radial ToneBone, PZed-Pre.

ric stave · #12 09-15-2010, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P-oddz

I would slightly agree with the AGS switch being a drawback to the Tone Hammer (only if your intent is on having a DI that works as a stomp box overdrive as well). I don't think the pedal was designed to be used as such. The signal pushes too loud to just kick in mid song, so it deters it from being used in that manner. The argument I would pose to that though, is that if you treat the Tone Hammer as an always-on signal (with the AGS engaged) the AGS acts as a very warm, pushed-tube-like signal, capable of a nice warmth (for added girth) or extreme tube saturation (for a heavy overall signal).

SO instead of kicking on an overdrive via the AGS switch - you dial in the slightly pushed (or heavily pushed if that is your preference) overdriven signal and it sounds glorious. Instead of using the TH as an overdrive kick-in pedal, you use a different overdrive pedal to push your signal to desired grind. IME, the TH plays very nicely with other pedals.

I agree with what you're saying. My point is, if they DID put an adjustable volume on the AGS, I'd bet many more people would buy it.
I really liked the pedal, in both modes (AGS on and off).
~ric

Stinsok · #13 09-15-2010, 12:38 PM

I own a Seymour Duncan Paranormal. To me, it sounds less bloated than the BDDI. Here are some sound files:

http://jimiandthefiredogs.com/

This is a P-bass recorded direct with the eq set "flat."

marlond · #14 09-15-2010, 09:36 PM

Thanks for all the input.

I just pulled the trigger on an Aguilar Tone Hammer. I like the Aguilar sound. So I will see how it goes.

P-oddz · #15 09-16-2010, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marlond

Thanks for all the input.

I just pulled the trigger on an Aguilar Tone Hammer. I like the Aguilar sound. So I will see how it goes.

Awesome!
You'll have to let us know how you feel about it when you get it. I personally love mine.

aledeville · #16 09-16-2010, 12:37 PM

I have the Markbass SuperBooster for these kind of occasions. The filters are cool too.

Eublet · #17 09-16-2010, 10:03 PM

Tone Hammer is so much better than the Tech21 pedals IMHO. Much more configurable and usable on the gig. The Tech21 stuff IMO is better suited for recording than live use, though the Tone Hammer wins there also.

JSK5String · #18 09-16-2010, 10:07 PM

Tech 21 VT Deluxe. It has an XLR and 1/4" outputs. Plus, you're using an SVT now, so if that craps out on you you'd still have one with the VTD. I'm just sayin'...

Bassist4Life · #19 09-16-2010, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MK1

If you feel you need some sort of tone shaping you may like the VT Bass pedal into the DI.

I had my VT Bass pedal turned into a DI.

He can turn anything into a quality DI. Pre/Post, Ground/Lift, Phantom power... the works.

Mike Putnam's VT Bass Mods

There are photos, but they are closer to the end of the thread. I closed my PhotoBucket account and it killed my links to the images in my first post.

Enjoy,
Joe

Jason! · #20 09-17-2010, 08:01 AM

If you're looking for a tone shaping DI the Tech 21 VT Deluxe gets my vote. All the ins/outs you'd ever need and sounds excellent.