EBS Valve or Sansamp?

santucci218 · #1 10-20-2008, 01:02 AM

http://www.theperfectbass.com/explor...&U=1&SS=1&CR=Y

http://www.theperfectbass.com/explor...&U=1&SS=1&CR=Y

which one do you guys like more? which is warmer and goodness?

Does anybody have sound clips of the EBS?

bassninja7 · #2 10-20-2008, 01:14 AM

sansamp all the way!!!

santucci218 · #3 10-20-2008, 01:16 AM

Really? i didnt expect that. Have you tried both?

bassninja7 · #4 10-20-2008, 01:18 AM

why should i?

the sansamp is perfect. could not be happier with my tone(:

okTem · #5 10-20-2008, 01:32 AM

I own both! And frankly ValveDrive is the basis of my tone. Everything is built upon that. Since I XLR to the PA at gigs, I don't bother myself to carry an all tube head around. It's definately not the same thing but EBS had answered 90% percent of my search for the sweet spot in my tone.

I had used Sansamp for a month live at gigs. It killed all the mids. the presence knob didn't save the day as it is not mids but it somehow adds this high edge to make it present in the mix, though it was far away from my tone.

The overdrive taste may differ for every musician. I gave the sansamp another shot a few days ago, and just couldn't dial in my mainframe sound again after all digging and tweeking. I once again made it certain that sansamp is outta my signal chain.

Peace..

cellkirk74 · #6 10-20-2008, 06:16 AM

The sansamp always sounds like a sansamp, no matter what bass, amp or cab you use with it.

The EBS does not `colour`the signal that much, but adds the warmness of the tube. I think the sansamp is good when you want something like an ampeg svt Sound for Rock or an oldschool motown sound or just used as an overdrive. Everything else is difficult.

scotch · #7 10-20-2008, 06:34 AM

I have both. The Valve Drive is easily the "warmer" of the two. They are really 2 totally different devices, though...

wateroftyne · #8 10-20-2008, 07:20 AM

Neither.

I'd go for the EBS MicroBass II, and believe me I've used all of them extensively.

The Valvedrive is fantastic, but limited on features.

The Sansamp is... a Sansamp. If you like 'that sound', fine, but...

The MicroBass II is incredible. Tons of features, inputs and outputs, great DI, great drive tone, great EQ, mute and.... no horrible (IMO) SansAmp mid-scoop.

It's a few quid more, but worth it all day long.

okTem · #9 10-20-2008, 08:02 AM

I haven't tried Micro Bass II. EBS is a good friend of us low end guys / girls; it wouldn't be bad at all in anyways. On the other hand I think we should evaluate ValveDrive in some other category because Sansamp, Microbass, Radial BassBone, etc. are all DI available pre-amp boxes. Like I'd compare BlowTorch and ValveDrive or alike...

If the case is the overdrive sound, I'd still say hands down ValveDrive for my personal taste

. I like that tube driven grit blended with the growl of my P bass.

The next step from here would be an all tubes head in means of sonic upgrade for me