Hartke VXL Bass Attack

bassist4dalord · #1 11-04-2009, 12:20 AM

Later today I will be purchasing this pedal used from a former SamAsh employee. I will have a detailed review posted and let you guys know. I've been eying one for a couple of months and found one for a great price gently used. Check back tomorrow!

wetzelman1 · #2 11-04-2009, 09:32 AM

love mine, makes my crappy amp sound 10x better. If I had a better amp it wouldn't be necessary though. $70 on the VXL plus $75 for an ampeg b2r sounds as good as an $800 amp would. Can't come close to a mesa or SVT-4 tho.

bassist4dalord · #3 11-04-2009, 01:35 PM

Yeah, I've got a Crate BFX100. $190 amp with warranty, used. It works.

Anyway, the pedal is awesome. Only 5 minutes experience right now. Look for reviews later tonight!

bassist4dalord · #4 11-04-2009, 03:56 PM

After playing with it a bit, I've found some very usable sounds! It does sound kind of scooped, but there's a lot of growl to be found here. I also own a Boss GEB-7 7-Band EQ if I need to boost the mids. Mainly I wanted a direct box for church, but with more control and bite than a passive Jazz can offer. This rig is very awesome for the price. Bass was $20 after a $150 gift card+Pedal was $45 used+Amp was $190 used= ~$300!

TechZilla · #5 11-04-2009, 10:06 PM

I've had one for a few years now. It will surely give you some flexabilty with tone especially with less colorful amps. Only 2 complaints from me.

1. can be a bit noisy (depending on settings)
2. The control knobs must be replaced right away. (position can't be seen with the naked eye from any distance at all). I found some good cheap replacements at Radio Shack but I don't know if the still sell them.

ttomom · #6 11-04-2009, 10:13 PM

treat it like a dainty flower, or else the foot switches may break off like they did on mine(both foot switches). My Sansamp has proven to be much more durable(and sounds better).

I will never buy another piece of equipment from Hartke after my experience with that pedal

wetzelman1 · #7 11-05-2009, 08:28 AM

from what I've read is that they remade the pedal. The knobs would break off and the switches would break so they redesigned it with more durable components. mine has worked flawlessly since I've got and I think I could throw it down a flight of stairs and it would be fine.

DaveF · #8 11-05-2009, 09:58 AM

+1 on the knob issue being fixed.

Mine are ROCK solid. In fact, I actually tried to pull them off a few days ago and couldn't! They've really over-fixed the problem!

I've been running the following:
Fender Jaguar Bass - > Hartke VXL - > effects loop of MarkBass LMII.

Sounds HUGE! Just be careful to set the "Harmonics" knob with extreme precision. It can go from Mild Crunch to Thunder Fuzz in a fraction of a turn.

bassist4dalord · #9 11-05-2009, 10:45 AM

Thanks dudes. I've been considering throwing some D'Addario Chromes on my Jazz V (for the third time around), and having this pedal is making me want to even more! With the Ernie Ball Slinlky on it right now, it's pretty aggressive and growly. Sounds awesome, and I think with Chromes I'll be able to achieve a Ben Kenney-type tone (passive jazz with flats and some grind, occasionally use a pick. I can't wait. This pedal is awesome. First gig with it tonight; I'll be sure to post how it goes. It's in a church, so I'll just be running straight into the pedal back to the board. I'm pretty excited!

bassist4dalord · #10 11-05-2009, 09:59 PM

Had the gig tonight. First time I've ever gotten unsolicited compliments on my tone! I couldn't hear myself that well, but this church is literally brand new, so they're still setting up PA. I was told it was a clear sound, with plenty of oomph coming from the twin subs. I'm very happy with this purchase!

Crystalman85 · #11 11-10-2009, 04:19 PM

I've recently ordered a hartke vxl bass attack preamp pedal from sam ash.com. I can hardly wait until it arrives.

bassist4dalord · #12 11-10-2009, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crystalman85

I've recently ordered a hartke vxl bass attack preamp pedal from sam ash.com. I can hardly wait until it arrives.

It takes some tinkering to get the tone I want out of it, but overall definitely worth it. Very helpful when playing direct, like I do.

Crystalman85 · #13 11-10-2009, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassist4dalord

It takes some tinkering to get the tone I want out of it, but overall definitely worth it. Very helpful when playing direct, like I do.

That's cool. I've been curious about this pedal for quite some time. I'll bet it sounds awesome. I've read some good things about this pedal.

Phaedrus · #14 11-11-2009, 03:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ttomom

treat it like a dainty flower, or else the foot switches may break off like they did on mine(both foot switches). My Sansamp has proven to be much more durable(and sounds better).

I will never buy another piece of equipment from Hartke after my experience with that pedal

Mine's been solid as a rock for 3 years - gigged out of a case for a while before I made a custom case for my FX.

IMO, this is a very very useful tool for bass. It can give light/medium grit to leave on all the time if your songs need that, or it can go full on dirty for solos/Muse stuff.

I've never noticed any noise from mine when bypassed or with both switches on.

I usually leave the shape on and depending on the song, I use a little grit all the time. Shape can really add punch to your tone.

A (rough) quote I read from a review of the Aphex Bass Xciter could be applied to the VXL's Shape function: when you switch it off, you feel like you're tone's completely dropped out - your bass seems lifeless.

It's a shame, as a member of basschat pointed out, that there's no level control specifically for the Harmonics function - when Mix & Harmonics are up high, the output level is boosted unusably higher than the un-effected level.

So given that I really like the mild grit and the full-on dirty tones from my VXL, I'll be getting another one to function as a distortion pedal on its own, while the other applies a little grit and applies the Shape function.

I've never used it in a recording studio - any studio I've been in has pre-amps that cost €1000+, so my VXL just wouldn'd compare, but for live, it really is a very useful tool. Wouldn't be without it.

Mark