Hartke VXL Pedal.

[snailplow]

I did a thread search here on this piece, but the newest thread/info was a couple of years old.

I've heard that Larry Hartke ordered more attention to detail, and higher QC standards in the building of these a little while back, so I'm hoping that some of you guys/gals might have bought one recently, and can tell me how they hold up to gigging.

Also, please post all of your other variables in your signal chain so I can get an idea of how it will effect mine if I were to buy it.

Example: I use Fender nickel round wound bass strings--> '80's Ibanez Roadstar II bass; passive w/ DiMarzio Ultra Jazz pups--> older model Hartke 3500 (Mosfet) w/ chinese Groove Tube--> Ampeg Pro Series 2x12 cab w/ the crossover/horn bypassed--> GK 1x15 cab w/ Eminence Delta 15.

I'm thinking about buying one so I can use it as an active preamp for the Essex 5'er I'm getting ready to order. (Will install Ultra Jazz 5 pups on it.)
Of course I'll use it for more than that, but I'm thinking it may bring out the B on the 5 string better, considering that the bass is ganna be passive, and only a 34" scale.

"Wut chy'all think about it?"





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[John Bigboote]

I have one, and think it's surprisingly awesome considering its bargain-basement price (oh, dat Chinese manufacturing...). Tonewise, you can get everything useful that a SansAmp can provide, and less (it's easy to get into obnoxious tone territory with a SansAmp, not so much with the VXL). The only gripe I'd heard was about the knobs they used on the first generation. They've been replaced with ones that are easy to see and don't lose their caps.

I still have mine, but am not using it in my current rig, because it can't drive a power amp without a booster (e.g. MXR micro-amp, which works great). Replaced with a SansAmp (!) Deluxe, because that replaces the VXL, the switch box and the micro-amp with one programmable box.

HTH,

-jb

[diechris]

i really like that pedal... I didnt really like the lack of master volume control though. It had a nice full sound when recording and using as a DI