Is it just me or......

ThunderV · #1 05-28-2010, 02:07 PM

Does it seem like everyone loves the VT Bass pedal by Sansamp? I have been hearing great things about this pedal, but I have two simple questions.

1. why can I not find them in any music store?

2. Why does it seem like everyone is always in a hurry to get rid of them?

On a side note, I am a huge fan of tech 21 gear. Would just like to try one out before I buy one.

Chowowbus · #2 05-28-2010, 02:10 PM

I have the same problem around here.
I just get weird looks when I ask.

Dan_T · #3 05-28-2010, 04:01 PM

I've had one for over a year at this point, and have to say that it has its pros and cons. It definitely has a great sound to it, but my major complaint is that if you use other effects with it it changes their tone a lot. It rolls off a lot of the highs which can make them less dramatic, and it stops any volume boost that might be desirable with a distortion.

megadan · #4 05-28-2010, 04:01 PM

I for one have no VT Bass GAS. I'm over that 'ampeg sound;' I had a sansamp and I was better off after I got rid of it. It was great for making cheap gear sound good, but once i upgraded to higher quality amps, basses, and cabs, it wasn't needed any more.

I like the way I sound now, and I prefer to use effects in creative and new sounding ways.

bassman1185 · #5 05-28-2010, 04:12 PM

I think that Tech21 doesn't have a lot of local dealers. I don't believe there are any dealers in central Iowa, where I live.

The pedal definitely sounds great if the grindy, furry cranked Ampeg tone is what you're going for, but it's not a miracle pedal. It can add a lot of noise if you push the gain hard, and it definitely colors your tone a LOT. Some people expect it to do things it was never meant to do, but those of us who want a way to cop 99% of the Ampeg tone for less than 10% of the cost and 1% of the weight sure do love them.

**Bryan R. Tyler** · #6 05-28-2010, 04:22 PM

^
The noise it added when utilizing the overdrive sounds wasn't great for me, so I sold it. As a Ampeg simulator alone, it was great- I just needed a good overdrive more.

paganjack · #7 05-28-2010, 04:28 PM

It's a great Ampeg simulator, and is good for recording. Once I finally got my own all-tube amp, I found no use for it. It just colors my tone too much. I think people just fall in and out of love with it fast which is why they are constantly up for sale (and sold quickly).

bassman1185 · #8 05-28-2010, 04:28 PM

Yeah, I think it is MUCH stronger as a preamp than as an overdrive. It gets way too ice-picky when you start cranking the gain.

Bassmike62 · #9 05-28-2010, 04:48 PM

Not a big VT fan either, but I do have a PBDDI which is always on and wouldn't play with. But then again, I don't own any Ampeg gear

**TheMutt** · #10 05-28-2010, 05:23 PM

I'd say that the amount of praise and the fact that there is a thriving used market would easily warrant a look into purchasing a used one. If you like it, you just saved money over getting a new one. If you hate it, you just flip it for the price you bought it for and someone else will buy it.

I'd say the same for any other pedal that you were interested in and that met the same criteria.

That being said, I like my VT Bass for that kill the highs and dull the mids deep thump bass vs. kick drum kind of thing, but it's all I use it for currently. It does it well, and I am loathe to find a smaller or higher quality pedal to replace it. The things that I would have changed on the pedal (I am currently considering getting it modded) are to get a speaker simulator bypass, and a blend control added.

JimmyM · #11 05-29-2010, 12:11 AM

vt: pedal of the future.

you have to like ampeg tones to like it. yes, the od can get noisy. but so can an svt turned up past distortion so hey. and it's not the most plug and play pedal ever made. it takes a little experimenting to get the best out of it. but the vintage ampeg tones are there. i still lug my svt and b-15, but i use it all the time as an overdrive, and as long as you don't go too heavy with it, it's a killer pedal.

BassInUrFace · #12 05-29-2010, 05:17 AM

im 15 and have a piece of crap behringer amp (i have a mm stingray though!) and as some one else said it makes crap gear sound ok! i actuly get a decent tone using this thing. thats all i can ask for. i dont use it as an overdrive and it does magnify any noise that your bass makes but it still does its job. and it does its job well!

**TheMutt** · #13 05-29-2010, 05:34 AM

Sounds like its time for an amp upgrade.

But it's cool to hear that you've got some really nice stuff at 15. I remember that I was playing on a cheap Fender Jazz bass copy that I picked up off eBay, and an amp that was given to me by a friend (a really old Peavey TKO) when I was around your age.

I didn't know that the VT would cover over bad equipment, but that's good to know just in case I ever need to use some backline equipment.