Just tried a VT pedal...

[Craig_S]

...and I don't get what all the stink is about. I used it with my own rig, so it isn't a matter of playing on different gear. Through my MB SA450/104HF it didn't do anything for me at all. My MXR Bass D.I. has better distortion and my SansAmp sounds better to me.

Somebody clue me in.

[Gearhead17]

If you prefer the Sansamp (Bass Driver DI I assume), you probably like a bit of 600hz mid scoop in your tone. If you like the MXR DI, well the distortion channel (from what I remember) has some of that mid scoop to it as well.

The VT Bass Pedal is a great device because it can emulate clean and subtle tube amp breakup. It also has excellent midrange response and a great overdrive tone to it if you want.

It sounds more like a tube amp over the BDDI - in my opinion at least.

Anyway, stick to what you have and be happy!

[TripleDouble]

It is a finicky pedal as the controls are very interactive and very sensitive, but there are some really good sounds in there, I promise. I had the same initial reaction, but have since dialed in a really great B15 and pretty cool dub tone from that little fellah.

[Modulator]

The sound isn't for everybody...I prefer it to the sound of my old SansAmp, but it took me a long time of messing with it to get a sound that worked for me. I almost sold it twice before I got to that point.

Even now, I only use it occasionally and it would never be an "always on" effect for me. I use it for a little extra dirt, then hit it with a Wren and Cuff Phat Phuk B for some distortion.

[Craig_S]

Originally Posted by Gearhead17

The VT Bass Pedal is a great device because it can emulate clean and subtle tube amp breakup.

But you have to keep spinning knobs to match the volume, so you don't tear someones head off or so you can be heard... Also, mid scoop aside, the distortion is more controllable on the MXR. I put them side by side and A/B'd while playing with the EQ on the VT.

EDIT: and the MXR Bass D.I.+ has a three band EQ, so mids aren't an issue at all.

[cataract]

I think it's a great little pedal. I've dialed in a slew of great sounds just by fiddling with the Character and Drive knobs. I should have written them all down.

[Lowbrow]

Mine is always on. Initially went through the recommended settings and quickly settled on a variation of the 'Fat Tube' 11:00 character, 10:30 drive, tone knobs at noon with a smidge of mid boost and high cut, level = unity with my bypassed signal. Don't use it for distortion, only a bit of edge - lately started mixing in some BB OD and I am happy as a bass-playing clam.

Much like barbecue sauce it makes any amp pretty darn tasty.

[JimmyM]

If every pedal was meant for everyone, there would be no need for different pedals.

[Craig_S]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

If every pedal was meant for everyone...

SO many jumped on the VT wagon, though. I thought, surely, I would like it. It was supposed to be magical and awe inspiring. It's just a different flavor of distortion. No more, no less.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by Craig_S

SO many jumped on the VT wagon, though. I thought, surely, I would like it. It was supposed to be magical and awe inspiring. It's just a different flavor of distortion. No more, no less.

Not really...it's a different flavor of distortion that mimics Ampeg tube amps, plus it does clean as well. But again, not everyone likes or wants that. However, it IS magical and awe inspiring to those of us who do like it.

[Craig_S]

It didn't remind me, one bit, of my old V4B.

[JimmyM]

OK, so what do you want from me, Craig?

[refbassist]

the fact that the pedal is capable of sweeping through this tone range is what makes it brilliant.

[Craig_S]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

OK, so what do you want from me, Craig?

I'm just sayin'...

[sparktone]

I just got one of these (the original version w/o the speaker sim defeat), and I have a question about the level knob. I look at the suggestions for different settings and see the level control all over the place like it's integral to the tone. Why is that? Practically speaking, is the level knob any more than just a volume control? Right now, I'm adjusting the sound through the tone, drive and character controls. My only adjustments to the level are to make the sound level from my amp the same whether the pedal is on or off. (I'm plugging VT Bass into the instrument input of my GK MB200)

[JimmyM]

I don't think the level does anything except set the level. I don't hear it changing tone. I never use those settings anyway. Those are one person's interpretation and don't necessarily reflect the tastes of the user. Plus I like keeping my volumes at the same level of when the pedal's bypassed so you don't get any surprises.

[sparktone]

Thanks. That's what I figured. Those diagrams of the level knob threw me off. I'm playing around with a lot of settings and loving it. My ears keep coming back to something very close to the "flip-top" settings for an all around, set-it-and-leave-it setting. There's a lot of other great tones, though. Changing settings on the fly is pretty tricky, as I've discovered, so I'm already seeing the value of the VT Bass Deluxe.

[alec]

I had an M80 for three days before I ordered the VT Deluxe and I'm much happier with it.
I think my problem with the M80 was that the colour circuit, while sounding great, wasn't as good as the preshape on my amp, so I didn't use it clean. But then when I kicked in the distortion, things got too muddy.
Also, I found the M80's distortion too one dimensional.

[Craig_S]

To each his own. Having said that: have you had your hearing checked recently? lol

I don't use it clean. I just use it as an effect. I don't use a "pre shape" either. Never needed to.

[Lowbrow]

Originally Posted by Craig_S

To each his own. Having said that: have you had your hearing checked recently? lol

I don't use it clean. I just use it as an effect. I don't use a "pre shape" either. Never needed to.

I can see why you'd be unhappy as personally I don't like the way it sounds at high 'drive' settings - but I've never been one for fuzzy sounding bass. I just use it (and I use it always) to get a great tube-amp tone, something it excels at IMO.