The Other Tech21 Character Pedals

andvari7 · #1 12-09-2008, 09:48 AM

I've read countless posts, all of which extol the wonders of the Tech21 Sansamp VT Bass. And while I don't doubt its greatness (because, to be honest, that's all I have to go on, until I decide to buy this pedal), it has me wondering about the other four pedals in the series. Because I've read all of two posts pertaining to the British, and because I have played enough Marshalls in my time to know what to expect, I won't object if others gloss over that. But, that Blonde, in particular, has me intrigued (and I usually prefer brunettes; I so set myself up for that awful joke, and I apologize). I know what Fender amps sound like - I've played through more of them than I have any other brand, save for possibly Peavey (which, coincidentally, is what I use right now) - but how does it handle a bass?

FenderP · #2 12-09-2008, 10:14 AM

I would assume if it is emulating the good ol' Bassman, it should work just fine with bass. Just because the Bassman became more famous as a guitar amp shouldn't affect you here. It's a stomp box.

stflbn · #3 12-09-2008, 10:20 AM

Very conflicting feelings on the Bassman's. Some say they were horrible bass amps and only good for guitar. Some say they're good bass amps.

I searched here a week or so ago and didn't really find anyone who'd used the pedal on bass.

**DosiYanarchy** · #4 12-09-2008, 05:24 PM

My Drummer's dad's got a 70s Bassman Ten, It sounds amazing on bass. Thick and fat, probably not that versatile, but it sounds really great to me.

As for the pedal, well i dont know, but if the Boss 59 Bassman pedal is anything to go by, it'll not be that great for bass, generally because the Bassman amps got a great/iconic reputation for being used by guitarists, so when they're modeled in pedals, its generally developed with the guitarist in mind, Hell, Tech 21 probably never even tried it with a bass

grovest · #5 12-09-2008, 05:57 PM

I'd love to try a bass through the other character pedals, simply out of curiosity.

cripula · #6 12-09-2008, 08:45 PM

I think Bassmans sound great - they just don't go that loud. I'm also curious how the Blonde pedal sounds with a bass through. Somebody please go try one!

tomhanzo · #7 12-09-2008, 09:05 PM

well i've tried the Boss Bassman pedal on bass and its nothing special. its really nothing more than just a boost for bass. the drive doesnt sound very good either. just gets a little dirty but cant get much out of it.

some may like it but i dont figure people would want to blow the cash on it.

FreaqyFrequency · #8 12-09-2008, 09:17 PM

I must confess, I've been interested in the Blonde for cleans/California for dirty.

TL5 · #9 12-10-2008, 08:28 AM

I don't know if it means anything or not, but the Tech 21 GT2 is a guitar pedal.
The GT2 sounds great with bass. I don't know if that is consistent with the other character pedals though.

kevin newsham · #10 12-10-2008, 09:39 AM

Tech 21 stuff is actually really good. Most of the equipment and pedals are full range, but the voicing and distortion models will determin how usable they are for bass. The bass equipment and PSA 1.1 have distortions voiced so that the bass notes don't lose presence in the sound mix when distortion is used. On the guitar pedals I don't know if the same is true. Personally there are enough voicings and distortion available with the bass specific stuff, I don't know why you would ever want to try guitar pedals.

Have you ever tried the tech 21 pedals/ sansamp preamps specificly designed for bass? This isn't boss or digitech, these are not just slightly modified guitar pedals that are just toys for bass. The sound is incredible.

Why bandaid your sound, buy the equipment that is built for bass.

bongomania · #11 12-10-2008, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevin newsham

Personally there are enough voicings and distortion available with the bass specific stuff, I don't know why you would ever want to try guitar pedals.

Because at the beginning of "effects pedals history" all bass effects were designed for guitar, and it took adventurous and curious bassists to discover that some of those effects were awesome on bass. Without trying guitar pedals, we would never have gotten the famous effects tones of Bootsy or Larry Graham or the session bassists who recorded the early fuzz bass tracks on soul and psychedelic records.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevin newsham

Have you ever tried the tech 21 pedals/ sansamp preamps specificly designed for bass?

Who cares? As above, why limit yourself with narrow thinking.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevin newsham

This isn't boss or digitech, these are not just slightly modified guitar pedals that are just toys for bass.

Have you got any idea how many professional and even platinum-selling artists use Boss pedals? Granted they are not all great, but your broad generalization shows quite a bit of ignorance. Even Digitech has had some pedals that are more than just "toys for bass".

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevin newsham

Why bandaid your sound, buy the equipment that is built for bass.

Why bandaid your mind, try equipment that is not built for bass and decide for yourself.

sonicvi · #12 12-10-2008, 10:07 AM

I bought the Blonde for guitar and tried it with my P-bass and V4B. I thought it sounded damn good, it had enough bass, but I ended up returning it and got the VT Bass instead.

ihateusernames · #13 12-10-2008, 10:25 AM

I'd love to test drive the California, I always enjoyed using the Mesa settings (with guitar and bass) on a GT2.

kevin newsham · #14 12-10-2008, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

Because at the beginning of "effects pedals history" all bass effects were designed for guitar, and it took adventurous and curious bassists to discover that some of those effects were awesome on bass. Without trying guitar pedals, we would never have gotten the famous effects tones of Bootsy or Larry Graham or the session bassists who recorded the early fuzz bass tracks on soul and psychedelic records.

Who cares? As above, why limit yourself with narrow thinking.

Have you got any idea how many professional and even platinum-selling artists use Boss pedals? Granted they are not all great, but your broad generalization shows quite a bit of ignorance. Even Digitech has had some pedals that are more than just "toys for bass".

Why bandaid your mind, try equipment that is not built for bass and decide for yourself.

Fine, you want history lessons, I am all for it. But I have used many effects in the past, and am rather jaded when it comes to guitar effects on bass. I have spent most of my 20yr carreer searching for sounds that would work for bass, and let bass frequencies through the distortion, or chorus mush. First thing many of those pedals will do is cut the lows out. If I wanted to play baritone guitar, I would.

Yes many musicians have recorded with those pedals, running through hundreds of thousands of dollars of equipment, processors, compressors, reverbs, and that little pedal mixed in a little on a parralell loop.

I don't want to slam any manufacturer, boss, digitech, line6, korg, or anyone else.
That being said, you still have to look at the Tech 21/sansamp products for bass from a little different perspective. Just the sounds , the connectivity, the top quality DI, the multiple signal paths. Just the PSA1.1 alone is ground breaking. I did say that tech 21 products are full range, like the PSA 1.1. I said I thought the guitar based pedals were full range as well. The above mentioned manufacturers guitar pedals are for the most part not full range, tailored for guitar. The bass pedals are for bass freq., but IMO do not maintain the fidelity of the bass sound. The pedal takes over, and the bass is just another effected instrument, with no sonic or charactor difference from the last 20-30 instruments that were plugged into it.

That is my opinion, be it humble or not. You don't agree, that is your opinion and right.
You consider my opinion ignorant, fine. Been called alot worse by alot better people.
But this is a site for opinions and information, both. I would advise you to skip over my other postings about fretless vs fretted, or anything else, if you choose to be so easilly offended or hurt by this posting. I have opinions, and will freely express them.

bongomania · #15 12-10-2008, 01:29 PM

Whose feelings were hurt here, mine or yours?

kevin newsham · #16 12-10-2008, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

Whose feelings were hurt here, mine or yours?

Who's feelings were hurt, sounded like yours, but I could be mistaken. If I am, you have my apologies. The word ignorant appeared to be a bit of a reflexive slap, defensive. As was stated before in another thread/topic; the typed and or written word cannot effectively convey the nuances of the spoken word.

Unless of course your last name is Twain.

Mine is not.

stflbn · #17 12-10-2008, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevin newsham

Fine, you want history lessons, I am all for it. But I have used many effects in the past, and am rather jaded when it comes to guitar effects on bass. I have spent most of my 20yr carreer searching for sounds that would work for bass, and let bass frequencies through the distortion, or chorus mush. First thing many of those pedals will do is cut the lows out. If I wanted to play baritone guitar, I would.

Yes many musicians have recorded with those pedals, running through hundreds of thousands of dollars of equipment, processors, compressors, reverbs, and that little pedal mixed in a little on a parralell loop.

I don't want to slam any manufacturer, boss, digitech, line6, korg, or anyone else.
That being said, you still have to look at the Tech 21/sansamp products for bass from a little different perspective. Just the sounds , the connectivity, the top quality DI, the multiple signal paths. Just the PSA1.1 alone is ground breaking. I did say that tech 21 products are full range, like the PSA 1.1. I said I thought the guitar based pedals were full range as well. The above mentioned manufacturers guitar pedals are for the most part not full range, tailored for guitar. The bass pedals are for bass freq., but IMO do not maintain the fidelity of the bass sound. The pedal takes over, and the bass is just another effected instrument, with no sonic or charactor difference from the last 20-30 instruments that were plugged into it.

That is my opinion, be it humble or not. You don't agree, that is your opinion and right.
You consider my opinion ignorant, fine. Been called alot worse by alot better people.
But this is a site for opinions and information, both. I would advise you to skip over my other postings about fretless vs fretted, or anything else, if you choose to be so easilly offended or hurt by this posting. I have opinions, and will freely express them.

Sounds like you're an engineer for Tech21 IMHO. Your whole reply above is reflexive... they're just opinions... chill out dude.

kevin newsham · #18 12-10-2008, 03:51 PM

Just been around this music business over 20 years, thumping and banging on this piece of wood,(now carbon graphite.) Seen alot of Good equipment on the shelves, seen even more garbage.

Not smart enough to be an engineer for Tech 21, just love the gear. I know what works for me, and I'm just giving it the respect it deserves.

If I got anymore chilled out, I would have frostbite. Nothing defensive about me, I feel threatened by no person here.

You imagine me screaming, or upset.

I am not.

You decide to write and tell me to chill, as if that is your place.

It is not.

Anything else I can help you with?