Sans amp clones?

Swift713 · #1 05-01-2013, 10:19 AM

So I'm just curious, has anyone heard of sansamp/tech21 clones other than Behringer? I mean, there are billions of tube screamers, muffs, ocds, etc. but I've never heard of sansamp clones/variants other than Behringer. Does Tech 21 have super bionic patents?

father of fires · #2 05-01-2013, 02:42 PM

I believe Joyo does some Sansamp clones. It's not that Sansamp has super duper patents (you can't patent most of this kind of stuff) but they are difficult to copy for decent prices without huge production capabilities.

thehangingmist · #3 05-01-2013, 02:44 PM

The zoom b3 has a sansamp emulation! I should stop plugging this unit though

dave_bass5 · #4 05-01-2013, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by varunkapahi

The zoom b3 has a sansamp emulation! I should stop plugging this unit though

And i believe it has a (limited) mid control as well.

Mine due tomorrow

Superdave · #5 05-01-2013, 11:57 PM

How has the Behringer clone fared for anyone? They go cheap on eBay all the time.

dave_bass5 · #6 05-02-2013, 12:41 AM

I had no issues using mine at over 100 gigs. The only reason I got the real thing after a while was because I preferred the form factor and robustness.

Veldar · #7 05-02-2013, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by varunkapahi

The zoom b3 has a sansamp emulation! I should stop plugging this unit though

I use the b3 to sim a sanamp into a ampeg amp, I get a great scooped tone.

Superdave · #8 05-02-2013, 12:52 AM

Yeah, the encasement does seem a bit flimsy. It's plastic isn't it? I'm interested in one only because I have the real deal, a BDDI Programmable, but it's too big for the board I have it on.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave_bass5

I had no issues using mine at over 100 gigs. The only reason I got the real thing after a while was because I preferred the form factor and robustness.

Liv3rman · #9 05-02-2013, 01:01 AM

From my experience all Behringer stuff sucks. Steer clear is my advice!

dave_bass5 · #10 05-02-2013, 01:05 AM

Yeah, cheap looking plastic. It has a metal base though and I wouldn't say it's too flimsy, the real thing looks a lot nicer though and seemed to fit in more with my other gear.

They do sound slightly different, at least in a quiet environment. I preferred the BDI21 at home and used to leave the BDDI with the band gear for gigs.

The BDI21 does sound a bit more digital, especially in the highs, but I like that. Gig wise I really couldn't tell the difference. I don't use the drive part much but again, its a bit more digital and Hifi sounding than the BDDI, but not by much.

honotron · #11 05-02-2013, 03:13 AM

what about this?

http://www.effectsdatabase.com/model/drj/sparrow

Truktek2 · #12 05-02-2013, 04:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by honotron

what about this?

http://www.effectsdatabase.com/model/drj/sparrow

For a few more bucks you can get a VT bass (or the same price used), and it would hold it's value better if you ever decided to sell it.

I picked up a behringer because I wanted to see if I liked it before I got a sansamp (and because it had the XLR) It's not bad for the price, and one of the sturdier Behringer pedals. Many are crap.

I'm probably gonna upgrade to the VT bass di when it releases.

honotron · #13 05-02-2013, 09:23 AM

The sparrow di is £60 new, the vt bass di is £229, you wont get one used below £200

Even the standard Vtbass (used) goes for double what the sparrow does new.

Theres a review here, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXjd58zYJ0g

CnB77 · #14 05-02-2013, 09:27 AM

Joyo makes a few that are not the same circuits but set out to do similar things. They don't really have any ones that would be particularly interesting for bass (no Ampeg, Hiwatt, or Orange)

Bassmike62 · #15 05-02-2013, 05:24 PM

Whatever the price of the unit you're eyeballing, SansAmps are worth saving for. Been playing mine for almost 5 years. Still can't see myself not playing it.

**twocargar** · #16 05-02-2013, 05:34 PM

I bought one of those Behringers and like it. Not too bad. You definitely get what you pay for though.

A couple weeks later I bought a Sans Amp RBI, and I love it! They're close, and I have a recording somewhere of them side by side so to speak. You can definitely hear the difference. The Sans Amp sounds cleaner I guess, more refined. I still have the Behringer as a backup, BTW. The Sans Amp is a permanent fixture in my rig.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superdave

How has the Behringer clone fared for anyone? They go cheap on eBay all the time.

insomniac2295 · #17 05-02-2013, 06:18 PM

Hartke VXL Bass Attack thinger

arginator · #18 05-02-2013, 07:43 PM

I gig regularly with my behringer BDI21 and have had no problems with it. I only use it for one song, so I don't stomp on it a lot. When I do, I just give it a tap. Go easy on the plastic and it works great! Sounds good too. I like the blend control. I also have the VT Bass on the same pedal board which I use more,but for a different tone.

TNCreature · #19 05-09-2013, 09:14 AM

I have the Behringer and a Sansamp BBDI.
NO comparison. The Behringer will give you an essence of the sound, but always leave you wanting more.
Now if you just want a cheap pedal to use as an effect, go for it.
Sometimes I will take the Behringer if I don't want to lug my pedal board, but I will soon be getting a smaller Tech 21 pedal for this purpose.

P.S. You won't find better customer service than Tech 21.
Behringer? forget about it. Throw it away.

honotron · #20 05-09-2013, 09:29 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SD0CN4rs8p8

Most of the comments think the BDI21 sounds better and i agree