SansAmp vs. SansAmp vs. SansAmp.....

mebusdriver · #1 05-09-2011, 08:13 PM

So I just picked up an Ampeg PF500 and I'm looking to add a little character here and there for some stuff my groups are playing. I can't seem to settle on what SansAmp I should go for.... or even if the SansAmp will be the right addition to the sound. So here's the question..

In one group I play "classic rock" and dance tunes. Everything from Chicago to stuff like KC and the Sunshine Band and Earth Wind and Fire. In the other group we play a lot of old school blues, r&b, and rootsy rock stuff. We cover Muddy Waters, Susan Tedeschi, MoFro, some Ray Charles, Sean Costello and the like.

The PF500 has a dedicated effects loop with a blend feature. For some of the songs I need some more warmth and a little bit of break up to fill some space.

I can't decide between the Tube Emulator, Programmable DI, and the VT Deluxe. I like the option of having a couple different programmable sounds and the convenience of the pedal form. Other than that I don't really know much about either product.

I used to own a standard SansAmp but never really used it unless I was playing some aggressive rock. I'm looking for opinions based on flexibility and the usefulness of each pedals features. Or an opinion on something else that I should try.

I know it's a long winded wide open question...... haha..... Sorry. Any help is appreciated. Thanks

Phantasm · #2 05-09-2011, 08:47 PM

Seems like the VTBass would fit more in line with the music you're looking to play, if you're going to go Tech21. The Sansamp is more of an aggressive modern-rock type thing, where the VTBass is an older school sound that still has some drive and character.

blastjv · #3 05-10-2011, 04:31 AM

The programmable VT Deluxe might be worth a look for you...

-JV

blastjv · #4 05-10-2011, 04:38 AM

Oh, and I LOVE Thrice. The Artist in the Ambulance gives me goosebumps every time!!!

Slackerprince · #5 05-10-2011, 09:59 AM

I'm really interested in the PF-500 and was really
hoping that I wouldn't NEED a pedal to give it any character!
What is it that you find missing from the PF-500?
I"ve used a VT Bass to create Ampeg tones in several amps
and I'm hoping the 500 will sound good, on it's own, without it.

S

mebusdriver · #6 05-10-2011, 03:24 PM

Oh yeah let me be clear on this. The PF500 is freaking amazing. The wattage, tone, package, features, and convenience that you get is really really hard to beat for the money. I've been looking for an amp just like it for about two years. I waited out the "micro" and "go light" cab phase to see what other options would come out that weren't so extreme.

Thus I ended up with the PF500. Only problem is, and it's really not even a problem, I play in four groups. A military concert band, a military jazz band, a military "classic" rock band, and a personal project that centers around rootsey music and blues/ r&b. The tone that I get from the PF500 suits all of these settings to the T. It is extremely versatile and doesnt require a massive amount of adjusting to get the sound you're looking for. But every once in a while I need a driven sound. If you've never heard a band called Mofro check them out. This kind of super vintage, ripped speaker, slightly driven tone is what I need help with.

To mimic some of the covers we do I have to have a little bit of drive to "set the mood"..... It's not really a problem and the PF500 doesn't really need any help. I'm looking into these pedals more for an effect than to help the sound of the amp. You won't hear me say anything bad about the PF500. I'm extremely happy with it. EXTREMELY. And I really haven't even had time to run it through the gauntlet. I usually go the other direction with amps. Not satisfied with it, then I play it in a ton of different settings and I find one or two things that it does well.

I rehearsed with the concert band, jazz band, and classic rock band on Sunday, two days after I bought it. I looked like this the whole time

So yeah.... long story short.... I'm looking at these as an effect, not something to improve the amps tone. Hope that helps.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slackerprince

I'm really interested in the PF-500 and was really
hoping that I wouldn't NEED a pedal to give it any character!
What is it that you find missing from the PF-500?
I"ve used a VT Bass to create Ampeg tones in several amps
and I'm hoping the 500 will sound good, on it's own, without it.

S

PunkRocker33133 · #7 05-10-2011, 05:55 PM

I really want one of those PF-500's with 2 of the 15s... Also, I'd definitely go with the VT

Jake of Bass · #8 05-14-2011, 03:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mebusdriver

Oh yeah let me be clear on this. The PF500 is freaking amazing. The wattage, tone, package, features, and convenience that you get is really really hard to beat for the money. I've been looking for an amp just like it for about two years. I waited out the "micro" and "go light" cab phase to see what other options would come out that weren't so extreme.

Thus I ended up with the PF500. Only problem is, and it's really not even a problem, I play in four groups. A military concert band, a military jazz band, a military "classic" rock band, and a personal project that centers around rootsey music and blues/ r&b. The tone that I get from the PF500 suits all of these settings to the T. It is extremely versatile and doesnt require a massive amount of adjusting to get the sound you're looking for. But every once in a while I need a driven sound. If you've never heard a band called Mofro check them out. This kind of super vintage, ripped speaker, slightly driven tone is what I need help with.

To mimic some of the covers we do I have to have a little bit of drive to "set the mood"..... It's not really a problem and the PF500 doesn't really need any help. I'm looking into these pedals more for an effect than to help the sound of the amp. You won't hear me say anything bad about the PF500. I'm extremely happy with it. EXTREMELY. And I really haven't even had time to run it through the gauntlet. I usually go the other direction with amps. Not satisfied with it, then I play it in a ton of different settings and I find one or two things that it does well.

I rehearsed with the concert band, jazz band, and classic rock band on Sunday, two days after I bought it. I looked like this the whole time

So yeah.... long story short.... I'm looking at these as an effect, not something to improve the amps tone. Hope that helps.

VT Deluxe is probably the ticket. It's a bit more versatile in terms of tone, you can dial in/out the mids and you can store up to 6 pre-programmed settings, whereas the BDDI programmable only has 3, with scooped mids and no mid control.

VT Deluxe also has an effects loop if you're so inclined (I use mine).

Personally, for my sound and the way I play, I could not gig without it. After my bass it is the tonal centre of my sound.

stevemac · #9 05-19-2011, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slackerprince

I'm really interested in the PF-500 and was really
hoping that I wouldn't NEED a pedal to give it any character!
What is it that you find missing from the PF-500?
I"ve used a VT Bass to create Ampeg tones in several amps
and I'm hoping the 500 will sound good, on it's own, without it.

S

I find if anything my sansamp bddi takes AWAY from my tone when playing on a pf350. And I'm not saying the sansamp is bad, its just the pf350 (no doubt same for pf500) is just THAT good. It has such a warmth and pure character that a pedal cannot mimic fully.

I basically tossed my sansamp once I got it, but I can see the OP wanting a VT for specific character.