SansAmp VT vs BDDI

Venom of God · #1 03-13-2011, 03:47 AM

So, I currently run a Programmable BDDI as the main tone shaping pedal on my board, but after reading so many positive things about the VT bass I'm thinking of just biting the bullet and ordering myself one.. if I do this, do you think I'll be really happy with my purchase or is it really not that much of an improvement over the BDDI?

I don't think I'd really miss the extra channels too much to be honest, I mean I use them but I don't rely on them. Same with the DI, I have a Behringer (sp?) one which is probably no where near as good as the one in the BDDI but it would do the job and I could always get a better one down the line.

Or would it not be a bad idea to have both?

Your thoughts?
Thanks!

smo · #2 03-13-2011, 04:48 AM

The VT and the BDDI aren't that different.

I've had the BDDI, PBDDI and the VT.
They can all cover the same sonic territory - or very close to;
The VT does seem to have better low mids, but only slightly IME.
So really, the only reason to buy the VT is because you want a MIDS knob, instead of fiddling with the bass, presence and treble knobs to get mids on the PBDDI.
But the VT has NO BLEND.

If you're happy with the PBDDI, keep it.

Venom of God · #3 03-13-2011, 05:09 AM

Having no blend knob is a bit of a turn-off for me, as I love that one. I was under the impression that the VT would give me a grittier, more over-driven tube like sound than the BDDI. Might not be worth it then.

Other opinions are still welcome of course though, thanks!

Medford Bassman · #4 03-13-2011, 11:13 AM

The VT I think has a little more tubey sound to it. IMO. I own both and frankly their both useful tools.

Venom of God · #5 03-13-2011, 06:02 PM

Well it's the more tubey sound that I'm after! Maybe if a cheap one pops up on eBay I'll grab it then.

G.Bisson · #6 03-14-2011, 01:37 PM

here's a link to a recent useful thread comparing the two:

Sansamp VT Bass Deluxe vs. Bass Driver Deluxe

tech21nyc · #7 03-22-2011, 11:09 AM

While there is some tonal crossover between our Bass Driver DI and VT Bass they are pretty different pedals. The VT Bass has more gain on tap for one. Since you already have the Bass Driver I would recommend buying the VT Bass from one of our many retailers with a liberal return policy and just decide for yourself. You can read threads and listen to clips but until you actually play one with "your" bass and in your environment you really will never know.

Zoa · #8 03-22-2011, 11:16 AM

I love it when manufacturers give good, solid advice without shamelessly plugging. Good on ya tech21nyc.

Duke21 · #9 03-22-2011, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tech21nyc

While there is some tonal crossover between our Bass Driver DI and VT Bass they are pretty different pedals. The VT Bass has more gain on tap for one. Since you already have the Bass Driver I would recommend buying the VT Bass from one of our many retailers with a liberal return policy and just decide for yourself. You can read threads and listen to clips but until you actually play one with "your" bass and in your environment you really will never know.

I've the PBDDI, which is great. As the VT and the BDDI are too close in tone, I went for the Oxford pedal and in order to obtain more variation!

VanillaThundah · #10 03-22-2011, 11:45 AM

I'm not sure how related the RPM and the VT deluxe are, but the VT seemed to have a more aggressive tone with more bite when you pushed it, whereas the RPM seemed to fuzz out more. One thing I noticed about the VT bass is that given enough time and patience, it seems to work well with the preamp section of your existing bass head. I have a Carvin BX500 and it seems like either tone (the head on its own, or the VT bass in the effects return) seem to have something lacking. With some tweaking, I have them working together beautifully. A tone that even my DRUMMER notices and goes "Wow, that's niiiice!". The RPM wasn't bad in the least, but the VT seems to have more character (pun not intended concerning the "character" knob lol)

JSK5String · #11 03-22-2011, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tech21nyc

While there is some tonal crossover between our Bass Driver DI and VT Bass they are pretty different pedals. The VT Bass has more gain on tap for one. Since you already have the Bass Driver I would recommend buying the VT Bass from one of our many retailers with a liberal return policy and just decide for yourself. You can read threads and listen to clips but until you actually play one with "your" bass and in your environment you really will never know.

+1 on this advice. I have a little experience with the BDDI, but I own a VT Deluxe. To borrow a phrase, you can have my VT when you pry it from my cold, dead, hands. But, you need to try it on your rig with your ears.