Tiny VT Alternative?

[behndy]

hey y'all.

so, loved the VT for awhile. totally into the SansAmp stuff, and thought the VT Deluxe would be super delicious. it is, but it's more than i need in some ways and takes up way too much space. i've found that i don't love the overdriven tones, just the main base (see what i did there?) tone, and i don't use but one of the save spots, since i prefer to use the same bass all the time.

what are some recommendations for a replacement preamp with a nice overdrive section or a preamp + overdrive pedal that are both small? even with two pedals there's a chance it'll take up less real estate than the VT Deluxe.

i DO need a preamp with a DI though. i go DI to FOH a fair bit.

thanks!

[bongomania]

Well, there's always the VT with Putnam DI mod.

[newbold]

EBS Makes a pedal called the MicroBassII

Eden just released their preamp/DI that has a compressor on it...

...There are LOTS of options out there.

IMHO, compression is more crucial than drive going FOH because your speakers act as a compressor while a hot signal is often unprocessed and sounds harsh/brittle compared to tone from your speakers.

[behndy]

hur. what you say is interesting. in fact, YOU'RE very interesting. i already gave away my VT normal to a friend. and i kinda don't dig the OD tones that the VT/SansAmp stuff gives. but do like the clean tone.

kinda looking for something SansAmp'edy, but tiny. then a good, nice, tiny OD to complement it. going to check out an Xotic BB Bass Pre tomorrow for the OD.

[behndy]

Originally Posted by newbold

EBS Makes a pedal called the MicroBassII

Eden just released their preamp/DI that has a compressor on it...

...There are LOTS of options out there.

yur. i know there's LOTS of choices. so was wondering about good, clean DI pre's that people recommend.

thanks!

[behndy]

i guess IDEAL would be something like the Aggy Tone Hammer, but with a better gain section?

[cultrvultr]

Originally Posted by behndy

i guess IDEAL would be something like the Aggy Tone Hammer, but with a better gain section?

What about sfx?

I would focus on finding the pre you like without worrying about the DI. there are plenty of good inexpensive DIs available on eBay.

[behndy]

wassuppers mike!

yeah, the thing is i'm trying to downsize to get a pedal or two more room on my board. so i would love to find either a preamp that i like that has DI and a nice OD pedal to complement it, or a preamp DI that has a good OD in it.

i. want. EVERYThING.

[Mingus Addict]

This is probably just too obvious of a suggestion, and you've probably tried it already, but maybe the MXR M-80 would work. I've never used one so it's hard for me to recommend but it seems like it could possibly meet your needs.

[behndy]

lol. that's funny Mingus'e. i was just reading up as much as i could find on the M-80 and it seems to get very good reviews for the DI, the distortion seems pretty useable, and it is the right size.

gonna check one out tomorrow i think.

anybody here use one? in OD kinda trying to get the sorta grindy, not full on distorted.

[cultrvultr]

Originally Posted by behndy

anybody here use one? in OD kinda trying to get the sorta grindy, not full on distorted.

haha. Yeah I use one and it is overall just ok. The eq is pretty decent. The DI is fine. The distortion is grindy and trebly but has a gate and blend. Most people agree it ain't worth much, but you might be able to add a small amount of bite. I use the dist channel as a second volume preset.

I can bring it over tomorrow, let me know. i'd love to try out the oxide once more too. Bay area pedal geeks FTW!

[behndy]

lol. DESTROY PEDALS IN THE BAY!!!

pm'ing you.

[dirtgroove]

I love the BB Bass- It get's filthy dirty very quickly though. Have you looked into the catalinbread sft?- it get's plenty of love around these parts.

[behndy]

i had a SFT for a hinute. didn't like it that much. i think that i'm not really into the "Ampeg Tone" i guess. i've not used Ampeg's that much though, so i'm just going off the Ampeg sim pedals. LIS, i do dig the clean tone i get with the VTD, just not into the dirty side.

i'm gonna take a look at the BB when i make it out to Starving Musician's. hear the good things about that'un. do you just run it for angry full-on dirt or can you get a more subtle grindiness out of it? thanks!

[Devo-lution]

Originally Posted by behndy

hur. what you say is interesting. in fact, YOU'RE very interesting. i already gave away my VT normal to a friend. and i kinda don't dig the OD tones that the VT/SansAmp stuff gives. but do like the clean tone.

kinda looking for something SansAmp'edy, but tiny. then a good, nice, tiny OD to complement it. going to check out an Xotic BB Bass Pre tomorrow for the OD.

Tone hammer? Or a dedicated passive Di box like a Radial JDI + a Xotic BB Bass Pre?

btw, did I spot a sample that was used in the first Mr Bungle album?

[behndy]

meeeeeeeeeeebeeeeee. i DO love me some Bungle. saw Patton drink his own pee out of somebody else's shoe at a show of theirs. they threw it up on stage, the band stopped mid-song, did a nice impromptu build up/break down as Patton filled the show and lifted it by stages, then emptied it in his mouth. disgusting and impressive all at the same time. which.... is not a bad description of Bungle come to think of it.

there's a gent selling a Radial Bassbone (always wanted one of thems) in the classified's that pimp-daddy CltrVltr pointed me at that i just contacted. that is an AWESOME DI/EQ, so with that i'd just need to look for some appropriate dirt.

i've heard... not good things about the Tone Hammer OD section. you like it?

[behndy]

hurrrrrrrr. just looked up the dimensions of the BassBone and it's about the same size as the VT Deluxe. that... doesn't really help me. damn it. it's such a nice pedal too.

rrrrrrrr.

[Devo-lution]

Tone hammer overdrive is just fine IMO soundwise....

problem with it is this :

(clean) dum dum dum dum dum dum (foot on overdrive button) DUUUUM DUUUM DUUUUM

A volume peak that would put the Mount Everest to shame

And yeah, long live mr B.
Their first album just sucked me into this whole experimental thingy..

[behndy]

yeah, the volume jump thing would make in unusable for me. i DO lurv Aggy gear tho.

every Bungley album has been pure fire win. have you heard Secret Chiefs 3? kinda instrumental Bungle from a bunch of them. good stuff.

[Smallequestrian]

It seems to me a separate DI and OD of your choice is the way to go.