Tube driven OD for less than $200. Meet the DHA VT1 Std Bass!

syciprider · #1 08-11-2007, 04:12 PM

General info on the VT1 Std Bass here

http://www.davehallamps.co.uk/Produc...ndardBass.html

Toasted's thread about it here

Toasted reviews: DHA VT1 STD BASS

I bought the pedal on the strength of the clips on DHA's site.

First of all, it was a pleasant, worry free experience with Mr. Hall. He answered all my Qs and helped me navigate the US$ to GBP thing when I purchased the pedal. The 3-4 week lead time stated on his website is probably a very conservative , worst case estimate. I placed the order 7/28 and the pedal arrived via registered mail 8/9

I spent a total of $135 for the VT1 and the cost of shipping.

Onto the pedal

Pics

Knobs: Gain, Input Level, Output Level.

Toggles: Bright (adds a bit of treble), Boost.

9 to 12V DC. I am assuming that higher voltage will give you more clean volume before breakup. But that's not what we are here for are we?

Usage:
Gain works just like any other drive knob.
Input controls how much bass signal goes into the pedal. Useful if you have a battery of both active and passive basses. Since it regulates a signal, it can be pushed hard and hence it also works as another (distinct) distortion knob but with a little loss of touch response compared to using the gain knob.
Level controls the output.

The sound: No TS tones here. To me, it's my bass sound riding on a layer of satisfying, lightly compressed overdrive. It reminded me of my Sansamp but with a superior response to touch and playing dynamics. I tend to play with a light attack but with plenty of gain so when I dig in the VT1 rewards with beautiful break up. Additionally, I liked how it was so easy to dial in a sound. No tone/mid/treb/bass knobs to mess with. You get the sound of your bass and that's that.

The Bright switch changes the color of the sound slightly. I suspect that it will be of more use with a passive bass. Oh well, my Rickenbacker ain't here yet.

The Boost kicks up the volume but also introduces a loud hum. As per the manual, a not so well regulated power supply could be the culprit. No matter. I got the Fulltone Bass Drive in Comp Cut next to it if I need a boost.

The footswitch has a different "feel". It has less resistance and snap than Switchcraft. It provides TBP of course.

Soundclips:

The soundclip titles tell you the position (in clock format) of the gain and input knobs.

http://alvarfamily.com/vtclean

http://alvarfamily.com/vtgain12ip12.mp3

http://alvarfamily.com/vtgain3ip3

http://alvarfamily.com/vtgainmaxip12

http://alvarfamily.com/vtgain12ip3

IIRC, the tube err.. VALVE equipped distortion pedal closest to the VT1's price range is the Rocktron Silver Dragon @ $130.00. For only $5 more (US buyers) you can get a unique and boutique pedal with a smaller footprint.

Thank you Toasted (never thought I'd say that

) for making a thread about this and thank you Dave Hall.

Sir Edward V · #2 08-11-2007, 04:41 PM

No matter what, I can't seam to tell the differences between ODs. They all sound pretty much the same to me. Which is why I am perfectly content with my TS5

syciprider · #3 08-11-2007, 04:51 PM

Side by side with my TS clone (Fulltone BD) there is a HUGE difference between the FT and the DHA units. The TS seems to scramble the entire signal while the DHA seems to lurk beneath the bass. At least that's what I think when I am standing in front of my rig listening to it.

The mid hump of the TS is very distinct. OT, I think a TS clone is the best drive pedal to put in front of a wah.

Andy V. · #4 08-11-2007, 05:17 PM

Very Nice!
Amazing tone.
Thanks for the review.

DHA · #5 08-12-2007, 11:40 AM

Hi,

Thanks for the very kind review. You are welcome to join our supporters page on our web site so we can then link to your sites, etc. Any DHA owners are.

Donn Hall (no relation) is an old friend of mine and he is now the new DHA rep for the US and Canada. Petty soon he will be marketing, selling and even manufacturing the pedals in the US so that we can offer you guys a good deal.

Dave at DHA

vtwo · #6 08-12-2007, 11:46 AM

Gas.... oh the gas... I've never really wanted an English Muff'n but this is kindof intriguing to me.

kevin_lindsay · #7 08-12-2007, 12:35 PM

As I have said posts elsewhere on this forum - I have the Dual Bass valve overdive / distortion unit by Dave, and is it a simply wonderul piece of equipment.

Dave is fabulous to deal with - the pedals ae built to an exceptionally high standard, and as soon as you plug them in, the valve (that's how we in the UK refer to a "tube") sound is just deliciously warm and round - makes your instrument sound like it has been wrapped in a velvet sheen

If you're considering a valve distortion unit for your instrument, I have to say that in my opinion, these are probably the best sounding ones I have ever encountered - I can't recommend them highly enough!

syciprider · #8 08-12-2007, 01:13 PM

Hello Dave, that wasn't a kind review, that was simply the truth about your product

Vito: You can't go wrong at this price and since it is not a huge investment you will likely get most of your money back on a hard to come by pedal (on this side of the pond) if it doesn't work for you (most likely it will).

Kev: Yup I saw saw your post in Toasted's thread and your comments helped with the buying decision as well.

Anyhoo, 24 hours later, still loving it. This has truly replaced my beloved GT2 from my board. The one thing I wanted the Sansamp to have was more midrange without cutting the other bands. This pedal delivers the familiar tube amp breaking up Sansamp sound but with more presence. It could also do it at a lower volume once I set my gain structure right.

syciprider · #9 09-09-2007, 10:44 PM

Bumped for Johans.

ETA: The hum I was getting from activating the Boost disappeared when I used another power supply.

benmoore88 · #10 09-10-2007, 12:30 AM

cool man - i have been looking for some reviews of these pedals for a while.
so you prefer it to the bass drive?

syciprider · #11 09-10-2007, 01:13 AM

I like them both equally. There are times when only a Tubescreamer derivative will do and that's when the Fulltone gets used (for me, it would be a wah heavy tune). However, maybe 90% of the time I only use the DHA.

slapagroov · #12 09-10-2007, 08:28 AM

that's the coolest looking pedal i've seen - i love it! great sound too!

benmoore88 · #13 09-10-2007, 03:59 PM

are they all plain unfinished aluminium these days? the super flouro oranges etc did put my off a lil - it hurt my eyes... ;p

DHA · #14 09-10-2007, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benmoore88

are they all plain unfinished aluminium these days? the super flouro oranges etc did put my off a lil - it hurt my eyes... ;p

No, it just the lower costing std's that are not painted.

The design is the same inside so the tone is not "low cost" as well.

Dave

vicenzajay · #15 09-10-2007, 04:32 PM

DHA,

PM Sent...

Jay

diechris · #16 09-11-2007, 12:02 PM

that sounds great! ive got a hematoma now and im really interested in this one! price went up to 160$ too! i must start saving...

diechris · #17 11-25-2007, 10:41 AM

i just got my new DHA VT1 STD last week. Its been a long 2months... so far everything ive read in the reviews have been right on.

This pedal is just what ive been looking for in an OD! I keeps my bass tone while adding a some dirt.

IMO this pedal comes the CLOSEST to a real tube head... it's definitely not a tubescream tone. After using a Hematoma(and other ts clones) for so long i still miss that ts tone... but I think i'll be able to get over that soon. This pedal great pedal none the less. Ive had a EXH English Muff'n before and IMO was too "fizzy".

I'll try write a better review and add clips but its a busy holiday season and i'll see what i can do.

The only problem i have with it is that the volume seems to drop really fast once you turn any of the knobs lower then a 1/4 of the way? This could be because im only using a 9v power supply.

syciprider · #18 11-25-2007, 10:58 AM

I never noticed that. Hmmm...

Welp, I run my bass wide open most of the time because I like how the strong signal hits the VT1 and overdrives the IP pad to a sort of sputtering sound so maybe that's why I never experienced the rapid attenuation. I use an EB VP Jr at the end of my pedalboard to actually control my volume. It sounds real nice once my SVT starts breaking up and the two overdrives combine

diechris · #19 11-25-2007, 11:03 AM

ive only used it in the apartment so far.. HOPFULLY i'll be able to hit the practice space in the next week and hear this thing at stage volume. I'm liking it so far thats for sure

DHA · #20 11-26-2007, 02:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diechris

i just got my new DHA VT1 STD last week. Its been a long 2months... so far everything ive read in the reviews have been right on.

This pedal is just what ive been looking for in an OD! I keeps my bass tone while adding a some dirt.

IMO this pedal comes the CLOSEST to a real tube head... it's definitely not a tubescream tone. After using a Hematoma(and other ts clones) for so long i still miss that ts tone... but I think i'll be able to get over that soon. This pedal great pedal none the less. Ive had a EXH English Muff'n before and IMO was too "fizzy".

I'll try write a better review and add clips but its a busy holiday season and i'll see what i can do.

The only problem i have with it is that the volume seems to drop really fast once you turn any of the knobs lower then a 1/4 of the way? This could be because im only using a 9v power supply.

I think you will find a big improvement in volume and tone if you run it at 12VDC instead of 9VDC. I believe the volume drop off problem below 1/4 settings on the knobs will go away as well.

This power supply works well in the US - http://www.smarthome.com/8194.html

Dave