Darkglass B3K vs VMT for direct use & stacking

[blujosh]

can anyone that's used both comment on the Darkglass B3K vs the Darkglass Vintage Microtubes for direct to PA / full range speaker use (without any other pedals after them)? i would be using these pedals with a DI between their output and the board / speaker.
also interested in how well each of these accept OD or fuzz pedals stacked before them. does one work better than the other in that regard?

i know that the DG deluxe and ultra pedals were designed more for this, but i'm specifically looking for experience/feedback on the two smaller pedals mentioned above.

 

[Deadsound]

Both are excellent stacked with other dirt, and tend to excel when used last. I think the b*k series do a little better job at this, but it depends on your preferences and set up etc. Both have a low pass filter built in which helps them be so good in this role - they sound excellent going direct. Just comes down to which sound you prefer

 

[Nephilymbass]

I don't think you're going to find a ton of people that use both flavors. People like me who are all about the b7k aren't likely to be as die hard about the vintage and same goes the other way around. They are two different sounds. That said i run a b7k ultra and only run it direct when I'm practicing with just my pedalboard at home. With my rig when playing with the band I much prefer stacking the b7k ultra with my sans amp RBI. Sans amp last. The eq on the b7k is worth the additional money IMO. Another nice thing about the ultra is you can have the eq on all the time and bring the dirt in and out separately. So it's like having the b3k and a great EQ pedal in one.

 

[Pickebass]

I have both. B3 & B7 as well as VMT & deluxe. Have come to the conclusion that the more versatile drive is the B7k. I have them both on the board and tend to use the B7 as a distortion. The VMT as overdrive in front of the B*k. All of the darkglass pedals mix well with others. I really think the eq on the B7k can make a huge difference in shaping your tone

 

[Cuzzie]

+1 for the above. I run a VMT in front of a B7K, but only sometimes. Currently i have The VMT i have for a modern/retro tube drive sound. The B7K i currently have with a lot of bass rolled off and more accentuation of high mods and trebles, i then add bass in with a mantic beef bag and or Hartke VXL for a deep sound with top end distortion.

I have run the VMT into b7k with more bass dialled in and it produces a wonderful sound also if you want some real grit on tube of a tube sound. You can also get some relatively clean boost with it.

They pair well together and you will have fun dialling sounds

 

[FaithNoMan]

My favorite tone was running them together. I was hoping Doug would make a pre that combines the two. But I'm also waiting to see what his next overdrive has to offer.

 

[Ethan117]

I did a few shows with my b3k this past spring - the sound personnel usually commented about my tone being easy to work with.

Still happens, but the b3k has become an ultra...so yeah, the b#k circuits are great for end-of-chain and running direct.