Demeter Club

[Bassboy 43]

Thanks great info and insight. Yeah I play clean through my SVT. I don't overdrive it.
I had a Mesa 400+ all tube 20 yrs ago and really didn't like it. Just too steely and constant sizzle and no warmth.
I talked to James Demeter yesterday (what a nice guy he called me and we talked for a while) and he's got a handful of boards left to make the VDBP-M-800D and offered to build one for me...hard to resist! Just pricey compared to all the others I'm looking at but handmade for me probably worth it.

Then talked to Gregg Van Gelder who has been selling Class D stuff out of his store for decades and just got back from NAMM and was going nuts about the quality of everything out there now from amps to cabs.
Mostly talking about GR cabs, Epifani, Genzler, Trickfish...

I guess it's good for quality and prices that all these guys are competing and making great stuff just makes choosing way more difficult than 10-20 years ago.

 

[Bassboy 43]

Can somebody here please send me links to or a recording that encaptures the Demeter sound?
Hi quality audio if possible. There youtube stuff but I can't imagine thats a good sample.
Everybody here talks about it but I need to hear it.

 

[CTC564]

Hi all...currently playing through a Shuttlemax 9.2 and plenty happy with it but a friend owns a Noble preamp that he runs before his Epifani and it sounds DIVINE!!!! So I started to look into Noble preamps and it led me to the Demeter VTPB-M-800D which is looking mighty interesting...

Is it fair to compare the Noble/class D amp with this Demeter model or are they two totally different animals?

please forgive my ignorance and thank you in advance

 

[murphy]

What does the "S" stand for in the VTBP-201S stand for?

Pretty sure "S" stands for single rack space...where my VTBP201 is 1.5 rack spaces

 

[ahc]

Hi all...currently playing through a Shuttlemax 9.2 and plenty happy with it but a friend owns a Noble preamp that he runs before his Epifani and it sounds DIVINE!!!! So I started to look into Noble preamps and it led me to the Demeter VTPB-M-800D which is looking mighty interesting...

Is it fair to compare the Noble/class D amp with this Demeter model or are they two totally different animals?

please forgive my ignorance and thank you in advance

I'd say they're more similar than not. They're both Fender-ish tone stacks, clean and tubey. The Demeter is brighter and capable of being more articulate and offers more tone shaping possibilities. The Noble, to me, can be fatter. Both the VTBP-M-800D with the Jensen transformer and the Noble are great DI's. Full disclosure, I've got both.

 

[bucephylus]

Hi all...currently playing through a Shuttlemax 9.2 and plenty happy with it but a friend owns a Noble preamp that he runs before his Epifani and it sounds DIVINE!!!! So I started to look into Noble preamps and it led me to the Demeter VTPB-M-800D which is looking mighty interesting...

Is it fair to compare the Noble/class D amp with this Demeter model or are they two totally different animals?

please forgive my ignorance and thank you in advance

First, they are different amps; so, obviously there will be some who will prefer one over the other.

That said, the VTBP-M-800D is a great amp, particularly with the Jensen output option. It is basically the original VTBP-201 tube preamp with an 800W Class D power section. Great amp; the main knocks against it are that it is clean (which is also true of the Noble), and it doesn’t have a wide array of tonal manipulation. What’s there is fantastic; but, not an amp for players that want all kinds of crazy tones.

Since it sounds like the DI is a major factor for you, there is also the Bass400; and that amp with the Jensen option is particularly great as a DI. It only has a single preamp tube; so, it’s not quite as smooth as the VYBP-201 circuit. But, it’s darn close. it has a really small footprint. I use one of those for Ampless gigs, where I want a great feed to the board. It does have a 400W power section on board and is no slouch as a self standing amp.

ALSO. James is now making a preamp/DI ONLY version of the Bass400 for players that don’t need the onboard power section. Choices, Choices.

The Noble is also a great preamp/DI. But, you would need to get a power amp, if you wanted to use it for amplification. I’ve been most impressed with it’s recorded tone. For live work, I’m pretty sure either would be in the ballpark. GL

 

[pfschim]

I owned/gigged a VTBP-M-800D for a few years, and I currently run a Noble DI into a Mesa WD800. So, some experience.

I liked the Demeter fine, but I did find it's eq section to be very polite, with a native tendency towards tight and bright. I also found that the eq controls were pretty subtle .. i.e. twisting the knobs did not change things very much. For me, the Demeter worked well enough, and it's serious clarity forced me into using better technique (not a bad thing). FWIW, even though the Demeter sports 2 tubes (pre and driver) I never heard it as an overtly tube amp ... very tight/controlled. But everyone has a different idea of what a tube amp should sound like.

By comparison, the Noble DI has lots of character right off the bat compared IMO/IME. With the Noble eq controls set full down, there is some resemblance to the Demeter, but just. Turning the Bass and Treble controls up, even just a bit, results in pretty meaningful/noticeable tone shaping, and if you push the controls significantly there are very significant tone changes. The built in HPF (90hz I think), also works well to control the deepest low end of the Noble. I think you have to wrap your head around the built in scoop of the Noble with its eq controls set at equal levels, but its easy enough to set the Bass and Treble controls apart to diminish the scoop.

In the end, I sold the Demeter and have not missed it. The Noble goes out on every gig.

can hardly go wrong with either. both are well designed and manufactured devices with great people behind them. Jim Demeter and Jack Roan are both quality guys.

good luck

 

[JFLbass]

@Bassboy 43 : I did some tracks for fun today comparing some DI... there's a link :

For the test, I use my Precision 69 with Labella 760FS flats. I used a REDDI, a Demeter VTBP-201 Pre EQ and with my favorite EQ, a Telefunken TDP DI, and my old Radial JDI. Nothing on the track, I just match the gain, bounce from Logic.

I'll add more stuffs later!

Have fun listening

 

[bucephylus]

@Bassboy 43 : I did some tracks for fun today comparing some DI... there's a link :

For the test, I use my Precision 69 with Labella 760FS flats. I used a REDDI, a Demeter VTBP-201 Pre EQ and with my favorite EQ, a Telefunken TDP DI, and my old Radial JDI. Nothing on the track, I just match the gain, bounce from Logic.

I'll add more stuffs later!

Have fun listening

Nice!

 

[murphy]

@Bassboy 43 : I did some tracks for fun today comparing some DI... there's a link :

For the test, I use my Precision 69 with Labella 760FS flats. I used a REDDI, a Demeter VTBP-201 Pre EQ and with my favorite EQ, a Telefunken TDP DI, and my old Radial JDI. Nothing on the track, I just match the gain, bounce from Logic.

I'll add more stuffs later!

Have fun listening

Fantastic...sound...wicked groove...awesome playing!

 

[Stugilliam]

Hello Gentleman, just a short note to let you all know that the Marvelous candy apple blue Bass 600 is now in my possession on the East Coast. It is a incredible amp and it shares it's job with my Bass 400D and the Demeter 3x10 speaker cab. I just wanted to let my TB family know that it is safe, well cared for and really being enjoyed!

 

[Stewart13]

Hello Gentleman, just a short note to let you all know that the Marvelous candy apple blue Bass 600 is now in my possession on the East Coast. It is a incredible amp and it shares it's job with my Bass 400D and the Demeter 3x10 speaker cab. I just wanted to let my TB family know that it is safe, well cared for and really being enjoyed!

Gosh, I sure was creaming my pants over that amp. That Candy Apple Blue is insanely gorgeous. Glad it went to a fellow Demeter fan and someone who can appreciate its beauty! Post some pics if you can

 

[Stugilliam]

Gosh, I sure was creaming my pants over that amp. That Candy Apple Blue is insanely gorgeous. Glad it went to a fellow Demeter fan and someone who can appreciate its beauty! Post some pics if you ca

n

Thanks, I have read some great things about the 600's and when I saw it I didn't let myself procrastinate, like I always do, I just bought it, and am very happy with it!

 

[pfschim]

yeah, I was looking at that amp (and any other Bass 600 out there) myself. While I'm perfectly happy with the Class D amps I have owned recently (including the VTBP-M-800D) I still have a soft spot for hybrids with tube pre's and mosfet power amps ... particularly if there is a tube section driving the mosfets (a la the Mesa Walkabout as well as the VTBP-M-800D).

Alas, it was not to be, I was distracted by gigs and an irrational longing for another Roscoe Beck IV (which I did at least make a deal for), and so I missed my opportunity on the Bass 600.

enjoy the new amp herr Stugilliam !

 

[Stugilliam]

yeah, I was looking at that amp (and any other Bass 600 out there) myself. While I'm perfectly happy with the Class D amps I have owned recently (including the VTBP-M-800D) I still have a soft spot for hybrids with tube pre's and mosfet power amps ... particularly if there is a tube section driving the mosfets (a la the Mesa Walkabout as well as the VTBP-M-800D).

Alas, it was not to be, I was distracted by gigs and an irrational longing for another Roscoe Beck IV (which I did at least make a deal for), and so I missed my opportunity on the Bass 600.

enjoy the new amp herr Stugilliam !

Why Thank You sir, I am really enjoying her, she may be larger and heavier than the new digital amps,but I believe that you are right about that particular hybridization. But, congratulations on the new Roscoe Beck!

 

[pfschim]

Why Thank You sir, I am really enjoying her, she may be larger and heavier than the new digital amps,but I believe that you are right about that particular hybridization. But, congratulations on the new Roscoe Beck!

thanks, but I'm being kept from the new RB IV due to the shelter-in-place orders here in CA. I even posted about it here (humorously I hope ...)
Coronavirus is keeping me from my new (to me) bass

I may decide to take a ride up to the sellers neighborhood (30min drive) and "get some gas" ... maybe me and the seller can just happen to run into each other, and maybe I just happen to have some cash on me, and he just happens to have a bass in the car ... maybe even an RB IV ... yeah, yeah, that's the ticket

good news is that I already have one (RB IV), so it's all good (as the kids say)

 

[Sayclean]

Awesome! Great idea! I’ve been using primarily Demeter gear for my bass amplification needs since 2000, starting with a VTBP-201s preamp.

Since 2015 I have also owned a HB-600 head, Bass 400 head, and VTBP-201s-800D head all leading up to my current VTBP-M-800D head, which is my primary gigging amp now.

View attachment 3006396 View attachment 3006397 View attachment 3006371

How do you like the VTBP-M-800D “live”? I just ordered one and should be ready this week. I’ve been an Aguilar guy for many years with the ToneHammer 500 and AG700. I’m looking for more of a tube sounding amp for P Bass with Flats. And also a Clear tone for Jazz Bass with rounds. I added the Jenson transformer D. I. Out. Thx, Duane

 

[bucephylus]

How do you like the VTBP-M-800D “live”? I just ordered one and should be ready this week. I’ve been an Aguilar guy for many years with the ToneHammer 500 and AG700. I’m looking for more of a tube sounding amp for P Bass with Flats. And also a Clear tone for Jazz Bass with rounds. I added the Jenson transformer D. I. Out. Thx, Duane

Well...you’re getting a GREAT amp.

BUT

Demeter amps are nearly the other side of the tone universe from Aguilar, which tend to be very mid voiced; and Demeter amps are probably NOT what many consider “Tubey.” They generally do not have that furry distortion thing going. They WILL clearly translate the sound of your bass with great 3D sonic imaging from the tube. But, if you are looking for that overdriven thing, they don’t do that. What you can do is put a gadget, like the CAL Grizzly upstream, and that will get you 95% of the over driven tube thing.

Hope I haven’t dampened your hopes too much. Like I said, it will be a GREAT amp.

 

[J.Wolf]

IMO Demeter voicing is the pinnacle of "clean tube", i.e. wide extended range, lots of weight to the notes, but hifi and clear. What many associate with "tubey" is the furry thick, slightly slower speed of certain iconic tube amps. I for one am a huge fan of the clean tube thing I get from my HBP1 (well HB600 actually) but I have an Arkham Oracle on my board that I can use to thicken things up, make them more syrupy and bouncy and give a little grit if needed.

 

[HeavyJazz]

You won't regret moving from the Agi to the Demeter VTBP-M800D. It's like trading in Carolla for a Charger. Super clean, high headroom, mild tube feel but very fast. Takes pedals well. Enjoy!