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DHA VT1 for overdrive/tube drive

Coolhandjjl

Coolhandjjl

Oct 13, 2010
11,124
14,244
Appleton
#1
I have an amp and was looking at some overdrive/tube drive pedals. I've been looking at tube based overdrives like tbe DHA VT1 series, the Carl Martin Bass Driver, and the EBS Valvedrive. There are also some nice overdrive/tube drive solid state pedals like the Darkglass VMT, sfx Red Dragon, and Creation Labs Grizzly that look promising as well.

Regarding the DHA VT1 units, the EQ models have a Q knob for the mid control. I was accustomed to having Q represent the width of a the cut or boost, but it seems the Q here refers to the mid center frequency, and it is sweepable? Is that correct? Perhaps Dave Hall can jump in with some input here. What is the frequency range of the mid sweep and what is the width of those frequencies effected?
 
#4
Very cool pedal. A couple others you might want to look at are the B.K. Butler Tube Driver and the Mesa Bottle Rocket. The latter I own and I love the hell out of it! Best OD I have ever played.
 
#6
Coolhandjjl said:
I have an amp and was looking at some overdrive/tube drive pedals. I've been looking at tube based overdrives like tbe DHA VT1 series, the Carl Martin Bass Driver, and the EBS Valvedrive. There are also some nice overdrive/tube drive solid state pedals like the Darkglass VMT, sfx Red Dragon, and Creation Labs Grizzly that look promising as well.

Regarding the DHA VT1 units, the EQ models have a Q knob for the mid control. I was accustomed to having Q represent the width of a the cut or boost, but it seems the Q here refers to the mid center frequency, and it is sweepable? Is that correct? Perhaps Dave Hall can jump in with some input here. What is the frequency range of the mid sweep and what is the width of those frequencies effected?
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Hi,

Yes as others have said the Q adjusts the centre frequency of the mid pot

Dave
 
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#8
Dave Hall is a champ > top bloke in my experience.

I've owned both the Blue Tube & DHA VT1-EQ-Bassdrive.
I thought the blue tube was okay at best, you could find a stompbox that covers what it does, and I found with no amount of tube rolling I just couldn't get a decent thumpy overdrive out of it. The DHA was soooo much better > a real players pedal with more options than you really need with tone that just oozes class.

Seriously though, If you're hunting these sorts of tones, a tube amp is a better bet, as it's the power section of a tuber that'll get you the majority of the tube tone you hear on recordings.
 
#9
I just can't handle the weight of a traditional tube head anymore. I had a nice tube pre and a power amp, but even that became too much stuff. I have the new Demeter VTBPM800D. While it has a tube pre section, it is a clean gain. I started looking at drive pedals like Darkglass VMT, BK3, etc, and came across DHA. The VT1 EQ Bass Drive is a bit out of my price range, and its more affordable cousin, the VT1 EQ DI Std has lots of switches on the side that look like I might break something. If I don't think I really need the Colour Boost, Bass Boost, or the Bright switch, I wonder if a custom one without those features would make it even more affordable to me? Are the DHA VT1 pedals quiet enough to leave them as an 'always on' device in my chain?
 
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#10
Coolhandjjl said:
....Are the DHA VT1 pedals quiet enough to leave them as an 'always on' device in my chain?
Click to expand...
When I used mine, I used it as an always on preamp going into a tube slave poweramp. It was quiet enough, although if you like to get really dirty and gindy, the noise floor will come up some.

Honestly > email Dave Hall. I found him to be a very approachable fella over email, I'm sure he can answer anything you throw at him.
 
#12
Coolhandjjl said:
I just can't handle the weight of a traditional tube head anymore. I had a nice tube pre and a power amp, but even that became too much stuff. I have the new Demeter VTBPM800D. While it has a tube pre section, it is a clean gain. I started looking at drive pedals like Darkglass VMT, BK3, etc, and came across DHA. The VT1 EQ Bass Drive is a bit out of my price range, and its more affordable cousin, the VT1 EQ DI Std has lots of switches on the side that look like I might break something. If I don't think I really need the Colour Boost, Bass Boost, or the Bright switch, I wonder if a custom one without those features would make it even more affordable to me? Are the DHA VT1 pedals quiet enough to leave them as an 'always on' device in my chain?
Click to expand...

(My first post! Love this site!) That's exactly what I've done with mine. I've also got a VTBP-M-800D running through two Berg HD112s and it truly is an amazing rig but I also love a bit of dirt. I've tried various pedals (including the VMT and and Agro) and got rid of all of them except a solidgoldfx beta and a DHA VT2 Twin EQ Bass (and a TAFM for fuzz). The DHA is a tank (I have it on my 'big' board, see pics) but it adds a lovely tube warmth and allows you to dial in some real hair with the red channel. I was a bit concerned about that side switches but they seem tough and so far no problems (I use a Mono bag to carry the board). I use a Bright Onion Pedals blender looper which is great at gradually ramping up the dirt with an expression pedal (the other loop goes to the supersynth). I also found Dave to be very friendly and he built it quickly (and modded it, I didn't want the standard DI).

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#14
Embra said:
(My first post! Love this site!) That's exactly what I've done with mine. I've also got a VTBP-M-800D running through two Berg HD112s and it truly is an amazing rig but I also love a bit of dirt. I've tried various pedals (including the VMT and and Agro) and got rid of all of them except a solidgoldfx beta and a DHA VT2 Twin EQ Bass (and a TAFM for fuzz). The DHA is a tank (I have it on my 'big' board, see pics) but it adds a lovely tube warmth and allows you to dial in some real hair with the red channel. I was a bit concerned about that side switches but they seem tough and so far no problems (I use a Mono bag to carry the board). I use a Bright Onion Pedals blender looper which is great at gradually ramping up the dirt with an expression pedal (the other loop goes to the supersynth). I also found Dave to be very friendly and he built it quickly (and modded it, I didn't want the standard DI).

Large board

Large board

  • Media owner Embra
  • Date added
Large Board side view

Large Board side view

  • Media owner Embra
  • Date added
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While I love the Demeter amp, I have no love for Fender tone stacks in general. The DHA VT1 EQ with a sweepable mid is just the ticket to make sure my Ric with steel rounds cuts through with its Ric growl.

And since I ordered my Demeter w/o DI, this takes care of that as well.

So my chain will be Bass>> Korg Pitchblack Tuner>>TC Electronic DPE (knocks out some resonances from the ss rounds)>>FDeck HPF3>>DHA VT1 EQ DI>>Demeter VTBPM800D
 
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#15
JJ,

How's the DHA working for you? Just received mine yesterday, but haven't had a chance to run it thru my rig. Sounds killer thru the headphone jack. I'm liking the RIC & DHA vibe.
 

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