• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

differing opinion - VTbass not for me

sonicnuance

sonicnuance

Supporting Member
Commercial User
Aug 30, 2003
1,479
457
California, USA
www.sonicnuance.com
Disclosures
Engineer & Owner, Sonic Nuance Electronics
#1
I realize the VTbass may be the most loved pedal on this forum and I may be in danger of being severely flamed, but in case anyone is in the market for one I just want to share my experience and offer a differing opinion.

I had an MXR M80 which I really liked but I read on here how great the VT was. As I respect the opinion of many of the experienced users on this forum I just couldn't resist. Not having a local store to try one out I ordered a VT deluxe and returned the M80. I wish I didn't return the M80 but I was winding down on the 45 day return policy of an online company.

The VT deluxe excels in tube emulation and has lots of good sounds in it. I can see why so many people like it. Plus Tech21 is a great company.

However, I found the pedal (even when bypassed) to be noisy (hiss primarily) and have some hum. The M80 didn't have this issue when connected to the same equipment. (I may have gotten a dud VTbass so take that with a grain of salt)

The kicker for me was how *much* the VTbass changed the tone of my bass. I like the clean sound of my instrument and wasn't looking to change it very much except when engaging the distortion.

This is where the M80 excels imho. Here is a link to a review of it that I did: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=720486

I know there are many other potential candidates to compare to the VTbass and I haven't tried them all, but I recommend if your needs are like mine that you compare the MXR M80 to the VTbass.

Thanks and best of luck in your tone quest
 
#3
I have never used the VT bass but have always like thr Tech 21 tube emulation. I have the BDDI & RBI. But different strokes as they say. You used your ears and prefered the MXR. Nothing wrong with that. If yoy're happy with the tone that's all that matters.
 
#4
cableguy said:
I have never used the VT bass but have always like thr Tech 21 tube emulation. I have the BDDI & RBI. But different strokes as they say. You used your ears and prefered the MXR. Nothing wrong with that. If yoy're happy with the tone that's all that matters.
Click to expand...

I think Tech21 makes *great* equipment. The BDDI is a classic.

I tried the paradriver and really liked it as well.
 
#5
mozarwasagenius said:
I realize the VTbass may be the most loved pedal on this forum and I may be in danger of being severely flamed, but in case anyone is in the market for one I just want to share my experience and offer a differing opinion.
Click to expand...

You should never feel ashamed to share your honest opinion here. Your opinion is just as important as others here.

Personally I applaud your courage and thanks for expressing your opinion here.

This forum thrives on the exchange of different ideas.

I was just on a manufacturer web site and there I expressed a differing opinion and they belittled me and even the CEO of the company made fun of me. I was telling the truth about their defective 5 string bass.

That type of forum discourages honest exchange of information, and it encourages flaming, and brown-nosing.

So good post dude.

Even though I love my VT Bass but I also realize that this pedal is not for everybody.
 
#6
The VT pedal gives about 5 useful tones to me.
It does color the sound, but that is what this pedal does for a living, it is a "VT" bass pedal, it is supposed to be emulating an Ampeg sound.
 
#10
JazznFunk said:
No noise here at all. I could see that with extreme EQing there may be more audible hiss or added artifacts, but under 'normal' settings, this pedal is dead-quiet for me.
Click to expand...

One thing to note here. I was using the VTbass deluxe which is NOT true bypass. I realize the nondeluxe VTbass pedal is true bypass so I would expect no hiss at all when bypassed.
 
#11
That would indeed explain the possible extra noise... one reason I never chose to 'upgrade' to the Deluxe. I liked the fact the original is/was true bypass. Good luck!

mozarwasagenius said:
One thing to note here. I was using the VTbass deluxe which is NOT true bypass. I realize the nondeluxe VTbass pedal is true bypass so I would expect no hiss at all when bypassed.
Click to expand...
 
#12
Ric5 said:
I was just on a manufacturer web site and there I expressed a differing opinion and they belittled me and even the CEO of the company made fun of me. I was telling the truth about their defective 5 string bass.

That type of forum discourages honest exchange of information, and it encourages flaming, and brown-nosing.
Click to expand...


yeah, the MusicMan forum is that way ;)
(I am 99.9% certain that's the forum in question. It's an... erm, interesting place)
 
#14
the noise might just be a result of a power supply issue. there are some pedals that don't work and play well together when hooked up, and it's often an issue of using the same power supply.
 
#18
I don't have the noise problem, but sometimes I find the VT a bit annoying because it is too sensible...

Sometimes I want to change something in the middle of a song with my feet, but the controls are so touchy that I screw up my tone pretty easy.

Yeah, I'm whining because it is too precise... If I had the money I'd buy the deluxe version so I could switch presets without touching the knobs.
 
#19
mozarwasagenius said:
isn't the effects forum the correct place? oops, sorry
Click to expand...

That's where I would put it.

Anyway - I agree with you that the VT Bass is not the end-all, beat-all. I have had one for about 14 months now and STILL, cannot get it to play nice with my Carvin BX500. I blame the amp 50% and the one-dimensional pedal the other 50%.

My BDDI dials in real nice and powerful, so - once I get off my duff and become a site supporter (lazy duffer I am) - you should see the VT for sale.

Thanks for opening this door here in the effects forum with your topic on an effects pedal, discussing - effects. ;)
 
#20
I have had the VT for several weeks now and at least 3 full band practices. I find it the perfect pedal for bedroom practice tone, and maybe the occasional slow song, but I get lost in the mix when I use it otherwise. I am sure that if I spent the time to do some tweaking I would find a better setting, though I hate to tweak. I will continue to use it because it gives an effect perfect for some songs and that is the way I will use it.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back