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Finally made a decision

Kipp Harrington

Kipp Harrington

Feb 8, 2018
6,138
8,979
62
Wauseon, Ohio
#1
After hours of research and some guidance and information from fellow TBers, I've finally decided which OD will be going on my pedal board (drum roll)...

Darkglass Vintage Microtubes. Just simply awesome tones. I will use it as a mild OD the majority of the time and it's nice to have the option of more modern tones available to me. Can't wait to start putting this guy to work!

P.S. Anyone out there combine this pedal with a Mesa Subway D-800 or other Subway amp? Thanks!
 
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#3
Kipp Harrington said:
After hours of research and some guidance and information from fellow TBers, I've finally decided which OD will be going on my pedal board (drum roll)...

Darkglass Vintage Microtubes. Just simply awesome tones. I will use it as a mild OD the majority of the time and it's nice to have the option of more modern tones available to me. Can't wait to start putting this guy to work!

P.S. Anyone out there combine this pedal with a Mesa Subway D-800 or other Subway amp? Thanks!
Click to expand...
I'm running a TT800 and have considered the VMT many times. I'll be curious to see how you like it.
 
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#4
Oh yeah. I used that with the Mesa D800 quite a while. Really great sound. Just a bit of the VMT and I was very pleased with it. The D800 on its own sounded great. I just preferred to step on a button for a bit more “hair”, as opposed to dialing more in via the Amp controls.

I’m using a different setup now, but still have the D800 as my main back-up amp. The VMT got sold as my current amp has a channel switch, so I can get the same functionality.
 
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#5
Goatrope said:
Oh yeah. I used that with the Mesa D800 quite a while. Really great sound. Just a bit of the VMT and I was very pleased with it. The D800 on its own sounded great. I just preferred to step on a button for a bit more “hair”, as opposed to dialing more in via the Amp controls.

I’m using a different setup now, but still have the D800 as my main back-up amp. The VMT got sold as my current amp has a channel switch, so I can get the same functionality.
Click to expand...
Great news! Yeah, I'll be using the VMT for the exact same reason you did... to add just a touch of hair/nastiness. Similar to a pushed SVT sound. Thanks for the information.
 
#6
On the exact opposite side of the spectrum I assuaged my Darkglass lust with a (drum roll) $23 Behringer overdrive. It took quite a bit of tweaking but when supported/surrounded with a TC Spark, a Sovtek Big Muff and EHB compression I’m getting the OD I sought. Still have that Darkglass lust, I doubt it will abate until satisfied (I’m fascinated by the Darkray…). Congrats, you for sure made the best call… I couldn’t find anything I liked as much as that DG OD and Mesa channels rule. There was nothing between the Behringer and the Darkglass that I could make sense of, so went BOD400 (for now). What a dream setup, nicely played! Someday….
 
#7
I use the d800 and have had every flavor of DG drives except the vintage. It works well with all of the ones I’ve tried so I’d assume it would pair well with the vintage as well. I’m currently using the little microtubes x. One thing I feel is worth mentioning is that for me having the deep switch on the d800 on I’m perfectly happy with the smallest and least expensive DG pedals. There’s no need for the additional eq of the bigger versions Imo.
 
#8
Not diggin' the VMT. Seems to suck some high end/clarity from the amp. My Mesa Subway rig is at the rehearsal pad so I'm running it through my little Orange Crush 35RT. Maybe that has something to do with it, but I doubt it. Shouldn't affect the clarity of the original signal. Kinda bummin' right now. Plus, I already stuck it to my pedal board (dumb move), so if I decide to return it, I'll have to scrape off all the sticky residue from the velcro strip.
 
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#9
Well I played around with it for another half an hour or so and I am not liking it at all! Sounds nothing like it did on all the YouTube demos. Totally sucks tone. The sound of my clean signal sounds so much better. Really kind of disappointed with this. I guess I'll keep on chasing the dragon. Going to return the pedal sometime soon.
 
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#10
Thank you for being a Guinea pig on this. Sorry to hear it didn't work out; that was the one DG od pedal I had hope for. I have a B7K that's not on my board, and a HyperLuminal that I'll likely sell for a Cali76. I think people are either on the DG camp, or not.

I'm using something a bit less conventional for my od. I have a TT800 with the Boogie channel set up for a fat, blooming (read: pushed) sound. I'm using a Blackhawk Asgard v.2 as my od, and it sounds great. I haven't tried the v.3 but it might be what you need.

It's weird to use such a high gain pedal for od, but it works really well for this. If you want some sound samples DM me and I'll see what I can do.
 
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#12
Jefus said:
Thank you for being a Guinea pig on this. Sorry to hear it didn't work out; that was the one DG od pedal I had hope for. I have a B7K that's not on my board, and a HyperLuminal that I'll likely sell for a Cali76. I think people are either on the DG camp, or not.

I'm using something a bit less conventional for my od. I have a TT800 with the Boogie channel set up for a fat, blooming (read: pushed) sound. I'm using a Blackhawk Asgard v.2 as my od, and it sounds great. I haven't tried the v.3 but it might be what you need.

It's weird to use such a high gain pedal for od, but it works really well for this. If you want some sound samples DM me and I'll see what I can do.
Click to expand...
Thanks for offering. I think I am discovering that what I want ISN'T an OD pedal. Maybe just a clean boost. Who knows? Back to the drawing board.
 
#13
Bassiclees said:
Googone might be too strong or perfect to get the Velcro gunk off.
I'm very pleased with my $25 (delivered with candy) Behringer Bass Overdrive, at that price it's a safe gamble.
Sorry for your pain, that sucks, but your trust in your ears will pay great dividends. You'll find your sound, TB believes in you.
Click to expand...
Actually, I lucked out and the adhesive didn't leave any type of gumminess. It looks like I never applied it. I'm taking the pedal back to Sweetwater soon. Guess I'll demo some other pedals while I'm there.
 
#15
Sorry for the disappointment.

I always liked the VMT with the D800. Maybe my Cali76tx added something to it.

Anyway, where I’m at now is a Super Bassman 300 head with no pedal OD or compressor. When I started using that head, I stopped using OD and comp pedals.

But our ears are different. Wish you could test out a similar rig.
 

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