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MXR M-80 vs. Tech 21 VT Bass

sykes of christ

sykes of christ

Mar 15, 2010
175
0
#1
I can get a new modded VT pedal with a DI built in from Putnam guitars.

So what pedal would be better to use as a preamp?

I only use bass for rock music, so I'm going for a fat tone. I also use a 5 string. If anyone has any experience with these two pedals let me know, which would suit me best.
 
#2
I've owned both and they are both drastically different.

The VT is great for copping Ampeg type tones. SVT, B-15, etc. Good stuff with quite a large variety on tap. The DI mod is nice, but you might consider holding out for the VT-Deluxe which is supposed to be released very soon. The VT will drive a power amp.

The M-80 does one thing and one thing only, which is turn your signal into a scooped-out nu-metal player's dream tone. If you're not looking for that type of tone I would avoid this pedal like the plague. I also found the distortion to be awful for anything but industrial/noise type music. Not a versatile pedal at all. I don't think this will drive a power amp, but I don't know that for a fact.
 
#4
silky smoove said:
I've owned both and they are both drastically different.

The VT is great for copping Ampeg type tones. SVT, B-15, etc. Good stuff with quite a large variety on tap. The DI mod is nice, but you might consider holding out for the VT-Deluxe which is supposed to be released very soon. The VT will drive a power amp.

The M-80 does one thing and one thing only, which is turn your signal into a scooped-out nu-metal player's dream tone. If you're not looking for that type of tone I would avoid this pedal like the plague. I also found the distortion to be awful for anything but industrial/noise type music. Not a versatile pedal at all. I don't think this will drive a power amp, but I don't know that for a fact.
Click to expand...

While I mostly agree......

The effected clean tones of the M80 really aren't bad. The dirt isn't the worst either, but not nearly as good as the VT Bass.

The VT Bass is super flexible, that's for sure.
 
#6
I've never tried the VT (I want to), but I agree about the
M-80. It didn't have a very pleasing sound to me. I'd hoped for something tube-like, but it didn't sound that way to me. Also, the DI on mine picked up radio all the time. :hmm:
 
#11
sykes of christ said:
Why the ParaDriver? I am playing stoner rock type stuff with this rig? Would it suit me better than the VT?
Click to expand...

Definitely the VT then......:)

I'm in a stoner/sludge/metal type band and I just picked up the VT last week.

It's EXACTLY what I've been looking for. I've tried a lot of the more popular dirt pedals....never was happy until the VT. It's so flexible and musical sounding.....you just can't beat it.

With the gain up higher you can do some really nasty sustained cranked amp type tones.
 
#18
Totally different beasts..

The M80 is a great all around DI box for the budget..

The VT is a different purpose, different price point etc.

I own them both (along with others)

Sincerely I'm not convinced your band mates, sound guy or paying audience can hear the difference.

Yes the M-80 distortion is silly -- but then distorted basses are silly.
 
#19
sykes of christ said:
So you're saying the current vt pedal won't drive a power amp? The sansamp dealer who mods these pedals said it would?
Click to expand...

Just to clarify; No one in this thread has said that. It will definitely drive a power amp. Some power amps with input sensitivity greater than 1.0V might not be driven to clipping, but they should be okay. 1.0V or less is ideal.
 

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