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New Tech 21 VT Bass 300 Head!

#181
TalkBass people are very passionate about Tech 21, the VT Bass line, and this new product, and what's not to love?

What's interesting about the infamous Blend knob is that some of Tech 21's past other products feature it, and if I'm not mistaken, they were one of the first, if not the first, to pioneer this great feature. They started spoiling us with it. Why not continue implementing it if that's their innovation and what people seem to ask for? There are actually people who offer or sell blend knob mods on VT Bass products. That would give me all the market research I'd need to maybe consider it for production at some point.

I may be wrong, but it appears that this new 2011 product is a quick-changed Landmark 300 -- that ironically has a blend knob :-)

Yes, it takes money to re-tool and manufacture, but that should not mean the end of progress. Take the time to take your new product to the next level.

If you like it, by all means, please buy it.
 
#185
Regarding complaints, as a general comment:

My needs and wants are different than yours. Just because a product (or anything else) doesn't meet those needs and wants doesn't mean that it is garbage. It is a pretty narrow-minded way of evaluating a something. I can look at a 6 six string bass, which I have no need or want for, and still appreciate it for it's strengths and weaknesses.

Don't let an individual sway your opinion. Do your research and decide for yourself. Then, help your fellow man by giving others a honest review that describes strengths and weaknesses based on experience.

End rant. :D
 
#186
seamonkey said:
This is dissapointing in regards to categorizing all so called digital amps as having some kind of problem. Class-d is often called "Digital" but they are not. There are many manufacturers using Class-D and SMPS and they sound and perform wonderfully. Even when clipping.

You can say you picked the amp you did because you in your own listening tests thought it gave you the best sound for your preamp, but you can't really generalize all so called "digital" amps as being bad. You can try out a few of the competitive heads and amps and hear for yourself.
Click to expand...

I don't believe I said a Digital or class D amp had any inherent problem. It was more of an explanation of the difference between a conventional solid state power amp and one that is using a switching power supply. They sound fine but don't think that if you are using one and getting distortion that it is coming from the power amp. They aren't meant for that. We chose to use our power amp because it has a record of long term reliability and was designed for bass guitar. It is not a PA amp with a limiter circuit in it. This is why it can deal with the peaking transients that a bass guitar will produce.
 
#187
How dare Tech21 not listen to TB before making any new products! I demand that it have all of the following:
1. Be less than 4lbs.
2. Minimum of 1200watts
3. Have a blend knob, mute switch, shelving eq with mono and stereo effects loop
4. Speakon and banana outputs
5. Come in a variety of custom colors (at no extra charge)
6. Built in tuner, flanger, and auto-wah
7. Cost less than $400

Anything less than these requests is an insult to the bass playing community!
 
#188
birminghambass said:
How dare Tech21 not listen to TB before making any new products! I demand that it have all of the following:
1. Be less than 4lbs.
2. Minimum of 1200watts
3. Have a blend knob, mute switch, shelving eq with mono and stereo effects loop
4. Speakon and banana outputs
5. Come in a variety of custom colors (at no extra charge)
6. Built in tuner, flanger, and auto-wah
7. Cost less than $400

Anything less than these requests is an insult to the bass playing community!
Click to expand...

:D
 
#190
If it costs more than two VT bass pedals and a power amp it's junk. Sorry. :) Don't think we know what it costs yet, but given how Tech21 priced the Landmark stuff (prohibitively) I would say that it's pretty unlikely to be cheaper.

I'm pretty sure it would receive universal acclaim if it was 10lbs and 500 watts and cost 700 bucks. :)
 
#191
12bass said:
Why a blend? Because it makes for a more versatile pedal/amp. IMO, the VT is "Ampeg-like", but isn't really that close anyway... so why not add a blend to give a wider tonal palette?
Click to expand...
i've got 2 vintage ampegs and used to have 3...i could cop the tones of all of them with the vt. the big dynamic feeling of a tube amp isn't there, of course, but the tones are imho.

besides, i don't want a wider tonal palette. i want what it does and don't want to have to pay extra for something i don't want. there are enough kitchen sink amps out there.
 
#192
I've really been enjoying this thread and reading everyone's posts, despite some really harsh replies along the way.

I know that in my line of work, the customer is always right, for better or for worse. They are my life's blood. Without their business I'm nothing and my business is history. I might not agree with everything, but I need to be open and roll with industry trends if I intend to be successful and grow. I would hate to not receive their business. Even worse, I would hate to lose their business to the competition.

In hopes to further conversation, I would like to leave this product and it's manufacturer (no matter how awesome they are) out of the picture now as I try to explain my thoughts in a different way. I know it's not apples to apples, but here I go.

The trend in the auto industry appears to be greener, more powerful + efficient cars and trucks, with modern-day hi-tech amenities in the cabin like GPS, Bluetooth, iPod, etc. I would question my interest in a new 2011 model if it got less than 20-MPG and featured a tape deck instead of an MP3 jack. Cars are not cheap and I have the right to choose how I wish to spend my money. The car could be the best driving car in the world for all I know, but any shortcomings would make me question my purchase of it. To make matters worse, let's say that the competition's vehicles, in the same price range or less, featured the missing touches I was expecting in a new car. And as an even further stretch, if I bought one of the same auto maker's previous year models and had it customized, I could save a good chunk of money and get more than I would have with the latest and greatest.

It is wrong for me as the customer to expect more? Especially when more is within reach?

I am not asking for miracles, I just want the best I can afford, without too much compromise, for my hard-earned cash.

If only I were rich, I'd happily buy everything without question and have my secretary type my TalkBass reply posts for me :-)
 
#193
nLots of people are saying oh if it had this or that for this price it would be amazing. What if it simply sounds amazing? I know that's what i look for in an amp.

My main complaint with a lot of heads, mine included, is that they are too complicated. I don't want a million knobs and features. I want something that sounds good and that is easy to dial in. I think there target market with this amp is people who want that too.

Just my .02
 
#196
could be a nice replacement for my b-15n live, and much louder to boot! :hyper:

14wvyv4.jpg
 
#198
JimmyM said:
i've got 2 vintage ampegs and used to have 3...i could cop the tones of all of them with the vt. the big dynamic feeling of a tube amp isn't there, of course, but the tones are imho.

besides, i don't want a wider tonal palette. i want what it does and don't want to have to pay extra for something i don't want. there are enough kitchen sink amps out there.
Click to expand...

The only Ampeg piece I have is an SVP-PRO, and while the VT Bass gets into the ballpark, it simply lacks the girth, dynamic feel, and clarity of the tube preamp. In short, it sounds like a rough facsimile to me. The VT also has a bit of harshness in the upper midrange which isn't present in the SVP.

As for the blend, some people like to add a little overdrive blended with a clean tone, as it helps retain the solidity of the fundamentals. It's a simple, inexpensive, addition which offers considerable utility.

I haven't heard the new VT Bass 300, however, so the implementation may be better than it appears in print.....
 
#199
i don't hear the vt that way personally, but that's your take and you're cetainly entitled to it. it's definitely a facsimile, but i hear it as a lot less rough than you do.
 
#200
12bass said:
The only Ampeg piece I have is an SVP-PRO, and while the VT Bass gets into the ballpark, it simply lacks the girth, dynamic feel, and clarity of the tube preamp. In short, it sounds like a rough facsimile to me. The VT also has a bit of harshness in the upper midrange which isn't present in the SVP.

As for the blend, some people like to add a little overdrive blended with a clean tone, as it helps retain the solidity of the fundamentals. It's a simple, inexpensive, addition which offers considerable utility.

I haven't heard the new VT Bass 300, however, so the implementation may be better than it appears in print.....
Click to expand...

It would seem that both of the VT Bass 300's channels can be used simultaneously.
 

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