Pedal That Emulates B-15 Overdriven Sound???

Discussion in 'Effects [BG]' started by JakeyBran, Dec 22, 2014.

  1. I'm looking for a drive pedal that sounds like an overdriven Ampeg B-15, or an SVT. ???? Anyone know of one?
     
  2. Coughdrops

    Coughdrops

    Apr 29, 2008
    South Florida
    Do a search on overdrive pedals, you'll find oodles of info in other threads. Many pedals exist to serve this function.
     
  3. Actually may have already found my pedal. SansAmp VT Bass.
     
  4. johnk_10

    johnk_10 vintage bass nut Supporting Member Commercial User

    Feb 16, 2008
    Washington, Utah
    John K Custom Basses
    IMO, the runoffgroove ginger is my favorite for that. even more than my VT bass.
     
  5. And VFE is building Gingers now, for those not wanting to build the pedal themselves.
     
  6. dannybuoy

    dannybuoy

    Aug 3, 2005
    Earth
    What?! I am going to have to investigate this!
     
  7. P-oddz

    P-oddz

    Apr 7, 2009
    Milwaukee, WI
    VT Bass, Catalinbread SFT, SolidGold FX Beta Bass
     
  8. nshuman

    nshuman

    Sep 4, 2012
    WWWJWWW
    If you REALLY want the B-15, the Ginger would be better. If what you really want is a pushed SVT, whole other beast, the SFT would be good. VFE builds top quality stuff. If you do not want to build it yourself, go for VFE. By the way, VFE licenses the Runoffgroove and BYOC designs, they don't just rip them off and rename them.
     
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  9. BIG97BEN

    BIG97BEN

    Sep 12, 2011
    Richmond VA
    Wow that looks pretty cool. A person could get lost in their pedal customization site. So many choices, so much GAS.
     
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  10. nshuman

    nshuman

    Sep 4, 2012
    WWWJWWW
    They build top quality stuff too. No crappy hack jobs inside the enclosures. He uses great components too.
     
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  11. Thanx for the lead on veg, some tasty stuff there. My gas hates you
     
  12. silky smoove

    silky smoove Supporting Member

    May 19, 2004
    Seattle, WA
    I agree. I just got a Bumblebee Jr. and it's very nice. I will say that his choice in footswtiches is a different than others I've tried. It doesn't click, which makes me think it's a relay based true bypass, but it doesn't feel like other relay switches on my board. It's smooth, but offers a ton of resistance. It makes me feel like it's super industrial quality, but that's just my impression with no real science behind it. The bottom line is that VFE's footswitch does not feel like what you'd expect, and it's up to you to decide if it's a good thing or a bad thing.
     
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  13. Snaxster

    Snaxster

    Nov 29, 2008
    Hello. For the B-15 end of the spectrum, particularly, try the Microtubes Vintage by Darkglass Electronics (on TB, usually called the Vintage Microtubes or VMT).

    Start with the Drive knob at and near the lowest setting, variously, with the Era knob at about 8 o'clock. Then increase the Drive setting until the sound is most like your objective.

    I have found this pedal to be correctly responsive to playing dynamics, which should inform your sense of whether it achieves your "overdriven" requirement, relative to your playing style.

    Good luck!
     
    Wolffgang likes this.
  14. Musky

    Musky

    Nov 5, 2005
    UK
    Yeah, Brussels Sprouts will do that to you!
     
  15. silky smoove

    silky smoove Supporting Member

    May 19, 2004
    Seattle, WA
    I use and love a Darkglass VMT, but I don't think it sounds anything like a B15. For better or worse mind you. The pedal absolutely sounds fantastic, but if the end goal was B15 emulation, I think there are more appropriate choices.
     
  16. johnk_10

    johnk_10 vintage bass nut Supporting Member Commercial User

    Feb 16, 2008
    Washington, Utah
    John K Custom Basses
    yep. the VFE's build quality is excellent and they do use a relay true bypass.
     
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  17. silky smoove

    silky smoove Supporting Member

    May 19, 2004
    Seattle, WA
    It's the footswitch that gets me. I've never felt another footswitch like it. Don't get me wrong, I like it, although my favorite is still the ones that Spencer from 3Leaf uses on his pedals and the ones he used to build for Darkglass.
     
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  18. nshuman

    nshuman

    Sep 4, 2012
    WWWJWWW
    The VFE ones feel a lot like the Way Huge switches. Although they are shaped a bit different. I personally prefer the way huge/vfe ones because thy offer more resistance than the 3 Leaf ones. I find the ones that Spencer uses a bit too soft sometimes, too hard to hit by accident.
     
  19. SunnBass

    SunnBass All these blankets saved my life.

    Aug 31, 2010
    Columbia, Mo
    Man, I really grew to dislike my VT Bass.
    I used it for years, hoping we would finally gel.
    I think they sound very...synthetic.
    It just lacked the warmth it needed to truly accomplish it's goal.
     
    Last edited: Dec 23, 2014
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