SVT rig + VT bass = redundant?

[slap5string]

For starters - Im new to the world of pedal boards though Ive been playing bass for nearly 30yrs. Until about 6mos ago I played a GK rig with rack mount tuner, sansamp RPM, and dbx 160a. All good. Then I fell into a great deal on a 1973 Ampeg SVT in immaculate shape and subsequently went out and bought a Heritage 810. My 70's band loves the vintage sound with my Pbass. Since I no longer have a rack tuner, I bought a polytune and paired it with my MXR M82 envelope filter and voila! Instant effects gas!!! Lol. My question is this: Does anyone use a VT bass, BDDI, Paradriver, Tone Hammer, or other amp simulator in front of their SVT? Or is this just plain redundant?

 

[insomniac2295]

I used a VT Bass in front of an SVT and 410 half cab. Pure magic

 

[Laurent]

Your ears are the answer to your question.
If it sounds better with it use it, if not drop it.

Personally I have never liked the VT bass and like to use other pedals in front of my SVT but I cater to my ears! Depends also what you are trying to achieve. The Tone Hammer is more a DI and a preamp than an amp simmulator. That pedal is very very good and is one of the very best at doing what it does.

There is something really magic about the tone of a P bass and an SVT. If it works for you keep it that way. I like to put a clean boost in my loop I find it keeps my tone more present.

 

[Unrepresented]

I haven't owned a VT pedal, but I'd guess it could be practical for achieving a heavily overdriven SVT tone without heavily overdriving your SVT.

 

[JimmyM]

I haven't owned a VT pedal, but I'd guess it could be practical for achieving a heavily overdriven SVT tone without heavily overdriving your SVT.

That's how I used it when I was using it, otherwise I left it off. Don't need to put anything in front of an SVT for the clean sound.

 

[Steve Dallman]

I just bought a PF500, but will still use my Behringer Sansamp DI knockoff as a distortion pedal.

 

[Darkonar]

I just bought a PF500, but will still use my Behringer Sansamp DI knockoff as a distortion pedal.

Only if you want a slight OD, you won't get much more distortion out of that pedal. Still, It's a great preamp/DI, don't sell it, never

 

[Scott549]

I just bought a PF500, but will still use my Behringer Sansamp DI knockoff as a distortion pedal.

VT Bass into PF-500 has worked great for me.

 

[benmoore88]

I use a vt in front of my svt. Mostly for a bit more grind at lower volumes plus it is sent to the FOH PA that way if i am DIed.

 

[K2000]

I haven't owned a VT pedal, but I'd guess it could be practical for achieving a heavily overdriven SVT tone without heavily overdriving your SVT.

What I would say, too. The SVT doesn't sound like anything special until you start to drive it (not bad at all, but not magical until it gets loud). Maybe the VT could be useful for low-volume situations?

 

[DrowningBrian]

ALOT of bassplayers do it. i used to use a sansamp bddi as an always on overdrive until i recently found the fulltone bass-drive. the fulltone sounds better in every way. more clarity, aggressive, it has a boost, sounds like my bass, it tightens up the lowend nicely, very natural sounding overdrive, not boomy or muddy like the sansamp. fulltone bass-drive thru an ampeg svt and 8x10 is pure magic.

 

[MoWBass]

What I would say, too. The SVT doesn't sound like anything special until you start to drive it (not bad at all, but not magical until it gets loud). Maybe the VT could be useful for low-volume situations?

+1

 

[Massimo636]

The pedal is useful to get some grit if you aren't able to crank your head loud enough to get actual tube distortion.

 

[henryjurstin13]

I used a VT Bass into a SVT-CL/SVT-810 for a while... not redundant to me, but just adding more grind/grit/flavor/etc.... Lots of guitarist run multiple tube screamers into each other into a dirty amp... in the land of tone, nothing is redundant if YOU like the differences YOU HEAR.

 

[Luckydog]

Tried it a few times but alawys liked the pure SVT/pbass setup. More presence and to me mixed with the bands much better.