Tech 21 bass fly rig

[James Clark]

So some of you are actually liking the FR5 or RK5 over the BFR for bass? That seems strange to me, I know the fuzz for example can not be changed at least as far as the gate is concerned, that coming from Tech21 themselves in an email. But some of you are actually saying the FR5 or RK5 can actually get tighter low end than the BFR? Ive got a Bass Driver DI and that can get tighter low end than a FR5 on bass any day. Ive tried it and compared.

 

[Ricky Caboverde]

So some of you are actually liking the FR5 or RK5 over the BFR for bass? That seems strange to me, I know the fuzz for example can not be changed at least as far as the gate is concerned, that coming from Tech21 themselves in an email. But some of you are actually saying the FR5 or RK5 can actually get tighter low end than the BFR? Ive got a Bass Driver DI and that can get tighter low end than a FR5 on bass any day. Ive tried it and compared.

As of right now, it's @steve_rolfeca, and Steve only, that has posted about his experience with the FR5 and BFR. If you read his post closely, he did NOT suggest that the FR5 had better low end response compared to the BFR. He merely said that it was easier to get a better sound out of the FR5.

And this totally makes sense since the FR5 has the original SansAmp circuit, whereas the new BFR, from what I gather, is a newly designed circuit that is neither a SansAmp nor VT Bass but similar.

If you dig the BDDI, you might agree with Steve after all!

 

[James Clark]

I may have misunderstood that then. Thanks for the clarification. Have you tried the BFR yourself? I know the Sansamp side is based off the VT bass and the BDDI somehow. I don't know quite what they did but the best of my understanding, they put those together or something to that effect.

As of right now, it's @steve_rolfeca, and Steve only, that has posted about his experience with the FR5 and BFR. If you read his post closely, he did NOT suggest that the FR5 had better low end response compared to the BFR. He merely said that it was easier to get a better sound out of the FR5.

And this totally makes sense since the FR5 has the original SansAmp circuit, whereas the new BFR, from what I gather, is a newly designed circuit that is neither a SansAmp nor VT Bass but similar.

If you dig the BDDI, you might agree with Steve after all!

 

[Ricky Caboverde]

I may have misunderstood that then. Thanks for the clarification. Have you tried the BFR yourself? I know the Sansamp side is based off the VT bass and the BDDI somehow. I don't know quite what they did but the best of my understanding, they put those together or something to that effect.

I have not tried it, although I would really like to. As far as how the BFR relates to the VT Bass and BDDI, I really don't know other than it's not either of those circuits specifically. Perhaps @tech21nyc could enlighten us?

 

[James Clark]

I have not tried it, although I would really like to. As far as how the BFR relates to the VT Bass and BDDI, I really don't know other than it's not either of those circuits specifically. Perhaps @tech21nyc could enlighten us?

Ive know idea but what I think I am going to do personally is wait a while before ordering and putting the money down for the RVB pedal this year and next year get the BFR.

 

[steve_rolfeca]

So some of you are actually liking the FR5 or RK5 over the BFR for bass? That seems strange to me, I know the fuzz for example can not be changed at least as far as the gate is concerned, that coming from Tech21 themselves in an email.

I haven't tried the FR5 back-to-back with the older pedals, but the way I hear it, the Sansamp section of the FR5 sounds pretty much like a BDDI with a mid control. In other words, like a Para Driver DI.

Where the BFR lost me, was with the Character knob. On the plus side, it gives the BFR a wider overall tonal range- sweeping the control takes you from dark and rolled off, to pushed, metallic upper mids.

However, as with the VT Bass, I found the character control rather touchy, and could never find the point where it sounded as though it was out of the circuit. I guess I'm more of a Para DI kind of guy...

I wonder if Putnam could put a bypass switch on the character control?

With that one change, I would have been happy to have the BFR for the slightly higher clean output, tuner, DI, pre-post button, etc.

 

[steve_rolfeca]

Also, my comments have to be taken with a pinch of salt if you're looking for bass overdrive or fuzz.

I don't use the OD circuit in the FR5 with bass, and have run the gain control fairly low with every Sansamp product I've owned or sampled.

 

[James Clark]

I guess your not a fan of the VT bass pedal then. I never tried it myself.

I haven't tried the FR5 back-to-back with the older pedals, but the way I hear it, the Sansamp section of the FR5 sounds pretty much like a BDDI with a mid control. In other words, like a Para Driver DI.

Where the BFR lost me, was with the Character knob. On the plus side, it gives the BFR a wider overall tonal range- sweeping the control takes you from dark and rolled off, to pushed, metallic upper mids.

However, as with the VT Bass, I found the character control rather touchy, and could never find the point where it sounded as though it was out of the circuit. I guess I'm more of a Para DI kind of guy...

I wonder if Putnam could put a bypass switch on the character control?

With that one change, I would have been happy to have the BFR for the slightly higher clean output, tuner, DI, pre-post button, etc.

 

[tech21nyc]

The SansAmp section of the Bass Fly Rig is the VT Bass circuit. The only difference is that the overall preamp gain is dialed back slightly. If you need more gain you use the Boost or Compressor. The base setting for the SansAmp section is with the High, Mid, Low & Character controls at 12 o'clock, bite switch engaged. The Character control is always in the signal path. It can't be bypassed,

Character control:

Voiced differently for each pedal in the series. It sweeps through various tonal possibilities associated with each style of amplifier. In addition to modifying the frequency response, Character also influences the attack and drive characteristics of each particular amplifier style.Therefore, you may need to adjust your gain and tone settings after tweaking the Character control.

Below 12 o’clock serves up vintage ‘70s powerhouse attitudes. Around 12 o’clock will introduce you to classic studio tones. Above 12 o’clock increases the gain and crunch for less polite, modern rock, indie bass sounds. Full up gives you full-tilt distorted basstones.

 

[jd-ns]

The character control is not something to be worried about. Yes, you have to spend some time getting a feel for how it interacts to the other controls but it is not some ugly unmanageable beast. (*I like it in the 9:00-11:00 range)

 

[James Clark]

Thanks, thats some groovy stuff rite there.

 

[Jazz Ad]

I'm a sucker for multis, I like SansAmps and I have money on my account. I should be all over this.
I like the simple and interdependant controls, I know how to find my way through these.
Yet, I worry a bit. I think by now I have checked all the videos available and they constantly sound weak.
What I hear is buzzing bees. Not a solid OD, gnarly fuzz or earth shaking filter.
It sounds like a toy, not like a tool. I'm tempted but wouldn't want to sell it in a month.

 

[phatbass30]

Like I said a while back, the best thing that I learned here is, if you want something you shouldn't rely on videos you watched or other people say about it. It's very subjective. The best thing to do is go out and find a dealer and give it a try. If there's no dealer then that's the risk that we should be willing to take. Because for some maybe it's not good, but maybe for me it's good. Vice versa. So I went to the shop and tried it. I liked it and end up buying it. If I relied on videos I watched I could have missed a good pedal that is IMHO worth what I paid for. YMWV. Just my 2 cents

 

[steve_rolfeca]

...The best thing to do is go out and find a dealer and give it a try.

+1

There's no substitute for actually trying gear out on the gig...

 

[LeonD]

+1

There's no substitute for actually trying gear out on the gig...

But that is so ....... un internet.

 

[James Clark]

That is true its so uninternet as you put it, but some people are not blessed with a music store rite down their street. Sometimes you've got no choice as sad as it is.

But that is so ....... un internet.

 

[phatbass30]

...but some people are not blessed with a music store rite down their street. Sometimes you've got no choice as sad as it is.

I bought a lot of pedals in the past because there was no dealer here. I took the risk. Some went well. But most times, I didn't like them. And since it was boutique pedals, shops here before doesn't know the brands so I can't sell it in good price.

 

[James Clark]

personally, Ive got to pick up from Musiciansfriend or ProGuitar Shop. I cant go to a local store so I totally know what you mean.

I bought a lot of pedals in the past because there was no dealer here. I took the risk. Some went well. But most times, I didn't like them. And since it was boutique pedals, shops here before doesn't know the brands so I can't sell it in good price.

 

[FenderMIA]

We have been in the process of doing some Bass Fly Rig videos. Here is the first one:

Hi Tech21 guy,


i have just gotten the rig hours ago. During using, i've encountered some issues:

- When set to Fuzz: Mix=max. Q=min and Range=max, the sustain sounds really strange and it ends abruptly with strange noise.
- When set to Fuzz: same settings above, when you just touch the string, it makes really loud noise

I dunno it's common or my rig is flawed.

And one final question: wanna power it up by a pedal power supply.
Looking at
- T-rex Fuel Tank Jr. but only 120mA per jack, the rig requires 150mA.
- Voodoo Lab iso5: there's a 9-12V, 400mA, would it be too much for the rig?

Or any suggestions?

 

[tech21nyc]

Hi Tech21 guy,


i have just gotten the rig hours ago. During using, i've encountered some issues:

- When set to Fuzz: Mix=max. Q=min and Range=max, the sustain sounds really strange and it ends abruptly with strange noise.
- When set to Fuzz: same settings above, when you just touch the string, it makes really loud noise

I dunno it's common or my rig is flawed.

And one final question: wanna power it up by a pedal power supply.
Looking at
- T-rex Fuel Tank Jr. but only 120mA per jack, the rig requires 150mA.
- Voodoo Lab iso5: there's a 9-12V, 400mA, would it be too much for the rig?

Or any suggestions?

The Fuzz in the unit is a gated style fuzz. When set the way you have it

Mix=max. Q=min and Range=max

the Range control acts as a tone control and the gate will trigger in a more abrupt manner. I would suggest turning down the Range.

The unit only draws 100ma. As long as the power supple is the proper polarity and voltage you're good to go.