Tech 21 bass fly rig

[BBQV]

I'm actually thinking of selling off my VT deluxe and using the funds to get this as I don't need all of that.

That's exactly what I did. I really only used two sounds from the VT DLX, one clean and one dirty, and the Flyrig does that with the boost set pre VT. The chorus and compressor are great too and the Octafilter is just gravy, something to throw in the mix when you feel courageous!

 

[hintz]

That's exactly what I did. I really only used two sounds from the VT DLX, one clean and one dirty, and the Flyrig does that with the boost set pre VT. The chorus and compressor are great too and the Octafilter is just gravy, something to throw in the mix when you feel courageous!

Do you really have to crank the pre boost all the way up to get it noticeably dirty? Most of the demo's people seem underwhelmed at how subtle it is otherwise...

 

[BBQV]

It is subtle, but it's enough for my needs. It seems like the tone controls, especially the mid, play a big role in how my ears hear the dirt. I like to push the mids a bit and cut back on the highs and, to be fair, my clean sound is slightly dirty too...

If it's roaring overdrive or distortion you're after you'll probably be better off searching elsewere, but I like different shades of slight dirt. On my big pedalboard I have an EHX Bass Soul Food, also known for its subtlety, that's the kind of sound I like.

 

[hintz]

It is subtle, but it's enough for my needs. It seems like the tone controls, especially the mid, play a big role in how my ears hear the dirt. I like to push the mids a bit and cut back on the highs and, to be fair, my clean sound is slightly dirty too...

If it's roaring overdrive or distortion you're after you'll probably be better off searching elsewere, but I like different shades of slight dirt. On my big pedalboard I have an EHX Bass Soul Food, also known for its subtlety, that's the kind of sound I like.

That's what I'm going for as well, different shades of light saturation with a mid focus! With my Darkglass amp I keep the blend all the way up on the dirt channel (always on BTW) tone knob down low, drive super low as well and it sounds like a tube amp on the verge of breaking up! I own a VT bass deluxe already (so i know itll compliment the amp well)and the Bass boost chorus, plus a few other pedals so this might make my life alot easier!?

 

[JPaulGeddy]

My BFR bit the dust. :/ Thought it was the power supply, ordered another... turns on, lights up, all the buttons work except Chorus/Tuner - but smells like electronics burning. Dammit. Doubt it's a warranty issue, but will give it a shot.

Then the debate as to whether to replace it or not (if it's not warranty).

 

[hintz]

It is subtle, but it's enough for my needs. It seems like the tone controls, especially the mid, play a big role in how my ears hear the dirt. I like to push the mids a bit and cut back on the highs and, to be fair, my clean sound is slightly dirty too...

If it's roaring overdrive or distortion you're after you'll probably be better off searching elsewere, but I like different shades of slight dirt. On my big pedalboard I have an EHX Bass Soul Food, also known for its subtlety, that's the kind of sound I like.

Well, I took the plunge and ordered the bass flyrig! ! Thank god for Paypal credit! ! LOL

 

[hintz]

This thing will probably replace my bass boost chorus, tuner for sure, maybe my FX25 (we'll see though??)as it really did grab my attention! Definitely not my empress compressor, fulltone bassdrive, SA multiwave or Boss OC2. But I know that's not the point of this either.

I don't know if I can part with my VT deluxe though, that thing is really cool and I might use it *with* the Flyrig to have more options for different scenarios! I mean 6 channels is alot and now 7 or 8 with the amp!? LOL

...though I must confess I am kinda tempted to purge everything as I'm sick of lugging around a pedal board but I know I'd regret that and buy that stuff back at even higher prices down the road!! LOL

Maybe I'll just keep the individual pedals for recording or something? Either way, I can't believe how much Tech21 has stepped it up in recent years and how badly I wrote them off for so long? And now a signature Geddy bass preamp for $500!? They really made me a believery over the last few years, hopefully they keep moving ahead like this!!

 

[AndyMan]

What pedal board is that? Looks perfect for the BFR.

So I've had the BFR now for a little while. My impressions from my get-to-know-you period, which consisted of one rehearsal and several hours in studio:

Overall: I like the form factor and build quality. The output from the 1/4 output isn't hot enough to really drive a power amp well. I thought that I might bypass my preamps (Ampeg PF800, Rumble 100v3) and go into the FX return to just use the power amp sections. Even cranking the levels on the SansAmp and Compressors, the output is not enough to drive either power amp well. So'I'll stick with going into the instrument inputs and setting the preamps on the amps as flat as I can. Still not sure if this is a show-stopper...We'll see.

Compressor: 5/10. It's usable, but fixed attack/decay settings make it not-so-versitile. It is what it is.

Boost: 8/10. I like that it's pretty/post SansAmp selectable. Works.

SansAmp: 8/10. Best section of this multi-pedal. Character control makes for good flexibility.

OctaFilter: 5/5. I'm still trying to figure this one out. Pretty usable for me as just a filter, though it's very fiddly to get it right. Having trouble bonding with the OCTAVE bit...Just can't dial in something usable...May take more fiddling. I don't really use FUZZ, so I have no opinion on that function.

Chorus: 6/10. Works for what I need. Pretty good for a one-knobber.

The proof is "in the pudding"...I plan to gig this board tomorrow and Saturday nights...We'll see how it goes. Friday night is a big room, full SR, soundman, the whole works. Saturday is a smaller trio gig.

I'll report back. But it is just so cute...View attachment 1064192 View attachment 1064193

 

[mc900ftj]

What pedal board is that? Looks perfect for the BFR.

It's a Pedaltrain Nano+. I got rid of the BFR after a couple of gigs. Just didn't quite cut it for what I need. (See later post.)

 

[hintz]

Got it and love it!! It won't replace my OC2, no way or my fulltone bassdrive!! But it has already replaced my bass boost chorus, tuner, VT deluxe,FX25 and I won't need a limiter anymore(the upside-down pedal lower left is representing a X blender for the 3 out board fx, fulltone, OC2 and the SA multiwave which may get switched with the EH microsystems or the 2 channel multiwave, the smaller upside-down one represents a mesa dual buffer pedal I'm looking at)

The signal chain will be into buffer, blender, BFR, empress, B7K and back to the buffer. Did I mention how great the BFR plays with the B7K?? LOL they really compliment each other very beautifully.
I also plan on using the BFR as a standalone until of course, but this is gonna be my 1 and only pedal board (well, gotta get a smaller one, this is a PT pro), this box is pure genius!! A plus, 10 outta 10

 

[hintz]

Yeah, it's a PT pro and I'm trying to downsize!!

 

[James Clark]

So the only thing that bothers me is the fact that people have actually had their BFR die on them, other than that it looks like a great pedal for the experiemental bassist such as myself.
I do experiemental gospel type music and think that might work fine, but its concerning seeing these bad reviews, the digital noise and the power failures.
Have the later BFRs worked better? can anyone answer this question?
Maybe it was a bad production batch or somthing?

 

[BBQV]

Mine is from the first batch arriving to Sweden, and probably to Europe, and it's been working just fine. I don't think there's been that many failures compared to how many that's been made.

 

[James Clark]

Mine is from the first batch arriving to Sweden, and probably to Europe, and it's been working just fine. I don't think there's been that many failures compared to how many that's been made.

So you've had it sense April or so? What are your thoughts on the unit itself?

 

[JimmyM]

The only ones who can reliably answer questions about reliability issues is Tech 21. But they've been in business now for what? 30 years? They're a very solid stand-up company, and I tend to agree with BBQV.

 

[James Clark]

The only ones who can reliably answer questions about reliability issues is Tech 21. But they've been in business now for what? 30 years? They're a very solid stand-up company, and I tend to agree with BBQV.

I am thinking the same thing as ive got two of their pedals and love them to death, it just makes me a little wary when I hear about products dying even if it is from a manufacture that I only will use their pedals, I am still vary safe about how I spend the money.

 

[BBQV]

So you've had it sense April or so? What are your thoughts on the unit itself?

I love it!
The SansAmp, Chorus, Compressor, Tuner and Boost (I use it pre SansAmp) are top notch! The Octafilter takes some getting used to, but it's useful for moogishly synthy sounds.
It's a lifesaver when you arrive late to a gig with a crappy backline...

 

[James Clark]

what are your thoughts DI?
I do that a lot with my bass driver and red ripper, thinking about putting the bass fly rig in front and running red ripper out from that into the bass driver out to board.
Some of the BFRs effects sound glitchy but when used the way tech21 intended them to be they sound really good especially for digital.

 

[BBQV]

I haven't used it together with other effects, but I can't hear any difference between the DI and the tele out. Or through headphones.

 

[Shardik]

Id love to have the clean part of the SANSAMP available separately from the drive. I play in a cover band, and having a basic EQ dialed in and then being able to turn the drive on and off with a footswitch would be nice. I am clean on most songs, but I use a slight overdrive on some songs, and I even switch it on and off during some songs. So I wish the drive was switchable.