Tech 21 VT Bass 1969 head!

[Jared Lash]

I was actaully getting kind of enthused about this head - 300 in to 8 (it is into 8 right ?) is plenty for me - A k-buck though? that makes no sense whatso ever ...

From Invalid Link Removed

Specifications:
Optimal Output Load: 4 Ohms

My guess is 165 W at 8 ohms.

The price and output would make the 1969 a Walkabout competitor. As mentioned, I own (though I am about to sell) a Walkabout that I love the tone of. I bought it used, but still, the fact remains that if I love that amp I shouldn't slag the 1969.

Two points on that though:

1) The Mesa IS a bit smaller and lighter and features an all-tube pre. But more importantly, the only way to get the Walkabout tone is with a Walkabout. Not true with the 1969 as seemingly you could put a VT Bass or VT Bass Deluxe in front of another amp and get the same result or close to it.

2) As loved as the Walkabout is by a lot of TBers there has always been a strong desire for a version with more power. I'm surprised Mesa hasn't delivered a 600W version of the WB but I'm even more surprised that Tech 21 didn't recognize the same thing for a new product.

And I didn't mention it earlier but I absolutely agree with bongo, jason and others in being dismayed by the use of a term like "analog". The bass amplification industry already suffers from too much ambiguity and not enough consumer education. I applaud companies that make an effort to help bass players understand rather than capitalize on misunderstandings.

 

[lunarpollen]

Perhaps the VT Bass component of this new head will give it a voicing that will effectively make it louder to the ear than the regular Landmark 300.

 

[jmattbassplaya]

I like how so many people are bashing this product before they've even played it. Also If you think you need more than 300 watts, then this amp obviously isn't for you and you should move on.

It's not that we dislike the idea of the head or don't want it. It's just that most of us here:

1. Find the lingo they use somewhat deceitful (whether intentionally or not isn't my place to say)

2. Believe this amp isn't up to spec (so to speak) because:

a. it's heavy for what it is
b. it's large for what it is
c. it's underpowered (relative to what most people want out of this amp) for what it is
d. it's overpriced (from what we've seen) for what it is
e. it's not a good enough advancement from the VT/Deluxe to warrant a purchase

Again, this is all from specs. I want this amp to prove me wrong, but I have a solid feeling it won't given the LM300's performance and the specs that have been given from Tech21.

Plus I just think the thing looks ugly

 

[Jared Lash]

Perhaps the VT Bass component of this new head will give it a voicing that will effectively make it louder to the ear than the regular Landmark 300.

To be fair, the VT Bass is hella loud because it has an enormous amount of gain on tap. The thing can drive a power amp (which is why I think people started asking for a rack pre or a full amp with the VT guts as the pre) which is part of why it can be tricky to dial in as a pedal. One little bump in volume makes it way louder or quieter.

I doubt the pre on this amp has as much available gain or it will clip like crazy.

 

[Growly Lytes]

What we need is just the rackmount preamp version of this. They seem to do pretty well with the RPM and RBI, so it would make more sense to go this route first.

+ One Million for that bro.
Why arent they doing this ?

 

[jmattbassplaya]

I agree. I think a 3 channel rackmount of the VT would be perfect.

 

[CrUiSeR]

It's not that we dislike the idea of the head or don't want it. It's just that most of us here:

1. Find the lingo they use somewhat deceitful (whether intentionally or not isn't my place to say)

2. Believe this amp isn't up to spec (so to speak) because:

a. it's heavy for what it is
b. it's large for what it is
c. it's underpowered (relative to what most people want out of this amp) for what it is
d. it's overpriced (from what we've seen) for what it is
e. it's not a good enough advancement from the VT/Deluxe to warrant a purchase

Plus I just think the thing looks ugly

1.you sure know how to contradict yourself in a single reply
2."we", "most of us" hmm speak for yourself
a.heavy??maybe you you should take up flutophone
b.large??jealous?!
3.it looks better than all of the markbass stuff and a lot of others also
Not everyone wants to use pedals or run separates
Why don't you design an amp; then "most of us" can bash it before it even hits the streets

 

[bassplayer1494]

What's the price of this head?

 

[mpdd]

yes, please could we get a msrp, and could we get some video versus an all tube head and a hybrid head while playing the same bass finger style through the same cab

until then i am going to concern myself with stuff i can actually test out in LA right now

 

[faceinbass]

As much as I dislike the VTbass, I want to like this amp. LOL!

 

[bongomania]

1.you sure know how to contradict yourself in a single reply
2."we", "most of us" hmm speak for yourself
a.heavy??maybe you you should take up flutophone
b.large??jealous?!
3.it looks better than all of the markbass stuff and a lot of others also
Not everyone wants to use pedals or run separates
Why don't you design an amp; then "most of us" can bash it before it even hits the streets

That was all very childish.

 

[JimmyM]

That was all very childish.

agreed, and i even like the idea of this amp. why bass players get so grossly offended when another bass player doesn't like something they like, i will never know.

 

[Smurf-o-Deth]

I <3 butthurt.

 

[CrUiSeR]

That was all very childish.

Actually only a and b was childish
But I'm not takin' it back
I would say the naysayers of a product
that they haven't even touched is childish

 

[andrew]

I would say the naysayers of a product that they haven't even touched is childish

There's plenty of familiarity with the preamp in this head and the power section is used in another amp which some of us are familiar with.

No one is saying the amp is crap, just providing constructive criticism and feedback about preferences. This info could help Tech 21 in the future.

 

[lunarpollen]

To be fair, the VT Bass is hella loud because it has an enormous amount of gain on tap. The thing can drive a power amp (which is why I think people started asking for a rack pre or a full amp with the VT guts as the pre) which is part of why it can be tricky to dial in as a pedal. One little bump in volume makes it way louder or quieter.

I doubt the pre on this amp has as much available gain or it will clip like crazy.

Actually, it enables my LMII to go a lot louder before the clip light comes on. Like, if I set the gain on the amp so that with the VT Bass off, the clip light barely flickers if I dig in super hard, and then I back off on the gain a tiny bit, and then I turn on the pedal, I am able to to get a lot more apparent volume out of the rig without causing the clip light on the amp to flicker. I don't know how it does this, but the result is definitely a good thing!

 

[andrew]

Actually, it enables my LMII to go a lot louder before the clip light comes on. Like, if I set the gain on the amp so that with the VT Bass off, the clip light barely flickers if I dig in super hard, and then I back off on the gain a tiny bit, and then I turn on the pedal, I am able to to get a lot more apparent volume out of the rig without causing the clip light on the amp to flicker. I don't know how it does this, but the result is definitely a good thing!

What bass do you use? It sounds like the VT is feeding the LM's input a hotter signal than your bass does without it.

 

[Jared Lash]

What bass do you use? It sounds like the VT is feeding the LM's input a hotter signal than your bass does without it.

That or the compression the VT Bass imparts is giving it more apparent loudness.

 

[jmattbassplaya]

Actually only a and b was childish
But I'm not takin' it back
I would say the naysayers of a product
that they haven't even touched is childish

That's fine, but when most people in this thread have been less than impressed with what info they've been given on it so far and have had experience with amps with similar specs then I'd say 'most of us' is an accurate use of vernacular. In addition, you'd think Tech21 would like to hear feedback on their product. I like the idea of the amp, but I think it needs a lot more work if it's going to be successful, and I think a lot of people would agree.

 

[christw]

That or the compression the VT Bass imparts is giving it more apparent loudness.

I think this is a great explanation. It really helps to cut back on those transient peaks.

That's fine, but when most people in this thread have been less than impressed with what info they've been given on it so far and have had experience with amps with similar specs then I'd say 'most of us' is an accurate use of vernacular. In addition, you'd think Tech21 would like to hear feedback on their product. I like the idea of the amp, but I think it needs a lot more work if it's going to be successful, and I think a lot of people would agree.

I'll join the chorus. I'm really hoping that it impresses me but either way I'll be buying a Streamliner 600 before I buy this.