Tech 21 VT Bass

[bthiemann80]

Just received a VT Bass pedal from a fellow TBer after cancelling my AMS order that got backordered 2 months.

Given, I have only had a half hour or so to mess with it, but I really like it. My signal chain looks like this: Bass (pbass with GHS flats)-->VT Bass-->QSC GX3-->Fender Bassman 115

I'm used to playing an Ampeg SVT through a couple or at least one 4x10 (Avatar) and from what I can tell, this pedal does an EXTREMELY good imitation of an SVT. With the settings right, it sounds and feels just like playing through my SVT, even with the extra highs and bite when I dig the strings in. Playing through the Fender Bassman 115 is not my "normal" rig. For most applications aside from small acoustic settings and smaller rehearsals, I use at least one 4x10. I'm anxious to see what this thing will sound like with the full rig! If its anything like what i've experienced so far, I expect grand results.

 

[JimmyM]

Like a hive full of pissed off mutant wasps. I don't like the character up too high, it makes it sound really brittle and the low end disappears.

Good point. It will do nasty, but it's...well...nasty. If you use it for overdrive, mild to moderate settings work best.

 

[joeydavidson]

Great piece of equipment. (Got it online at AMS; took almost ten days) I've weeded through the thread and captured the different TB'er settings posted here; here's downloadable PDF with what I've seen so far. Not sure what amp/speakers everyone used. Of course this will make a difference; but the default seems to be LMII w/Avatar 10".

--- I'll update this (can't upload an MS Word.doc) if the "authors" provide more information - eg, active/pass bass; amp; cabinet.

I was running mine into a passive bass with jazz pickups (bridge pickup rolled almost off, neck p'up at full) - 1001rb-II (all eq, contour controls at close to 12) - 610hlf (horn off).

Does anyone find that the VT Bass is loud when the drive is turned up?? I have to turn the level right down.

My SVT settings, gonna try this out with the band on Monday;

Level - 11.00
Mid - 12.30
Character 10.50
Drive - 10.00
Low - 12.30
High - 1.15

 

[JimmyM]

I was running mine into a passive bass with jazz pickups (bridge pickup rolled almost off, neck p'up at full) - 1001rb-II (all eq, contour controls at close to 12) - 610hlf (horn off).

Does anyone find that the VT Bass is loud when the drive is turned up?? I have to turn the level right down.

My SVT settings, gonna try this out with the band on Monday;

Level - 11.00
Mid - 12.30
Character 10.50
Drive - 10.00
Low - 12.30
High - 1.15

The drive makes the pedal insanely loud. They really should restructure the gain. I guess they do it that way because you have to crank it for the clean settings, but you can't hardly move the knob a millimeter without getting too loud.

Anyway, that's a pretty good setting. Putting the drive around 9 or 10:00 makes it sound almost like a mic'ed cab. Seems a little bright for an SVT, though. That's closer to an SVT with the treble boost on and the mids cranked a bit. But really, I've found that the pedal is a lot more fun if you don't concern yourself with mimicking an actual SVT. You just turn the knobs until it sounds good.

 

[joeydavidson]

^Yes it can get scary loud with that drive control. The SVT setting could be little bright in some cabs, also my bass is tuned down half a step with the e string at D flat, I can't wait to compare it with some other settings posted here.

Sadly I think the adaptor input jack on the VT has issues, it crackles and cuts out, I'll take it in on monday and get a replacement, batteries are ok with it though.

 

[wiro]

^Yes it can get scary loud with that drive control.

They did this on purpose to be able to drive a power amp directly without the need for another pre-amp inbetween. Connect it to your effect return and it's ok.

 

[Thunderscreech]

Good point. It will do nasty, but it's...well...nasty. If you use it for overdrive, mild to moderate settings work best.

So I take it would be best to run a BBM or LBM or (insert popular bass fuzz here) through it for nastiness when needed?

 

[JimmyM]

So I take it would be best to run a BBM or LBM or (insert popular bass fuzz here) through it for nastiness when needed?

Totally up to you. But who knows? You may like it.

 

[NorCal Dog]

i just got a VT Bass pedal in yesterday, literally about 40 minutes before leaving for a gig, everything was loaded in the suv , so i go back out & grab the pedalboard.

i open it up & pulled the zoom b-2,, & grabed some velcro & stuck the VT, grabed a 4string that wasn't going with, & opened up this thread to the different settings,, dialed in a tone, & closed up the board, ( as it only took literally 2 minutes to dial up a killer tone )

my setup is; Bass (no tone or vol controls/ wired to cap & straight to jack) - tuner - multi-comp - GEB-7 - VT Bass - vol pedal - Hartke LH1000 - Carvin LS1503

the LH1000 is such a clean sounding head, with such a simple eq on it, ( think cleaner than my old LMII ) which works great for a couple of the gigs that i do, ( blues/rock ) & the VT just added all the grind, grunt, & balls that i needed for doing the hardrock gig that i do, ( without pulling out the 1001RB-II )

so,, i'm VERY impressed with the VT Bass pedal, & last night it earned a permanent position on my board

 

[Starflyer59]

I gave in, and ordered one through my music store. But from reading all these posts, it is all worth the $$$.

 

[jdwinva]

I have an Aguilar DB750 and the VT Bass sounds great into the back of the amp as an input to the power section. When I run it into the front input of the amp (along with the Aguilar tube preamp) it sounds TOO massive in the low end.

 

[thehangingmist]

i just saw this pic.... wow! even the box is do awesome
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=102361&d=1220965872

 

[Honk'n_down-low]

If your looking for one of these pedals try some of the smaller local music stores near you or elsewhere. Many have WEB Sites and can do Paypal. I was able to find one at a local Mom and Pop Music store when I decided that I wanted to try one. Walked in and bought it - same price as on-line.

Tech 21's WEB Site lists dealers by State I believe.

I dig the Pedal too and love my Little Mark with it.

 

[whoatherechunk]

are these limited edition?

 

[JimmyM]

are these limited edition?

Not really. They're only limited because current demand is exceeding production capability. Once everyone gets one that wants one, it should be widely available.

 

[subdude99]

I got my VT from Bass Northwest last week (it was in stock). I used it this weekend for the first time. Got several compliments that my tone was smooth and thick. I went with a clean setting I found here that I tweaked for the room acoustics. The only other pedal I had with me was the EBS Multicomp. I haven't messed with the distortion settings. I will agree that the knobs are sensitive and you don't need much. Definately a keeper for me.

 

[joeydavidson]

Used the Vt bass at band practice last night, I used my SVT settings, the tone sat nicely beneath two distorted guitars, it makes things sound slightly clearer too and even. I'm guessing it will be my main pedal from now on - I was digging it quite a lot last night.

JimmyM, you're right, that tone setting I posted was a bit bright, I dailed back the 'high' a bit.

 

[Bjazzman]

i will have one comming in about a month after a backorder. Does anyone use this with a markbass f1? that's what i'll be using it with

 

[Mikeyd74]

I want one of these in a BAD way.
I just have this feeling that the second I get one they are going to announce a programmable rack version and I'm gonna kick myself in the arse.

 

[jetofuj]

I received VT three days ago and I have already sold it It is excellent pedal but I've realized that there is no place for it in my band. Only thing I need is clean trebly sound so the decent amp is enough. But I still recomend it especially if you are looking for light metalic overdrive or full tube tone.