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Tech 21 VT Bass

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#1,102
JimmyM said:
Ah, but I don't leave them home! The LMII sits under a car seat as a backup, and I use the VT as an OD unit with my SVT and B-15's. The original plan was to use the LMII and VT, but then I got my 64 B-15N all nice and fixed up, then bought a 77 B-15N and went with them until I got my SVT fixed up earlier this year. The reason I lug the heavy stuff now is because while the LMII/VT combo is excellent, it ain't tubes and transformers.

Also, I fly to about half the gigs I play, and the SVT on my rider often gets turned into a GK/Hartke. I used to bring the LMII to all my fly gigs, but now I just bring the VT. If they give me an SVT to use, I use the VT as an OD, otherwise it's a clean Ampeg simulator.

See, I take the opposite viewpoint from you...why have a V4 and leave it at home?
Click to expand...

Jimmy Wins this round - sometimes things that are worth more effort are more worth it in the end : )
 
#1,104
guys, just point it out for an almost noob like me:

Bass - VT BASS - PA

from what i've read (also on tech21 site) this pedal can surely work as a DI (my question: regardless the unbalanced output?)

any feedback bout that?

thanks

Michele
 
#1,105
I would run it into a regular DI because of the cable runs. I've run it right into my computer unbalanced and it sounds great, but any longer cable runs than the 20 ft I used and you'll want to run it through a DI.
 
#1,106
Well, allright! Got my VT today and am having a BLAST!


Gotta tell you, the Sansamp Bass VT is one of the coolest pedals I've ever had the opportunity to play through (and I've had a bunch - also had the Tech 21 Bass DI and RBI rackmount). Non of 'em stack up to the fun and tone this pedal delivers! Amazing sounds, very useable and downright fun to play with - I just love it!! For a clean vintage sound or a bit of breakup, this thing does it all - and really amazed at the quality of sound. No real noise added (under headphones!) with levels set to "reasonably" low. This could easily become a "frequently on" pedal for me and will be around on my board for a very long time!

As far as placement in my signal chain...it goes like this...

Korg Pitchblack Tuner >
Diamond Compressor >
Xotic X-Blender > FX Loop out >
Diamond Phase >
Diamond Halo Chorus >
X-Blender FX loop in >
X-Blender out >
Little Mark LM II head >
Speaker cab.

I tried the Sansamp Bass VT before the Xotic loop, in the Xotic loop and after the Xotic loop (before the LittleMark amp).

Honestly, I think for my application, it worked equally well in each position. I wound up placing it in the Xotic loop before the Octave, Phase and Chorus pedals. I really like the sound of the VT when I can dial in a bit of clean tone along with it using the Blender, so that's my board setup for now.

Big outdoor gig for church tomorrow morning (500-600 folks) and I just can't wait to put the VT to work!!!
 
#1,107
Getting mine this week and am really looking forward to it. I've been playing through a SWR sm-400 for over ten years and am looking forward to the warm and punch this pedal can deliver.

Also, I currently use an Boss ODB-3 for the heavy parts in some of our songs do you think this should come after the VT?

I'll report back with my feelings about the VT after I get it and play with one of my bands. I play in a neo-soul group and a heavy hardcore band - completely different ends of the spectrum - but I think the VT will work for both.
 
#1,108
noahw1 said:
Getting mine this week and am really looking forward to it. I've been playing through a SWR sm-400 for over ten years and am looking forward to the warm and punch this pedal can deliver.

Also, I currently use an Boss ODB-3 for the heavy parts in some of our songs do you think this should come after the VT?
Click to expand...
Only one way to find out. Could go either way. If I'm using it as an Ampeg sim, I always run it last. If you're looking to cascade distortions into each other, that's a different story.
 
#1,110
I've been using the VT for the last 3 or 4 gigs and I have to say... this thing works miracles. I loved the sound of my Eden/SWR setup before, and I like having the clean h-fi thing at my disposal and as a basis to work from, but the VT was really the magic spell that needed to be cast over my signal to really breathe some life into it. This is my signal chain I use for most gigs...

Bass -> VT Bass (set for clean warmth - semi flip-top style) -> ART Tube MP Studio preamp -> Eden or SWR head

Depending on what the front of house wants I will split the signal before or after the VT bass into my Countryman DI and give that to the FOH. With that said, I've not encountered anyone yet who hasn't liked the tone with the VT Bass. Additionally, all of our live recordings recently have sounded fantastic with the VT in the mix. It really makes any bass sit perfectly in the mix with very little EQing.

Now... with all THAT said, I am contemplating purchasing a second VT bass to set for more of a vintage high-gain grind (JPJ anyone?) so that I can go back and forth during a show without adjusting the knobs on just the one pedal if I need to. I'm in love for sure.
 
#1,111
JazznFunk said:
I've been using the VT for the last 3 or 4 gigs and I have to say... this thing works miracles. I loved the sound of my Eden/SWR setup before, and I like having the clean h-fi thing at my disposal and as a basis to work from, but the VT was really the magic spell that needed to be cast over my signal to really breathe some life into it.
Click to expand...

Same as I feel with my EMG/Hartke combo. I still play 60% clean and 20% with other effects (mainly fuzz), but I now find myself playing 20% of the time with the VT on, either for tube warmth or gritty drive (level at unity, mid at 1:30, high 12:30, low 3:00, drive 11:00, character varies from 9:30 to 3:00 depending on what I want out of it - it's the only knob I move when playing live)
 
#1,112
JimmyM said:
Only one way to find out. Could go either way. If I'm using it as an Ampeg sim, I always run it last. If you're looking to cascade distortions into each other, that's a different story.
Click to expand...

Thanks.

Yeah, I'm looking for it to be Ampeg sim but I'll try both and see what I like. Just curious to hear what the peeps on here had to say.

I got the shipping confirmation today so I should have it by Tuesday. I can't wait and June is a busy gigging month so I'm extra excited to hear in action.
 
#1,113
JimmyM said:
Only one way to find out. Could go either way. If I'm using it as an Ampeg sim, I always run it last. If you're looking to cascade distortions into each other, that's a different story.
Click to expand...

I run mine last for the same reasons, but I've had good luck cascading my Attack Goat into it. The rule of thumb for cascading dirt pedals tends to be higher gain into lower gain.
 
#1,115
I got my VT Bass pedal on friday and used it this weekend ...all I can say is this pedal really does the trick, in giving you the big fat tube sounds ... I was leary about spending $150.00 ...but it's money very well spent ..this will make just about any amp sound good!
3585640978_e86a7785c3_b.jpg
 
#1,119
DanGouge said:
I run mine last for the same reasons, but I've had good luck cascading my Attack Goat into it. The rule of thumb for cascading dirt pedals tends to be higher gain into lower gain.
Click to expand...
I think in most situations, it works better going low gain into high gain (otherwise it tends to sound choked), although with the VT, I do run it after my HBE Hematoma and Digitech BSW. It adds some balls and clarity to distortions.
 
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