• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Tech21 vt bass v2 on an ampeg ba110 v2... worth it?

Should I?

  • Sure

    Votes: 16 80.0%

  • Maybe

    Votes: 3 15.0%

  • Heresy!

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Otherwise (lemme tell you in the thread)

    Votes: 1 5.0%
  • Total voters
    20
Zorzevic

Zorzevic

Sep 11, 2020
35
86
France
#1
Hi guys,

I'm using mostly passive basses pn an ampeg ba110v2 and would like to get a decent preamp pedal on a budget to try and find my sweet spot tone.
From what I heard on youtube tests, the tech21 vt bass v2 would probably fit the job, plus emulate a really nice SVT sound and allow for a way better distortion overall than the nasty ampeg scramble circuit onboard the ba110.

Seems kind of odd to me to use a non-ampeg rig on an ampeg to get an ampeg tone... but yet that's what I was thinking of.
I plan on putting the pedal pretty early in the chain (or first) and then getting in the combo with flat EQ through the input or aux.

Heresy?
Worth it?

Whatcha think?
 
  • Like
Reactions: jeff7bass
#6
Id invest in a bigger amp before adding things to your tone.

A single 110 isn't great at reproducing bass tones at any loud volumes (4 or 8 tens however..). If you get the VT and like the tones you end up with, you'll most likely have to change things more down the road. That said, the VT bass is great, and will most likely dial in good tones on ANY bass rig. So, im not saying don't get one, im saying, upgrade your rig 1st, then add pedals etc...

With that said, if you never plan on upgrading, then by all means, get the VT now. ;)

T$
 
  • Like
Reactions: Zorzevic
#7
Roland GR 88 said:
The aux input is not an effects loop. It’s a stereo line level input for recorded material only.
Do not plug the VT in there.
Click to expand...
Sure, but having no loop nor direct access to power stage I figured out I'd try and see.

Also, "budget" is a key here... any amp rig I could trade for my BA and a few bucks that would do it? Would gladly do.
(I don't play in a band so home training so far)
 
Last edited:
#10
I've used the VT Bass Rackmount and jammed with somebody who had the pedal version. Both excellent. Put a VT in front of your amp, start with clean settings on the amp, then experiment. If you change amps later, the VT will give you a consistency in your sound as you move between rigs.
 
  • Like
Reactions: rickwebb, Al Kraft and Zorzevic
#11
Zorzevic said:
Seems kind of odd to me to use a non-ampeg rig on an ampeg to get an ampeg tone... but yet that's what I was thinking of.
I plan on putting the pedal pretty early in the chain (or first) and then getting in the combo with flat EQ through the input or aux.
Click to expand...

To my ears, the SansAmp VT sounds more like an Ampeg than your 110 combo. I think it would be a great addition to any number of rigs.

Put it last in your signal chain so you can run a line-out to FOH. Also comes in handy when faced with a questionable or marginal backline amp. Appears you can run the 1/4" into the effects return (#17 in the manual) to bypass the resident Ampeg preamp.

Riis
 
  • Like
Reactions: Zorzevic
#12
Hummergeist said:
I've used the VT Bass Rackmount and jammed with somebody who had the pedal version. Both excellent. Put a VT in front of your amp, start with clean settings on the amp, then experiment. If you change amps later, the VT will give you a consistency in your sound as you move between rigs.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the advice.
Any recommendations about the position in the chain? Got a spectracomp, a 7 band EQ and a cliff burton signature wah/fuzz (not that I use this one that much). I use mostly passive basses.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Hummergeist
#13
Zooberwerx said:
To my ears, the SansAmp VT sounds more like an Ampeg than your 110 combo. I think it would be a great addition to any number of rigs.

Put it last in your signal chain so you can run a line-out to FOH. Also comes in handy when faced with a questionable or marginal backline amp. Appears you can run the 1/4" into the effects return (#17 in the manual) to bypass the resident Ampeg preamp.

Riis
Click to expand...
Damn you're on spot. Was just asking about that.

Dunno what a FOH is tho, sry noob here...
 
#14
Zorzevic said:
Thanks for the advice.
Any recommendations about the position i the chain? Got a spectracomp, a 7 band EQ and a cliff burton signature wah/fuzz (not that I use this one that much). I use mostly passive basses.
Click to expand...
Whenever I'm using a modelling device, I guess my answer is to try and put it where the amp would be in the chain. Don't treat it as a glorified distortion pedal, if that makes sense.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Zorzevic
#15
Zorzevic said:
Damn you're on spot. Was just asking about that.

Dunno what a FOH is tho, sry noob here...
Click to expand...

The PA for reinforcement. Run a mic cable from the SansAmp's XLR output (round / 3 pins). You can do the same with Ampeg combo (#15).

I use the Bass Fly Rig which is based on the VT you've selected. It's a great choice and, once installed, you can proclaim "hey...I'm as cool as Zooberwerx!".

Riis
 
  • Like
Reactions: GwenOnBass and Zorzevic
#16
Hummergeist said:
Whenever I'm using a modelling device, I guess my answer is to try and put it where the amp would be in the chain. Don't treat it as a glorified distortion pedal, if that makes sense.
Click to expand...
Sure, plus I don't mean to get any real significant distortion, it's all about warmth and tone.
I might be wrong about it, but it also has to do with the fact I have quite a lot of passive basses and want to be able to benefit from the perks of active from time to time (acknowledging it's not the same, of course)... hence the questionning about the position in the chain... I guess...
 
  • Like
Reactions: Hummergeist
#17
Zooberwerx said:
The PA for reinforcement. Run a mic cable from the SansAmp's XLR output (round / 3 pins). You can do the same with Ampeg combo (#15).

I use the Bass Fly Rig which is based on the VT you've selected. It's a great choice and, once installed, you can proclaim "hey...I'm as cool as Zooberwerx!".

Riis
Click to expand...
No xlr out with the vt bass v2 model nor xlr in in the ampeg ba110 v2... that's why I was thinking about messing up with the aux in...
 
  • Like
Reactions: GwenOnBass and Zooberwerx
#18
Zorzevic said:
No xlr out with the vt bass v2 model nor xlr in in the ampeg ba110 v2... that's why I was thinking about messing up with the aux in...
Click to expand...

Ooops! Multiple models addressed in one manual...none apply to you. Apparently, neither Tech21 nor Ampeg likes the French. I strongly suggest you find a model with the aforementioned XLR out...it will come in handy later, trust me.

Edit: this would be first on my list:

Invalid Link Removed

Riis
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: GwenOnBass, Hummergeist and Zorzevic

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back