Hey, M, in case you’re still around.
I took a a page outta your book this afternoon and hooked up my son’s Behringer BDI23 pedal, which is a “tribute” to VT pedals. Very Ampegy sounding, complete with a pretty decent blend knob. This through the BA108 v2.
With the Jazzer, it was simply marvelous. Rich tone that was nice ‘n punchy. As good as that little combo could sound and it made me agree with you when mentioned what a great combination your VT was with the ‘Peg.
Turn the page...
Then the Beatle bass stepped up to the plate...and whiffed, sort of. Same rig setup and if the blend was really low it wasn’t bad. Still had those woody, double bass-sounding tones that are my chief aspirations when using that bass. But turn up the blend, adding more of a tube vibe and things go all haywire. It ends up sounding like the Jazz Bass without any of those delicious overtones I can’t live without.
I thought to myself it must be what the next Hofner model (CT, I think) up that has the sound block down the middle of the inside. I already have that heavier tone with the Jazz, so I liked the Behringer pedal out, went straight into the BA108 v2 and found the sound I was digging with that amp over the weekend.
It was a fun couple of hours and I’m glad I brought that pedal out. What I found is I’d rather go straight in with the Rogue and keep the tone as natural as I can. Surprisingly, my newly-re-modified Rumble 100 does an even more credible job than I think the Ampeg did with that bass.
Doc Intrepid, are you in agreement with any of my ramblings? The less the better with your Hofner?