VT bass, do or don't?

[j3ss3]

Hey guys,
I'm looking for something that can handle a mild distortion/overdrive or just a nice tube-y boost. It seems the VT bass is right in the ballpark? Problem is over here in Europe a new version 2 would set me back 260dollars / 200 euro?

Is it worth that kind of money? I know it was hyped up to the sky some time ago, but is it still viable?

PS.: if anyone near the benelux knows one for a sweet price, shoot me a PM

 

[5lowfreq]

The VT can do all you're asking for and still is a great pedal.

I would recommend looking into the Darkglass B3K as well. I have the B7K and can't say enough great things about it. And, the B3K is made in Finland!

 

[cableguy]

The VT is a great pedal but takes some time to dail it in. I'm still working on it. I can dail in my Sansamp BDDI much quicker but I've had it over a decade. But the VT is a great pedal. +1 on the B3K. I've heard a couple samples of it and it sounds awesome.

 

[Ric5]

I don't use my VT for distortion ... I use it for a warm tubey tone.

 

[RickenBoogie]

...and there are other options. Too many to list, but plenty- all slightly different from each other.

 

[petergales]

The VT bass is a great pedal and worth every penny. I have the Character knob at 9 o'clock and the Drive at no more than 12 o'clock. The result is warm valve tone. I got it when I sold my SVT2 PRO because I eventually found it was too heavy to lug around to gigs and very expensive when the output valves failed. It was a reluctant sale but the VT Bass almost gets me back there. I now leave it on all the time as it just enhances my sound so much. I recommend it to other bass players. You can also read Ed Friedland's view of it on his Bass Whisperer site.

 

[KevInDaBassment]

For tube tone the VT is phenomenal. I like it most for that, but a close second is how well it fattens up any pedal you put in front of it...makes my Boss DS-1 sound BEASTLY! Haven't used the others, but I'd recommend the deluxe since you get 6 channels you can save and recall whenever.

 

[lsabina]

...and there are other options. Too many to list, but plenty- all slightly different from each other.

I just got a Catalinbread SFT. Sounds like it'll do what I want. PedalGeek has the "older" version priced $20 cheaper than the new version (the only difference, according to Catalinbread, is updated graphics/design).

 

[JimmyM]

At one time I had 8 pedals on my board, and the only one that has outlasted the others for every gig is the VT Deluxe. Still use the others sometimes, but the VTD is the one I'd be lost without.

 

[Waterpilot]

I've put my VT back on my board. Have always liked it and just nails some sounds I need. It's a great pedal.

 

[::::BASSIST::::]

If you want to fatten up your tone instantly... VT Bass.

 

[steve_rolfeca]

My strong preference would be for the VT Deluxe, over the regular VT.

My only quibble with the regular VT, was that the controls are ridiculously sensitive. It took a long time to dial up the exact tone I was looking for, and only a small bump on a knob to lose it again.

Having 6 spaces to save my tones as presets, would have made it much more friendly for live performance.

 

[scottfeldstein]

I'd say SansAmp bass driver, the VT or maybe the Aguilar Tone Hammer. Those are the ones that really impressed me, either in person or on youtube-with-headphones research jags.

 

[DeltaPhoenix]

I didn't like the VT Deluxe. Instead I use a tube head and a DHA VT2-Twin-EQ-Std (tube OD pedal). I found the VT Deluxe to be kind of clanky, granted when I got it, I knew it was kind of a place holder so I really didn't try to bond with it.

 

[G3Mitch]

i really like mine. I use it for its tone rather than the OD, i dont actually like its overdriven sound that much. but like someone else said.. really makes your other pedals crank. i was just about fed up with the big muff then played it thru the VT and it sounds great. cant wait to hear what a rat tail sounds like thru it. (1 more week..)

 

[mellohawk]

Hey guys,
I'm looking for something that can handle a mild distortion/overdrive or just a nice tube-y boost. It seems the VT bass is right in the ballpark? Problem is over here in Europe a new version 2 would set me back 260dollars / 200 euro?

Is it worth that kind of money? I know it was hyped up to the sky some time ago, but is it still viable?

PS.: if anyone near the benelux knows one for a sweet price, shoot me a PM

I wasn't too fond of the tone of my Fender P Special until I got the VT Deluxe. Fattened it up very nicely. It gave my Carvin LB75 a new voice also. I love the the Ampeg tones I'm getting, but if you're not into Ampeg, then you may want to keep looking 'cuz that's what the VT was designed to do.

The Deluxe is great if you need to save your tones once you've found them (6 presets). Mine is always on because I run it into the effects return of my SWR SM-500 head. It definitely will give you that "tubey boost" you speak of. You can drive it just to the threshold of distortion to put a little 'fur' on your tone. The character/mid knobs get you all kinds of variety. With the character past 12:00 you can get some very aggressive distortion while keeping the lows intact.

I'm loving the VT Deluxe. I'm seeing a lot of love for the Darkglass pedal also. Could be that's what will float your boat.

 

[JehuJava]

I would recommend looking into the Darkglass B3K as well. I have the B7K and can't say enough great things about it. And, the B3K is made in Finland!

Yes B3K!

 

[GroovinOnFunk]

Maybe too late... but Hartke Bass Attack VXL is under $90 new, has great tone, and a better DI than the VT Bass Deluxe (comparable to the Countryman)

 

[JimmyM]

Maybe too late... but Hartke Bass Attack VXL is under $90 new, has great tone, and a better DI than the VT Bass Deluxe (comparable to the Countryman)

Very underrated pedal IMHO. Don't know about better DI than the VTD but I think it's as good.

 

[5StringFool]

I agree on the Hartke pedal. I own the VT Bass V1 and absolutely love it (I set mine Character 10 o'clock, Drive 1 o'clock), but a friend of mine owns the Hartke and I've used it a time or two. I don't think I would trade for one, but it has very good sound and flexibility.