VT Deluxe Talkbass group purchase?

[kesslari]

On my chain, homemade loopmaster first (whole board in or out) then Filter then Compressor (tames the spikes on the filter when needed).
then VT D. The chorus and delay are in the FX loop of the VT.

Once I make some longer cables, I'll probably keep the VT in the chain all the time, and make the looper control just the filter and comp. But not today.

 

[GeneralElectric]

I can't believe I missed the presale!

 

[etoncrow]

Used the Dlx at practice this morning. I have not had time to tinker with it so I just used the same settings I had on the regular VT Bass. I cannot explain this but others besides myself also thought that the Dlx sounded better than the regular VT Bass. FWIW

 

[zippydog]

Used the Dlx at practice this morning. I have not had time to tinker with it so I just used the same settings I had on the regular VT Bass. I cannot explain this but others besides myself also thought that the Dlx sounded better than the regular VT Bass. FWIW

Well, that opens up a "what's under the hood" discussion and/or an A/B from somebody who wasn't so quick to sell off their reg. VT. Or...its all in your head. I'll never know - my VT is long gone.

Oops...gotta run...FedEx at the door.

 

[John D]

I don't mean to hijack this thread, but this seems like the perfect group to answer my question. I've been away from playing bass for about 20 years, and I am trying to put together a rig to play around the house and maybe out, if the opportunity arises. Also, I don't want to spend too much money at this point. I have an old Peavey CS400 and a couple of JBL D140s that I can use, but no preamp. Finally, the question: Should I buy a used Gallien Krueger Backline 600 Bass Amp that is on my local CL for $1.75, or should I opt for a VT to use as a preamp for the CS400? I play mostly R&B, Blues, and Classic Rock. Typical bar band stuff.

 

[behndy]

....... $1.75 sounds like a good deal.

for pretty much anything.

..... 'cept herpes.

 

[Smurf-o-Deth]

Even then, you'd have to consider such a bargain!

 

[JimmyM]

I don't mean to hijack this thread, but this seems like the perfect group to answer my question. I've been away from playing bass for about 20 years, and I am trying to put together a rig to play around the house and maybe out, if the opportunity arises. Also, I don't want to spend too much money at this point. I have an old Peavey CS400 and a couple of JBL D140s that I can use, but no preamp. Finally, the question: Should I buy a used Gallien Krueger Backline 600 Bass Amp that is on my local CL for $1.75, or should I opt for a VT to use as a preamp for the CS400? I play mostly R&B, Blues, and Classic Rock. Typical bar band stuff.

depends...kind of an apples/oranges thing. if you like the ampeg sound, the vt makes a pretty nifty pre. however it doesn't have a di out, so if that's a factor, you may want the backline instead. backline is a solid little head for the money but it doesn't sound like ampeg.

 

[John D]

....... $1.75 sounds like a good deal.

for pretty much anything.

..... 'cept herpes.

Thanks for the quick reply, but which is it a better deal for, the GK or the Sans Amp VT pedal?

+1 on the "...'cept herpes."

 

[behndy]

i guess Le Herpes IS the gift that keeps giving.

if you average 2 breakouts a year, plan to live another 50 or 60 year it DOES become quite a bargain.

 

[behndy]

well.... if you mean ONE HUNDRED SEVENTY FIVE... then it depends.

but Jimmy's answer pretty much covered it.

......... herpes.

 

[John D]

Thanks Jimmy. I saw an old post where you had recommended the BL600 over a particular Ampeg, I forget the model. That recommendation carried a lot of weight with me. Still, I once had a B15N and I always regretted selling it. Also, the demos on YT of the VT SVT sound really turned my head. Decisions, decisions, decisions.... Thanks guys.

 

[John D]

well.... if you mean ONE HUNDRED SEVENTY FIVE... then it depends.

but Jimmy's answer pretty much covered it.

......... herpes.

What can I say, I'm old. Yes, I meant $175.00.

 

[zippydog]

...And here we go.

The unwrapping:

On the board...

 

[behndy]

sigh.

seriously, i am SO freaking mad at you guys right now.

 

[LeeP]

drool....

c'mon tuesday, c'mon tuesday....

 

[ahc]

Yes! They do exist. They're not in Kansas (or NYC) anymore Auntie Em! At least mine's not as of 12:45 PM EST today. Spent the last 5 hours trying to shake off "effects newbyness". Only effects I've ever used are the tone controls on my bass and amp. And it's been a looong time since I had my SVT or played thru a fliptop (mine's currently "in-op").

I was surprised to learn that the tone controls (but not the gain) on my MarkBass F500 were still operable when plugging the VT into the effects return. I didn't expect that. Still not sure if doing that or plugging directly into the input is preferable. Tried it both ways. I'll need a bunch more tweaking time to come up with settings I really like. Some of the factory settings seemed to need the 1/4" boost while others didn't. And the VT is capable of far more "distortion" than I expected, though I suspect I'll rarely use more than just a taste for "breakup". I'd love to be able to emulate Jamerson's tone on that solo'ed bass track of "What's Goin' On" that's been posted on TB a bunch. I think the VT with my 62 P Bass with flats should be able to come close. To the tone, that is.

So, all in all, my first impression of the VT Deluxe is:


Al

 

[ahc]

Oh yeah, almost forgot...

A big +1 to thanks for setting this up Kesslari!

Good drummers to him!!!

Al

 

[Smurf-o-Deth]

I was surprised to learn that the tone controls (but not the gain) on my MarkBass F500 were still operable when plugging the VT into the effects return. I didn't expect that.

This is because the Markbass effect loops are parallel, and set to a fixed 50/50 mix. There is no way to defeat the preamp.

 

[kesslari]

Oh yeah, almost forgot...

A big +1 to thanks for setting this up Kesslari!

Good drummers to him!!!

Al

Thanks - that's the kind of blessing I LIKE!