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What the...Darkglass Vintage Microtubes?!?!
- Thread starter DeltaPhoenix
- Start date
ERA knob reminds me of character knob on VT Bass. Anyone else feels this way?
I see you also have the Xotic BB Preamp.....do you find them similar in tone?
Spot the devil's machine! I need to admit it's way more quiet than my Agro pedal in terms of hissiness.
I have them both as well and they are WAY different...
The BB is exactly how it is described. It's a mini preamp in a box. It behaves much more like an amp pre where it has a treble and bass control and you add gain to get some distortion. Think ToneHammer. The distortion lays more on top of the signal, rather than being integrated into your tone, like the B3K. If that makes sense.
The B3K is a lot more mid focused and creamy, and the grit itself is voiced much differently than the distortion that you can get from the BB, which is pretty harsh and aggressive.
Sorry... they're so different, it's hard to make comparisons, if that makes sense. Two completely different animals.
The BB is exactly how it is described. It's a mini preamp in a box. It behaves much more like an amp pre where it has a treble and bass control and you add gain to get some distortion. Think ToneHammer. The distortion lays more on top of the signal, rather than being integrated into your tone, like the B3K. If that makes sense.
The B3K is a lot more mid focused and creamy, and the grit itself is voiced much differently than the distortion that you can get from the BB, which is pretty harsh and aggressive.
Sorry... they're so different, it's hard to make comparisons, if that makes sense. Two completely different animals.
thanks.....I have the BB and I like it but would prefer a warmer tone.....maybe I should get the Vintage MT.....I've been using a GK MBFusion 500 and a Markbass LMII but sometimes I just go through my BDDI or my DHA preamps to the board and I'd like to replace the BDDI and the BB......maybe a B7K and VMT? And I bet they'd go pretty good with the GK and the MB too.......I'd need a DI so the B7K would probably be better than the B3K......would the B7K and the VMT be overkill? To much of the same thing?
I think it'd be a perfect combo. I have the 1001 RB and a neo 410 and my B7K sounds sweet through my rig. I originally has the VMT too but it was a little too "warm" for my tastes so I returned it. I want it back now though I think the vintage goes with the B7K smashingly.
Sooo...after a couple of days with the Vintage Microtubes I can say that I like what I hear.
So far I only had the opportunity to go straight into my PC, though. But it can do that warm fuzzy stuff I was never quite able to attain with my VT Deluxe...always seemed a little more "farty" to me (maybe I was too stupid, but hey: if this thing gets it done without hours of twiddling knobs, why not?).
The real test however will be when I plug it into my old trusty Bassman 100 on Wednesday and try it out with the band.
I find it very interesting to experiment with the interaction of the Blend and Level knobs.
So far I only had the opportunity to go straight into my PC, though. But it can do that warm fuzzy stuff I was never quite able to attain with my VT Deluxe...always seemed a little more "farty" to me (maybe I was too stupid, but hey: if this thing gets it done without hours of twiddling knobs, why not?).
The real test however will be when I plug it into my old trusty Bassman 100 on Wednesday and try it out with the band.
I find it very interesting to experiment with the interaction of the Blend and Level knobs.
I have been satisfied with my VM in live settings. I will probably tend to keep the ERA knob around 9-12 oclock because in my mind, it sometimes gets a little too trebly if I keep turning it more clockwise.
That's one of the best things about darkglass pedals, the interaction of the blend and level knobs. They're so intuitive and work very well with each other. I have a B7K but after I got that, it makes me want to get a vintage again and a B3K. I think all 3 pedals compliment each other extremely well.
Please don't say that
Despite having ignored the B3/7K for a while, deeming the overdrive too metal-esque (I know they can do other things, too) I suddenly find myself interested. And that's always a dangerous state for me to be in w/r/t pedals.
Any thoughts; Is the Pickle Pie more of a Fuzz than the Phat Phuk, temporarily have a Budget Distortion Ibanez PD7 (seems to generate a bit too much feedback it seems when driving it into a Cry Baby bass wah) which would be better to drive into the Cry Baby, a darkglass BK3/BK7/ New BK Vintage or one of the Wren and Cuff overdrives/fuzzes.. trying to figure out
which is better to get close to a the fuzzy type distortion, IE: queens of the stone age "no one knows" or Audio slave "Cochise" song? TFR or the pickle pie b? was looking at and researching the FEA and The dave hall preamps (VT2-Stereo-EQ-Bass Valve Pre-amp/Overdrive) as well; may be cool to have a DI out option, as long as there is one that can be blended more to the dry/clean signal) not sure if the FEA's have real tubes.. One guy "mjac28" said the vintage may be good for me
Play through a SVT CL (2006 USA model or a ampeg V4 sometimes) Use drop C sharp and Drop C sometimes.. Thanx PP
Thanx PP
which is better to get close to a the fuzzy type distortion, IE: queens of the stone age "no one knows" or Audio slave "Cochise" song? TFR or the pickle pie b? was looking at and researching the FEA and The dave hall preamps (VT2-Stereo-EQ-Bass Valve Pre-amp/Overdrive) as well; may be cool to have a DI out option, as long as there is one that can be blended more to the dry/clean signal) not sure if the FEA's have real tubes.. One guy "mjac28" said the vintage may be good for me
Play through a SVT CL (2006 USA model or a ampeg V4 sometimes) Use drop C sharp and Drop C sometimes.. Thanx PP
Thanx PP
I've been A/B'ing the Bass BB Preamp and Vintage Microtubes today. The VMT can dial in the BB tone plus a lot more, and is definitely warmer (though not as warm as my SFT). It doesn't get as overdriven as the BB can, though almost. I originally got the BB for gritty drive, and it's a bit much for that because the gain overdrives even at low settings. So I was planning on replacing the BB with the VMT, but now I like having that extended range and might replace the SFT instead.
Haven't played live yet, but the VMT is exactly what I was looking for: a bit of edgy character that enhances my tone instead of replacing it. I can see where people would be underwhelmed if they are expecting a crazy drive pedal, esp coming from the B3K considering the clips I've heard; but this thing is so full of nuance within a very specific range (typically the range so many pedals skip past) and integrates so seamlessly with your existing tone, you can tell a lot of thought and care went into the design and execution.
I just got mine a few minutes ago. I'm totally blown away by how great this thing makes my bass sound. This is the overdrive that I've spent years looking for. Very excited to get this to a gig!
I'm pretty into my Vintage as well- unlike my B3K, I find I tend to prefer little to no clean signal blended in with the Vintage. The Drive by itself on the B3K is generally a bit harsh for my taste, where the Drive from the Vintage is all warm-midrange. Blending in Clean with the B3K seems to add punch where I want it , whereas with the Vintage I feel the Clean blend actually subtracts punchiness and clarity a bit to my ears at least through my rig (I have been using flatwounds on my main bass lately, so that is a big contributer- the Blend is much more useful for me when using my roundwound equipped basses).
Through my DB750 I can see using the Vintage at a moderate Drive setting as an always-on pedal- sounds almost made for a P-bass playing heavy rock! It helps tighten up the sometimes loose/soft low end of the Aguilar and add a nice midrange articulation and crunch that the DB750 EQ lacks control over.
Through my DB750 I can see using the Vintage at a moderate Drive setting as an always-on pedal- sounds almost made for a P-bass playing heavy rock! It helps tighten up the sometimes loose/soft low end of the Aguilar and add a nice midrange articulation and crunch that the DB750 EQ lacks control over.
I think that's as good as it gets. In fact that deal may not apply to Darkglass products, but if you ask real nice, he might give it to you...
Thanks jwr and smeet, I just got it ordered, the coupon code did apply.I think that's as good as it gets. In fact that deal may not apply to Darkglass products, but if you ask real nice, he might give it to you...
I hope it sounds as good as everyone says (with my gear), can't wait to try it out.
