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Average Price: $119

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Description

Discover the quintessential British sound without the bulk of a full stack with the Tech21 British power amplifier. This powerhouse is part of the revered SansAmp Character Series, and it conjures the legendary tones of iconic British amps with remarkable authenticity. From the raw, bluesy growl of the Bluesbreaker to the searing intensity of the Plexi, this compact amp delivers the quintessential British crunch that musicians have cherished for decades. Its versatile character control lets you seamlessly transition between classic British tones, making it a must-have for any guitarist seeking that elusive, vintage sound.

Perfect for both stage and studio, the Tech21 British is engineered to provide consistent performance, whether you're capturing the essence of rock history or carving out your sonic signature. Its user-friendly controls allow for precise tone shaping, ensuring that your sound stands out in any mix. The rugged construction ensures durability for life on the road, while its compact size makes it easy to transport and integrate into any rig.

Ideal for both purists and modern players, this amplifier is your ticket to the revered sounds of British rock history without the hassle of vintage maintenance. Embrace the power, the tone, and the legacy—all in one sleek package.

Key Features:

  • Part of the SansAmp Character Series
  • Simulates classic British amp tones
  • Versatile character control for tone shaping
  • Compact and durable design
  • Suitable for stage and studio use

Product specs

Brand Tech 21
Model SansAmp Character Series British
Finish Purple
Year 2010s
Made In United States
Categories Distortion Pedals, Overdrive and Boost Pedals
Brett Kingman

Brett Kingman

Tech 21 SansAmp British - LONG version

Video thumbnail for Tech 21 SansAmp British - LONG version by Brett Kingman

Tech 21 SansAmp British - LONG version

Brett Kingman

Brett Kingman

Video thumbnail for Tech 21 SansAmp Character Series British V2 Pedal Demo - Sweetwater Sound by Sweetwater

Tech 21 SansAmp Character Series British V2 Pedal Demo - Sweetwater Sound

Sweetwater

Sweetwater

Video thumbnail for Tech 21 British Character serie VS Harley Benton British True Tone by Zero Certezze

Tech 21 British Character serie VS Harley Benton British True Tone

Zero Certezze

Zero Certezze

Video thumbnail for Tech 21 SansAmp British - SHORT version by Brett Kingman

Tech 21 SansAmp British - SHORT version

Brett Kingman

Brett Kingman

Video thumbnail for Tech 21 - SansAmp Character Series - British (Part I) by Tech21nyc

Tech 21 - SansAmp Character Series - British (Part I)

Tech21nyc

Tech21nyc

Video thumbnail for review of the tech 21 british : presets by fabiengen

review of the tech 21 british : presets

fabiengen

fabiengen

Video thumbnail for Tech 21 British (Direct into audio interface) by Pedal Sessions

Tech 21 British (Direct into audio interface)

Pedal Sessions

Pedal Sessions

Video thumbnail for Tech 21 British (Factory's Suggested Settings and My Adjustments) by Pedal Sessions

Tech 21 British (Factory's Suggested Settings and My Adjustments)

Pedal Sessions

Pedal Sessions

Reviews

PROS

  • Delivers authentic Marshall-like tones in a compact pedal

  • Excellent for recording; integrates well with digital interfaces

  • Versatile EQ controls offer a wide range of Marshall era tones

  • Provides natural, amp-like distortion with a touch of compression

  • Responds dynamically like a tube amp, great for live performances

  • Ideal for home use and practicing due to its versatile sound options

  • Effective direct PA connection, mimics mic'ed Marshall sound

  • Seamless compatibility with Tech 21 Power Engine for enhanced sound

CONS

  • Speaker sim deactivation causes significant treble roll-off

  • Unity gain issues complicate live pedalboard integration

  • Knobs are easily knocked, affecting settings during use

  • Overly sensitive level knob lacks a clear sweet spot

  • Inconsistent footswitch reliability can cause performance issues

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Tech 21 British.

Comparisons

  • Owners who have used both the Tech21 British and Joyo clones note a significant difference in 'liveliness,' with the Tech21 sounding more like a real amp.

    Source
  • The AMT F1 is noted for its accurate Fender Twin emulation, using JFETs to replicate the circuit, which some users prefer over the Tech21 Blonde for authenticity.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • Users report that Tech21 British pedals become too bright when the cab sim is disabled, especially when used with an amp.

    Source
  • The Tech21 British V2 is preferred for its integrated cab sim, which is beneficial for users connecting directly to an IR loader or headphones.

    Source
  • The Tech21 Character pedals are designed for direct recording, offering effective tone shaping through their highly sensitive knobs for diverse tonal outputs.

    Source
  • The Tech21 British is ideal for end-of-chain placement in a pedalboard setup, effectively handling stereo delays, modulations, or reverbs when used carefully.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The Tech21 British V1 is suggested for high gain setups, though it may introduce some hiss at high gain levels.

    Source
  • Users find the Tech21 British excellent for bass applications, with some reports of it delivering impressive bass tones even when originally purchased for guitar use.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Some users recommend performing a cab sim bypass on Joyo pedals to improve their sound clarity, though this requires soldering skills.

    Source

User experience

  • A long-term user of the GT-2 model finds the Tech21 British setting most favorable, indicating personal preference for its tonal capabilities over other settings.

    Source

4.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 3 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
redgtrrocker

A Marshall-style stomp that sounds close to the real deal

Always been a Tech 21 NYC fan since my earliest days of attending NAMM shows back in the mid 90s--great people, and great products! I first discovered the "Character Series" pedals when I worked at a local music store that carried Tech 21 gear. The British pedal I bought was a V1 edition, so there is no pushbutton option to disengage the sansamp speaker emulation on mine, but that's cool with me since it's the emulation that's the "Slice-of-Fried-Gold" factor. (Why have a button that emasculates the unit, yanno?) I was looking for a pedal that would grok/cop a tone similar to my Rivera Knucklehead Reverb (e.g., hot-rodded Marshall tones), and this one fit the bill better than anything else we had in the shop. I also dig the fact that if my rig were to ever crap out on me, I could literally run this pedal direct into the PA and it would sound like a mic'ed Marshall, but thankfully I've never had to go that route. Runs the gamut from Bluesbreaker breakup to Plexi prowess and all pertinent points on the Marshall map. (I like the 'Character' knob dialed in somewhere between 2:00 and 3:00 for a more modern tone, personally.) My only qualms, however, are with the easy-to-knock-around knobs that I'd keep bumping every time I engaged the damn thing (hence the foam rubber to hold them in place), and the overly-sensitive 'Level' knob that goes from a whisper to a ROAR with the slightest tweak--like there's no "Sweet Spot" between too quiet and too loud. Oh yeah... and the Tech 21 footswitch can be FLAKY as f*ck, and if the internal spring ever shifts in the slightest, it will cause intermittency issues when trying to turn it on and off! Talk about a royal pain in the ass, especially in the middle of a gig. Had to take it to a guy to have it fixed once, so I wish Tech 21 would ditch those effin' switches already and find a more reliable solution. Other than those issues, it's been a great pedal to have for rehearsals and small gigs where I didn't have room for my full rig. Would I buy again? Possibly, but definitely not if they keep using the same lame switches in them.

From Gear Setup

Genre Usage

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redgtrrocker

redgtrrocker

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