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Description

Unleash the power of classic British amp tones with the Tech 21 SansAmp Character Series British V2. This versatile pedal captures the essence of legendary British amps, delivering everything from the punchy Bluesbreaker overdrive to the throaty Plexi roar, all the way to the bold attack of '70s Anglo-metal. Its six intuitive controls—Level, Mid, Character, Drive, Low, and High—offer a playground for tone sculptors, allowing you to dial in anything from sparkling cleans to sizzling leads.

What sets the British V2 apart is its adaptability. Whether you’re looking for a dynamic stompbox to enhance your pedalboard, a reliable preamp for your live rig, or a quiet recording solution with its switchable speaker emulation, this pedal has you covered. As part of the renowned SansAmp lineup, it promises robust build quality and reliability, ensuring it stands up to the rigors of the road or the studio.

Perfect for guitarists seeking to explore the harmonic richness of classic British tones, the British V2 is designed to inspire and elevate your playing. Whether you're crafting your unique sound or mimicking the iconic tones of yesteryear, this pedal is your gateway to authentic British amplification.

Key Features:

  • Authentic British amp tones ranging from Bluesbreaker to Plexi to '70s stack
  • Six tone-shaping controls: Level, Mid, Character, Drive, Low, and High
  • Switchable speaker emulation for direct recording
  • Functions as a stompbox, preamp, or standalone recording tool
  • Trusted SansAmp quality and durability for consistent performance

Product specs

Brand Tech 21
Model SansAmp Character Series British V2
Year 2010s
Categories Distortion Pedals, Overdrive and Boost Pedals

FAQs

What kind of tones can I expect from the Tech 21 SansAmp Character Series British V2?

The British V2 offers a range of tones from classic British rock to modern high-gain sounds. The Character control allows you to dial in a variety of British amp tones, from vintage warmth to aggressive crunch.

Does the Tech 21 SansAmp Character Series British V2 work well with a bass guitar?

While primarily designed for electric guitar, the British V2 can be used with bass guitars to achieve a gritty, overdriven sound, though it may not preserve the low-end clarity as well as bass-specific pedals.

Can the Tech 21 SansAmp Character Series British V2 be used without an amp?

Yes, the British V2 can function as a standalone preamp, allowing you to connect directly to a power amp, studio mixer, or PA system, thanks to its built-in cabinet emulation.

How does the cabinet emulation feature work on the Tech 21 SansAmp Character Series British V2?

The cabinet emulation simulates the sound of a miked speaker cabinet, providing a fuller tone when connecting directly to recording equipment or PA systems. It can be bypassed if you prefer to use an external cabinet simulator.

What are the main controls on the Tech 21 SansAmp Character Series British V2 and what do they do?

The British V2 features Level, Mid, Character, Drive, Low, and High controls. These allow you to adjust the output volume, midrange, amp character, gain, bass, and treble, respectively, offering extensive tonal shaping options.

Sweetwater

Sweetwater

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

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 V2 - Marshall Clean Tones - Direct to mixer (no talking) by The Alcantaras

Tech 21 British V2 - Marshall Clean Tones - Direct to mixer (no talking)

The Alcantaras

The Alcantaras

Video thumbnail for Quick Test: Tech 21 British V2 Direct With Pedals by Romain Bigeard

Quick Test: Tech 21 British V2 Direct With Pedals

Romain Bigeard

Romain Bigeard

Reviews

PROS

  • Accurately captures the sound and feel of classic Marshall amps

  • Pairs excellently with Tech 21 Power Engine 60 for a cohesive sound

  • Character control offers vast tonal versatility

  • Reacts like a real amp, even cleaning up when volume is rolled back

  • Soft foot-switch design ensures trouble-free operation

  • Natural sounding distortion preferred over other pedals

  • Ideal for running direct, eliminating the need for expensive setups

  • Handles additional pedals well, like a real amp

CONS

  • Does not exactly replicate the experience of a cranked Marshall stack

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Tech 21 SansAmp Character Series British V2.

Comparisons

  • The AMT F1 is noted to be more accurate to a Fender Twin preamp, using JFETs to replicate the circuit, compared to the Tech 21 Blonde.

    Source
  • The Tech 21 GT-2 is noted for its versatility and long-term reliability, with users running it into tube preamps for unique recordings, unlike the SansAmp Character Series.

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  • The Tech 21 British V1 is perceived as more lively and amp-like compared to Joyo clones, which sound muffled in direct A/B tests.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • It's noted that the V2 SansAmps lack the ability to turn off the cab sim, despite having a "speaker sim" button, which is a misnomer.

    Source
  • Users appreciate the ability to run certain SansAmp models on phantom power, providing flexibility in various recording and live settings.

    Source
  • The Tech 21 British, even with cab sim enabled, integrates well into amp setups, with users often preferring this configuration for reduced brightness.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Users recommend bypassing built-in cab sims by using the effects send or an external cab sim pedal like the Tomsline Aroma Shaper for enhanced tone shaping.

    Source
  • Some users perform a cab sim bypass mod on Joyo pedals to enhance clarity, though it requires soldering skills.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Owners find the British model effectively emulates Marshall tones for both guitar and bass, with some users employing it directly for recording or live sound.

    Source
  • Owners utilize the SansAmp pedals to effectively replace preamps in combo amps, allowing direct PA integration for live shows.

    Source

User experience

  • The pedals are praised for their powerful EQ sections, though some prefer AMT pedals for their sound fidelity and additional features like effects loops.

    Source
  • Some report using the SansAmp as a primary distortion tool, suggesting its reliability and tonal quality for extended periods.

    Source
  • High gain settings on the Tech 21 British can introduce hiss, but it performs well when paired with treble boosters or EP boosts for 80's metal tones.

    Source

Other

  • It's recommended to run AMT pedals at 12V to avoid noise issues, as they can be quiet and hissy at 9V.

    Source

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