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Average Price: $214
High-end/Boutique
$70
$201+
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Description
Unleash the sonic power of legendary bass amps with the Tech 21 Character Series VT Bass V2. This versatile bass effects pedal is your gateway to an expansive world of bass tones, from warm and fat to gritty and overdriven. With SansAmp technology at its core, the VT Bass V2 isn't just another stompbox—it's a powerful preamp with built-in speaker emulation that faithfully replicates the sound of 10" bass amp speakers. Whether you're laying down tracks in the studio or performing live, this pedal offers the flexibility to shape your sound with precision using its six intuitive controls: Level, Mid, Character, Drive, Low, and High.
The VT Bass V2 is ideal for bassists seeking a diverse range of amp voicings without the need for multiple rigs. Its built-in speaker emulation allows you to plug directly into a PA system or recording interface, delivering rich, authentic tones that stand out. Thanks to its robust construction and impeccable SansAmp pedigree, this pedal is built to withstand the rigors of the road while delivering top-notch performance every time. Discover the tones of iconic bass amps and let your creativity flow with the Tech 21 Character Series VT Bass V2.
Key Features:
- Authentic bass amp tones from SVT to flip top to modern rock
- Six tone- and drive-shaping controls (Level, Mid, Character, Drive, Low, and High)
- Built-in defeatable speaker emulation
- Functions as a stompbox, preamp, or standalone recording tool
- Proven SansAmp quality and reliability
Product specs
| Brand | Tech 21 |
| Model | SansAmp Character Series VT Bass V2 |
| Finish | Graphic |
| Year | 2010s |
| Categories | Bass Effect Pedals |
FAQs
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What kind of tones can I expect from the Tech 21 VT Bass V2 pedal?
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The Tech 21 VT Bass V2 pedal delivers a wide range of tones from classic Ampeg-style sounds to modern bass distortion. It offers warm, tube-like characteristics and the ability to dial in everything from subtle overdrive to aggressive fuzz.
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Is the Tech 21 VT Bass V2 suitable for live performances?
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Yes, the VT Bass V2 is designed for both studio and live use, providing consistent tone and flexibility. Its durable construction and versatile sound options make it a reliable choice for gigging musicians.
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Does the Tech 21 VT Bass V2 pedal work with both passive and active basses?
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Yes, the VT Bass V2 is compatible with both passive and active basses, allowing you to achieve optimal tone regardless of your bass's electronics.
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What power supply does the Tech 21 VT Bass V2 require?
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The VT Bass V2 requires a standard 9V DC power supply, and it can also be powered by a 9V battery, making it convenient for various setups.
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Can the Tech 21 VT Bass V2 be used as a DI box?
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Yes, the VT Bass V2 functions as a direct injection (DI) box, allowing you to connect directly to a mixing console for recording or live sound applications.
Videos
bubu245
SansAmp VT Bass Character Series pedal
SansAmp VT Bass Character Series pedal
bubu245
Tech 21 VT Bass - SansAmp Character Series
Tech21nyc
Tech 21 VT Bass Deluxe Bass Pedal Demo - Sweetwater Sound
Sweetwater
Tech 21 - SansAmp Character Series - VT Bass
Tech21nyc
Tech 21 SansAmp VT Bass V2 (Bass Demo)
Jo Bass
Recording Bass Guitar With A Tech 21 VT Bass Pedal
The Studio Rats
Reviews
PROS
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Enhances tone even on low-quality amps
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Adds juiciness to tube preamp sections
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Provides useful volume boost
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Improves bass sound for live performances
CONS
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Louder than other pedals, can be problematic
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Not identical to Ampeg sound, despite emulation efforts
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Tech 21 Character Series VT Bass V2.
Comparisons
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The VT Bass V2 offers a different voicing compared to the Sansamp BDDI V2, with more presence and character, enhancing tonal diversity when used together.
Source -
While the Bass Driver is known for its mid-scooped sound, the VT Bass V2 adds more presence, potentially complementing the BDDI in varied setups.
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The VT Bass DI is noted for 70s-style tones, contrasting with the BDDI's more 90s-inspired sound, offering distinct flavors for different musical eras.
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Owners highlight that the mid controls on the BDDI V2 enhance its appeal, though some still prefer the VT Bass DI's sound profile.
Source
Use cases and applications
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Owners suggest using the VT Bass V2 for more drive while keeping the BDDI for less aggressive tones, maximizing versatility.
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For a clearer tone without a mid-scoop, owners set the character and drive knobs around 9:00-10:00, with mids at 12:00 and treble and bass slightly boosted.
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VT Bass DI is preferred for filling in mid frequencies when paired with thinner, brighter guitar sounds in pop or lighter music styles.
Source
Features and functionality
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The VT Bass V2 is praised for its unique voicing, which pairs distinctively well with the Sansamp BDDI, offering enhanced sound character in a dual-pedal setup.
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The blend control impacts the clean tone, which is still affected by the 3-band EQ but lacks cab simulation, potentially leading to a fizzy sound with additional drive pedals.
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The interaction between the character and drive controls on the VT Bass DI is praised for versatility, surpassing the BDDI's presence and drive controls.
Source
4.5 out of 5
Based on 3 Reviews and 13 Ratings
150
Good workhorse of a bass preamp
If the bass amp you've got to play through sucks—and I've played through a lot of shitty bass amps in practice and as backlines—the easiest way to make your tone palatable is to use a preamp. The VT Bass gets the job done nicely, often with the level set pretty low. And be judicial with the character knob. And even in nice bass amps—such as my old SWR-400—a touch of VT Bass adds some juiciness to the tube preamp section. It also usefully boosts the volume. My Triad cab is not known for being the loudest. I'm giving it less than 5 stars because this pedal tends to be louder than my other pedals. When I'm playing a punk gig, it doesn't bother me, but I tend not to use this pedal to record. It's purely for performance.
392
SansAmp Character Series-VT Bass (v2)
There's another listing here https://equipboard.com/items/sansamp-character-series-vt-bass-v2 but without most of the basic information. Is the gain the only difference between the two versions?
Artist usage
Add artist
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Owl City mentions using the Tech 21 SansAmp Character Series VT Bass V2 Distortion Bass Effects Pedal on Instagram, describing it as key to achieving his ideal bass tone.
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Tim outlines his tour gear setup in an Instagram post: "...#Sansamp VT Bass DI..."
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A VT Bass pedal case can be seen in this photo from Eric's official IG.
A Tech 21 SansAmp Character Series VT Bass V2 Distortion Bass Effects Pedal appears at 34:21 in Branden Campbell's pedalboard during this Neon Trees rig rundown.
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In an Instagram photo shared by idougahole, Dougie Poynter's pedalboard features the Tech 21 SansAmp Character Series VT Bass V2 Distortion Bass Effects Pedal, positioned between his tuner and ProCo Rat pedal.
In this Youtube Video at 2:47 you can see all of his effect pedals.
On the bass end of things, the bass is going through the pedal board that you’ll see, so all the pedals are for the bass. There’s three distortion pedals, there’s a Devi Ever Bit, which is an 8-bit gated fuzz. There’s a Tech 21 VT Bass, which is a SansAmp distortion. I use it more like a clean boost in a way, it’s not heavily distorted. There’s a Prunes and Custard pedal by Crowther Audio, which is made in New Zealand. It’s kind of a filter distortion. There’s two delay pedals. One is a Malekko 616, and a crazy, Particle granular delay by Red Panda. Probably the biggest part of the sound for Paris Monster is the Eventide PitchFactor. That’s doing all the pitch shifting on a few different settings. That’s on 80% of the time in this band. Maybe a little less than that. Then, an Ernie Ball volume pedal. I think that’s about it. Yeah, and then some expression knobs and AUX switches for the Eventide.
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Tech 21 Character Series VT Bass V2, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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