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Average Price: $211
High-end/Boutique
$80
$181+
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Price History
Based on price data from 2 merchants for "Tech 21 SansAmp GT2". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
The Tech 21 SansAmp GT2 Tube Amp Emulator is a time-honored asset in any musician's gear collection. This versatile stompbox brings an extensive range of tube amp emulation, making it a must-have for any guitarist or bass player. Its ability to mimic the rich, nuanced tones of classic American tweed, British drive, and high-gain Californian amps is nothing short of impressive.
With three 3-mode voicing switches and a 2-band EQ, the GT2 offers a vast assortment of tonal possibilities. Need to run direct to the PA? No problem! The SansAmp GT2 and a DI box are all you need. Regardless of your instrument or pickup configuration, the GT2's extensive tonal range has got you covered.
One of the standout features of the GT2 is its all-analog design. This ensures a smooth and natural dynamic response that digital pedals often struggle to replicate. Despite its sophisticated tonal capabilities, the GT2 is built to last, with many users swearing by the same unit for over 20 years.
Key Features:
- All-analog tube-amp emulator for guitar, bass, and more
- Three 3-way voicing switches for extensive tonal flexibility
- Amp switch for selecting American tweed, British, or Californian sounds
- Mod switch for default amp setting, gain boost, or high-gain tone with scooped midrange
- Mic switch for on-axis, off-axis, or a balanced sound
- Independent gain and drive controls for a wide range of clean and overdriven tones
- High- and low-frequency shelving equalizer bands for additional tone shaping
- Durable all-metal construction and quality analog components for extended use
Owner's manual
Tech 21 SansAmp GT2 User ManualProduct specs
| Pedal Type | Analog Tube Amp Modeler |
| Inputs | 1 x 1/4" |
| Outputs | 1 x 1/4" |
| Power Source | 9V DC power supply (sold separately) |
| Batteries | Optional 9V battery |
| Power Usage | 50mA-100mA |
| Height | 1.5" |
| Width | 3.5" |
| Depth | 4.5" |
| Weight | 0.68 lbs. |
FAQs
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Can the Tech 21 SansAmp GT2 be used as a preamp?
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Yes, the Tech 21 SansAmp GT2 functions as a preamp, allowing you to emulate a variety of tube amp sounds. It can be used to shape your tone before reaching an amplifier or directly into a PA system.
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What type of power supply does the Tech 21 SansAmp GT2 require?
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The Tech 21 SansAmp GT2 requires a 9V DC power supply, which is sold separately. It can also be powered by an optional 9V battery for convenience.
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Is the SansAmp GT2 suitable for live performances?
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Yes, the SansAmp GT2 is well-suited for live performances, offering versatile amp modeling that can be used directly into a PA system or as part of your pedalboard setup.
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Does the SansAmp GT2 work well with bass guitars?
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While the SansAmp GT2 is primarily designed for electric guitars, it can also be used with bass guitars to achieve a wide range of tones, though some users might prefer a bass-specific model for optimal results.
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How does the Tech 21 SansAmp GT2 compare to other distortion pedals?
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The Tech 21 SansAmp GT2 stands out with its ability to emulate various tube amp sounds, offering more tonal flexibility compared to standard distortion pedals that typically focus on a single type of distortion.
Videos
Bax-shop | Bax Music Goes
Tech 21 SansAmp GT-2 Stompbox Review | Bax Music
Reviews
PROS
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Versatile tones, mimics Marshall, Fender, and Mesa amps effectively
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Direct recording yields consistent tones with subtle harmonics
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Easy to dial in sounds, minimal tweaking needed for excellent output
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Durable build quality with a solid footswitch click
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Works well as both an amp sim and in front of an amp
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Useful for both guitar and bass, providing tube-like saturation
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Offers a range of settings: mic positions, mods, and amp types
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Analog circuitry provides dynamic response and sustain
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Can save gigs as a reliable backup to tube amps
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Adds warm, tube-like character to both guitars and bass
CONS
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Lacks a parallel dry output for more versatility in recording
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Some find the cab sim aspect outdated compared to modern digital pedals
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High-gain settings can introduce noise
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Limited by being able to use only one setting at a time
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Feedback issues when used live through front stage monitors
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Tech 21 SansAmp GT2.
Features and functionality
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As a preamp/distortion pedal, it provides a ferocious and gnarly sound, described as messy and noisy, which some users find appealing.
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Owners appreciate the GT2's ability to recreate amp-like tones, especially favoring the Tweed/Fender and California/Mesa sounds for sparkling cleans and heavy saturation.
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Despite being analog, the GT2 competes with modern amp-in-a-box and IR pedals, maintaining relevance in both direct and amplified recording situations.
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The mic placement switch is highlighted as a particularly useful feature, offering subtle nuance variations that enhance tonal experimentation.
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Use cases and applications
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Even players not specifically aiming for Nirvana tones use the GT2 for live convenience, suggesting its reliability in live performances.
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The pedal interacts dynamically with guitar volume changes, allowing users to dial back into clean tones, mimicking the response of an actual amp.
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When used with a BitQuest fuzz, the GT2 can deliver intense soundscapes suitable for bedroom setups, highlighting its versatility in different environments.
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The GT2's British and California amp settings are noted to be heavily distorted, even when the drive is turned down, which is seen as a limitation for those seeking clean tones.
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User experience
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The GT2 effectively acts as a tone shaper, with some users preferring it as an always-on preamp to enhance Fender-style clean tones.
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A user reports that the GT2's distorted settings may be influenced by their guitar's strong P90 style pickups, suggesting variability in performance based on guitar choice.
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Comparisons
Critic Reviews
4.5 out of 5
Based on 12 Reviews and 74 Ratings
280
Nice analog modelling box
I have a DIY version (replica) of this unit, the SinAmp. The sounds are amazing.
222
Warm character enhancement for guitar sound
Nice pedal to incorporate into a setup. Provides warm character into guitar sound
Artist usage
Add artist
MUSE article in the October issue of Electronic Musician with Matthew Bellamy discussing "The 2nd Law" album: On the album opener 'Supremacy,' Bellamy's passionate vocal cry morphs into a screaming guitar solo..."That's two [Tech 21] SansAmps with the lead vocal down the middle," Bellamy explains. "The SansAmp on the left had a 45-millisecond delay. The distortion is in stereo, but the main vocal was dry and right down the middle. You get this big-sounding vocal, but it evokes guitar as well because it's going through a SansAmp guitar simulator. It creates this strangely large, chorus distorted sound."
This video from DunlopTV features the guitar tech of TOOL's longest acting bassist, Justin Chancellor. As he runs through some of the pedals within Chancellor's pedal board, we see that the over-all board is in 3 sections. The camera does a tightly zoomed pan of the board and shows the Tech 21 SansAmp GT2 Pedal.
Sold on Reverb.com in 2017.
This Tech 21 SansAmp GT2 is owned by J Mascis of Dinosaur Jr.
The Tech 21 SansAmp GT2 allows you to mix and match three different amp models (California, British, Tweed) with three gain characters and three different virtual mic placements. This is a great stand-in pedal if you're recording direct into an audio interface for DAW work.
SN: 133897. In pretty good condition. Looks as though velcro has once been removed on the account of some missing paint. From J's personal collection.
All items sold in The Official J Mascis Reverb Shop are shipped fully insured with delivery confirmation and include a signed Certificate Of Authenticity from J Mascis.
In this video, at 3:25, Kerry king Guitar Tech Guitar Tech Anders Aho shows us Tech 21 SansAmp GT2.
In an interview about his new Fly Rig, Paul says “The main [Feuer] sound is based on the SansAmp GT2, which I’ve used for a long time. I have this specific setting that I dial in and we wanted to build the same sound inside the PL1 so that I could use it for my main tone.''
According to this Premier Guitar article, Chi Cheng used a SansAmp GT2 for the majority of his bass playing.
He uses this pedal for gain and grit, according to Premier Guitar's rig rundown.
Album Usage
The Tech 21 SansAmp GT2 has been featured on the following albums:
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 SansAmp GT2, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
Show yoursSimilar
Add recommendation6 alternative and related items for Tech 21 SansAmp GT2, curated by the Equipboard community.
$39.00
This is a budget Behringer clone of the GT2 It benefits from also having an XLR connection and ground lift switch.
$24.00 - $28.90
$329.00 - $349.00
Same manufacturer, similar drive circuit. GT2 utilizes some of the same circuitry of the sansamp classic, but provides different controls for tone-shaping. Both are great for gritty and grungy bass and guitar tones.
Early 1990s clone of the Sansamp GT2, made by Yerasov.
$85.00 - $139.00
Very similar layout of controls, with the addition of a balanced XLR output, ground lift switch, headphone out and AUX in.
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