Is there anything like a SansAmp Bass Driver out there?

Geetarzz · Post by **Geetarzz** » Wednesday Sep 09, 2009

I really want to get a SansAmp Bass driver. But I was wondering if there is anything out there that compares to them?

MOONDOGGY · Post by **MOONDOGGY** » Wednesday Sep 09, 2009

The EBS MicroBass is a DI, 2 ch pre, overdrive in a pedal. It's probably a bit more expensive, but EBS is top notch.

Demeter and Radial also make them, but I don't know about their overdrive/distortion abilities. I'm sure there's a much bigger list than what I'm familiar with too.

MeYatch · Post by **MeYatch** » Wednesday Sep 09, 2009

I have a Behringer model that's kind of similar, I forget what its called. I'm sure its not as good as the real thing, but its also 1/10th as much.

bassist_25 · Post by **bassist_25** » Wednesday Sep 09, 2009

There's the Aguilar Agro - http://www.aguilaramp.com/products_preamps_agro.htm

It's different from the Sansamp RBI rackmount in that the Aguilar is primarily an overdrive/tube emulation unit where as the Sansamp can also be used as a dedicated preamp.

There's also the SWR Insterstellar Overdrive (IOD) - http://www.amptone.com/swrinterstellaroverdrive.htm

SWR doesn't make these anymore, but you can find them on the used market. Like the Sansamp, it can be used as either a dedicated clean preamp or an overdrive/tube emulation unit.

MOONDOGGY · Post by **MOONDOGGY** » Wednesday Sep 09, 2009

That brings up a good question: Are you looking for a bass DI/overdrive in a stomp box or in a rack mount unit?

slackin@dabass · Post by **slackin@dabass** » Wednesday Sep 09, 2009

hartke makes something like a sansamp.

http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-HAR-ATK-LIST

nothing beats a sansamp, though.

edit: except for maybe real tubes

Geetarzz · Post by **Geetarzz** » Thursday Sep 10, 2009

I'm looking for the stompbox model. I used to have one and it was very easy to get that gunk/growl out of it. I'm sure the GK 2001RB head didn't hurt either.

BassFinger · Post by **BassFinger** » Thursday Sep 10, 2009

Geetarzz wrote:I'm looking for the stompbox model. I used to have one and it was very easy to get that gunk/growl out of it. I'm sure the GK 2001RB head didn't hurt either.

Tech 21 also makes the VT Bass pedal but that is a digital modeling pedal (... not analog). Street price is around $150.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xr8kdWpB3U4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_be9GSlt_eQ

Aguilar also has the Tone Hammer. I'm not sure of the price.

http://www.aguilaramp.com/tonehammer_settings.htm

Barry (i.e. Bardel Pedals) will be doing a bass drive in the future for me but that hasn't hit the design bench yet.

Cheers!

JackANSI · Post by **JackANSI** » Thursday Sep 10, 2009

I really don't think there is anything out there that compares directly to the SansAmp. Its got its own 'sound' even when trying to emulate other 'sounds'. If you liked the one you had, get another one, its a known quantity.

bassist_25 · Post by **bassist_25** » Thursday Sep 10, 2009

JackANSI wrote:I really don't think there is anything out there that compares directly to the SansAmp. Its got its own 'sound' even when trying to emulate other 'sounds'. If you liked the one you had, get another one, its a known quantity.

Very true. The only thing that I don't like about the Bass Driver is that it still noticably colors your tone, even when disengaged.

JackANSI · Post by **JackANSI** » Thursday Sep 10, 2009

bassist_25 wrote:Very true. The only thing that I don't like about the Bass Driver is that it still noticably colors your tone, even when disengaged.

I've never noticed that, the rack version must be true bypass. (tried passive and active basses, same result).

my7of9 · Post by **my7of9** » Wednesday Sep 16, 2009

I am currently working on an SVT style Bass Driver.
This will be my next new design if all goes well for Bardel Pedals.
I am very exited to be working on Pedals for the Bass guitar! A very extra special thanks goes to BassFinger for letting me borrow his gear!!

This will not be some sterile digital representation but a true to form circuit design using actual schematics from the actual amps. Actually I have enlisted the aid of an anonymous German Engineer to help me with this project and If all works out it WILL Kick Ass because I will accept nothing short of that!

I will keep you posted and should know something solid within the next few weeks!

Meanwhile if you have not tried the Bardel Stage 3 Bass Booster I believe you owe yourself a trial!

Thanks as always!!!

Barry

JackANSI · Post by **JackANSI** » Thursday Sep 17, 2009

Where can one get some hands-on time with your work?

my7of9 · Post by **my7of9** » Thursday Sep 17, 2009

One would need to contact me.

PM me and we can work something out I am sure.

Barry

my7of9 · Post by **my7of9** » Friday Oct 02, 2009

I am just about finished with my Bardel Bass Driver and I am extremely happy with the results! I still have a bit of tweaking to do yet but it should not be much longer.
I appreciate Bassfinger for lending me his gear for this very important project.

Forget the sterile harsh world of SMD and the COSM! This is a boutique hand-wired pedal with painstakingly hand matched components for the Ultimate Bass Machine!

The price as with all my pedals will also be set in the affordable range!

More on this soon!

Thanks as always and if you have not read any of my more recent reviews please check them out here: http://www.rockpage.net/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=23991

And here: http://reviews.harmony-central.com/revi ... oster/10/1

Barry

Geetarzz · Post by **Geetarzz** » Saturday Oct 03, 2009

I did get another Sansamp. But I would really like to hear what they sound like side by side.

my7of9 · Post by **my7of9** » Saturday Oct 03, 2009

Geetarzz wrote:I did get another Sansamp. But I would really like to hear what they sound like side by side.

I will let you know when I am finished and maybe we can arrange a get together. I also would like to hear the Sansamp as I have yet to hear their version. Are you referring to the Character Series or the Bass Driver?? They have incredible reviews anyhow and I also would love to compare. I believe mine if anything would be comparable to their VT Character Series but like I said I am not really sure. Mine is not a copy or clone of that pedal or any other pedal for that matter. What I did was design a new circuit using an original 60's B15 Ampeg amplifier schematic and it is made to do just that and has no other bells and whistles but it is designed to do that Amp in a pedal very well!

And so far I am extremely pleased.

Also I know my circuit is unique because none of the commercial companies would bother with my type of circuit design because it would require too many hours of testing for each individual circuit to get it just right and these companies will not be bothered with all of that. And understandably so. They have to pump them out and do it for a competitive price. I on the other hand have the time for now anyway..and my main concern is making sure my name goes on a pedal that I am proud of.

TTYS,

Barry

slackin@dabass · Post by **slackin@dabass** » Saturday Oct 03, 2009

my7of9 wrote:
Geetarzz wrote:I did get another Sansamp. But I would really like to hear what they sound like side by side.
I will let you know when I am finished and maybe we can arrange a get together. I also would like to hear the Sansamp as I have yet to hear their version. Are you referring to the Character Series or the Bass Driver?? They have incredible reviews anyhow and I also would love to compare. I believe mine if anything would be comparable to their VT Character Series but like I said I am not really sure. Mine is not a copy or clone of that pedal or any other pedal for that matter. What I did was design a new circuit using an original 60's B15 Ampeg amplifier schematic and it is made to do just that and has no other bells and whistles but it is designed to do that Amp in a pedal very well! And so far I am extremely pleased.

Also I know my circuit is unique because none of the commercial companies would bother with my type of circuit design because it would require too many hours of testing for each individual circuit to get it just right and these companies will not be bothered with all of that. And understandably so. They have to pump them out and do it for a competitive price. I on the other hand have the time for now anyway..and my main concern is making sure my name goes on a pedal that I am proud of.

TTYS,

Barry

i'm interested in hearing it as well. i play through a bass driver and run a DI out of it for shows, so it is my amp. does your design have a DI output on it, as well as a 1/4 inch out to run it to an amp?

my7of9 · Post by **my7of9** » Saturday Oct 03, 2009

No mine does not include a DI as I have to find ways to keep my costs down besides hiring the Chinese to build them for me.

So anyway I have noticed that there are plenty of good DI boxes available for $30 or less so to me it just seems more versatile to go that direction. Plus it will allow me to be able to sell the pedal for much less than the Sans Amp.
As you might have guessed I cannot compete with mass produced products like Sans Amp price wise because they buy in huge bulk and have clever ways to cut costs in many ways which are either not accessible to me or actually just plain not acceptable.

Where I can compete is by building a quality Hand Wired product which is designed and tested to sound great one pedal at a time!

While the internal DI is a great idea, for me it just adds to much extra cost and time to incorporate into this build. I would be better off buying you a DI box and just throwing it in. Also a separate DI box has other advantages as well.

Now if I were selling these pedals for $200 and up then yes I would consider doing that but I plan on selling these for $109 or thereabout. It is a good thing I do not charge by the hour when I build a pedal right now because 1. They would be much more expensive. 2. I would be selling fewer pedals in this economy we have right now!

Basically my time is mine and I am not charging very much for it! So I do hope you understand what I am trying to say that when it comes to me trying to keep costs down I absolutely will not sacrifice quality! But sometimes there is more than one way to skin a cat with features that is more versatile and cost effective without sacrificing quality.

Excellent question and Thanks for asking!

I hope that helps.

Barry

MOONDOGGY · Post by **MOONDOGGY** » Sunday Oct 04, 2009

So what exactly is the difference between a bass overdrive/fuzz/distortion pedal, and a bass overdrive pedal tailored for active basses? I've been looking for a decent bass overdrive, but have found that most of them don't quite get a good sounding overdriven tone w/ active basses. Also, I've yet to come across a bass OD that gives a low B a nice dirty growl.

Is there any way I can get some sound clips of an active 5 string thru one of your Bass Drives? If it can get the dirty Ampeg growl I'm looking for, I'd be sold! My main amp is an SVT-4 and it gets a phenomenal dirty growl if you push it. But, I don't always use this amp and I don't always crank it when I do.

I've yet to try my dream bass overdrive, the EBS Valvedrive, but I've heard it's among the best. Have any of you bassists got to try one of these? Thoughts?

my7of9 · Post by **my7of9** » Sunday Oct 04, 2009

Moondoggy I am still in the prototype stage with this and when I am finished maybe Bassfinger (who I am working closely with on this project) can give you a more detailed explanation from a true Bass players point of view that I am sure you would appreciate.
It should not be much longer now. Maybe two weeks or so.

Thanks for asking!

Barry

slackin@dabass · Post by **slackin@dabass** » Sunday Oct 04, 2009

my7of9 wrote:No mine does not include a DI as I have to find ways to keep my costs down besides hiring the Chinese to build them for me. So anyway I have noticed that there are plenty of good DI boxes available for $30 or less so to me it just seems more versatile to go that direction. Plus it will allow me to be able to sell the pedal for much less than the Sans Amp.
As you might have guessed I cannot compete with mass produced products like Sans Amp price wise because they buy in huge bulk and have clever ways to cut costs in many ways which are either not accessible to me or actually just plain not acceptable.

Where I can compete is by building a quality Hand Wired product which is designed and tested to sound great one pedal at a time!

While the internal DI is a great idea, for me it just adds to much extra cost and time to incorporate into this build. I would be better off buying you a DI box and just throwing it in. Also a separate DI box has other advantages as well.

Now if I were selling these pedals for $200 and up then yes I would consider doing that but I plan on selling these for $109 or thereabout. It is a good thing I do not charge by the hour when I build a pedal right now because 1. They would be much more expensive. 2. I would be selling fewer pedals in this economy we have right now! Basically my time is mine and I am not charging very much for it! So I do hope you understand what I am trying to say that when it comes to me trying to keep costs down I absolutely will not sacrifice quality! But sometimes there is more than one way to skin a cat with features that is more versatile and cost effective without sacrificing quality.

Excellent question and Thanks for asking!

I hope that helps.

Barry

that's a bummer you can't integrate a di into it. no real loss, though, like you said a di box will run you 30 bucks and up. would you be able to build a di into it, on request, with the included charge for time, parts, and labor if a certain bass player asked reaaaaalllly nicely

oh, last i heard, tech21's manufacturing plant was in new jersy

my7of9 · Post by **my7of9** » Sunday Oct 04, 2009

Quote: last I heard Tech 21's manufacturing plant is in New Jersey

My statement about China was not directed at Tech 21. The comment was made as a viable solution for me that many companies choose to cut cost and not just Pedal Companies! A choice that I won't make though.
SHARP Microwaves say "Made In The USA".

Which consists of screwing a few parts and panels together!
The circuit boards and electronics are manufactured Guess Where??

I cannot say anything for Tech 21 because I do not know for sure.
And kudos to them if they are entirely manufactured in the USA. I still do not have their power to buy say 10,000 pots from "guess where?" for .20 cents a piece. Also many companies have their circuit boards assembled in China, Taiwan, .. or some other such place and then shipped to USA for assembly. Look at Boss where even they found it more cost effective to have them built elsewhere. Well I do not need to say anymore I am sure because examples are everywhere we look!

Most of the big guys do that to save money and when you see what prices these other countries charge to slap a board together for you I honestly cannot blame them!

It is not a bust on Boss or anyone else I am just pointing out the difference between me and them that's all.

As far as adding DI to my design there is a bit more involved than just slapping a "jack in the box" or I would be glad to of course. I would be glad to customize or do something special for any of you here but only if it is feasible and cost effective for you first and foremost. I will have to see. But a quick search of eBay turns up many examples like this "Hosa Sidekick Passive Direct Box for Guitar & Bass" $22.95 with FREE shipping!" I could not build a DI for that.....let alone FREE shipping. Which also tells me this guy is getting these for about $14 or less. Yeeesh! I wonder where they are made??

Like I said I am still prototyping. And I truly appreciate your willingness to pay more for a quality product I just wish more people felt the way you do! I really think however if I am to sell these for the $109 range that is not going to be an option up front. I think you see my dilemma. Also consider I sell the Stage 3 Boosters for $79 and despite "affordable pricing!" and all the fantastic reviews here at Rockpage, eBay Sales, Harmony Central and lastly the fact that I have a product that so far has received 100% positive customer satisfaction with customers who are exited enough about my product to leave me kind reviews everywhere and it is still a tough sale at $79 because of this economy so I really must keep my prices down in absolutely any way I can without sacrificing quality!

Like I said though I do like the idea and Thank You for inquiring!!
I really enjoyed the opportunity to respond these great questions.

Thanks,

Barry

JackANSI · Post by **JackANSI** » Monday Oct 05, 2009

You could add a balanced line out using a THAT 1646P08 or Analog SSM2142 for less than $5 for the chip and probably $3 for the TRS 1/4" connector (or $5 for an XLR).

Check mouser for the THAT 1646 and Digikey for the SSM2142 (or order free samples directly from analog). Both are DIP-8 so they are super friendly to solder.

I've used the SSM2142 driver and SSM2141 receiver in a few projects and was impressed with the final product.

Just an idea

my7of9 · Post by **my7of9** » Monday Oct 05, 2009

JackANSI wrote:You could add a balanced line out using a THAT 1646P08 or Analog SSM2142 for less than $5 for the chip and probably $3 for the TRS 1/4" connector (or $5 for an XLR).

Check mouser for the THAT 1646 and Digikey for the SSM2142 (or order free samples directly from analog). Both are DIP-8 so they are super friendly to solder.

I've used the SSM2142 driver and SSM2142 receiver in a few projects and was impressed with the final product.

Just an idea

That was all part of the consideration to be sure and still not sure about it.
My price then goes up on the pedal too. And honestly I am not sure people are going to pay $120 for my pedal when they can by the well known Sans Amp for $150 or so if they are smart shoppers?
What do you think? I am talking about the general public here across the nation not necessarily just Rockpage members. I know you are trying to help (very much appreciated) and I am asking a serious question. Keep in mind if I sell these at $109 right now they are not much above cost and my time is barely factored in. I am trying to get some of my designs out there to make a name and unfortunately I have picked a bad time in our economy to be trying to do that. In short what I am afraid of is I will not even be able to sell these for $109 let alone add more to it? The Stage 3 is a good example. I have sold 5 of these to various Rockpage members and gave 1 away for free. I am sure you have seen the remarkable reviews and these reviews come from some very picky musicians. So I figure maybe 500+ individual musicians have read these same reviews (especially since the giveaway)?? That's a wild guess. So in 3 months I have sold 5 - Stage 3 pedals at $79. So what I am looking at here is am I going to be able to sell any for $109 and is adding a DI going to be the big tipping factor that makes everyone say Yah I want that pedal?? And now they will pay $120? These are the things that go through my mind before I go and redesign my board and casing.

I hope no one is misinterpreting these rebuttals of mine either. I am definitely trying to make a good business decision and do it right the first time. And your feedback is appreciated.
I really do Thank You for your comments it is very helpful!

Barry