Fairfield Barbershop or Darkglass VMT for tube FEEL

N

neB317

Jan 5, 2008
17
1
4,586
Missoula Montana
#1
What the title says. The thing I miss most after downsizing from my SVT is the pillowy, tube compression feel. Which of these pedals would do this the best? I know that the VMT specifically mentions that it has a built in compressor that attempts to emulate this. The Barbershop has that enticing looking SAG knob though... I haven't played either of these pedals, but I did play a Darkglass B7k and thought it sounded pretty great. Although I owned an SVT my favorite tube tones came from a b15 or a Bassman 70 which I've used in the studio. I'm going for a thumpy motown w/ flats kind of tone. Which of these two pedals (also open to to other suggestions as well) is going to give me that tube feel that I crave?
 
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#2
Not one of your listed options but probably the most SVTesque tube tone I’ve pulled out of a pedal (that was not a Verellen Meatsmoke preamp) was from a Dunwich Olde Dirty Bass. Really regret letting that one go!
 
#3
Definitely not the VMT, great pedal but it doesn't really have that squishy tube feel or response.

Best pedals I've encountered for Motown with a Precision and flats have been Aguilar Tonehammer, VT Bass, One Control Sonic Silver Peg, and Bearfoot Blueberry. A few others often recommended but which left me cold for this particular application were the Barbershop, Creation Audio Grizzly, and SolidgoldFX Beta.

IMHO, YMMV, etc!
 
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#5
Darkglass vmt is more of a warm overdrive if anything. an awesome pedal for rock and metal music if that's what you play. but if you want a different suggestion for a tube overdrive, check out that ehx hot wax. this pedal can give you a tube sound as well as an overdrive. if it's just a tube you want, simply dial back the drive and set the 2-band eq to your liking. f.y.i the hot tubes side will give you a modern tube sound while the crayon side will give you a vintage tube sound. you can also try one of the sansamp pedals for tube sounds. best of luck on your search.
 
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#10
neB317 said:
What the title says. The thing I miss most after downsizing from my SVT is the pillowy, tube compression feel. Which of these pedals would do this the best? I know that the VMT specifically mentions that it has a built in compressor that attempts to emulate this. The Barbershop has that enticing looking SAG knob though... I haven't played either of these pedals, but I did play a Darkglass B7k and thought it sounded pretty great. Although I owned an SVT my favorite tube tones came from a b15 or a Bassman 70 which I've used in the studio. I'm going for a thumpy motown w/ flats kind of tone. Which of these two pedals (also open to to other suggestions as well) is going to give me that tube feel that I crave?
Click to expand...

The Barbershop is good for that burpy compressed/overdrive sound. The VMT is good for a thick/warm overdrive sound.

But...have you thought of a tube compressor?
 
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#12
Hey guys thanks for all the helpful suggestions. I did quite a bit more research and found a lot of people talking about the "tube feel" with the EHX Hot Wax (Hot Tubes side). Generally I have always felt good about CMOS/FET pedals. I'm gonna start there since it's the cheapest and if that doesn't do it for me start working my way down the list. I also like the idea of having a dual overdrive to kick on another channel for more rock songs.
 
#13
neB317 said:
Hey guys thanks for all the helpful suggestions. I did quite a bit more research and found a lot of people talking about the "tube feel" with the EHX Hot Wax (Hot Tubes side). Generally I have always felt good about CMOS/FET pedals. I'm gonna start there since it's the cheapest and if that doesn't do it for me start working my way down the list. I also like the idea of having a dual overdrive to kick on another channel for more rock songs.
Click to expand...
Hmm, I looked into those but thought they were a guitar pedal? I would look at the CAL Grizzly which is a bass specific pedal with a similar concept.
 
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