Scrambler, Classic Analog Pre, VT DI or Driver DI?

[funkyfishies]

I'm looking for a more gritty tube-saturated tone à la SVT for recording purposes, but I'm not sure where to look.

On the one hand, I know Tech 21's DIs are well liked, but I already have a DI output with a pre/post switch on my amp, a GK 700 RB, and a Sadowsky SPB-1 Preamp/DI. Getting a third DI seems redundant, no? I also used to have a VT Bass Deluxe, and I hated it—it was too bright.

I've heard good things about Ampeg's Scrambler and Classic Analog Pre pedals, but how good can a CAD$129 pedal be? Are they quiet? Reliable? Which of the two will give me a gritty tube-saturated tone?

Are there any other preamps or overdrive pedals I should be looking into?

 

[JimmyM]

The Classic is an EQ and won't add any dirt. I like all the other pedals you named off and have a VT Deluxe (I don't find it bright when you cut the treble to 9:00 or 10:00), but something about the Scrambler's extreme touch sensitivity and lack of compression keeps me going for it most of all. Not everyone loves it, but I do. I find it as quiet as any other dirt pedals and very reliable.

 

[funkyfishies]

The Classic is an EQ and won't add any dirt. I like all the other pedals you named off and have a VT Deluxe (I don't find it bright when you cut the treble to 9:00 or 10:00), but something about the Scrambler's extreme touch sensitivity and lack of compression keeps me going for it most of all. Not everyone loves it, but I do. I find it as quiet as any other dirt pedals and very reliable.

I've read a post—I think it was from you—saying the Scrambler sounds close to an overdriven SVT. That said, I'm worried it won't give me an vintage SVT-like sound given my more modern rig. What do you think?

 

[JimmyM]

I've read a post—I think it was from you—saying the Scrambler sounds close to an overdriven SVT. That said, I'm worried it won't give me an vintage SVT-like sound given my more modern rig. What do you think?

I think it does. It's not an exact duplication, of course, but I think it does. You may not, however. Pedals are odd like that.

 

[Al Kraft]

I'm mostly a clean player and find the Tech 21 pedals do a great job of getting tones/voicing in the neighborhood you're looking for, especially in a band mix and/or when fed to FOH.

That said, when it comes to something delivering realistic, believable Ampeg sounds, I would trust JimmyM's calibrated ear for that over most anyone else.

 

[funkyfishies]

I'm mostly a clean player and find the Tech 21 pedals do a great job of getting tones/voicing in the neighborhood you're looking for, especially in a band mix and/or when fed to FOH.

That said, when it comes to something delivering realistic, believable Ampeg sounds, I would trust JimmyM's calibrated ear for that over most anyone else.

Thank you for your input. I'm also mostly a clean player. I'm just looking to add a tiny bit of grit. I wasn't interested in the Scramble at first, but I read a post—again, I think it was from JimmyM—saying the Ampeg could also do that.