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Tech 21 VT Bass 500 Amp Head

Tech 21 introduces the VT Bass 500, featuring an all-analog SansAmp preamp paired with a 500 Watt power amp.

Tech 21 VT Bass 500 Amp Head

Related Feature:
Portable Bass Amps

This amp is based on the SansAmp Character Series, having the same intuitive voice changing feature. It is designed to be a versatile, compact, lightweight and cost-effective mobile amp head for bassists.

This is basically a compact amp version of the VT SansAmp DI pedal, carrying over its main features and adding in a Class D poweramp 500 Watt section, along with additional tone shaping controls. The result is a small amp that can go loud or can go low volume, while still retaining the tone character that you want.

Weighing in at just 6.5 lbs, this lightweight amp head comes with a very nifty feature, called the Character control. It will let you adjust the entire sonic structure of the resulting sound as you adjust the knob, giving you the different bass amp voicings that were popular from the ’60s to the present. It starts off with vintage style warm tone and goes up to funk bass, from classic tube bass amps to modern overdriven tones, and you can make these simple adjustments via a single Character knob.

On top of the character knob, you can shape your tone further with the amp’s 3-band EQ section and drive control, which features active circuitry. There’s also a Drive control if you want to go for natural drive tones and simply blend the SansAmp “character” to taste. Speaking of blend, the amp has a Blend knob that lets you blend the direct instrument signal with the SansAmp Tube Amplifier Emulation circuitry.

Tech 21 VT Bass 500 Amp Head

There is also a bite switch that lets you tighten up the sound of distorted tones, and adds definition when in clean setting. Other features that improve on the original design include an effects loop, and a switchable SansAmp XLR DI Output. This DI Output lets you go direct to the front of house or the mixer of a recording studio.

For silent practicing, the amp comes with a headphone output, while you can connect this amp head with your preferred cabinets via the Speakon speaker outputs. To ensure that you can use this lightweight amp anywhere in the world, Tech 21 equipped it with a switch-able power supply.

To match the VT Bass 500’s tone and aesthetics, Tech 21 is offering an optional 1×12 bass cabinet with custom-design 12” speaker, woven grill and coordinated piping. It is rated at 8 Ohms/300 Watts hand has a tweeter with a defeat switch. Other features include metal bar handles, Neutrik Speakon and 1/4-inch connectors, and it weighs in at just 38 lbs.

According to a recent interview with Tech 21, the price range for the VT Bass 500 Amp Head is set around $700. I’ve seen an online retailer listing the amp as available for pre-order at around this same price range, while actual release date is not yet provided. For more information and other details, visit Tech 21 NYC.

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