Tech 21 SansAmp VT Bass Deluxe

The Tech 21 SansAmp VT Bass Deluxe is a six-channel programmable version of the company's SansAmp Character Series VT Bass pedal, introduced in 2010 with an expected availability in late April or early May of that year and an MSRP of $350.00¹. At its heart is a Character control that sweeps through a broad range of bass tube amp tones, from early '60s sounds to what Tech 21 calls classic super valve Character¹.

Presets, inputs and the FX loop

The Deluxe carries six program locations, and its dual inputs let you run two instruments on-line with three programs for each, or assign all six program locations to a single instrument¹. A programmable FX loop can be set to engage your favorite effects each time you select a designated preset, so outboard pedals follow your channel changes automatically¹. Four pop-free custom footswitch actuators handle the switching¹.

Power and outputs

The box runs on phantom power, an optional 9V DC power supply, or a 9V battery¹. On the output side it offers 1/4" and XLR outputs with selectable levels, which is what lets it serve as a DI with any mixing console as well as a pre-amp or stomp box in front of any amp, combo, power amp or speaker cabinet¹.

Where it sits in the SansAmp family

The VT Bass Deluxe descends from the same SansAmp line that Premier Guitar has described as "a go-to piece of gear for many bassists and engineers, both onstage and in the studio"². Tech 21 later built on this territory with the VT Bass DI, a multi-functional bass DI pedal with tube emulation that Premier Guitar's 2021 review found rewarding across a host of situations, with a parallel output, an easy-access battery compartment, and a switch that can boost the 1/4" output by 10 dB². Players who want programmable presets in a different flavor of SansAmp circuitry can also look at the SansAmp Bass Driver Deluxe and the SansAmp Programmable Bass Driver DI.

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