Hartke VXL

los_sentidos · Post by **los_sentidos** » Wed Oct 20, 2004 12:42 am

I got my pedal through and it sounds awesome! I havn't used to with my own amp yet but someone elses small combo but it gave the ric lots of cool tube tones

loendmaestro · Post by **loendmaestro** » Wed Oct 20, 2004 4:05 am

I've heard great things about those pedals.
If you don't mind me asking Ronan, how much coin did you part with for it?

los_sentidos · Post by **los_sentidos** » Wed Oct 27, 2004 12:19 am

Chris, I got it for £59 with free P&P from Ebay - I think the same shop has a few on there. I have seen it elsewhere for £90 so it wasn't too bad!

anndra · Post by **anndra** » Wed Oct 27, 2004 1:19 am

I've only tried that Hartke shape control on a kickback (?) combo in France and I loved it.

The fact you have the pedal and that it sounds good with Rics is all the confirmation I've been waiting for.

Music Wonderland (yes?) are about to collect another £59 from the UK

Cheers Ronan!

los_sentidos · Post by **los_sentidos** » Wed Oct 27, 2004 3:19 am

Yeah - music wonderland is the one. Shipping took around 5 days from the states which was good.

I have only played 3 gigs with the pedal but it was erally good. In some places the bass needs to cut through a little more and it did that and then in other places where it mellows I was just using it as a different tone. For me it didn't lose te beauty of the Ric sound but enhanced it (unlike some pedals)

I have had a played around with some of the example settings in the book and I think I will probably use one of them to jam with and try to develop a song with. It sounds kinda overdriven - similar in effect to some BRMC tones.

It's great for giving a funky sound (if slap's yer thang) or an over driven sound - or if you'er merely after different EQ settings/levels.

loendmaestro · Post by **loendmaestro** » Wed Oct 27, 2004 10:20 am

I was watching one on eBay for awhile & it expired before I got your response!

So you really like it? I'm looking for quality distortion that's not too harsh & doesn't lose my low end. Can this pedal deliver?

I've searched for reviews elsewhere & there aren't many - I did read one bad one. They didn't like the fact that there is no true bypass. What are your feelings on this?
How are the suggested settings? Have you tried those yet?

I already own several pedals - carefully treading the line into overkill. If I get another pedal it needs to be the 'last one' if you know what I mean.

Let me know Ronan...thanks!

loendmaestro · Post by **loendmaestro** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 7:11 pm

Ronan & I had some off forum discussion about this pedal & I picked one up.

At first I was really disappointed - I purchased it mainly for it's distortion properties & they all seemed to sound real thin & too bright.
I think that it was my mistake because it seems that the primary purpose of this pedal is more of a pre amp, SansAmp type of application.
I fooled around with it for a couple of days & I love it now!
There are many presets & I'm using a slightly modified version of the "Bassman" setting now, which gives my 4003 a really really fat, even tone. It's great - by using that I've gone back to using the tube drive in my head & it sounds teriffic.

There are some other presets too which are pretty self explanatory:

Tom Sawyer
Roundabout
Schism
Longview
Transient Attack
reggae

It can function as a direct box, has phantom power, XLR out, etc...

I'm still experimenting, but this purchase turned into a happy accident! I really dig it..

jaymi · Post by **jaymi** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 7:53 pm

and how much was it? I have not seen this pedal in the flesh...

los_sentidos · Post by **los_sentidos** » Fri Nov 12, 2004 12:51 am

Mine was £59 (new) off ebay. Chris, glad you like. I have taken to using a Boss bass flanger and the VXL set up in a slight mod of the 'Central Park' (is this its name?!?) setting and it sounds awesome (I also have a slight shape to the EQ on the amp) and it's a real kinda spacemen3/spiritualized vibe.

I like the slight distortion sound as it's not too full on. I think it's a good lil thing to have in the armoury!

loendmaestro · Post by **loendmaestro** » Fri Nov 12, 2004 4:06 am

http://www.samsontech.com/products/productpage.cfm?prodID=1734&brandID=3

$89.00 US shipped from www.musicwonderland.com (the same folks selling them on eBay)

"Central Station" is the setting you're using Ronan - a nod to Larry Graham I believe!

cheyenne · Post by **cheyenne** » Tue Nov 16, 2004 3:25 am

Does this come with the power supply? Or is it an option? How long does it last with the 9v battery power?

loendmaestro · Post by **loendmaestro** » Tue Nov 16, 2004 4:03 am

You can choose between 9V power or AC. It doesn't come with an AC adaptor.
But since I bought the Godlyke PA-9 power adaptor, I have no need for batteries anymore. It hooks up to ALL pedals - quite a nifty little item...but hey, we're talking about the Hartke pedal here!

lowendbob · Post by **lowendbob** » Tue Nov 23, 2004 10:01 am

Chris, how would you compare the VXL to the SansAmp DI? I heard they where some what similar (nice tube sound) but the Hartke being a lot less expensive.

loendmaestro · Post by **loendmaestro** » Tue Nov 23, 2004 6:57 pm

I actually don't have any personal experience with the SansAmp. I know it's the "industry standard" & a guitarist I play with uses one when he lays down bass tracks in his studio. Some of the stuff he has done with the SansAmp sounds really good & others don't. It's all in the settings I guess.(as is everything!)He even took a look at it & said it was basically the same deal as the SansAmp.

I'm still learning all of the ins & outs of the VXL, but I really do like it. We recorded with it last week & the Rick tone was F-A-T! I've only used it with my Fender Jazz & 4003 - I much prefer the shaping with the 4003. You definitely have to adjust for each bass - the settings I was using for the 4003 were a bit "woofy" with the Jazz Bass. Next week I'm gonna try it with my 3001 & T-Bird...

It's a real nice shaping tool & it's always good to have your own DI sitting around.
I don't think you can beat it for $89.

jps · Post by **jps** » Wed Nov 24, 2004 3:09 am

Chris,
So that Simon Gallup article was "just like heaven"? You're famous, you're in Bass Player!