Tech 21 Sansamp series

[Raku10]

I've been doing some researching on these pedals, like the GT2, Tri AC and the Character ones. They all seem to model the three Mashall/Mesa/Vox amps. But some of the pedals have more EQ knobs and some have mic emulations, and some have programmable channels.

But they never came up with one that has all the knobs and options. *sigh*, makes it real hard to choose, you just can't have it all.

Anyone here have any experiences with those pedals. Differences between the them, tone wise??

 

[gmacdonnell]

I've used a bunch of Tech 21 products over the years, and I have to say, everything I've ever used of theirs has been fantastic with great tone and build quality.

Here's a review of the Character series published in Guitar Player:
http://www.tech21nyc.com/reviews/images/CS_GP508.pdf

And another glowing review from Guitarist magazine:
http://www.tech21nyc.com/reviews/images/GuitaristCSreview0608.pdf

My experience with them is pretty similar to both reviews. To get a good tone in front of the amp, you need to play around with settings, but once you do, it's like have two or three amps in one. In an effects loop, PA or for direct recording, it's much like using whatever amp its based on, and easy to dial the sound in.

My favorite was the Vox pedal, simply because it could get a great jangle out of my Fender Deluxe, or Brian May style leads.

But they're all very impressive. The differences between them really just correspond to the models they're based on. The British pedal is modeled on Marshalls, the Liverpool on Vox, The Blonde on Fenders, the California on Mesa/Boogie, and the VT on Ampeg bass amps. They all have different speaker emulation to match their respective amps.

Which is best for you depends on what kind of amp you like best, or what kind of tone you're trying to get out of your current setup.

The character knob is almost like a "time machine" knob. The lower settings are more vintage and clean sounding, while the higher settings offer a ton of gain, overdrive and sustain in a modern kind of voice.


If you want all of the amps in one pedal, (albeit with less flexibility,) the SansAmp Classic, GT-2 or Tri AC would be great choices (the Tri AC is especially flexible with 3 channels.) These all feature some of the same circuitry as the Character pedals, and all offer 100% analog, great tone. But unlike the Character pedals, they can get the sound of any of the above mentioned amps.

If you're looking for an organic, natural and dynamic alternative to digital modeling, Tech 21 is the only real choice. I don't use many pedals live, these days, but I don't go into the studio with some Tech 21 gear. They're really that good. Lots of professional guitarists and produce use their products, and you can't go into a decent studio without bumping into their equipment.

Reviews of the rest of the Tech 21 line are at this page:Untitled Document

They have great customer service, so if you have any questions, give them a shout.

A+ products from a great American company, at really good prices. Hard to beat, imho.

 

[lifele55]

Nice review gmac.

Its hard to find a solid review for the character pedals and audio/video demo is more limited. I was looking to get the california character pedal but because of the lack of reviews, I gave it a pass.

Also I've heard that the Tech 21 effects do better through a PA rather than front of amp. Anyone got experience with that?

 

[gmacdonnell]

I wouldn't say that they sound better through a PA, than in front of an amp. But i would say that it's harder to dial in a great sound in front of an amp, rather than direct into a PA.

Using them in an amps effects loop is also great, and very easy to use.

I think what makes it harder to use in front of an amp is that they have speaker emulation built in. They still sound great in front of an amp, (esp. the Vox.)
But it takes a few minutes to figure out the right settings.

Their stuff is really terrific if you're looking for more versatility or sounds, without saving up to buy a whole new amp, or having to cart one around.

 

[WildeStarr]

I used the GT2 (and split the signal with a LINE 6 PodXT Pro) on the new WildeStarr CD for all the guitar tracks. The GT2 sounds great. I wish I could say good things about their artist relations dept. I will just leave it at that.

 

[lifele55]

I used the GT2 (and split the signal with a LINE 6 PodXT Pro) on the new WildeStarr CD for all the guitar tracks. The GT2 sounds great. I wish I could say good things about their artist relations dept. I will just leave it at that.

Sweet. Anywhere we can get to hear a demo Wilde?

 

[Raku10]

I'm mainly interested in the British/Marshall, But They are all similarly priced, $150 - $190.
I guess, my question is, how's the British tone on the GT2 compares to the Tri AC and the stand alone British Character? I'm thinking they should sound about the same, but with diff knobs and mic emulations available/unavailable to certain ones, there must be different tones(with different adjustments). Is the stand alone/dedicated British Character one better than the other two. The British Character one definitely has more/diff knobs on it than the other two.

 

[gmacdonnell]

Well, all the SansAmp models have similar sound characteristics; it's mainly a matter or versatility or fine-tuning the sound.

GT2: This can effectively much like any of the Character pedals, but instead of a continuously variable "character" control, there's a 3-way "mod" switch, and 3-way mic switch. So while it can get great tones in the style of a Fender, Marshall, Mesa, Vox or Ampeg, within those categories, there are less options.

Tri-Ac: Again, as far as tone, this can cover most of the Character pedals, (it's guitar-oriented, though you could use it on bass.) But you can't dial in the sound as precisely as with the GT2, and there's aren't nearly as many variations within the amp choices as with the Character pedals, because there's no "mod" switch, or "character" knob.

Instead, there are 3 identical channels that are programmable. For any of them, you pickup between a Fender, Mesa, or "British" sound (which can be more Vox like at low gain, or more Marshall at high gain.)
That way, you could have 3 different amps in 1 box, or 3 versions of 1 amp: the possibilities are pretty vast.

It's almost like having 3 Character pedals in one, but again, you don't have as many variations.


All of them could be great studio or live tools, but imo, I think the GT2 is designed more as a studio tool, with a lot of shaping options for many different sounds.

The Tri-Ac seems more designed for live use, (you can plug it into a PA, a power amp, or use it like any distortion pedal.) But you can still record direct with it.

The Character pedals are for people who, rather than have a bunch of different amp choices, would prefer to have 1 amp style, and endless variations of it. For example, the "British" pedal can cover the earliest, Fender-based Marshalls, to the late 60's heads, the 70's sound, the 80 &90's, all the up to current sounds.


I think they're all very useful tools, and have a ton of different uses. Best of all, they're made really tough and sound great.

If you want ultimate versatility, the GT2 or Tri-AC would be best. If you mainly like 1 kind of amp, or want to really fine-tune the sound, the Character pedals are best.

If I could afford it, I'd buy each Character pedal, and mount them on a pedalboard, for use in the studio.

 

[PraXis]

The GT2 is fantastic. I don't own it... damn you GAS!

 

[WildeStarr]

Sweet. Anywhere we can get to hear a demo Wilde?

I have a demo song up on my site right now. It sounds OK, but the finished album sounds 100 times better then this. Today is the last day of mixing on the album, should have it out in a few months.
Lots of other stuff to do, just finished filming the video for the first single, working on the CD book/artwork, etc.

www.myspace.com/WildeStarr

 

[Raku10]

Thx for charming in guys, appreciate it. Right now I have a Podxt live, and I'm using the JCM800 model in there, how does the Sansamp compare to that. I always felt the Podxt one was kinda weak.

 

[gmacdonnell]

Thx for charming in guys, appreciate it. Right now I have a Podxt live, and I'm using the JCM800 model in there, how does the Sansamp compare to that. I always felt the Podxt one was kinda weak.

While the Pods can get some good sounds, (esp. heavy overdrive,) if you're looking for more clarity, dimension, dynamics and an organic feel, the Tech 21 stuff is a better bet, imho.

Honestly, what's so great about the Tech 21 stuff is, unlike any digital models I've tried, they actually respond to your guitar and playing the way a real amp does.

If Marshall tone is your thing, getting the British character pedal would be an excellent choice. It'll beef up any amp, and properly used, make it sound like a Marshall. You can plug it into a PA, or record direct with it, with great results.

BTW, the speaker that it models is the Celestion Greenback, and it does a really nice job. With a little bit of reverb added to the sound, when recorded and in the mix, it's really hard to whether you're hearing a great Marhsall or the Tech 21.

 

[lifele55]

Sigh.. I feel a nibbling GAS at the back of my neck....

 

[PraXis]

Sigh.. I feel a nibbling GAS at the back of my neck....

I've been watching GT-2 vids all night.... ugh...

 

[gmacdonnell]

Tech 21 stuff is addicting once you start using it. Because they're not just effects pedals, there's so many uses for them, and they sound great.

 

[Thunder Dump]

I've got a Tech 21 SansAmp Classic that is just sitting in a box in one of my rig cases. I bet I haven't touched it for two years. And then when I do I think to myself, "why the hell am I not using this gem?"