VT1 Mk3 Bass

The Gain knob controls the amount of gain produced by the valve (a 12ax7/ECC83). Level controls the output level from the pedal. There are three positions for the clipping switch - Off, Silicon and Germanium. The Silicon diode clipping produces a hard clipping fuzz and the Germanium diode clipping produces soft clipping fuzz. The clipping modes have lower output levels than no clipping mode and can produce a nice variation to the sound. The Colour switch introduces negative feedback into the circuit which produces an immense amount of distortion, compression and sustain, with the Colour knob changing the level of the effect. Position 1 gives less than position 2. With the Gain cranked right up and the Colour switch in position 2 a very distorted sound can be had. With the Colour switch turned off the pedal is the same as a DHA VT1 Mk1. An external knob for the input level is on the side of the pedal with the inputs which is useful for active or high output instruments. The boot switch, in conjunction with another knob for the boost level, switches in the op-amp so a low gain sound can be used without affecting the output level. Variations in the sound can be gained by using different valves. There is a wealth of choice on the different makes so changing them is part of the fun of finding the prefect sound. The supplied valve is an Electro-Harmonix which is fine (not quite to my liking - but that's a personal thing). However you can't go wrong with a Mullard! The sound you can get from the pedal is basic ballsy valve overdrive with the Colour turned off. Think Deep Purple, Cream, The Who and you've got an idea of it. Turning the Colour on and turning the gain up gives a sound not unlike Billy Sheehan's. The footswitch is true-bypass so won't affect the sound when not being used. I use a Thunderbird, Precision, Jazz (fretted and fretless) and Gibson RD Artist, driving it even more with a DHA VT1 MK1 so when I kick it in (Colour set to 2) I get a really compressed and distorted sound that takes things up to a nice level.

I have only had it for about 3 weeks but with the metal case that it is housed in I'm sure it will last to many years.

The DHA VT1 MK3 is an updated version of the original Mk1 with some nice additions. It still has the same basic layout with 3 knobs and a number of switches all of which affect the sound in some way or another. The manual (two A4 sides) gives enough information to know what's going on with the different switches and knobs, but TBH it's simple enough to be able to work out how to use it without a manual.

Dave Hall is a great guy. Any problems with the pedal he'll sort it out as well as modding the pedal if it's possible, or even custom builds. I'd rate the support as 11 if I could.

The VT1 Mk3 has a wealth of sounds available from it due to the valve used and how each control is set, as well as the bass used and the effects used before the pedal. Apart from Classic Rock this pedal could be used in any rock situation. I doubt I'll be parting with this pedal any time soon, if ever! It sounds fantastic when played through my Sound City 120 amp, being that extra distortion when needed. I just can't recommend it highly enough.