VT1-Purist

This pedal is a blues players dream machine.I use a fender valve amp, and the VT1 gives it a kick up the backside, but with finesse.Low noise, high sound, mellow or razor sharp, with all stations in-between - you choose. The best bluesy overdrive I have used, bar none.

Oh YES. Very tough and dependable , very well made.

The pedal works right out of the box. No manual is necessary. like all great effects pedals, the controls are simple, just GAIN and LEVEL. The effect starts immediately you are plugged in. The input/output sockets are clear and unambiguous.

Dave Hall, the designer and manufacturer is a great guy for advice, and to simply 'talk guitars'. I was invited to his home, and received wonderful hospitality, simply because I was fairly new to playing blues. His designs are based on his own playing experience.

I purchased the pedal initially,based on value for money.The pedal is distinctive, has a blue on/off light,solidly constructed,and simple in operation. Cosmetics apart, the pedal is valve based, and has a killer tone. There is nothing remotely comparable at this price. 

Have just had one rehearsal with this running it through a Laney LC15R with extension cab via a Boss tuner, Digitech Whammy, MXR Zak Wild OD, the VT1 and a EH Memory Man [ Sequence shown from guitar to amp ]. Left the VT1 on all the time and used the MXR for more overdriven parts. The VT1 was on netral settings of 12 o'clock for both controls. No noise or hum - just plenty of crisp harmonics. When we play live I will run the above through a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe. Guitars used currently are Gibson Les Paul and Gordon Smith Graduate 60. If you run the controls flat out you need to compensate with a bit more treble on your amp to even out the compression these settings give you.

Looks pretty robust to me. If the valve goes down the bypass should still keep the effects chain running. Certainly cannot get any beer into it as there are no ventilation holes for the valve.I had it on for 3 hrs the other day and the box didnt feel warm, so I suppose the lack of ventilation will not be a long term issue [ apart from the beer !! ]

This single valve drive pedal is the size of a half brick, painted in "tie Dye" style muti colours, comes with an on off foot pedal and two controls Gain and Level.All the "narrative" on the box is hand done and the maker, Dave Hall, initials and dates each one ! The box is made from alloy and there is a 12v power input [ no battery option - get your own power supply ].There is an on/off LED. Open the bottom , just to make sure there is a valve and the "guts" are beatifully constructed- and, oh yes, there is a valve !! Only two controls so everything is simple for us guitarists.

Aquired via E Bay, But Dave Hall of Dave Hall Amps is easy to contact, responds promptly and seems to know his stuff [ well I couldnt build one ! ]

The band I am in , The Shambollix, play covers plus a few self penned dities. Most of the stuff requires crunch plus more drive for lead. The VT1 is an ideal box for setting up that basic crunch and just forgetting the thing is there. Great stuff. So impressed am I that I have ordered a twin valve fire beathing monster from Dave to replace the MXR in my chain. He said there might be too much gain if everything is on full. Too much gain ???? Never!