Great product
Posted by Ervin from Burlington, Ma on Sep 2, 2009
Experience w/product: I own it
Reviewer's Background: Professional musician
Reviewer's Play Style: Jazz-Funk
I'm a professional bass player and I have been using the V1B Since February of 2008. IT'S A GREAT PRODUCT......very reliable easy to use and it has a great tone. I recommend it to all bass players.
I head a great experience talking to the C-TECH customer service.
I AM AMAZED
Posted by Spector Dave from Mesa, Arizona on Jun 27, 2008
Experience w/product: I own it
Reviewer's Background: Active Musician
Reviewer's Play Style: Christian Rock
I was expecting to get it and have to replace the headphones right away. But to my suprize the headphones work flawlessly so far and are crystal clear. The unit has an amazing sound for such a small device and inexpensive price. The tone quality is not as good as my David Eden stack but lets see here, my Eden stack was over $2000. It does everything it is supposed to do and it does it very well. I play an american made Stuart Spector 5 string and it loses none of its sound. If you are looking for an inexpensive way to practice quietly stop looking, this is what you want.
It does what it's suppsed too
Posted by Anonymous Musician on May 29, 2008
Experience w/product: I own it
Reviewer's Background: N/A
Reviewer's Play Style: N/A
This thing works as advertized. I needed something small and battery powered that I could plug earphones into for practice. I usually use my "real" preamp and a mixer, but I needed something more portable for travel.
The two amp simulators sound decent enough (I wasn't expecting much and they met my expectiations). I only use the "tight" channel as it has much better definition - the "big" channel is muddy, but I guess some people like that or they wouldn't have made it that way. I have no intention of plugging this into a PA, that's what I have my SansAmp for, so I can't comment on how it sounds "for real."
The headphones it comes with are trash, but it sounds decent enough for practice through my shure in-ear monitors.
I've also used the aux input with both my laptop and ipod and it works as expected. There's no seperate level for the aux in, but its no big deal because I can just adjust the output volume of my ipod.
It has a lot of gain - I have to use the "active" mode which I don't have to do on bass amps.
The input plug is pretty silly since I've never seen a bass with a strat-slyle output jack. It would be better to have a regular input jack since this thing is too awkward flopping around on the bottom of my bass. I use the supplied adapter and a regular guitar cord and it works tolerably.
Bassically, this thing does what you'd expect, you'll just need a decent set of headphones or ear buds. If you want something with real features and that sounds good enough to record or go direct to the PA, look at the Behringer VAmp, I used to own one of those and was quite happy with it. It's just bigger and doesn't take batteries.
Practical Amp
Posted by DL from New York City on Feb 17, 2008
Experience w/product: I own it
Reviewer's Background: Beginner bassist
Reviewer's Play Style: Rock, Jazz and church music
I just picked up this mini amp and am very satisfied with it. The rotating input jack allows easy plug in to all of my guitars. I really like the type of sound effects this little amp gives out. Pretty high tech. Not bad considering its size. It's very convenient so I don't have to lug my other amps around. The best part about this item is that I can play it very late or early in the morning without disturbing others. Probably the only negative is the cheap headphone that comes with it. If you have a better one then use that instead. Otherwise, it's a very good accessory for the money.
Strange oversight in design
Posted by Anonymous Musician on Feb 16, 2008
Experience w/product: I own it
Reviewer's Background: used to play with local bands
Reviewer's Play Style: rock, fusion, jazz
I purchased this device primarily for use as a headphone amplifier, and this it does fairly well. I have tried other units for the same purpose, and the Pocket Rockit compares well, which unfortunately does not say much!
The first problem I encountered was the shallowness of the battery compartment. The 9 volt battery stuck up too much for the plastic cover to close. The circuit board is protected from the battery by only a thin piece of foam, and trying to force the battery cover into place would either break the little plastic tabs that secure the cover or endanger the circuit board.
I was so disappointed with this that I almost put the device away for return, but figured I might as well give it a listen. I put a rubber band around the battery and plugged it in to my Traben Bass, switching the unit to "active". I immediately found the unit hard to see, as my cable jack in the guitar is on the bottom edge. I used the adjustable male jack on the V1b to bring the control panel into view, but had to rotate the bottom edge of the guitar body upwards to see it. Once I had the device adjusted, I turned it up and found the sound to be pretty decent, with a bit of adjustment. Harmonics came through nicely, as did the d-tuned lower string.
Overall, if they fix the battery compartment issue, it is an ok headphone amp for the money. It also can take input from an outside source.
