After a 2 year hiatus, Tech 21 has resumed manufacturing its beloved SansAmp Classic. The original SansAmp Classic, B. Andrew Barta’s innovative invention, debuted in 1989. Never intending to become a manufacturer, Barta initially tried selling his technology to some of the major manufacturers and was repeatedly turned down. Unable to abandon his idea, Barta set out on his own and pioneered the direct recording movement.
Currently, the SansAmp is available in 17 different models, including eight in the SansAmp Character Series line. Barta’s technology stands alone in the analog domain. "Overall, analog is much warmer, more organic, and more responsive," he commented. "There’s also the issue of clarity. At extreme settings, digital tends to produce more "artifacts" [garbles] and unnatural noise in the background. In turn, this needs to be reduced by artificial means such as a noise gate, which I am not fond of. I also prefer analog because there's no latency. No matter how minor it is, even with the improvements in digital technology, latency can still be felt, and I find it distracting while I’m playing."
Of Tech 21's pedal formats, SansAmp Classic’s is the most sophisticated. A bank of eight Character switches adjust tonality, harmonics, and dynamics; a three-position
input switch offers a choice of pre-amp styles; and four knob controls shape pre-amp contours, power amp contours, volume, and final tone.
Manufactured in the USA. MSRP $375.
