Zvex Basstortion User Manual

TYPE: Vexter [V] | MODEL: Basstortion™

Congratulations! You’re the proud owner of a Vexter Z.Vex Effects Basstortion!™

OVERVIEW:

Introducing the ZVEX Basstortion™. This is our take on cap­turing what is arguably the first and last word in all tube amp
distortion for bass. The debate always starts and ends with
the Ampeg SVT™. The harder you dig the more it growls.
The connection between your hands and that kind of natural
tube distortion is primal, immediate, powerful, and musical.

CONTROLS:

DRIVE: Goes from barely perceptible tube type grind, to all out
crunch and everything in between. It is NORMAL for this knob

to crackle when turned!

TONE: Adjust for treble content. Simple, flexible, and musical.

VOLUME: Adjust for output volume level.

BRIGHT / DARK Switch: In general, the “Bright” setting has

more bite and high frequency content, while the “Dark” setting
is more tame and smooth. Keep in mind that this switch has an
intimate relationship with the tone control, so things will change
based on where the tone knob is!

OPERATION:

Plug your guitar (or any effect’s output) into the right hand in­put jack. Plug the output into an amp or other effect’s input.
Rock out. The layout may seem pretty straightforward, but
your options are anything but limited. With the intuitive tone
control, you’ll be able to effortlessly shoe horn your tone into
the mix, no more disappearing bass when you step on the
gas. Just like a tube amp, if you back off your guitar’s volume
control, the tone will clean up, even with the drive control
turned all the way up.

BATTERY CHANGE:

If the performance of your pedal seems diminished or the
LED becomes very dim, it’s time to change your battery.
Remove the four screws on the bottom of the pedal and
carefully remove and replace the old battery, putting it
back exactly in the center of the pedal on edge so that it is
gripped tightly by the lid when it is screwed back in place.

SPECIFICATIONS:

Uses one 9V battery (preferably alkaline, but the unit is shipped

with a carbon-zinc battery.) The low current operation of this

pedal’s circuit will give you extraordinarily long battery
life. Current draw is approximately 2mA. A DC power jack
(standard Boss™ configuration with center negative) is provided
on the side of the pedal. Use a high-quality 9V adaptor for
all high-gain effects!

WARRANTY:

Your Vexter Basstortion™ is warranted for 1 year from date
of purchase, or 2 years if you send in your warranty card.
Please visit http://zvex.com/website/repairs.html for any
repair questions or more information.

Enjoy!

PEDAL PLACEMENT:

A strong case can be made for placing the Basstortion™
last in your pedal chain. The reason being is that this pedal
behaves similarly to the front end of a tube amp. Time based
effects like delay or reverb will have a blurry distorted texture
when placed in front of the Basstortion. If you use those
kinds of effects, and desire them to be more pristine and
transparent, then your Basstortion™ (or any other fuzz box)
should go in front of your delay reverb etc.. There is really no
“wrong” way to hook up pedals in front of an amp, and no
more effective method than experimentation. Believe your
ears. You’ll know when it’s right.

P.O. Box 16078 | Minneapolis, MN 55416

www.zvex.com | [e-mail] | [e-mail]

Last Updated: November 2012