Tech 21 SansAmp Classic

Submitted on March 30, 2006

The design of the Classic inspired many of our products but there’s still only one original. Of all the pedal models, this is the most sophisticated. Its unconventional design not only keeps the unit compact, it is key to the wide range of sounds you can achieve. Made almost entirely by hand, the main module contains a bank of eight Character switches, which adjust the fine and subtle nuances of tonality, harmonics and dynamics. A three-position Input switch gives you a choice of pre-amp styles: Lead (Marshall®-style), Normal (Mesa Boogie®-style), and Bass (Fender®-style) which is excellent for rhythm as well as bass guitar.

The SansAmp Classic’s knob controls shape pre-amp contours, power amp contours, volume and final tone.

SansAmp Classic was specifically engineered with a flat output to provide maximum flexibility and control with external EQ.

There are countless (we know, we’ve tried) combinations and permutations for you to explore.

Tech 21 (press release April 2, 2012)

Tech 21 Announces the SansAmp Classic is Back

After a 2-year hiatus in the manufacturing of the SansAmp Classic, Tech 21 is bringing the pedal back due to popular demand.

The original SansAmp Classic is B. Andrew Barta’s innovative invention which debuted in 1989. Never intending on becoming 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 8 in their SansAmp Character Series line.

Barta’s technology stands alone in the analog domain, a domain to which he remains loyal for several reasons. According to Barta, “Overall, I think analog is much warmer, more organic and more responsive. There’s also the issue of clarity. At extreme settings, digital tends to produce more “artifacts” (garbles) and unnatural noise in the background. So, 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 the pedal formats, SansAmp Classic is the most sophisticated. There is a bank of eight Character switches to adjust tonality, harmonics and dynamics; a 3-position input switch offers a choice of pre-amp styles; and four knob controls to shape pre-amp contours, power amp contours, volume and final tone.