The Tech 21 SansAmp Programmable Bass Driver DI is a Tech 21 overdrive pedal, currently around $249. Close alternatives include the Zoom MS-60B+ and the Ashdown John Myung Double Drive. It pairs well with the Phil Jones Bass Compact Plus BG-450 and the Traynor SB112.
Tech 21 SansAmp Programmable Bass Driver DI
Tech 21 · pedal
The Tech 21 SansAmp Programmable Bass Driver DI builds on the standard Bass Driver DI's SansAmp analog tube amp emulation circuitry by adding programmable preset storage, letting bassists save and instantly recall multiple tone settings rather than manually adjusting knobs between songs or sessions. It retains the same core SansAmp Blend, Level, Drive, and 3-band EQ tone-shaping approach, now with the added convenience of footswitchable preset recall for live performance flexibility.
What stands out
“The Tech 21 SansAmp Programmable Bass Driver DI builds on the standard Bass Driver DI's SansAmp analog tube amp emulation circuitry by adding programmable preset storage, letting bassists save and instantly recall multiple tone settings”
— from the listing
“A strong choice for gigging bassists wanting the Bass Driver DI's proven tone with added live-performance convenience”
— from the reviews
“It retains the same core SansAmp Blend, Level, Drive, and 3-band EQ tone-shaping approach, now with the added convenience of footswitchable preset recall for live performance flexibility”
— from the listing
“Standout strength is the programmable preset storage itself, a real functional upgrade over the standard Bass Driver DI's single, manually-set tone”
— from the community notes
“Programmable preset storage is a genuine functional upgrade over the standard Bass Driver DI, letting bassists instantly recall multiple dialed-in tones”
— from the reviews
- di
- different tones
- bass
- overdrive
- stage
- studio
- session
- gigging
Good for
- Silent Recording
- Silent Stage
Price updated Oct 24, 2026
Amps that pair well with the Tech 21 SansAmp Programmable Bass Driver DI
Phil Jones Bass Compact Plus BG-450
Phil Jones
11% matchPhil Jones Bass Compact Plus BG-450's own high headroom character is the real reason this is worth trying
Comes later in the signal chain
Traynor SB112
Traynor
11% matchTraynor SB112's own high headroom character is the real reason this is worth trying
Comes later in the signal chain
Orange Little Bass Thing
Orange
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Put Orange Little Bass Thing after Tech 21 SansAmp Programmable Bass Driver DI
Friedman Small Box 50W EL34 Amp Head
Friedman
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Put Friedman Small Box 50W EL34 Amp Head after Tech 21 SansAmp Programmable Bass Driver DI
Revv Generator 120 MkIII 4-Channel 120W Head
Revv
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Revv Generator 120 MkIII 4-Channel 120W Head goes after Tech 21 SansAmp Programmable Bass Driver DI in the chain
Orange AD200B 200W Bass Head
Orange
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Orange AD200B 200W Bass Head goes after Tech 21 SansAmp Programmable Bass Driver DI in the chain
Ampeg Rocket Watts
Ampeg
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Ampeg Rocket Watts goes after Tech 21 SansAmp Programmable Bass Driver DI in the chain
Port City Pearl Head
Port City
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Put Port City Pearl Head after Tech 21 SansAmp Programmable Bass Driver DI
Pedals that stack with the Tech 21 SansAmp Programmable Bass Driver DI
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Mad Professor
8% matchMad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive leans toward dynamic, and that's a real, usable character to pair with
One Control Lingonberry Overdrive
One Control
8% matchOne Control Lingonberry Overdrive's own dynamic character is the real reason this is worth trying
Electro-Harmonix Electric Mistress
Electro-Harmonix
7% matchElectro-Harmonix Electric Mistress's lush voice goes after Tech 21 SansAmp Programmable Bass Driver DI in the signal chain — it's not there to compete with Tech 21 SansAmp Programmable Bass Driver DI's own analog warmth character
Comes later in the signal chain
Ashdown Studio Compressor
Ashdown
6% matchWhat Ashdown Studio Compressor brings here leans toward compressed — that's worth building a pairing around
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Caroline Guitar Company Meteore
Caroline Guitar Company
5% matchRun Caroline Guitar Company Meteore after Tech 21 SansAmp Programmable Bass Driver DI in the signal chain, clear of Tech 21 SansAmp Programmable Bass Driver DI's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
Dunlop - MXR Carbon Copy Deluxe Analog Delay
Dunlop
5% matchRun Dunlop - MXR Carbon Copy Deluxe Analog Delay after Tech 21 SansAmp Programmable Bass Driver DI in the signal chain, clear of Tech 21 SansAmp Programmable Bass Driver DI's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
Matthews Effects The Pocket Drive Overdrive Boost
Matthews Effects
tonal matchMatthews Effects The Pocket Drive Overdrive Boost sits in the same chain slot as Tech 21 SansAmp Programmable Bass Driver DI
NuX Masamune Booster & Kompressor
Nux
tonal matchComes earlier in the signal chain
NuX Masamune Booster & Kompressor goes in front of Tech 21 SansAmp Programmable Bass Driver DI in the chain
Cheaper alternatives
Master Effects Transmission Bass Preamp
Master Effects
51% similarityShared character: gig, bass, studio
Laney Digbeth DB-Pre
Laney
45% similarityShared character: bass, studio, stage
Sadowsky SBP-1 Bass Preamp/DI
Sadowsky
89% similaritysimilar tone character
Electro-Harmonix Battalion Bass Preamp/DI
Electro-Harmonix
89% similaritysimilar tone character
Sadowsky SBP-2 Bass Preamp
Sadowsky
88% similaritysimilar tone character
Boutique & premium upgrades
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Zoom MS-60B+
Zoom
50% similarityShared character: bass, studio, stage
Ashdown John Myung Double Drive
Ashdown
46% similarityShared character: bass, studio, stage
NuX Bass Preamp with Modeling and DI Output
Nux
45% similarityShared character: bass, studio
Tech 21 GED-2112 Bass
Tech 21
89% similaritysimilar tone character
Hotone B Station
Hotone
88% similaritysimilar tone character
Ampeg SCR-DI
Ampeg
88% similaritysimilar tone character
See all alternatives to the Tech 21 SansAmp Programmable Bass Driver DI (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Tech 21 SansAmp Programmable Bass Driver DI?+
The closest matches in character are the Zoom MS-60B+, the Ashdown John Myung Double Drive, the NuX Bass Preamp with Modeling and DI Output. Budget picks: Master Effects Transmission Bass Preamp, Laney Digbeth DB-Pre, Sadowsky SBP-1 Bass Preamp/DI. Boutique upgrades: Origin Effects BassRig Fifteen.
What pairs well with the Tech 21 SansAmp Programmable Bass Driver DI?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Phil Jones Bass Compact Plus BG-450, Traynor SB112, Orange Little Bass Thing — Phil Jones Bass Compact Plus BG-450's own high headroom character is the real reason this is worth trying.
How much does the Tech 21 SansAmp Programmable Bass Driver DI cost?+
Around $249 (live listing price, updated Oct 24, 2026).
Compare
- vs Sadowsky SBP-1 Bass Preamp/DI
- vs Tech 21 GED-2112 Bass
- vs Electro-Harmonix Battalion Bass Preamp/DI