Amp in a Briefcase - What's Your Favorite?

Asked about the V-stack pedals awhile back and got a varied response. I'm looking for a pedal that can sound good in front of my Penn Amp (think bassman) as an overdrive, and do a convincing job straight into a board. Goal is to 1) have backup for an amp and 2) serve as an amp substitute for quieter settings (me and an uproght guy). Tone I'm after is tweed and/or blackface. It has to get along with;

Peterson Strobostomp
Carl Martin Parametric
Tremelo pedal (currently a Boss TR2 but may replace with something with true bypass)
Delay pedal - likely to be a Maxon AD9

Both the Strobostomp and the Parametric do the DI thing so that function isn't as critical, but I wouldn't mind if it did it anyway. True bypass is a must since it will get acoustic instruments running "through" it as well.

So what do you like? Thanks!

Sansamp Classic? They work ok as plain pedals too.

You may want to change the pedal order according to circumstance, though.

As the good professer says, sans amps ( and most models of Tech 21 overdrives ) work very well direct to the board as well as in front of an amp.

I too have been interested in the V-Stacks since they came out. However, the mixed reviews leave me somewhat leery. Players either absolutley love them or think they are the worst thing since genital warts!

The X series Digitech pedals offer a second output for going direct. I had a Bad Monkey at one time, but never tried that feature. One of those MAY be a low cost option.

The Bassman type circut can be a bit tricky with what overdrives it likes and doesn't like. Some work better than others, but I'll leave it to those better versed on that subject to opine on what would do the trick.

I once got an excellent direct sound with a Sansamp and a valve Watkins Copicat. Copicats have a gain knob, which Echoplexes do not. Can't remember which order I put them in - I think Copicat first.

You know it's been YEARS since I heard a Sans Amp. Back then, they didn't do a lot for me but I'm sure they've evolved. I'll have to give them another listen.

As for the V-Stacks, one thing I've noticed from listening to clips on their website and from complaints I've read is that it would seem that the heavy top boost function on the Brit versions might be putting some people off. For my tastes, the Tweedy seems to be going in the right direction (although the AC 30 thing is sure intriguing). One ting I think they all seem to lack - and fair enough since this wasn't their intent in the first place - is a good clean tone. I'd love to have one that does the blackface twin thing and another that does the tweed Deluxe.

There's nothing like a living breathing amp. A Sansamp will be ok for semi-clean and crunchy stuff, but for high gain you'd need something else in there as well. And volume!