56 posts
To follow! ;D
I got the VHT Special 6 Ultra head a few weeks ago. Due to lots going on, had very little time so far, but what a cool amp! Quick initial impressions: Great cleans, and the gain channel is a gain monster with the power scaling control turned down a bit. VERY COOL for cheap!
I also got the matching cab for my Tweaker. Locally on CraigBs list. :) Nice cab, looks great, matches the head obviously. Speaker is a great match to the many tones the amp has.
Pics and clips to follow.
Nice! VHT....great stuff!
Nice score Howie!
I sold off a LOT of gear back when the shit started to hit the fan (dozens of amps and cabs), but out of the three preamps and one power amp I have left, two are VHT's (the Valvulator GP3 preamp and the 2/50/2 power amp). They work well with the other two pre's (a Peavey Rock Master with Iron Sheep Mojo and NOS Mullards, and a Mesa Boogie Rectifier Recording Pre).
VHT ....great stuff! :)
Both of these amps are made overseas... but both of them are hand wired turret board amps. The Special 6 sounded good when I got it. I replaced the tubes and was shocked at how good it sounds. Just PURE. (Maybe I'm hearing what I expect to hear from a simple, hand wired turret board amp..., but I swear it sounds great! The Ultra still has the stock tubes in it and the clean channel of it sounds like the Special 6 did before I retubed. Really good. If that thing improves as much with new tubes as the Special 6 did, it will become my most played amp, because I can regularly play it loud enough to work the output tubes and not get the wife yelling at me.
I'm on the lookout for a new Chinese toy, an Artec Tube 5H, they go for around $230, use only two tubes, a 12AX7 and a 12BH7, and they sound pretty amazing. With those tubes I doubt there is any clean sound whatsoever but the gain?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcya7jusaaM
Skip to 3:46 to hear it...
charger — Jun 20, 2012I'm on the lookout for a new Chinese toy, an Artec Tube 5H, they go for around $230, use only two tubes, a 12AX7 and a 12BH7, and they sound pretty amazing. With those tubes I doubt there is any clean sound whatsoever but the gain?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcya7jusaaM
Skip to 3:46 to hear it...
Sounds great, a lot better than the YJM. :)
charger — Jun 20, 2012I'm on the lookout for a new Chinese toy, an Artec Tube 5H, they go for around $230, use only two tubes, a 12AX7 and a 12BH7, and they sound pretty amazing. With those tubes I doubt there is any clean sound whatsoever but the gain?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcya7jusaaM
Skip to 3:46 to hear it...
Holy crap! I want one :)
hmm, I better take another listen on something with better speakers.
Is that "Bob" from Eurotubes? ;)
Really, that little fucker has tons of gain and bite...so does the YJM (easily one of Marshalls better efforts in recent years anyway for high gain).
Hard to say for sure how they truly measure up against each other because in this clip the Marshall is louder, giving me the impression of more balls/punch...but again, could just be a cranked thing (turning up my speaker vol to match during the Artec portion wasn't the same effect). Wish he would've played more chords, easier to hear the difference vs single notes zipping by. But @ $230 how could you go wrong though?! I still have that 1 watt JCM800 head on the radar, but this amp may change that, lol. The mids are different on the JCM1, but this still sounds great. Nice find!
I wouldn't mind having either amp in that clip and a side order of his chops regardless.
EDIT: I didn't read any of the comments from the clip...is that the amps designer in the demo? Just curious.
It was a nice stumble... My electrical engineer buddy has been raving about Artec for a couple of months now, they are the company that manufactures GFS pickups and a whole line of pedals as well. This amp has got me drooling... I am all about low wattage at this point.
I am not surprised that you didn't read through the comments since the majority of them seem to be in Polish. I think the guy is an endorsee, but the company is South Korean.
Second listen. Impressive!
I'm all about the low watts at this point too. My Budda is famous for being CRAZY loud for an 18 watt amp. I turn it up every once in a while when Mrs. DTR is gone, and it sounds incredible. It sounds great at lower volume too, but clearly the magic is when turned up above where I can normally play it.
This is the reason that I bought the amp that this thread was originally about... :) It sounds pretty good too! At this price, I could buy one of these and compare them head to head and decide which to keep. ;)
^^^ A great thing about the Budda (for me anyway) is the way the overall volume REALLY alters the thickness of the tone. I actually like the amp at lower volumes, it's more articulate, especially for chords. Crank the volume above say 10 o'clock and it gets thicker and warmer, single notes get rounder (a good thing), but suddenly chords can be a little mushy. I think I've settled on its vol at around 9:00 for pretty much everything (drive channel...the clean channel with pedals is a whole different story ;)).
Indeed. The Barber Dirty Bomb on the clean channel is a WHOLE different thing than the gain channel. Much more Mesa-esque. The OCD also flavors it very nicely. But it works great with BOTH channels.
Yep yep. We've got a 5 watt Epiphone Valve Jr in the studio that never gets above 10 o'clock on the volume knob... That's with bass running through a huge rig, a full drum kit, and usually two other guitarists (both running through 15-18 watt amps).
Here's the thing... in the 60's - 70's, speakers were much more inefficient. 84dB/1w is a HUGE difference from a modern speaker, which is usually between 95dB-101dB/1w. If I've got 98 dB with 1 watt of power, and then I double the power on the amp to 2w, that's 99dB. That's friggin loud. Add to that that we have our lowest wattage amps running through 2x12 cabs... you don't need much volume. Nowadays when I look at amps I think 18 watts is way too much! Although sometimes, that's just what you get, for example the HFS amp we built from a Hammond part that was already in the 2xEL84 configuration, so 18 watts it is.
BTW, the title of this thread said pics and clips, so far there are neither!
I don't think wattage is all that important either, I have 4 amps, two Gallien Kruegar Micro leads, both solid state, one don't work anymore, but the other one and older version, is the best transistor amp of any I ever owned it is almost tube like. It ain't very loud either i use the on board 6" speakers on that one. I also have a Valve Jr head with JJ tubes in it, and I play that through one 1-12 open back cab with an evm 12L in it. That is my day to day practice amp never turn that one above 9:00. But I have a 40 watt Hot Rod Deluxe and it sounds great at any volume level, even bedroom levels using the clean channel and stomps, I never even use the overdrive channel which sounds great at high volumes but I don't use high volumes anymore. That amp with another speaker and JJ tubes is the best sounding amp I ever had, and I have had many; Marshal's, Peaveys, Boogies, Fenders, and other forgettable amps like Music Man and etc.
So I want as simple 15-20 watt 1-12 combo that weighs half of what the HRD weighs. I don't think watts rms matter to me any more, it is what I stick in front of an amp that matters.
I'm bumping this thread with a strong "check this out" recommendation. I started playing my S6 Ultra again the other day and it had a bit of fizzing noise. I quickly figured out which 12ax7 it was and replaced it. This amp now sounds better than ever. And it still has the stock power tube and one stock pre-tube which I'm sure are all cheapies!
I'm making a tube order soon from Doug. You guys looking for a low watt amp with great cleans AND great gains need to check this out. I have the head. One of the guys at BYOC listed it for $150 shipped and I bought it immediately! This is a STEAL! I've paid more for pedals. This thing really kicks butt!
DreamTheaterRules — Nov 02, 2012I'm bumping this thread with a strong "check this out" recommendation. I started playing my S6 Ultra again the other day and it had a bit of fizzing noise. I quickly figured out which 12ax7 it was and replaced it. This amp now sounds better than ever. And it still has the stock power tube and one stock pre-tube which I'm sure are all cheapies!
I'm making a tube order soon from Doug. You guys looking for a low watt amp with great cleans AND great gains need to check this out. I have the head. One of the guys at BYOC listed it for $150 shipped and I bought it immediately! This is a STEAL! I've paid more for pedals. This thing really kicks butt!
Pics and clips, as the thread title said... you may not even own this amp, buddy.
charger — Nov 03, 2012
Pics and clips, as the thread title said... you may not even own this amp, buddy.
;D
charger — Nov 03, 2012[quote author=DreamTheaterRules link=1339526340/0#16 date=1351867939]I'm bumping this thread with a strong "check this out" recommendation. I started playing my S6 Ultra again the other day and it had a bit of fizzing noise. I quickly figured out which 12ax7 it was and replaced it. This amp now sounds better than ever. And it still has the stock power tube and one stock pre-tube which I'm sure are all cheapies!
I'm making a tube order soon from Doug. You guys looking for a low watt amp with great cleans AND great gains need to check this out. I have the head. One of the guys at BYOC listed it for $150 shipped and I bought it immediately! This is a STEAL! I've paid more for pedals. This thing really kicks butt!
Pics and clips, as the thread title said... you may not even own this amp, buddy.
Pics and clips "to follow." To follow the end of the world? ;) :D
http://manual.dooblo.net/2012/08/20/how-to-silent-recording/
:-? ;D ;D ;D ;D
;)
CraigBert — Nov 06, 2012 ;)
(No offense Howie)
LOL, hey, if I could still play, I'd record something. I suck. hand just gets worse and worse and now my acute degenerative arthritis is in my ring finger of my left hand. Haven't been able to get my wedding ring on for two months now.
Getting old SUCKS!
DreamTheaterRules — Nov 07, 2012
Getting old SUCKS!
I just turned 70 the other day you is just a pup........ ;D
Anyways get used to it because there is no going back...... If there was I would have gone back years ago several times..... 8-)
still no pics. No clips. False Advertising I say. See ya in court asshole!
actually have a few pics, but on Amy's camera. I'll snag the card out of it and get them on the computer. I have some more pics of the new guitar on there as well.
Fenderbender — Nov 12, 2012still no pics. No clips. False Advertising I say. See ya in court asshole!
FB, you seemed to have mellowed.
At one stage I would have expected to read "Fuck you, still no fucking pics. Fucking false fucking advertising, I'd fucking say. See ya in fucking court, fucking asshole.
Cinvala — Nov 12, 2012[quote author=Fenderbender link=1339526340/25#25 date=1352742724]still no pics. No clips. False Advertising I say. See ya in court asshole!
FB, you seemed to have mellowed.
At one stage I would have expected to read "Fuck you, still no fucking pics. Fucking false fucking advertising, I'd fucking say. See ya in fucking court, fucking asshole.
;D ;D ;D
I'm playing Howie's (in)famous Black Noise album right now! ;)
don't make it a black thing!
Bumping with an update/endorsement.
I had about 1 hour with the VHT Special 6 on Saturday night. The first 45 minutes, plugged into the 1x12 with Red Fang Alnico speaker instead of the internal 10" VHT branded speaker. I played through both inputs and with and without the boost. I also had my Mini Deja Vibe and Flashback, along with 4 different boosts and ODs, the SHO clone, the OCD, Plimsoul and Timmy. Needless to say, the Tone Press was there too.
I can't endorse this amp enough at it's price point. This thing through that alnico speaker sounds fabulous! The cleans and hot cleans are really SUPER nice. This thing sounds better on this stuff than many higher end amps I've heard and really liked. Switching over to a 1x12 with V30, it still sounds great. With the internal 10, still really good but not as good as the 12's. For a small combo though, it really sounds good and is a STEAL for the price. Through the Red Fang, you could fool lots of people into thinking it was a $2k am they were listening too.
Part II - The Special 6 Ultra: Currently has stock tubes. The cleans aren't "quite" as good. I'll say that I'm really anxious to try better tubes like my S6 has. But the cleans with the two 1x12s are REALLY nice. Then there's the Ultra channel. And OH BOY is it cool! The feature set on that amp, and the tone, are simply FAR better than the price. I can stay on that Ultra channel for days and never turn on the other amps I have. The boost switch simply removes the tone stack, meaning it's almost perfect for solos because it REALLY adds mids.
I say again, for you guys who record and can't crank your big amps up (or even your smaller ones) when the women are home, you REALLY need to check one of these out. A STEAL for under $200 used.
When I sat down with them the other night, it was to play the regular Special 6 one more time before I listed it for sale. I felt the Ultra negated the need for both, although I really wanted a small tube combo. After playing the S6 first, I decided about 5 minutes in, THIS AMP AIN'T GOIN' NOWHERE!
I LOVE the Champ setting and several others on my Vibro XD. But these cleans are in a different league. Perhaps one factor is that I can actually use them as tube amps are intended. The S6 us usually all the way up when I play it at home. The Ultra will get a bit too loud for that, but I simply dial back the power scaling a bit and crank it all the way too.
HIGHLY HIGHLY recommended! And, I will update this once I roll some better tubes through the S6U. For the money, every guitarist should have one of these! (or both! ;) )
Does your phone have a mic and the ability to record? I've posted clips from my phone.
Just sayin'.
we need to find DTR the guitar version of a player piano. then maybe we'd get amp and tone clips!
Do they make such a thing? :)
*Smart assedness intended*
Hi, I'm Howie Coleman. I own 2 PRS guitars. Most of you fags can't afford 1, but I have two. I also own a Taylor. You probably own a shitty Washburn or a stupid Ibanez or Alvarez. 352 Metal Zone pedals, I have one from every production year and special editions. I also have a cache of tons and tons of boutique pedals. I have the money to go to every RUSH concert known to man. I buy a new amp every month to test out. I have no kids to spend money on as the only daughter I have got hitched and is no longer my financial responsibility.
I have all these wonderful things and can't be bothered to buy a fucking Audio interface for my computer.
Matt, you've been asleep for too long! I have THREE PRS guitars, and TWO Taylors. Get your facts straight!
And no metal zones! I sold those to buy the PRS guitars. ;D
And, Howie owns 6 hand crafted in Japan Tokai Tele & Strats.
All I need to do now is send him a Kemper and we'll finally get recordings from him...and he can sell off all the crappy little tube amps and pedals he's wasted money on over the last 10 years. ;D
Lance — Dec 11, 2012And, Howie owns 6 hand crafted in Japan Tokai Tele & Strats.
All I need to do now is send him a Kemper and we'll finally get recordings from him...and he can sell off all the crappy little tube amps and pedals he's wasted money on over the last 10 years. ;D
Well I triple dog dare you to send him a Kemper. :D That dude has too much gear to not record SOMETHING.
I'm hoping to be recording again after Christmas. If all goes well I'll finish a guitar by then too and all I'll need is a cool amp to replace the decent amp I've got. Then I'm DONE with gear......well for a awhile.
I do need to rough Howie up and take ONE of those Taylor's off of him. He doesn't NEED two. ;D
DTR... how about getting a re-amp setup going instead? you could use raw clips of people here to demo your amps, pedals, patches etc... only half joking!
Howie, stop by the store sometime when you are in. I'll snag a Zoom H4 and will make this recording thing happen!! ;)
Chris, headed your way this weekend. Get that mini rec ready.
Lance, i didnt realize i owned those. ;)
Sheep, i'm half curious as to if you are half serious... Lol
All of Howie's gear sounds the same... ;)
You've got to imagine that if you went to Howies house it would be more like a museum. All the cool gear, still in it's plastic wrap sitting in glass cases. Big sign on each piece saying, "New, never played, not even by owner. DO NOT TOUCH! And DO NOT PLAY!!!"
I have to say, Howie did show up to WHS one year, and he had all of these pedals in their original packaging. And we're not talking some fancy boutique pedals. We're talking Boss pedals. In the original packaging. Man, I'm lucky if I get my guitars into a case when I head across town with them...
CraigBert — Dec 12, 2012All of Howie's gear sounds the same... ;)
Sounds just like yours and mine. ;) :D
Dearthian: — Dec 12, 2012[quote author=CraigBert link=1339526340/25#43 date=1355325024]All of Howie's gear sounds the same... ;)
Sounds just like yours and mine. ;) :D
Don't MAKE me whip out a copy of Berry Jam on your ass! :D
Actually, a lot of my stuff is still in storage due to my living situation (though I've just started bringing some things into the new place). We can make fun of Howie because his stuff is right there, easily usable and recordable yet he doesn't.
Maybe there's just no power in the closet? ;) ;D
Berry Jam on my ass? Who's the one in the closet?? :o :o :o ;D
I hear ya Craig. I was careful to also include myself in the joke, but that's because I don't want to make people's ears bleed. LOL.
But surely the sheep aren't in storage, are they? :D