New amp content: VHT Pitbull 45

[FretFire]

Well, the new amp got here today. I traded my Mesa Rectoverb straight across for a VHT Pitbull 45. My initial thoughts: GREAT TRADE! It's already apparent that this amp suits my style much better than the Mesa. The cleans are much better, more open and 3D. The gain is much smoother and fuller sounding. It's definitely a different character though, as it's an EL84 based amp vs. the 6L6 Mesa. I also definitely prefer running this amp in Class A mode over Class A/B.

It has plenty of features for me, and all seem very useable so far. The clean channel has boost, bright, and shift switches; while the gain channel has boost, edge, and shift. The guy also included two footswitches, the stock 4-button (channel, boost, effects loop on/off, and assignable reverb) and also a smaller 2-button (channel, boost). All in all, I'm very pleased. Now I need to see how it takes my pedals .

 

[FretFire]

Re: New amp content: VHT Pitbull 45

I'm really digging this amp right now. Cleans are nice open, with plenty of chime and spank. On the drive channel with all the switches out, gain about noon, and playing the strat, it was a pretty good cop of SRV's "Pride and Joy" tone (where the level of gain is concerned). You can crank the gain up and hit the boost to get some pretty decent old school and hair metal type tones. Turn the gain down a bit and hit the edge switch and it sounds more modern (think Fuel, Filter, etc.)

There's not as much gain on tap as the Rectoverb, but still plenty for anything I'd ever play. I haven't even plugged in my OD boxes yet.

 

[Scott_F]

Re: New amp content: VHT Pitbull 45

Sweeeet! How about opening her up for a few nekkid shots of the insides?

I'm assuming it's 45 watts in A/B, 30 or so in A? 4xEL84, if i"m looking through the jail bars properly.

 

[FretFire]

Re: New amp content: VHT Pitbull 45

Sweeeet! How about opening her up for a few nekkid shots of the insides?

I'm assuming it's 45 watts in A/B, 30 or so in A? 4xEL84, if i"m looking through the jail bars properly.

I can certainly do that, and you're correct. 4 x EL84, I believe 3 x 12AX7, and a 5AR4 rectifier tube.

 

[Destroying Angel]

Re: New amp content: VHT Pitbull 45

Sounds like you got a good deal. I've always dug Vht amps. That burgandy tolex looks freakin awesome too. Thats one nice amp you got there bro

 

[FretFire]

Re: New amp content: VHT Pitbull 45

As requested...

(Almost the same picture... just a bit more to the right)

 

[Scott_F]

Re: New amp content: VHT Pitbull 45

EF86 Preamp tube?

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: New amp content: VHT Pitbull 45

I think Scott wanted to see more...

I played through one of those (a combo, but the same head) thisweekend and was blown away...I have always loved the big VHT amps, but that one was bad ass too!

Congrats!

 

[FretFire]

Re: New amp content: VHT Pitbull 45

I think Scott wanted to see more...

I played through one of those (a combo, but the same head) thisweekend and was blown away...I have always loved the big VHT amps, but that one was bad ass too!

Congrats!

Probably so haha, maybe I'll pull the chassis in the next day or two. I'm thoroughly impressed so far, we'll see how it goes after the honeymoon period .

 

[FretFire]

Re: New amp content: VHT Pitbull 45

EF86 Preamp tube?

If you're talking about the taller tube in the last picture, it's marked EL-84 as well...

 

[FretFire]

Re: New amp content: VHT Pitbull 45

Scott, after more digging, I found that the other EL84 is the reverb driver. In fact, on the VHT user forum it says to "BE CAREFUL WITH REVERB DRIVER TUBE! MIXING UP EL84's AND EF86's WILL CAUSE SERIOUS DAMAGE TO YOUR AMPLIFIER!"

 

[Scott_F]

Re: New amp content: VHT Pitbull 45

EF86 probably has too much gain for a reverb driver... but EL84? That's bizarre. Definitely want to see the insides now.

 

[FretFire]

Re: New amp content: VHT Pitbull 45

I'll try pulling the chassis tomorrow or Friday. I did find a psuedo-manual online that sheds light on exactly what all the knobs do, should definitely aid my tweaking.

 

[Johtosotku]

Re: New amp content: VHT Pitbull 45

Looks nice, post some clips if you can. Do mesa and vht battle in the same price range in the US? Around here it's about F-50 or F-30 for a Pittbull 45, when new.

 

[FretFire]

Re: New amp content: VHT Pitbull 45

Looks nice, post some clips if you can. Do mesa and vht battle in the same price range in the US? Around here it's about F-50 or F-30 for a Pittbull 45, when new.

I wish I could post some clips, but I no longer have any recording equipment. I'm not really sure how the pricing compares, though I've been told I got quite a deal trading straight across for the Rectoverb. I was asking $750 shipped as a selling price for that amp.

 

[Johtosotku]

Re: New amp content: VHT Pitbull 45

I wish I could post some clips, but I no longer have any recording equipment. I'm not really sure how the pricing compares, though I've been told I got quite a deal trading straight across for the Rectoverb. I was asking $750 shipped as a selling price for that amp.

Okay, too bad. Quite a deal? That makes finnish pricing even more, if it's still possible, weird. How's the gain on that thing? You mentioned less than the mesa, but how much? Enough for Metallica? Can you compare it to any other amps than the mesa?

 

[FretFire]

Re: New amp content: VHT Pitbull 45

How's the gain on that thing? You mentioned less than the mesa, but how much? Enough for Metallica? Can you compare it to any other amps than the mesa?

If you're mainly a metal player I'd honestly look at a different amp (unless you push it with a pedal of course). With the gain around 3 o'clock or higher and the boost and edge switches in, you can get some really heavy tones, but the amp seems mostly geared for blues/jazz/rock type stuff. As I said, the drive channel with the gain around noon and all switches out sounded very SRV, and in the same position w/ the boost on was pretty close to an AC/DC or ZZ Top amount of gain. The gain has a different voicing to it though, it's smoother. The buzz I heard from the Recto is completely non-existant.

 

[Johtosotku]

Re: New amp content: VHT Pitbull 45

If you're mainly a metal player I'd honestly look at a different amp (unless you push it with a pedal of course). With the gain around 3 o'clock or higher and the boost and edge switches in, you can get some really heavy tones, but the amp seems mostly geared for blues/jazz/rock type stuff. As I said, the drive channel with the gain around noon and all switches out sounded very SRV, and in the same position w/ the boost on was pretty close to an AC/DC or ZZ Top amount of gain. The gain has a different voicing to it though, it's smoother. The buzz I heard from the Recto is completely non-existant.

Ok. Thanks!

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: New amp content: VHT Pitbull 45

Nice amp; VHT makes some great stuff! You just made one heck of a trade; I would never give one up for a Mesa Recto.

 

[JeffB]

Re: New amp content: VHT Pitbull 45

Congrats! Nice Score FF!

As I understand it, the 45 is a bit more like a souped up VOX/Fender type of thing as opposed to a typical modded marshall from hell VHT amp.

I've played the original 100W Pitbulls and it was nothing short of incredible, so I can only imagine how good it sounds.

I hear ya about the soundclips...I'd love to put up some of my Chubster and whatever guitar, but jes don't have anything to record with. Some day I'll grab a mic and whatnot.