VHT SPECIAL6 / Marshall Class 5...?

Johnny Starantino

Johnny Starantino

New member
Hey guys, last week went over to my closest guitar shop and saw the VHT Special 6 Bundle (one that comes with 30 watt cab) and tried it! I loved it...
Now i feel like i should buy it... but are there better things out there?
Is that Marshall Class 5 better than the VHT?
Do you know any other amp worth checking out??

Ill appreciate some advice ^^
 
Re: VHT SPECIAL6 / Marshall Class 5...?

The Special 6 is the best built amp in it's class. In 10 years when all the other "lunchbox" amps are failing, I'm sure these little handwired VHT's will still be running strong.

I haven't gotten a chance to play through one yet, just because there's so few VHT dealers nearby.

SP6CH_1.jpg
 
Re: VHT SPECIAL6 / Marshall Class 5...?

I would recommend vox ac15..... the last couple threads got me gasing for one. I was looking at the class 5, night train, jet city, etc and Im like screw that for a hundred more I'll rather get an ac15
 
Re: VHT SPECIAL6 / Marshall Class 5...?

The only flaw ive seen is that i find it too simple/plain idk...
Sounds very warm though...
Why is VHT so sucky on marketing? xD
And btw ive seen it cheaper here in Europe than in America, dunno why tho... special the bundle...
You think the cabs alright? Better open/closed backs?
 
Re: VHT SPECIAL6 / Marshall Class 5...?

Nice Kustom there... THe vol issue is strange though...
but... Can these amps get very distorted at all?

Oh iv also seen the egnater tweaker (L) which also caught my attention lol...
 
Re: VHT SPECIAL6 / Marshall Class 5...?

Current VHT Special 6 uses 6V6, so you need to think "American/Fender" tones. The VHT cabinet is available with a VHT designed spkr or a Celestion 30.

The half power switch on the VHT is very useable.

Had a chance to try one this weekend and really liked it. It seems like a good amp for home use. It seems to be able to hold its own with a drummer. Didn't spend too much ttime with it, was only in tht store to make a payment on a lay away. I plan to go back and try it with a couple of pedals. Only objection to the amp so far, it does not have an effeects loop.

I believe that VHT is coming out with an upgraded Special 6 next year. It will/should have EL-34's and be the same width as the cabinet. The local dealer said that he has been material from VHT that they are concentrating on these amps and will be introducing upgrades next year.
 
Re: VHT SPECIAL6 / Marshall Class 5...?

Gearjoneser said:
The Special 6 is the best built amp in it's class. In 10 years when all the other "lunchbox" amps are failing, I'm sure these little handwired VHT's will still be running strong.

I haven't gotten a chance to play through one yet, just because there's so few VHT dealers nearby.

SP6CH_1.jpg
Click to expand...

How can you proclaim the VHT the best in class when you haven't even played one?

Are Chinese hand-wired amps suddenly better than British-made PCB amps?

As far as sound, I would encourage everyone to try the Marshall Class 5 before they purchase any other amp. Marshall seems to have gotten the package right: tone, ease with pedals, speaker and even cabinet design. I won't say that it's better than any other amp (not very useful if you want Fender sounds, after all), but if you want manageable plexi-style sounds this amp delivers!

BTW, my PCB Marshalls and Mesa from the mid-late 1990s are still going strong.
 
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Re: VHT SPECIAL6 / Marshall Class 5...?

eschoendorff said:
How can you proclaim the VHT the best in class when you haven't even played one?

Are Chinese hand-wired amps suddenly better than British-made PCB amps?
Click to expand...



True . . . how can it be ?


. . . just look how many diff valves the PecoValve can except, and the VHT can only except one kind, a 6V6.

http://www.jetcityamplification.com/2009/09/18/pico-valve/


" Compatible Power Tubes: EL34, 6L6, 5881, KT88, 6550, 5881, 6V6, EL84 - see manual for exhaustive list. " - 5W PicoValve
 
Re: VHT SPECIAL6 / Marshall Class 5...?

I wasn't saying it's the best sounding. From the clips, the VHT is OK, but nothing stellar.

I'm talking strictly about it's construction and components. It appears to be built to last. And, eventually a lot of mods will surface on the internet, so modders can have an easy time with the turret board.

As for tones and versatility, the Egnater Tweaker seems to be the one I gravitate toward, but who knows how cheap it's circuit board is? I'd be really excited about it if it were built the same way the VHT is.

I'm pretty sure the Marshall Class 5 amps are built to last. Marshalls are typically durable.
 
Re: VHT SPECIAL6 / Marshall Class 5...?

I think the construction of the VHT is probably better. This said it is like asking if a Fender or Marshall is better. The VHT is essentially a Blackface Champ style amp as I understand it. The Class 5 is a more Bluesbreaker/Plexi voiced Marshall amp. Neither, in my mind, replaces the other. It is a matter of what sound you are going for here. I already had several Fender style amps. I wanted the Marshall voice, so I also have a Class 5 now. I also have a Tweaker and do not plan on losing that anytime soon either.

They are very different amps - by design.
 
Re: VHT SPECIAL6 / Marshall Class 5...?

drpietrzak said:
I think the construction of the VHT is probably better. This said it is like asking if a Fender or Marshall is better. The VHT is essentially a Blackface Champ style amp as I understand it. The Class 5 is a more Bluesbreaker/Plexi voiced Marshall amp. Neither, in my mind, replaces the other. It is a matter of what sound you are going for here. I already had several Fender style amps. I wanted the Marshall voice, so I also have a Class 5 now. I also have a Tweaker and do not plan on losing that anytime soon either.

They are very different amps - by design.
Click to expand...

I agree. I think a magnificent collection would be a room full of all the popular low wattage micro stacks and combos. It would be a real treat to enter a room with all of them, from left to right.
 
Re: VHT SPECIAL6 / Marshall Class 5...?

Gearjoneser said:
I agree. I think a magnificent collection would be a room full of all the popular low wattage micro stacks and combos. It would be a real treat to enter a room with all of them, from left to right.
Click to expand...

:werd:

I'm putting together a pretty cool little quarter stack with a vertical 212, which will be loaded with two C-rex speakers later this week, and a small single ended 6L6 Fenderish home brew thing I traded for last year.

Tweaker is the winner out of the small amp race, for me, until you get to the Mesa Trans Atlantic and stuff even more high end. The Tweaker seems like a poor man's version of the Mesa...and it just kills when the volume and gain get over 6 or so.
 
Re: VHT SPECIAL6 / Marshall Class 5...?

Gearjoneser said:
I agree. I think a magnificent collection would be a room full of all the popular low wattage micro stacks and combos. It would be a real treat to enter a room with all of them, from left to right.
Click to expand...


Now that I think about it, I'm sure collections of 2010 era "lunchbox amps" will be the thing of this era, when it comes to amp collecting.

If you've got the means, it might be a good time to scoop up a few. It's actually a great trend when you think about it. Low wattage tube amps aren't likely to go out of style, and all the popular ones like the Class 5, Night Train, and Tweaker will be sought after classics. If I had to pick 3 to own, it'd probably be those.
 
Re: VHT SPECIAL6 / Marshall Class 5...?

I'm pretty sure those are MIC now, not saying they aren't well made, but, it's not the same since Fryette sold VHT. A "real" VHT is now called Fryette...

That said, I've heard some good sounding clips of them, and they are at a good price point.
 
Re: VHT SPECIAL6 / Marshall Class 5...?

Never messed with the VHT, but I tried a Class 5.........then I bought one. Great portability, great tone, PHENOMENAL price...you don't get a master but it's a 5w into 1x10...so it's gonna do well but not like a 100 watter.

FWIW......6V6=/= Fender tone anymore than EL84s=Marshall tone. Fender uses 84s in Pro and Blues Jrs....and Greg at Germino and Trace at Voodoo both use V6s for their Marshall clones.

Luke
 
Re: VHT SPECIAL6 / Marshall Class 5...?

I just ordered the Special 6 yesterday. I don't get how they can make it so cheap but far be it from me to complain.

I wouldn't compare it to the Class 5 as it costs almost three times more than the VHT. In fact, I can't really compare it reasonably to anything. It's just in a price range of its own, even if it's hand-wired, all tube etc.
 
Re: VHT SPECIAL6 / Marshall Class 5...?

ksmith63 said:
For low wattage, I would look into a used THD univalve.
Click to expand...

I have the Univalve and I like it very much. It's interesting to find out how it compares to the Special 6.

Still, I think it's not practical to compare them. Buying new the THD costs 11 times the VHT and the used market reflects those prices also.
 
Re: VHT SPECIAL6 / Marshall Class 5...?

Johtosotku said:
I have the Univalve and I like it very much. It's interesting to find out how it compares to the Special 6.

Still, I think it's not practical to compare them. Buying new the THD costs 11 times the VHT and the used market reflects those prices also.
Click to expand...

I completely agree :friday:. Even used the THD is 2-3x as much as either of the amps mentioned. No one has mentioned a target price range so I threw the THD in there. We are all talking about build quality and lasting 10 years, why not recommend something like the THD?
 
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