VHT amps - Anyone used them? What they like??

Big-G

Hi Folks,

This is a brand that I am not familiar with, and there doesn't seem to be an awful lot about them around the net....

I'm particularly interested in the VHT 12/20 combo (non reverb/trem version). Are they any good? What more well known amps are they like tone wise? Are they reliable? What would one of these combo's retail for out here?

The only real info I can find is that they are hand wired, but in China, so that could mean anything in terms of quality! I also believe they can run either 6V6's or EL34/84's to give it a different character?

Anything I should know about them before getting deeper into the rabbit hole?

Thanks in advance for your help!
Regards
G!

Arno-West

I tested a VHT-Pitbull many years ago and all I can remember is that it was damn loud and very expensive. At that stage they were American made, I think and were mentioned in the same breath as Soldano, Boogie and Hi-Watt. Things might have changed now that you've mentioined the Chinese-connection...

AlanRatcliffe

I've also only tried a Pitbull - which was an out and out hard rock monster. You'd have to try the 12/20 to see what it does and how well it does it.

Sean

What attracted you to them?

Big-G

Sean wrote: What attracted you to them?

Been offered one as a trade, so I was trying to find information on them, as my searches had revealed very little.

Thanks everyone for your responses so far. So further research (with a little help from one or two GFSA'ers - Super thanks) suggests that the 12/20 is very much like a Fender sound, and very clean even right up until the last quarter turn of the knob, and it appears to be a very versatile amp, which can run several different output valves (although not at the same time obviously), which will also affect the max output of the amp.

And as off yet, whilst the info I've found has been somewhat limited, there has not been any mention of any technical issues, and that the handwiring is an added bonus, making it much easier to service.

I think I'm gonna take the plunge, and give it a go..... Watch this space.... Or rather the 'Your Gear' page! Provided it doesn't give me the same shocking sensitivity of the blues junior I tried, I think it could be a good match?

Thanks again to all who have contributed here, and behind the scenes.... You know who you are!
Regards
G!

free2rhyme

I've only ever played the VHT pitbull, loud as hell. Not bad in its own right. Was a jazzy low gain type model. There's one in Music Connection now, maybe try it out to get an indication. It's a combo, small frame but weighs a ton haha.

VHT doesn't exist anymore I think, I believe they are now called Fryette amps.

I wasn't into it as I'm more of a high gain hound

Tokai-SA

VHT amps are now called Fryette...owned by Steve Fryette.

World class amps, the SigX is pretty much the coolest amp on earth.
But they're all different, so knowing one particular model is amazing might not mean another model will be your thing.

He also makes SS and tube poweramps for modellers.
I have a bunch of VHT/Fryette Profiles on my Kemper, so I know what they sound like, and they're great amps.

I wont post the Youtube demo of Steve doing a Kemper/Fryette poweramp demo. ?

Styles

Steve Fryette changed his company's name from the old VHT to Fryette Amplification a few years ago due to a lawsuit. The company that is now VHT makes a totally different product. Steve Fryette's amps were known for their dry, unsaturated, high gain sound. A lot of clarity and a lot of features. The new company makes combos, hed's and cabs, but they are more mid gain.. Apparently they aren't that bad, but they are definitely not the same as the old VHT/Fryette amps. Hope that helps.

Mr-M

The best thing about VHTs of old, from the inside of a VHT Deliverance:

IceCreamMan

REminds me of a label on the reverb tank of my Roland Bolt from the early 80's " made by the pretty girls of virignia" ( or some state of the US- forget the exact name of the place)

Big-G

Ok, there seems to be lots of confusion here? After much digging, and behind the scenes conversations, it appears that VHT may have been owned by Steve Fried-eggs, but they are no longer, and are their own separate company as I understand it. They are american owned, but handwired in China. I guess this is the only reason they are relatively affordable?

So, to clarify.. Currently today there are two companies... Fryette (formally VHT) and VHT (now a separate entity to the old VHT company with no association with Steve Fryette other than he used to own the company).

Hope that helps?

Anyhow... More news on this amp here....

http://www.guitarforum.co.za/your-gear/new-gear-week!-feels-like-christmas!!!/

Regards
G!

Big-G

Hmmm.... The URL doesn't seem to be working properly for some reason?

Just go to the 'Your Gear' forum, and you'll see my new thread there.

Cheers
G!

AlanRatcliffe

Fixed the link for ya - if you have exclamation points in a URL, you have to add the URL code manually.

Big-G

Thanks, I'll try and avoid using them in future.

Regards
G!

Norman86

i see terryd in CT is selling them!

http://www.terryd.co.za/vvhavsp16.html
http://www.terryd.co.za/vvhavsp16u.html