This dude is literally five miles from my house.
(Okay...5.1 miles, according to the Google.)
VVT Amplifiers - Waldorf, MD
(Okay...5.1 miles, according to the Google.)
VVT Amplifiers - Waldorf, MD
I Suppose I Could Check Out These VVT Amps...
- Thread starter smitty_p
- Start date
Ummmm ...yes. But bring some hearing protection. The First amp listed is a KT88 beast...probably scramble your insides when you turn it up.
OP
I just saw this on the page for their X-Model amp:
“Order your VVT X-Model Head ($1499), Combo ($1799), or extension cabinet ($529) today...”
They require a $500.00 deposit to begin building your amp.
The X-Model is a two-channel amp with effects loop and a pre-amp boost.
The channel selection and boost are foot-switchable, too.
VVT Amplifiers - Waldorf, MD » X-Model Amplifier
syscokid
Ambassador of War & Peace
Is it here yet?
OP
I have a friend who has one of the VVTs (though I don't recall the model). I've played through his. They are pretty impressive. What is most impressive is that you can get this fat distortion without being fizzy, and still hear the note definition in the chords.
Being locally-made, some of the local music stores have them. I suppose I should go check one out.
Mr Grumpy
Ambassador of Comings and Goings
OP
They are. My friend's gets quite loud. The funny thing is, most of the heads are built on the smaller form factor shown on the website. You don't expect it to be as loud as it is.
VVT also uses 6L6 tubes a lot, instead of EL34s.
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OP
Here's a video from the website demoing the X-40 model.
I actually know the guy doing the demo.
Jim is a pretty talented player. He tends to use a lot of effects, but he does play straight in this demo, as well.
He's a pretty nice guy too, and always willing to share his knowledge and help folks.
VVT Amplifiers - Waldorf, MD » X-Model Jim Wade’s X40
I actually know the guy doing the demo.
Jim is a pretty talented player. He tends to use a lot of effects, but he does play straight in this demo, as well.
He's a pretty nice guy too, and always willing to share his knowledge and help folks.
VVT Amplifiers - Waldorf, MD » X-Model Jim Wade’s X40
eSGEe
Ferengi Ambassador of Trade
o.k. this brings up a thing--- I have noticed myself-- and maybe the partial ALLURE of a tube amp--
They seem to take "cues" and tonal alterations FROM THE GUITAR better than Solid State ...if that makes sense???
---or am I stating the obvious??/ -0-- im relatively "new" to tubes only really embracing the concept in the last couple years always being SS previously---
the SS amps dont seem to hold the volume-- while altering the clean/dirty feel as much--- as a tube -- if you say across the room and just adjust your guitars vol/tone -- NOT go adjust them amp or stomp a pedal......
sorry off on a tnagent -- anyway the guy plays great--- and the AMP HEAD really sounds good-- certainly worth a check out--- how do they compare $$$ wise to other offerings???
They seem to take "cues" and tonal alterations FROM THE GUITAR better than Solid State ...if that makes sense???
---or am I stating the obvious??/ -0-- im relatively "new" to tubes only really embracing the concept in the last couple years always being SS previously---
the SS amps dont seem to hold the volume-- while altering the clean/dirty feel as much--- as a tube -- if you say across the room and just adjust your guitars vol/tone -- NOT go adjust them amp or stomp a pedal......
sorry off on a tnagent -- anyway the guy plays great--- and the AMP HEAD really sounds good-- certainly worth a check out--- how do they compare $$$ wise to other offerings???
OP
Your description of how tubes react to player dynamics vs. SS is correct and is one of the reasons they remain so popular.
The price of VVT amps is generally higher, compared to other, mass-produced, amps of similar specs. But, they are a very solidly-built amp. I'm not a boutique amp expert, but I'd guess they are comparable to other boutique amps.
eSGEe
Ferengi Ambassador of Trade
YEs i was able to find some figures on their site-- not for the one demoed here in particular but other amps-- and they seem to fall in a MESA...CARR ...Tone King.... Laney range.....
now -- I will say (my own in house testing of course) the Peavey Transtube technology comes "close" to the tube emulation---pic light it cleans pick hard it grits--- its not as PRONOUNCED as a tube amp-- but its there and on the bandit 112 its adjustable! w/ a "tube knob" -- way more so noticeable than a standard SS amp--
rebular SS amp= pic light volume DROPS pick hard volume increases --- but TONE really isnt effected or grit/dirt-- which stays the same on the SS amp regardless of pick attack...
now -- I will say (my own in house testing of course) the Peavey Transtube technology comes "close" to the tube emulation---pic light it cleans pick hard it grits--- its not as PRONOUNCED as a tube amp-- but its there and on the bandit 112 its adjustable! w/ a "tube knob" -- way more so noticeable than a standard SS amp--
rebular SS amp= pic light volume DROPS pick hard volume increases --- but TONE really isnt effected or grit/dirt-- which stays the same on the SS amp regardless of pick attack...
67plexi
Ambassador of Amps
VVT are great amps Rick Derringer play's them. Tony former partner got me on the inside track on Dumble amps.
VVT Amplifiers - Waldorf, MD » Rick Derringer Hyperdrive
VVT Amplifiers - Waldorf, MD » Rick Derringer Hyperdrive
OP
That's one of the reasons I kind of drifted away from using my Peavey Transtube 212. It does sound good. But, it doesn't respond the same way to pedals - particularly, drive pedals - as a tube amp. Now, I suppose I don't really need a drive pedal with that amp. But, once I finally became accustomed to tube amps, the feel of an SS amp became kind of bland. Though, I initially learned to play electric guitar using processors and SS amps, so getting used to the dynamic responsiveness and gain behavior of a tube amp was a little unnerving, at first.
This is one reason I think people have a hard time telling the difference in just listening tests between tube and solid-state amps. The distinction, I think, is more of a feel and responsiveness thing, not just a just raw sound thing.