Fryette Pittbull Ultralead II

[DanTravis62]

I am in the middle of making a YT video with this exact analysis

Good, because i am positive we're not the only people thinking this. This whole launch has given me the confused Nick Young meme vibes.

 

[PeteLaramee]

I dig everything about this, except the price (not that it's unreasonable). I had a few ULs, a few Classics (I think that's what they were called), a SigX, and the GP3 preamp, but I always craved a CLX. I've been using Fractal for the past 6-8 years and like the idea of digging deeper into a UL/CLX (like what Geo said). A tube Fryette with digital control/memory sounds great. If I had the disposable cash I'd be all over this.

 

[S̷͖͑m̵͎͂á̵̺s̸͚̈́h̴̬̑]

I think synergy pre rack and a 2/90/2 with an ultralead module may end up cheaper and better than this monstrosity.

 

[Kelly]

Some interesting new info.

• It sounds like he was talking about a true-to-spec original re-release costing 6-7k. Said it'd be at least 5k, probably closer to 6-7k to do the amp with the same component quality and same execution, with some allusions to regulatory hurdles.
• Said that if the DSP goes poof at a gig you can bypass it to go straight from pre-amp to power amp.
• The ability to mix power tubes is so you can cover both CLX and Ultralead territory.
• He was specifically trying to make a tube amp that competes with the advantages of modelers.
• The power supply is super stiff now and doesn't sag like a linear one would, so he put the GPDI(/GP3)'s sag circuit in there to get that behavior.
• The output transformer was made shorter, but longer.

1. He said the same thing about the Mesa Mark II. Mesa released it for much cheaper. If he wants lower manufacturing costs he need to get the heck out of California.
2. Cool. That means Page Hamilton can keep playing if the DSP dies.
3. Page Hamilton likes KT88s, Dan Beeman likes EL34s. Now you can sound like them both at the same time!!! (Yes, I realize 99% of players will have to search wikipedia to find out who those guys are, but it's still 1994 in Fryette's head).
4. The only advantage modelers have is weight. The weight here is a big win. Page Hamilton's roadie will be happy. Dean Deleo's, too. (Wikipedia's right over there, you young whippersnappers who missed 1994).
5. Great. Page Hamilton will love that.
6. Nice, but after spending $4000 on the amp you'll also need to buy a rack case, and a midi controller to access all the switches that used to be on the amp.

Did I mention Page Hamilton yet?

 

[S̷͖͑m̵͎͂á̵̺s̸͚̈́h̴̬̑]

1. He said the same thing about the Mesa Mark II. Mesa released it for much cheaper. If he wants lower manufacturing costs he need to get the heck out of California.
2. Cool. That means Page Hamilton can keep playing if the DSP dies.
3. Page Hamilton likes KT88s, Dan Beeman likes EL34s. Now you can sound like them both at the same time!!! (Yes, I realize 99% of players will have to search wikipedia to find out who those guys are, but it's still 1994 in Fryette's head).
4. The only advantage modelers have is weight. The weight here is a big win. Page Hamilton's roadie will be happy. Dean Deleo's, too. (Wikipedia's right over there, you young whippersnappers who missed 1994).
5. Great. Page Hamilton will love that.
6. Nice, but after spending $4000 on the amp you'll also need to buy a rack case, and a midi controller to access all the switches that used to be on the amp.

Did I mention Page Hamilton yet?

Well done.

 

[7704A]

1. He said the same thing about the Mesa Mark II. Mesa released it for much cheaper. If he wants lower manufacturing costs he need to get the heck out of California.
2. Cool. That means Page Hamilton can keep playing if the DSP dies.
3. Page Hamilton likes KT88s, Dan Beeman likes EL34s. Now you can sound like them both at the same time!!! (Yes, I realize 99% of players will have to search wikipedia to find out who those guys are, but it's still 1994 in Fryette's head).
4. The only advantage modelers have is weight. The weight here is a big win. Page Hamilton's roadie will be happy. Dean Deleo's, too. (Wikipedia's right over there, you young whippersnappers who missed 1994).
5. Great. Page Hamilton will love that.
6. Nice, but after spending $4000 on the amp you'll also need to buy a rack case, and a midi controller to access all the switches that used to be on the amp.

Did I mention Page Hamilton yet?

 

[DanTravis62]

1. He said the same thing about the Mesa Mark II. Mesa released it for much cheaper. If he wants lower manufacturing costs he need to get the heck out of California.
2. Cool. That means Page Hamilton can keep playing if the DSP dies.
3. Page Hamilton likes KT88s, Dan Beeman likes EL34s. Now you can sound like them both at the same time!!! (Yes, I realize 99% of players will have to search wikipedia to find out who those guys are, but it's still 1994 in Fryette's head).
4. The only advantage modelers have is weight. The weight here is a big win. Page Hamilton's roadie will be happy. Dean Deleo's, too. (Wikipedia's right over there, you young whippersnappers who missed 1994).
5. Great. Page Hamilton will love that.
6. Nice, but after spending $4000 on the amp you'll also need to buy a rack case, and a midi controller to access all the switches that used to be on the amp.

Did I mention Page Hamilton yet?

If Fryette is banking on Page/Dan being able to shift a bunch of units of this new UL, i think he's probably actually stuck in 1994

 

[ChuggNorris]

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At long last, the Fryette Amplification announces the launch of the Pittbull Ultra-Lead II 120 watt head.

From its introduction in 1995 up until its discontinuation in 2017, the Pittbull Ultra-Lead had long been the flagship of the Fryette amplifier line and customer demand and desire for the Ultra-Lead to be reissued has never waned.

The result of an uncompromising three-year labor of love, the new Pittbull Ultra-Lead II is a fully reimagined touring and recording tone machine, specifically designed to be the centerpiece of your playing and gigging environment. With this breakthrough product, Steve Fryette has created an innovative testament to the future of tube amplification.

We prioritized the most popular features and functions of the original Pittbull Ultra-Lead and then added a compact, lightweight form factor, flexible three-channel topology, a graphic EQ and super dynamic 120-watt power amplifier. Next, we incorporated the smoother harmonic balance of the former sister-ship, the Pittbull Hundred CLX and imported its personality into the Ultra-Lead platform by way of a Patent Pending power tube blending technology that extracts peak performance out of mixed pairs of EL34 and 6550 power tubes. Finally, we developed an all-new switching and signal processing platform that offers a stunning array of sonic possibilities in a slick, intuitive sound modification system that can be managed via the onboard LCD display or operated remotely via a custom graphical user interface.

“Many amp manufacturers view legacy product reboots in the most literal way possible, offering as accurate a reproduction as possible, given modern regulatory limitations. In our view, that approach is just uninspired and assumes that a great tube amplifier can’t be truly innovative. We believe that the Pittbull Ultra-Lead origin story was about moving beyond, and that is just as true today as it was in 1995” commented Steve Fryette.

As a fan of the unforgiving chunk of VHT and a big Deliverance 120 guy.... Im curious about this....

 

[ÇhuggƝorrìs]

As a fan of the unforgiving chunk of VHT and a big Deliverance 120 guy.... Im curious about this....

It will probably be good. But it's no wizzer...

 

[ChuggNorris]

It will probably be good. But it's no wizzer...

Too much balls to be a wizzer...



It was the Hell Racer that turned me off about em. Fatigue with no sack. But since I am now awareness experiencing itself, and talking to myself interdimentionally here..... Ill give the MTL props.

Ill even say... its not even the amps fault most of the time. Its the players with their little limp noodle arms picking like 16 year old transsexuals while running a boost to make it even more harsh and abnormally nasal than it already was.

But an MTL in the right hands? (Like mine)
Its a different mode all together ChuggJunior.

 

[ZEN Amps]

Clearly this is not for everyone, but it's cool he's trying some new things.

I don't love the way the GEQ is adjusted though. Again it's got a 90's studio processor vibe, and would take considerably longer to adjust than something more tactile. Same with IR selection - surely that's going to be pretty cumbersome when there's a dozen or more loaded.

Also interesting that the loop is not bypassable, that can be really handy.

 

[7704A]

Also interesting that the loop is not bypassable, that can be really handy.

Meanwhile the PS100's is bypassable, which I find interesting. However he mentioned in the Peach Guitars video that there's space for that feature if people want it, they just didn't think that it was going to be useful.

 

[ChuggNorris]

I think synergy pre rack and a 2/90/2 with an ultralead module may end up cheaper and better than this monstrosity.

That'd be a good comparison video.

 

[Bossman415]

Is it me or did anyone else wonder why there've been no YouTube audio clips of the Pitbull UL II being played at NAMM?

Not trying to trash it, but I had really high hopes for this amp. Still interested in it, but not too hot on the whole rack deal.

Looking forward to hearing some clips soon.

 

[S̷͖͑m̵͎͂á̵̺s̸͚̈́h̴̬̑]

Is it me or did anyone else wonder why there've been no YouTube audio clips of the Pitbull UL II being played at NAMM?

Not trying to trash it, but I had really high hopes for this amp. Still interested in it, but not too hot on the whole rack deal.

Looking forward to hearing some clips soon.

It's not just you. He took a non working prototype there to explain the amp's features. I hazard to guess that wasn't the original plan; perhaps the plan was to have the amp ready, so it could speak for itself...

Either way, in two months or two years, it should be ready to show off and all 8 interested prospective buyers should have their chance to get this semi digital racksperience

 

[Bossman415]

It's not just you. He took a non working prototype there to explain the amp's features. I hazard to guess that wasn't the original plan; perhaps the plan was to have the amp ready, so it could speak for itself...

Either way, in two months or two years, it should be ready to show off and all 8 interested prospective buyers should have their chance to get this semi digital racksperience

Fryette makes killer stuff. I'll give Steve the benefit of the doubt. Thanks for the info/additional context. Been at tradeshows when shit like that happens with the demo. Not a fun experience to have to go through, especially when you had to foot a big bill for the floor/booth space.

 

[S̷͖͑m̵͎͂á̵̺s̸͚̈́h̴̬̑]

Fryette makes killer stuff. I'll give Steve the benefit of the doubt. Thanks for the info/additional context. Been at tradeshows when shit like that happens with the demo. Not a fun experience to have to go through, especially when you had to foot a big bill for the floor/booth space.

Yeah. I have loved his amps and rackmounts. I just see this as a gimmick. I hope i am wrong because while i have zero interest in a digital tube amp, i wish him success.

This reminds me of the vhx

There is a fight between tone and features. And tone always wins with me

 

[7704A]

It's not just you. He took a non working prototype there to explain the amp's features. I hazard to guess that wasn't the original plan; perhaps the plan was to have the amp ready, so it could speak for itself...

Yeah, I think in one of the videos, possibly the one with Blug, he said something to that effect.

 

[Eazy-ESP]

It's not just you. He took a non working prototype there to explain the amp's features. I hazard to guess that wasn't the original plan; perhaps the plan was to have the amp ready, so it could speak for itself...

Either way, in two months or two years, it should be ready to show off and all 8 interested prospective buyers should have their chance to get this semi digital racksperience

The switch mode power supply failed and RadioShack wasn’t open to get a replacement.

 

[Eazy-ESP]

Clearly this is not for everyone, but it's cool he's trying some new things.

I don't love the way the GEQ is adjusted though. Again it's got a 90's studio processor vibe, and would take considerably longer to adjust than something more tactile. Same with IR selection - surely that's going to be pretty cumbersome when there's a dozen or more loaded.

Also interesting that the loop is not bypassable, that can be really handy.

Meanwhile the PS100's is bypassable, which I find interesting. However he mentioned in the Peach Guitars video that there's space for that feature if people want it, they just didn't think that it was going to be useful.

He said if 3 people complained he could build it in. Better go sign up at his forum and get a petition going.