Fryette Pittbull Ultralead II

[DanTravis62]

My biggest concern with anything touching a laptop from a company that doesn’t typically have a history of software interfaces is that eventually operating systems become obsolete and updates to software for products are not considered long term.

I hate everything about the digital part of this amplifier and it’s because it just isn’t going to last. The screen and user interface are awful and my opinion is that the software will be outdated in 7 years once new things have been developed and it falls victim to no longer being the shiny new thing.

This is why I don't buy expensive recording interfaces, LOL

I have a friend who, for their studio, in the early 2000s, bought a bunch of super expensive recording I/0 - top of the line at the time. Thousands of dollars.
Complete trash now. Wanna know how I know? He gave them to me, and I tried to find the drivers to make it work.

 

[DanTravis62]

I'm a tube amp guy for life, but I'd put my money on a Kemper outlasting a cheapie Blackstar every time - analog/digital doesn't enter into it.

That's bullshit though - digital has a million advantages over tube amps, the modeler people never shut the fuck up about how light they are, how convenient it is, how they can copy all the terrible tones of artists they like, etc etc

I use a kemper all the time, I love it, but let's not pretend the modeler people don't do that.

But as soon as we run into the advantages of tube amps in literally any way, in any conversation - lifespan, retaining value, ease of service - now we have to make apples to oranges comparisons to level the playing field and pretend those aren't advantages?

Okay, well if we are comparing apples and oranges, we can compare a cheap mojotone Champ kit and a Quad Cortex in 30 years. Both have been sitting in a storage unit the entire time.

Which one do you think is going to be easier to get working?

 

[ZEN Amps]

Yeah, but Fryette made amps that were solid and serviceable and even though "PCB" and "PCB mounted tubes" were well thought out and simple. Unlike an ENGL for example. When he has to cram everything into a small form factor, I don't believe there is anyway to make it the way a Deliverance is. (Have a look at Deliverance gunshots for a good open serviceable and logical looking PCB amp.

You could be right, it remains to be seen. I like to keep an open mind on these things... was it Zappa that said "A mind is like a parachute. It doesn't work if it is not open".

May I ask what the issue you had with the one (small form factor) Fryette product you owned was? Your own words and experience aren't exactly filling me with optimism for a shrunken and crammed Pittbull with digital components.

Two separate power station issues. I didn't personally repair either but I can check with my guy. Pretty sure one was an underrated cap in the power supply, the other was something to do with a switch or switching feature. Shit happens - it was the lack of support that was more annoying.

That's bullshit though - digital has a million advantages over tube amps, the modeler people never shut the fuck up about how light they are, how convenient it is, how they can copy all the terrible tones of artists they like, etc etc

I use a kemper all the time, I love it, but let's not pretend the modeler people don't do that.

But as soon as we run into the advantages of tube amps in literally any way, in any conversation - lifespan, retaining value, ease of service - now we have to make apples to oranges comparisons to level the playing field and pretend those aren't advantages?

Okay, well if we are comparing apples and oranges, we can compare a cheap mojotone Champ kit and a Quad Cortex in 30 years. Both have been sitting in a storage unit the entire time.

Which one do you think is going to be easier to get working?

I'm not really following all of this man. I wasn't saying anyone has to do pretend or anything - I just noticed how black and white many of the comments have been, and the conflation as mentioned.

I think I understand your point about the digital crowd heavily praising that tech, that's pretty normal stuff. As is tube amp diehards not wanting to play through a soulless little box. I get both sides, and ultimately modellers leave me bored and cold.

To answer your second question, the champ of course. Again my point was that things aren't always so cut and dried, like my AMS / Blackstar example.

As an aside, one of my all-time favourite studio units is the Empirical Labs Distressor, and is a digitally-controlled analog device. Had a pair for nearly 30 years without a hitch. Have also had digital units shit the bed after a month, that's no fun.

Back to Fryette - presumably he is confident he can sell enough of these things to justify the venture. Seems like the OG version eventually failed (financially) so better off trying something different than repeating past mistakes. It remains to be seen if incorporating that digital EQ and the funky form factor are dealbreakers for everyone.

 

[DanTravis62]

As an aside, one of my all-time favourite studio units is the Empirical Labs Distressor, and is a digitally-controlled analog device. Had a pair for nearly 30 years without a hitch. Have also had digital units shit the bed after a month, that's no fun.

That's a terrible example as it's literally just the button controls that are digital in the Distressor LOL

Compared to a full on LCD screen and digitally managing the entire signal through the EQ? That's like saying a zakk wylde les paul and a chapman stick both use EMGs - yeah, okay, you got me, they both use emgs man.

Back to Fryette - presumably he is confident he can sell enough of these things to justify the venture. Seems like the OG version eventually failed (financially) so better off trying something different than repeating past mistakes. It remains to be seen if incorporating that digital EQ and the funky form factor are dealbreakers for everyone.

They definitely seem like dealbreakers for a whole lot of people who should be his target audience, according to the thread - although, as kelly and others have said, his target audience seems to be Page hamilton and Dan and he seems to think its 1994

 

[ZEN Amps]

That's a terrible example as it's literally just the button controls that are digital in the Distressor LOL

Cut me some slack you hard arse, it's nearly 11pm here and I've been mixing a metal record all day!

 

[DanTravis62]

Cut me some slack you hard arse, it's nearly 11pm here and I've been mixing a metal record all day!

Hopefully you used the distressor a bunch, esp on the vocals and the drums

seriously my favorite piece of gear of studio gear, of all time

 

[Eazy-ESP]

You could be right, it remains to be seen. I like to keep an open mind on these things... was it Zappa that said "A mind is like a parachute. It doesn't work if it is not open".


Two separate power station issues. I didn't personally repair either but I can check with my guy. Pretty sure one was an underrated cap in the power supply, the other was something to do with a switch or switching feature. Shit happens - it was the lack of support that was more annoying.



I'm not really following all of this man. I wasn't saying anyone has to do pretend or anything - I just noticed how black and white many of the comments have been, and the conflation as mentioned.

I think I understand your point about the digital crowd heavily praising that tech, that's pretty normal stuff. As is tube amp diehards not wanting to play through a soulless little box. I get both sides, and ultimately modellers leave me bored and cold.

To answer your second question, the champ of course. Again my point was that things aren't always so cut and dried, like my AMS / Blackstar example.

As an aside, one of my all-time favourite studio units is the Empirical Labs Distressor, and is a digitally-controlled analog device. Had a pair for nearly 30 years without a hitch. Have also had digital units shit the bed after a month, that's no fun.

Back to Fryette - presumably he is confident he can sell enough of these things to justify the venture. Seems like the OG version eventually failed (financially) so better off trying something different than repeating past mistakes. It remains to be seen if incorporating that digital EQ and the funky form factor are dealbreakers for everyone.

Perhaps you are right. But the lack of Fryette support I have heard A LOT makes me think an idea like this could be cool if it was a bigger company or Fryette hopefully make so much from this they grow their organisation and get a better support setup.

 

[stephen sawall]

I see the long term use of the software more a issue than anything else.

Interesting conversation on all sides.

Looking forward to more information and the wide interpretations. I prefer the perspective of the devil's advocate.

 

[ZEN Amps]

Hopefully you used the distressor a bunch, esp on the vocals and the drums

seriously my favorite piece of gear of studio gear, of all time

Yep, have used them consistently since the late 90's - good on everything.

Perhaps you are right. But the lack of Fryette support I have heard A LOT makes me think an idea like this could be cool if it was a bigger company or Fryette hopefully make so much from this they grow their organisation and get a better support setup.

Yeah the number of online complaints about their customer service seems unusually high but not sure if it's a phase they have now come out of.

I prefer the perspective of the devil's advocate.

As do I. I think it's a personality trait as well as a conscience decision, or maybe my more geeky/engineer side coming out.

It does however seem to piss some people off, especially when chatting online. I think certain readers see it as combative, argumentative or as some kind of personal attack. I had this the other day on TGP (I know, I know...) where I agreed with some guy, and then made a pretty benign point related to his, but expanding on it in a way he didn't like. The response was weirdly defensive and sensitive - and I kicked myself for even trying over there!

 

[DanTravis62]

It does however seem to piss some people off, especially when chatting online. I think certain readers see it as combative, argumentative or as some kind of personal attack. I had this the other day on TGP (I know, I know...) where I agreed with some guy, and then made a pretty benign point related to his, but expanding on it in a way he didn't like. The response was weirdly defensive and sensitive - and I kicked myself for even trying over there!

when you and @stephen sawall admit you like being the devil's advocate, you can't then be super surprised when people get annoyed

Life, even online, isn't a trial for saint canonization for the medieval Catholic Church, nor your interpersonal relationships your test subjects for rigorous academic testing of ideas (not that academia is rigorous anymore)

there's a reason most people react to that a certain way, and they have every right to, just like you have every right to attempt to annoy them and be pedantic nitpickers if you want to.

There's a line to be ridden here

 

[ZEN Amps]

when you and @stephen sawall admit you like being the devil's advocate, you can't then be super surprised when people get annoyed

Life, even online, isn't a trial for saint canonization for the medieval Catholic Church, nor your interpersonal relationships your test subjects for rigorous academic testing of ideas (not that academia is rigorous anymore)

there's a reason most people react to that a certain way, and they have every right to, just like you have every right to attempt to annoy them and be pedantic nitpickers if you want to.

There's a line to be ridden here

Only some people get annoyed. It's pretty rare here, happens at TGP occasionally.

If you truly believe I've acted like a pedantic nitpicker then all good, you think what you think. But I can't tell if you're just having fun with me - I'd genuinely like clarification as it's the first time I've ever been accused of this.

 

[DanTravis62]

Only some people get annoyed. It's pretty rare here, happens at TGP occasionally.

If you truly believe I've acted like a pedantic nitpicker then all good, you think what you think. But I can't tell if you're just having fun with me - I'd genuinely like clarification as it's the first time I've ever been accused of this.

no no, you misunderstand, I wasn't accusing you of being pedantic - I'm not personally annoyed at all, i think you're cool Zen

I was exaggerating to make the point that if YOU feel like you're being the advocatus diaboli you can't be surprised if/when someone does get annoyed.

 

[ZEN Amps]

no no, you misunderstand, I wasn't accusing you of being pedantic - I'm not personally annoyed at all, i think you're cool Zen

I was exaggerating to make the point that if YOU feel like you're being the advocatus diaboli you can't be surprised if/when someone does get annoyed.

Gotcha...if I had a Christmas card list you'd still be on it!

Typing at strangers is such a weird phenomenon when you think about, it can go south so fast that you're left wondering what the hell just happened.

My favourite was a TGP member who started sending a slew of childish and insulting PM's after I said there's was an alternative way to get good tone to the one he suggested. Bizarre shit, he just woke up one morning wanting to be a wounded princess I guess.

 

[DanTravis62]

Gotcha...if I had a Christmas card list you'd still be on it!

Typing at strangers is such a weird phenomenon when you think about, it can go south so fast that you're left wondering what the hell just happened.

Nah even if you buy the new ULII and think its the greatest thing since sliced bread, or *gasp* have a different opinion - that's supported by the RT "free expression'' firmware.

I don't get super jumped up over gear stuff, generally you have to accuse me of murdering my murdered FIL before I actually get upset (if you don't get the reference, consider yourself lucky)

My favourite was a TGP member who started sending a slew of childish and insulting PM's after I said there's was an alternative way to get good tone to the one he suggested. Bizarre shit, he just woke up one morning wanting to be a wounded princess I guess.

Maybe he had uhh.... a lifetime of work invested? Or significant investment somehow into the specific way he was prescribing?

Or maybe he and Big Mike's periods are synced up, who knows.

Honestly after hearing some clips lately (like simons example of "clarity and dynamics on a 2203") i don't know if I trust anything, especially peoples opinions on good tone anymore - maybe he saw that thread, and his brain exploded too?

 

[thegame]

WTF is this? When this unit powers on and the software is initially booting up, this message appears on the touch screen. Go figure.

Fryette Amplification acknowledges the circuit on which we play is the traditional territory of the Leo Fender, Jim Marshall and Dave Reeves peoples, none of whom continue to rock and roll here today. This amplifier is covered by the RCA Handbook Treaty and is within the design protected by the Lily White Ass Agreement. Today this amplifier is home to many Helmet tribute bands, Page Hamilton peoples and acknowledging reminds us that our great standard of Drop D power chord riffing is directly related to the resources and friendship of many alt-90s people.

As a settler on this amplifier because Steven won't reissue a proper goddamn full size Pitbull head, I express my gratitude for the privilege to riff, shred, and chugg in the not entirely analog tones here, while also committing myself to digital reconciliation.

 

[Greazygeo]

Actually I think youre right that RT isn't the "typical" market, but they are actually the target market. Like we, RT, are the people that are most likely to buy this shit.



Kind of, I think it sounds good, but the pittbull power section is a huge part of how that amp sounds, at least to me. I think the synergy module sounds good but it isn't exactly the same. I havent tried one out with a world-shattering power amp like a 2/90/2 or soldano or something, just the synergy 2 module head and then with an LXI.

I'd have to outsource this question out to someone with even more experience with it, honestly. But also, if the synergy truly fits this hole, why the fuck would he make another rack unit?

You know what I mean?

In the videos he said he was aiming for the touring players. Are there touring players here? The majority seem like home / hobbyist with some that have gigged or gig alittle. Nothing wrong with doing any of that. I am not a touring player by any means, but can see where alot of this will be very useful for me.

I agree the UL power section is a big part of the tone, but there were things about it that were a drag. Hopefully that is different with the II. Not normally being an el34 guy, but I actually liked the 2/50/2 alot better than the 2/90/2. Need to try the Synergy stuff sometime.

As for the rack, looking at touring guys they must still prefer that format. Well unless they are just doing a pedalboard deal or something.

 

[DanTravis62]

In the videos he said he was aiming for the touring players. Are there touring players here? The majority seem like home / hobbyist with some that have gigged or gig alittle. Nothing wrong with doing any of that. I am not a touring player by any means, but can see where alot of this will be very useful for me.

I agree the UL power section is a big part of the tone, but there were things about it that were a drag. Hopefully that is different with the II. Not normally being an el34 guy, but I actually liked the 2/50/2 alot better than the 2/90/2. Need to try the Synergy stuff sometime.

As for the rack, looking at touring guys they must still prefer that format. Well unless they are just doing a pedalboard deal or something.

There are a couple of touring players but not many here - and no, most touring players don't use racks until you get to like the theater level of gig size, where you have roadies and guaranteed good sound reinforcement.

And if you have guaranteed good sound reinforcement? Most people at that level play modelers .... For good reason.

Less work for roadies, more sureness that it's gonna sound good

Once again, a miss

Most fans of his tones are not touring players, they are recording hobbyist types

 

[Greazygeo]

Most fans of his tones are not touring players, they are recording hobbyist types

How do you know this? It would seem he would have done market research over the past three years to know it is viable or not.

 

[DanTravis62]

How do you know this? It would seem he would have done market research over the past three years to know it is viable or not.

LOL dude it's simple common sense - hobbyists out number touring and gigging players like 100000 to 1 and I'm not even exaggerating

Even anecdotally I don't think I've ever seen one on any of my tours or gigs and I do a bunch of both

 

[DanTravis62]

BTW @Greazygeo I didn't mean that to sound condescending, it's just the literal math of the hobby

I would be willing to bet there are more members of RT who would be in the market for an Ultralead head than even the total number of touring guitarists, even though technically I fall under the latter category.

That actually makes the math even more stark