Fryette Pittbull Ultralead II

  • Thread starter Thread starter stephen sawall
  • Start date Start date
TheGreatGreen said:
I’m not, lol.
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Even if I could swing that, I would buy an in stock SE FE or a used Wizard tbh.

I still am stuck with the pre covid mindset where $4k for an UL is absolutely wild.

Don't get me wrong, I'm sure it is killer. I had a 100CL which I regret selling and it was devastating. I also had a 50CL which was ass and the very early UL which was even more ass. But the modern, updated UL. Yes!!! For $2k used lol. Im cheap.
 
OldGtrGuy said:
Even if I could swing that, I would buy an in stock SE FE or a used Wizard tbh.

I still am stuck with the pre covid mindset where $4k for an UL is absolutely wild.

Don't get me wrong, I'm sure it is killer. I had a 100CL which I regret selling and it was devastating. I also had a 50CL which was ass and the very early UL which was even more ass. But the modern, updated UL. Yes!!! For $2k used lol. Im cheap.
Click to expand...

Mostly same for me on all points.

Also, it’s already been discussed at length but as good as it will probably sound, I agree with everybody that I think the built-in digital components of this thing will be its real downfall.

I probably would actually buy a remake of the old ultra lead head, but this, in that format, with all the digital stuff married into it? Nah not interested at all.
 
TheGreatGreen said:
Mostly same for me on all points.

Also, it’s already been discussed at length but as good as it will probably sound, I agree with everybody that I think the built-in digital components of this thing will be its real downfall.

I probably would actually buy a remake of the old ultra lead head, but this, in that format, with all the digital stuff married into it? Nah not interested at all.
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Im kind of on the fence about that.

I feel like for longevity it's a very bad idea and something digital would fail before the caps would but I'm a hack, what do I know?

I don't mind how it looks, i love the lightweight but does it have a handle on top? It seems like theyre forcing a rack case which doesnt appeal to me.

On top of that I personally think Steve was looking at this from the AXE FX crowd standpoint like hey, those digital guys are going to love this. About 10 years too late on that imo.

Again, I wouldn't know but I feel the AXE FX is kind of dead? Not really sure how many are selling and who's still using them but idk that's just my take on it.
 
OldGtrGuy said:
…Again, I wouldn't know but I feel the AXE FX is kind of dead? Not really sure how many are selling and who's still using them but idk that's just my take on it…
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hey bucko i resemble that remark😁🤣

and i take nothing personal—my new to me axe II XL is a fun noisemaker! i whipped up a Cameron atomica patch with a looper for practicing leads over changes, a nice 2290 emulation, and a couple other sounds i’m messing with.
 
stephen sawall said:
You don't need a footswitch. You just change channels with Bluetooth on your phone.
It's easy. After you put in your password they send you a six digit code. Once they verify it's you your tone is downloaded from the website.
Click to expand...

I thought you were going to say:

After you put in your password on your phone they send you a six digit code. Once verified, your channel is changed.
 
mentoneman said:
hey bucko i resemble that remark😁🤣

and i take nothing personal—my new to me axe II XL is a fun noisemaker! i whipped up a Cameron atomica patch with a looper for practicing leads over changes, a nice 2290 emulation, and a couple other sounds i’m messing with.
Click to expand...
What I meant was more regarding the gear nerd hype train. I definitely could be wrong but it seems to me the AXE FX was all the hype and the King 15 years ago but now it's the Quad Cortex and nobody cares about the Axe, maybe it's just me.

They're still going to sound as good as they always have and continue to get better but isnt NAM like much better/more realistic?

I think this new UL has the I want to be the AXE FX 3 with tubes appeal to both crowds vibe (or gimmick if you wish) going on.
 
OldGtrGuy said:
What I meant was more regarding the gear nerd hype train. I definitely could be wrong but it seems to me the AXE FX was all the hype and the King 15 years ago but now it's the Quad Cortex and nobody cares about the Axe, maybe it's just me.

They're still going to sound as good as they always have and continue to get better but isnt NAM like much better/more realistic?

I think this new UL has the I want to be the AXE FX 3 with tubes appeal to both crowds vibe (or gimmick if you wish) going on.
Click to expand...
i actually love that this version is as updated and maxed out as it will ever be and i won’t have to consider a bevy of heart stopping game changing more real firmware updates🤣
 
OldGtrGuy said:
I think this new UL has the I want to be the AXE FX 3 with tubes appeal to both crowds vibe (or gimmick if you wish) going on.
Click to expand...
To me it has more of a "rack is back!" vibe, which seems to be what the shills are pushing now. Only the GEQ and IR/cabsim out is digital as far as I recall.
 
7704A said:
To me it has more of a "rack is back!" vibe, which seems to be what the shills are pushing now. Only the GEQ and IR/cabsim out is digital as far as I recall.
Click to expand...

I feel like, as usual, the trend is already dying down. Or maybe I'm just ahead - I was all about trying to cram everything into a rack about 4 years ago and even did it for a while and gigged it. Now though, I'm back to a head and pedalboard. The rack thing was cool but unless you have someone to haul stuff around, they can be a real back-breaker
 
JonPearson1994 said:
I feel like, as usual, the trend is already dying down. Or maybe I'm just ahead - I was all about trying to cram everything into a rack about 4 years ago and even did it for a while and gigged it. Now though, I'm back to a head and pedalboard. The rack thing was cool but unless you have someone to haul stuff around, they can be a real back-breaker
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Maybe, I haven't been too invested in following the trends.
 


^ this is is very fitting with half the comments regarding the tech bells and whistles
 
7704A said:
Maybe, I haven't been too invested in following the trends.
Click to expand...

I only ever am on accident I reckon - the rack thing in particular was in pursuit of making it easier to switch through a bunch of settings on different pieces with the minimal amount of cabling across the stage. It just so happened that gear YouTube started geeking on old rack stuff at about the same time, which pretty much ruined the fun for me when all the stuff that was previously cheap got super expensive
 
For decades, the Pittbull Ultra-Lead stood as the benchmark for high-gain sophistication. When it left our lineup in 2017, it wasn’t because we were finished with the design; we were waiting for the technology to catch up to the vision.



The wait is over. The new Ultra-Lead II is a masterclass in modern engineering, delivering the visceral, high-voltage tube response of the original in a form factor built for todays’ player. In the world of professional amplification, "innovation" is often a hollow buzzword used to mask minor cosmetic updates. But for Steven Fryette, innovation is a relentless, three-year labor of love aimed at solving the actual problems musicians face on stage and in the studio. The result of this uncompromising process is the Pittbull Ultra-Lead II, a 120-watt head that reimagines Fryette’s flagship legacy.



Analog Soul, Digital Precision

The breakthrough here is what we call "semi-digital control.” We haven’t touched the analog soul of the amp—the tone stacks and voicing remain purely in the tube domain. However, we’ve replaced the cluttered "sea of switches" with a sleek digital interface. This allows you to manage the amp’s massive 120-watt power section with surgical precision. It’s the ultimate hybrid: the raw, tactile feel of a cranked stack with the recallable convenience of a modern rig.



Tonal Architecture: Power Tube Blending

Inside the chassis, our patent-pending power tube blending allows you to become a tonal architect. You can now blend the mid-range growl of EL34s with the massive headroom of 6550s to create a custom harmonic profile. As Steve noted during the launch, the goal was to take the legendary Ultra-Lead platform and "import the personality" of our most beloved circuits into one uncompromising machine.



Built for the Modern Workflow

Ultimately, the Ultra-Lead II is about removing the barriers between your hands and your speakers. We’ve handled the heavy lifting so the technical complexities disappear:

  • Global Buttons: Rather than cluttering the front panel with a bevy of redundant switches, channel specific functions are grouped into global buttons that can be assigned to any of the three channels and recalled instantly.
  • Unlimited preset locations: create and store as many presets as you like.
  • The Graphic EQ: A cornerstone of the Pittbull sound, the graphic EQ is now

    modeled in the digital domain and recallable and controllable via the front panel display or a dedicated GUI.
  • Power Tube Blending: The Ultra-Lead II incorporates a Patent Pending power tube blending technology. This allows players to blend the characteristics of different tube types—like EL34s and 6550s—extracting peak performance and a "smoother harmonic balance."
  • Analog Cabinet Simulation - great for clean tones
  • Software interface: for graphic computer control.

Modern Interfacing: USB and IR Loading

Recognizing that the centerpiece of a rig must now interface seamlessly with workstations, the Ultra-Lead II features direct High-Speed USB-C audio connectivity.

  • Integrated Zero Latency IR Loader for capturing authentic cabinet tones
  • USB-C for direct recording to your DAW




The Bottom Line

This is more than a reissue; it is a return to form for a flagship icon, proving that the future of tube amplification isn’t about replacing the past, but evolving it. Weighing in at about 20 lbs. in a svelte, 2U rack space package,the Pittbull Ultra-Lead II is designed for the player who demands the tactile feel of a high-voltage tube amp but requires the precision of modern digital recall. It is a tool built to let you "forget about all that and just play."



The Pittbull is back, and it’s smarter than ever.

Pittbull Ultra Lead II - MAP-$3,999 – Shipping Spring 2026
 
stephen sawall said:
For decades, the Pittbull Ultra-Lead stood as the benchmark for high-gain sophistication. When it left our lineup in 2017, it wasn’t because we were finished with the design; we were waiting for the technology to catch up to the vision.



The wait is over. The new Ultra-Lead II is a masterclass in modern engineering, delivering the visceral, high-voltage tube response of the original in a form factor built for todays’ player. In the world of professional amplification, "innovation" is often a hollow buzzword used to mask minor cosmetic updates. But for Steven Fryette, innovation is a relentless, three-year labor of love aimed at solving the actual problems musicians face on stage and in the studio. The result of this uncompromising process is the Pittbull Ultra-Lead II, a 120-watt head that reimagines Fryette’s flagship legacy.



Analog Soul, Digital Precision

The breakthrough here is what we call "semi-digital control.” We haven’t touched the analog soul of the amp—the tone stacks and voicing remain purely in the tube domain. However, we’ve replaced the cluttered "sea of switches" with a sleek digital interface. This allows you to manage the amp’s massive 120-watt power section with surgical precision. It’s the ultimate hybrid: the raw, tactile feel of a cranked stack with the recallable convenience of a modern rig.



Tonal Architecture: Power Tube Blending

Inside the chassis, our patent-pending power tube blending allows you to become a tonal architect. You can now blend the mid-range growl of EL34s with the massive headroom of 6550s to create a custom harmonic profile. As Steve noted during the launch, the goal was to take the legendary Ultra-Lead platform and "import the personality" of our most beloved circuits into one uncompromising machine.



Built for the Modern Workflow

Ultimately, the Ultra-Lead II is about removing the barriers between your hands and your speakers. We’ve handled the heavy lifting so the technical complexities disappear:

  • Global Buttons: Rather than cluttering the front panel with a bevy of redundant switches, channel specific functions are grouped into global buttons that can be assigned to any of the three channels and recalled instantly.
  • Unlimited preset locations: create and store as many presets as you like.
  • The Graphic EQ: A cornerstone of the Pittbull sound, the graphic EQ is now

    modeled in the digital domain and recallable and controllable via the front panel display or a dedicated GUI.
  • Power Tube Blending: The Ultra-Lead II incorporates a Patent Pending power tube blending technology. This allows players to blend the characteristics of different tube types—like EL34s and 6550s—extracting peak performance and a "smoother harmonic balance."
  • Analog Cabinet Simulation - great for clean tones
  • Software interface: for graphic computer control.
Modern Interfacing: USB and IR Loading

Recognizing that the centerpiece of a rig must now interface seamlessly with workstations, the Ultra-Lead II features direct High-Speed USB-C audio connectivity.

  • Integrated Zero Latency IR Loader for capturing authentic cabinet tones
  • USB-C for direct recording to your DAW




The Bottom Line

This is more than a reissue; it is a return to form for a flagship icon, proving that the future of tube amplification isn’t about replacing the past, but evolving it. Weighing in at about 20 lbs. in a svelte, 2U rack space package,the Pittbull Ultra-Lead II is designed for the player who demands the tactile feel of a high-voltage tube amp but requires the precision of modern digital recall. It is a tool built to let you "forget about all that and just play."



The Pittbull is back, and it’s smarter than ever.

Pittbull Ultra Lead II - MAP-$3,999 – Shipping Spring 2026
Click to expand...
Did a clanker write this?
 
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