Fryette Pittbull Ultralead II

[Eazy-ESP]

My bad.

I would note that for myself, I like cranking the master on my ULs to noon and barely cracking the channel volumes. Get them KT88s cooking and BOOM! I don't seem to see a master volume on this rack setup. It's probably in the digital parameters.

I'd also add the Steve definitely knows what he's doing. I'm betting this new rack version is an absolute beast.

You mentioned those glorious KT88s. This doesn’t have those.

 

[stephen sawall]

"Fryette's Steven Fryette introduces us to the Pittbull Ultra-Lead II, a two-rack-space, 25-pound version of his legendary Ultra-Lead that delivers 100 watts with a patent-pending output transformer, allowing players to mix 6550s and EL34s equally. The amp features digitally controlled graphic EQ with per-channel storage, zero-latency IR loading, MIDI switching, and direct USB recording—designed for touring artists like Helmet's Page Hamilton who needed the Ultra-Lead's tone without shipping massive rigs worldwide."

6550 or EL34 or both per a channel. All switches from the original programmable. Separate 1 watt power amp for silent recording. Full size transformer.

 

[Eazy-ESP]

"Fryette's Steven Fryette introduces us to the Pittbull Ultra-Lead II, a two-rack-space, 25-pound version of his legendary Ultra-Lead that delivers 100 watts with a patent-pending output transformer, allowing players to mix 6550s and EL34s equally. The amp features digitally controlled graphic EQ with per-channel storage, zero-latency IR loading, MIDI switching, and direct USB recording—designed for touring artists like Helmet's Page Hamilton who needed the Ultra-Lead's tone without shipping massive rigs worldwide."

6550 or EL34 or both per a channel. All switches from the original programmable. Separate 1 watt power amp for silent recording. Full size transformer.

I mean I feel bad. It’s Steve being the legendary engineer he is. He has made something perfect for a certain user. I just wish there was a Pittbull classic for the rest of us.

 

[glpg80]

I wonder what’s patent pending on the OT?

 

[ZEN Amps]

Interesting. He explains quite a bit in that video.

Like the VHX, the signal is digitised to allow for added flexibility - Steve mentions at 24:50 that the EQ is digital, not digitally-controlled analog as the blurb above kinda suggests (but doesn't overtly state). Seems like at 25:12 he's trying very hard to avoid saying digital EQ, and instead goes with formatted EQ.

Happy to be proven wrong, but I think this will turn some folks off - keeping things in the analog domain certainly appeals to many players if they're all about the tubes.

Looks like an interesting box though, and kudos to him and team for the innovation in a particular stagnant field.

 

[Eazy-ESP]

Interesting. He explains quite a bit in that video.

Like the VHX, the signal is digitised to allow for added flexibility - Steve mentions at 24:50 that the EQ is digital, not digitally-controlled analog as the blurb above kinda suggests (but doesn't overtly state). Seems like at 25:12 he's trying very hard to avoid saying digital EQ, and instead goes with formatted EQ.

Happy to be proven wrong, but I think this will turn some folks off - keeping things in the analog domain certainly appeals to many players if they're all about the tubes.

Looks like an interesting box though, and kudos to him and team for the innovation in a particular stagnant field.

Thing is it is something he has designed as a challenge and a project for Page Hamilton. I almost got excited at the thumbnail. The screen even looked kind of cool. But when I saw the eq and imagined moving those digital sliders my heart sunk.

I really don't understand what he is talking about with the UL being such a crazy expensive amp if they re-issued it. Why would it be much more than a Deliverance? There really isn't much more to it.

I'm sorry. I just still want an Ultra Lead I. Not this version.

 

[griff10672]

Interesting. He explains quite a bit in that video.

Like the VHX, the signal is digitised to allow for added flexibility - Steve mentions at 24:50 that the EQ is digital, not digitally-controlled analog as the blurb above kinda suggests (but doesn't overtly state). Seems like at 25:12 he's trying very hard to avoid saying digital EQ, and instead goes with formatted EQ.

Happy to be proven wrong, but I think this will turn some folks off - keeping things in the analog domain certainly appeals to many players if they're all about the tubes.

Looks like an interesting box though, and kudos to him and team for the innovation in a particular stagnant field.

ahhhh so the signal doesn't stay analog ..... wonder if it will have all the nuances of a Digital pedal mixed with analog stuff ??

 

[Code001]

Three things stood out to me during that PG video:
* A 1:1 reissue would be $7k, and I agree with him that nobody would ever buy that
* Looks like there is a bidirectional communication bug when he goes to modify the analog cab sim at 27 min
* Direct recording via USB is really sweet; sounds like it has the GPDI-IR's backend basically built into it

Edit: For those who want to communicate with Fryette directly regarding the product, they have a post on their forum too: https://forum.fryette.com/t/pittbull-ultra-lead-ii-at-namm-2026/3530

 

[SgtThump]

Funny, I only used the second channel. Had evrything I needed. Even ordered mine with the eq and never used it.

The graphic EQ is NOT NEEDED on the VHT/fryette amps like it is on the Mesa Mark amps. IMO

I used the graphic for a slight lead boost only.

 

[GreenRust]

NAMM 2027...Fryette releases the "OG" headshell styled rack for the Ultralead II. Or maybe NAMM 2037.

 

[Greazygeo]

I prefer my tone to be “incredible”, “exemplary”, or even “amazeballs” over just “fine”

Sure…I am sure you achieved that goal.

 

[mnemonic]

On a positive note I would like to get the Valvulator mini when that comes out (assuming it’s not $800). Doesn’t have a screen which is nice.

I still use an old Valvulator V1 buffer.

 

[espquade]

The graphic EQ is NOT NEEDED on the VHT/fryette amps like it is on the Mesa Mark amps. IMO

I used the graphic for a slight lead boost only.

I would agree that it's not needed to make the amp sound good like the Mark stuff, but it sure does make a great amp even better!

 

[OldGtrGuy]

Interesting. He explains quite a bit in that video.

Like the VHX, the signal is digitised to allow for added flexibility - Steve mentions at 24:50 that the EQ is digital, not digitally-controlled analog as the blurb above kinda suggests (but doesn't overtly state). Seems like at 25:12 he's trying very hard to avoid saying digital EQ, and instead goes with formatted EQ.

Happy to be proven wrong, but I think this will turn some folks off - keeping things in the analog domain certainly appeals to many players if they're all about the tubes.

Looks like an interesting box though, and kudos to him and team for the innovation in a particular stagnant field.

Always good to gear the creator's explaining. Makes it seem more appealing now tbh

 

[OldGtrGuy]

I would agree that it's not needed to make the amp sound good like the Mark stuff, but it sure does make a great amp even better!

Also agree with this and with Steve's comment on it in the video.

When I had my pitbull I didnt even use the EQ, sounded better flat for me. But I'd still never buy one without the EQ. The just in case factor is real.

 

[stephen sawall]

I use a lot of different types of sounds. A amp with presets that can be controlled by MIDI definitely sounds interesting.

Like everyone else I was expecting a head. This might be better in several ways. I currently have 17 amps. I certainly don't need a other. This might be different enough to make it practical and useful.

 

[Greazygeo]

In the video, Steve is talking about Page H playing thru an UL at the factory. He comments about him dialing it in like his amp and it sounding small and after awhile it becomes his big normal tone etc… mine was exactly like that. It would take a set or so to warm up then it would sound awesome and stay there. I used to leave it on after soundchecks and let it warm up

Time to move an amp or two….

 

[TheGreatGreen]

Tough crowd...

Guitar players - I want an ultra-lead! Where is my ultra-lead? I have been waiting forever for an ultra-lead, where is it? Damn it, I want an Ultra-lead!

Steve Fryette - Here is the new ultra-lead. We are looking forward, not backward, and made some positive changes to the product enhancing it's usability and versatility.

Guitar players - I don't want that ultra-lead. Where is my ultra-lead?

What if it has a massive flat transformer that still fits in that form factor? Would that be ok? What if it sounds great? What if the heat dissipation from the tubes is not an issue in that size chassis and it is only as big as it needs to be so you aren't lugging around something larger than you need to be?

Do you really think Fryette is going to release something that doesn't work or sound good? Especially his flagship amp after all this time? Give the guy a little credit.

I hear this kind of argument and often make it myself, but in this case, while the tech inside the amp might, might be truly great, dude that amp has the cool factor of an orthopedic shoe. It's so weirdly plain and forgettable that, knowing Steve, was very likely a conscious choice he made specifically to piss people off so after they complained he could turn around and throw their "shallowness" back in their faces.

And it's extra disappointing because unlike 90% of boutique amps which usually look like new guts put in a classic Plexi headshell format, the old Ultra Lead head was actually one of the meanest looking amps ever made.

People can talk about how only the tone matters, but looks aren't nothing. Cool looking shit can can inspire, lame looking shit can suck inspiration out of the room. IMO the new Ultra Lead does the latter.

Also let's not discount how a lot of guitar players simply don't like analog tube circuits being combined in the same unit with LED screens and digital processing.

 

[skoora]

Enjoyed that PG interview. 27 minute mark of that video was a funny and good example of how the flow and fun stops once you jump into digital manipulation and software.

 

[skoora]

If anything this got me more interested in maybe giving Synergy a go and getting a Pitbull module. Plus Boogies reissue prices make me thing a IICP could be cool, which Stevie made too. Is he too old to be Stevie now?