Help: Ultra-Lead, Archon, or 5153 ???

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prsplayer86

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I'm looking at getting a 2006 VHT Ultra Lead (Kt88's) this weekend. I'm looking down the road for possible trades and the three amps that I'm most interested in are the Ultra Lead, Archon, and a 5153.

I know that the Ultra Lead and Classic are supposedly pretty different. I've played a CL- 100 and it was neat, but I actually liked my 6550 loaded Krank Rev + better. (Maybe I just like 6550's ???) I can't find a great demo of one online.. There are a few gems but those are usually videos of players who would make Gorilla practice amp sound fantastic.

I've never played an Archon but I'm damn near foaming at the mouth to play/buy one. My only hesitation is the simple fact that you see so many "brand new" ones for sale... It makes me curious as to why so many people get them and sale them quickly.

The 5153... I know everyone and their mom plays or has played them... but I only know 2 people personally who've used them and Both have had brand new 5153's have major transformer failures(3 total blown amps). So I'm iffy due to that... but they sound legit!

So, for those in the know... Which amplifier would you prefer out of the 3 and why?
 
I gassed for the Archon 50 combo after I watched some video clips. I played one at the LMS and it sounded "boxy". I did not buy it.
 
Does the UL have the EQ?

What are you looking for out of the prospective amp? I have no experience with the 5153 or Archon but did have a UL (with EQ) for a while. Wasn't my thing as much as the Classic. BTW the CL and Classic are very different Pittbull models. The Classic was rebranded as the CLX which is the top-line Pittbull, at least pricewise. The CL is the 2 channel version with a different preamp. I liked my Classic combo more than I liked my UL so I moved the UL.
 
Well yea, a combo is a box lol. The archon seems really sick and yea I've seen them for sale online around $1,200. I bet the clean and dirty channels sound sick, just seems like their might not be enough tonal options. That's what I love about the Colossus, the mode, fat and bright switches make quite a bit of difference and everything sounds good. Can't even get a bad sound out of it. It sounds tight enough without a boost but when I sit directly in front of it the low end isn't as tight sounding as when im standing above it. Might just need some casters on my orange. Out of those though, I'd probably go with the UL cause of the kt88s and the super tight as fuc drive. But you can't go wrong with any of those amps.
 
I had an older model (way pre Fryette) VHT Classic and it was really nice, but it was kind of tight/dry sounding. I liked the UL (with the graphic eq) WAY better, but back then I could never find one I could afford. Quality alone the VHT is better than the 5153, no idea on the Archon.
 
im more curious about the UL than anything else. I'll end up having 400 dollars and a little drive ttime into it once I get the UL (the gear gods have been ever so kind to me this year)... I'm hoping it'll sound great and I can stop this maddening trend of gear flippery! I'll more than likely play it for a bit and trade it for a prs/lp/archon/or 5153.

The UL has the graphic eq btw


dirtyfunkg":2zouho5r said:
Does the UL have the EQ?

What are you looking for out of the prospective amp? I have no experience with the 5153 or Archon but did have a UL (with EQ) for a while. Wasn't my thing as much as the Classic. BTW the CL and Classic are very different Pittbull models. The Classic was rebranded as the CLX which is the top-line Pittbull, at least pricewise. The CL is the 2 channel version with a different preamp. I liked my Classic combo more than I liked my UL so I moved the UL.
Click to expand...
 
prsplayer86":fog87z9l said:
I'm looking at getting a 2006 VHT Ultra Lead (Kt88's) this weekend. I'm looking down the road for possible trades and the three amps that I'm most interested in are the Ultra Lead, Archon, and a 5153.

I know that the Ultra Lead and Classic are supposedly pretty different. I've played a CL- 100 and it was neat, but I actually liked my 6550 loaded Krank Rev + better. (Maybe I just like 6550's ???) I can't find a great demo of one online.. There are a few gems but those are usually videos of players who would make Gorilla practice amp sound fantastic.

I've never played an Archon but I'm damn near foaming at the mouth to play/buy one. My only hesitation is the simple fact that you see so many "brand new" ones for sale... It makes me curious as to why so many people get them and sale them quickly.

The 5153... I know everyone and their mom plays or has played them... but I only know 2 people personally who've used them and Both have had brand new 5153's have major transformer failures(3 total blown amps). So I'm iffy due to that... but they sound legit!

So, for those in the know... Which amplifier would you prefer out of the 3 and why?
Click to expand...

Not a demo but this first vid is a short clip I did 3 yrs ago and I'm not one who could make a Gorilla sound good :lol: :LOL:
Second video is member Ben Duncan's demo which is the best sounds I've heard of the UL on Youtube.
Great amp that I still own but I've moved on to different less gainy stuff and don't use it much.

 
prsplayer86":3g05dnw5 said:
im more curious about the UL than anything else. I'll end up having 400 dollars and a little drive ttime into it once I get the UL (the gear gods have been ever so kind to me this year)... I'm hoping it'll sound great and I can stop this maddening trend of gear flippery! I'll more than likely play it for a bit and trade it for a prs/lp/archon/or 5153.

The UL has the graphic eq btw


dirtyfunkg":3g05dnw5 said:
Does the UL have the EQ?

What are you looking for out of the prospective amp? I have no experience with the 5153 or Archon but did have a UL (with EQ) for a while. Wasn't my thing as much as the Classic. BTW the CL and Classic are very different Pittbull models. The Classic was rebranded as the CLX which is the top-line Pittbull, at least pricewise. The CL is the 2 channel version with a different preamp. I liked my Classic combo more than I liked my UL so I moved the UL.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

What kind of tones are you looking for out of the new amp?
 
UL, all the way! So much amp. It's like a $3,200 amp brand new. I seriously miss mine. It's an amp I would/will buy again...and not let go of next time.

Edit: sorry, it's like $3,799, new.
 
Ultralead all day, for me. 5153 was a good amp, but the UL is a monster. Makes you a better player.
 
UL. Easy call. Although I admittedly prefer the EL34 Pittbulls, and the Deliverance to the UL
 
Holly hell, is that first clip not boosted?!??! This has me thinking I'm definitely keeping it
sjk":ifc8zr9b said:
prsplayer86":ifc8zr9b said:
I'm looking at getting a 2006 VHT Ultra Lead (Kt88's) this weekend. I'm looking down the road for possible trades and the three amps that I'm most interested in are the Ultra Lead, Archon, and a 5153.

I know that the Ultra Lead and Classic are supposedly pretty different. I've played a CL- 100 and it was neat, but I actually liked my 6550 loaded Krank Rev + better. (Maybe I just like 6550's ???) I can't find a great demo of one online.. There are a few gems but those are usually videos of players who would make Gorilla practice amp sound fantastic.

I've never played an Archon but I'm damn near foaming at the mouth to play/buy one. My only hesitation is the simple fact that you see so many "brand new" ones for sale... It makes me curious as to why so many people get them and sale them quickly.

The 5153... I know everyone and their mom plays or has played them... but I only know 2 people personally who've used them and Both have had brand new 5153's have major transformer failures(3 total blown amps). So I'm iffy due to that... but they sound legit!

So, for those in the know... Which amplifier would you prefer out of the 3 and why?
Click to expand...

Not a demo but this first vid is a short clip I did 3 yrs ago and I'm not one who could make a Gorilla sound good :lol: :LOL:
Second video is member Ben Duncan's demo which is the best sounds I've heard of the UL on Youtube.
Great amp that I still own but I've moved on to different less gainy stuff and don't use it much.

Click to expand...
 
prsplayer86":2a4wori9 said:
Holly hell, is that first clip not boosted?!??! This has me thinking I'm definitely keeping it
sjk":2a4wori9 said:
prsplayer86":2a4wori9 said:
I'm looking at getting a 2006 VHT Ultra Lead (Kt88's) this weekend. I'm looking down the road for possible trades and the three amps that I'm most interested in are the Ultra Lead, Archon, and a 5153.

I know that the Ultra Lead and Classic are supposedly pretty different. I've played a CL- 100 and it was neat, but I actually liked my 6550 loaded Krank Rev + better. (Maybe I just like 6550's ???) I can't find a great demo of one online.. There are a few gems but those are usually videos of players who would make Gorilla practice amp sound fantastic.

I've never played an Archon but I'm damn near foaming at the mouth to play/buy one. My only hesitation is the simple fact that you see so many "brand new" ones for sale... It makes me curious as to why so many people get them and sale them quickly.

The 5153... I know everyone and their mom plays or has played them... but I only know 2 people personally who've used them and Both have had brand new 5153's have major transformer failures(3 total blown amps). So I'm iffy due to that... but they sound legit!

So, for those in the know... Which amplifier would you prefer out of the 3 and why?
Click to expand...

Not a demo but this first vid is a short clip I did 3 yrs ago and I'm not one who could make a Gorilla sound good :lol: :LOL:
Second video is member Ben Duncan's demo which is the best sounds I've heard of the UL on Youtube.
Great amp that I still own but I've moved on to different less gainy stuff and don't use it much.

Click to expand...
Click to expand...

1st video was my UL into a no name 4x12 with Greenback RI's and is not boosted although Fryettes take boosts very well.
 
some says if you want clarity at high gain UL is the way... if you like fatter more classic tone getta deliverance... forget about the rest ... lol
 
The ultra lead is one of the all time classic amps and has been used by pro musicians since the 90s. They are very articulate and dynamic, to me that makes them great. Haven't played the Archon but the 5153 is a killer amp and can get really saturated if you want. I would take the Ultra Lead over it any day though.
 
I'll know once I get my hands on it this weekend if it's a keeper or just another amp I'll flip. I was iffy until I saw that clip posted earlier .. now I'm excited as hell , and hope Ive got a keeper
 
Here is another clip I made with the graphic eq turned off. More of a classic sound, a little slight hint of marshall flavor
 
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