Looking to replace my VHT

[the rossness]

I’ve had my VHT pitbull cl100 eq for at least 5 years. When I got it, I loved it and now I rarely play it. I’d like to replace it with something else. With few exceptions, I typically like a like a ton of gain, but a dry feel, and more of a marshall voicing. I recently sold my Laney Ironherat as I wasnt digging it anymore either. The Splawn Quickrod- what’s the B+ option like? I had 2 QR’s back in the day and actually found them a little too dry feeling, but they were cool amps. The Fryette D60 is also a consideration. What other amps are in the same vein as the ones I mentioned?

 

[Tonelover]

Not trying to make a shameless plug but I currently have a Baron B60 (discontinued) in the classifieds. When I was looking for amps I put a request very similar to yours and when the Baron came in I knew it had found a home. Before it I tried Randall RM100, Freyette Sig X and Splawn QR, the latter of which I liked very much but was kind of a one trick pony. The Baron isn't as dry as that but it still very organic, offers far more flexibility and has way better cleans. Way more gain than anyone needs too.

 

[moltenmetalburn]

dry to me is VHT and Splawn. Not sure what else to suggest.

 

[Tone Monster]

Cameron CCV fits your description

 

[MetalHeadMike]

Try a KSR. Can only speak for the Ares, but I'm sure the other models follow suit for the most part. The Ares has a TON of gain on tap and its all pretty much usable if you so desire. However, it "dries" up considerably when you get the gain knob back below noon but somehow retains compression to allow for easy playing.

I have a VHT D60 as well and its a much more "dry" gain structure for sure compared to the Ares but there's also this articulation, clarity and punch to notes and chords that I've not found in other amps. I recently started hitting the front end of the D60 with a Timmy and it saturates it to perfection for my tastes. Adds just enough saturation but retains just enough of that dry VHT goodness.

 

[RedB4Black]

I'd say KSR, I have a Gemini sitting on top of my Ultra-Lead and I'd say the Gemini can be very much like what you describe you want.

Baron is actually a good choice too. I've had 2 of the KT88 models and they were great amps.

 

[maddnotez]

That CL100 is a killer amp, I regret selling mine.

Hard choice to replace because IMO it is one of a kind. I'm just curious what you are not liking about it? Maybe try a few different boost pedals?

All the suggestions seem very good. Baron's do sound killer as well as the KSR's I have played.

I just got the JP2C and while it is probably not considered dry it has a TON of gain where you don't even need a boost pedal at all and I boost everything.

I am a huge VHT fan and TBH the other amps that I would really love to have are the TAPP Marzian, definitely check this amp out but also if you can get one (idk if he is still building?) The Lickliter amps.

If I end up selling the JP2C the Marzian is definitely the amp I will be getting. (If they had Sweetwater financing I would have got that instead)

Skip to 4:00 for the heavies.

 

[Wizard of Ozz]

Wizard MTL or MC2.

These will give a super tight defined bottom end with a great amount of Marshall feel and crunch.

The KSR amps are somewhat tight... but not very Marshally. More of a Soldano SLO vibe to them. If Soldano made a new multi-channel, multi-mode Super SLO amp... it would sound very much like the Gemini or KSR amps in general.

 

[the rossness]

Wizard MTL or MC2.

These will give a super tight defined bottom end with a great amount of Marshall feel and crunch.

The KSR amps are somewhat tight... but not very Marshally. More of a Soldano SLO vibe to them. If Soldano made a new multi-channel, multi-mode Super SLO amp... it would sound very much like the Gemini or KSR amps in general.

I've thought about an Wizard MCII. The guitarist (Chris Cheney) in my favourite band plays one. However, I'd really like to play one before I invest that kind of money- they ain't cheap, but yes, an MCII is on my short list. The mTL, from the clips I've heard, sounds very saturated. In heavy metal speak, I'm looking for more of a sharp razor blade than a thick sledgehammer in terms of tone. Not sure a MTL would work for me.

As for what others have said- I typically run my VHT in reverse of what most people do. I use the green channel for my pissed off gain and the red I dial way back for an almost blues-like (low gain) feel. I use the EQ similar to a V-eQ from mesa amps. For like the past year, I dunno what it is but I'm just kind of tired of the CL100. I've tried different settings on both channels, different EQ curves and its just not doing it for me anymore.

I haven't played a KSR. I can check them out. CCV's don't come up for sale often and when they do, their price is more than I can afford. I have a CCV MTS module by Salvation Audio and the thing is AWESOME! I had heard Mark was working on a new amp/ company and without starting a flame war, I'd love to find out more about that.

 

[Candiria]

I would say check out a Ceriatone Chupacabra or King Kong of you need a clean. Marshall style with a lot of little tweakable things to get you where you might want to be. Plus they're around $1k used or just a little more for new.

 

[Wizard of Ozz]

Wizard MTL or MC2.

These will give a super tight defined bottom end with a great amount of Marshall feel and crunch.

The KSR amps are somewhat tight... but not very Marshally. More of a Soldano SLO vibe to them. If Soldano made a new multi-channel, multi-mode Super SLO amp... it would sound very much like the Gemini or KSR amps in general.

I've thought about an Wizard MCII. The guitarist (Chris Cheney) in my favourite band plays one. However, I'd really like to play one before I invest that kind of money- they ain't cheap, but yes, an MCII is on my short list. The mTL, from the clips I've heard, sounds very saturated. In heavy metal speak, I'm looking for more of a sharp razor blade than a thick sledgehammer in terms of tone. Not sure a MTL would work for me.

The MTL is much less saturated than the competition. Not at a Mesa Recto, Engl, or Diezel level at all. Much dryer, not as overblown more open. It actually has a “saturation knob” on the front that I usually run around 2:00. Combined with the depth & brightness pots, it’s very tweakable. It sounds huge and really cuts. Definitely on the razor side. Not a big, warm, modern Uber/Recto sound to be certain. The MC2 maybe more to your liking though. I’ll be able to better compare them both soon .

All the Camerons are the definition of overblown, overgained and super-wet saturated sounds.

 

[mchn13]

I see you have one in your sig, but the Evh50, blue channel boosted did it for me. I ended up selling my Vht d120. No that it lacked in any way, but I needed the loop and more switching options, and couldn't just keep an amp around if I wasn't using it. And that blue with a boost is just crazy heavy and tight.

 

[RedB4Black]

Wizard MTL or MC2.

These will give a super tight defined bottom end with a great amount of Marshall feel and crunch.

The KSR amps are somewhat tight... but not very Marshally. More of a Soldano SLO vibe to them. If Soldano made a new multi-channel, multi-mode Super SLO amp... it would sound very much like the Gemini or KSR amps in general.

I've thought about an Wizard MCII. The guitarist (Chris Cheney) in my favourite band plays one. However, I'd really like to play one before I invest that kind of money- they ain't cheap, but yes, an MCII is on my short list. The mTL, from the clips I've heard, sounds very saturated. In heavy metal speak, I'm looking for more of a sharp razor blade than a thick sledgehammer in terms of tone. Not sure a MTL would work for me.

As for what others have said- I typically run my VHT in reverse of what most people do. I use the green channel for my pissed off gain and the red I dial way back for an almost blues-like (low gain) feel. I use the EQ similar to a V-eQ from mesa amps. For like the past year, I dunno what it is but I'm just kind of tired of the CL100. I've tried different settings on both channels, different EQ curves and its just not doing it for me anymore.

I haven't played a KSR. I can check them out. CCV's don't come up for sale often and when they do, their price is more than I can afford. I have a CCV MTS module by Salvation Audio and the thing is AWESOME! I had heard Mark was working on a new amp/ company and without starting a flame war, I'd love to find out more about that.

The MTL would work. It basically is a razor sharp sledge hammer. The MCII is more of the same but with more vintage voicing. The MC II might be the better choice for you. I thought my MTL would blow away my MCII and I'd end up selling the MCII, but here it still sits. lol

I had a modded JVM with mercury OT and choke and it blew away the CCV I had. Never should've sold that JVM

 

[braintheory]

Wizard MTL or MC2.

These will give a super tight defined bottom end with a great amount of Marshall feel and crunch.

The KSR amps are somewhat tight... but not very Marshally. More of a Soldano SLO vibe to them. If Soldano made a new multi-channel, multi-mode Super SLO amp... it would sound very much like the Gemini or KSR amps in general.

I've thought about an Wizard MCII. The guitarist (Chris Cheney) in my favourite band plays one. However, I'd really like to play one before I invest that kind of money- they ain't cheap, but yes, an MCII is on my short list. The mTL, from the clips I've heard, sounds very saturated. In heavy metal speak, I'm looking for more of a sharp razor blade than a thick sledgehammer in terms of tone. Not sure a MTL would work for me.

As for what others have said- I typically run my VHT in reverse of what most people do. I use the green channel for my pissed off gain and the red I dial way back for an almost blues-like (low gain) feel. I use the EQ similar to a V-eQ from mesa amps. For like the past year, I dunno what it is but I'm just kind of tired of the CL100. I've tried different settings on both channels, different EQ curves and its just not doing it for me anymore.

I haven't played a KSR. I can check them out. CCV's don't come up for sale often and when they do, their price is more than I can afford. I have a CCV MTS module by Salvation Audio and the thing is AWESOME! I had heard Mark was working on a new amp/ company and without starting a flame war, I'd love to find out more about that.

The MTL would work. It basically is a razor sharp sledge hammer. The MCII is more of the same but with more vintage voicing. The MC II might be the better choice for you. I thought my MTL would blow away my MCII and I'd end up selling the MCII, but here it still sits. lol

I had a modded JVM with mercury OT and choke and it blew away the CCV I had. Never should've sold that JVM

Who did the mod and what was changed from its stock sound?

 

[the rossness]

I see you have one in your sig, but the Evh50, blue channel boosted did it for me. I ended up selling my Vht d120. No that it lacked in any way, but I needed the loop and more switching options, and couldn't just keep an amp around if I wasn't using it. And that blue with a boost is just crazy heavy and tight.

I actaully play the EVH quite a bit. Super duper easy amp to play, but not a dry feeling amp in the slightest

 

[RedB4Black]

Wizard MTL or MC2.

These will give a super tight defined bottom end with a great amount of Marshall feel and crunch.

The KSR amps are somewhat tight... but not very Marshally. More of a Soldano SLO vibe to them. If Soldano made a new multi-channel, multi-mode Super SLO amp... it would sound very much like the Gemini or KSR amps in general.

I've thought about an Wizard MCII. The guitarist (Chris Cheney) in my favourite band plays one. However, I'd really like to play one before I invest that kind of money- they ain't cheap, but yes, an MCII is on my short list. The mTL, from the clips I've heard, sounds very saturated. In heavy metal speak, I'm looking for more of a sharp razor blade than a thick sledgehammer in terms of tone. Not sure a MTL would work for me.

As for what others have said- I typically run my VHT in reverse of what most people do. I use the green channel for my pissed off gain and the red I dial way back for an almost blues-like (low gain) feel. I use the EQ similar to a V-eQ from mesa amps. For like the past year, I dunno what it is but I'm just kind of tired of the CL100. I've tried different settings on both channels, different EQ curves and its just not doing it for me anymore.

I haven't played a KSR. I can check them out. CCV's don't come up for sale often and when they do, their price is more than I can afford. I have a CCV MTS module by Salvation Audio and the thing is AWESOME! I had heard Mark was working on a new amp/ company and without starting a flame war, I'd love to find out more about that.

The MTL would work. It basically is a razor sharp sledge hammer. The MCII is more of the same but with more vintage voicing. The MC II might be the better choice for you. I thought my MTL would blow away my MCII and I'd end up selling the MCII, but here it still sits. lol

I had a modded JVM with mercury OT and choke and it blew away the CCV I had. Never should've sold that JVM

Who did the mod and what was changed from its stock sound?

My friend did it. It was a big improvement. Voodoo amps does it and they have a pretty good description on their site.

 

[jlb32]

I use to own a VHT 50CL with onboard EQ. I really liked it but traded it for a Mesa Mark IV that I still own. Best trade I ever made for me personally. I love the Mark IV so much more. The VHT was just way to dry IMO.

 

[fusedbrain]

Wizard MTL or MC2.

These will give a super tight defined bottom end with a great amount of Marshall feel and crunch.

The KSR amps are somewhat tight... but not very Marshally. More of a Soldano SLO vibe to them. If Soldano made a new multi-channel, multi-mode Super SLO amp... it would sound very much like the Gemini or KSR amps in general.

I've thought about an Wizard MCII. The guitarist (Chris Cheney) in my favourite band plays one. However, I'd really like to play one before I invest that kind of money- they ain't cheap, but yes, an MCII is on my short list. The mTL, from the clips I've heard, sounds very saturated. In heavy metal speak, I'm looking for more of a sharp razor blade than a thick sledgehammer in terms of tone. Not sure a MTL would work for me.

As for what others have said- I typically run my VHT in reverse of what most people do. I use the green channel for my pissed off gain and the red I dial way back for an almost blues-like (low gain) feel. I use the EQ similar to a V-eQ from mesa amps. For like the past year, I dunno what it is but I'm just kind of tired of the CL100. I've tried different settings on both channels, different EQ curves and its just not doing it for me anymore.

I haven't played a KSR. I can check them out. CCV's don't come up for sale often and when they do, their price is more than I can afford. I have a CCV MTS module by Salvation Audio and the thing is AWESOME! I had heard Mark was working on a new amp/ company and without starting a flame war, I'd love to find out more about that.

The MTL would work. It basically is a razor sharp sledge hammer. The MCII is more of the same but with more vintage voicing. The MC II might be the better choice for you. I thought my MTL would blow away my MCII and I'd end up selling the MCII, but here it still sits. lol

I had a modded JVM with mercury OT and choke and it blew away the CCV I had. Never should've sold that JVM

Yeah, I thought when I bought my MTL, that I'd compare it to the MCII, and sell the least favorite one. Well... I still have them both too...
The description of the "razor sharp sledgehammer" is bang on the money with the Wizards. I just wanted to add a couple notes on the differences I hear between the MTL & MCII, in case the OP is wondering about that.
I agree that the MCII is more vintage voiced, and may be better suited to what you are looking for. It seems to have the mids voiced a little higher ( think JCM800-ish) than the MTL, giving it a more Marshall feel than the MTL. The mid push in the MTL is lower ( Bogner-ish), and combined with the mid shift function, the MTL can sound much more modern to me. I'm NOT saying the Wizards sound like the referenced amps, I'm just trying to describe the character of the mid voicing that sets the amps apart. Both amps have a tightness to the tone and a punch that is totally unique.
I think they both have about the same amount of gain available, but the Saturation control on the MTL adds more saturation ( obviously ) than is available on the MCII, making it seem like the MTL has more gain.
The Rhythm channel on the MTL is OK, but the Rhythm channel on the MCII is just stellar. With the pull-boost on, it's the best "Plexi" I've ever heard. Seriously...If you want to get your AC/DC on, this is where you do it. I'd actually buy this amp for the Rhythm channel alone, it's so good.

Hope that helps!

 

[MetalHeadMike]

Damn all of you and this Wizard talk

 

[the rossness]

Wizard MTL or MC2.

These will give a super tight defined bottom end with a great amount of Marshall feel and crunch.

The KSR amps are somewhat tight... but not very Marshally. More of a Soldano SLO vibe to them. If Soldano made a new multi-channel, multi-mode Super SLO amp... it would sound very much like the Gemini or KSR amps in general.

I've thought about an Wizard MCII. The guitarist (Chris Cheney) in my favourite band plays one. However, I'd really like to play one before I invest that kind of money- they ain't cheap, but yes, an MCII is on my short list. The mTL, from the clips I've heard, sounds very saturated. In heavy metal speak, I'm looking for more of a sharp razor blade than a thick sledgehammer in terms of tone. Not sure a MTL would work for me.

As for what others have said- I typically run my VHT in reverse of what most people do. I use the green channel for my pissed off gain and the red I dial way back for an almost blues-like (low gain) feel. I use the EQ similar to a V-eQ from mesa amps. For like the past year, I dunno what it is but I'm just kind of tired of the CL100. I've tried different settings on both channels, different EQ curves and its just not doing it for me anymore.

I haven't played a KSR. I can check them out. CCV's don't come up for sale often and when they do, their price is more than I can afford. I have a CCV MTS module by Salvation Audio and the thing is AWESOME! I had heard Mark was working on a new amp/ company and without starting a flame war, I'd love to find out more about that.

The MTL would work. It basically is a razor sharp sledge hammer. The MCII is more of the same but with more vintage voicing. The MC II might be the better choice for you. I thought my MTL would blow away my MCII and I'd end up selling the MCII, but here it still sits. lol

I had a modded JVM with mercury OT and choke and it blew away the CCV I had. Never should've sold that JVM

Yeah, I thought when I bought my MTL, that I'd compare it to the MCII, and sell the least favorite one. Well... I still have them both too...
The description of the "razor sharp sledgehammer" is bang on the money with the Wizards. I just wanted to add a couple notes on the differences I hear between the MTL & MCII, in case the OP is wondering about that.
I agree that the MCII is more vintage voiced, and may be better suited to what you are looking for. It seems to have the mids voiced a little higher ( think JCM800-ish) than the MTL, giving it a more Marshall feel than the MTL. The mid push in the MTL is lower ( Bogner-ish), and combined with the mid shift function, the MTL can sound much more modern to me. I'm NOT saying the Wizards sound like the referenced amps, I'm just trying to describe the character of the mid voicing that sets the amps apart. Both amps have a tightness to the tone and a punch that is totally unique.
I think they both have about the same amount of gain available, but the Saturation control on the MTL adds more saturation ( obviously ) than is available on the MCII, making it seem like the MTL has more gain.
The Rhythm channel on the MTL is OK, but the Rhythm channel on the MCII is just stellar. With the pull-boost on, it's the best "Plexi" I've ever heard. Seriously...If you want to get your AC/DC on, this is where you do it. I'd actually buy this amp for the Rhythm channel alone, it's so good.

Hope that helps!

I listened to a bunch of vids and appreciate all the info. Yea the MTL isn't want I'm going for. Not really going for those lower mids. I like aggressive but more classic sounding stuff. Looking for more upper mid range (Happy/ put a smile on your face kind of vibe) The MCII is ok great amp, but not what I want to replace my VHT with. Plus, pretty much every wizard amp is out of my price range. Now, if there were a few more Kemper profiles of wizard amps, that would be AWESOME so at least I could try some stuff out.

Does anyone have info on the Drop B+ Splawn Quickrod vs one without the modification. How do they compare? Why doesn't Splawn offer a dual channel amp with a Quickrod voicing and a Nitro Voicing?