Pittbull CLX vs. CAA PT100

[stephen sawall]

I am more into vintage sounds and prefer the Sig X & Deliverance. The CLX sounds and feels more modern to me.

Hey Stephen, the "PITTBULL® HUNDRED/CLX" is Fryette's "Classic" model in the "PITTBULL®" series and is the same as far as circuitry since day one. The "HUNDRED/CLX" is IMO more versatile than the Sig X and the Deliverance for a reason.

About 4 years ago I had a UL/CLX/CL/Sig X/D120/D60 all in the same room for several days with my Les Paul and Strat and several cabs and is only the way I remember it ... I have several highgain amps around here and the only ones I have used much the last few years is my Sig X & D120.... only a matter of taste.

I thought that the only real difference between the CLX and the UL was the power section. The UL was equipped with KT88's, the CLX w/EL34's. Besides that, the preamp sections are pretty similar, if not the same, yes?

The preamp's are the same ....
"CLX has a single 12AX7 driver stage, a different power transformer, a different output transformer and Dual Class Mode. It breaks up easier and has a bit more give - besides the EL34 voice.

UL does not have DualClass switch. Never did. Neither model has ever had Enhance Mode - the switchable tube/ss rectifier function.

The differences between the 2 models has varied over time, but has been stable over the last roughly 10 years. See: http://www.fryette-users.com/forums/...-of-the-vht-ul

Difference between the D60 and D120 is the driver stage. The 120 has a 2-tube driver/PI stage similar to the UL. The 60 has the single stage like the CLX. Preamp voicing is the same, but because of the difference in output and driver stage, the 60 sounds more pissed off compared to the 120 which sounds more like a bulldozer coming down your street."
~Dave Phelge.... support at Fryette.

The Deliverance 60 & 120 / Sig X rhythm channel /Drive Channel on the Memphis ~ are all based on the green channel on the Pittbulls.

 

[maddnotez]

I really want to try out the D's....I am very satisfied with my Pitbull it actually barks when I turn it up

But I think the D's sounded even more agressive from the clips ive heard.

 

[garey77]

Aren't the Deliverance series amps single tone row amps?

 

[stephen sawall]

Aren't the Deliverance series amps single tone row amps?

They are a single channel amp .... Very simple with zero extra stuff to keep the sound and tone as pure as possible.

 

[garey77]

Aren't the Deliverance series amps single tone row amps?

They are a single channel amp .... Very simple with zero extra stuff to keep the sound and tone as pure as possible.

Yeah, I need a channel switcher.

Say, what would a PT100 (one that was a few years old) go for? I'm trying to gauge it as I'll be going to try one out tomorrow and the guy that's selling it wants like $2500. It is a number of years old and the price seems a bit steep. Any ideas guys/gals?

 

[RJF]

Like mentioned, the preamp tube layout is a little different between the UL and CLX. Again as stated, the transformers ARE different because of the tubes used.

Another thing is some CLX's came with reverb as it was/is an option for the CLX alone.

I personally have a love hate thing going with my CLX, some days I think it's killer and completely nails that "VHT" tone, and other days I think it sounds like crap compared to the other heads I've got. I am thinking I would greatly prefer the UL for my taste, especially since I am a huge KT88 guy. I would trade someone my CLX for their UL in a heartbeat.

 

[LP Freak]

Aren't the Deliverance series amps single tone row amps?

They are a single channel amp .... Very simple with zero extra stuff to keep the sound and tone as pure as possible.

Yeah, I need a channel switcher.

Say, what would a PT100 (one that was a few years old) go for? I'm trying to gauge it as I'll be going to try one out tomorrow and the guy that's selling it wants like $2500. It is a number of years old and the price seems a bit steep. Any ideas guys/gals?

Try to get one with the SS loop. They seem to be a bit more transparent. Depending how old and what options it has, $2500 is on the upper end. Should a stuck with the CCV.

 

[garey77]

Should a stuck with the CCV. [/quote]
I know, I know. But I had to pay off my girl's engagement ring... man, it really was/is a great sounding amp. Well, soon there'll be a new ccv convert.

So, I played that PT100... wasn't my thing. It was through a v30/g12h 212, too. I really was hoping that I'd like it a bunch more than I did, but that's how it goes sometimes. I really think it's going to be an einstein or a mark iv. I would take a UL though if any were around.

 

[rottingcorpse]

I would take a UL though if any were around.

i have bought 3 UL's over the past year or so for 1500-1650. best amp i have ever played for my playing style.

there is one now in green in the classifieds for 1650.

edit....i have noticed that the ultra lead has one more preamp tube (total 6) than the CLX does (total 5 with one missing next to the 12AT7 inverter tube), and two more than the CL (total 4 with one missing next to the inverter and one along the back row).

note, on the ultra lead, the 12AT7 is on the left back row. on the CLX that spot still has a plate covering the hole next to it,whereas the ultra lead has another preamp tube there.

 

[garey77]

I just picked up a UL locally. The guy I bought it from sent it to Fryette a year ago and it was totally gone through... new tubes, checked for buzzing, pots checked, etc... holy cow, what a great amp. The first time I played a Pittbull, like 6years ago or something like that, I just couldn't get on with it. I think that I might have played a CL. I remember the amp not having enough gain for my taste. That is NOT the case with the CLX and UL. I was pretty sad to have to let my CCV go, but that feeling is starting to wane. I'm very happy with my new amps. One of my personal problems with a lot of higher gain channel switchers is that though they might have enough gain, they get kind of sloppy when the tight palm muting stuff comes up. No problem with the VHT/FRYETTE stuff. The only thing I could wish for would be a midi loop.

 

[sjk]

Nice buy, so now that you have them both how do they compare.

 

[RJF]

I just picked up a UL locally. The guy I bought it from sent it to Fryette a year ago and it was totally gone through... new tubes, checked for buzzing, pots checked, etc... holy cow, what a great amp. The first time I played a Pittbull, like 6years ago or something like that, I just couldn't get on with it. I think that I might have played a CL. I remember the amp not having enough gain for my taste. That is NOT the case with the CLX and UL. I was pretty sad to have to let my CCV go, but that feeling is starting to wane. I'm very happy with my new amps. One of my personal problems with a lot of higher gain channel switchers is that though they might have enough gain, they get kind of sloppy when the tight palm muting stuff comes up. No problem with the VHT/FRYETTE stuff. The only thing I could wish for would be a midi loop.

Ha, this must of been the one in San Jose right? You bought it just in time, because I was going to go and buy it yesterday if a trade deal hadn't worked out that was in the works. Looked pretty darn clean from the pics. Did you get him to come down from $1600?

 

[garey77]

I just picked up a UL locally. The guy I bought it from sent it to Fryette a year ago and it was totally gone through... new tubes, checked for buzzing, pots checked, etc... holy cow, what a great amp. The first time I played a Pittbull, like 6years ago or something like that, I just couldn't get on with it. I think that I might have played a CL. I remember the amp not having enough gain for my taste. That is NOT the case with the CLX and UL. I was pretty sad to have to let my CCV go, but that feeling is starting to wane. I'm very happy with my new amps. One of my personal problems with a lot of higher gain channel switchers is that though they might have enough gain, they get kind of sloppy when the tight palm muting stuff comes up. No problem with the VHT/FRYETTE stuff. The only thing I could wish for would be a midi loop.

Ha, this must of been the one in San Jose right? You bought it just in time, because I was going to go and buy it yesterday if a trade deal hadn't worked out that was in the works. Looked pretty darn clean from the pics. Did you get him to come down from $1600?

Ha, yes it was. No price break but I did get him to drive it up to me in Martinez. It is very clean and pristine... could eat off of the thing. The guy was a nice enough dude. He was trying to sell the amp for around 2k or something like that like a month or two ago. Then it came off the market for a while, then boom, back at the appropriate price.

I got my CLX for like $1500. Those are pretty respectable prices for those amps, considering their original market values.

 

[RJF]

I just picked up a UL locally. The guy I bought it from sent it to Fryette a year ago and it was totally gone through... new tubes, checked for buzzing, pots checked, etc... holy cow, what a great amp. The first time I played a Pittbull, like 6years ago or something like that, I just couldn't get on with it. I think that I might have played a CL. I remember the amp not having enough gain for my taste. That is NOT the case with the CLX and UL. I was pretty sad to have to let my CCV go, but that feeling is starting to wane. I'm very happy with my new amps. One of my personal problems with a lot of higher gain channel switchers is that though they might have enough gain, they get kind of sloppy when the tight palm muting stuff comes up. No problem with the VHT/FRYETTE stuff. The only thing I could wish for would be a midi loop.

Ha, this must of been the one in San Jose right? You bought it just in time, because I was going to go and buy it yesterday if a trade deal hadn't worked out that was in the works. Looked pretty darn clean from the pics. Did you get him to come down from $1600?

Ha, yes it was. No price break but I did get him to drive it up to me in Martinez. It is very clean and pristine... could eat off of the thing. The guy was a nice enough dude. He was trying to sell the amp for around 2k or something like that like a month or two ago. Then it came off the market for a while, then boom, back at the appropriate price.

I got my CLX for like $1500. Those are pretty respectable prices for those amps, considering their original market values.

Yeah, I remember, he started out at like $2300 or something, and mentioned how great of a deal that was......

Good deal on the CLX too, when I got mine, I traded a Mark 4 + $400 cash. Is that your CLX that is for sale on CL or no?

 

[garey77]

Yeah, I remember, he started out at like $2300 or something, and mentioned how great of a deal that was......

Good deal on the CLX too, when I got mine, I traded a Mark 4 + $400 cash. Is that your CLX that is for sale on CL or no?[/quote]
No it is not. I am finished for a while. I had to sell the CCV to finish financing an engagement ring... 8k!!! holy shit. I'm happy with these amps. If my band ever actually has the opportunity for endorsements, I'm going to bark up Fryette's tree. Why not? They're great amps, they're in California, and fairly easy to get repairs done for them. I just wasn't feeling the Boogie thing right now. I had the Road King and a Triaxis/2:90 rig at one point... I'm happy right now. At some point I'd like to get a VH4 or a DAR, but i cannot justify that right now, and ultimately I am considering ease of repair if need be.

 

[RJF]

I completely agree, piece of cake getting some work done with the Fryette stuff, that is always in the back of my mind about my Diezel, I'd hate to have to ship that SOB to Germany for work.

 

[RJF]

Just thought I'd throw up my opinion on the CLX vs. UL topic, since I have both heads side by side at the moment. The CLX has more "give" and isn't super tight IMHO, it's definitely a tight amp, but not like the UL. The UL is very stiff, unforgiving, super tight, and a little more aggressive than the CLX. I am really liking this UL, more than the CLX.