Ultralead vs CLX: what's the difference?

[BaRTY]

Now I've got the vht ultralead and I do like it for it's raw, straight forward and articulate tone. But not a long time ago I've heard of clx ultralead which I suppose Is more saturated.
How can you describe the difference between these two?

 

[meanstreet]

I always thought the CLX had the same preamp section as the UL but EL34s for the power section. Hopefully the VHT/Fryette experts can verify.

 

[BaRTY]

Well, I know the specs of the amps, but want to hear the opinion who owned/listened to both.

 

[jack butler]

Never tried the CLX, but had EL34's in my UL for many years. I've been told you can't put EL34's in the UL, but Savage Audio(builder of Savage Amps) recommended them over the KT88's I had been using. Savage Had re-tubed my UL twice with KT88's. When I needed another re-tube, I asked about modding the amp. They said try EL34's first, so I did. What a difference, for the better. All the settings I had been using needed to be changed(Gain, EQ, Presence). When I've recommended EL34's in the UL to others, they say the amp can't run them? No mods were done to mine that I'm aware of. If Savage Modded something, they did it for free and didn't note it on the invoice.

 

[moronmountain]

I think it's pretty much just the power section, EL34's vs KT88's, and I suppose the 34's would lend themselves the the power amp getting some sag earlier on which some may call saturation.

 

[BaRTY]

Never tried the CLX, but had EL34's in my UL for many years. I've been told you can't put EL34's in the UL, but Savage Audio(builder of Savage Amps) recommended them over the KT88's I had been using. Savage Had re-tubed my UL twice with KT88's. When I needed another re-tube, I asked about modding the amp. They said try EL34's first, so I did. What a difference, for the better. All the settings I had been using needed to be changed(Gain, EQ, Presence). When I've recommended EL34's in the UL to others, they say the amp can't run them? No mods were done to mine that I'm aware of. If Savage Modded something, they did it for free and didn't note it on the invoice.

I'm not a tech so I'm not sure I want to try EL34 instead of KT88 without any confirmation. Don't want to ruin my amp.
Can anybody confirm that this tube replacement will be safe for the amp?

 

[Kelly]

Try the fryette users forum, or emailing Fryette. They have great customer service.

 

[garey77]

I had both. I ended up getting rid of the CLX. Mind you, it wasn't one of the master-built models, but sounded great nonetheless. I preferred the more modern sounding KT88 version. The CLX had more of a (and I use this term loosely) Marshall-ish squish... likely from the el34s. Either amp has more than enough gain saturation to make one happy.

 

[BaRTY]

I had both. I ended up getting rid of the CLX. Mind you, it wasn't one of the master-built models, but sounded great nonetheless. I preferred the more modern sounding KT88 version. The CLX had more of a (and I use this term loosely) Marshall-ish squish... likely from the el34s. Either amp has more than enough gain saturation to make one happy.

I tend to use tubescreamer as a clean boost in front of my ul for higher gain modern metal settings.
Did you use any boost with yours?

 

[garey77]

I had both. I ended up getting rid of the CLX. Mind you, it wasn't one of the master-built models, but sounded great nonetheless. I preferred the more modern sounding KT88 version. The CLX had more of a (and I use this term loosely) Marshall-ish squish... likely from the el34s. Either amp has more than enough gain saturation to make one happy.

I tend to use tubescreamer as a clean boost in front of my ul for higher gain modern metal settings.
Did you use any boost with yours?

Never needed it.

 

[yngzaklynch]

I had both. I ended up getting rid of the CLX. Mind you, it wasn't one of the master-built models, but sounded great nonetheless. I preferred the more modern sounding KT88 version. The CLX had more of a (and I use this term loosely) Marshall-ish squish... likely from the el34s. Either amp has more than enough gain saturation to make one happy.

I tend to use tubescreamer as a clean boost in front of my ul for higher gain modern metal settings.
Did you use any boost with yours?

You boost a UL???? Try a Diezel Herbert

 

[moronmountain]

I had both. I ended up getting rid of the CLX. Mind you, it wasn't one of the master-built models, but sounded great nonetheless. I preferred the more modern sounding KT88 version. The CLX had more of a (and I use this term loosely) Marshall-ish squish... likely from the el34s. Either amp has more than enough gain saturation to make one happy.

I tend to use tubescreamer as a clean boost in front of my ul for higher gain modern metal settings.
Did you use any boost with yours?

What pre amp tubes are you using? The UL has 4 gain stages, which IMO is just enough pre gain even for modern metal. I like alot of gain, and I think most peeps run the gain down a little even. I used to think my UL was lacking in the gain dept., but I had a couple of old pre's in there.

 

[Shiny_Surface]

You boost a UL???? Try a Diezel Herbert

Channel 2 boosted was where it was at with my UL, sounded awesome imo.

I didn't like channel 3 unboosted for rhythm playing as much (with or without the graphic engaged), channel 2 had a lot more clarity/string definition even with a boost.

I want to try a newer model to see if anything has been tweaked, getting the itch to give an UL a second go around one of these days.

Also interested in comparing an EL34 model.

 

[BaRTY]

I had both. I ended up getting rid of the CLX. Mind you, it wasn't one of the master-built models, but sounded great nonetheless. I preferred the more modern sounding KT88 version. The CLX had more of a (and I use this term loosely) Marshall-ish squish... likely from the el34s. Either amp has more than enough gain saturation to make one happy.

I tend to use tubescreamer as a clean boost in front of my ul for higher gain modern metal settings.
Did you use any boost with yours?

What pre amp tubes are you using? The UL has 4 gain stages, which IMO is just enough pre gain even for modern metal. I like alot of gain, and I think most peeps run the gain down a little even. I used to think my UL was lacking in the gain dept., but I had a couple of old pre's in there.

Well, I'll try a new set of tubes.

 

[BaRTY]

You boost a UL???? Try a Diezel Herbert

Channel 2 boosted was where it was at with my UL, sounded awesome imo.

I didn't like channel 3 unboosted for rhythm playing as much (with or without the graphic engaged), channel 2 had a lot more clarity/string definition even with a boost.

I want to try a newer model to see if anything has been tweaked, getting the itch to give an UL a second go around one of these days.

Also interested in comparing an EL34 model.

Well, that is what I'm saying, ch2 boosted sounds just right for really high gain stuff. Also boost helps to tame HUGE "square" bass of ul and make it sound just right. Unboosted it sounds good, but boost make it sound just the way it should.
I heard that newer version of ul sounds more saturated. Have somebody tried one?

 

[the4thlast1]

I've owned them both. The UL is more modern in a sense that it doesnt have any crunch in the midrange...So it also tends to sound more dry than the CLX. The CLX is a little more classic sounding or more like what we are used to from other amps while still retaining that super clear sound we know from Fryette.

The UL might have a little bigger lowend and a little less midrange, however with the graphic eq on both amps you can almost dial it in any way imaginable. The ClX has more saturation and for a lack of better words it sounds a bit more "wet" than the UL. Both amps love boost pedals IMO

 

[ke2]

I had both. I ended up getting rid of the CLX. Mind you, it wasn't one of the master-built models, but sounded great nonetheless. I preferred the more modern sounding KT88 version. The CLX had more of a (and I use this term loosely) Marshall-ish squish... likely from the el34s. Either amp has more than enough gain saturation to make one happy.

I tend to use tubescreamer as a clean boost in front of my ul for higher gain modern metal settings.
Did you use any boost with yours?

You boost a UL???? Try a Diezel Herbert

I boost over the top-gained amps, but not necessarily to get more saturation I boosted my old Mesa .50 Cal. I turned the gain down, and hit it with a Tube Screamer, just to get a tighter distortion, especially when I played it at lower volumes. With the master at 5-6, it was a little different. I often find that turning the gain down, and adding a TS-9, gives a tighter sound, but not more saturation

 

[stephen sawall]

"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."

 

[moronmountain]

"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."

Well my UL is from 95 and has the single 12ax7 driver like the CLX does, so that may make a small bit of difference.

 

[BaRTY]

"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."

My 2006 ul has 4 preamp tubes, 1 phase inverter tube and 4 KT88s (total 9 tubes). But the newer one ultraleads has 5 preamp tubes, 1 phase inverter and 4 KT88s (total 10 tubes). So what is the difference?
So it goes like the newer one has more gain (saturation?) due to additional preamp tube, right?