Ultralead vs CLX: what's the difference?

[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."

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?

I think maybe so. Mine is the same as yours, and has just the right amount of gain. I used to crave for just a tad more, but I've come to like the amount mine makes. I just have to dime the gain out, and all is well in the world.

 

[dirtyfunkg]

I've owned the UL and a Pittbull Classic (which became the CLX, mine is a 1993 version). Prefer--and still own--the Classic.

The Classic can get very heavy, very brutal, but it's different. Not as dry as the UL, that's for sure. The Classic/CLX seems to take its pedigree from Hiwatt (didn't Steve Fryette sort of get started by modding a Hiwatt?) rather than Marshall, while the UL is more of its own dry beast that feels a lot more rooted in Hi-Fi amps than the guitar amps that came before. I can easily get Gilmour-esque tones out of a Classic/CLX. You can do it with a UL but you need some compression and such. I'd see a Pittbull band as having a UL for rhythm guitar, the CLX for leads. The CLX can really sing. The UL growls and feels like a bulldozer.

YMMV. I'd personally buy a CLX before a UL. But I think the Sig:X hangs with both of them in yet another different way, almost like it's right in the middle but with a better, more versatile clean channel.

 

[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."

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?

I think maybe so. Mine is the same as yours, and has just the right amount of gain. I used to crave for just a tad more, but I've come to like the amount mine makes. I just have to dime the gain out, and all is well in the world.

Not more gain ... the extra tube is part of the power section. This effects the voice & feel of the entire amp along with all the other differences in the power amp.

 

[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."

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?

I think maybe so. Mine is the same as yours, and has just the right amount of gain. I used to crave for just a tad more, but I've come to like the amount mine makes. I just have to dime the gain out, and all is well in the world.

Not more gain ... the extra tube is part of the power section. This effects the voice & feel of the entire amp along with all the other differences in the power amp.

I understand, but I've heard peeps say the newer version has a tad more saturation on tap at any rate. I never really thought any extra would come from the 12at7 itself.

 

[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?

I think maybe so. Mine is the same as yours, and has just the right amount of gain. I used to crave for just a tad more, but I've come to like the amount mine makes. I just have to dime the gain out, and all is well in the world.

Not more gain ... the extra tube is part of the power section. This effects the voice & feel of the entire amp along with all the other differences in the power amp.

I understand, but I've heard peeps say the newer version has a tad more saturation on tap at any rate. I never really thought any extra would come from the 12at7 itself.

I've heard the same things, newer - more saturated.

 

[BaRTY]

Compared both the CLX and Ultralead several times for the past month.
UL had new Sovtek KT88s in V6-V9 (as Fryette suggests), Tungsol RI in V1 and Shuguang 9th V2-V5.
CLX had new Mullard EL34s in V6-V9 and Sovtek 12AX7WB in V1, Sovtek LPS in V2-V3 and EH 12AX7 in V4-V5.

I liked CLX for my taste across all channels.
The odd thing was on clean channel: with all knobs set noon and bright switch ON, CLX had more bottom end. Added bass on ultralead and everything sounded alike.
On 2nd channel difference was as I expected. UL had more bottom end, CLX had more midrange.

Both of amps can be set equally, buuut...the conclusion was as smbdy has already said before in this topic, CLX has more of a "classic" EL34 feel, Ul is more "linear" response, more hi-fi feel. CLX lacks just a hair of tightness compared to UL. CLX has crunchier midrange, not a marshall "kerrang" thing, but it has this classic el34 "feel".

Overall I liked more "complex" and "sweeter" sound of CLX. While staying tight it has sweet harmonics I like from EL34s. Ultralead is pure brutality amp for sure.

 

[RJF]

As mentioned, the preamps are not the same between the two, depending on what year the amp was made.

I have had both, and my UL smoked my master built CLX. Tighter and punchier. Which is part of why I'm such a KT88 fan, and tend to dislike EL34's.

One thing it seems is that there is some variation from one VHT to the next. I've heard people talk about having one UL that sounded better than another that they owned. I was never happy with my CLX and traded a guy here strait across for a UL. He was dissapointed also in that CLX, and wished he had my UL back, as he thought it sounded really good compared to other VHT's he has had.

 

[BaRTY]

As mentioned, the preamps are not the same between the two, depending on what year the amp was made.

I have had both, and my UL smoked my master built CLX. Tighter and punchier. Which is part of why I'm such a KT88 fan, and tend to dislike EL34's.

One thing it seems is that there is some variation from one VHT to the next. I've heard people talk about having one UL that sounded better than another that they owned. I was never happy with my CLX and traded a guy here strait across for a UL. He was dissapointed also in that CLX, and wished he had my UL back, as he thought it sounded really good compared to other VHT's he has had.

Apples and oranges as they say. ) Personally I didn't like Herbert. DO like Uberschall rev. 2 and rev. F DR.
My CLX was 2010 made masterbuilt version, Ultralead was 2006 made, both with graphic eq.

 

[skoora]

I doubt there's anything different about the way a CLX was built before it was called "masterbuilt". Probably just wanted to elevate it and the UL as there premium amps over the CL's etc. Could be only one or two guys make them but they were probably always making them.

Have never tried a CLX, only UL's. Have always wanted to try one or or an older Classic.

 

[stratotone]

I had a UL and a CLX at the same time, preferred the CLX - was a little more compressed, and I just prefer EL34 voicing over KT88s. Both were awesome amps. I also dig the CLs, no clean channel on the CLs just two rage channels but still sweet and full of VHT tone.

 

[stephen sawall]

All master built means is only one person built the amp from beginning to end.