VHT/Fryette: Let's Chat

[Junk Yard Dog]

Heard one of these in our ampfest a few weekends ago. I always hear how tight and dry they there, but upon reading thread via search, I'm hearing they have more saturation than are reputed to have.

I'm particularly interested in the 100w EL43 CLX. What's the go with Fryette in general? I play hard rock to some hard rock/chugg ala AIC, Tool, etc. I see them used for pretty good prices, so curious to get an idea about them in general.

Chime in if you have experience with these!

 

[RedB4Black]

I don’t think they are dry at all. I always wonder where this reputation comes from. I guess if “dry” means they lack the compression, sizzle and fizzy highs many high-gain amps, then I’d agree they are “dry.”

I’ve owned all the KT88 models, but never had an el34 model. I’ve had my UL about 7 years. Longer than any other amp I’ve owned. I did play a CLX briefly though. It’s a cool amp, but I prefer the UL. Either would fit the bill for what you like. You may also like a Wizard MC2 as I find they have a similar feel, response and clarity.

 

[Apex1Rg7X]

The CLX is the only Fryette I haven't owned. I'm sure its a good mix of the CL and UL I've owned, obviously sitting in the middle somewhere. I would say for the bands and style you mentioned, the CL would be a great fit or even if you can get by with 1 channel, check out a Deliverance. All of his amps do hard rock/metal with ease but they have a certain sound that just rips.

 

[stephen sawall]

What does "dry" mean ?

The feel and sound is different on the different models. All of them have the Fryette sound. Tight bass. Responsive to your picking hand.

If I need more saturation from any amp I use a boost or overdrive pedal.

 

[MetalHeadMike]

What does "dry" mean ?

The feel and sound is different on the different models. All of them have the Fryette sound. Tight bass. Responsive to your picking hand.

I'm sure the definition/perception is gonna vary among individuals like all things tone/feel. For me "dry" is a lack of saturation/wetness if you will, lack of compression, a very open gain structure. An example from what I've owned: Deliverance 60 (dry) vs. KSR ARES (wet/saturated/compressed). All end user opinion.

 

[dirtyfunkg]

CLX is my favorite of the line (that I've played). Have owned UL, D120, D60, Sig:X (still own) and Classic.

Stylistically I'm in the same realm, and all of their amps do flavors of those sounds extremely well.

I think "dry" means note clarity. All of their amps do well with this. I've never found them hard to play or to lack saturation for my tastes. They do saturate less than my D-Moll for sure, but again, there's no lack of gain. The amps cut really well.

Speaker choice is important with them, though.

 

[Junk Yard Dog]

CLX is my favorite of the line (that I've played). Have owned UL, D120, D60, Sig:X (still own) and Classic.

Stylistically I'm in the same realm, and all of their amps do flavors of those sounds extremely well.

I think "dry" means note clarity. All of their amps do well with this. I've never found them hard to play or to lack saturation for my tastes. They do saturate less than my D-Moll for sure, but again, there's no lack of gain. The amps cut really well.

Speaker choice is important with them, though.

I've typically owned modded Marshall amps: Splawn, Friedman, Bogner, etc.. Currently, I"m in the Friedman camp and I love them. If I had any improvement on the Friedman's for my tastes, it would maybe be a little more gain and 'thump' from my BE100. I'm currently running an EQ in the loop to help with that. I like the 'sag' of the Friedman, but also liked the 'tightness' of the Splawn. Perhaps the Fryette's have a little less 'sag' than the Friedman's and are more like the Splawns?

I gig out monthly, so something that cuts, but can do dirty-clean (SRV), Black Crowes, to AIC, Tool.

So I need some help knowing which amps are which: which is the CL, CLX, Pittbull (are they all Pittbulls?), Ultra Leads, I know which are Sig X and Deliverances. Can you help me identify the following and say what their differences are?

 

[the4thlast1]

To help identify the CL amps :

50 CL : EL34 poweramp 50w , 2 channels
100 CL : EL34 poweramp 100w , 2 channels
100 CLX : EL34 poweramp 100w , 3 channels

I have a 100cl and a CLX at the moment and was comparing them the other night. The obvious difference is the CLX has a dedicated clean channel . So I was comparing high gain tones and the two amps sound very similar , can be dialed in to sound nearly identical which makes sense . I like KT77 power tubes in them. I had a UL a while back and prefered the CL amps when I compared , but the UL was really good too. I also dont find them to be dry. The def have enough gain / saturation on tap . They are clear and articulate amps so maybe a bit less character than some other brands and people translate that as "dry" .

 

[maddnotez]

Not sure what you are asking.

These amps are amazing and can get extremely crushing. To me the CL sounds best with the Master volume maxed out and channel volume to taste. Out of the amps I have owned the 100CL would probably be the only amp I would re buy.

 

[hopkinWFG]

To help identify the CL amps :

50 CL : EL34 poweramp 50w , 2 channels
100 CL : EL34 poweramp 100w , 2 channels
100 CLX : EL34 poweramp 100w , 3 channels

I have a 100cl and a CLX at the moment and was comparing them the other night. The obvious difference is the CLX has a dedicated clean channel . So I was comparing high gain tones and the two amps sound very similar , can be dialed in to sound nearly identical which makes sense . I like KT77 power tubes in them. I had a UL a while back and prefered the CL amps when I compared , but the UL was really good too. I also dont find them to be dry. The def have enough gain / saturation on tap . They are clear and articulate amps so maybe a bit less character than some other brands and people translate that as "dry" .

But the CL vs CLX is not the same.... CLX has an orange channel that is same as the UL... but the CL has a Green channel....

If you wanna own Fryette/VHT u gotta have his CLX, CL, D120 and da UL....

And by the way i heard Fryette be releasing a small Ultra lead run.... but no idea how will the 2019 UL be same as 2007 UL?

 

[Junk Yard Dog]

Not sure what you are asking.

These amps are amazing and can get extremely crushing. To me the CL sounds best with the Master volume maxed out and channel volume to taste. Out of the amps I have owned the 100CL would probably be the only amp I would re buy.

Cooll. ...I wasn't clear sorry... I'm asking a few things:

1) All around opinions on the Fryette amps and also how they compare to others amps you've played or owned, liked or disliked, etc.

2) What are the differences between the Pittbulls, Ultra Leads, CLs, etc. It looks like they are all Pittbulls, but they fall in two camps: UL and CL/CLX.

3) What are the differences between CL/CLX?

4) Coming from the Friedman, Splawn, Bogner camp, how would an EL34 Fryette compare--if you've owned or played them all to compare?

Hope that helps. Cheers, mang!

 

[the4thlast1]

To help identify the CL amps :

50 CL : EL34 poweramp 50w , 2 channels
100 CL : EL34 poweramp 100w , 2 channels
100 CLX : EL34 poweramp 100w , 3 channels

I have a 100cl and a CLX at the moment and was comparing them the other night. The obvious difference is the CLX has a dedicated clean channel . So I was comparing high gain tones and the two amps sound very similar , can be dialed in to sound nearly identical which makes sense . I like KT77 power tubes in them. I had a UL a while back and prefered the CL amps when I compared , but the UL was really good too. I also dont find them to be dry. The def have enough gain / saturation on tap . They are clear and articulate amps so maybe a bit less character than some other brands and people translate that as "dry" .

But the CL vs CLX is not the same.... CLX has an orange channel that is same as the UL... but the CL has a Green channel....

If you wanna own Fryette/VHT u gotta have his CLX, CL, D120 and da UL....

And by the way i heard Fryette be releasing a small Ultra lead run.... but no idea how will the 2019 UL be same as 2007 UL?

Yes you are correct the CLX has an orange channel instead of the green channel on the 100CL and they do sound a bit different . So far I like the green channel on the 100 CL more. The Ultralead has it's own thing going on , the poweramps are different , I compared a CLX side by side with a UL and they have some similarities but the response and eq curve is different. Your not gonna dial in the orange channel of a clx to sound and feel exactly like an ultralead BUT you can dial a clx and a 100 cl to sound the same...if that makes sense

 

[stephen sawall]

Fryette Family Tree
I believe I have most of this correct ?
It shows the differences and similarly of the various amps.

The preamps of both Deliverance, Sig-X Rhythm channel & Memphis Drive channel are based on the Rhythm channel of the Pittbull's.

The Lead channel of the Sig-X is based on the Lead channel of the Pittbull's.

The Clean channel of the Memphis is based on the Clean channel of the Sig-X.

The GP3 is based on all three channels of the Pittnbull's.

Both the Sig-X and GP3 have the dynamic sensing feature. On the Sig, the sensitivity is fixed. On the GP3 it's adjustable on the front panel.

The power amp of the UL is similar to the 2150
The Power amp of the Sig X is similar to the 2/90/2

"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.


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."

- support

 

[skullfxr]

I love my sig:x. I call it dry, relatively unforgiving, and articulate. I love the amp. I have not used it for a few years, but I would never part with it.

The only other Fryette I would feel the need to own additionally would be the CLX. I only plugged into one once though and had limited time to demo it. I loved it.

The cleans on the sig:x are extraordinary. The other two channels would cover anything I have encountered.

I own a Splawn Promod, KT88 Nitro, a handful of mesas, a Rockerverb, and a dozen other big boys. I have a lot of clean amps too.

I would say that the Fryette is the polar opposite of a 6505 for high gain. That is the easiest way for me to put it.

The lack of a loop on most of the deliverance models was a major ballbuster for me. That is why I don't have one.

 

[ClintN667]

when I had a Kemper I loved the Pitbull profiles and Framus Cobra ones not really similar but both stood out for different reasons. I havent played a physical VHT but I used to own a Splawn Quick Rod and Nitro. To me the Nitro was dry in my opinion. It was not very saturated and very percussive. The Pitbull profile I had had that kind of feel but sounded different tonewise. I have a KSR Orthos and I can get similar tones of my Nitro on mode 1 with the crunch switch engaged except a tad bit more saturation which was an added plus.

 

[MetalHeadMike]

I love my sig:x. I call it dry, relatively unforgiving, and articulate.

I would say that the Fryette is the polar opposite of a 6505 for high gain. That is the easiest way for me to put it.

The lack of a loop on most of the deliverance models was a major ballbuster for me. That is why I don't have one.

That's exactly how I felt about the D60: dry, relatively unforgiving, and articulate. I loved that amp for those reasons, but at the same time I wasn't always in the mood for it. About what the MCII is also; very similar. Just very very open/un-compressed and ultra articulate which is awesome if I'm in the mood, but sometimes I just want ultra saturation, some compression and a little give/sag hence the Uber, Recto, and VH140c

The 6505 Fryette analogy is exactly what I was trying to convey when I compared the D60 to the KSR Ares; polar opposites in gain structure/feel.

The D60 I owned had a factory loop and was SICK...SICK! Loved the thick and crisp gain knobs...such a great feature!

 

[skullfxr]

The Nitro is dry, but I feel that the sig:x is drier.

 

[Racerxrated]

To me, open and uncompressed=more clarity. I'd put the Deliverance series right up there with Wizard, SLO, C+ territory. They have the best clarity of all the amps I've owned, which include Marshall, Friedman etc.

 

[hopkinWFG]

I guess at some point for the pittbull series where it comes with a master volume control... it tends to be a balance between the channel and master for certain amount of dryness to be present... i like my tone to have a tad dryness to it and i usually drive the masters slightly up abit more passing the 1pm mark thats usually acclaimed by most pittbull users.....

I also found my CLX has less dryness than my UL... i wonder has it to do with power tubes ? El34 vs KT88...

 

[skullfxr]

I just decided that I need a deliverance too. CLX are our of my budget.