VHT/Fryette Pitbull/Sig X vs Mesa Mk Series amps

[thiswaythatway]

I did a lot of gigs with an UL and a IIC+. The VHT UL was never a fun amp to play at low levels or in the basement but it really dominates up loud. My soundman liked my sound better with the UL. The VHT has more seperation in the notes which translates to a better live sound. My IIC+ was the easier, more fun amp to play though but i don't think it cut as well live as the UL.

 

[Ancient Alien]

I can't vouch for the D series or the SigX, but my UL sounds pretty lame at low volumes.
My Mark IV handles low volumes MUCH better.

The UL doesn't really sound "right" until about 9:00 on the Master, and it doesn't really sound GLORIOUS until about 10:00.
And of course, those are two different levels of ridiculously loud.

The trick to overcoming this is to keep the master volume on the UL around 2 o clock, and adjust the channel volume from low to high.

 

[Devilinside]

Sig for the win!

 

[Digital Jams]

I did a lot of gigs with an UL and a IIC+. The VHT UL was never a fun amp to play at low levels or in the basement but it really dominates up loud. My soundman liked my sound better with the UL. The VHT has more seperation in the notes which translates to a better live sound. My IIC+ was the easier, more fun amp to play though but i don't think it cut as well live as the UL.

I agree, I do not think my MK IV would have had a shot at staying in the mix with a UL.

 

[Holy-diver]

My favorite out of the mkv, mkiv, mkiii, mkiic+, 50cl, and ul definitely is the mark iii. All the posts about the mark getting dominated in a mix: NOT my experience at all. My red stripe seemed like it could be heard at any volume, and it was not an amp that "covered mistakes" at all. After hearing all this I am pretty confused because the ul has a similar feel to the mark iii and v (albeit a bit brighter) and slightly drier....

 

[stratotone]

My favorite out of the mkv, mkiv, mkiii, mkiic+, 50cl, and ul definitely is the mark iii. All the posts about the mark getting dominated in a mix: NOT my experience at all. My red stripe seemed like it could be heard at any volume, and it was not an amp that "covered mistakes" at all. After hearing all this I am pretty confused because the ul has a similar feel to the mark iii and v (albeit a bit brighter) and slightly drier....

I guess we just hear things differently or have amps that sound different... My 180 watt Mk III Coli is much 'spongier' than the UL and doesn't have anywhere near the clarity. The Mesa is a cool amp, I just like hearing every last bit of detail (good and bad) that the UL dredges up.

Pete

 

[FIREBALL]

the mark series cuts just fine live when you set the eqs to go with the other instuments you play with....you cant make your live tone sittin at home by yourself then go jam...jam then eq while jamming, then u can get any head to cut through thats not a piece of shit

 

[KlnDWA]

I've had extensive use with the Mesa Mark IV, tracked my band's last album with a Fryette Pittbull ClX 100, and I've owned a Mesa Mark V for about 6 months. Between the Pittbull and the IV, I would most-likely pick the Pittbull. It has incredible clarity and more note separation, it's less saturated and only gets more powerful as you increase the gain; no muddiness. However, the Mark V in comparison to the IV is a different beast. The main people who complain about the Mark V are those who try to obtain identical tones to previous Mark amps, yes the V can achieve those tones quite well but for some reason the forget that the V is a completely different amp. I find the Extreme setting to be very Fryette like. I believe this is due to the fact that the Extreme setting removes the negative feedback from the power section resulting in more gain and less saturation (The Mark IV can do this as well, however it is way less musical sounding to me). Because I tracked with the Fryette (I did not own the V at that time, otherwise I would have used the V) I've taken the guitar stems and shaped my Mark V EQ based upon the Pittbull tones from the album (with post EQ on the tracks). I find the V to be able to almost duplicate the tones with the extreme setting, it definitely takes time and patience but if I had to pick between the two I would go with the Mark V. It can achieve Fryette tones without sounding so dry.

Ultimately in my humble opinion it's more a matter of whether you like to plug and play or like to fine tune your sound with a pallet of options. (Fryette has tons of options, but tends to EQs faster) For me I find that fine tuning my sound ultimately yields more satisfying results and more of a personal "character" to my tone. Neither one is really "better" than the other, both are incredible amplifiers, it's which ever one works better for you.

 

[Les Zombie]

I owned the vht ul and d120 and used both with a dcab, i also owned the mkiv and v.
I loved all of these amps and was impressed with them but i currently still own the mkiv, i like the mesa stuff better, i like the feel and the gain better, seems more saturated, i didnt like the vht stuff at low vol but i think the mesa sounds good at low vol and gig vol. you cant go wrong with any of these amps, i would like to sell my mkiv and get the v because of the control layout and its more versatile for playing live.

 

[richedie]

Wanted to bump this thread bewcause a friend of mine recently went through the same thing. He need one amp to do it all from clean to jazz to metal. He was demoing a Mesa Dual Rec, Fryette Sig:X, Splawn Quickrod and Mesa Mark V. Things to consider where playability, versatility, tone, cut and functionality.

The Dual Rec was a beast and covered a lot of ground but we both struggled to get the lead tone and feel we wanted. For me a Rectifier needs to be modded...like a BFG Recto.

Played a lot through the Mark V and even took it on a gig. Problem was, didn't find it very intuitive to use, and it was rather nasal at times.

Splawn was all Marshall. Good if that is all ya want.

Sig:X turned out to be the winner. Instant wow factor. I used to have a UL and hated it, too loud and stiff. Also had a wonderful VHT ST-50 but it needed volume. Sig:X was a joy to play though for anything from clean to jazz to blues to classic rock to grunge to metal. Very angry sounding if need be, but also beautiful for jazz or blues. Most touch responsive of the bunch, really feel a connection with the amp. I remember the first time I plugged in, I could not stop playing, and very intuitive! This is the amp! A swiss army knife of an amp. Bravo Steve Fryette!

 

[stephen sawall]

I still have my Sig X & Mark IV .... I use the Sig X a lot more often...

 

[daveg62]

I've owned both the Mark III and Sig:X for quite some time. I recently sold the SigX. In the end, I think I'm just a mesa guy. Love the mesa lead sound, something about it. The SigX is much more what I would call neutral sounding, although it is a great amp I personally prefer the mesa sound. The mark III also has a greater range of tone/feel options if you're like me and like to roll in different nos preamp tubes. The SigX does not sound much different at all when rolling tubes as compared to the mark III. Both are great amps, and both I could live with if I had to.

 

[midnightlaundry]

Who still has a Sig-X?

 

[fretout]

All of the amps listed can easliy do high gain metal tones. I've always found the VHT/Fryette Pitbull and Sig X to be more dry, but the attack is quick and percussive.

I've always chooses Marks because I think they sound more "alive" and more vocal, and with the Mark IIIs, I'm able to get more gain and it just sounds meaner. More aggressive than either of the VHT/Fryettes, and it gets even more aggressive when you pull the lead and "Rhythm 2" together. The cleans also sound more full and round, and if you change a few sliders, you can make a Les Paul sound like a Stratocaster.

 

[jsp]

I have a Mark V, but I'm sure I could get along fine with a Sig-X.

 

[RJF]

I'd take my UL with it's matching fatbottom cab over my Mk3, my pre 500 recto, and any other Mesa someone can dig up. I love the UL, through it's FB cab. So tight, punchy, and aggressive. I use a boost in front of mine.

 

[stephen sawall]

Who still has a Sig-X?

I still have my Mesa- Mark IV & Tremoverb....and Fryette Deliverance 120 & Sig X.
I use my Fryette & THD amps a lot more than my Mesa's ....

 

[midnightlaundry]

Which amp is the most open sounding and in feel; the least compressed??

 

[RJF]

Which amp is the most open sounding and in feel; the least compressed??

Probably a Mesa, I guess. Something like the CL line or CLX would be less compressed than the UL. I believe the UL does have a fair amount of compression.

 

[stephen sawall]

Which amp is the most open sounding and in feel; the least compressed??

Out of the Fryette & Mesa amps.....by far the Fryette. Not even close. Fryette are the most dynamic reactive to my hands amps of any amp that can do high gain that I know of.

Most dynamic / reactive amp is the THD Flexi .....I do not know of a amp vintage or modern that comes close. Maybe some of the vintage Fender tweed come close......