VHT Pittbull Ultra Lead Refurb Thread

  • Thread starter Thread starter PhloridaMan
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PhloridaMan

PhloridaMan

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So, I did one of these over at HCF when I got my Framus Cobra and documented it there with some decent interest so I thought I would do the same thing here.
This is going to be a very basic resto. Tolex, Amp Corners, Handle, FRYETTE nameplate and Pittbull Ultra Lead nameplate are all that really need refurbishing.

Here are a couple of pictures of the amp as a starting reference to how I got it.




I will update with pictures as I go. Hope you guys enjoy watching it happen as much as I enjoy actually doing this work! :thumbsup:
 
Cool! I look forward to seeing how it turns out, though I kinda like it beat up looking lol!
 
This interests me as my UL is missing the Pitbull plate also. Thought about calling Fryette.
 
Parts are really cheap through Fryette.

Handle - $10
Fryette Nameplate - $10
Pittbull Ultra Lead Nameplate - $11
Amp Corners - $1ea

Ill be placing the order Friday or Monday. I already ordered the Tolex from Antique Electronic Supply to th tune of $47.

So far I am only into this amp about $1300 with parts. Tubes will put another $200 on that.
 
So, in-between devouring turkey, listening to the annoying cackle of my aunts laughter, the yearly family dinner table argument and desert... I got some work done on the amp today in preparation for when the parts arrive etc.

Spent most of the time doing some thorough cleaning of every inch of everything.









Now that everything is cleaned up that I am re-using... it's pretty much a waiting game until parts arrive. Hopefully I get a call from Fryette so I can finalize my order and give them my info for the parts either tomorrow (doubtful) or Monday.

After all the cleaning I was wanting to play the amp... So I hooked it up as a 2nd head along with my 6505... The two compliment each other extremely well! My favorite thing so far is playing them both on the "clean" channel. The little breakup of the 6505 with the crystal clean of the Ultra Lead have a cool dynamic in its sound... I think I just found my new favorite clean tone!

The only thing I did notice that I didn't like was this power tube...

I have never seen one glow blue like that... I am assuming that one is the reason if I tap on the chassis I get a harmonic echo... The guy I bought the amp from said the tubes are close to three years old so I was planning to replace them anyway. Can anyone tell me what causes this? I've never seen this before... Also, is it harmful to the amp to play like this?
 
My last tubes in my Ultra Lead were about 10 years old with an average amount of playing on them, and I never even blew a fuse. SFD told me on the phone many years ago that their transformers are nearly impossible to cook. Heh I wouldn't go out of my way to test this info, but I'm sure you can screw around for a bit while waiting for your new tubes. FWIW, I went back to the Sovtek KT88's after trying JJ's, and am happier. The JJ's made the amp lose a bit of it's clarity and punch IMO. I think if I wanted to keep the tightness and clarity of the Sovteks, but wanted a bit warmer sound, I would use the Chinese KT88's. Also I keep using all Chinese 12ax7b's except for V1 in which case I swapped out the Sovtek for a Tungsol for a bit more brightness/mids/gain on stage 1. On your amp you have a 12at7 in V6, (my amp is older and doesn't have a V6 in the pre-amp section), and you MUST run a 12at7 in that spot apparently. Fryette recommends Chinese at7's for the V6.
 
I am definitely going back to OEM tube specs. I went from JJ's to Sovteks in my Marshall for I traded it for this and really liked the difference it made. As long as that tube glowing blue wont hurt anything I'll keep playing it. This thing blended with the 6505 sounds huge. They compliment each other extremely well.
 


Parts are ordered. Was very surprised by how inexpensive this stuff was...
 
The tube is on it's way out, I would replace them. Great cleaning job.
 
Yeah, I will be replacing soon. I am only running the amp at half power for now. It eliminates that tube. Have a few financial things I need to deal with after this past weekend... Blew an engine in one of my racecars... $15000 later!!! Sigh...
 
Phil Jacques":29wl208v said:
Yeah, I will be replacing soon. I am only running the amp at half power for now. It eliminates that tube. Have a few financial things I need to deal with after this past weekend... Blew an engine in one of my racecars... $15000 later!!! Sigh...
Click to expand...

Hey Phil, where do you race and what class?

I bet that is one fast engine!
 
Race anything I can get my ass in and anywhere there is a Paved Oval... This was my Outlaw Late Model... I also race Street Stocks, Mini Stocks and Late Models.
 


Parts are in from Fryette... 2 day shipping from California... Not too shabby! Still waiting on the Tolex which should be here tomorrow and hopefully I can get this thing done this weekend.
 
Phil Jacques":2zyfqhwd said:


Parts are in from Fryette... 2 day shipping from California... Not too shabby! Still waiting on the Tolex which should be here tomorrow and hopefully I can get this thing done this weekend.
Click to expand...

Told ya they get things done fast. :thumbsup: Heck you ordered the tolex at least a day or two before the other parts yes?
 
Yeah, I ordered the Tolex November 27th and the Fryette parts December 2nd... They suck at answering the phone but they sure get stuff done fast haha
 
Phil Jacques":1l9owhhq said:
Yeah, I ordered the Tolex November 27th and the Fryette parts December 2nd... They suck at answering the phone but they sure get stuff done fast haha
Click to expand...

Yeah you gotta remember that they prolly get a TON of phone calls with peeps just wanting to gab about nothing that aren't real customers. Things like, "dude, I saw this VHT on ebay, and I was wondering if you could tell me when it was made, and if it will do the brewts?!?!" :doh:
 
Well, spent 4 hours today working on the amp and getting it finished up... Below are some progress pictures as well as the final product. Wish I could find a way to make money doing this haha! :scared: :doh:

ENJOY!!!















And a little amp porn...

 
That was the goal man... I like my gear looking pristine... I like to take care of my stuff... I couldn't stand how it looked when I got it... I wish I could have gotten a brand new VHT emblem but I will proudly rock the Fryette nameplate on there.
 
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