VHT Ultra-Lead vs. Landry LS100

[dstroud]

good review, sounds like you got all your bases covered twice!

 

[King Guitar]

Dude you need road cases for that stuff

 

[Variable]

Disclosure - I am friends with Bill Landry. But I didn't know him at all when I first heard his amps. I fell in love with his amps first, then became friends with him, so this review IS NOT biased. Hopefully, most of you people know by now that I'm a straight-shooter and wouldn't BS about this stuff. I say what I really think when it comes to this stuff (or anything, really.)

+1 on the fact that Chris is not BSing or honey-mooning about this amp. Having heard it in person at Waterloo, it is everything he describes it to be.

Buy one now before the prices go up from too much demand. I'd get one if I wasn't working on other aspects of my tone (read: guitars) right now.

Also- Chris, has Bill considered taking an LS100 up to Make 'N Music in Chicago? I'm sure they'd love to sell that amp. Or is Bill sticking with 100% direct orders? Either way, he really needs to get one in the hands of someone on TGP... those corksniffers would shit out their colostomy bags

 

[Variable]

Thanks and yeah, you're right! That's actually causing a dilemma for me... On one hand, I absolutely love the UL. But on the other hand, I've already confirmed that the Landry does that same thing but better to me, so it would be nice to have something completely different. I've only had this particular UL for a week (but owned one before and had probably 30+ gigs on it) and love it, but I'm already considering putting it up for trade for something totally different. DOH...

Chris

I can't tell if trading the UL for something completely different is a good idea or horrible. lol... I'd consider trading it for something like this:

- Mesa Boogie Road King
- Diezel Einstein
- Soldano SLO
- Modena heads
- ENGL heads

Stuff like that. Those amps will definitely sound different than the Landry or UL.

If you really want completely different, maybe you should look at some boutique Class A or EL84 based stuff? How about a Guytron GT20?

 

[yngzaklynch]

Although both amps msound really good to my ears I think I prefer the Landry. But I nwould throw a Barber Direct Drive out front.

 

[70strathead]

the landry sounds killer and appears to have a more "organic" sound..great tones! does that have an effects loop on it?

 

[philb]

Excellent review. I admit I'm gassing a bit for a UL even though I have a Sig:X
The Landry sounds really good.

 

[Variable]

If you really want completely different, maybe you should look at some boutique Class A or EL84 based stuff?

Eh, not THAT different!

Heh, I was just thinking... maybe it's time you bought a Strat?

Seriously, though... the Marshall 18-watter based stuff is scary awesome. Guytron GT20, Suhr Badger, GDS Amps, etc. Really chewy high-gain tones. I think they'd be a good straight-up rock N roll compliment to the Landry.

 

[philb]

Excellent review. I admit I'm gassing a bit for a UL even though I have a Sig:X
The Landry sounds really good.

I think a UL and Sig:X are probably different enough to justify both! (I know that's not helping your GAS! lol)

I actually have my eyes set on a SLO Clone preamp kit.

 

[Giga]

haha, first thing I thought when I read the review was "bye bye UL"...

Anyway, I suggest you go for the Soldano. We have pretty similar playingstyles/musicpreferences and I've been thinking a lot about a Soldano lately so maybe you can guinnypig (sp?) for me ;-)

Giga.

 

[Shiny_Surface]

Very cool Chris, so when you are selling them? j/k

I'd love to try a Landry someday.

I guess I'm just not a VHT guy, I did get some great tones out of the UL I had and they are feature rich and well built amps imo.

We come from opposite sides of the tonal spectrum, but have met on some common ground off and on through the years.

 

[roodistones]

Both cool. I'd hang onto the landry though. While the VHT may be punchy, from the vids it sounds like the Landry has better tone, more organic and projects better.

An amp like the SLO is a good compliment. I just got one and it kicks ass.

 

[AmpliFIRE]

Definitely liked the Landry a lot more....but I'm not a fan of VHT's in general

 

[gibson5413]

Both amps sound fantastic. Would you say the VHT sounds a bit more compressed than the Landry? It sounds it a tad. Landry sounds a tad more open. Not that it's a bad thing. I am a huge VHT (Fryette version) fan. The Landry seems to fit your playing style very well! Great reviews!


BTW, love the Badlands tribute at the end of the Landry clip! I was just looking at the website for the Landry. Man, that looks like a pretty good sized output transformer in there. Looks like a very good quality amp!

 

[rsm]

Chris, I nearly thought the Landry was going when I saw this title.

I'm into Vox tone, so I'm probably way off base here, but IMO FWIW:

I second the Marshall hand wired 1974x, this thing sounds amazing - this is the Marshall tone I could get used to!

For a head, there's the hand wired Plexi 1987x

Do either of these hit the tone you want?

What does the VHT really provide that the Landry doesn't?

 

[ejecta]

Thanks and yeah, you're right! That's actually causing a dilemma for me... On one hand, I absolutely love the UL. But on the other hand, I've already confirmed that the Landry does that same thing but better to me, so it would be nice to have something completely different. I've only had this particular UL for a week (but owned one before and had probably 30+ gigs on it) and love it, but I'm already considering putting it up for trade for something totally different. DOH...

Chris

I can't tell if trading the UL for something completely different is a good idea or horrible. lol... I'd consider trading it for something like this:

- Mesa Boogie Road King
- Diezel Einstein
- Soldano SLO
- Modena heads
- ENGL heads

Stuff like that. Those amps will definitely sound different than the Landry or UL.

Id vote as far as different from the Landry the Road King. Also the Modenas are cool but not as different.

 

[stephen sawall]

If you go Road King ...check out a Tremoverb first.

 

[Random Hero]

Interesting, thanks for that.

Btw, thanks for the advice you gave when I was having my temporary insanity.

 

[projectx102]

I'm about to pull the trigger on an LS100 right now.I am so stoked!

 

[Random Hero]

Interesting, thanks for that.

Btw, thanks for the advice you gave when I was having my temporary insanity.

No prob! It's funny, though, because 2 days later and I'm doing the same thing (considering selling an amp I know is killer.) LOL! Funny how that works. ha ha

Yeah, I guess what I should also add is, practice what you preach!