There is SO MUCH to write about this amp. I realize I will be skipping things and jumping around a bit. One thing, and it is quite general, is how much this amp is like a Blackface Champ. The stock VHT is similar to the modded Champ created by Rick Davis. Rick has stated he has $600+ into the amp. Now listen, the VHT is only $200. It doesn't have the quality that $600 will get you. BUT, it is probably very close and a hugely cost effective way to get a sweet small amp that works great for harp OUT OF THE BOX.
The VHT has no negative feedback, which adds hair to the notes. It also has a beefed up OT giving the amp a bigger sound. The caps are different values than a stock Champ. Meaning more bottom end and fixed amounts of bass, treble, and mids. The Special 6 rocks a 10" speaker (lots more detail on the speaker to come), has a pull-boost similar to the "tweed" mod that eliminates the tone stack, and a tone control kinda like that on a tweed Princeton. It essentially adds highs like the control on a Pro Jr.
The amp also has a half power switch, multi-ohm tap for speaker cabs, and both a high and low gain input. I've been experiementing with all of these and will comment on them in future posts.
I am not a great amp-schematic guy, but for those of you who are, download it here.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
VHT Special 6 Tubes
Ight, the stock tubes are a Sovtek 12ax7 - which is ok and used in the HG 50 from HarpGear. The 6v6 is a generic model made in China. They sound ok and are totally useable for harp. For the $200ish you can get the amp for, you can pretty much plug and play. The amp comes totally useable.
However, for around $30 depending on where you purchase, you can pick up a different preamp tube and 6v6 that will change the tone of the amp. The preamp tube makes the biggest difference. I use a SM 57 for my mic, and with a 12ax7 can easily run the amp at 2-3 o'clock without feedback. This is quite a bit of the amp's volume. The tone control is also useable at this point. For said price, I picked up a Tung Sol RI 12ax7 and JJ 6v6. The tone is clearer, louder, fuller, and the amp has more bite and bass.
Before doing any internal mods or switching the speaker, I suggest rolling preamp tubes to taste. I have tried a 5751 which is pretty nice...it also makes the pull boost useable for harp.
However, for around $30 depending on where you purchase, you can pick up a different preamp tube and 6v6 that will change the tone of the amp. The preamp tube makes the biggest difference. I use a SM 57 for my mic, and with a 12ax7 can easily run the amp at 2-3 o'clock without feedback. This is quite a bit of the amp's volume. The tone control is also useable at this point. For said price, I picked up a Tung Sol RI 12ax7 and JJ 6v6. The tone is clearer, louder, fuller, and the amp has more bite and bass.
Before doing any internal mods or switching the speaker, I suggest rolling preamp tubes to taste. I have tried a 5751 which is pretty nice...it also makes the pull boost useable for harp.
VHT Links
Here are some links for those wanting to read up on what guitar players have thought of the amp. There is some great information here that includes how it works stock, mods, and general info.
Excellent Review from Will Chen
Will's Interview with Special 6 Designer
Will's Special 6 Thread
TDPRI Mod Thread
Excellent Review from Will Chen
Will's Interview with Special 6 Designer
Will's Special 6 Thread
TDPRI Mod Thread
The VHT Special 6 for Amped Harmonica
VHT Special 6 Amp
I’ve been slacking on blogging and in an effort to be more involved with harp players online, I am going to focus on my journey with the VHT Special 6 amp for harmonica. I will outline as many details on the amp as possible in subsequent posts. The amp rocks stock and I've found just about any info worth anything on the amp and will share that as well.
I ordered this amp from Rich’s Music Exchange in NY for $189 last week. As far as I know, I am the first harmonica player to order/use one and talk about it online. For comparisons sake, I've played and/or owned many small amps...
Vibro Champ
Champ
Epiphone Valve Jr
Super Champ XD
Pro Jr.
The VHT is my favorite!!!
The amp came in this past Monday. Sonically, it is like a Blackface Champ on steroids! I would recommend this amp to any and all harp players as a WONDERFUL point-to-point wired small tube amp. I apologize for not having recordings already – I don’t have the gear as of now. Below are details about the amp.
From the VHT Website:
Special 6 Combo
Boutique amp players will love the Special 6’s combination of handwired tube goodness, unique features and unparalleled value. The mod-friendly Special 6 is easy to customize for home amp builders and tube amp enthusiasts.
The Special 6 gets its powerful tube sound from one 12AX7 preamp tube and one 6V6 output tube. It boasts a footswitchable Gain Boost feature that significantly expands its range of tones -- it's the only amp in its class that excels at both clean and overdriven tones, and it's the only amp in its class to offer a footswitchable boost. With the Gain Boost, players can instantly toggle between clean rhythm tones and overdriven leads, essentially duplicating the footswitchable functions of a 2-channel amp in an all-tube, handwired, simple, 2-knob package.
To further expand its range of tones, the Special 6 also features a High/Low power switch that enhances low-volume tones with extra-smooth richness (when in half-power mode). It's a great feature for recording, or for low-volume "bedroom" players. In high-power mode, it's one of the few amps in its class that is loud enough to compete with a strong drummer. The Special 6 combo is outfitted with a special high sensitivity 10" VHT Special Design speaker.
* 6 Watts
* One 6V6 Output Tube
* One 12AX7 Preamp Tube
* Volume and Tone Controls
* Footswitchable Boost Mode
* High/Low Power Switch
* 10” VHT High-Sensitivity Speaker
* 4, 8, and 16 Ohm Speaker Jacks
* Mod-Friendly Eyelet-Type Board
* Hand-wired In China
Model: AV-SP1-6
I’ve been slacking on blogging and in an effort to be more involved with harp players online, I am going to focus on my journey with the VHT Special 6 amp for harmonica. I will outline as many details on the amp as possible in subsequent posts. The amp rocks stock and I've found just about any info worth anything on the amp and will share that as well.
I ordered this amp from Rich’s Music Exchange in NY for $189 last week. As far as I know, I am the first harmonica player to order/use one and talk about it online. For comparisons sake, I've played and/or owned many small amps...
Vibro Champ
Champ
Epiphone Valve Jr
Super Champ XD
Pro Jr.
The VHT is my favorite!!!
The amp came in this past Monday. Sonically, it is like a Blackface Champ on steroids! I would recommend this amp to any and all harp players as a WONDERFUL point-to-point wired small tube amp. I apologize for not having recordings already – I don’t have the gear as of now. Below are details about the amp.
From the VHT Website:
Special 6 Combo
Boutique amp players will love the Special 6’s combination of handwired tube goodness, unique features and unparalleled value. The mod-friendly Special 6 is easy to customize for home amp builders and tube amp enthusiasts.
The Special 6 gets its powerful tube sound from one 12AX7 preamp tube and one 6V6 output tube. It boasts a footswitchable Gain Boost feature that significantly expands its range of tones -- it's the only amp in its class that excels at both clean and overdriven tones, and it's the only amp in its class to offer a footswitchable boost. With the Gain Boost, players can instantly toggle between clean rhythm tones and overdriven leads, essentially duplicating the footswitchable functions of a 2-channel amp in an all-tube, handwired, simple, 2-knob package.
To further expand its range of tones, the Special 6 also features a High/Low power switch that enhances low-volume tones with extra-smooth richness (when in half-power mode). It's a great feature for recording, or for low-volume "bedroom" players. In high-power mode, it's one of the few amps in its class that is loud enough to compete with a strong drummer. The Special 6 combo is outfitted with a special high sensitivity 10" VHT Special Design speaker.
* 6 Watts
* One 6V6 Output Tube
* One 12AX7 Preamp Tube
* Volume and Tone Controls
* Footswitchable Boost Mode
* High/Low Power Switch
* 10” VHT High-Sensitivity Speaker
* 4, 8, and 16 Ohm Speaker Jacks
* Mod-Friendly Eyelet-Type Board
* Hand-wired In China
Model: AV-SP1-6
Monday, May 3, 2010
Yes, the 4 overblow on the start of my solo is not spot on. My bad.
D Marine band with open covers, screws, and some gapping - but no really intensive work. I haven't had time yet to really work on it, but it works ight...I am not into the tuning, though. I do not play hard and am pretty easy on harmonicas.
The amp is miked, but I am willing to bet it, nor anything else other than vocals and bass, is going through the board. The volume was on 4 and I did have it inline with the Kinder (no need for it, though) and a delay. This is only the second time I had used the amp live. There is an ok vid of Whippin' Post up with it too, but that was from the first set and I didn't have the amp turned up loud enough (3.5ish). The guitar player is straight into a Princeton Reverb (pretty much aimed right at me) with some super "amazing" speaker on 6, which is as loud as it gets before just getting more distorted.
Sorry the sound quality isn't better - I know the crowd noise is overwhelming, but you can hear the amp used at a moderate volume with a full band at its typical volume. As a side note, we did a show the next week in a bigger room with the same guitarist in a Super Reverb. I had the amp on 4 and still and no issues whatsoever with feedback or not being loud enough.
I should eventually have access to a recording of the show on a digital recorder. I'll probably use that on top of any other vids from this show for the better sound quality. The amp is turned almost 90 degrees from the camera, and I really don't think anything was in the mains.
D Marine band with open covers, screws, and some gapping - but no really intensive work. I haven't had time yet to really work on it, but it works ight...I am not into the tuning, though. I do not play hard and am pretty easy on harmonicas.
The amp is miked, but I am willing to bet it, nor anything else other than vocals and bass, is going through the board. The volume was on 4 and I did have it inline with the Kinder (no need for it, though) and a delay. This is only the second time I had used the amp live. There is an ok vid of Whippin' Post up with it too, but that was from the first set and I didn't have the amp turned up loud enough (3.5ish). The guitar player is straight into a Princeton Reverb (pretty much aimed right at me) with some super "amazing" speaker on 6, which is as loud as it gets before just getting more distorted.
Sorry the sound quality isn't better - I know the crowd noise is overwhelming, but you can hear the amp used at a moderate volume with a full band at its typical volume. As a side note, we did a show the next week in a bigger room with the same guitarist in a Super Reverb. I had the amp on 4 and still and no issues whatsoever with feedback or not being loud enough.
I should eventually have access to a recording of the show on a digital recorder. I'll probably use that on top of any other vids from this show for the better sound quality. The amp is turned almost 90 degrees from the camera, and I really don't think anything was in the mains.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
GAS
Ugh. I posted to a comment and then it was deleted! So now I am going to be a bit brief in rewritting my response on Gear Aquisition Syndrome. Since 2004, when I stared NiteRail with Korey Hicks and James Schneeberg, I have used the same mic, harps (customized them to an extremely high level, fixed the, and sometimes replaces them), cases, stands, cables, Kinder AFB+, Samson Wireless, amp stand, Harp Commander. I have, however, gone through quite a few amps, backup mics, and a couple of pedals.
When I started gigging, originally, I used nearly all my profits for gear and used advice from harpamps.com on "flipping" gear to continually upgrade. Other than the AFB, cases, cables, a few speakers, and harps, I have never really made a gear purchase that wasn't on a used piece. Then when wanting something different, I have sold gear to fund new things. I am very careful with how I do this to maximize my profits and minimize my out of pocket expenses (usually shipping). There have been two times where I burdened the family with music gear. This was when I bought a Bassman Ltd and recently when I used some cash to pay for a HG50 (which included the trade of a DT). We have some strict rules at our house about music and money, which I agree with, and if I need money for gear, it comes from selling other gear, getting it for gifts, or using gifts of money.
My GAS started with the Bassman Ltd (I had had two amps before that) as I was led to believe I really needed a 4x10 even though I had no clue what I was doing or how to use good gear. Quickly I realized it didn't sound good at low volumes so I used gig money to mod it. I saved up for a Pro Jr. I then was able to get a HG Double Trouble in part by selling the Pro Jr. Those were my amps until 2008 when NR went on hiatus and I had a musical "breakdown". I sold my Ltd and DT just to vent from the loss of gigging, my obsession with Derek Trucks, and the want to be "different". That was stupid. I should have kept both amps and conintued to be done with flipping.
I used the profits to set up a pedal board for my own band. I then decided I wanted a Super Reverb like Derek Trucks, so I bought an 2x10 Allen Old Flame and Vibro Champ with the money from selling my other amps (and pedals and cables and tubes). This was at a time when no one was selling a mid-sized harp amp that worked well with pedals. I had a great looking setup that was really solid sounding, but I was frustrated with the Old Flame needing to rely on the AFB to be giggable.
NiteRail then came off hiatus and my guitar player had really downsized his rig. I decided that I didn't like the OF and was using the Champ on pretty much every stage for a year. I noodled with modding it, but it wasn't what I wanted (which was essentially the HG50 1210, but it didn't exist). I then took some calculated risks in getting rid of the OF in trade and cash for another Champ that was worth way more than what I was offered for it. NR was playing small clubs and life was good. Then we started getting good shows and the amp was getting drowned out. I downsized my pedal board by trading for a Pedal Train Mini and used the profits from the OF and pedals and Champs I wasn't using for a DT, speakers and tubes for the DT, and tools to do professional grade harp customizing work...by this time, I had lost a couple hundred bucks from the initial selling of the Ltd and first DT. Stupid shipping!
The DT worked great for almost every gig. However, we recorded the album and I finally realized what I wanted from my amped sound (hey, I've only been playing harp for 6 years!). I wanted the DT but with more volume...so having everything but my amp firmly figured out, I was out of things I could part with. So I used the DT in trade with cash (so lost some money) for the HG1210. I tested the two side by side to make sure I could use the 1210 without being too loud - and at higher volumes where it wasn't enough.
So when all is said and done, I am down the cost of a new Double Trouble (which sucks). I have a great small pedal board, some fantastic harps, and a wonderful amp. Down the road, I plan on getting a HG Rockbottom, but that is way down the road.
This would all be much easier if I used all my music profits from gigs, lessons, etc., but I willingly donate that to the family (my son and wife are extremely spoiled) so we can do some fun things like vacations, finish the house, and buy some treats here and there. I always treat that as "our" money and not "my" money...in return, when I need a new harp or cable, it isn't a big deal to go and buy it. It is nice that my extended family typically buys me music gear for gifts. ;)
In closing, regarding gear, you'll almost always see me using the following:
Hohner custom harps (have been using more Marine Bands then Golden Melodys)
Ultimate 57 (made from one of two SM57 I've been using since 2003 and didn't have to pay for)
Gepco Cables from Lava Cable
Samson Wireless
Kinder AFB+
and NOS preamp tubes
Amp, on the other hand, could be just about anything, lol.
When I started gigging, originally, I used nearly all my profits for gear and used advice from harpamps.com on "flipping" gear to continually upgrade. Other than the AFB, cases, cables, a few speakers, and harps, I have never really made a gear purchase that wasn't on a used piece. Then when wanting something different, I have sold gear to fund new things. I am very careful with how I do this to maximize my profits and minimize my out of pocket expenses (usually shipping). There have been two times where I burdened the family with music gear. This was when I bought a Bassman Ltd and recently when I used some cash to pay for a HG50 (which included the trade of a DT). We have some strict rules at our house about music and money, which I agree with, and if I need money for gear, it comes from selling other gear, getting it for gifts, or using gifts of money.
My GAS started with the Bassman Ltd (I had had two amps before that) as I was led to believe I really needed a 4x10 even though I had no clue what I was doing or how to use good gear. Quickly I realized it didn't sound good at low volumes so I used gig money to mod it. I saved up for a Pro Jr. I then was able to get a HG Double Trouble in part by selling the Pro Jr. Those were my amps until 2008 when NR went on hiatus and I had a musical "breakdown". I sold my Ltd and DT just to vent from the loss of gigging, my obsession with Derek Trucks, and the want to be "different". That was stupid. I should have kept both amps and conintued to be done with flipping.
I used the profits to set up a pedal board for my own band. I then decided I wanted a Super Reverb like Derek Trucks, so I bought an 2x10 Allen Old Flame and Vibro Champ with the money from selling my other amps (and pedals and cables and tubes). This was at a time when no one was selling a mid-sized harp amp that worked well with pedals. I had a great looking setup that was really solid sounding, but I was frustrated with the Old Flame needing to rely on the AFB to be giggable.
NiteRail then came off hiatus and my guitar player had really downsized his rig. I decided that I didn't like the OF and was using the Champ on pretty much every stage for a year. I noodled with modding it, but it wasn't what I wanted (which was essentially the HG50 1210, but it didn't exist). I then took some calculated risks in getting rid of the OF in trade and cash for another Champ that was worth way more than what I was offered for it. NR was playing small clubs and life was good. Then we started getting good shows and the amp was getting drowned out. I downsized my pedal board by trading for a Pedal Train Mini and used the profits from the OF and pedals and Champs I wasn't using for a DT, speakers and tubes for the DT, and tools to do professional grade harp customizing work...by this time, I had lost a couple hundred bucks from the initial selling of the Ltd and first DT. Stupid shipping!
The DT worked great for almost every gig. However, we recorded the album and I finally realized what I wanted from my amped sound (hey, I've only been playing harp for 6 years!). I wanted the DT but with more volume...so having everything but my amp firmly figured out, I was out of things I could part with. So I used the DT in trade with cash (so lost some money) for the HG1210. I tested the two side by side to make sure I could use the 1210 without being too loud - and at higher volumes where it wasn't enough.
So when all is said and done, I am down the cost of a new Double Trouble (which sucks). I have a great small pedal board, some fantastic harps, and a wonderful amp. Down the road, I plan on getting a HG Rockbottom, but that is way down the road.
This would all be much easier if I used all my music profits from gigs, lessons, etc., but I willingly donate that to the family (my son and wife are extremely spoiled) so we can do some fun things like vacations, finish the house, and buy some treats here and there. I always treat that as "our" money and not "my" money...in return, when I need a new harp or cable, it isn't a big deal to go and buy it. It is nice that my extended family typically buys me music gear for gifts. ;)
In closing, regarding gear, you'll almost always see me using the following:
Hohner custom harps (have been using more Marine Bands then Golden Melodys)
Ultimate 57 (made from one of two SM57 I've been using since 2003 and didn't have to pay for)
Gepco Cables from Lava Cable
Samson Wireless
Kinder AFB+
and NOS preamp tubes
Amp, on the other hand, could be just about anything, lol.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
New Gear
I have been neglecting this blog while waiting for some new gear. I still have some Buddha harps in transit, but I have also purchased a new amp. Yep, I traded the Double Trouble and some cash for a HarpGear HG50 1210.
In the last couple of months, I've realized my need for more headroom. The DT is a clean amp, and with my tube/speaker choices, even more so, but I need something more versatile. Something with more watts and volume (although, the DT was 95% there for volume and 110% for tone). It isn't that I need to be really loud or fill the house with a 4x10, but I had noticed that when the band plays a loud passage, I would get drowned out onstage and start playing harps harder.
I should have the amp the end of this week or early next week. NiteRail has a few sweet shows lined up and I'll get video of the new amp! I've actually turned down four new shows today. Our bass player just had a baby, our guitar player's wife is due the end of April, and we are expecting baby number two in early May. So I'll have to make the most out of the gigs we do have and negotiate some June/July dates!
SPAH is in MN, an hour from my house, this August. I'll be around for that and will bring the HG50 when appropriate. For now check out the sound bytes below!
HarpGear
I can't direct link, but click on "Amps", and then on the HG1210. Jason Ricci and RJ Harman have clips with the same mic I use. My two favorite tones are Carlos del Juno on his album "Just Your Fool" and Jason Ricci on "Done with the Devil". Hopefully, this rig will let me find an amped sound that is influenced by those sounds.
In the last couple of months, I've realized my need for more headroom. The DT is a clean amp, and with my tube/speaker choices, even more so, but I need something more versatile. Something with more watts and volume (although, the DT was 95% there for volume and 110% for tone). It isn't that I need to be really loud or fill the house with a 4x10, but I had noticed that when the band plays a loud passage, I would get drowned out onstage and start playing harps harder.
I should have the amp the end of this week or early next week. NiteRail has a few sweet shows lined up and I'll get video of the new amp! I've actually turned down four new shows today. Our bass player just had a baby, our guitar player's wife is due the end of April, and we are expecting baby number two in early May. So I'll have to make the most out of the gigs we do have and negotiate some June/July dates!
SPAH is in MN, an hour from my house, this August. I'll be around for that and will bring the HG50 when appropriate. For now check out the sound bytes below!
HarpGear
I can't direct link, but click on "Amps", and then on the HG1210. Jason Ricci and RJ Harman have clips with the same mic I use. My two favorite tones are Carlos del Juno on his album "Just Your Fool" and Jason Ricci on "Done with the Devil". Hopefully, this rig will let me find an amped sound that is influenced by those sounds.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)