Build Your Own Clone Message Board

So I was in a local guitar shop when something caught my eye. It was a used, all tube, point to point soldered, guitar amp combo with a 12 inch speaker. Now, I've never had a tube amp due to budget reasons, but it was only 300 bucks. And it sounded pretty damn good. It is the VHT Special 6 Ultra. Only 6 watts, but gets pretty darn loud. So I checked Musiciansfriend.com , and the amp new is only 330 bucks. With a St. Pattys day sale they are having right now, I got this amp for 284 dollars shipped. It is made in China, but being point to point, any problems should be pretty easily fixed. And while it could probably benefit from a tube upgrade or speaker upgrade at some point, it's not really necessary right away. I had a friend of mine who has always played fender tube amps try it out. He remarked that the cleans were better than some of his vintage amps. The gain gets a nice crunch, but won't really handle extreme metal. Maybe with a pedal, I don't know. I don't play metal, so I didn't test it out for that.So if you're looking for a nice tube amp that sounds good at bedroom levels (has an attenuator (sp?) and a low or high output switch) or cranked pretty loud, give it a look. It won't be for everyone, but I love this damn thing.

Congrats!! And post pictures dammit

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I'll see what I can do. Only camera I have is on my phone, and it ain't all that good.

No problemo! I grew up watching porn on my Amiga 500 so quality is not a problem for me

Was looking at the specs on this amp, and it's pretty freakin' amazing for $330. Even has an effects loop!

Here's a Premier Guitar video review of the head version, if anyone wants to check out the amp's features and sample some of the tones:

Damn, that's a pretty impressive amp for the price. I assume it's made by Chinese slave labor, but then so are my shoes and damn near everything else I've bought in the last ten years, so what to do? I like the built-in attenuator as a potentiometer. Most small amps that have them built in (Vox AC4TV and Bugera V5 for instance) have a slider switch with couple of widely spaced wattage options. It seems like the pot attenuator would be easier to dial in a low-volume sweet spot. You said it's not a metal amp, but it has a hell of a growl without pedals. Not sure I understand what the 'depth" knob does, or why you need that plus the ohter tone controls. Have you fiddled with them yet? This is definitely going on my "maybe" list, I've been agonizing over which low wattage tube amp to buy for months, can't make up my mind (or convince my wife that I really "need" a new amp). Suggestions for the wife on why this is absolutely crucial to my continued existence appreciated.

The depth knob is sort of a mid scoop. Really brings out details I never heard before. The effect loop is great. Greatly moddable (although I've agreed to keep it stock for at least 2 weeks). And some of the best cleans I have ever heard from an amp in this price range.

Truly an amazing little amp for the price, got all the features and sound possibilities i would be after.

Pretty sure that with a little eq in the loop and boost in front to spice it up even more, i could get some real heavy tones...........,seriously this is a must have.

Also the fact that is point to point makes it even more attractive

VHT distributes the schematic to encourage tweaking.
http://www.vhtamp.com/pdf/VHT_Special_6_Schematic_5-17-10.pdf

ok, quick question. Would the B.Y.O.C. kit Amp SElector and stereo FX router make it possable to run a line to both inputs since the amp doesn't have a switchable channel?

Sorry it took so long. Decided to go loose all my money in Atlantic City for a little while. ANNNYYYYWWWAAAAYYYYY............
Sorry for the bad quality, all I have right now is my cell phone. I really need to get a new camera.

Here's my new baby,


Knobby Goodness,


Look at those wonderful jacks...


Tried to get a pic of those glorious tubes, but the back cover got in the way a bit...


The VHT special designed 12 incher....


The included single button footswitch (to activate boost, not switch channels)


And to give you some scale of the overall size... (no the image is not mirrored, I am a lefty)



Overall, great amp. Go check out the youtube videos of demos, check out the spec sheet, see that VHT is so in favor of modding, that this amp is point to point, hand wired. and the schematics are all over the website, and in the owners manual. If you want a good all tube amp, for little money, that still sounds good at really low volume, then check out the VHT Special 6 Ultra. My other advise would be to wait until a holiday of some sort, and check musiciansfriend.com, on leap day they had 15% off a single item, on St. Pattys day, they had 14% off. The list price on this is only $330, but I was able to get it shipped for $284.

Thanks for the pix!!