VHT Special 6 Mod thread

[TNO]

I got mine from a local dealer that got two in and sold them both right away. No need to order online though, I'd just go to the nearest local dealer that carries TML.

[Faraldi]

Originally Posted by TNO

I got mine from a local dealer that got two in and sold them both right away. No need to order online though, I'd just go to the nearest local dealer that carries TML.

Thanks!

[Greg Seaman]

Where can I buy a VHT Special 6 head? I can't find one anywhere. Hopefully they'll be available soon. You'd think so considering the quality/price point. Thanks!

[Nick Fanis]

Just got one & I LOVE it!A tube swap w/ quality JJ tubes (a 12AU7 for greater headroom & a 6V6) really kicked it up a notch.These are killer amps & to my surprise the speaker is great.

[Will Chen]

Originally Posted by Greg Seaman

Where can I buy a VHT Special 6 head? I can't find one anywhere. Hopefully they'll be available soon. You'd think so considering the quality/price point. Thanks!

As mentioned, they're available now. Go to the VHT site and find your closest dealer. Next shipment in May...

[Jammin'John1]

Is this amp louder & cleaner than a silverface champ ?
Is it more like a louder tweed champ ?
The thing that I never liked about a champ is that when I turn my guitar down from full on after soloing the body & fullness & clarity(not just volume) of the sound goes away for chords. {I'm not talking about treble & fullness loss from the guitar}
I don't have that issue with my other tweeds.
I back off & play clean chords.
Is this amp like that when compared to a normal class a/b,push/pull amp ?
Would I HAVE to use the footswitch ? {I hate footswitches}


JJ

[gal152]

Originally Posted by TNO

I don't think it sounds nasally at all. I'm running an old "world logo" Amperex 12ax7 and a grey-plate RCA 6V6 in mine. After beating on it hard for a week it's sounding sweeter, probably due to the amp burning in and the speaker loosening up. It is crazy that the speaker, trannies and cab don't need upgrading.

It would be great if some of the more knowledgeable guys here could trace the circuit to see what it's based on.

Hi first post, I was going to return mine, as it was not breaking up, but took it to my local Repair store, & tried some different tubes/valves in it & it sounds brighter & cruncier, settled for NOS RFT 12AX7 (approx 1966) & NOS EDICRON 6V6 (approx 1970)

I mentioned a bright swith mod, he suggested wiring into the low input, anyone think thats a good idea, also what about having a higher gain input?

[Nick Fanis]

I just loaded mine w/ a nice Brown Base RCA 6V6 and it sounds even better!

[Greg Seaman]

If anyone is looking for the VHT Special 6 head, I saw some on ebay yesterday for $180 + $15 shipping.

[Jammin'John1]

Hey,what the heck,I'll ask again.
Is this amp a tweed champ ?
Is it louder with more clean headroom than a tweed champ ?
Is it as loud as a silverface champ ?
Does it work well with rolling the guitar volume back ?
When you roll the volume back on your guitar does the clarity & fullness of the sound disappear ?

I ask because I never have been able to bond with a champ because it only seems to do ONE trick................lead guitar.
I play chords way more than single notes.
I have a few clubs that my tweed deluxe is too loud for.
I end up attenuating it.

JJ

[Will Chen]

Originally Posted by Jammin'John1

Hey,what the heck,I'll ask again.
Is this amp a tweed champ ?
Is it louder with more clean headroom than a tweed champ ?
Is it as loud as a silverface champ ?

I looked up a couple Fender schematics and compared it to the Special 6 schematic. It is definitely in the same family. Looks to combine some elements from these two versions:

Silverface: http://www.ampwares.com/schematics/champ_aa764.pdf
Champ II (specifically the boost): http://www.ampwares.com/schematics/champ_ii.pdf

General question for the experts...

My initial thought was to add a bright cap and/or switch to give the amp a brighter response at low volumes. However, in looking at the schematic, isn't C106 functioning as a bright cap already? However, it's a rather large value (470pF) based on comparing to some other stuff I've seen which would mean this would potentially affect the upper mids as well correct? Would removing C105 from the circuit change the tone control to simply be a variable bright cap?

Assuming my bright cap research is correct, if I want more treble at lower volumes, I'd need to adjust the values of R103/R104 to tune the fixed tone stack. Could the tone control simply be moved in place of the fixed resistors to become a dedicated treble control and then replaced as a push pull to engage a bright cap?

[Jammin'John1]

OK,it has something in common with the silverfaces but NOT the tweed ?
NO tweed mojo ? ouch,that hurts !
Does it have a larger PT & OT than a silverface ?
Is there room in the chassis for larger iron ?

I don't know.
I never dug the silverface champ & the tweed only sounds good cranked.
If this was a tweed with more headroom then I would probably like it.

JJ

[Will Chen]

Originally Posted by Jammin'John1

OK,it has something in common with the silverfaces but NOT the tweed ?
NO tweed mojo ? ouch,that hurts !
Does it have a larger PT & OT than a silverface ?
Is there room in the chassis for larger iron ?

I don't know.
I never dug the silverface champ & the tweed only sounds good cranked.
If this was a tweed with more headroom then I would probably like it.

JJ

I'll leave that for the experts. I'm not a Champ circuit authority, simply looking at the schematics and these seemed closer than the Tweeds (much lower parts count). Here's my demo of it for your comparison which I posted in the general amp forum thread: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYg0_89eRR8

[Jammin'John1]

Thanks Will.
If it has some tweed goodness with more headroom I'm jazzed.
If you can roll your guitar volume back and get clean,jangly chords,I'm in.
If you HAVE to use the footswitch BUT when you back your guitar volume down the chords are pretty clean I could live with it. {I'd hard wire it on}


JJ

I hope someone compares it to other amps.

[Will Chen]

Originally Posted by Jammin'John1

Thanks Will.
If it has some tweed goodness with more headroom I'm jazzed.
If you can roll your guitar volume back and get clean,jangly chords,I'm in.
If you HAVE to use the footswitch BUT when you back your guitar volume down the chords are pretty clean I could live with it. {I'd hard wire it on}


JJ

I hope someone compares it to other amps.

You don't have to use the footswitch. The boost function is engaged by pulling up the volume pot then the footswtich can be used to defeat the boost. If you want it always on, you can simply pull up the volume knob and not even mess with the footswitch. My impression was it cleaned up pretty nicely with the guitar volume control, but I'll validate tonight again. When using hot pickups (on the high level input), it breaks up pretty early. However with vintage single coil type pups, it's got a fair amount of head room considering the lower wattage.

[Jammin'John1]

OK,no having to use the footswitch !
I play G&L's,soapbars,& 'buckers and want to control everything from my Tele so I guess I'm in the -6db input.
I NEED a (relatively clean),loud enough rhythm sound for chords & a fat,warm,dynamic(not crazy compressed),clear lead sound. NOT muffled


JJ

[twang55]

Just ordered mine to go along with my Tele. Hope it's as good as described. I really hate buying without trying first, but I did that with my new Tele and it was better than expected.

Thanks to Mr. Logan.

[TNO]

This is a cool little amp but it's not what I'd go to for loud, clean rhythm tones. Vox Pathfinder fills that need for me.

[Will Chen]

Originally Posted by TNO

This is a cool little amp but it's not what I'd go to for loud, clean rhythm tones. Vox Pathfinder fills that need for me.

Fortunately, got one of those too! Hmmmm, you've got me thinking of a biamp setup now!

[twang55]

I actually flipped a coin between these two. Love the Pathfinder.

Originally Posted by TNO

This is a cool little amp but it's not what I'd go to for loud, clean rhythm tones. Vox Pathfinder fills that need for me.