NAD: VHT Sig:X

[SillyOctpuss]

That photo has been bandied around a long time, and whenever I see it, I get 2nd degree embarassment for him!

Yeah it's really cringe worthy

 

[Stratzrus]

See... that would be fine if the amps were tip top. But they're not. They're quite prone to issues.

I have had some issues with my Fryette gear but it's all been minor, easily fixed, and their gear functioned flawlessly afterwards.

 

[Stratzrus]

Steve Fryette is a brilliant guy with a great ear for tone. I really like the amps that he makes. Based on watching many interviews and videos, I suspect that the man himself is a bit of a love or hate kind of person. If he sees you as a friend you will be treated with respect, kindness, and generosity but if you end up on his bad side you may as well not exists.

Maybe that's why I've gotten good service. I've always treated him and Dave (Support) with respect and received it in return.

Anyway, I love my Sig:X and Deliverance 120. Fortunately customer service hasn't been a problem for me.

 

[spawnofthesith]

I feel like "quite prone to issues" is a rather large overstatement....

 

[Orvillain]

I feel like "quite prone to issues" is a rather large overstatement....

Not at all. Downplaying any issues they might have, especially in the face of a rather self absorbed and conceited PCB quote .... I dunno, just don't know why he needs defending really.

Again... in 2010/2011.... My 1st one was DOA. 2nd one was good, but had a faulty tube almost from the beginning... 3rd one had a dicky effects loop which randomly cut the volume... 2nd and 3rd ones would randomly switch amp channel in certain venues with dirty power.

That last one.... never had a single other amp do that!

FWIW, I love the sound of Fryette's amps, and I'd happily buy another one even with my history with them. But I can't pretend that I had no issues and I can't pretend that support was good.

BTW - I was always respectful, and never aggressive, and never self important - nothing like my persona on here!

 

[spawnofthesith]

Actually I love the PCB note

You're situation sucks and is pretty inexcusable on Fryette's end how they (didn't) handle it though I will say, so I totally get if you have a bad impression of them as a company and justified as far as I'm concerned

Very unfortunate string of issues there though, but truthfully in ~15 years of nerding out on fryettes I have heard few to no quality issues with the company

 

[Orvillain]

Very unfortunate string of issues there though, but truthfully in ~15 years of nerding out on fryettes I have heard few to no quality issues with the company

I'm also very curious why their UK + EU distribution network basically disappeared and never came back.

Back in 2010ish you could get a SigX for around £1600. Which at the time, compared VERY favourably to the rest of the market, particular Mesa amps which have always been utterly ludicrously pissing-offingly expensive over here in the UK. Also the Sig:X is just about one of the best featured amps around, I do truly love the sound of it.

Can't get them for love nor money nowadays. Very few come up 2nd hand too. There's currently two Pitbull's for sale 2nd hand that I have been gawking over:

https://reverb.com/uk/item/84899957-vht-pittbull-ultra-lead-120-watt-valve-guitar-amplifier-head

Pardon our interruption...

But I'm a bit skint right now, so can't really afford to spaff £1500-£2000 on one of these. Neither of them are the one with the built in graphic EQ either.

 

[spawnofthesith]

I didn't know they made non GEQ ULs huh..


Used fryettes are rare even in the US these days, I don't really know what happened. I feel like the man may have benefited from hiring more people to help run the company. Inconsistent presence/sales/etc, the whole weird selling the VHT name to China thing, support issues like yours...

He makes killer sounding amps but maybe some business acumen is lacking

 

[shanesiegle]

What speakers do you use with your Sig X?

I've seen the amp come up for sale on my local market a few times for around 1000 € and have been tempted, but I'm a bit burned on Fryette due to their poor support, the problems I've had with the Power Station and not really liking the Pitbull or Deliverance sound for anything but metal rhythm tones.

When I had mine I had the p50s for a while but also loved it with a V30/eminence legend combo.

 

[nightlight]

I am admittedly a Fryette fan, but yeah, I can understand why the company isn't as highly regarded as it could be. As someone said, poor business decisions and inconsistent customer support have cost them heavily.

On my end, I haven't had problems with the three VHTs I've owned, i.e. 2 Sig:Xs and a GP3.

I had to contact Fryette once for support about my PS-2. Had to wait a few days, but they got back to me.

I think the issue, and it has been discussed on many forums, is that it is a small company which is perpetually shortstaffed.

But they usually will help you out, at least in my experience.

I think the story about putting a 12AT7 tube in place of a 12AX7 is sad, but should also be looked at from the company's perspective.

The 12AT7 family has approximately 3.5 times the transconductance of a 12AX7 family. Subbing a 12AX7 for a 12AT7 will mean only 1/3-1/4 the plate current, so idle plate voltage will be much higher than with a 12AT7.

Got that from another forum.

Usually if a manual does not say you can substitute a tube, I don't do it, but that's just me exercising an abundance of caution.

I am aware that people do it all the time though, perhaps it just doesn't work in a Fryette amp.

 

[nightlight]

Here's a recording of the VHT Sig:X in a mix. Don't blame me for the cock rock, some days I like to play four chords and just shred over them as well!

 

[greatmutah]

I’ve never owned a Sig:X. Always wanted to. I had a couple Pittbulls. The 50 and 100/CL. Both amps were solid but the 50 was a little sweeter. Very similar amps though. Two channels, both could do clean to mean, but the voicing of each was slightly different. Never played a CLX or UL. From what I gather the UL is their tightest amp. I’m told the Sig X is a bit looser and possibly more saturated than the Pittbulls. The Deliverance 60 I had was still tight but definitely a bit more loose than the Pittbulls. That amp was fucking magical. That’s one of the few amps I wish I could get back for what I sold it for. One of the very few I still miss. It was like a souped up plexi with incredible clarity. I did not like it with V30s at all. User by Mesa 4x12/2x12 3/4 stack with it and it never sounded right. That amp did AWESOME with G12T75s, G12 65s (or a combo of both) and Greenbacks. While I’d love to try a Sig X still, as I’m sure they’re awesome, if I’m being honest I’d still take a Deliverance over any of them. But as someone mentioned, I did like their ad campaign for the Sig:X to mean “Your Name Here.” The tone shaping options on that amp seemed outstanding.

 

[fetishfrog]

I have a Sig:X, V1 Deliverance 120, V1 Power Station, and used to have a 50ST head and Cab. I wish I still had that last one.

I've never had major issues with any of them. Regular tube changes of course, to be expected, and I did have to replace the foot switch jack on the 50ST. That's all.

I've never had an issue with Fryette Support either, but I know the issues have been circulating for some time, which is a bummer.

Enjoy your Sig:X. It rules.

 

[Stratzrus]

The Deliverance 60 I had was still tight but definitely a bit more loose than the Pittbulls. That amp was fucking magical. That’s one of the few amps I wish I could get back for what I sold it for. One of the very few I still miss...While I’d love to try a Sig X still, as I’m sure they’re awesome, if I’m being honest I’d still take a Deliverance over any of them. But as someone mentioned, I did like their ad campaign for the Sig:X to mean “Your Name Here.” The tone shaping options on that amp seemed outstanding.

I have a Sig:X, V1 Deliverance 120, V1 Power Station, and used to have a 50ST head and Cab. I wish I still had that last one.

I've never had major issues with any of them. Regular tube changes of course, to be expected, and I did have to replace the foot switch jack on the 50ST. That's all.

I've never had an issue with Fryette Support either, but I know the issues have been circulating for some time, which is a bummer.

Enjoy your Sig:X. It rules.

Like fetishfrog I have a Sig:X and a D120 as well as a power station.

One thing I've noticed is how many people say they wish they had the Fryette amp back that they sold. I almost sold my Sig:X.
Glad I didn't.

 

[fetishfrog]

Like fetishfrog I have a Sig:X and a D120 as well as a power station.



One thing I've noticed is how many people say they wish they had the Fryette amp back that they sold. I almost sold my Sig:X.
Glad I didn't.

I have thought about selling mine a few times...a problem easily solved by turning it on.

Now that my daughter is playing guitar, I'll keep everything I acquire so she can have it as needed. Win win.

 

[la szum]

Love this thread guys!

 

[nightlight]

I’ve never owned a Sig:X. Always wanted to. I had a couple Pittbulls. The 50 and 100/CL. Both amps were solid but the 50 was a little sweeter. Very similar amps though. Two channels, both could do clean to mean, but the voicing of each was slightly different. Never played a CLX or UL. From what I gather the UL is their tightest amp. I’m told the Sig X is a bit looser and possibly more saturated than the Pittbulls. The Deliverance 60 I had was still tight but definitely a bit more loose than the Pittbulls. That amp was fucking magical. That’s one of the few amps I wish I could get back for what I sold it for. One of the very few I still miss. It was like a souped up plexi with incredible clarity. I did not like it with V30s at all. User by Mesa 4x12/2x12 3/4 stack with it and it never sounded right. That amp did AWESOME with G12T75s, G12 65s (or a combo of both) and Greenbacks. While I’d love to try a Sig X still, as I’m sure they’re awesome, if I’m being honest I’d still take a Deliverance over any of them. But as someone mentioned, I did like their ad campaign for the Sig:X to mean “Your Name Here.” The tone shaping options on that amp seemed outstanding.

Never tried a Pitbull, but almost pulled the trigger on a 40-watt version once. I definitely want to get an Ultra Lead... someday. They're unreasonably priced in the used market, I think. More expensive than new Diezels and Bogners even though they must be a decade or 15 years old.

That said, maybe they're just that damn good and I'm just too damn poor!

I have a Sig:X, V1 Deliverance 120, V1 Power Station, and used to have a 50ST head and Cab. I wish I still had that last one.

I've never had major issues with any of them. Regular tube changes of course, to be expected, and I did have to replace the foot switch jack on the 50ST. That's all.

I've never had an issue with Fryette Support either, but I know the issues have been circulating for some time, which is a bummer.

Enjoy your Sig:X. It rules.

I own a PS-2 as well. It's the perfect attenuator, in my opinion. I love to use it with my modellers as well.

Like fetishfrog I have a Sig:X and a D120 as well as a power station.

One thing I've noticed is how many people say they wish they had the Fryette amp back that they sold. I almost sold my Sig:X.
Glad I didn't.

That is a killer setup! Loving the cabs! I just have one 2x12 and one 4x12. Not enough space in my room, unfortunately. Nice Dean too!

I have thought about selling mine a few times...a problem easily solved by turning it on.

Now that my daughter is playing guitar, I'll keep everything I acquire so she can have it as needed. Win win.

That's a smart move. I won't be passing down my gear to anyone though. When I die, I'm going to have all the guitars and amps piled on my funeral pyre and set ablaze in the noble tradition of a weekend warrior being given a glorious send off to Valhalla!

 

[Orvillain]

I’m told the Sig X is a bit looser and possibly more saturated than the Pittbulls

I'd say it is the other way round tbh.

Sig X is closer to a Mark V sort of thing.
Pittbull is closer to a Hot Rodded JCM800 sort of thing.

Both are killer!

 

[Life Eats Life]

For me it's been pretty miserable. When I had issues with the PS-100, it took several emails before they would respond, then after a few exchanges they simply stopped answering my mails. Then when the PS-100 broke they didn't answer despite several tries, didn't answer my tech or even find their mails. I had to hunt down their rep on TGP to get them to even acknowledge me. If they can't keep track of their emails, they need to move to a ticketing system.

Fryette makes some cool gear but if I can't trust them for e.g getting schematics to my tech, then I really can't be bothered to buy their gear. Because I sure as hell am not waking up at some odd hour to call them from Finland, or sending heavy guitar gear across the pond for repairs.

I think he’s completely out of touch.
That TT episode…Herman Munster of amp builders..
Really made me realize another reason to justify why I don’t like an amp or not.

 

[fetishfrog]

That's a smart move. I won't be passing down my gear to anyone though. When I die, I'm going to have all the guitars and amps piled on my funeral pyre and set ablaze in the noble tradition of a weekend warrior being given a glorious send off to Valhalla!

Valhalla huh? Good angle. I may have to reconsider.

I'd say it is the other way round tbh.

Sig X is closer to a Mark V sort of thing.
Pittbull is closer to a Hot Rodded JCM800 sort of thing.

Both are killer!

I've always felt Fryette had his toe deep in the Hiwatt pool, especially when it came to his power amp designs.