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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! > VHT Special 6 - good buy or "half ass" ?
VHT Special 6 - good buy or "half ass" ?
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Ofir Levi
13 posts
Feb 19, 2016
6:53 AM
Hi, I am attracted to the "good sound, low price" type of review that this amp received, but I don't know the reviewers and I think this place is full of professional players.

Is it a good buy for a home/car set, one of those amps that even when you upgrade, you don't have to sell ?


General question, indeed, but if this amp doesn't have any major issues or problems for harp players, that is good enough answer for me !

Thanks !
Kingley
4007 posts
Feb 19, 2016
7:53 AM
Yes, the VHT Special 6 is a good amp for harmonica. It's even better if you modify it with some minor circuit changes, but out of the box it's a decent amp and suitable for harmonica and doesn't need changes to make it sound good. I'd recommend anyone to buy one. Yes there are better amps out there for harmonica, but most cost much more. The VHT is a good investment, an ideal platform to learn to work on modding amps, it's ideal for home and studio use and you'll never outgrow it.

Last Edited by Kingley on Feb 19, 2016 7:54 AM
Ofir Levi
14 posts
Feb 19, 2016
8:07 AM
Nice nice ! Thanks for your prompt answer !

Could you describe some of the more effective mods for this amp, and sources for the parts ? I am def down for modding it.
Kingley
4008 posts
Feb 19, 2016
9:04 AM
Most people seem to really like the Alnicomagnet mods. You can find them on ebay. You could also try the Jim Rossen mods. They also seem popular. Just google either and you'll find the websites.
Harp Study
180 posts
Feb 19, 2016
9:40 AM
I like mine a lot. Haven't done any upgrades yet, but probably will someday.
Killa_Hertz
585 posts
Feb 19, 2016
10:44 AM
I also have one. It sounds fantastic.

I have to warn u tho. If your using it for home use. It's pretty loud. Thats a problem I ran into. But the harp attack fixed that.

Mine has all the Jim Rossen mods. Unbelievable sound. Especially for the price.
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"Trust Those Who Seek The Truth. Doubt Those Who Say They Have Found It."
Ofir Levi
15 posts
Feb 19, 2016
10:55 AM
Ahh Harp attack :) A toy for another time !

You guys are talking about "Special 6 Combo" and not the more expensive " Special 6 Ultra"

correct ?

Thanks for the Alnicomagnet mention, added to watch list :)

Last Edited by Ofir Levi on Feb 19, 2016 11:02 AM
Kingley
4009 posts
Feb 19, 2016
11:05 AM
Yes the Special 6 Combo is the one you want.
HarpNinja
4213 posts
Feb 19, 2016
11:15 AM
The amp is very flexible. I wouldn't mod anything unless it is to fix something you don't like about it. I regret selling mine.

I modded mine to be voiced more like a HarpGear 50. It was loud and awesome.


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Mike
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HarpNinja
4217 posts
Feb 19, 2016
11:27 AM
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwigrPOzx4TLAhWIWx4KHY3YAMoQFggbMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmikefugazzi.com%2Ffiles%2FVHT_Special_6_Mods.pdf&usg=AFQjCNGGyMy9ysKco8BL6hKLsXV3kbtIsA&sig2=Wo-V-wW1pgxQLxf6pKK-lg
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Mike
My Website
My Harmonica Effects Blog
wheel
423 posts
Feb 19, 2016
11:44 AM
Hi,Ofir Levi ! I love my VHT6 special. It was good as it is. But after I've installed an Alnicomagnet mod and put a Jensen p10r speaker in it.. it become much more better!

This is my demo that I've made some time ago. VHT6 without mods.
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Konstantin Kolesnichenko(Ukraine)
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Ofir Levi
16 posts
Feb 19, 2016
1:30 PM
VERY NICE two demos ! Love it

Do you think that the Alnicomagnet makes more difference than the Jensen mod ? Or the other way ?

I will use it stock for now,just checking options for the future :)
Ofir Levi
17 posts
Feb 19, 2016
1:42 PM
The PEAVEY VALVEKING ROYAL costs the same here, is it of similar quality ?
Edit: can't find as mujch reviews by harp players

VHT it is !!!!

Last Edited by Ofir Levi on Feb 19, 2016 1:50 PM
Killa_Hertz
588 posts
Feb 19, 2016
1:48 PM
The ultra is no good. Not for harp anyways.

The mods basically takes some of the highs off and eliminate some feedback. The speaker upgrade is for better speaker breakup, i think. And you can swap tubes around if you want. But you heard what it sounds like stock. Great.

You will not regret buying this amp. It's awesome. If you dint wanna buy expensive pedals right now. A danelectro delay will do just fine. They are like $20 and sound pretty good. Add a akai dm13 or something like it. The rest is up to you. Which is the hard part.
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"Trust Those Who Seek The Truth. Doubt Those Who Say They Have Found It."
garry
628 posts
Feb 19, 2016
1:59 PM
The simplest mod is to replace the speaker with an Eminence Lil Buddy. It'll cost $75 and 15 minutes of your time, and makes a big difference.

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Barley Nectar
1141 posts
Feb 19, 2016
5:02 PM
I personally would not mod it. I did an A/B against a '68 Bronco and it was a toss up.

Killa Hertz voiced the mods, you loose highs and cut, there is no feedback problem. I liked the stock speaker. Leave it alone and play it for a while and learn it's strong points.

It will benefit from better tubes which i don't consider a mod. I recommend a 5751 preamp and a JJ 6V6s power tube...BN
Harp Study
182 posts
Feb 19, 2016
7:44 PM
Is there a brand of tubes that people recommend for this amp? I have the VHT and really like it, but the only thing I've thought about changing is the tubes. This is my first and only tube amp; so this is likely a dumb question, but can you just unplug the tubes and plug in new ones?
Killa_Hertz
597 posts
Feb 19, 2016
8:34 PM
It s high voltage stuff... so be careful. Learn about what your doing. They will hold voltage after being unplugged.
Don t get dead.

Sorry i dont know much about tube types. Very easy to find out online. Especially for this amp.
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"Trust Those Who Seek The Truth. Doubt Those Who Say They Have Found It."

Last Edited by Killa_Hertz on Feb 19, 2016 8:34 PM
Bugfan
22 posts
Feb 19, 2016
10:32 PM
Vht special 6 combo..,. Cheapest out of the box amp for harp... Once you change a couple of resistors and cut out a capacitor. ( Jim roseen mods first 3 that make most of the change) . leave the speaker alone. If you end up changing that then you are better to step up to the next bracket off amps. Cost of the changes is only a couple of dollars.
gmacleod15
270 posts
Feb 20, 2016
4:08 AM
Anyone have experience using just the head and not the combo. I assume the electronics are the same.

I have a nice speaker cabinet that could use a amp head
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MBH member since 2009-03-24
Kingley
4010 posts
Feb 20, 2016
5:00 AM
gmacleod15 -The head is indeed the same as the combo circuit wise. I've heard it's also apparently a little easier to work on if you want to modify it. Though how true that is I don't know.
Barley Nectar
1143 posts
Feb 20, 2016
6:03 AM
@ Harp Study. Turn the amp on and let it warm up a few minutes. Turn up the volume and listen for some noise or play thru the amp. While the amp is making some sort of sound, turn it off and listen for the sound to decay. Now the vast majority of the power in the capacitor, had drained. Next simply pull the tubes and replace by grabbing the glass part of the tube, wiggle slightly while pulling. Keep your fingers off the pins for safety. When you look at the tube pins the small tube has a pin missing. This creates a reference to the socket. Look at the socket and match the pin pattern to the socket when reinstalling tube. The larger power tube has a center reference post with a key, match the key to the socket when installing...BN
Kingley
4011 posts
Feb 20, 2016
6:26 AM
Harp Study - I use the JJ 6V6 (power valve) and JJ 5751 (preamp valve) in my VHT. Never had a problem with them yet and they sound great.
Ofir Levi
18 posts
Feb 20, 2016
6:43 AM
Nice, thanks for the recommendation Kingley !
I looked around at the more "fiddly" mods and I think I will just stick to your specified tubes, and maybe maybe a speaker in the future.

The AMP is now ordered and on its way !!

YES

Last Edited by Ofir Levi on Feb 20, 2016 7:25 AM
Kingley
4012 posts
Feb 20, 2016
6:51 AM
Great stuff. I'm certain you'll love it.
With the two power modes, the two inputs and the pull switch on the volume. There's a lot of options for tonal variations with the VHT amp. It also sounds great with guitar as well.
Ofir Levi
19 posts
Feb 20, 2016
7:37 AM
Very nice ! I will be pairing it with the Ultimate 57 mic from Blowsmeaway.

Delay, I don't know yet. One step at a time :) I am just glad to be getting good stuff for the first time. As a backyard astronomer, I learned the value of buying stuff ONCE.

I guess with pedals that means Lone Wolf ?
Questions for another Christmas :) :)


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