I got a smoking deal on a VHT on ebay so had to grab one. It is used but like New. Dont even think it was played more then an hour. Before it arrived I ordered a JJ 6v6S tube and an alnicomagnet mod kit for it.
First impressions...It sounds awesome. I cant imagine how much better it will be when I replace the chinese tube and throw a 5751 preamp tube in it and yhen install the Mod kit.
This amp is heavy for it s size. It weighs more then my bigger Multivox Combo Bass with a 12" speaker.
I have not had a chance to really put it threw it paces yet as the wife is home and cant turn it up to much. :)
Yeah, they are heavy little suckers aren't they? My VHT is heavier than than the Harpgear Double Trouble, which surprised me when the DT arrived. I did install a speaker in the VHT that might have a slightly heavier magnet though, not certain.
Will be interested to hear what you think of the tube substitutions and and alnicomagnet mod.
I replace the 12ax7 with a 5751 first and was able to turn the amp volume up higher as expected and definitely improved the tone. I just replaced the Chinese 6v6 with a JJ 6v6S and the power increased and possibly got cleaner and more of a edge. Definitely an improvement for sure. Now awaiting the Alnico Mod kit. I beleive the kit suppose to give the amp more mids and more compression which would be an improvement. Will see.
I have a stock VHT. I haven't considered doing any mods to it. I don't find any problem with the stock tone of the amp or the quality of the stock valves. A line out would be nice for live situations. I may look into doing that.
Last Edited by on Nov 04, 2011 12:53 PM
Kingley, There is nothing wrong with the amp totally stock and it sounds great. I just read alot about others switching out the tubes and such so since I like to tinker I figured I would make the changes to see the difference. It is definitely not needed but since I had the 5751's already and the 6v6 was 17.00 bucks I figure I would check out the difference and I do like it better. I saw your video playing the amp stock and you sound great!
The JJ6v6 is a great choice! See my sig for what I did with mine. The biggest difference are the internal mods, BUT the tube switch is the most bang for the buck. Don't be in a rush to mess with the speaker. ---------- Mike Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas VHT Special 6 Mods
Got the alnicomagnet mod kit in the mail this morning. Going to do the mod later tonight and see how she sounds. The Mod kit even includes a line out. :)
As bharper mentioned. No issues fitting the JJ 6V6S with the stock speaker.
Kingley,
I will post something after the kit is installed. Working on it now. The chasis is a piece of cake to take out and looking at the circuit board the mod will be simple. This is going to be fun.
I just received my VHT last week as well. I now have 3 amps: an epiphone valve junior that I modified pursuant to lone wolf mods, a fender champ which was a kit I got from weber ( small mods here, changed the bright cap, the plate voltage resistor, and the coupling caps, 12AY7 in place of a 12aX7, and that is it,) and the unmodded VHT.
I like them all. They are all different. The VHT is a little on the darker side, there is not a lot of compression, it is clean sounding. It may need some small mods. Maybe Rick Davis will share those mods with us or offer a kit.
The epiphone has better break up.
The champ has break up and bite. I am really liking the champ.
The VHT is definitely a great amp for the money, ( purchased for $181.00 lightly used). IT is mod friendly. Definitely good value. It has the 10 inch speaker (stock speaker is nice) and a tone control.
Correction: I did change the tubes on the VHT. I had some vintage tubes of the same values that I swapped out for the stock tubes. I could not discern a difference. I think tube production today is pretty good.
Last Edited by on Nov 06, 2011 6:04 AM
blueswannabe - The Weber Champ kit is a Fender 5F1 circuit I believe. The original HarpGear 5F1 (HG1) was also based on that circuit with some modifications for harp and a line out added. It was a killer small amp with superb tone and break up.
@blueswannabe - didn't say I didn't like it. I like Kalamazoo's better - so it just doesn't get played, its taking up space and I could use the cash. ---------- /Greg
@ Kingley, I like the 5F1 circuit...I'm sure the mods I did were fewer than the mods of the HG1 amp. @Greg,..sorry Greg, made an assumption you didn't like it...I would like to know your opinion on its sound.
Regarding mods, see my sig. I updated the PDF with clips and costs. I would love some more specifics of how your three amps compare (which I know you briefly stated already).
I've played a stock Epiphone and agree that it has more breakup than the VHT or my HG2. However, it wasn't something, from a tone stand point, I enjoyed as much as the HG2. ---------- Mike Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas VHT Special 6 Mods
I finished the Mods late last night as the wife nagged me to do other things. When switch on the high setting and plugged into the high input I am only able to turn the volume to about 1.5 ( 7 oclock ) with the tone at 9 oclock before feedback. Using a JJ6v6S and 5751. I am really liking the tone. Much more compressed and ballsy, thick. I spoke to Alnicomagnet as I had concerns about only being able to turn to 1.5 on volume and he suggested I add in the optional Mod used mostly with a 12ax7 preamp tube (consists of adding 2 more resisters to the circuit ) to lower the input stage. Then he said to experiment with the 5751 or 12ax7. Will do that tonight.
I've read somewhere, if the amp sounds good, dont worry about the amp settings but going to do the additional mod to compare and then see how she sounds..
More to come.....
EDIT: Just got home and tested abit more. If I turn the tone all the way down, using a very strong Shure CR ( no volume control) and a shure CM( volume control ) I can now turn up to about 4 and it sound real nice. With the Shure Cm if I turn the volume control down I get the best tone and can turn the amp up to 6 or 7 but it sounds best to me about 12 oclock.
So now Ineed to decide if I leave the amp the way it is and use volume controls on the mic when I play this or add the 2 resistors to reduce the preamp stage which I think does the same thing but am not sure...
I added the 2 resisters as per Nigel and still running the 5751 preamp tube. 4 words "THIS THING KICKS ASS" I highly recommend it. It sounds better then my vintage amps I've owned that being masco's and a multivox. This is a keeper for sure. Also, the soldering and wiring on this amp is nice and very easy to work on. I did not try the line out yet.
I will try to get some sound samples as soon as I can.
