Is this a good deal on a used VHT Pitbull?

[Jax]

I have a lead on a 2X12 50w vht pit combo for $875, mint condition, w footwswitch.

Good deal?

I'm pretty sure this would land me in crunchland..

[Jay Kahrs]

Hell ya!!! Which version of the Pitbull is it? The one I have is loaded with EL84's and is called something different now. I have a 1x12" 50 watter (maybe 40) that I got with a cover, footswitch and a Calzone flightcase for a little under 1/3 of the new cost without the Calzone. I bought it from a music store that I used to work at from a friend who still worked there for a once in a lifetime deal. $500. He's still kicking himself for selling it to me.

The only thing I'd advise is to actually play the amp before you commit to it. VHT's have a "thing" about them that are different from most other tube amps. Notes seem to leap out, there is no mush factor to help sloppy players. The only thing I can really compare it to is either a solid state amp (though it's anything but tone wise) or a Boogie Recto with the SS rectifier and the bold switch on. For some reason out of all the amps I have in the studio it's the one players are the least attracted to until they play it, even then it's hit or miss. Maybe it's because it's a small combo, maybe it's because they've never heard of VHT and think that it begins with the Marshall 800 and ends with the Rectumfryer. But, there are some people who really freak out over the fact that I have a VHT here.

My only real gripe is that if you turn the 'verb way up you'll unleash a swarm of angry bees. Maybe a different tube for the driver would help, I've never tried. But as long as you don't try to do surf music with it the 'verb is great. I played a 2 1/2 hour show last Tuesday for NYPD at Yankee Stadium and I brought the Pitbull and played that and a Tele all night. Sounded great and even my friend who sold it to me (he was doing sound) said it sounded great. I dunno. I'd buy it again but I'd want a 2x10 or 2x12 instead of a 1x12.

[Jax]

I'm not sure what version it is.

The part about the A/AB switch and tube/transistor rectifier makes me think it'll sound the way I expect. Crunch city!

Only problem is, if I grab it my control room acoustics will have to wait a month. Doh! Could be well worth it though.

Here is the whole ad:

"Pittbull Fifty/Two-Twelve Combo
2 switchable channels; hi-low inputs;
Separate 3 band eq; gain/treble/mid boost switches;
Master reverb and presence controls.

New Svetlana EL-34 power tubes;
Class A/AB switch; tube/transistor rectifier;
Effects loop/line out/mute switch;
2-12¡± Eminence speakers.

Mint+ condition; unused footswitch still in original packaging;
Tuki cover; pop-out casters.
26¡± wide x 18¡± high x 10¡± deep, 65 lbs.

Go to vhtamp.com for photo/specs."

[Jay Kahrs]

Yeah, I'd snag it. You won't lose money on it if you don't like it. VHT is a small company, I think less then 10 guys in the shop. A lot of metal and heavy players use their amps and lots more use their power amps. All I can say is major thrust, major definition, lots o' crunch if you want it and a great clean tone too. JPAudio rented some amps from me a while ago and had to get the VHT back a few weeks later to retrack a clean part because they couldn't get a similar tone from anything else. One thing, watch the 3k area when tracking, it can get a little raspy.

[Neddy Seagoon]

I use a Pitbull head (45 watt) and 4 x 10 cab for my live rig and really like it. Very flexible - good clean sound, nice overdrive and very nice distortion. Not the best in any one category but as an overall package hard to beat. You effectively have 4 channels - 2 plus a boost for each though with the overdrive channel the boost doesn't get much louder just more saturation. Reverb is pretty hohum - I just leave it on at about 1/4 and don't mess with it.

I've had mine for about 5 years - and it looks like it - but it's never let me down. Stills sounds like the day I got it except that the speakers have warmed up a little. I really like the 10's, they cut through well on stage.

I would love to get my hands on a combo for casual gigs. Small, easy to deal with and pack a lot of sound. You can't go wrong in my opinion, I'd snap it up!

[Jay Kahrs]

So.

Did ya buy the VHT?

[Jax]

Somebody snapped it up before I could.

I hedged a little too long on spending the money for studio acoustics vs the amp.

At least I'll have a much better sounding control room soon.