Since I now have a brand new Sig:X to accompany my beloved Pittbull UL, I figured it would be cool to get together with my buddy Ari (WarriorOfMetal) who has a Deliverance and try out some of our various guitars through each and see what happens. Also give it the run through with a band rehearsal as well. And of course, no Zimbloth thread would be incomplete without plenty of cool guitar pics and a rambling review!
Enjoy!
1. Two of my VHT 4x12s with a Pittbull UL (left), D60 (up), Sig:X (down).
2. Nevermore DVD being administered
3. My rack setup: Monster PC-->G-Force-->ISP-->DTR1000-->Chaos TS7-->X2 Wireless.
4. Closeup of the Sig:X
5.
6. My old friend...
7. Setting up for some recordings (comparison clips soon)
8. Ahh, the sweet reassuring glow of VHT green..
9. L-to-R: Ari's Agile & Dragonrider, my Vixen 7, RGA121, & Caparison Horus
10. Yes.
11.
12. The Dragonrider. It may not be for everyone but its cool and suits Ari's style well. It was his own design in fact. It sounds quite good
Brief Thoughts On The Sig:X
· I honestly could write about 30 paragraphs on this amp but I'll spare you all. Everyone knows I'm a VHT diehard. However, it really is a remarkable amp - in ways I both expected and did not expect. It's too early to say definitively if I like it more than the UL or not, but I can just say it's the first amp I've played/owned since buying my UL a few years ago which is in the same league, if not superior in certain ways.
· Flawless design. As usual, nearly infinite tone shaping options - all completely usable (unlike 99% of other amps). Everything is where it needs to be and convenient. The footswitch is outstanding.
· Each of the 3-channels has 3 modes, with footswitchable: boosts, 40/100w switches, more/less gain notch, scoop/wood (similar to the 'shift' button on my UL), independent deep/presence controls, etc.
· Mind-blowing cleans. Nearly infinite headroom/volume. A rare high-gain amp with stadium level gorgeous cleans. Frankly this channel puts the UL to shame. Can acheive a plethora of voicings and feels, simply incredible. Has 3 modes entitled: brown, brit, and blow which are all very usable. I got one setting to make my RGA121 w/ Painkillers sound like piezos. Chimey, full bodied and beautiful - and LOUD!
· Rhythm channel can be dialed in to sound nearly identical to the Deliverance. This is a great channel, as I mentioned it has 3 modes. You can go anywhere from subtle breakup, to blues, to breathtaking classic rock tones, to more of a thick grunge rock tone, to very tight/focused/touch sensitive metal tones. This is the channel Ari seems to like most. I love it too, but I prefer the more fluid response from the Lead channel...
· The red channel is really cool, and is not what I really expected back when I first started speaking with my VHT rep. To me this channel sounds like a hybrid of an ENGL and a VHT. It has the classic VHT growl, tightness, midrange aggression, and rich gain... but it has more of a polished/smooth vibe like an ENGL The bass character is more like an ENGL than a VHT as well. I'd say it's less raw and in-your-face as the Pittbull, but it's plenty brutal in its own right. Just more polished and thick but still clear. It's just different. I dont know for sure which I prefer, I need more time to make that determination.
In an addition to the great tone for riffage, the lead tones are crazy good. Very bold, expressive, crazy harmonics and as is the theme of this amp, INSANELY dynamic/touch sensitive. Notes really seem to jump out of the amp. It's odd, this amp only has two KT88s yet it has obscene headroom & volume. I think there's a rectifier tube in there somewhere too.
*I should note I almost always use my boost pedal into this, and should be taken into account with the above thoughts*
Final Thought
I was skeptical when VHT told me about how the Sig:X was a result of over 10 years of R&D, how they employ new technology to lower costs without sacrificing tone, and all that marketing speak bullshit. However, as everyone who has come into contact with this amp can attest to (my bandmate's as well), this amp absolutely is the real fucking deal. Amazing.
I give this amp (for what it's worth) 4 out of 4 Handlebar Mustache Snakes:
Enjoy!
1. Two of my VHT 4x12s with a Pittbull UL (left), D60 (up), Sig:X (down).
2. Nevermore DVD being administered
3. My rack setup: Monster PC-->G-Force-->ISP-->DTR1000-->Chaos TS7-->X2 Wireless.
4. Closeup of the Sig:X
5.
6. My old friend...
7. Setting up for some recordings (comparison clips soon)
8. Ahh, the sweet reassuring glow of VHT green..
9. L-to-R: Ari's Agile & Dragonrider, my Vixen 7, RGA121, & Caparison Horus
10. Yes.
11.
12. The Dragonrider. It may not be for everyone but its cool and suits Ari's style well. It was his own design in fact. It sounds quite good
Brief Thoughts On The Sig:X
· I honestly could write about 30 paragraphs on this amp but I'll spare you all. Everyone knows I'm a VHT diehard. However, it really is a remarkable amp - in ways I both expected and did not expect. It's too early to say definitively if I like it more than the UL or not, but I can just say it's the first amp I've played/owned since buying my UL a few years ago which is in the same league, if not superior in certain ways.
· Flawless design. As usual, nearly infinite tone shaping options - all completely usable (unlike 99% of other amps). Everything is where it needs to be and convenient. The footswitch is outstanding.
· Each of the 3-channels has 3 modes, with footswitchable: boosts, 40/100w switches, more/less gain notch, scoop/wood (similar to the 'shift' button on my UL), independent deep/presence controls, etc.
· Mind-blowing cleans. Nearly infinite headroom/volume. A rare high-gain amp with stadium level gorgeous cleans. Frankly this channel puts the UL to shame. Can acheive a plethora of voicings and feels, simply incredible. Has 3 modes entitled: brown, brit, and blow which are all very usable. I got one setting to make my RGA121 w/ Painkillers sound like piezos. Chimey, full bodied and beautiful - and LOUD!
· Rhythm channel can be dialed in to sound nearly identical to the Deliverance. This is a great channel, as I mentioned it has 3 modes. You can go anywhere from subtle breakup, to blues, to breathtaking classic rock tones, to more of a thick grunge rock tone, to very tight/focused/touch sensitive metal tones. This is the channel Ari seems to like most. I love it too, but I prefer the more fluid response from the Lead channel...
· The red channel is really cool, and is not what I really expected back when I first started speaking with my VHT rep. To me this channel sounds like a hybrid of an ENGL and a VHT. It has the classic VHT growl, tightness, midrange aggression, and rich gain... but it has more of a polished/smooth vibe like an ENGL The bass character is more like an ENGL than a VHT as well. I'd say it's less raw and in-your-face as the Pittbull, but it's plenty brutal in its own right. Just more polished and thick but still clear. It's just different. I dont know for sure which I prefer, I need more time to make that determination.
In an addition to the great tone for riffage, the lead tones are crazy good. Very bold, expressive, crazy harmonics and as is the theme of this amp, INSANELY dynamic/touch sensitive. Notes really seem to jump out of the amp. It's odd, this amp only has two KT88s yet it has obscene headroom & volume. I think there's a rectifier tube in there somewhere too.
*I should note I almost always use my boost pedal into this, and should be taken into account with the above thoughts*
Final Thought
I was skeptical when VHT told me about how the Sig:X was a result of over 10 years of R&D, how they employ new technology to lower costs without sacrificing tone, and all that marketing speak bullshit. However, as everyone who has come into contact with this amp can attest to (my bandmate's as well), this amp absolutely is the real fucking deal. Amazing.
I give this amp (for what it's worth) 4 out of 4 Handlebar Mustache Snakes:
