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Pricing and availability

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Description

Elevate your guitar sound to new heights with the VHT Pittbull Ultra Lead, a powerhouse amplifier head designed for the discerning musician. This 120W all-tube amp is engineered to deliver unparalleled versatility, making it a go-to choice for everything from crystal-clear cleans to searing leads. Featuring a dynamic three-channel footswitchable design, the Pittbull Ultra Lead provides a seamless transition between tones, ensuring you have the perfect sound for any musical situation.

Each channel offers a unique character, from the warm, round tones of the clean channel to the aggressive bite of the lead. The amp's robust preamp section includes five 12AX7 tubes and one 12AT7 tube, delivering four stages of preamp gain. Whether you're dialing in a punchy rhythm or a soaring solo, this amp's gain stacking capabilities provide the depth and dimension your sound deserves.

The Pittbull Ultra Lead is not just about raw power; it also offers precise tonal control. With a footswitchable five-band graphic EQ, presence and depth controls, and a myriad of additional options like assignable boost and mid-shift, this amp is built to adapt to your unique style. The switchable bias for 6550 or 6L6 power tubes further enhances its versatility, allowing you to tailor your sound to your exact preferences.

Key Features:

  • 120W all-tube amplifier with five 12AX7s, one 12AT7, and four 6550s
  • Three fully footswitchable channels for ultimate flexibility
  • Gain stacking for four stages of preamp gain
  • Footswitchable graphic EQ with master volume, presence, and depth controls
  • Switchable bias for 6550 or 6L6 power tubes
  • Comprehensive stageboard footswitch included
  • Footswitchable variable series or parallel effects loop and line out

Owner's manual

VHT Pittbull Ultra Lead User Manual
RezaMatix

RezaMatix

VHT Pitbull Ultra Lead - Quick Playthru

Video thumbnail for VHT Pitbull Ultra Lead - Quick Playthru by RezaMatix

VHT Pitbull Ultra Lead - Quick Playthru

RezaMatix

RezaMatix

Video thumbnail for VHT / Fryette Pittbull Ultra Lead Graphic EQ 120 Watt | Playthrough Demo by ChoptonesOfficial

VHT / Fryette Pittbull Ultra Lead Graphic EQ 120 Watt | Playthrough Demo

ChoptonesOfficial

ChoptonesOfficial

Video thumbnail for VHT Pitbull Ultra Lead First Impressions by TONE WARS

VHT Pitbull Ultra Lead First Impressions

TONE WARS

TONE WARS

Video thumbnail for VHT/Fryette Pittbull Ultra Lead vs Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier 3ch 100w |High Gain Amp Head Shootout by Cryptic Mask Guitar

VHT/Fryette Pittbull Ultra Lead vs Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier 3ch 100w |High Gain Amp Head Shootout

Cryptic Mask Guitar

Cryptic Mask Guitar

Video thumbnail for Fryette/VHT Pittbull Ultra Lead: The Ultimate Metal Amp? by Pariah VS Gear

Fryette/VHT Pittbull Ultra Lead: The Ultimate Metal Amp?

Pariah VS Gear

Pariah VS Gear

Video thumbnail for ENGL Fireball 100 VS VHT Pittbull Ultra Lead by Cryptic Mask Guitar

ENGL Fireball 100 VS VHT Pittbull Ultra Lead

Cryptic Mask Guitar

Cryptic Mask Guitar

Video thumbnail for VHT FRYETTE PITTBULL ULTRA LEAD | METAL | 5 Gutars by Cryptic Mask Guitar

VHT FRYETTE PITTBULL ULTRA LEAD | METAL | 5 Gutars

Cryptic Mask Guitar

Cryptic Mask Guitar

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about VHT Pittbull Ultra Lead.

Features and functionality

  • The UL model has three channels, while the CL has two. Both offer GEQ and non-GEQ variants, impacting their sound significantly.

    Source
  • The Pittbull Ultra Lead is praised for its articulate and punchy sound, even at high gain, offering a unique bass response that requires strong right-hand playing.

    Source
  • The Ultra Lead features one main gain control with a switchable extra stage, providing a unique gain manipulation compared to the 50CL and Deliverance models.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Some owners enhance the Pittbull 45 with a MOOER Brown Sound mini pedal to achieve distortion similar to the UL's maximum gain.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The Pittbull 45 delivers Marshall-like gain with a Vox-style clean channel, making it versatile for both shred and clean tones.

    Source
  • Despite its power, the Ultra Lead can be effectively tamed for home use with a Rivera RockCrusher attenuator, allowing for heavy tones at lower volumes.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • The Pittbull 45 head is considered a top boutique amp under $1,000, offering significant value for its performance and sound quality.

    Source
  • It's noted that Pittbull Ultra Leads are hard to find in Europe, with some users searching for up to a year before securing one.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Owners find the Pittbull UL more raw and clear compared to the Mesa Mark V, which is seen as slightly more polished.

    Source
  • The Pittbull Ultra Lead's gain structure is less compressed, demanding precise right-hand technique for achieving its signature saturated tone, unlike some other high-gain amps.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners report the amp's tone as dry and articulate, describing it as one of the most unique sounds among metal amplifiers, especially compared to the Driftwood Purple Nightmare.

    Source
  • Owners appreciate the brand’s characteristic 'Fryette genetic' sound, noting that despite each model's unique attributes, they maintain a consistent VHT tonal identity.

    Source

Based on 0 Reviews and 0 Ratings

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Mick Thomson uses VHT Pittbull Ultra Lead

Mick Thomson

Guitarist

Slipknot

...
Verified via MusicRadar

In the same interview with Thomson talking about his new Mesa Boogie JP-2C and other gear, he displays his circa 2000 VHT Pitbull with Carvin 4x12 cab which he used on the second and third Slipknot records. He states “This is what I used on Iowa and Vol. 3 - to be honest, pretty much all our touring until then, as I switched to Rivera. I think the Carvin cabinet was even used on our first record and touring around it."

See how Page Hamilton uses VHT Pittbull Ultra Lead

Page Hamilton

Guitarist

Helmet

...
Verified via Angelfire

Used by Hamilton in the late 90's (during Helmet's "last tour" according to the source); he also used the Fryette model later on.

See how Greg Edwards uses VHT Pittbull Ultra Lead

Greg Edwards

Guitarist, Bassist

Failure

...
Verified via Photo

Seen on the far left of the picture. Sitting on top of his rack with the VHT logo covered up with Gaff Tape.

See how Glenn Danzig uses VHT Pittbull Ultra Lead

Glenn Danzig

Singer, Guitarist

Misfits

...
Verified via Pinterest

In the Pinterest image titled "Devil's playin .... | DANZIG," Glenn Danzig is associated with a VHT Pittbull Ultra Lead amplifier head, visible at the top of a rack mount. Although it may be part of John Christ's setup, the image indicates Danzig's use of this gear.

See how Greg Tribbett uses VHT Pittbull Ultra Lead

Greg Tribbett

Guitarist, Singer

Mudvayne

...
Verified via Photo

In this picture, you can see that in the rig of Greg tribbett he is using two VHT Pittbull heads.

See how Jon Deiley uses VHT Pittbull Ultra Lead

Jon Deiley

Guitarist, Composer

Northlane

...
Verified via Photo

Jon Deiley uses the VHT Pittbull Ultra Lead amplifier, as showcased in his Instagram post captioned "Illfuckwiththat."

See how Rob Caggiano uses VHT Pittbull Ultra Lead

Rob Caggiano

Guitarist

Anthrax

...
Verified via YouTube

At 6:23 in this Premier Guitar Rig Rundown of Volbeat hosted by Perry Bean, Rob Caggiano states that he previously used a VHT Pittbull Ultra Lead amplifier with Anthrax, but switched to the VHT Sig:X and later the Fryette version of the Sig:X due to it having a better clean tone and being more versatile than the Pittbull.

See how Wacław Kiełtyka uses VHT Pittbull Ultra Lead

Wacław Kiełtyka

Guitarist, Composer

Decapitated

...
Verified via Photo

Vogg used it to record the CIF album and live performances

See how John Christ uses VHT Pittbull Ultra Lead

John Christ

Guitarist

Danzig

...
Verified via GearGods

The VHT Pitbull is one of the pieces of gear mentioned to be a part of John's live rig.

See how Koichi Fukuda uses VHT Pittbull Ultra Lead

Koichi Fukuda

Guitarist, Keyboardist

Static?X

...
Verified via YouTube

Used on the first album and tour

See how Alexander Pushnoy uses VHT Pittbull Ultra Lead

Alexander Pushnoy

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

In the video "ЭТИ ТРЕКИ НАПИСАЛ ПУШНОЙ | 'Галилео', '6 кадров', 'Большая Разница' | РОК ЖИВ" by Александр Пушной on YouTube, the VHT Pittbull Ultra Lead amplifier can be seen in the background, confirming that Alexander Pushnoy uses this gear.

M

Mike Sarkisyan

Guitarist

Spineshank

...
Verified via YouTube

Although this video from 1998 is very dark, there are portions where this amp can be seen.

Album Usage

The VHT Pittbull Ultra Lead has been featured on the following albums:

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use VHT Pittbull Ultra Lead, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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1 alternative for VHT Pittbull Ultra Lead, curated by the Equipboard community.

VHT Sig:X

 

Vintage or Discontinued similar sound

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