VHT Sig X

Lifeofsobriety · #1 04-18-2008, 04:56 PM

This amp looks soo awesome. I've always had a thing for VHT's if I could afford it and if it was practical I'd definatley have an Ultra-lead Pitbull it's probly my favorite amp that I ever played through.

I've been really interested in the Sig X because it's a little bit cheaper and you can run it at lower wattage. All I can find are clips on youtube and nowhere around here has one in stock. Has anyone been able to play them or have an opinion on it. Maybe how it compares to the ultra-lead.

Thanks

reguv760 · #2 04-18-2008, 06:47 PM

Me and a couple of buddies went to tonemerchants.com... we took our guitars (all Ibanez's - 1 AX, 1 S2020X, and 1 JEM777VBK) and took a drive to OC a few weeks ago to test the only "demo" model on the floor and it was plugged to a Mills 4x12 cabinet... my buddy was so impressed with the head he placed a deposit for 2 of 'em (for him and my other buddy)... hopefully they pick it up this weekend cause I wanna hear what that head sounds like through my Mesa 4x12

and I must say it's one of those amps that will make you go "wow... is that what i've been missing out?!" after striking that first chord. Of course, any guitar plugged to a VHT amp will react and sound different but between the 3 guitars we plugged into, the only consistent thing was *THAT* VHT voicing.
Each of the 3 channels can be configured for "low" or "high" power (40w or 100w). Notes are very articulate and clear, both in clean and dirty channels. Best part I dig about the Sig:X is the way the amp's foot control "remembers" your last preset... like for example, channel 2 (yellow) is your "marshall" tone with the FX loop and Boost on while your channel 3 (red) is your "balls-to-the-wall" grind with those two switches off. It'll remember those "settings" when you change from channel 2 to 3 and back to channel 2. I'm even surprised that the amp isn't MIDI-capable (though I'd think it'd be overkill for a $2k head).
I also dig their "Dynamic Sensing" technology... I can't quite explain the technicality on how it works but it's kinda like a "sustainer" built-in to the amp... it senses when a note is sustaining and it sustains the hell out of it...
My only other experience with a VHT is with a Deliverance 60W 2x12... and I must say the Sig:X is like 3 Deliverance's in a single head... it's that versatile.

Reg

Lifeofsobriety · #3 04-18-2008, 09:40 PM

Wow... well I would really like to get one but it's a bit more money than i have right now

When your buddies get em you should post up a few sound clips???

Anyone else have any experience with em?

ripandshredguitar · #4 07-14-2008, 04:09 PM

I have a SIG_X and a deliverance 4x12 cab. Here is what I find: It is a fine amp all around. I am having to get to know it though. Instant gratification was not to be had. I find that my Mesa Boogie Dual Recto has a greater sonic spread across the frequencies and the SigX is way is more focused with it's sound. Thus...instead of rolling over everyone in the band with the Mesa...I have to find a sound that works and comes through the mix. This is not a bad thing by any means.....It will give me a sound...my sound... rather than "a" sound. It is taking shape each time I use it and get to know it. That being said....a few observations; The clean is really nice. the rhythm and lead channels share the presence and depth controls...I wish they where independent per channel but that's how it is. There is ALOT of gain to be had with these channels. I have to get to know the flavors the gain 1, gain2 controls yield. The high gain tones are smokey and veiled. Not up front and raspy like the Mesa. When I say raspy I'm not dissin' the Mesa...it's just it's sound. The "grain" of the SigX distortion is similar the the Mesa but much smoother. I think of distortion "grain" like bubbles in beer.
Some have big corse, sparse bubbles...some have a finer, over abundance. The SigX is like a good beer that has had time to breath a bit...it's smoother. Is the Six for you? I don't know....but I really like it :-) Plus it looks really cool too!

Lifeofsobriety · #5 07-14-2008, 04:56 PM

That actually sounds a lot like the deliverance. Right now I have a deliverance and a tremoverb so that is a pretty good comparison.

You should post up some clips with your sig:X

ripandshredguitar · #6 07-15-2008, 08:52 PM

I actually had a Deliverance 212 60 watt combo but I sold it once I saw the SigX. I really need 3 channels and the Deliverance is a single channel amp. I also much prefer a closed back cab...the combo was a 3/4 back. I always seem to have trouble with open backs. I am more interested in what comes out the front, not so much the back. Open backs seem to cause to many phase issues for my ear. Just a preference I guess. I'll try to post a Siggy pic soon.

Cheers all!

ripandshredguitar · #7 07-15-2008, 11:56 PM

Just a quick note. I loved the deliverance sound! I didn't want to sound like I was negative on the deliverance.

and yep..it's ~about~ the same as the sigx sound wise.
I just had a hard time with the open back in our rehearsal space. I would get a head though!

Lifeofsobriety · #8 07-16-2008, 03:58 PM

I have heard that channel 2 on the Sig is very much like the deliverance. I feel the same way and have been wanting to trade out the Deliverance. I love the sound, but one channel can be a little difficult to deal with. Is the Sig as responsive as the deliverance? I love how well it picks up my playing. With the right settings I can go from a smooth clean to a gritty crunch just by the way I pick. Is this possible with the sig?

ripandshredguitar · #9 07-16-2008, 08:37 PM

I would say yes...It seems the SigX is basically the Deliverance concept up'ed a bit. I don't really try to get the dynamics out of it just that way though since the material I'm playing these days is less subtle. (Metal and hard rock) but I can see it would be wonderful for jamming a song that moves from balls out to gentle backing and such. I actually think I like channel 2 the most as the definition of the strings caries nicely with the crunch. I find it's channel 3 that has the nuances that I have to "get" before I can truly use the amp well.

reguv760 · #10 07-17-2008, 02:03 AM

Totally forgot I took these... this was taken when my buddy came over an hour after he picked up 2 unopened Sig:X's.
i definitely agree with the beer analogy! I think it's much easier to dial-in a good tone with a VHT over a Mesa though the learning curve is about the same.

Sig:X with Mesa 4x12; 2 Celestion V30's + 2 Mesa C90's

Rear

Reg

Valhalla · #11 07-17-2008, 02:31 AM

Heyo, I'm new here

....Would you guys say that it is more of an amp for metal and/or shred? How would it be for jazz fusion, blues etc..? Thanks

ripandshredguitar · #12 07-18-2008, 02:43 PM

I think you can get great blues and jazzy tones with this amp. It can do metal...but I would not call it a metal amp. In fact I would say it is not a metal amp. I would call a Bogner Ubershall a metal amp and even a Dual Recto a metal amp (though it can do more than one trick quite well). But...the Sig:X I think will run the gamut.

ripandshredguitar · #13 07-21-2008, 02:01 AM

OK...I got it going great! Just a little jammin' on it and bringin' the MANUAL to practice. WOW!!!! Also...I have to say...the fewer pedals in front of it the better! But we all knew that :-)

Lifeofsobriety · #14 07-25-2008, 04:49 PM

So I finally got enough money to buy one

I am however bummed that I can't find as good of a deal on one as when I didn't have the money. Has anyone seen any good deals on a siggy or know of a good place to order them from? When I was looking before Music 123 had a deal going and after the discounts they gave it was 1800. Now I can't find one under 2100. I would like one new, but its not 100% necessary.

Thanks