VHT Special 6 Head and Cab Review

I was seeking the VHT Special 6 Combo Amp and found a great price on one-- $199.99.  The seller contacted me a few days later to tell me they were out of those and asked if I would like a VHT Special 6 Head and Closed back 1X12 speaker Cabinet instead.   What I received over a month ago was a new VHT Special 6 Head and Closed Back Speaker Cab for the same price-- $199.99, with no shipping cost and no tax! Amazing, but was it going to be as good as the reviews I had read? The Special 6 Head arrived in new condition and the VHT Special 6 Closed Back 1X12 Speaker Cabinet did have some wear from display (a 2-1/2 inch scratch in the tolex on the right side). Otherwise, the speaker cabinet was virtually new. Of course, it wouldn't be possible to get this deal again since I got what appears to be the floor model on the Speaker Cab. Nevertheless, I am very pleased at the condition for the price I have paid.

Now that I have had 4-5 weeks to play this rig, I can share my perspective on how it performs. The first thing I noticed was the tone-- great on both my Riviera P93 and my Telecaster. It was easy to hook everything up and get started. Then I plugged in and began to play blues rifts--- which is my primary purpose for this amplifier. I plugged in to the high input, Turned both Volume and Tone knobs up to 10, switched the power to high (you have the option of low at 3 Watts versus high at 6 Watts) and pulled the volume knob out until it clicked for the "boost" mode. It breaks up beautifully with these settings and is loud, loud, loud! Would it be loud for Metal, no, but it drives a very strong signal which if played through a mic on stage could stay with any rocking band and a loud drummer. With this head and cabinet combination, it is louder than I would expect or have needed for my rare gig and primarily home use.

I played with combinations on the pickups, power mode from 3 to 6 watts, the Boost in or out, and variations of the Volume and Tone to see where it breaks up in a quieter setting.  With this initial approach, I was getting great clean Fender-like tone, and I mean great full, clean tone. My Telecaster was acoustic-like in its fullness of tone and strong, but not muddy, bass end. This VHT Special 6 was full on both ends of the sound spectrum, with rich and clear mid-range.

I eventually found my niche for the settings on this amp.  I set the power switch on Low, plugged in to the High output input, turned the Tone to 7 (2 o'clock) and turned the volume up to 8.5 (4:30).  This took me about 4 weeks to arrive at and when I did, was I pleased.  I kept hearing that I should mod out the tubes and change the speaker.  Totally unnecessary!  The speaker needed some time to break in and the tubes seem to develop or mellow with lots of use.  It sounds great with my Epiphone Custom Riviera P93, but my favorite guitar on this VHT Special 6 is my Fender MIM Telecaster.  What a nice, rich tone, with a beautiful, natural breakup and clear highs.  It is very blues-y and vintage Fender sounding.  I can't believe my ears, and I then I remember the price, and it is just astounding!  The big difference with the tube overdrive versus a DSP amp, is it doesn't get that thin and tin can sounding distortion, but remains warm, with round notes that give you the full benefit of the tubes. 

This is a hand wired, class A, 6 watt head guitar amplifier with a matching closed back VHT speaker.  The wiring is point to point and is done remarkably well judging by the tone.  The white piping, the tolex, VHT white letter emblem and the way everything is buttoned down makes this pair a really a nice looking rig.  The switches, knobs, power light and craftsmanship all appear to be of very good quality.  You will need to buy a speaker cable, and make sure it is the gauge for speakers, rather than the instrument type.  There is a foot switch for the power boost (overdrive function), but the volume knob pulls out to accomplish the same thing, and I have no reason to push it back in unless I want to practice while everyone in the house is sleeping.  Also, the 3 Watt switch setting is where I have this VHT Special 6 set as a general rule for home use.

I found the VHT Special 6 while shopping for a Fender Super Champ XD Tube and Modeling Combo Amp.  I kept reading about the VHT Special 6 Combo and stumbled onto this deal for the head and cab version.  I am so glad it went that way.  I may still need a Super Champ for a small, easy to carry all purpose amp, but for larger gigs and home use, this VHT Special 6 Head and Cab is my amp.

I would recommend pedals-- a digital delay and/or reverb, since this amp is a very simple 2 knob set up and has no effects loop.  Also, for practicing on a very low volume level, an overdrive pedal is also a good option.  

So far, I feel like this VHT Special 6 Head and closed back Cabinet with a VHT Chrome-back 12 inch speaker is more than I could have hoped for-- it is an amp rig that I would proudly play with a blues trio in small to medium venues, without hesitation. Beyond that, I would mic it with an SM57 and happily sing and play Texas Flood or Stormy Monday in a bigger room. The fit and finish is A+. The warm, pure tone is remarkably authentic. The knobs, corners, and hardware are high quality. The 12 inch speaker in the closed cab is the real deal. I have no thoughts of replacing tubes or speaker and plan to keep playing it for a number of months before I consider mods. This is supposed to be one of the most mod-able amps in this price range, which sounds more like $500 -$700 than the $200 the head normally goes for and the $164 the cabinet sells for on Ebay new. I recommend the VHT Special 6 Head and Cab whole-heartedly and without reservation.-- Guitar Man

Special 6 Closed Back 12 inch Speaker Cab