Mark IV vs. vht pitbull 50 CL

[dmcguitar]

has anyone had experience with the 50 cl?

they are both 2 grand (new). both have graphic eqs. the pitbull can run in class a or a/b (not simulclass) pitbull has a preamp voicing switch (which changes whether its tube or silicon rectifier) mark has lead gain voicing.. pitbull lets you select 3 or 4 preamp tube stages for gain

the features are pretty similar, they both seem like they are tight amps(for tracking, im not using slang.. "**** that's tight" ahhahahhah)

i have played neither, pretty much only get sound clips from youtube and the sites like soundclick and mp3lizard.

if anyone has an opinions let me konw.

for my purposes i would have a standard recto 4x12 attached.

thanks

 

[chris_EIT]

What sorta music you going to be playing?
Leads, Rhythm
Metal, Rock, Jazz?

 

[Fxrs]

The VHT's I've played (which are few, I think lower powered Pittbulls) were very dry and as you said tight, where Mesa has a wetter squishier feel. YMMV.

 

[dmcguitar]

hmmm music i play. well my current band is hard rock, there are elements of van halen, sabbath, kings x, LOG, KsE. I am not worried about a clean channel, something clean, sorta clean is fine, more so looking for a killer distortion. I play leads.

i cover bands like rush, kiss, vh, zep, STP, motley crue, so when im at home i like being able to tinker with different sounds.. but with the band i tend to just use one setting (i have a 5150II now) and i have the lead channel on most all the time, nothing changes when i solo. sometimes phaser is added or wah.

 

[chris_EIT]

Well I'd say you will be more happier with the Mark IV after that description. Heaps of options for you to spend your time on also!

 

[HalfDeaf]

Being a mkiv owner, I'm somewhat biased. They are great amps and very versatile. And I think for the kind of music you listed, the mkiv will work well, mainly because it can sound more "vintage" than a vht. You will hear a distinctive "early-90's" sound with a mkiv that can easily be morphed into an 80's or even 70's tone.

However, if I had the choice today, I'd go for the vht pittbull, because IMO they have a more modern sound. And they do a sizzling moderate distortion very well. The mark iv will do a LOG super distortion like no other, but few amps can match vht's "in-between" distortion - the type that is NOT very saturated. That's a hard thing to get with a mkiv.

 

[Racerboy44]

The VHT's I've played (which are few, I think lower powered Pittbulls) were very dry and as you said tight, where Mesa has a wetter squishier feel. YMMV.

This is a perfect description. I have owned the VHT and when you first hear the distortion you will think it is the cleanest most articulate gain you have ever heard. But I found after a while it starts to seem dry and just lacking a fluidness that you need for leads. But for tight riffing and a sound that is in between Mesa and Marshall there aren't too many amps better. It is a high quality amp but if you are going to be playing a lot of leads, I would say the Mark 4 is the better choice.