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Is the GEQ digital or analog controlled by digital ???
It was a blink and you miss it comment in the video … but Steve A/B and Ultra-Lead EQ against the new DSP EQ and could not tell the difference. In the video he also mentioned about using digitally controlled pots but it gets too complicated and isn’t as good.
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Question about the silent recording capabilities. Will it still need to have a speaker load connected or is it safe to use without a load like the GPDI?
@Myampslouder welcome to the forum!
Yes exactly, like the GPDI/IR
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I’m just going to be honest because I know this at least has a chance of getting back to the man. He is a legend and obviously a great mind. Clearly he had a mission with this amp and wanted to use all his new knowledge to meet his challenge.
However, as someone who has waited YEARS to buy a Pittbull, I am sad. I wish this could have been a version of Pittbull or an entire new line. With a Pittbull II released in the same manner as Deliverance II. Even just a straight up reissue.
I have watched The Malcontents for years being teased about the new Pittbull waiting eagerly. This is not for me. I don’t use rack, don’t fly my amps anywhere, already have reactive loads, don’t want digital anything in my amps (not even things like a reactive load) and do not want to be using an LCD.
I’m sorry to be a voice of negativity, but I have wanted a Pittbull for a decade. I am in Australia. They do not come up second hand seemingly ever. I’ll keep loving my D120 and will soon buy a matching cab and a PS100. But the Pittbull was my dream amp.
Is this the first full-power tube amp with a switched-mode power supply?
I agree. I have been patiently waiting with money in hand. This feels like a synergy Pittbull module mated to an LXII. Steve says you can’t tell the difference between DSP and analog EQ. That has not been my experience, at all. I don’t need an IR loader, as I have one already. This is because Steve didn’t want to build a simple amp because he was bored making them. How many amps has Fryette had before this was released? 2. It’s all been about Power Stations and Synergy for Fryette.
This amp wasn’t made for you and me. It was made to save rock stars money on cartage (like Page Hamilton, who got name-dropped in the release).
Frankly, I am extremely disappointed. This was gonna be my big amp purchase this year. I have no use for a rack setup, and NO ONE I have played shows with has ever had a rack rig. I expected the high price, but I don’t want a digitally-controlled, analog amp. Seems without jamming all that crap in, the price would have been lower (I may be wrong).
Let’s talk about the transformers. What laws of physics did Steve break to get the “same sound” out of transformers that must weigh considerably less, and be smaller? I don’t buy it.
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It’s funny bc in at least one Malcontents Steven said something along the lines of “when certain people see the new UL they’re going to say WTF.” So this new form factor is not really so unexpected to me given that comment. I was fully expecting the addition of things like the cab sim etc. and probable smaller chassis.
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Steve and Joe will do a deep dive. But the amp is analog, it’s the new Pittbull Ultra-Lead and a real tube amp. The digital part is the IR loader and also the graphics EQ. Just to clarify because it’s not obvious when looking at new things for the first time.
I have owned several guitar and bass rackmount amps. Its my preference. Definitely better for transportation. More practical in many ways.
Most of my gear is analog. Delay and EQ the available versatility with digital is obvious. Having the switching / voicing done with presets is going to give a lot more versatility from a 3 channel amp. MIDI rig you can make as simple or complex as you want. I still own a Boss ES-8 and a Voodoo Labs system.
Definitely some interesting concepts went into all of it.
Steve actually built what he said he was going to build. If you think about what he has said over the years. All of us had a different preconception we created as individuals.
Is there going to be more information available soon ???
Definitely would like to see a manual.
Thanks for the welcome!
I have one more question that you may or may not be able to help with.
I’m super excited about the new Pittbull but one concern I do have is with the digital side of the amp. I am a bit concerned about the longevity and future serviceability of the amp. Steve himself has mentioned on a malcontents live stream that the GP3 is unfixable if the processor that controls it has an issue because the part is out of production and no equivalent replacement exists. I worry that the new Pittbull may suffer the same fate in the future if the digital control components become unavailable.
My question is, can Fryette make any assurances about the potential future repairability of the new Pittbull?
If this is something you’re unable to answer at this time I understand but I do feel it may be something that needs to be addressed at some point to possibly ease the minds of some customers that are less enthusiastic about embracing new technologies and designs.
Me personally I’m excited for the new Ultra Lead and I’m patiently waiting for them to hit retailers so I can purchase one. It will also be the first time I’ve ever bought a brand new amplifier.
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You haven’t really clarified. Is the signal path analog or converted to digital? Some EQs are analog through with digital controls, others convert the signal to digital and back to analog.
No the graphics EQ is not analog, it’s DSP. So that means the signal is converted from analog domain, into the digital domain and back again.
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I have no doubt it’s an all analog path. But again, even the form factor is no use to me. $4k for an amp, and then I have to pay for a rack to put it in. I get why Steve made this amp, but it falls really flat for me. I’m sure it is a killer amp; Steve makes killer gear. I love my Deliverance 120 II+, and wanted something akin to that. Sometimes we don’t always get what we want. That’s ok, I’ll get over my disappointment?
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Enjoy! I don’t like rack gear, and no one I have ever played with since 1996 has used a rack setup on stage. Not a single one. Plenty of pro stages, of course, which is who this was made for. Racks and lightweight amps with IR loaders and digital control is essential for cartage. I get it.
But playing house shows, and bars, and music halls, this is all unnecessary kit. Simplicity is the name of the game, and scrolling menus to get to an EQ doesn’t work when you have a tight 28 minutes to play. Steve made the Deliverance because people didn’t “get” the Pittbull amps. Folks complained about the features paralysis. Well, I guess “features” are back in a big way.
Again, enjoy! I sincerely hope it lives up to your expectations. I guess I’m going Bogner this year.
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I love the original Ultra Lead and it selling mine stands as one of larger regrets. However, I couldn’t be more excited about the UL II. I love the form factor and layout. My only real concerns are related to service and maintenance 15-20 years from now due to its digital elements. Engl had a crazy cool and killer sounding rack preamp that is basically an expensive paperweight because they can’t fix it as there are no parts available.
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I’m sure Steve will talk about this point when ready. NAMM was just a preview.
For a flagship amplifier I’m pretty sure Fryette will hold replacement stock for the digital part for years to come. Anyway, better wait for Steve to comment, I don’t want to get dragged into company policy stuff above my paygrade 
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I’d probably need to move some amps to be able to afford this but this seems like a very cool piece of gear. Question around the tube complement, flexibility, and overall (re)design: does this amp overlap more with a Sig:X or CLX with GEQ? Or both?
I love both amps but the convenience/form, silent recording, midi compatibility etc make this a LOT more practical for me as someone with chronic back issues who gigs, records, and is getting ready to downsize from house to condo as the nest empties out. I also use a Helix in 4CM so the midi switching is a big win that is making my Diezel D-Moll get more burn than my Fryette heads these days even though I largely prefer the sound of the Fryettes.
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Good question… highlighting here for Steve to notice.
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