Since I’ve gotten it, I’ve been absolutely digging the VHT Special 6. It’s such a versatile little amp, with bright cleans and capable of creating some gorgeous, sustaining overdrive. And while I do certainly appreciate its clean tone, this amp totally shines when it’s cranked to hilt.
To demonstrate, here’s a clip I recorded this evening with the VHT Special 6:
Now here’s the thing about recording with a low-wattage amp. I’ve found that almost invariably, it’s difficult to get a big sound out of the stock speaker, no matter where I place the microphone. People recommend recording from an angle lined up along the outside of the speaker cone. I’ve never had much success with that, considering I’m not using any high-end mics. So my solution is to use larger speakers to get that bigger sound.
For this clip, I used two different 1 X 12 speaker cabinets: The rhythm track was recorded using a Fane Medusa 150 speaker to get a bigger bottom end. The lead was recorded with a Jensen Jet Falcon – that’s my favorite speaker at the moment. And of course, because even 6 Watts cranked is very loud, I ran the amp through my Aracom PRX150-Pro and recorded each track at about loud conversation level. It’s just loud enough to move the speaker cone a bit, but not so loud that I’d wake up the neighbors. 🙂
For both parts, I used my Les Paul R8. For the rhythm, I recorded in the middle selector switch biased towards the bridge, and for the lead, I recorded with the bridge pickup only. To make the guitar tone sound even bigger, I added just a tiny bit of compression to each track and added a touch of small room reverb to add some dimension. I didn’t EQ the guitar parts at all. That’s the natural sound of the amp through the speakers I used. The compression keeps the sound focused. At least to my ears, the guitar parts sound like they’re coming from a much bigger amp.
As far as the amp setting were concerned, I was plugged into the hi input with the amp set to high-power mode. Tone and volume were at 3pm, and I engaged the Boost. Even at these cranked settings, the amp will clean up very nicely! That’s how responsive this amp is!
Admittedly, if I were to rewind and go back to when I bought the amp, I’d probably go with the head. The stock speaker is great for practicing, but for gigging and recording, it just sounds much better with at least a 1 X 12. But hey! A handwired amp for $199? Geez! I can live with its shortcomings as what it brings to the table tonally is fabulous!
Guitar Gear 
Wonderful tones and great playing! Is your tone achievable with just combo itself, without external 1×12, and on bedroom levels, without an attenuator?
Regards from Poland!
Thanks on both accounts! Yeah, you can get something similar with just the combo, but I prefer the deeper tones of a 1 X 12. I’ve done a small gig with just the combo, and it works okay, but it’s more of a studio tool if all you use is the combo. For playing out, I use a bigger speaker or my 2 X 12.
I just ordered one. It is unexpensive and I’m learning electric guitar after playing years of acoustics. So it must be a good first amplifier and I trust your advice. I can’t wait to try to find what will be the sound straight in my ears.
The Special 6 is a great place to start if you’re moving from acoustic to electric! And it’s a great amp to start out with if you’re going to a tube amp! I love it! Way to go!
If you’re going to use a separate 1×12 cabinet, why not just buy the head? I think it is $20 cheaper.
I am asking because I have a 16 ohm cabinet already, and I am thinking of buying just this head.
What do you think? thanks.
If I had to do it over again, I’d probably go with the head, but this amp really has been convenient for practice on its own.
I have this amp and i use it with a strato-like guitar (Yamaha Pacifica 112V). I i would ask if you use it also with your stratocaster or telecaster and what kind of overdrive / distortion pedal you have found best with this guitars and this amp