VT-22 - 76' Distortion Model Vs Earlier Non Distortion Models

[bobby069]

Hi guys,

Just scored a '76 VT-22 for a steal. Always wanted an earlier VT-22, but i couldn't say no to the price and condition. I have a few questions someone here might be able to help me with! Much appreciated!!!

1. Obviously there are different tube configurations for the different revisions, (with the later using more commercially available tubes), sound wise, does the later version get close to the earlier versions in regards to tone and bite? I know the distortion is f*****, but I'm happy to roll with channel two as this is a non master volume version.

2. The speakers have been replaced with Celestion G-12 75w Rolas. Not a big fan. Has anybody had any luck with other replacement speakers? I hear the Eminence Texas Heat 160w are supposed to be good as well as Weber California 12's 75w with paper cones.

Thanks again!

[Liquids]

2. The speakers have been replaced with Celestion G-12 75w Rolas. Not a big fan. Has anybody had any luck with other replacement speakers? I hear the Eminence Texas Heat 160w are supposed to be good as well as Weber California 12's 75w with paper cones.

Thanks again!

The Texas Heats might be a good option if you dislike the celestions. I'm a fan of the Eminence Swamp Thangs, which have a bit less muted high end - youtube has a Swamp Thang and Texas Heat comparison video if I'm not mistaken that is pretty revealing. The Swamp thing has more powerful lows, and a bit more detail in the highs. The Texas Heat sounds more 'mid range heavy' because it's less powerful in the lows and the highs sound to the ear like the HF cutoff point is lower, so less HF. I don't find the Swamp Thangs to be harsh--more like balanced. But I also have a way to control my distortion and the HF rolloff with an active filtering to taste, so I can get sparkly cleans with no pedals and then kick-in the OD, and not have all that nasty HF hash...both are good speakers.

Weber always spoke pretty highly of Eminence speakers himself, and also, they have a great range and can handle the ampeg power.