This Episode of Whiskey and Wires Features Amp Designer and Audio Electronics Wiz, Steve Fryette. Steve covers everything from his earliest repairs to his latest designs and a whole lot more in this very special episode.
I have a 2010 Fryette Sig X that was shipped to me, its was dropped on its side so hard, tubes fell out and glass went everywhere and the transformers were half ripped out from the chassis. The transformer ears were bent. I replaced the broken tubes and plugged it in and couldn't believed everything still worked perfect, not even hum or hissing. I am now convinced these are the most well made amps in the world. Even tougher than my Mesa 95 tremoverb. Crazy good quality. Sounds absolutely amazing on top of that. Steve really earned his reputation, and has given the guitar world treasures in the form of his amps. Thank you Steve.
Steve is a good guy. Was very patient and generous with his time when I was an eager enthusiast in the 90’s and was buying my first ever “boutique” amp which was an Ultralead. I saved for quite a while and was very stoked when I left Apple Music in Portland with the Pitbull in tow. Drove all the way from Seattle as Apple was the nearest dealer. I would talk with him a few times after that and saw him at Namm a few years later and he remembered who I was and was just as gracious as before. Hoping to check out one of the new D60’s.
Thank you so much for letting your guests talk and transition into different subjects uninterrupted ... fascinating ... Wow ... I wish it had gone on for several more hours. Seems like interviewers are in such a hurry these days, or have a short time limit and cut people off when they are just getting on a role ... and you just let Steve Fryette talk and lead into more amazing stories and information. Thank You!! Well Done and look forward to more of your interviews.
i know im asking the wrong place but does anybody know a trick to log back into an Instagram account?? I was dumb forgot the account password. I would love any tricks you can offer me!
@Franklin Kyrie I really appreciate your reply. I got to the site thru google and im waiting for the hacking stuff now. I see it takes a while so I will reply here later with my results.
Steve's comments on user bias when setting the EQ's on his amps is absolute gold. After years of tone searching, starting with a perfectly good D120h and matching cab, wasting so much time and effort on all kinds of other gear, I have come full circle and am perfectly content with straight into a D60h. I just needed to set the knobs differently than I had convinced myself how they "should" be set. Shape your tone with your ears - not your eyes.
I can relate to this so much, cause I used to own a Mesa Mark 5:35 and I'm used to dialing in Marshalls. So when got it, I had my tonal expectations in the wrong place, and I would dial it for where it sounded good. But I would say "ahhh it's too scooped". And the thing is I thought I had my head wrapped around it, but I really didn't.
Huge thanks to Mr.Fryette and to Mr.Bingham for this!Really loved this could have easily watched for another 3 hours! Mr.Fryette is so cool and humble for such an innovator in his chosen field. It really suprises and pleases me to no end how genuine, down to earth, and just plain good dudes that several of these Titans of the amp/guitar industry tend to be ala Mr.Fryette and another guy just as cool and nice Mr.Soldano, Mr Friedman ,Mr. Suhr and so many more. I'm fascinated to no end hearing these guys talk tone, electronics, amps, guitar etc. I really hope one day to have 1/millionth the skills,talent,and outlook of these legends! Mr.Fryette please come on tone talk again your episode was one of my fav. Would also enjoy seeing you (Jon) guest sometime as well my friend! Keep up the great content! Cheers guys!
If anyone wants the purest, absolute BEST tone that can come from an amp, get a FRYETTE deliverance. The best pure, crushing tone that you will ever achieve. And unbelievable power. This guy is a genius
What a sharing of the soul... thank you Steven. You are a true inspiration. As soon as I can afford it again, I plan on buying a powerstation and Fryette amp.
I did 6 years in research and development for a huge american company and let me tell you that all of the stuff that he is saying about China happened to us, China produces way better materials at the moment than the USA, we were very surprise about this, and people still belive that an american made thing is better than a Chinese product, is just that 90% china made products are directed for low buck consumers, but the high end stuff is getting awesomely high quality.
Current ownership of the VHT brand is threw an overseas manufacturer based in Hayward CA. Buy a Fryette product to get the new, real thing. Steve is a GREAT designer and a great guy.
Steve is such a class guy....very approachable and down to earth....and yet so brilliant....I have a Pittbull and totally love it....three channel no Graphic Eq....did one slight mod on it for me....I love it bought it from Makin' Music early mid Nineties...from Joey Brazler....
Excellent interview. I love the tube discussion. My ENGL powerball has the same tubes in it from when I got it 14 years ago. still brutal. A working musician guy I know has a Plexi he bought in 76 he got for highschool graduation. Same tubes in it from the day he got it and sounds amazing.
This is awesome! I love learning how all this stuff went down during the golden age of guitar gear. So much of it was guys chasing tones or figuring out how to make things more reliable and it took off.
This was a great episode. Tons of great information. I own a CLX and Super 30. Next purchase is a Fryette power amp for my home rack setup for my Fractal and Syn 2. Currently just going into the return of the CLX. Not sure which one yet, part of me wants to find an older classic beast but the prices are crazy on those
@@george_richman Hi George . It's got EL34 s .. although as far as I can tell , I can put 6L6 s in without a biasing ..not sure tho . I ll check that 45 head out ... Without looking , I m guessing yours has the eq as well . Any good PB forums about . I can t find one !! Cheers .
I love it to (finally) get to know the man behind the amp. Being it Steven Fryette, David Friedman or whoever is here or on Tone Talk. Very cool indeed.
He’s so right about the graphic EQ on the heads. I never used the one on my Ultralead. I was playing D standard, drop C metal and the amp EQ was plenty. If I experimented with it it was actually as mid boost for leads or to dump the bass and treble for an affected intro tone that would sound huge once you turned it off.
Hmm....I have a chance to grab a Fryette brand Ultralead at a good price. Only thing, it doesn't have an eq. My old VHT brand one (which I miss SO much) did have one. You don't think I will be missing anything if I snap up an eq-less one?
One of my amp dreams is a Pitbull with matching cabs. Someday... I love that sound. It's just so clear and tight. EQ bands: I think there's great weight to the saying "use your ears not your eyes." Just turn stuff and play until it sounds good. If you're into metal and the mids are above 0 fear not. Lol. Amazing talk lads. Ps: Buzzwords suck. All the hand to hand bs is over rated. Just a cash grab. PCB's are effective
I just thought...hmmm Mudvayne, MUST get a VHT Pitbull/Ultra 100...and a new SOUND CITY...and that whole Synergy thing...gotta get that...maybe a Soldano mod and a Morgan...i know there is more...Fryette is someone i can understand...he operates on a higher freq than most people and they will never understand!
No, he didn't but it never had an official meaning. He once said he was inspired by an interview with David Byrne talking about writing words on slips of paper, throwing them up in the air and recombining them randomly. He also said he was looking for letters that had a certain rhythmic quality when used together and implied power, like SVT.
Fryette Amps I toured with a VHT GP3 Valvulator preamp and 2/50/2 power for several years. I always got compliments on my tone at shows. People would ask what “VHT” stood for, and I would say “VERY HEAVY TONE.” 🤣
