Ep. 3 - Steven Fryette of Fryette and Sound City Amps on Tone-Talk - (click "show more" below)

Click here to purchase from Sweetwater and help our channel
imp.i114863.net/1v25d
Above is an affiliate link. If you click on it and make a purchase, we receive a small commission with no added cost to you. Thank you!
On this show we have legend Steven Fryette of VHT, Sound City, Fryette Amplification and many products such as the Power Station.
See Fryette products at:
www.fryette.com
Sound City Amps coming soon.
Time stamps for our discussion: Click the time to jump or remind the content
00:56 - How did Dave and Steve meet? Brauer Rentals, Music Tech, VHT 2150 Power amp Prototype,
6:00 - Building the 2150 VHT Pitfall Power Amp, Using KT88s, G# 6550s, Valley Arts and Steve Lukather
9:50 - Pedal board mania, modularization, session guys, multiple rigs
13:15 - Power amp 2150 is a success
14:21 - Steve tells us how he got into music - story of career
25:05 - Hired at Valley Arts, Boys to men moment, Paul Rivera
30:29 - The Dickies, Did some film scores
34:53 - VHT and next steps with Fryette name branding
43:44 - Finding problems to solve - outside of the box ideas
45:00 - The power station and how it was developed
52:52 - Dave's story with Steve working on his 50 Watt Marhsall Plexi - slaving in the past and then Steve's Power Station
57:10 - What is the difference between the Power Station Version 1 and Version 2?

[@tone-talk]

Thanks for watching! Please hit subscribe and thumbs up!

[@X360Anti]

Really loving this show. So many little nuggets of knowledge that cut through the BS we all read in forums.

[@azzazelo]

My two ninety two is a workhorse and the best power amp I've ever had. Thank you Steve for making quality products and still believing deeply in customer service and support. If we had more people like Steve the world would be a much better place to be a buyer of anything

[@justinespinosa7878]

Painted a wall, did a ton of chores while enjoying this interview! Thanks guys

[@727DropA]

Just picked up a Pittbull Fifty/CL today. Wow. Thank you for the incredible amp!

[@robinmiller7958]

Great show, very interesting seeing all the connections between the guys in the industry. The long form of your show is so much better than the way most interview shows are either limited or edited.

[@fgurdian]

My favorite show, period!!!

[@tone-talk]

Francisco Gurdian Thank you!

[@diaryofanaxeman539]

The most revolutionary / game changing device that Fryette/ VHT ever made, was the Valvulator 1. I had it as the first thing my guitar plugged into and another at the end of my pedalboard. Then I moved both Valvulators 1's from my pedalboard to my rack. The Digitech 2112 SGS has two 12ax7 tubes and both both L and R stereo balanced out puts going into my two VHT Valvulators 1's before going into two Crate Power Blocks in stereo . The results are so breathtaking, now I don't need to lug around my Marshall, Mesa Boogie, Fender, VHT , Soldano or Carvin tube amps . I now have the idealized tube amp sound clean ; no hiss or hum , like from a high gain amp. People literally, think that I'm still lugging around my tube amps. Those Valvulator 1's really made the huge differences !!!! Thanks Steve, you are up there with Floyd Rose, Leo Fender, Seymore Duncan or Larry Dimarzio !!!!

[@gwgwgwgw1854]

In 1976 I learned of the L-pad and began using one with my guitar amp. In the intervening years I have tried many of the commercial solutions, The Altair, THD, Weber, Tube Juice etc but I have always come back to a 100 watt L=pad. One reason is that it seems more transparent than the others. The other main reason is that the L-pad is infinitely (functionally) variable. It's surprising how minute of an adjustment is needed to optimize the volume. When I heard about the Fryette Power Station I thought it sounded like a great idea and it is! Infinitely variable, transparent and just "right". I had tried to do something similar in the early 80s. I had Mike Bendinelli at Mesa build me a box that lowered the speaker level signal down to line level (in parallel with a load) and then I put that signal into a solid state power amp. In principal it worked but the solid state power amp sounded flat and lifeless. The Power Station does not. Thank you Steven for making such an essential piece of kit. I use it for hours every day. Garth Webber~

[@doc_matter]

This is great, i keep comiming back to it.

[@doc_matter]

Always coming back

[@lousekoya1803]

Amazing discussion !!....................me too can't wait for the next one !!

[@englVH4]

Thanks Dave and Marc, love these. Music history in four hour increments!! Oh my God, I have a yellow vinyl Dickies album

[@chrisadkison6450]

Great interview.

[@timec818]

Thanks for the cool show and the things I learned 👍😊

[@anthonyrodriguez4055]

I really love the fact that these amp builders are part of music history and that they are not aware of it!?

[@Mcfly0856]

I love this show!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@passionplayer7]

Mark, it’s been a few years, your toom has officially filled up, promise kept ;) 🤘🏻

[@RMosack]

Great video. Finally going back and watching the early ones. Well done, guys. He talks about the old Super Champ. That was my first ever amp, let alone tube amp. Sheesh! Why oh why can't anybody make a modern version of that, but without the impossible to find 6C10 tube? It's just three triodes in one envelope, right? Fender or someone should make one with a pair or 12AX7 tubes and get an extra triode in the bargain to use for whatever. Do it Fender! Or Fryette, Rivera, Friedman, etc...

[@volodyanikolaev]

Friedman's way to say I love you. Awesome stuff. Great channel.

[@luthiervandros]

Hey glad I found you here. Love the show.

[@ToddsGuitarShop]

And another legend from the tube world! Wow you guys just keep getting better and better! Looking forward to the next episode!

[@tone-talk]

Thanks a lot Todd. Next show is June 2nd with two special surprise guests!

[@yngveskarphedinssons]

My First Amp is and still is a Pitbull 50 ST 50 Watt Head EL84 x 4 1995. I also own a Ultra Lead from 2008.

[@mikeflanders1292]

Look at all those beautiful deliverances... so awesome. This guy is a genius. His idea of "great tone" is damn near perfect. Then you add dave Friedman in the mix... good lord. Dave is a genius in his own right

[@3score10]

Awesomeness x3

[@evowire]

It's weird, commenting on a 3 year old video, but I have to. I have 2 100 watt tube heads, which I LOVE. I also have an AXE FX 2. Honestly, I prefer the real thing. The best way I have found, for live use of my Axe FX is to turn off the cabinet modeling and send the outs into a stereo tube power amp. It sounds really good in this situation. Not better than my tube heads, but good enough that I don't have to lug around as much equipment.

[@Joe-mz6dc]

I checked out some Dickies videos. I love it. haha

[@Robstafarian]

My Sig:X is smiling as I watch this. EDIT: I know what Steve meant about playing the HiWatt in his room; I felt much the same way when I first played my Sig:X, which I have described as my “white whale” (sadly, I will have to it sell in order to fund my patent application).

[@joepeezy4sheezy]

1:38:08 best segment of the show.

[@ShaneOBrien]

I really paid attentions to all three of you men and the details spoken about. Tell you what! I'n surely a senior , heck old Band leader, Guitarist/Singer for the bands back when. I really miss hearing my Wet/Dry Amps set at work on the songs I had authored. And the only way to truly feel those groves again is to rent a Lock/Out Rehearsal room with a PA and play loud and proud again. This podcast's talk's about HYWATT, Sound City, (Marshall and Fender Bassman is my setup) amps and that breakup point and just plain old everything, has influenced me in getting a room lock'd in today, or so very soon... Thanks Guys, your all the Bomb. Shane How do I aquire a Tone-Talk Black T-Shirt, Doesn't matter what the cost, gotta have one...

[@hadleymanmusic]

I luv singin tubes

[@hoboroadie]

I've got an old Neolithic Sound City 4x10 cabinet that hopefully I can compliment with a new 4x12. Steven Fryette has a very cool looking baffle brace that actually updates cabinets to the 21st Century. I bet it works. 🎸 Very happy with my Power Loads, they have been extremely useful for various fiendish experiments.🙉

[@megatoneamps]

Regarding the comments about how "filter caps are just fine after 20-30-40 years... " a couple of comments and questions: 1) Fender and other "boutique" builders use Illinois brand filter caps that we have seen fail in less than a year and would never last as long a period as you claim 2) what brand high voltage filter caps do you guys use? 3) what brand high voltage caps in current production do you consider to be of good quality should you find yourself with an actual bad cap, and lets name names please! thanks

[@geezberry8889]

i had a GP3 Valvulator rack pre. Had to wait almost a year for it at the time. Very cool unit and looked killer. I have a feeling Dave will come out with a rack pre even though he constantly talks them down.

[@syfman6]

I Have an ESP Page Hamilton, the silver model. I'm a long time Helmet fan!! 💚

[@toadjam12000]

I would love to know more history of the Hiwatt, Sound City, Roost amps.

[@vmc37]

Great Show!

[@tone-talk]

v mazzone thank you! 🤘🤘

[@Harbaksh1234]

Fantastic 'channel' !

[@andyanderson7690]

Very interesting conversation. Did not realize caps last longer if used. Also realized I've never heard a Hiwatt amp in person. Of all things, the brief comments on pool motors also caught my attention. In my experience, most pool pump motors fail due to water intrusion into the electrical motor. There will typically be a seal around where the end of the motor shaft inserts into the water impeller. When the shaft is spinning, this seal is slowly wearing away. I've found they typically last a few years. The good news is that they are very cheap and easy to replace. Either just replace the drive shaft pump seal as part of your yearly maintenance, or as soon as you see water seeping out of your pump motor. If you wait too long, your shaft bearing (closest to the impeller) will fail from water intrusion. One tell-tale sign is the pump starting to get louder and louder over time. I had one get so bad it sounded like a jet engine! Eventually, the water will get past that bearing and then into the motor's electrical windings. Now the motor is probably not long for this world. So it is possible that the one commenter had a pool pump last 20 years if he routinely replaced that drive seal to keep the water away from the motor. And also replace the shaft bearings as they start to go bad. The bearings are also cheap and easy to replace with a bearing puller. As a home owner-- you learn to wear many hats! Plus, it's fun to dig into this stuff and figure it out if you have the time.

[@lucamichaelmartina4646]

Love my Pittbull 100 cl. When are you guys getting Mr Bogner on the show?

[@tone-talk]

Will be this year!

[@lucamichaelmartina4646]

Thanks for answering. Great and entertaining show

[@bjhale542]

I love this stuff. Wow...so cool to learn about the history of VHT (Had a 93 UL for 26 years) and the pathways of Friedman crossing with him. I love the HIWATT vibe and sound. Hearing about Sound City and Steve's deeper connections for his creative process is fantastic! I am excited to hear the Bogner Story in this context and format!

[@GRedit1000]

Love the Dickies!

[@peterschaefer1665]

Another awesome show! Anyone know how I can get on the list for a Syn-50/50 (fryette designed) 1U power amp?

[@tone-talk]

Peter Schaefer I'm not sure but will find out.

[@carlosmoya8169]

The voice of Mark Hoppus haha

[@scottglasson1957]

I didn’t play my vht 5012 pitbull for years until I was good enough to play it. It was a very forward sound and mistakes cut thru just like the good notes-you had to play under control.

[@tomwright2212]

Great sounding amps, absolutely shocking customer support. Good luck getting your amp fixed if it ever breaks!

[@guitarhyperborea]

So around 1 hr, he says he Power Station can be used even with the power switch off? I'm learning much through your vids!

[@hoboroadie]

I've been using two Power Loads for a year, finally RTFM and discovered I didn't need to use those two extra wall warts for the functions I was running. D-oh!🙈

[@tonykennedy8483]

Really interesting podcast as usual guys You've gotta get Paul Rivera Snr on here

[@tone-talk]

Tony Kennedy Thanks for watching Tony and yes Paul is in the works also. 🤘🤘

[@tonykennedy8483]

That's great. I used Paul's amps, both Rivera's and some of his Fenders, for years. Make sure you get him to speak about the Super Champ

[@ToneScavenger]

Great! I was going to suggest the same! I'm checking the bias and rolling pre-amp tubes in my Rivera Bonehead as I write this while listening to the Fryette inerview.

[@pauldeatherage6112]

Whats the ole flat top over daves sliding door behind him

[@leftymike5625]

Reminder to have Randell on the show...👍

[@doc_matter]

Yes

[@hadleymanmusic]

Scholtz power soak

[@johnsimms3957]

Nice show. But Mr. Fryette's audio was a problem.

[@tone-talk]

John Simms Hi sorry the audio isn’t great for you. If you can try turning the audio up louder on this and George Metropoulos’ video. Thanks for watching. 👍

[@joepeezy4sheezy]

Who is the “Russian guy” accusing him of “Exhibiting PEDAL HATRED!”? I always thought it was Bogner, but he is a German.

[@markmalonson7531]

He didn't know fane? Also pessimistic view point no go. Talk about sucking the energy out of the room as we're sitting here listening. Freyette vht was and is always inspirational.Nevermind

The video and audio quality of these early episodes absolutely sucked. i hope they get better as time goes on.

Fuck Mesa.

[@pauldeatherage6112]

Fryette tslking bout drugs and violence im so glad im not in that life. Takes a man or a woman to live and come out on top of a bad place like that

[@gvibes69]

Tubes is old old tech !" Why only russia and china makes them ??? When all the amplifier makers are from europe or america "!""" Its that hard to make tubes here ???

[@tone-talk]

USA regulations. Look it up

[@justmehere6094]

Mr Fryette, you make foine amps. But, it is completely obvious you haven't spent any time with a high end modeler. If you want that amp in a room, visceral experience, I'm sorry, but you can have that. It's possible either running into a 4x12, a full stack, or FRFR speakers right there. One DOESN'T just go through the PA/FOH, if one doesn't want to. You can have that stage presence AND go FOH. And today's high-end modelers and profilers have all the same response and feel and interaction as all the tube amps I have ever had. Sorry, Bias head is NOT at the level of the Kemper and Axe FX II (of which I have both). So, don't say no matter what anyone tells you, until you objectively try the actual top end gear. And, it does NOT take that much to 'program' and get them to sound how you want. It also doesn't take that much to 'get functional'. If you were to change the power section of a tube amp, wouldn't you have to go reset the preamp settings to accommodate the new coloring of the power section? Same thing, as your anecdote. Typical tube amp bigotry and head in the sand attitudes. Wake up, or in 5-10 years, you will be obsolete.

[@mhoff7722]

I’ve tried all of the top level modelers except for the new Neural Quad and none of them could really give me the same feel as a real tube amp in the room. They sound really good but for me they are not the same, they are not better. In the mix most of us can’t tell which is which. But as a player for a time and feel that inspires my soul I’ll take a tube amp and real cabinet every time. Peace ✌️🤘🤘🤘

[@jupitermoongauge4055]

Believe what you want about digital crap, it's up to you, you can only hear what you are capable of hearing. Other folk can hear that you are wrong

[@danmorrison8746]

Today I learned a preference for tube amps and aversion to digital modelling qualifies as bigotry.