Victory Amplification The Sheriff 44 Is It As Bad As They Say? Or Is It A Collectible Masterpiece?

[@DogsharkGPS]

Did my first show with this last weekend and it was awesome. Have you gigged with this amp? What's been your experience?

[@TJauernigElectronics]

I honestly can’t understand why people don’t get what a boost is going to do in front of an amp. Think people! It’s not that hard to understand

[@frankchaina2498]

Great tones. I found a workaround that makes the effects loop work quite well. Put a Lehle Parallel in the loop and adjust it's send and return to 11 and 10 o'clock, respectively. Then blend in your favourite delays and verbs with their kill dry on. Sounds fantastic. If you want to keep the loop as a series loop, just keep the parallel mix all the way to the left and run your effects as you normally would 👌

[@fastboy_guitars]

The master on this amp gets you power amp distortion at reduced volumes. Of course it distorts the fx loop return. If you want pristine reverb on top of a cranked plexi sound get a modeller.

[@borjar.6373]

My man great review you should profile it with the free NAM neural amp modeler and share it with your subscribers . Keep the good work

[@Stewes63]

Electro Harmonix Signal Pad works well in the effects loop. Kick it off for solo boost.

[@biggreensofar]

Great video Sir! You are a very valuable and relatable customer :) I'm R&D manager for Victory so I can't help but take all comments on the gear very personally.

[@DogsharkGPS]

Thanks Andy. Appreciate the feedback. I let rip with this thing at full tilt for the first time at rehearsals last night and it was incredible. First show with it tomorrow. I understand commercially the reasons for releasing the 25 but this thing is so good I wonder if you should have kept this in the range and introduced the 25 along side it.

[@biggreensofar]

It's always a very difficult decision to discontinue a model. Unfortunately, to achieve the correct retail pricing, parts, especially PCBs have to be bought in large numbers and if the volume of amp sales aren't there, it can result in dire financial consequences :) If the 44 reaches legendary status and the demand is there, we can always re-introduce! I remember getting a load of feedback from people when we discontinued the original 40W combos, (Count & Viscount). But having offered them for years and sold less than 100 of each, it was not sustainable.

[@l11l11l11l11]

Just got the 22, and it sounds absolutely magnificent. Using a Maxon 808 in front to tight it up and give it s bit more hair when needed, but I feel it colors the sound a bit to much. Really keen to try out a Friedman Buxom Boost instead.

[@DogsharkGPS]

I only use a drive pedal in front when using the clean channel. Have a zen drive clone I built just adding a little hair.

[@kennethumeck4325]

I have a Sheriff 44, as well as several old vintage Marshalls. The Sheriff 44 is a fantastic amp, and I love it. The amp freaking sounds great, period. Wayyyyy too much bs is thrown around on the internet about the "issues" or "problems" with the Sheriff, which is more indicative of how clueless some folks are than anything to do with the amp. I didn't buy it to use as a "pedal-platform", and I really don't give a damn about how it works will all kinds of effects in the loop... Just like I didn't buy my '73 Super Lead or my '79 JMP 2203 for either of those reasons. If that's what you're looking for in a guitar amplifier, them...ummm...maybe just consider getting any one of the modern-day DRRI or (whatever) clean/modern amps that are made for that purpose and plug your pedals into them?.... Instead of an amp that's designed to replicate a vintage circuit (that didn't have an FX loop, and that folks didn't need/want a bunch of FX with) at a smaller, more manageable size?... I just don't get some people. I think the comments mentioned by the amp's designer in the video about what people "thought" they wanted, vs. what they "actually" wanted sum it up pretty well. Anyway, what the Sheriff does very, very well, is give you 2 different Marshall-y flavors in one - the NMV on Channel I and the cascaded MV-style on Channel II - with master volume control of either that works amazingly well down to very low volume. Both "channels" sound and feel great. Also add in the ability to switch to a low power mode, as well as to switch from fixed to cathode-biased, and convenient bias points on the back of the chassis. The amp is really well built, quiet as a mouse, and I've never had a single problem with it. I will say, the Channel I NMV side is definitely more JTM-45 than Super Lead/Plexi style, for sure. It does deliver the vintage Marshall tones with both single coils and humbuckers down at home-friendly volumes - but it doesn't really react controls-wise the way the real deal vintage Marshalls do. Real vintage Marshalls have bright caps, which make them harsh, brittle, and thin, until you give them enough volume to get working in the sweet spot and fill out, but they also give them that famous nasty snarl and sizzle when you want it. The Sheriff definitely doesn't work this way. There really isn't a harsh, thin, or brittle spot to be found in the volume range - but that said, the amp is indeed TOO DARK, and when you really want that bright, cutting kerrrang! of a Marshall, you'll struggle to find it with the Sheriff. So there's the tradeoff - get the vintage Marshall tone and feel at low volume... but give up the razor blades. And as far as the JCM800-style Channel II goes - you'll struggle to get a bad sound out of that side (but that's an easier fish to fry, design-wise). It's a great amp, and I'd be hard-pressed to see myself ever parting with it.

[@DogsharkGPS]

Great comment. Thanks for taking the time. Couldn’t agree more. Since making this video I’ve gigged and rehearsed with it a bunch and it just sounds incredible in any setting. Only thing I would differ in would a that I don’t find the amp too dark at all. Cuts rights where I want it.

[@therover4428]

I love my Sheriff 44. It's not perfect but it can really make me happy most of the time. The main problems to me are related not only to the effect loop (I use both reverb and delay, but lightly, so it's not a real issue) and to the volume gap beetwen the 2 channels, but above all, to the dark character of the amplifier sound. Especially when I'm on the clean channel (channel 1, gain on 3) is a little bit hard to hear it in the mix of a full band... I tried to fix with EQ pedals, changing V1 tube... but I still struggling with it. When you pump up the gain is pure heaven... but ok, is a Marshall style amp, it's not supposed to shine in clean tone... but I think it could be better anyway. Usually I set the second channel with gain on about 6. Great sounds, but the volume gap is huge and hard to manage. Sometime I prefer to "push" the first channel with a Klone style OD (works great)... other ODs can have some problems with the this amp, especially if they are not very transparent and push the low-end, so be careful! ;) In the end it's a great sounding amp, with some limitations... it's easy to play, not as harsh as a real Marshall but more "gentle" (excuse my English, I'm Italian, I hope you get the gist of what I mean ), and no less, the master volume works incredibly well. I used that amp at home during Covid and it was great even at low volume.

[@nikolaraguz3555]

What are your eq settings for the channel 1? Remember that this is a vintage sounding amp, to me it's more like a jtm45 than a superlead. So, you have to open the treble and mids pretty high, tame the bass around 0-1 and set the presence according to needs (usually about 7 or higher).

[@DogsharkGPS]

@nikolaraguz3555 EQ is for both channels. I run it with the bass at about a quarter, mids at half, treble at 3 quarters and presence a notch above half.

[@nikolaraguz3555]

@@DogsharkGPS These settings don't work in my case because I have another guitar in the band to "fight" with, so I have to dime the mids and treble, set the bass around 1 and presence about 7.5.

[@DogsharkGPS]

@@nikolaraguz3555 easy fix. Sack the other guitar player 😂

[@therover4428]

@@nikolaraguz3555 my eq setting on the amp are quite "extreme". Bass 3 - Mid 6 - High 8 - Presence 9

[@cajunboy2k]

I have the Sheriff 22 and i love it. I put a Tube Screamer 808 in the front on channel 2 and got a really nice 80s Metal. I also tried the TS 808 in the return input on the FX loop and got a different, but still nice. and useable overdrive.

[@the_guitar_generation]

Great gear and playing. I’ve subbed. Happy to support a good player who’s a fellow KZbinr heading for their first 1000 subs. Good luck brother. You deserve It😉👍🎸

[@davebird534]

I have a recommendation that works for me pretty well and some of my other apps I run a tone King power attenuator . It has a feature on it that allows you to kick up db level I think it's either 2 or 3 db by pushing a button on the unit which is on the floor. It's the perfect volume level for solos. You only have that one option but it just works. In the town King doesn't suck your your punch for your tone whatsoever especially if you don't have a scalded down too far .

[@felinekaiju4517]

I have the 44, all it takes is a boost in front and it becomes pissed off on the second channel.

[@davebird534]

Hi I have the victory 22 and after seeing Martin's video on the 22 and the 44 I like the 44 considerably better he had this guy playing guitar with a strat. play absolutely ! Sounded like old bad company but the leaves solos much more technical firey! I heard that I thought this is the amp for me! Thanks for the video and the information on the amp. good video good demonstration and good playing sir!

[@lewisratford2908]

Great review 👍 love the tones . Must agree about the fx loop. Really let’s the side down.

[@tgunmusicchannel1973]

I have a sherrif 44, it is amazing. Put a boost on it and it is like a Friedman to my ears.

[@DogsharkGPS]

I’m totally loving it so far. Ready to smash out a few shows with it.

[@nathanhusband]

Killer video as always.

[@BrandOdyssey]

What does it matter who owns victory? All brands have owners.

[@sensnowtional]

Love the tones in this amp. I’m looking at trading my Orange rv50 mkii for one. How loud can you the cleans? Even with a touch of hair? Our cover band does a few funk and clean songs. But our drummer hits reasonably hard

[@DogsharkGPS]

Volume on this thing is massive. I have a loud drummer and I drown him out with the clean channel on 25% and the Master on 50%.

[@sensnowtional]

@@DogsharkGPS oh thats great news! Does it have a big volume jump between channels at loud levels, seeing it only has one master?

[@DogsharkGPS]

@@sensnowtional no it's perfect IMO. It's just the right amount of lift to feel a kick but not too much. I've been gigging this amp since I made this video and I honestly have never been happier with an amp. It just works exactly how I want it to.

[@TheFatstrat79]

Great Video! Sounds killer. I did buy one, but because of the position of the FX loop it didn't work for me and Andertons took it back with no quibble. Was a shame as it does sound amazing. I use the 'Sheriff' preamp pedal into delay then into a Fryette PowerStation and that also sounds amazing!

[@TheBhannah]

Like them blues licks !

[@ontariobobzilla89]

Bummer about the FX loop. But otherwise a fantastic sounding amp! Great playing by the way!

[@DogsharkGPS]

Cheers Bob. Smashed out a gig with it for the first time last night. It was epic.

[@BillyFox98]

Awesome video!! I just bought a sheriff 44 and as much as i turn up gain and volume i dont get the distortion that sounds in every demo i see. Second channel doesn't even get crunchy when cranked. I use medium-high output pickups and only when i push it hard with an overdrive i can get some gain out of it. Could it be a problem with the tubes? Has anyone experienced this problem too? Or did i just buy the wrong amp for my taste? 😂Thanks in advance for the responses

[@DogsharkGPS]

Definitely sounds like a problem. Mine is crunchy as f*ck. Hit up Victory service team or even try Martin Kidd on Facebook. He’s very nice. I’m sure they will sort it for you.

[@BillyFox98]

@Dogshark Thanks!!! I'll get in contact with them. Actually, it is a second-hand amp. It is practically new though. Hope they can help me with this 👍

[@DogsharkGPS]

@@BillyFox98 they’re not usually fussy about how you bought it.

[@tommyspookyandthecreepycat2053]

I snagged a Sheriff 44 at a great price a couple years back from a local shop; I suspect the previous owner decided "as bad as they say" but I'm sticking with "collectible masterpiece" on my vote. It's not designed like a modern amp nor is it a one trick pony, more like a 4-5 trick pony? Like you I do really wish that the effects loop wasn't so... fragile? but I see where to get the amplifier to easily cascade into power amp distortion it was unavoidable without some chicanery. for the intent of the design, it's absolutely brilliant. and if you want a pedal platform... get the Duchess instead.

[@ryemill7787]

I almost tossed my digiverb out the window trying to get it to play nice with this amp. Ambient and shoegaze is a big nono on this thing. Even fuzz pedals are a chore to get nice. Everything else has been good to me though.

[@rogerwilliams2629]

Sounds very tasty to ne. Just found your channel. Like it! Subbed!

[@DogsharkGPS]

Thanks for the sub!

[@rickyoldtree]

Dunno if I missed something but why can’t you put the reverb in front like the majority of people do.? I know it affects the tone in some way but it does for all amps.. ? I’m thinking there’s a reason that I didn’t hear you explain .. so my bad if so .. good luck with the channel, I just subbed..

[@DogsharkGPS]

Time based effects like delay and reverb don’t do well if your gain stage come after them. It adds gain to the repeats which make them ugly and often uncontrollable. Which is why many amps have a fx loop, which sits in between the pre and power amp stages of the amp, so you put these type of fx after the gain stage in the pre amp. Unfortunately this amp, in keeping with the tradition of the early Marshall’s uses the power amp section of the amp to add gain. Which means anything you put in the fx loop also gets gain added. I’ve been gigging with this amp since I made this video and I love it. I don’t use any reverb and only use a little delay every now and then and that good enough for me. The tone in this thing is worth it.

[@rickyoldtree]

@@DogsharkGPS hey, I see, all good then.. I’m thinking of grabbing one I’ve seen pretty cheap.. still in the “ finding ways to justify it to oneself “ stage, having just bought a bad cat black cat head.. also, I have the Marshall studio jcm thing, the one with the beige cloth.? Is that gonna be similar to the sheriff.?

[@DogsharkGPS]

@@rickyoldtree the Sheriffs channel 2 is where the magic happens. There’s a ton more gain on tap. You don’t get that on any other amp that emulates a vintage Marshall. This amp for me is one of the only amps I’ve played that achieves infinite sustain. Where you can hit a note a certain way and if you’ve got the amp dialled in just right and are stood in just the right spot your note sustains infinitely until you decide to move on. Just be aware, as Martin Kidd told me, the new 25 and the original 22&44 are different amps.

[@danhermele]

If Darth Vader was going to rock up to a gig with an amp...😂

[@Willd-ki8ix]

Buffering too bad I can't watch it sorry

[@DogsharkGPS]

Not sure what I can do about this.

[@dougpreston803]

Have a sherriff 44 and because of these design problems I really believe I got ripped off…. And Andertons Music had a part in this as they are investor in Victory

[@DogsharkGPS]

Understandable. But I don’t think there was any nefarious intentions when they released this amp. Martin designed it the way he thought a Victory “Marshall” style amp should be. Mistake he made was recreating vintage Marshall tone in the traditional way but adding an fx loop that vintage Marshall’s would never have. His comments to me on the rereleased 25 make sense in that what people expected was a more modern “Marshall” type experience. You didn’t get ripped off. You just didn’t understand what you were getting. And is why they released what is basically an entirely different amp in the 25.

[@fastboy_guitars]

There is no design problem though. It’s a deliberate design choice to achieve something specific. If you don’t like it return it or sell it. Geez. This is like buying a motorbike and felling ripped off because you get wet when it rains. 🤦‍♂️