VHT SPECIAL 8/8 USER’S GUIDE
The handwired Special 8/8 “Double-Eight” features a unique dual output-stage “single-ended” design, with
two cathode-biased 6L6GC tubes connected in parallel, and with a separate Master Volume control for each
tube. The Double-Eight can accept a wide variety of tubes, including EL34, KT66 and KT88, etc., plus you
can mix different output tube types and blend their volume levels with the separate Master Volume controls.
CONTROL PANEL FEATURES
1.
Input:
Pedal-friendly high-headroom input, with 1-megohm input impedance.
2. Volume Control:
Turning the preamp Volume knob clockwise increases the preamp drive and overall
sound level.
3. Tone Control:
This single-knob preamp tone control provides a wide range of tones, from dark to bright.
4. Boost Control:
Turning this control clockwise partially bypasses the internal tone shaping/voicing
circuitry, which boosts the preamp gain and increases the midrange emphasis. This feature can also be
engaged by the footswitch.
5. Depth Control:
This 6-position rotary switch selects the output stage’s low-frequency roll-off point. Set it
fully clockwise for the deepest low-frequency extension (great for single-coil pickups). Lower settings
(counterclockwise) expose more midrange texture and detail; the lowest settings emphasize more presence
and bite, which can tighten thick-sounding pickups such as high-output humbuckers.
You may notice a popping sound when the Depth control is turned, this sound is the Depth control’s
capacitors charging, the popping sound will go away after the capacitors are charged, this is normal.
6. Texture Switch:
This 3-position rocker switch selects the output stage’s high-frequency roll-off point and
it also influences the midrange texture. The middle position provides maximum top-end extension and the
most harmonically complex texture; the left position provides subtle high-frequency roll-off for a slightly
smoother texture; the right position rolls-off more high frequencies for the smoothest texture.
7. Master 1 Control:
This controls output tube 1’s output level.
8. Master 2 Control:
This controls output tube 2’s output level.
These Master controls are completely independent, providing unlimited output tube blending possibilities.
9. Jewel Light:
This light will be illuminated when the Power switch is in the On position; the jewel light will
be off when the Power switch is in the Off position.
10. Standby Switch:
To extend tube life, the Standby switch turns off the amp’s high-voltage power supply
while low-voltage remains to the tube heaters and 9-volt DC jack.
11. Power Switch:
This is the main power switch that turns the amplifier on or off.
REAR PANEL FEATURES
1. Footswitch Jack:
The on/off footswitch engages the preamp Boost function.
2. DC Out:
Plug the included 9-volt DC power supply cable into this jack to power your pedals or pedal
board. The LED will illuminate when the amplifier is turned on. If the LED is not illuminated, check the
internal DC Out fuse. (1,000mA maximum output current.)
3. Effects Loop Send and Return Jacks:
The post-preamp Effects Loop can accommodate a wide range
of effects. The send level is dependent on the preamp Volume and Boost control settings. High preamp gain
levels may overdrive some sensitive guitar-level effects pedals. The Return jack has a pedal-friendly 1
megohm input impedance.
