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Victory VX The Kraken EL34 Loaded 50w Valve Head

Hand Made in the UK

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SKU: VICVX-EL34

Product Description

Sorry, we have to do it.... RELEASE THE KRAKEN!!!!!!. Victory have made some great amps over the years and have built up a reputation for high quality, tone rich heads that deliver a truly stunning range of sounds. The new Kraken head is, like its namesake, a real monster.

Similar to it's more refined sibling the Countess the Kraken is a portable, 2 channel head but you wont find a subtle clean channel here. Instead the Kraken presents you with 2 gain channels, 1 based on British tones and the other on American sounds. If you like your metal heavy this amp is for you.

Two Gain Modes

While a lot of amplifiers will offer you a clean and crunch channels very few offer you just two high gain crunchy overdrive channels. If you play rock or metal the clean channel may be completely useless to you so why not replace that with another gain stage so you can free up your pedalboard of all of those pesky drive pedals.

Two Tube Types

This version of the Victory VX comes as standard with a set of EL34 power amp tubes. You are not stuck with these for life though as you can easily change out the EL34 tubes for 6L6 at any time as long as you bias the amp after changing over. The differences between these tubes are subtle but noticeable in the feel to the player.

Variable Power

50w is a lot of power but it is often needed at medium to larger size venues to even be heard when mic'ed up. When you are at home however that can just be overkill. Victory know that you don't always need 50w so you can switch the Kraken down to 15w, 9w or even 2w of power for use at home, in the studio or on smaller stages.

Extended Range Friendly

So many artists that play prog metal, djent or similar genres are using extended range guitars. Whether that is 7, 8 or even 9 strings the Kraken has a trick up its sleeve to make sure you never get flabby low end again.

With a flip of the Bass Focus knob you go from a tight and focused low end that works great with extra low tunings to a looser lower end perfect for grungy American metal tones.

Reviews

Guitarist - 9/10

"For the VX to pack such a powerful punch from such a small package makes it one of, if not the best metal amp we have ever played through."

"To all extended range players: Consider yourself well and truly catered for. Unleash The Kraken, indeed!"

Here's what VX Kraken User Rabea Massaad has to say about the 6L6 and EL34 versions

"6L6 - The 6L6 Loaded Kraken has a little more warmth in the low end, and has a slightly smoother/sweeter top end which is great for singing leads. The mid range is barky and aggressive with a powerful punch. This configuration lends itself to anything between warm, pushed clean/crunch tones, through to powerful and chunky rhythm tones.

EL34 - The EL34 Loaded Kraken has a powerful and cutting mid and high range, with a controlled low end. Gain 1 gives you a classic British crunch to enjoyable high gain tones, whereas gain 2 gives you soaring lead tones, a biting mid range and a solid low end.

The difference is pretty subtle but does make all the difference in feel to the player."

Here's what Victory have to say about the Kraken

Victory Amplification from the UK proudly announces VX The Kraken, a 50-watt box of glorious gain tones for hard rock, metal, extended-range and progressive players.
Forget clean sounds: our latest all-valve compact head starts with crunching rhythm tones, and sears on to all the gain you’ll ever need. You can use it at home, on stage or in the studio: VX The Kraken will even travel as hand luggage when you fly.

TWO FOOTSWITCHABLE GAIN MODES

Gain I offers modded classic, master-volume British rock sounds. Gain II is our unique take on contemporary American high gain tones

POWERFUL EQ

Shared across both gain modes, but optimised for each

TWO FOOTSWITCHABLE MASTER VOLUMES

Footswitch between two master volume levels at any time

HIGH & LOW POWER

50 watts full power, 15 watts low power. (9 or 2 watts when used with single-ended mode)

BASS FOCUS SWITCH

Much more than a bass EQ, this changes the negative feedback in the power amp, offering tighter, more focussed low end, or more loose and resonant

SINGLE-ENDED MODE

Switch down to single-ended mode (from full power, push-pull) to use just one output valve for lower output, more compression and different playing dynamics

6L6 or EL34 VALVES

Bias switch enables use of either tube type. (For best results, the amp should be biased by a tech with any output valve change)

SERIES EFFECTS LOOP

For players who like to run effects in a loop rather than into the front of the amp. Footswitchable on/off

FLEXIBLE SWITCHING

Gain 1/II, Master 1/II and FX loop on/off. Footswitches included

Specifications

Format: All-valve head with two gain modes
Power: 50 to 2 watts RMS
Valves: 4 x 12AX7, 2 x EL34 (can be switched for 6l6)
Size (mm): 342(w) x 185(h) x 185(d)
Weight: 8.2kg

Extra features:

  • Footswitchable modes ‘Gain 1’ & ‘Gain II’,
  • footswitchable master volumes
  • ‘bass focus’ switch,
  • series effects loop
  • high and low power modes
  • single-ended mode
  • power valves switchable to EL34
  • Padded carry bag included
Jed Van Wyngaardt author picture

Written by Jed Van Wyngaardt

Customer Reviews

5.0

4 reviews

Value

Looks

Durability

Sound

Sean Cathairnaigh25th Aug 2020

Value 5Looks 5Durability 5Sound 5

Mr. James Bartlett30th Mar 2019

Absolutely love it. Sounds immense. Taken it on lots of planes, ran across airport terminals, had it both in overhead lockers and under seat in front. Only problem is I want the 6L6 as well.

Trusted Customer22nd May 2017

Genuine monster, fell in love with the amp from the first note I played and it's louder than it will ever need to be.

Mr. Giacomo Piacentini14th Feb 2017

The item was in perfect conditions and exactly as described, the shipping was fast and easily trackable. Will for sure buy again!

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Andertons Music Company's Registered Office: 58-59 Woodbridge Road, Guildford, GU1 4RF. Andertons Music Company acts as a credit broker and not a lender and only offers credit products from Secure Trust Bank PLC trading as V12 Retail Finance. Not all products offered by Secure Trust Bank PLC are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Andertons Music Company is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, firm registration number 716155. Credit provided subject to age and status.