- Victory V4 The Countess Preamp Pedal Amazon Prime
- Victory V4 The Countess Preamp Pedal Amazon Review
- Victory V4 The Countess Preamp Pedal Amazon 2
In its short history, Victory has become one of the UK's leading amplifier brands. Known for its portable lunchbox-style amp heads, the forward-thinking company has made its first step into the pedal world, with its V4 series of preamp pedals.
The Victory V4 Preamp Pedals - All-Analogue, All-Valve, All-Powerful!
The V4 Design
Taking the core sounds of its most popular amp head designs, these fully-analogue, valve-driven stompboxes from Victory can convincingly emulate their full-fledged counterparts. Powered by three CV4014 valves and a single EC900, that genuine tube amp feel and sound is captured.
Boasting two channels and multiple controls for flexible tone-shaping, a Victory V4 Preamp pedal can become the centrepiece of your guitar rig. Enclosed within compact steel chassis', you can easily mount these potent-sounding powerhouses to your pedalboard, so that your core sounds are literally at your feet!
You Can Count On This!
The V4 Countess Preamp pedal is just one of the V4 models on offer from Victory, but it is arguably the most versatile. With clean and overdrive modes, this unit faithfully imitates the tones of Victory's flagship amp, stretching from chimey cleans to high-gain British-style distortion.
With a wide frequency response, the V4 Countess pedal has an open and dynamic feel, allowing your playing articulation to shine though beautifully. With the original Countess amp developed alongside guitar virtuoso Guthrie Govan, the V4 Countess Preamp can cope with even the most eclectic of playing and musical styles, making it an all-encompassing unit.
Flexible Controls
Much like the amp version of the Countess, the V4 Preamp pedal features a similar control set for excellent versatility. With a typical 3-band EQ section, the V4 Countess also boasts a bright switch to tailor the top end frequencies. This means that if you're using the pedal in conjunction with a dark-sounding amplifier, you can compensate with this thoughtful addition.
Victory V4 The Countess Preamp Pedal Amazon Prime
With the ability to switch between two channels via a dedicated footswitch, you can set the amount of gain for each of these modes with the Vol 1 and 2 knobs. Giving you two separate voices, when running into a clean amplifier you can essentially create a 3-channel amp, with clean, rhythm and lead sounds. You can also control the volumes of these modes via the Master 1 and 2 controls, meaning that you can set one of them louder than the other for a solo boost.
Routing Possibilities
Speaking of amplifiers, the most noteworthy aspect of the V4's design is its ability to be used in two particular manners. The most simple way to setup the V4 Countess Preamp pedal is to plug it directly into the front end of your amp, much like a conventional overdrive unit. Victory refer to this as 'Standalone Mode'.
While you can achieve great results that way, you can take full advantage of the pedal by routing it through your existing amplifiers's effect loop section. Bypassing you amp's preamp section, you can connect the unit straight to the power section via the effects loop return. Routed this way, when the pedal is disengaged you’re basically using your amp as normal, but when you turn the pedal on you bypass your amp’s preamp. This will give your amplifier an almost entirely new voice, character and feel, transforming the sound of your rig as a whole. This is referred as ‘Amp Through Mode’.
The jacks at the rear of the enclosure are clearly marked, to make it easy for you to set up the unit in 'Standalone' or 'Amp Through' modes.
Remote Switch
Another feature that is worthy of note is the Remote Switch input at the side of the chassis. Batman arkham city console commands. This allows you to flick between the V4's channels with a device like a pedal switcher, via a TRS cable. You can also turn the unit on/off thanks to the Remote Switch functionality, meaning that you can almost fully control the V4 Countess Preamp with an external device.
Here's what Victory says about the V4 Countess Preamp Pedal:
Two Gain Modes
Vol 1 and Vol 2 are lower and higher gain modes. They can be switched from the top panel or via the ‘remote’ TRS jack on the side of the pedal. Bypass (on/off) is switchable remotely too.
Bright Switch
Three positions, designed as a global setting to best match the V4 Pedal Preamp to your amp, because effects loops and amp front ends differ dramatically. Choose the one that sounds best.
Two Master Volumes
Set the output levels of each mode independently, to taste. Set to zero before turning on!
3-Band EQ
Powerful bass, middle and treble controls. These also have a significant effect on the gain character and drive levels – just like in any valve guitar amp.
Protective Rail
Protection for the knobs when you’re stomping.
Connection Jacks
Clearly labelled so there is no confusion.
Power Inlet Jack
12V DC, 800mA minimum. There are four valves, so we need plenty of current! Adapter supplied.
Amp Through Mode
- Amp Through Mode utilises the effects loop of a guitar amp.
- When the pedal is ON, you’re bypassing your amp’s front end.
- When the pedal is OFF, you’re plugged into your amp as normal.
You are adding two new ‘channels’ to your amp that are independent from your amp’s own front end. Imagine if you could feed the power section of a Fender Twin, for example, with the front end of a Countess, Sheriff or Kraken. Your single-channel workhorse becomes a three-channel monster. No FX loop? Use Standalone Mode and go straight in the front.
Specifications
- Valves: 1 x EC900, 3 x CV4014
- Features: Steel chassis, 2 switchable gain modes, remote TRS switching option
- Power: 12V DC / 800mA minimum, DC adapter supplied
- Size: 225(w) x 140(h) x 79mm(d) inc. feet & knobs
- Weight: 1.65kg (3.6lbs)
Victory V4 Countess Preamp Pedal Video Reviews
$449.00
All-valve signal path
1 x EC900 and 3 x CV4014 valves running at high plate voltage. These are the first pedal-format guitar preamps to feature four valves and an all-valve signal path. This is no 'ordinary' overdrive pedal!
Two Channels
Just like its namesake amp, Gain 1 is a slightly looser more 'vintage' British-inspired gain sound. Gain 2 is tighter in the bass with a more cutting midrange character and, of course, more drive.
Remote Switching
The TRS jack gives you option of switching the pedal remotely. You can control on/off and also channel 1/2 with either a separate two-button latching footswitch or via a modern programmable switching unit. This means you can have the V4 Series Pedal Preamp off the floor and out of harm's way.
Two ways to connect
We recommend 'Amp Through Mode' for full functionality where you can choose to use your amp's own front end, or the V4 Preamp via the amp effects loop. To use it as a 'normal' pedal or if you don't have an effects loop, use 'Standalone' mode.
Bright Switch
Bright is a global tone control that optimizes the V4 Pedal Preamp for what you're plugging into. Amp effects loops, inputs, recording devices and so on all differ greatly, so just choose the setting that sounds best to your ears. Don't worry if other settings sound 'bad'. It all depends what you're playing through!
Live, home & studio
Put it on your pedalboard, on top of your amp or on your desktop. It's particularly good for fly dates, or other situations when you're not using your own amp. Just hit the FX loop return of whatever you're using and feel right at home in no time.
Steel Chassis
If you're going to be standing on it and it contains hot glass, it needs to be tough. The folded steel chassis and kick bar for the knobs means that this thing is ready for the road.
Three-Band EQ
Powerful bass, middle and treble controls. These also have a significant effect on the gain character and drive levels – just like in any valve guitar amp.
V4 Series The Countess - Technical Spec & Info
Format: Two-mode all-valve pedal preamp
Power: 12V DC / 800mA minimum. DC adapter supplied
Valves: 1 x EC900, 3 x CV4014
Size 225(w) x 140(h) x 79mm(d) inc. feet & knobs
Weight: 1.65kg / 3.6lbs
Extra features:
- Two connection modes
- Two switchable gain modes
- Steel chassis and control protection bar
- Remote TRS switching option
Related Items
Victory V40 The Duchess Compact Head
$1,239.00
All the elusive, vintage pushed clean and drive sounds you love for anything from blues to roots and rock'n'roll
This single-channel, all-valve amp is all about maximum tone with minimum confusion, housed in the same light and portable chassis as our award-winning V30 The Countess. Voice 1 offers mid-’60-type American warm clean tones. Voice II is subtly stronger and more ’50s in character. As you push the gain and engage the Mid-Kick function, the V40 takes on a more ’60s British voice for timeless blues-rock tones. All the time the V40 responds to your guitar, responds to you: it’s one for the ‘feel’ players.
Single Channel & Voice Switch
You can go from clean, ’60s Californian tones with single coils, through to a driven mid-’60s British overdrive all in one channel. Voice II strengthens the midrange subtly at the input for more punch and cut.
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Mid Kick
This works in conjunction with the Middle pot to boost midrage frequencies in the EQ section. The more you push the Midde pot, the more it pushes overdriven sounds, especially with humbuckers.
Reverb
V40 The Duchess uses a digital reverb section which sits somewhere between a plate and hall-type sound. It's 'smoother' and more 'modern' sounding than a traditional spring reverb. It's hard by-passable too if you want it totally out of the circuit.
Series Effects Loop
The hard by-passable effects loop enables you to use delays, reverbs etc after the preamp section of the amp to keep them clean sounding. If they aren't as clear as you like, try lowering the mix/output of the pedal, especially as you turn the amp master up.
Low Power Options
The front panel switch offers a low-power mode for around 7 watts. In addition, you can use the single-ended mode which selects to just one or other of the power valves in Class A operation (use them evenly to keep the wear roughly equal). Low power and single-ended mode together will take the output down below 1 watt RMS.
6L6 or EL34 Power Valves
V40 gives you the option of running either EL34 or 6L6 power valves. They offer subtly different tonal characteristics in terms of power stage overdrive and also overall frequency response. Notice we said subtle! There's a bias range switch to get you in the right ballpark, but precise bias adjustment is also advised whenever you change power valves.
V40 The Duchess key features & specification
Format: Single channel head
Power: 42 Watts,
Low Power: 7 Watts,
High Power Single-Ended: 1.5 Watts,
Low Power Single-Ended: 0.5 Watts
Valves: 3 x 12AX7, 2 x EL34 as standard
Size (mm): 342(w) x 185(h) x 185(d) including handle, feet & controls
Weight: 8.2kg / 18.1lbs
Extra features:
- Two-position Voice switch
- Mid Kick switch
- Footswitchable digital reverb with hard bypass option
- Series effects loop with hard bypass
- Power valves switchable to 6L6
- Single-ended mode
- Skeletonised metal case with rubber handle
- Padded carry bag included
- Single-button footswitch for reverb on/off included
![Victory v4 kraken review Victory v4 kraken review](/uploads/1/2/3/7/123719135/900906571.webp)
Victory VX The Kraken Head
$1,179.00
VX The Kraken packs a versatile 50-watt power section that you can use at home, in the studio or on the biggest stages
Our grey two-channel monster starts with classic British-inspired rhythm tones in Gain I mode. Gain II sears on into tight, aggressive American high-gain grind, perfect for progressive and extended-range players. One for the gain addicts, VX The Kraken pushes all the boundaries of what you can expect from a 'small' amp. It'll even travel as hand luggage when you fly.
Two Footswitchable Channels
Gain I begins with British-inspired drive; plenty of hair and friendly mids to suit anything from classic rock to metal. Gain II is tighter and more aggressive with a more modern midrange voice.
Assignable, Dual Master Volume
Assign Master I to Gain I and Master II to Gain II when you change channels… or have the masters completely independent to switch between at will, no matter which channel you're using. Your choice!
Bass Focus Switch
This is much more than a bass EQ. It works in the power section of the amp, offering either a tighter, more focussed bottom end, or conversely more loose and resonant depending on your needs and tastes.
Flexible Footswitching
Two channels, two masters plus your effects loop. Switch it any way you want using the supplied footswitches, or – like Rabea – via remote jacks on your pedal switching system.
Low Power AND Single Ended
There are two ways to tame the beast. The front panel switch offers a low power mode for around 9 watts. In addition, you can use the single-ended modewhich switches to just one or other of the power valves (use them evenly to keep the wear roughly equal). Low power and single-ended together is taking you down below 2 watts RMS.
6L6 or EL34 Power Valves
You can choose to run either EL34 or 6L6 power valves. They offer subtly different tonal characteristics in terms of power stage overdrive and also overall frequency response. Notice we said subtle! There's a bias range switch to get you in the right ballpark, but precise bias adjustment is also advised whenever you change power valves.
VX The Kraken key features & specification
Format: Two-channel/mode all-valve head
Power: 50/15/9/2 watts RMS
Valves: 4 x 12AX7, 2 x 6L6 as standard
Size (mm): 342(w) x 185(h) x 185(d)
Weight: 8.2kg / 18lbs
Extra features:
- Footswitchable gain modes 'Gain I' & '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
VX The Kraken
A 50-watt box of glorious gain for hard rock, metal,
extended-range and progressive players
VX The Kraken packs a versatile 50-watt power section that you can use at home, in the studio or on the biggest stages
Our grey two-channel monster starts with classic British-inspired rhythm tones in Gain I mode. Gain II sears on into tight, aggressive American high-gain grind, perfect for progressive and extended-range players. One for the gain addicts, VX The Kraken pushes all the boundaries of what you can expect from a 'small' amp. It'll even travel as hand luggage when you fly.
Two Footswitchable Channels
Gain I begins with British-inspired drive; plenty of hair and friendly mids to suit anything from classic rock to metal. Hp laserjet p2035 printer driver download for windows 7 32 bit. Gain II is tighter and more aggressive with a more modern midrange voice.
Assignable, Dual Master Volume
Assign Master I to Gain I and Master II to Gain II when you change channels… or have the masters completely independent to switch between at will, no matter which channel you're using. Your choice!
Bass Focus Switch
This is much more than a bass EQ. It works in the power section of the amp, offering either a tighter, more focussed bottom end, or conversely more loose and resonant depending on your needs and tastes.
Flexible Footswitching
Two channels, two masters plus your effects loop. Switch it any way you want using the supplied footswitches, or – like Rabea – via remote jacks on your pedal switching system.
Low Power AND Single Ended
There are two ways to tame the beast. The front panel switch offers a low power mode for around 9 watts. In addition, you can use the single-ended modewhich switches to just one or other of the power valves (use them evenly to keep the wear roughly equal). Low power and single-ended together is taking you down below 2 watts RMS.
6L6 or EL34 Power Valves
You can choose to run either EL34 or 6L6 power valves. They offer subtly different tonal characteristics in terms of power stage overdrive and also overall frequency response. Notice we said subtle! There's a bias range switch to get you in the right ballpark, but precise bias adjustment is also advised whenever you change power valves.
VX The Kraken key features & specification
Format: Two-channel/mode all-valve head
Power: 50/15/9/2 watts RMS
Valves: 4 x 12AX7, 2 x 6L6 as standard
Size (mm): 342(w) x 185(h) x 185(d)
Weight: 8.2kg / 18lbs
Extra features:
- Footswitchable gain modes 'Gain I' & '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
Victory V30 The Countess MkII
$1,279.00
Originally developed with Guthrie Govan as his ‘flying amp’, the V30 MKII features an all-new Clean-channel Crunch mode and the footswitchable 'Nomod' function to offer two levels of bass response
The original V30 has very distinct clean and overdrive channels. There is massive headroom and clarity in the former, with a ton of heavy rocking overdrive in the latter. With V30MKII, we’ve added an extra footswitchable crunch mode to the clean channel – developed for V130 The Super Countess – that offers a whole new palette of pushed clean, crunch and light overdrive tones to the party. Along with the new 'Nomod' function, the V30 is now the ultimate ultra-compact all-rounder.
Two Channels, Three Modes
Footswitchable Clean and Overdrive channels offer chiming, high-headroom cleans through to huge, modern-rock-ready gain. For in-between, low- and mid-gained tones, V30MKII also has a footswitchable Crunch mode in the Clean channel
All New Crunch Mode
This footswitchable addition to the Clean channel brings an extra gain stage to take you into pushed and light overdrive sounds. It’s great for anything and everything where a little bit of drive is needed from blues to country to classic rock and more.
High & Low Power Modes
People are often astounded at the punchy, high-headroom clarity of the V30's 42 watts. It's loud enough for almost any stage, but if you want to explore lower volume and a different set of dynamics, you can switch to the low-power 7-watt mode.
Nomod Function
Our new footswitchable low-end response function is a result of some users wanting a tighter feel for the V30, especially with heavier overdrive sounds. Here's what Guthrie Givan thinks of it: 'I decided to use the 'new' mode all night. Sounded mighty fine! There's nothing wrong with the Mk1, of course, but those tweaks were most definitely worth making!'
External Bias Adjustment
No need to fiddle inside the amp when you change output valves. There is also a bias range switch on the chassis to suit either EL34 or 6L6 power valves, so when you've set that correctly, you then use this for the fine-tuning adjustment.
SPECS:
Format: Two-channel, three-mode head
Power:
Clean Channel High Power: 42 Watts
Clean Channel Low Power: 7 Watts
OD Channel High Power: 37 Watts
OD Channel Low Power: 6 Watts
Valves: 4 x 12AX7, 2 x 6L6 or EL34
Clean Channel Low Power: 7 Watts
OD Channel High Power: 37 Watts
OD Channel Low Power: 6 Watts
Valves: 4 x 12AX7, 2 x 6L6 or EL34
Size (mm): 342(w) x 185(h) x 185(d)
Weight: 8.2kg / 18.1lbs
Extra features:
- Footswitch: channel change/crunch and Nomod
- Effects loop
- Skeletonised metal case with rubber handle
- Padded carry bag included
V4 The Countess Overdrive Preamp Pedal
by Victory Amplification
Currently out of Stock
The Victory Amplification V4 The Countess is a two channel pedal with clean and overdrive modes for all round flexibility. The V4 range are the first preamp pedals of their kind, using four valves to produce overdrive, when on, it replaces the preamp in your amplifier giving you an entirely new set of tones in addition to your existing amp sound.
Channel one is clean to mild breakup, great for pushing your existing clean tone or actually cleaning up a crunchy amp (when used in the loop), channel two is unbridled, glorious overdrive. Both channels have their own volume (gain) and master volume controls. The three band EQ provides powerful bass, middle and treble controls, having a significant effect on the gain character and drive levels, just like in any valve guitar amp. The bright switch is a global tone control that optimises the V4 Pedal Preamp for what you're plugging into, amp effects loops, inputs, recording devices etc. all differ greatly so choose the setting that sounds best to your ears.
The Pedal can be used the same as any normal pedal (guitar in to pedal in to the amp's input), but the V4 range truly shines when plugged in to your amp's effects loop, when set up you have all of your amps tones as normal when the pedal is off, but switch it on and it bypasses the preamp of your amp and the pedal becomes the preamp, giving you The Countess amp tones to your existing amp, effectively adding a channel and huge tonal versatility (reverb and delay pedals can still be used in the loop as normal). You can control the on/off and channel selection with either a separate two-button latching footswitch or via a modern programmable switching unit, which means you can have the V4 pedal on top of your amp, not taking up space on your pedalboard.
The valves were made to NATO spec and are Mullard NOS, due to the extremely high-quality construction Victory is giving a two year warranty on the valves over their normal 90 days (in addition to the five year warranty on the construction of the rest of the pedal).
Two channel, all valve preamp pedal adds The Countess amp tones to you existing amplifier |
Channel one is clean to mild breakup, channel two is unbridled, glorious overdrive |
Independent volume/gain and master volume controls for each channel |
Powerful 3 band EQ with global bright switch to optimise for your effects loop, recording device etc |
Works as a standalone pedal but excels used in the effects loop (replacing the existing amps preamp) |
A separate footswitch or switching unit can be used to control the on/off and channel selection |
Tour proof durable folded steel chassis and kick bar to protect the knobs |
Power supply included |
NATO spec, Mullard NOS valves |
Made in the UK |
5 Year warranty (pedal construction) |
2 Year warranty (valves only) |
Width | 225 mm (8.9') |
Length | 140 mm (5.5') |
Height (included feet & knobs) | 79 mm (3.1') |
Power Draw | 800mA (12V) |
Manufacturer Part Number | Pedal V30 |
EAN/UPC | 5060462940424 |
The clips were recorded using an ESP M-17 and a Mesa/Boogie Blue Angel combo.
RatingsPros:Incredible range of sounds. Flexible routing options. Cons: Shared EQ. Wall wart adapter. Street: $449 Victory V4 The Kraken victoryamps.com |
England’s Victory Amps has come a long way in six years, managing to grab an impressive foothold in a market crowded with established amp options. Victory’s Kraken, an aggressive amp created with input from Dorje guitarist Rabea Massaad, is certainly among the amps that most helped raise the company’s profile. Introduced in 2015 as part of the brand’s compact series, it was an immediate hit. Betting on more of a good thing, Victory introduced a big brother—the full-sized Super Kraken—and repackaged the preamp as part of the company’s V4 series.
Pint-sized Squid
Handbuilt in England, the V4 version of the Kraken preamp is part of Victory’s pedal preamp series, which also includes preamps from the company’s plexi-inspired Sheriff and high-gain Countess amps. The V4 Kraken’s all-valve signal chain uses four tubes. Interestingly, Victory didn’t choose 12AX7 or 12AT7s. Rather, the Kraken uses three CV4014 tubes and one EC900. The CV4014 is far from a household name among guitarists. And as far as we know they’ve not been used on production guitar amps before. (The most common musical application seems to be headphone amps.) But Victory came across a huge supply of them and liked them so much that they based the whole V4 series around them. Note that you cannot swap 12AX7 or 12AX7 tubes in, but replacement tubes are available through Victory. And, unlike power tubes, preamp tubes tend to last a very long time. Victory estimates the lifespan of a CV4010 at 10,000 hours.
Handbuilt in England, the V4 version of the Kraken preamp is part of Victory’s pedal preamp series, which also includes preamps from the company’s plexi-inspired Sheriff and high-gain Countess amps. The V4 Kraken’s all-valve signal chain uses four tubes. Interestingly, Victory didn’t choose 12AX7 or 12AT7s. Rather, the Kraken uses three CV4014 tubes and one EC900. The CV4014 is far from a household name among guitarists. And as far as we know they’ve not been used on production guitar amps before. (The most common musical application seems to be headphone amps.) But Victory came across a huge supply of them and liked them so much that they based the whole V4 series around them. Note that you cannot swap 12AX7 or 12AX7 tubes in, but replacement tubes are available through Victory. And, unlike power tubes, preamp tubes tend to last a very long time. Victory estimates the lifespan of a CV4010 at 10,000 hours.
The V4 Kraken is essentially a two-channel preamp in a pedal format. And just as on a conventional channel-switching amp, there are two gain modes with individual gain and master knobs for both channels. There are also knobs for a shared EQ section (bass, middle, and treble), a 3-position bright switch, and two footswitches that let you toggle between gain channels 1 or 2, and bypass. A TRS jack on the left side of the pedal lets you operate it remotely in case you want to move the V4 from the floor to a rack.
The Kraken also has a wide dynamic range and is touch-sensitive, making it musical and versatile beyond loud-and-heavy applications.
Connecting the Kraken
One of the coolest things about the Kraken is its flexible routing options. There are two ways to connect it to your amp: “standalone” mode and “amp through” mode.Standalone mode lets you patch V4 The Kraken into the front end of your amp, like a conventional pedal, or into a power amp or recording interface. Amp through routes the Kraken via your amp’s effects loop, essentially replacing the amp’s preamp with the Kraken. When the Kraken is off, the signal flows through the amp’s preamp section as normal— though if you also have effects like delay and reverb in the loop they will remain on.
One of the coolest things about the Kraken is its flexible routing options. There are two ways to connect it to your amp: “standalone” mode and “amp through” mode.Standalone mode lets you patch V4 The Kraken into the front end of your amp, like a conventional pedal, or into a power amp or recording interface. Amp through routes the Kraken via your amp’s effects loop, essentially replacing the amp’s preamp with the Kraken. When the Kraken is off, the signal flows through the amp’s preamp section as normal— though if you also have effects like delay and reverb in the loop they will remain on.
Victory V4 The Countess Preamp Pedal Amazon Review
To facilitate these routing choices, there are jacks for input, through, loop in, loop out, and effect out. There are helpful labels for each I/O and, as obvious as it sounds, it’s a thoughtful touch, because routing can get relatively complex and you don’t always have the time to research connection options before a show.
Extended Gain Range
I tested the pedal using an Ernie Ball Music Man Axis Sport and an ESP LTD M-17 7-string through Mesa/Boogie Blue Angel and Fender Super-Sonic amps. I used the pedal in standalone mode with both amps, and also patched it into the effects loop of my Super-Sonic. Through the loop, I was pleased that there was no extraneous noise, hum, or volume drops.
I tested the pedal using an Ernie Ball Music Man Axis Sport and an ESP LTD M-17 7-string through Mesa/Boogie Blue Angel and Fender Super-Sonic amps. I used the pedal in standalone mode with both amps, and also patched it into the effects loop of my Super-Sonic. Through the loop, I was pleased that there was no extraneous noise, hum, or volume drops.
I started with both gain knobs at 1 o’clock, and at this setting, unity gain starts with master knobs at around 7 o’clock, so there is a ton of headroom and the amp can get very loud. Channel 1 is the lower gain mode, and the sounds often evoke JCM900 or Marshall Guv’nor tones. Single notes are clear and sustain readily without exhibiting much compression. For chugging rhythms, it sounds focused, deep and free from boominess.
The Kraken also has a wide dynamic range and is touch-sensitive, making it musical and versatile beyond loud-and-heavy applications. Small variations in guitar volume and attack take the pedal from clean—even at high gain—to fat and crunchy and blooming with gorgeous overtones. Players that enjoy nuance and subtlety will love these capabilities.
Channel 2 is more aggressive in the midrange and, in general, thicker and more saturated along the lines of a 5150 or a Dual Rectifier. Ostensibly, V4 The Kraken is designed for progressive and extended-range sounds, so with the 7-string in hand, I tuned way down to Aflat and messed around with open-string riffs. Even down this low and with the gain past the 3 o’clock mark, the pedal remained articulate and precise, with razor-sharp note definition.
Goldilocks and the Three Brights
The 3-way bright switch is a quick and effective way to shift the tone drastically. It’s also a great way to quickly tailor the Kraken’s voice to a particular amp. With my 7-string through the Blue Angel, I initially had the bright switch at “-2”, which was great for Petrucci-type, upper register lead sounds. For power chords, it was a little too warm and vintage sounding, while the “0” setting was a little too metallic for my taste. However, “-1” was perfect, lending my tone just-right clarity without harshness.
The 3-way bright switch is a quick and effective way to shift the tone drastically. It’s also a great way to quickly tailor the Kraken’s voice to a particular amp. With my 7-string through the Blue Angel, I initially had the bright switch at “-2”, which was great for Petrucci-type, upper register lead sounds. For power chords, it was a little too warm and vintage sounding, while the “0” setting was a little too metallic for my taste. However, “-1” was perfect, lending my tone just-right clarity without harshness.
The Verdict
If you love your amp’s clean channel but long for an equally killer dirt channel (Fender tube amp lovers, I’m talking to you.), the Kraken stomp demands a look. It’s essentially a Kraken amp without the power section, and you can completely bypass it to take advantage of your amp’s lovely cleans. At a fraction of the cost of a Kraken amp, the V4 preamp version of the Kraken is an all-around victory.
Product ListIf you love your amp’s clean channel but long for an equally killer dirt channel (Fender tube amp lovers, I’m talking to you.), the Kraken stomp demands a look. It’s essentially a Kraken amp without the power section, and you can completely bypass it to take advantage of your amp’s lovely cleans. At a fraction of the cost of a Kraken amp, the V4 preamp version of the Kraken is an all-around victory.
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