Switchable pentode/
triode mode
Texture switch for
high-frequency roll-off
Footswitchable
boost
with the flexibility to generate British tones
via the EL34/84 option.
To further adjust the output, the main
panel includes a wattage control that
descends to less than one watt for practice
situations, as well as a pentode/standby/tri-ode switch that reduces the output by about
half when in triode mode. Depth and tone
knobs adjust low- and high-end response,
and a texture switch allows further adjustment to the 12/20’s high-frequency roll-off
point. Vibrato and reverb controls offer a
little extra adjustment power as well, with
a slow/fast switch for the vibrato speed and
a deep reverb position, accessed by pulling
up the knob. A single volume knob with
footswitchable pull-boost tops off a full, but
well laid-out array of controls.
All the pedal excitement happens around
back, where you’ll find a 9V DC jack for
powering pedals, and a level-adjustable
effects loop. Footswitch, line out, and
speaker output jacks complete this ample
collection of input and output delights. It’s
a feature surplus, for sure, but I found that
the amp’s ease of use was excellent, and its
fine overall build quality left nothing on
this VHT seeming like an afterthought.
That Special Feeling
With the 12/20 in pentode mode, I plugged
in a Strat and got loose with some scratchy
Jimmy Nolen funk rhythms. I was getting
nice dynamics and touch sensitivity, with
plenty of warmth on the Strat’s middle pick-
up, having turned the depth control fully
clockwise for maximum low-end extension.
At 12 watts, I was getting similar headroom
to a Princeton Reverb, clean to about ¾ of
the way up. With the volume knob maxed
out, the amp’s breakup character was very
close to a vintage Fender flavor as well—
scooped, but with perhaps slightly more
midrange emphasis. With the footswitch, I
kicked on a touch of the 12/20’s cavernous
tube reverb, giving some acoustic energy to
a gritty three-dimensional single-coil sound
with a deep, crisp bottom and sweet, but
cutting high-end harmonics. From barking
Stones-like stabs to chimey country leads, I
could get a variety of convincing American
tones by working the guitar’s volume knob.
Harmonic complexity was nearly as good as
my vintage Champ, but I only noticed the
slight deficit when switching quickly back
and forth between the two.
The Verdict
If you’re looking for a versatile tone
machine voiced mainly for cleans and tasty
vintage Fender-combo breakup, the 12/20
RT needs your attention. Being warm and
sweet, it’s probably a little friendlier to
single-coil guitars, though I found many
great tones with my Les Paul after a bit
of searching. VHT was smart to retain a
pure single-channel design, as it gives you a
solid foundation to expand on, should you
choose to do so. It offers classic amp essences with convenient features that even purists
would have a hard time ignoring, especially
considering the price.
RATINGS
VHT Amplification
vhtamp.com
Special 12/20 RT
Street: $649 (head) or $749 (combo)
Tones
Ease of Use
Build
Value
Pros
Solid vintage combo tone. Excellent pedal
friendliness. Simple output adjustments.
Huge reverb.
Cons
Slightly too warm for darker guitars. Weight.
Clean tones could be more complex.
