Victoria Amplifier Co. Double Deluxe

The features have been noted in many reviews here so I will be short and sweet. First of all the last guy that submitted a review (Steve)is obviously clueless about tone. His comment about having no reverb being lame proves my point. This is meant to be a vintage, old school, no nonsense tone machine and that's exactly what it is. A reverb circuit would suck tone and take away from what this amp is supposed to be. You need to know how to use an amp like this. It's not for beginners. It is for players that know how to manipulate the controls on the amp and on their guitars. You also must know how to play. 95% of your tone comes from your fingers and not your gear.

This is the best sounding amp I have ever owned and I have owned many vintage as well as boutique amps and believe me this is it. My main guitars are Tom Anderson's and Carvins with a few Fenders, Gibsons and Custom Shop Schecters and a few others. They all sound great and retain the characteristics of the wood and pickups from each one. It is also great with pedals. I didn't think anything could touch my Matchless Chieftan, but this has become my main gigging amp. The complex tones and harmonics that come from this amp are unreal. I have seen many reviewers say you can't get bright Blackface tones out of this amp and I'm here to say you can. If you jump the 2 channels together and experiment with the 3 knobs, you can dial in any tone (except modern high gain tones) you desire. This amp must be heard to be believed.

Victorias are built like tanks and they will stand up to anything. There's a reason they have a lifetime warranty.

I have not needed customer service, but I have no doubt they will stand behind their products.

I can't imagine a better more vintage sounding amp is out there. If this amp were stolen I would replace it in a heartbeat.

bought new from victoria early 2009. had immediate complaints about excessive vibration caused by the electronics CONTROL box and tubes in the pine cabinet .He tightened a few screws and I paid and took it home. foolish move ,as the noises came back quickly.l A QUALITY VIBRATION BARRIER IS ESSENTIAL.. the perfect tweed sound" is ruined when you are constantly annoyed by extra vibration sounds. I tried to return the unit. MARK SAID BRING IT BACK, FOR ADJUSTING. He "adjusted the amp(loosened and tightened it down). It sTill was not clean.I asked him to take it back.NO. I paid cash- big mistake. Every two weeks I am working on this piece of crap with my plyers. AND anti vibration materials.. Its not a Finely designed amp, and for the money I WOULD AVOID THIS GUYS AMPS. Stick to the big names.At least they are honorable regardingreturns.
P.S. NO REVERB IS ANOTHER WEAKNESS.
FINAL NOTE:WHEN I TRIED TO RETURN THE AMP MARK CRIED POVERTY(MY X WIFE HAS ALL MY MONEY_ IM BROKE. INCIDENTALLY, HE SELLS AMPS TO ANYONE WHO CALLS, BYPASSING HIS DEALER AGREEMENTS. STAY AWAY- BUY A BOOGIE, not a headache.

I play a strat and an sg.They both sound good except the added sounds of tubes shimmering and metal vibrating really overtake the pleasure that this otherwise fine amp could supply.
Mark removed the tube guards(illegal) still doesnt cut it. This company needs to up its game, then the amp will rock. Lack of reverb is lame. Nee a seperate box for $200 to bring it up to speed.

The amp probably will last longer than my patience with Mark.

Crooks.PERIOD
Once you pay- go away
Buy from a good store, dont buy victoria. Never buy direct from Mark. His xwife will get your money and you will get screwed if your not happy.
He will sell you the amp for less than his retailers, and hell sell it tax free, but the bargain is no bargain.

I am hoping it will get stolen.

I purchased this amp after being blown away by the Victoria tweed deluxe clone, but finding that it simply didn't have enough push onstage. My local Victoria dealer suggested I try the Double Deluxe, which is 40w into two 12s compared to about 18w into one 12.

This amp delivers the same sound as it's little brother, only at giggable volumes, with more spread and dimension. If you love the tweed deluxe thing but need more push for live, you need to try this amp.

I've used my DD onstage in small clubs right through to theatres and large outdoor festivals, and it covers any size stage well.

The control layout is simplicity itself: normal and bright volumes, and a tone knob. Not a parameter fiddler's rig at all, more of a back to basics, 'do it with your bare hands' kind of amp.

I jumper the two channels, which allows me to blend the various characteristics of the two channels according to the guitar and room.

In my experience, some amps are very 'playable', yet don't sound that great, whereas other amps sound great but don't play that well. The DD is the perfect marriage of playability and great tone. Fat cleans and a beautifully dynamic overdrive that makes you just want to play forever.

Not a huge amount of clean headroom is available, but the DD is definitely a more usable live amp than a regular tweed deluxe in that regard. I like to play with just a hair of dirt on my clean, and the DD does that superbly.

The DD really comes into it's own when pushed a bit past three on the volume dials. There isn't really a sweet spot as such, but for me the best tones are with the volumes on three through to about eight, depending on how much gain I desire. within that region the DD gives up some of the best low to mid gain overdrive tones I've ever had the pleasure of playing.

There's also a surprising amount of gain when the volumes are jumpered and fully cranked. Not metal or anything, but I've used it for 70s-style hard rock and it works fantastically. The cranked tone isn't a modern, tight sound by any means -The 6V6s, tube rectifier and alnico speakers see to that- but it's a great sound for less athletic, older playing styles.

This amp is most at home playing roots-oriented styles: blues, country, soul, pre-80s rock'n'roll. It won't do super tight 70s funk cleans or metal, but it will cover pretty much everything else with style. And it's the ultimate 'Stones' tone, which isn't much of a surprise, as Ronnie Wood uses DDs onstage...

Took it straight out of the shipping box and to rehearsal, and it hasn't missed a beat since.

Mark Baier answers his emails personally.

I've been playing for about 20 years now. Currently I also have a Mesa Blue Angel head and a Fender Custom Vibrolux Reverb. For guitars I use a tele custom, a Reverend Flatroc, a Les Paul jr and a DeArmond Starfire semihollow, and I run an assortment of pedals. I've owned a bunch of other amps over the years, including most recently a Soldano Hot Rod that made way for this purchase.

I try every amp I see from Crates to Carrs, and first tried a Victoria a bit over a year before I ordered mine. I was impressed with the other models I tried, including the 40w twin, bassman and trem de la trem, but it wasn't until I tried the deluxe clone that I set my heart on buying one. Ordering a double deluxe sight unseen was a bit of a gamble, but I'm happy to say it has paid off.

I deliberately waited a while before reviewing this amp so I could get over the honeymoon period and give a fair assessment based on a decent amount of usage. Well, the honeymoon promises to be a very long one, so I gave in and reviewed it anyway.

People, this is an amazing amp. I'm constantly inspired to play and write, and I find myself really pushing myself onstage. I feel privileged to own it.

I bought my Double Deluxe used from a Guitar Center who did not know what they had on their hands. I don't know the year it was produced, but it is in very good condition, so I'm guessing it's between 2-5 years old. The amp features four 6V6GT's for power tubes, one 5751 and one 12AX7. Since this amp is cathode biased you can swap out your tubes with NOS tubes at will. It is rated at either 30 or 40 watts depending on the rectifier tube you use. The 5Y3 gives you 30 watts and the 5AR4 gives you 40 watts. It is an all tube hand-wired work of art!

It has a bright and normal channel with inputs 1 & 2. (input 2 being slightly less gain than input 1). Although it only has one overall tone control I have to say this is more than enough to achieve great TONE! You just plug and play, and man do you play with the Double Deluxe!

I use the 5Y3 Rectifier and I have to say this amp makes some of the creamiest, warmest sounds I have ever heard. By setting the volume around 9-10 and using my guitar controls I can roll between a very nice clean chicken pickin' to a classic rock power tube distortion rich with harmonics and sustain. I use an '87 American Strat and a '52 RI Tele with it and it really responds well with both. It tames the sometimes "too bright" sound of the Tele and brings out the sweet, round sound that sings and sizzles.

This amp "talks" to you and plays with you. When you change your attack you get an instant response from the amp. When you hit the strings hard, the amp digs in. When you lightly play the strings the amp purrs. it is something to be heard. It is not noisy, but there is a slight background hum that is not noticible while playing. This is a gret classic rock and country amp that can hit all the highs of the 50's, 60's and 70's music that I grew up on.

The build quality that Mark Baier has put into his entire line of Victoria Amps is legendary. This amp is very road worthy and I expect to be playing it for many years to come. With a cathode bias it makes it very easy to swap out your tubes to experiment with chaning your tone, and it also allows you to avoid going to an amp tech to re-bias.

I have used it many times in bar gigs without a back-up and know that it's "tank-like" construction instills confidence in me.

I have only e-mailed Mark Baier once and gotten an immediate reply. He would seem to be a dedicated builder with very high quality standards that include top notch customer service.

I have been playing since the early 80's and have gigged many times with different gear. '88 Fender Twin, 2001 Custom Vibrolux, 2004 Blues Junior, etc. Hands down this is the finest amp I have ever owned or played! It's touch sensative dynamics are downright inspiring. The tone you can produce is only limited by your imagination. If it were lost, stolen or destroyed I would immediately pick up a replacement.

At first I was a little bit concerned that I was going "reverb free" with a tweed model. Once I plugged in for the first time I knew I would not miss it. If I add anything to my rig, it's my Rocktron Short Timer for slap back and chicken pickin' sounds. Other than that I'm plug and play!

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This is in addition to my first review for the Double deluxe.
After my initial delight in discovering tonal nirvana a couple of things happened.
First of all the HT fuses kept blowing and a rectifier valve then failed. I was advised by Charlie that the HT fuses blowing was a sure sign of faulty valves, so I spent another #70.00 on some good, well tested Tesla replacements. I unscrewed the screws on the back cover to access the valves. The screws looked like they had been put in by a chimp. They were not straight- a small detail, but for #2000 I want straight screws! 3 of them were put in so 'skew-wiff' that the heads had been drilled into the panel by 3/4m just so that they sat flush with the panel.
Inside the back of the cab the first thing that I noticed was the crudely sanded area that had been prepared for the Victoria Amplifier sticker. When you pay 2K for an amp you dont expect shoddy work- it was very poor quality, it looked like something 'home made'.
The valve seating was so loose that the valves could be moved freely in their bases.
After replacing the valves I turned the amp back on and hey presto! nothing. Well, nothing except for smoke.
So there you have it my #2000.00 going up in smoke.
In my opinion,workmanship is Piss poor on the Victoria amps.
The valves they use are cheap and nasty.
I own several 'boutique amps'. I buy boutique because the workmanship tends to be miles ahead of mass produced products.
I understand the ethos behind the product- produce amps as they were in the 50's and 60's.
I dont beleive that they could be this bad- they would have been too proud to send out products in this condition.
Charlie Chandler gave me a full refund. He is a good dealer. He understands musicians and he understands equipment.
However, I do not share his opinion that these amps are well made.
Sorry guys but you should sack the company that you have 'building' your cabs because they dont care about your reputation.
Valves/HT fuses and smoke piss me off, but amps put together like this just make me think that someone is taking the piss.

Built 2005 bought from Charlie Chandler.
Very basic features so I am not going toi rate this and drop the score.

Telecasters with 4 way swithces and gibson/ guild semi's.
My music is focused on a contemporary style (Radiohead, system of a down etc) but the sounds and feel that I appreciate(organic might be a good word)are very much from previous era's. The double deluxe is probably the most beautiful piece of work that I have heard. Everything is real and alive, it actualy seems to talk back to you when you play. That is what an amp should do. Its the answering back of the amp that add's the unknown quantity to a recording/ live performance. The character of an amp is often ignored, but I can tell from the way that the DD sounds that no two are going to be the exactly the same.
The nearest character that I have experienced was an old AC30- no, they did not sound quite the same, for obvious reasons, but what they had in common was the urge to 'spit' the notes right back at you with there own addition to the recipie. That, I believe, is what a good amp does, and the DD does it with attitude.
When I record this amp I will probably leave the noisegate and any compression well alone- I want to hear EVERYTHING.
The headroom is not really loud enough to be clean, but you can always fiddle with the pre amp tubes to sort that out. I have not done this yet as I dont want to mess with what it already has. I may well A/B with my bluesbreaker for clean headroom.

No Idea

Not a clue

been playing for 20 years and owned most of the classic amps, pedals and guitars. This section bugs me a bit 'cause I dont really care how many 52 Teles and Hendrix's toilet brushes people own. If the amp were stolen/ lost/ destroyed I would have to get another. I just sent a badcat black cat back and replaced it with this. The Badcat was built like a tank and looked quite nice but sounded like it had been neutered. The DD would probably shatter if you dropped it but sounds like the amp that you should not have sold in 1969.
How often do you drop your amp?

Has three controls. Kinda goes back to that old expression three knobs and the truth. Four inputs makes it convenient for jumping the channels. I play blues, rock, rockabilly and try to do some jazzy stuff and some chicken pickin too. Got everything it needs.

I use mine with the 5y3 Valco recitifer, NOS GE 6V6 power tubes, and a Raytheon 12ay7 and a JJ 12ax7.

1. Heritage 150CM with Duncan Antiquity pickups, then into a Hot Cake, Klon Centaur, Boss Tuner and an old Maestro EP-3.

2. Heritage 535 with Seth Lovers into same pedals into amp.

3. Homebrew blackguard Esquire clone with a Duncan Broadcaster, straight into the amp.

4. Plug any of the guitars straight in, and let her rip.

This amp sounds phenomenal for roots music, like blues and country and "three chord rock" like Tom Petty, Stones, ZZ Top. I just love the rich, harmonics in this amp, and love how it sounds when its into full tilt compression. The sounds this amp makes is just great.

One guy thought it sounds like a cross between a Tweed Deluxe and a Vox AC30. Myself I just find that it sounds like a slightly louder Tweed Deluxe.

High headroom or mucho clean is not this amps forte. It has a nice clean sound, but its just not a loud clean. It starts overdriving beautifully at about 3 and just keeps going from there up. I like to use it at about 6 with the channels jumped and then use the controls on my guitar to control from there.

No problems owned it since July of 2004, bought it used.

Mark Baier is fantastic, my favorite amp maker, an absolute gentleman every time I've spoke to him.

Warranty is lifetime, on construction.

I bought this from a dealer who was oblivious to how much these sell for. Sometimes I wished the clean was louder, but then that would ruin the character of the amp. I love the nice chime that it has, and I love the early breakup, and the simple control layout. If I lost this or had it stolen, I'd be buying another as soon as the insurance money came, I just couldn't get this kind of a deal ever again.

When I played the amp in the store I was just blown away at the tone that it had. I played it twice in the store for a good hour both times, and I just had to buy it.

2003 Double Deluxe. two volume controls and one tone control. 40 watts. This is simple as it gets, and for those who love the 5E3 circuit it doesn't get any better. Uses 4 6V6's and either a GZ 34 or 5Y3 rectifier. The amp has two pre-amp tubes that are the key to the amps performance.

This is an update from a previous review I did several months ago. I liked my Double Deluxe but it kept making a buzzing noise and the distortion should have been smoother and less grainy sounding. Therefore I looked at my tubes and the power tubes and the rectifier seemed fine so I changed the first pre-amp tube from a EH 12AX7 to a Groove tube 12AY7 and the Second pre-amp tube from a Sovtek 12AX7LPS to a Groove tube 12AX7R. The Amp just came alive!! It was louder with better headroom and the distortion is wonderful, in fact I don't even need a pedal when I play my 57 Gold Top Les Paul. If you have a Double Deluxe take a look a the pre-amp tubes and try some different ones you maybe as surprised as I was. This is truly my favorite amp now!!

All Victoria's are built bombproof.

Mark Is excellent for helping you with advice and insights.

I've been playing for 30+ years and this amp is so much fun to play that it feels effortless to get great sounds, in fact this may be the ultimate blues amp.

This is a new (11/03) Double Deluxe. The amp is very basic with four imputs, bright and normal volume controls and a single tone control. The solid pine cabinet is covered in tweed and has two 12 inch Jensen P12Q speakers. The only option I ordered was a standby switch.

I play a Eric Calpton Strat, 52 RI Tele and a LP Std into this amp and they all sound wonderful!! The amp sounds very alive and is the most responsive amp I've ever played when it comes of pick attack and working the volume control. I tend to favor single coils over humbuckers and this amp sounds very rich and full with the single coils. I was surprised at the volume to amp has, it will work for most gigs without miking. I have to admit that this is the best pure tone machine that I have ever owned.

All Victoria amps are rock solid and because of there design they are easy to fix.

Warranty for life! Mark Baier is very easy to work with and has always answered my e-mail.

I've owned to many amps to remember over the years, but I honestly feel this is the best blues type amp I've ever played or heard.

This is a new (11/03) Double Deluxe. The amp is very basic with four imputs, bright and normal volume controls and a single tone control. The solid pine cabinet is covered in tweed and has two 12 inch Jensen P12Q speakers. The only option I ordered was a standby switch.

I play a Eric Calpton Strat, 52 RI Tele and a LP Std into this amp and they all sound wonderful!! The amp sounds very alive and is the most responsive amp I've ever played when it comes of pick attack and working the volume control. I tend to favor single coils over humbuckers and this amp sounds very rich and full with the single coils. I was surprised at the volume to amp has, it will work for most gigs without miking. I have to admit that this is the best pure tone machine that I have ever owned.

All Victoria amps are rock solid and because of there design they are easy to fix.

Warranty for life! Mark Baier is very easy to work with and has always answered my e-mail.

I've owned to many amps to remember over the years, but I honestly feel this is the best blues type amp I've ever played or heard.

This amp is perfect for me. Less knobs, and more tone. I have the one that was made for Jimmy Rip in 96. It has V30's and it weighs close to 55 lbs. I wish it was lighter but people have said it sounds much better than the new ones. Whatever-they all sound great.

I am in a band that is just me on guitar, a drummer, and a vocalist. I have to cover a lot of tone and this does it. I use a Les Paul Copy and a Tele. It allows me to achieve some nice grit and our singer can alway be heard. It is super sensitive and just rocks. I would much rather have this than all of the fender, marshall, and other amps I have owned and played.

I couldn't afford to gig with a backup-unless I was signed to a label I don't think I ever will. I am hoping it will continue to hold up.

I have a dealer I trust for repairs, but everytime I have called I have got Mark on the phone and he is always totally cool.

I own some fulltone pedals and electro harmonix pedals, but the most important thing is your amp. I think it is way more important than your guitar. I play in Los Angeles and it stands out because so many dumb shits play Mesa Boogie half stacks with Les Pauls in small clubs and just punish people with them. Sound guys always appreciate what I show up with and it sounds awesome.

Purchased used in 2002, I think this one was made in 1999. Came with Philips 6V6GTs (4), a Mullard 4004, an RCA 12AX7 and RCA 5Y3. A GZ34 can be used to bring the power up from about 30 to 40 watts. Two channels with bright and normal inputs for each. Channels can be bridged. Two volume controls that are interactive and one tone control. With both volume controls at between 7 and 8, the midrange is emphasized even more. 2X12 Mojo Tone V30s speakers. 4 ohm load. Lighter than most 2X12s, not a back breaker. Power switch, but no standby. I can understand wanting to stay true to the original circuit, but not including a standby switch is a major flaw in this day and age when decent tubes are costly. The 5Y3 is directly heated, so every time the power is switched on, the power tubes get slammed with voltage and no time to warm up properly. This shortens tube life significantly which can be a problem. Otherwise, this amp has all the features I need. Would be a 10 with a standby switch.

I primarily use this with humbuckers (Les Pauls) and P-90s for rock n roll. Both pup types work well through this amp. Not much by way of clean tones available except at low volumes. At cranking volumes, the DD spits out the most glorious, raunchy, compressed, saggy overdriven tones ever to grace a pair of ears. Rich, singing sustain is available sans any type of overdrive pedal, but I like to use one for endless sustain and to get more feedback. A wonderfully responsive amp, it delivers various tones depending on how one is handling his guitar. Definitely more saggy and compressed with the 5Y3. With the 5Y3, it is possible to crank this baby up without being too loud for most club gigs. With the GZ34, the power difference it not great, but it is noticeable with punchier, less saggy tones. Sounds incredible with either rectifier tube type, but I prefer the 5Y3 because of both the feel and the volume level. For raunchy, meaty, overdriven tweed tones, the DD delivers. Pure tonal heaven.

Has never given me a problem. Extremely well made with all top shelf components, so I don't suspect this will need anything more than regular service and new tubes. I'd gig without a backup, but I'd bring extra tubes. No biasing necessary since it's class A.

Mark has always answered my emails promptly and has been great the couple of times I called him with questions.

Been playing 15+ years. This is a killer amp, one of the few I've ever been satisfied with. I tend to favor it over a Vox AC30, although I love both amps. They're very different animals to be sure, but both great in their own way. These are expensive, but worth it. If lost, I'd have to get another one.

4 inputs (Normal/Bright channels, Hi/Low on each channel), 2 volume controls (1 for each channel), 1 tone control, 2 Jensen P12Ns, 4 6v6s, tube rectifier, cathode bias. 30-40 Watts. The channels are gangable. Laquered tweed covered pine cabinet. Relatively lightweight.

This amp doesn't offer the apparent versatility of other amps with built-in effects, channel switching, effect loops and more complex tone shaping controls but there is more real versatiliy with this amp in that the amp responds well to your guitar and your technique. You might find that you don't need anything beyond the one real feature this amp has... its sound.

I play strats and teles. I use a Fulltone Clyde, a Fulltone 70's Pedal, a TC Electrtonics chorus and a Boss DD-5 echo. This setup works for country, rock, funk, blues and jazz.

My setup isn't noise free... single coils and pedal chain contribute a lot to the noise, but the amp isn't dead quiet.

This amp gives you power tube distortion when played above 4 with your guitar volume all the way up. When you bring the guitar volume down, the amp cleans up. The clean sound is more mid-rangey than that of blackface Fender. The amp sounds warm and articulate. It will sustain for days. It is rich in harmonics. It sounds wonderful.

I haven't had a problem. I do use it without a backup. If this thing ever fails I'm sure I can get it fixed. This is basicly 1950's technology.

I have had no dealings with the manufacturer.

I currently own or have owned several black/silver faced Fenders, various Mesa Boogies, the Maz-38, a JMI Vox AC30 and other amps. This is now the only amp through which I play.

This is the same amp that was reviewed by the previous reviewer. I traded him a Maz-38 for this amp. I try not to do bad things, but I feel like I stole this amp from him.

The features on this amp are the only ones you need. Normal channel, bright channel, and Tone. Oh yea,.. and Hi and Low jacks for each input channel. My amp was made in 2001 and has Phillips Tubes in it. Also 2 Jensen C12N RI speakers. If you know of Victoria, you are aware of the production of these,.. hand wired,.. no circuit board,... built like a tank. This is an amp for someone who is tired of going through amps like a flea market. I thought about how much I had spent on ok amps that didn't quite cut the mustard but got the job done and finally decided to get the best amp I could find.

I play anything from country to Allman Bros. to ZZ Top to blues, etc. I have a basic sound that I like and kind of tweak it to fit what I'm playing. I use a Std Tele and go through a few pedals. Tele/Wah/Fulldrive II/Tube Screamer 808 mod/Boss Delay/Victoria. I borrowed my friend's Fender Tweed Deluxe one day and I fell in love with the sound, but I really wished that it was louder. Then, a few weeks later,.. the same friend had a Victoria Low Power Twin that I heard but that was way too loud to get any tube saturation. So, I read about the Double Deluxe and was in the market for a Vibrolux Reverb but perferred the Tweed sound to blackface. I decided to try the DD and I am so glad I did. The amp can get really nasty with lots of natural distortion, or it can clean up and have the sweetest sound with just a hint of growl. The amp is quiet and has just a slight noise to it but you'd never hear it from 5 feet away. I played it this past weekend at an outdoor gig and had the guitar in the bright channel, and the volume maxed out. I could not ask for a better sound. The lows are deep but never "Fart" out when pushed. The highs are sharp but not to the point of bleeding your ear drums. The only other amp I'll need is to get a Twin Reverb for real clean stuff. The DD can fake it but doesn't have the personality. Let's face it, there is no such amp that covers everything, but the DD does everything except crystal clean.

Had it for 3 months now, love it.

E-mailed Mark Baier once and got a great response within 24 hours. Try that with Fender or Mesa.

I'll make this short,....

I love this amp. It does everything I need it to. I get surprised by it every time I use it. I don't think I'd buy another one if it got stolen,...... I'd commit suicide!!!! I'd love to hear Victoria's Reverberator with it but I don't have the $$ for a $400 reverb/trem unit. I recommend this amp to anyone who likes a basic distorted sound that can go and get nasty or clean up a little. Best amp I've ever heard and looks great too!!! Thank you Mr. Baier!!!

Volume and tone control and 4 inputs. Very limited features but it does have killer tone through a large range of settings. It has plenty of power to play at what a drummer would consider reasonable stage volume. I play clubs and fairs and corporate functions and weddings.

I'm playing jazz, R&B, blues, and funk. It's no wonder this amp gets killer reviews. The tone is unbelievably rich. I play a 6120, Strat, Tele, 335, and GB Ibanez. All have killer tone through this amp. Effects sound cool through the amp but I have gigged with no effect at all and it's just incredible sound. Also, the amp is not so heavy that it's hard to move.

I've used it on about 15 gigs but I do baby the amp a bit because I like it so well. It seems very dependable.

I have not dealt with the company. My amp has worked perfectly for 4 months now.

I've been playing 27 years and this is an amp I will keep. I can not imagine nor have I ever heard better sound. I will probably buy a smaller Victoria someday to play in smaller rooms. If a PRS is worth $2000 then this amp is worth $4000. The amp has much more effect on my tone than the guitar I plug into it. It makes all my guitars sound great. I think it's a great value.

I purchased this amp in mid 2000 after owning a 68' marshall 2 12'combo for many years.(very loud!) I love to play rock, blues, funk and this double deluxe amp works nicely for all of these styles. This amp is all about tone. If you are not bothered by having tone don't worry it will catch you one day. That is the day you'll want to check out Mark Baier's Victoria amps. I have heard the half twin (nice and crunchy) and the full twin. (more volume than I can stand!) I have owned amps that have tons of control but without the one sound that matters most.
It has four inputs so you can daisy chain the inputs or send the 30/40 watt amp a lower input signal. You can change the rectifier tube to increase the output. Haven't tried that yet.
It seems to want you to plug into the bright channel and turn it up! I have two 12' Jensen's in it and love the way they interact with the cabinet. It looks vintage fender but it has it's own sound...big, full, ballsy, rich, sweet and singing.

I like to play strat type guitars and they sound glassy on the single coils and the humbuckers are fat and woody. The Bright channel is where I have been using it and when you back down on the guitar volume it cleans up for rhythm stuff nicely. I tend to use it with the volume between 2 and 3 and a stomp box for over the top distortion. I can't wait to get in a bigger room to push it to 4 or 5. It gets nice and round at that point and sustains very well.

I have only had a pre amp tube go microphonic on me and I just replaced it with no other problems. There is one thing though, the cabinet moves so much that the handle was driving me crazy with some sympathy buzzing from the metal upon metal handle. There where some rubber inserts but they didn't do what they where intended to do. I used some electricians tape and think I have it under control now. I have used it on 30 gigs by now and it sounds like it could do many more.

I understand they have a lifetime warranty so i am covered as long as they are around. I have called to ask questions and they have been very courtious and prompt with answers.

I have played guitar for 30+ years and bought and sold more stuff than I care to remember. From junk to boutique. I haven't heard everything out there but for me this is the sound i have been hearing for many years in my head. I would definately get another one if I lost this one. It puts a smile on my face everytime I turn it on!

Its simple for a reason, and it pays off.

There's really no other amp like this. Its two tweed deluxes in the same box, with one set of controls. Its organic. I have owned a lot of amps - this one is for grown ups. Everything you do with your hands comes out. You can make it whine, sing, bark, snarl - with your hands, one note at a time. Its warm. 6v6 being the main reason. Its big - huge - without being loud. The pine baffle and cab resonate perfectly with the amp. No farts. Smooooth as glass.

I've now played this out say 30 gigs and it never fails to do something cool. Every tweak does something musical. I gang the channels together for even more fun. You can use the volume control interaction to control tone. Two mojo's. They sound a lot like 60's oxfords. It comes with NOS RCA 6v6's! This is an amp for guys who love amps. Cleanest manufacturing I've seen (except for maybe my tophat) which is also perfect. Its got classic cathode follower "meow", each note can be an adventure. Loud enough for any club gig, sings on 3. Its gets hot and sags nicely after about 4 minutes of playing.

Mine blew up due to a generator at a festival gig giving us 150 volts all night. Sad - but not the amp's fault. I will use it without hesitation and without backup i nthe future. It was a fluke but a good reminder that these tube amp designs can be vulnerable to high voltage. Also, the people at victoria were excellent and helpful (so far) getting it fixed. Lifetime warranty and they stand by it. My Amp Tech would have fixed it almost free, but Mark at Victoria wanted to understand what happened in a very paternal way. That sort of dedication is rare and I have no reason to think he wouldn't do it for anybody. You are buying people when you buy the amp, and they are the best.

See above

30 years playing, most of it at clubs. I keep 2 custom shop 335's, a flame Gibson Chet, a 62 reissue tele with alnicoII pro's, a Gretsch 6120 reissue, and several others. I keep two 65 super reverbs, a top hat club royale, and a 62 reverb rocket. I would buy a double deluxe again if it were stolen, even if it were more money.

This is not a glassey amp and its voiced more to smooth out a single coil than to bring definition to a humbucking - but I use it with either and am quite happy. It is what it is - but it will do things for your playing that very few amps will do. It has all the pedigree of a '59 bassman, and will bark like one - but with two 12's - and 6v6 warmth. I set it up next to Bogner etc. at Makin Music in Chicago and the Double Deluxe was obviously sweeter, more tone, harmonic complexity etc. Not a tough call at all.

I believe this amp was made in 1997. It is certainly not loaded with features--it's a one channel amp with bright and normal inputs, two volume controls and one tone control. That's it. No reverb, tremelo or presence. The volume controls are interactive, just like an old tweed deluxe. The idea behind this amp is to get the great tweed deluxe tone at a much louder and bigger volume. The amp is powered by 4 6V6 tubes and has two 12 inch speakers (mine has the mojo's, Jensen also available. It has a laquered tweed cabinet. This is not a feature laden amp, but that is not the purpose. It's purpose is great tweed deluxe tone.

This amp sounds absolutely wonderful. I do not like a completely clean sound, and the Double Deluxe always has that great edge of breakup/fat body sound, even at lower volumes. When I am playing at home or gigging, I like the sound to break up a little if I hit the guitar hard. That is what distinguishes this amp from many others, including other Victoria models. Above 2, the amp will start to break up. At 4, it really crunches nicely. It really does not get much louder than half way up, it just gets more gain. Keep in mind, this is power tube gain; fat, woody and singing. The volume controls are great for dialing in your sound and gain, and the single tone control is all you need. I plug into the bright channel, and the amp does not have a single coil/humbucker preference. It has more harmonic character than any other amp I've played or owned, and that is saying something. This amp is really superb for rock, blues or heavy jazz/fusion. It does have a lot of gain, but is definately not a metal amp--it's got way too round a sound for that. It also cleans up great when you turn down your guitar--very dynamic. Running the amp at 30 watts, the tone is sweet and singing. With the other rectifier tube, it runs at 40 watts for a bolder, louder sound with better frequency response. Either at 30 or 40 watts, this is a pretty loud amp.

Never had a problem. I've had it for 2 years, and it has never given me anything but consistent, great tone. I would gig without a backup.

I have had to deal with Mark At Victoria. In fact, my wife went to school with him so I had a chance to call him, and he invited me down to the factory when we were in town. I had a chance to play through all his amps (including a prototype) and came away thoroughly impressed. In fact, he let me buy the Double Deluxe I tried in his shop. He answers his phone and has always been responsive. I later bought a Reverbarato that is also great and unique.

I have been playing for over 25 years. I am into gear that is useful for the playing musician that cares about tone. This amp fits the bill. I would definately replace it if it were stolen. It has a sound like a great old deluxe, only much louder and bolder. I do not know of anyone besides Victoria that is able to actually sound better than some of the legendary amps of the past. This amp may not be as popular as some of his other models, but I don't know why-- the word needs to get out about it. Great tweed deluxe sound--as loud as you want it!