[The coveted British sound] A thorough comparison of Victory amp heads! Features, recommended models, and reviews [Duchess, Jack, Kraken, and more]

"Small but professional"
"High-level clean and high-gain"

A coveted British brand with such word-of-mouth reviews

Victory Amps

However, when you actually start considering buying one, the model names alone can make your head spin: Duchess, Jack, Sheriff, Kraken... What's more, the output varies from 25W to 100W. "Which model is right for me?" Many people may be confused.
In this article, we will introduce some of the Victory amp heads that are easy to find in Japan.Targets of each series, sound character, and actual user reviews We'll compare them thoroughly. We'll help you find the one that's best suited to you, from the clean sound lover at home to the metal guitarist who wants to go wild at loud venues.

What is Victory Amps? | The essence of a practical boutique trusted by professionals

Victory is " Boutique-quality sound in a size and functionality that's easy to use on the job site" is the slogan behind this rapidly growing British brand.

Since his Cornford days, founder Martin Kidd has been praised for his circuit designs that are "clear and faithful to the player's nuances," and this brand maximizes these virtues.

The representative Duchess adds a unique warmth to Fender-style clean pedals, the Jack covers everything from clean to high gain in one unit, and the Kraken delivers modern metal-level distortion in a small head.

Furthermore, the V4 Pedal Amp houses a vacuum tube preamp and 180W Class D power in the pedal housing, pioneering a new field of "board amps."

Combining British craftsmanship and innovation, Victory is a brand worth keeping in mind when searching for your next watch.

Victory Amps｜List comparison table

Specification / Model	Danish Pete Duchess	RK50 Richie Kotzen	The Duchess	Duchess Deluxe	Super Duchess	The Jack MkII	super jack	Sheriff 25	Super Sheriff	The kraken	Super Kraken	Deputy 25	The Copper	Copper Deluxe
Rated output	42/7/1.5/0.5 W	50 / 9 W	42 / 7 W	42 / 7 W	96 / 30 W	42 / 7 W	100 W	25 W	100 W	50 / 9 W	100 W	25 W	35 / 12 W	35 / 12 W
Channel Configuration	1ch + Mid/Voice	1ch + Boost	1 ch	1 ch	1 ch	2ch + Crunch	2ch + Crunch	2ch (Vtg/Hot)	2ch (Vtg/Hot)	2ch (G1/G2)	3 ch	1 ch	1 ch	1 ch
プリ管	12 x 7AX2	12 x 7AX1	12 x 7AX3	12 x 7AX3	12 x 7AX3	12 x 7AX4	12 x 7AX4	12 x 7AX3	12 x 7AX4	12 x 7AX4	12 x 7AX4	12 x 7AX2	12 x 7AX3	12 x 7AX3
パワー管	EL34×2	EL34×2	EL34×2	6L6 × 2	6L6 × 4	6L6 × 2	6L6 × 4	EL86×2	EL34×4	6L6 × 2	EL34×4	EL84×2	EL84×4	EL84×4
Weight (approx.)	8.2 kg	9 kg	8.2 kg	12.5 kg	18 kg	8.2 kg	14 kg	8 kg	14 kg	8.6 kg	14 kg	7 kg	8 kg	12 kg
Main functions	Spring Rev. Multi-stage Lo-Pwr	Boost・Rev・Trem	Pedal PF, Mid/Voice	Rev＋Trem・Mid/Voice	Rev＋Trem・Large headroom	2ch+Crunch・FX Loop	100W version Jack	Vintage/HotRod Switching	100W Plexi/HotRod	Brit/US High Gain	100W＋Clean Channel	Simple Rock	Evolution VOX AC30	Copper + Rev/Loop
character	Warm, clean, sweet and crunchy	Thick crunch with just one knob	Super clean	Clean + Space Complete	Ultra Headroom Jazzy	The all-rounder	High power version of Jack	25W Plexi type	80s~Modern HR/HM	Tight HM/Metal	3ch Metal Flagship	Intuitive Rock	Chiming VOX	VOX+Rev/Trem high-end version

Victory Amps｜Lineup and Features

DP40 The Duchess (Danish Pete Edition)

This model is based on the vintage American clean sound that is the appeal of the Duchess series, and is tuned to Danish Pete's tastes. Its strengths are its reverb and various output modes, while being housed in a compact lunchbox size (approximately 8.2 kg).

The clean tone is warm yet punchy, and can produce anything from a beautiful clean with a wide headroom to a thick crunch with a mid boost. The reverb can also be turned on/off with the included foot switch, making this an easy-to-use unit for both home and live performances.

Victory / RK50 Richie Kotzen Head

The eye-catching white RK50 is an amp that has been stripped of unnecessary functions in pursuit of a pure tone. By deliberately eliminating the 3-band EQ and making it a single tone, the nuances of the player are directly reflected. The clean sound is brilliant, and by increasing the gain, it covers everything from thick crunch to rich leads.

Kotzen himself wanted to "create sounds with his feet," so the boost and effects are built in, and the ability to control volume, distortion, and spatial effects with just his feet is also appealing. The vintage-style tremolo and reverb are also practical, making this an amp head with plenty of expressiveness even with just one channel.

Combo Type

Cabinet

V40H The Duchess

V40H Duchess"I specialize in vintage style American clean."It is a great amp. Even when you turn up the volume, the distortion is very low, and it produces a beautiful, sparkling clean tone.

The Voice switch allows you to change the tone from a warm, wide-headroom blackface style to a mid-range crunch-like tone. Overseas users have divided opinions on the clean sound, with some saying it's "more like a Dumble guitar than a Fender guitar" and others saying it has some Marshall elements. It also works well with distortion pedals, making it versatile if you use a pedal to add your favorite crunch/lead. This is an ideal guitar for home guitarists who use "clean clean + pedal distortion."

V40DH Duchess Deluxe

The V40 Deluxe (Duchess Deluxe) is a model that could be called an "evolved Duchess." The standard Duchess has built-in reverb and tremolo, which were previously provided by external pedals, so you can get a rich clean sound even when plugged directly into an amp.

When using Voice II and Mid Kick, you get a crunch that is slightly brighter and airier than the previous model, and at maximum gain, the distortion and compression are stronger than the original. In other words, it has the depth to cover not only clean but also blues to rock distortion areas. The texture of the spring reverb can be adjusted from dark to bright with a knob, and the tremolo is smooth, unique to tubes. It is a high-quality amp that is multifunctional and has a high headroom while retaining the atmosphere of vintage Fender.

V140 Super Duchess

The V140 Super Duchess is positioned as a "high output version of the Duchess." The beauty of the clean sound remains the same, but the output has been increased to about 100W. This is the ideal specification for jazz and country players who want to keep the clean sound as clean as possible, or for those who play in loud bands and mainly use clean sounds.

It also has a 30W low output mode, making it easy to use for home practice or small gigs. However, it is the heaviest and largest in the series, so you will need to be prepared to transport it."An amp that can produce clean, full-bodied sound"This is a machine that will satisfy those who are looking for the best.

V30 The Jack MkII

The V30 MkII, also known as "The Jack," is Victory's most versatile amp head. In response to Guthrie's request, a crunch switch was added to the clean channel of the MkII, making it even more user-friendly. The clean can be adjusted from a clear tone to a slightly distorted bluesy sound, and the overdrive channel can handle everything from classic rock distortion to modern high gain.

"If you have this, you don't need anything else."Some have commented that it is so good that they think it is a great amplifier, and its performance is truly worthy of the name "all-rounder." It is compact and easy to carry, and the ease of maintenance is also appealing, as you can adjust the power tube bias yourself with the bias adjustment knob on the back. It is also ideal as a first full-fledged amplifier head.

V130 The Super Jack

The V130 Super Jack is a professional amplifier that has been further enhanced from The Jack. The sound quality is faithful to the original, with a glossy clean sound and a sharp and thick overdrive sound. However, the large output of 100W means that the clean sound won't get lost even in band arrangements or at high-volume rehearsals, and the distortion channel has plenty of bass and is full of power.

Although the specs are too much for home use, this amp really shines in large spaces such as rehearsal studios and outdoor live performances. It is powerful and stands out from the small heads that Victory specializes in."Almighty even in loud environments"It is suitable for those who want high performance.

Sheriff 22 & 25 Series

The Sheriff series"A modern, updated PLEXI amp"The Vintage mode gives you a sweet crunch perfect for blues and 70's rock, while the Hot Rod mode has the depth to cover everything from 80's to 90's high gain.

In particular, the Sheriff 25 streamlines the two-input configuration of the old 22 model, allowing you to use a single unit to create a variety of classic British sounds. It is also well-known for its sound at low volumes, and the 2W output of the Sheriff 1 was well-received for its low degradation of sound quality and its usability even in apartments. The new 22 does not have a low output mode, but the master volume works well and is perfectly suitable for home use. As some have called it a "jewel box of distortion," this is a series worth checking out if you're looking for classic rock distortion.

VS100 The Super Sheriff Head

The VS100 Super Sheriff is a "super" amp head that refines classic Marshall tones with modern technology. With 100W of ample power, the clean sounds are thick and powerful, and the full gain of the Hot Rod channel makes it easy to handle roaring metal sounds.

The two gain channels can be switched with a foot switch, making it easy to instantly switch between clean tones and high gain for solos during live performances. Even in situations where the Sheriff 2 is not enough (loud rehearsals or on stage), the Super Sheriff has no problem, and it is easy to understand why it is said to be "one machine that can handle everything from rock to metal."

The only thing to note is that it is clearly overkill for practicing at home, so you need to be careful about that.

VX The Kraken & Super Kraken

The Kraken series is popular with guitarists who want to master the modern heavy style. The VX50 is small but packs all the essential elements for metal."Victory's highest gain"It is said that Gain 1 covers everything from 70's British hard rock to thrash metal riffs, and when you switch to Gain 2, it instantly transforms into a modern high-gain lead.

It goes well with 7-string guitars and drop tuning, and its tight, sharp bass is highly rated regardless of genre. The Super Kraken also has an additional clean channel, making it a monster that can go from clean to crunch to super distortion with just one unit. With minor improvements such as a built-in noise gate (installed in the Super Kraken) and a MID band shift, it is a highly complete metal amp for professional use.

The Deputy 25

Deputy"Simplicity is supreme"This is the concept of this amp. The tone is rich in the midrange for classic rock, and you can create clean to crunch sounds just by adjusting the volume. Although it does not have excessive functions, the purity and response of the sound is outstanding, and it responds faithfully to the controls on the guitar.

As expected from Peter Honoré, it is designed to produce a comfortable sound from blues to British rock. It is also an ideal introduction to Victory, and has a reputation for being "easy to use because there are no unnecessary knobs" and "good compatibility with distortion pedals and has a deep versatility." There are rumors that it will be produced in limited quantities, and it is already attracting attention in Japan.

VC35 The Copper & Copper Deluxe

The Copper series"An evolved VOX sound"The concept is "It has the bright and taut clean sound that is unique to EL84, and the sweet breakup when you push the power tube. Copper also reinforces the thickness of the mid-low range that is often lacking in conventional VOX amps, so you can get a punchy rock sound with just one unit.

The Deluxe version is equipped with reverb, so you can create ambient sounds, and even if you apply delay via the loop, the sound image will not be distorted.A fusion of British tradition and modernityThis series is especially popular among guitarists who like clean sounds or who mainly play arpeggios, as well as users who like AC-type distortion but also want something easy to use.

Summary | Compact but uncompromising vacuum tube sound

Victory Amps' amp heads are compact yet have professional sound quality and functions, and are a lineup that meets the expectations of intermediate to advanced guitarists. From the clean-focused Duchess series to the extremely high-gain Kraken series, each has its own personality that meets the reader's "I want this kind of sound".

Many of these headphones have small head sizes, making them ideal for Japanese housing conditions and portability. The price range is by no means cheap, but many people say that it is worth it considering the sound quality.

These are some of the finest amp heads, and it's no wonder they have the reputation of being "the best partner for Victory!" Find one that matches your playing style and experience the Victory sound.