Channel A Preamp

In the early '90s, Ampeg — a company known for bass amps — accidentally built the most brutal solid state guitar amplifier of the decade. The VH-140C's patented "Variable Harmonics" distortion circuit became the sound of hardcore and death metal, and thirty years later the amps are heavy, scarce, and still amusingly stereo.

The Channel A is exactly what the name says: a true 1:1 replica of the VH-140C's Channel A — the distortion channel — component for component, value for value. No "improvements," just the monstrous spirit of the original.

Where most 9V pedals starve this circuit, the Channel A runs it the way it was meant to run: an in-house, custom-designed power supply generates a full ±15V bipolar supply internally, regulated to clean, stable ±12V rails. Amp-level headroom/function and dead-quiet operation from a standard center-negative 9V pedalboard supply — no special adapters, no wall warts to lose.

Controls: Gain, Master, Treble, Ultramid, and Bass — identical to the amp's Channel A panel, including the Ultramid that defines the VH's scooped chunk and searing lead voicings.

Run it three ways:

1. Into the front of your amp as a distortion pedal
2. Into your amp's effects return, replacing the preamp entirely
3. Into a power amp or straight into your DAW with a cab IR

From Slayer-grade thrash to scooped 90s chug to full Suffocation, this is the panic chord machine — without hauling a 70 lb solid state head to load-in.

Handmade in Connecticut

Ampeg is a registered trademark of Yamaha Guitar Group, Inc. DSA is not affiliated with Ampeg or Yamaha.