Victory V40 The Duchess Deluxe Combo - Review

The Victory V40 The Duchess Deluxe Combo Now Available at Colemans Music in Melbourne's CBD

For those who crave a powerful, boutique-standard tone with a blend of American and British influences, the Victory V40 The Duchess Deluxe Combo is now available at Colemans Music in Melbourne's CBD. This amp is more than just a piece of equipment—it's an experience designed for players who value both feel and tone, whether in a studio, at home, or on stage.

A Boutique Evolution: Classic Features, Modern Flair

The V40 Deluxe takes the award-winning V40 Duchess and evolves it into something even more versatile. With its valve-driven spring reverb and tremolo—features that evoke vintage amps—this combo adds more control and depth to your sound. It's a 1x12 widebody combo, packing a Celestion G12H-75 Creamback speaker that delivers shimmering highs and thumping lows.

Visually, the amp is stunning, wrapped in cream vinyl, accented with leather corners and handles, and encased in a solid wood cabinet. It’s a modern-boutique masterpiece that would stand out on any stage or studio setup.

Bridging the Gap: From Clean to Grit and Beyond

One of the standout characteristics of the V40 Deluxe is its ability to effortlessly bridge the gap between classic American cleans and driven British blues-rock. With dual 6L6 tubes, this amp mirrors the power of vintage Fender amps like the Bassman, Pro, and Vibrolux, yet it doesn’t clone them. Instead, it finds its own identity, offering cleaner headroom with warmer, more accessible overdrive than its four-tube Fender cousins.

The amp is designed to give you Fender-esque clean tones, but with clever tone controls and toggle switches that allow you to tap into Marshall-like grit and drive. It’s a transatlantic tonal journey, effortlessly shifting from tweed to plexi.

Versatile Tone Controls for Every Style

The V40 Deluxe shines in its flexible tone stack, offering impressive control over your sound. While the bass and treble controls provide focused adjustments through their entire ranges, the midrange control is where the magic happens. With two adjacent toggle switches, you can switch between Fender-style glistening highs and manicured mids or Marshall-esque low-mid mass and upper-mid thrust. Add in the mid-kick toggle for expanded midrange control, and you've got a boutique amp that can handle everything from clean blues to gritty rock.

Tube-Driven Reverb and Tremolo for Authentic Vintage Feel

Victory has taken the best of vintage tone and added some modern flexibility. The tube-driven reverb and tremolo on the V40 Deluxe is vintage in its feel but versatile enough to suit modern players. Whether you’re going for subtle ambiance or a more extreme surf-rock sound, the reverb is rich and smooth. The tremolo speed, while on the conservative side, delivers an authentic ‘60s feel.

Built to Last, Built to Perform

The Victory V40 Deluxe isn’t just an amp that sounds great—it’s built with rugged durability. The chassis design protects the tubes by orienting them inward, while a metal plate on the rear panel helps players easily find all the necessary jacks and controls. Whether you’re in the studio or at a hectic live gig, this amp is made for players who value both tone and ease of use.

Additional features like a series effects loop, external tube biasing terminals, and five speaker-out jacks make this a highly practical, versatile amp. You can also connect the stereo foot pedal for on-the-fly control over reverb and tremolo.

Verdict: A Dream Amp for Tone Enthusiasts

The Victory V40 The Duchess Deluxe Combo is an amp that truly delivers. With its boutique construction, premium components, and ability to seamlessly move between clean American and driven British tones, this amp is ideal for players who want the best of both worlds. Available in 1x12 combo or head cab, it’s a must-try for anyone serious about tone.

Find it now at Colemans Music in Melbourne's CBD and elevate your playing with this boutique powerhouse. Whether you’re recording in the studio, practicing at home, or taking the stage, the V40 Deluxe will inspire you at every turn.

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