Victory V4 The Duchess review

Victory’s low-gain, high-powered compact pedalboard amp head takes some beating. Time to downsize?

Victory V4 ‘The Duchess’ Head
(Image: © Future / Neil Godwin)

Guitar World Verdict

The V4 Duchess is an inspired design that combines artistic flair with a deep appreciation of what makes for great guitar tone.

Pros

  • +

    Huge power and clarity.

  • +

    Real valve warmth in a pedal-sized package.

  • +

    Brilliant for pedalboards or lightweight rig-building. Versatile.

  • +

    Great value.

Cons

  • -

    No ‘off’ switch for the fan.

  • -

    A carry bag would be a useful extra.

You can trust Guitar World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing guitar products so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

Victory Amplification’s onward march toward domination of the world boutique guitar amp market had another boost at this year’s NAMM Show, with the arrival of a rather tasty valve-driven head that’s small enough to live on most pedalboards

Launched from the same design springboard as Victory’s V4 pedal preamps, ‘The Duchess’ amp is just a little larger but contains a Class D power stage that can deliver a whopping 180 watts into a four-ohm load. As if that wasn’t enough, there’s also a smooth digital reverb and a tremolo effect. 

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Nick Guppy

Nick Guppy was Guitarist magazine's amp guru for over 20 years. He built his first valve amplifier at the age of 12 and bought, sold and restored many more, with a particular interest in Vox, Selmer, Orange and tweed-era Fenders, alongside Riveras and Mark Series Boogies. When wielding a guitar instead of soldering iron, he enjoyed a diverse musical career playing all over the UK, including occasional stints with theatre groups, orchestras and big bands as well as power trios and tributes. He passed away suddenly in April 2024, leaving a legacy of amplifier wisdom behind him.