Re: Practice amps again.

I forgot to mention one of my most important mods! I install an L-pad that gives you a volume control AFTER the output transformer for both the 16 ohm and the 8 ohm (at -3 dB) speaker jacks. This might be of most interest for you, because it allows EL84 distortion at any volume level. The more you attenuate, the more the tone changes, but it is the most useful mod for a guy that wants to use it as a practice amp and wants to hear tube distortion.


Jim wrote:

Jack Dotson wrote:

I've got a Boogie F-30, but only play at home and it's really just too much of a good thing. I'm looking for a low powered amp and so far the best options seem to be Epi Valve Jr., Black Heart, and Gibson LP Jr. I'd like something 5 watts or less if possible.

Those of you who have experience with any of these I'd appreciated your observations. Also, anything else you would recommend? Budget is $300-$600. Could go for more for the right amp. Don't want to build and would prefer to buy new.

Thanks.


I use the Epiphone Valve Junior to fill this slot. I have one in the middle of modifications, and one stock (waiting for mods). I think that the amp really benefits from some mods, but my understanding is that the current version for sale includes some of the mods that people have been doing (higher value resistors at the input stage). So today's stock VJ might sound better than the stock version that I have.

My mods include the following:

Input resistor change (included in new stock versions).

Tweak gain in preamp tubes by changing cathode resistors.

Fender style bass and treble. (it's on the bench right now for a mids boost switch, which if I don't like, I'll just also add a mids pot).

Bright switch on a bright cap on volume pot.

Voltage dropping resistor in series with PT primary to bring heater voltage in spec, lower plate voltages a bit, and rebias output tubes to match new operating voltage.

Upgrade the output transformer.

Rewired the speaker jacks so that when you pull all cables, it automatically engages a dummy load.

Variable output line out that goes from instrument to line level, allowing the amp to be used as an overdrive pedal!
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Relevant Pages

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