| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
the-destructor
Silver Member
USA
334 Posts |
 Posted - 08/06/2008 : 02:46:13
|
Anyone else here own one? I bought this as a "cheap alternative" for a stereo side for my dirty chain. Much to my disbelief, it IS a pretty damn good amp & I've seen some seemingly impressive mods out there for it. Anyone else have one, have a modded one, or played any of the fore-mentioned beasts? Yell in my ear.
Thanks,
T-D |
|
|
Goran
Double Platinum Member
Sweden
2203 Posts |
Posted - 08/06/2008 : 08:21:13
|
I have the Valve Jr Combo and have modded it for the last half year, changed caps, tubes, speaker and resistors to tailor it to sound to my liking. Now it sounds very, very good, stock it had to much muddy distortion for my tastes. I have put many hours on this and had a lot of fun doing so, learned a lot.
I had a version 2 so I had to put a Hammond DSE OT in it, that made a huge difference. Version 3 have a OT with the right impedance.
So much could be written about this, and so much has been written, see www.sewatt.com for example. Tons of information.
I also have Fenders Champion reissue and Ibanez Valbee, the modded Epiphone eats both of them for breakfast.
I�ve used the Epi in full band situation, with a Celestion Vintage 30 instead of the eight in the combo. And I had no problem been heard above drums and bass. And believe me it sounded extremely good with a Les Paul DC Special (P90�s ).
|
 |
|
|
DeFrag
Moderator
USA
3409 Posts |
Posted - 08/06/2008 : 08:22:56
|
Sorry, I have a Blackheart 5W Little Giant that's just the sh1t.
The Jr. is a good choice too. Good luck.  |
Edited by - DeFrag on 08/06/2008 08:24:18 |
|
|
|
Dr. Bob
Moderator
Australia
6593 Posts |
Posted - 08/06/2008 : 09:22:46
|
quote:
Originally posted by Goran
I have the Valve Jr Combo and have modded it for the last half year, changed caps, tubes, speaker and resistors to tailor it to sound to my liking. Now it sounds very, very good, stock it had to much muddy distortion for my tastes. I have put many hours on this and had a lot of fun doing so, learned a lot.
I had a version 2 so I had to put a Hammond DSE OT in it, that made a huge difference. Version 3 have a OT with the right impedance.
So much could be written about this, and so much has been written, see www.sewatt.com for example. Tons of information.
I also have Fenders Champion reissue and Ibanez Valbee, the modded Epiphone eats both of them for breakfast.
I�ve used the Epi in full band situation, with a Celestion Vintage 30 instead of the eight in the combo. And I had no problem been heard above drums and bass. And believe me it sounded extremely good with a Les Paul DC Special (P90�s ).
Hi Goran
How do you tell which version of the Jr. you have?
Is there any cosmetic or easy way?
Regards Dr. Bob |
|
|
|
Goran
Double Platinum Member
Sweden
2203 Posts |
Posted - 08/06/2008 : 09:51:02
|
DR Bob: There is ways seeing from the outside, somewhere on internet.
If you�re interested�..
This is what I have right now, there have been many other combinations. These mods makes for a little more clean headroom, but this baby sure is a distortion machine anyway.
Hammond 125DSE (OT)
J/J EL84
Tungsram ECC83 (NOS)
R1 1M (parallell over input jack)
R5 150K
R6 100K (1000pF cap parallel over R6) + switch that jumps R6 (eg zero ohm)
R7 100K
R8 1,5K
R9 1,5K
R10 790 ohm
R13 1,5K
R14 253 ohm
R15 47K
Extra 100 uF electrolytic 450V parallel over C6
C1, C2 Orange drops 0,022 uF
C3 and C4 on two switches (on/off/on) gives 22 uF, 0 uF or 2,2 uF
C5 1000 uF
Speaker Celestion 68D-25
|
|
|
|
Goran
Double Platinum Member
Sweden
2203 Posts |
|
|
Dr. Bob
Moderator
Australia
6593 Posts |
Posted - 08/06/2008 : 14:29:34
|
quote:
Originally posted by Goran
Dr Bob:
Version identification and a whole lot more:
http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/forum/printthread.php?t=800422
Hi Goran
On behalf of me & a heap of other members here; Thanks for the link.
Basically, on Ver-1 the Valve Jr. text is in the middle between the Vol. knob & the Pwr switch.
On the Ver-2, the Valve Jr. Text has been shifted to the upper left of the front panel.
But I couldn't see anything about the Ver-3 Valve Jr.
On your Ver-3 Goran, does it look like the Ver-2 front panel?
or is there something different?
Regards & Thanks again Dr. Bob |
|
|
|
Goran
Double Platinum Member
Sweden
2203 Posts |
Posted - 08/07/2008 : 07:37:18
|
quote:
On your Ver-3 Goran, does it look like the Ver-2 front panel?
or is there something different?
Regards & Thanks again Dr. Bob
I have a version 2.....
Version 3 is a much better buy, Epiphone has modded it by themself ( I guess they seaced the net  ), better OT for one thing.
I think, but I�m not sure, that the backside of version 3 has a big hole, version 2 has two small. |
|
|
|
the-destructor
Silver Member
USA
334 Posts |
Posted - 08/08/2008 : 00:48:08
|
Hi Goran & Dr. Bob,
Trying to help the advancing discussion here with some pics of mine.
Goran, by "big hole", did you mean the oval-shaped vent on the back of the unit, or were you talking about my old lady?
Would this be version 3 then???
 T-D
|
Edited by - the-destructor on 08/08/2008 01:48:49 |
|
|
|
the-destructor
Silver Member
USA
334 Posts |
Posted - 08/10/2008 : 12:56:07
|
I managed to borrow a "Z Air Brake" from a friend today & popped it in-line on this head. I think she could use a transformer upgrade. Anyone have experience with Monster Magnetics??? Are they as good as they claim to be???
T-D |
|
|
|
Dr. Bob
Moderator
Australia
6593 Posts |
Posted - 08/10/2008 : 16:25:34
|
quote:
Originally posted by the-destructor
I managed to borrow a "Z Air Brake" from a friend today & popped it in-line on this head. I think she could use a transformer upgrade. Anyone have experience with Monster Magnetics??? Are they as good as they claim to be???
T-D
Hi the-destructor
Any chance you could post a few heap of internal/external pics of the "Z Air Brake"?
I have been keen to see the internals of one of these for a while.
With your friends permission of course..   .. Who am I trying to kid.
If you can PM the hi-res versions,as I know you have to down size them for the forum.
Regards Dr. Bob |
Edited by - Dr. Bob on 08/10/2008 16:26:21 |
|
|
|
Goran
Double Platinum Member
Sweden
2203 Posts |
Posted - 08/11/2008 : 07:04:40
|
quote:
Goran, by "big hole", did you mean the oval-shaped vent on the back of the unit, or were you talking about my old lady?
Would this be version 3 then???
I was talking about the combo version..... 
Version 3 should have a blck PCB, both in combo and head. |
|
|
|
Goran
Double Platinum Member
Sweden
2203 Posts |
Posted - 08/11/2008 : 07:07:24
|
quote:
Originally posted by Goran
[quote] Goran, by "big hole", did you mean the oval-shaped vent on the back of the unit, or were you talking about my old lady?
Would this be version 3 then???
I was talking about the combo version.....
Version 3 should have a black PCB, both in combo and head.
|
|
|
|
Goran
Double Platinum Member
Sweden
2203 Posts |
|
|
FRANZONI
Double Platinum Member
Ireland
3543 Posts |
Posted - 08/15/2008 : 16:23:40
|
Not to go off topic too much ... but while looking into the new Blackheart 15 watt i came across the some clips on youtube with the 5 watt version....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYj1_3A5ock i thought he was getting some pretty good sounds with it and a couple of pedals......i don't know if it's modded in any way but DeFrag was telling me that the designer leaves taps off the transformer for mods if you want to have a go..... |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
Epiphone Valve Jr. Head
