Does the Univalves Hot-Plate suck?

[Mkf411]

The THD Univalve comes with a built in hot-plate but I haven't had much luck with it. Even at 1/4 attenuation it makes the tone harsh for my 59 & Custom Custom. However it's fine for single coils.

I read on the Univalve forum that people are using external hot-plates for their Univalves. I think this is BS. THD advertises the Univalve as capable of power tube saturation at any volume using the built in hot-plate. I haven't been able to achieve this. With the built in attenuator it sound like a cheap transistor radio.

 

[seafoamer]

Re: Does the Univalves Hot-Plate suck?

I tried a Univalve once & found it to be one harsh, grainy amp. Not my cup-o-amp.

 

[Mkf411]

Re: Does the Univalves Hot-Plate suck?

I tried a Univalve once & found it to be one harsh, grainy amp. Not my cup-o-amp.

That's funny. Maybe the attenuator was on. It's built in and it does sound harsh and grainy. It sounds pretty good with the attenuator off. Although, I have to run it with my Valvetronix AD-60 to cut out the Univales brightness and to have things like delay, chorus and reverb. The Univalve has a line out with instument level that allows you to run a wet/dry set-up. I have to admit that I have found one semi-clean tone that is fantastic but only when running both amps.

 

[mrid]

Re: Does the Univalves Hot-Plate suck?

I almost never used the attenuator when I had my Univalve, unless I was praciticing alone. I ALWAYS cranked that thing. :laugh2: But, yeah, the attenuator does sound awful buzzy at low volumes.

 

[TheProphet]

Re: Does the Univalves Hot-Plate suck?

Since we're on the subject ... What do you guys think of the Univalve?

I've been looking at 6V6 amps lately and the idea of self biasing and the ability to also use 6L6, EL34 and EL84's appeals to me.

The Bivalve's ability to mix the 6V6 with tubes like the EL34 make me even more curious about that (similar in some senses to the Blue Angel ... however I don't know if the Bivalve can use EL84's and 6V6 at the same time)


Your toughts would be appreciated

 

[Mkf411]

Re: Does the Univalves Hot-Plate suck?

Well I played my Univalve again last night, this time I used my Yamaha SGV-800. It's a funky morisite re-issue from a few years ago. I got it cheap and it has some P-90 type pickups. I played the Rock channel and set every setting to 12 o'clock. The built in hot-plate was off, volume at about 1/4 and it still sounded harsh when strumming cords.

So I thought for a moment and came up with another thing to try (no not tuning the guitar) I turned off the built in noise-gate. Presto, nice sweet tube tone.

I've had the Univalve for about three months and I finally get why people like these things. I ususlly like to use all the features an amp comes with. But in this case, I won't be using the noise gate much or the built in attenuator. Both are IMO gimmicks.

IMO, THD should just remove the built-in attenuator and give people who purchase the Univalve a $50 coupon towards the purchase of an external THD hot-plate. Not everyone needs a hot-plate, so if it not as good as their normal external hot-plates, just leave it off. THD could probably increase the sales of their hot-plates and the Univalve by just doing this. The built in hot-plate does suck and it can give people a bad impression of an otherwise great amp.

I do have to admit that the built in hot-plate is OK for single coils and with a 6k6 power tube which cuts the output to about 4 watts, still loud for home use.

Also consider the THD Flexi, if it's in you budget and you play out.

 

[TheArchitect]

Re: Does the Univalves Hot-Plate suck?

I almost never used the attenuator when I had my Univalve, unless I was praciticing alone. I ALWAYS cranked that thing. :laugh2: But, yeah, the attenuator does sound awful buzzy at low volumes.

All of them do if you reduce too much. Nature of the beast. My buddy is a THD dealer and I've played a few. Just need to know how to set it up.

They aren't gimmicks. From my experience the onboard 'plate works just like the one I have for my plexi.