epi valve jr head...

[CaptainCrunch]

Re: epi valve jr head...

Hey Mike, how's it going. I had one for awhile but took it back to MF within the 30 day period. It was kinda fun for a bit, but personally, I am happier with one of the cool pedals I got for about the same money, played through a better amp.

BTW, you get that Traynor yet? Ah, yes, I see it in your sig. I ended up cashing in my Blues JR. (well I actually still have it) for a Reverend Hellhound 40/60, NICE upgrade IMO.

peace and blessings, my friend

 

[millsart]

Re: epi valve jr head...

Intresting thing about those Blackheart amps is when I looked at the full size photo, it says "Crate" on the bottom right.....

Except that they aren't in stock til Janurary it sounds like a better deal than the VJ

For the same money you get a tone stack, a 5w/3w switch and a bit cooler cosmetics

 

[Mononoaware]

Re: epi valve jr head...

Blackheart is somehow associated with Crate/Ampeg, etc. I assume that they're taking a swing at Epi's market. The speaker in the 1 x 12 cab is Eminence. There are some very nice clips over at the Gear Page.

 

[chuckbat]

Re: epi valve jr head...

Not to sound stupid.......but, what does "single ended" mean? I just looked at the Blackheart on ZZ Sounds and they use that terminology as well.

:boggled:

 

[chuckbat]

Re: epi valve jr head...

I just listened to that Blakcheart clip....WOW! I think millsart is right...the Blackheart seem like a better deal. More options. Its about time these manufactures started putting out tube amps that are affordable, but not total pieces of s**t.

 

[Hot _Grits]

Re: epi valve jr head...

I talked to David Allen at allen amps today, he suggested the transformer, a choke, new caps and to replace the input resister at input jack. Parts all together were around $70, he said a notable difference will be heard. He also said for not too much more I could install a tone control, although I'm not sure about that yet. Really nice guy, he talked for a long time explaining everything he was talking about. I ordered all except the tone thing, I'll let you know as soon as I get the parts and install them. I appreciate the info about allenamps.com, I had never heard of them, so thanks!

Cool!

i'm sure it'll work out great. I'm going to build his tweed chassis brown vibrolux project when I get some cash together...

 

[ModestCargo]

Re: epi valve jr head...

The one I played sounded quite dry and brittle, not like a good tube amplifier at all but more like a mediocre solid state, but the small speaker could have been a lot to do with it - plug it into a 2x12" and see.

 

[Hot _Grits]

Re: epi valve jr head...

Not to sound stupid.......but, what does "single ended" mean? I just looked at the Blackheart on ZZ Sounds and they use that terminology as well.

:boggled:

'Single ended' refers to a type of power stage design. I won't bog down in design specifics I barely understand, but I can tell you that single ended amps always run a single power tube for a low wattage output, and often can accept various different power tubes. Single ended amps are always 'true' class A, as well.

Usually if an amp is 5w, it is single-ended. Any wattages higher than that are generally designed with a power stage housing 2 (or more) tubes that operate in what is termed 'push-pull', where the tubes take alternate turns amplifying the signal fed to them, each one resting as the other carries the load.

 

[chuckbat]

Re: epi valve jr head...

Ok. I still don't quite understand, thank you for your answer though. I am just a plug and play guy. Not real good with the nuts and bolts of amps. If it sounds good to me, I like it.

 

[Hot _Grits]

Re: epi valve jr head...

Ok. I still don't quite understand, thank you for your answer though. I am just a plug and play guy. Not real good with the nuts and bolts of amps. If it sounds good to me, I like it.

Here's the quick checklist:

One power tube =single ended.

More than one power tube =push pull

That's the basics of it right there.

 

[baritone]

Re: epi valve jr head...

That Blackheart does look interesting. Just by its apperance, it looks like it is made in the same factory as the Valve Jr. Actually looking closely at the pictures and at my Valve Jr., it's almost identical; it's not even mirrored, but they just flipped it upside down and added a couple things. It still looks like a cool amp.

 

[rashayritto]

Re: epi valve jr head...

that blackheart looks the ****! i might just sell my valve jr stack to get me what is basically a "modded" one

 

[rashayritto]

Re: epi valve jr head...

looking at the blackheart some more, the cab is closed back, which isnt my preference but it can also be full-stacked, unlike the valve jr's cab.

 

[Hoss]

Re: epi valve jr head...

thanks for all the tips/advice and links!

i think used this would be a very fun toy to have around...and the blackheart looks interesting as well...like i said...i could learn a bit about the workings and modding of amps on a used one and not worry about ruining anything!

if i can snag one for $60 bucks or so...i'm probably gonna do it and run it through my 1x12 cab...and it will even match...awww how sweet!

those Blackhearts do look nicer...i bet they end up selling a ton of those!!!

 

[jeremy]

Re: epi valve jr head...

interesting that they link to the mercury magnetics website but there is no blackheart listing

 

[guitfiddle]

Re: epi valve jr head...

I thought it would be nice to get two VJ heads, and do the same flip on the chassis...then take the back panel off of one and put it on the front of the other one so as to have a view of the tubes, but this Blackheart looks just about how I immagined it, and I bet it already has lots of the mods you can find for the VJ. One thing, though...that logo has gotta go. I'd make one out of wood or plexiglass of my own.

 

[Gr8Scott]

Re: epi valve jr head...

Mojotone already has a point to point board kit and complete board for the Blackheart.