Epiphone Valve Junior - what are you guys doing with these?

Vetteboy

Vetteboy

New member
I got one of the Valve Junior heads a few months ago, without the cabinet. For now I've just been playing it through one half of my Ampeg open-back combo:

n24800499_32752350_3873.jpg


and it works OK. Here's an example of the sound I'm getting (the first two lead sections):

http://www.tcnj.edu/~njav/0506site/images/taylordemo.mp3

I'd like to do something a little more permanent...I've built speaker boxes before for subs etc, so I wouldn't mind building a custom cab for it, but I'd like to hear what some others have done as far as speaker choice/size/cab style etc.
 
Re: Epiphone Valve Junior - what are you guys doing with these?

This is what mine currently looks like:

IMG_04631.jpg


I have a no-name alnico speaker from who knows when in it, but I am going to be trying a Vintage 30 in it later this week. It was the small combo, but I modded it to a real combo so it would be awesome. It sounds much better like this, but it still needs a grille put on it.
 
Re: Epiphone Valve Junior - what are you guys doing with these?

That's pretty cool. Open/closed back?

What do the extra switches do?
 
Re: Epiphone Valve Junior - what are you guys doing with these?

Open back. The big switch is a standby switch, and the small switch is a FAT switch that ups the gain on the preamp. Basically it removes a resistor from between the two halves of the preamp tube. I have actually thought of adding another 12AX7 and making a gain channel that kicks it up a notch, but for the expense, I could just get an Orange Tiny Terror which I want to do anyways...
 
Re: Epiphone Valve Junior - what are you guys doing with these?

modded mine with alnicomagnets marshall voiced mod & had a custom built cabinet for it & run it intoa weber mini mass - it's fantastic. I'l take some pics some time.
 
Re: Epiphone Valve Junior - what are you guys doing with these?

trevorus said:
This is what mine currently looks like:

IMG_04631.jpg


I have a no-name alnico speaker from who knows when in it, but I am going to be trying a Vintage 30 in it later this week. It was the small combo, but I modded it to a real combo so it would be awesome. It sounds much better like this, but it still needs a grille put on it.
Click to expand...

That' really beautiful.
Some decent tubes and that Celestion 30 ( check the db efficency ) or maybe a Celestion 25 greenback and it should be magic.
 
Re: Epiphone Valve Junior - what are you guys doing with these?

if yours has the EH tubes get rid of them. i think it sounds metal as hell with all sovtek tubes. then just front end it with hot pups and an EQ pedal and youve got the heaviest tone ever had for so cheap
 
Re: Epiphone Valve Junior - what are you guys doing with these?

I put all Electro-Harmonix tubes in mine, and I loved it. I ran it through an Avatar 2x12 with Eminence Wizard and Governor speakers. Then I gave it away to someone a few months ago, but I still mess around with it occasionally.
 
Re: Epiphone Valve Junior - what are you guys doing with these?

Put a good preamp tube in it and drop it on an Avatar cube style 1x12 with a Vintage 30 and roll with it...you'd be surprised how cool those amps can sound dead stock on a good cab with a great speaker...
 
Re: Epiphone Valve Junior - what are you guys doing with these?

I had the combo for a while, and I put a 12AT7 in the preamp, cranked that mother up and wailed on it.
 
Re: Epiphone Valve Junior - what are you guys doing with these?

I have the head ...

nwest.JPG


It gets played some. But since getting the Killer Ant I just have not had much interest in it.
 
Re: Epiphone Valve Junior - what are you guys doing with these?

my little sister uses hers stock thru my sunn 4x12. Perfect for rock rhythm guitar.
 
Re: Epiphone Valve Junior - what are you guys doing with these?

trevorus said:
This is what mine currently looks like:

IMG_04631.jpg


I have a no-name alnico speaker from who knows when in it, but I am going to be trying a Vintage 30 in it later this week. It was the small combo, but I modded it to a real combo so it would be awesome. It sounds much better like this, but it still needs a grille put on it.
Click to expand...

Beautiful! Love the way this looks. I imagine the over-sized cabinet helps the sound, too. Any issues with heat in this box? I could see doing this with other amps, especially lack-luster small-box combos.
 
Re: Epiphone Valve Junior - what are you guys doing with these?

Sanford said:
Beautiful! Love the way this looks. I imagine the over-sized cabinet helps the sound, too. Any issues with heat in this box? I could see doing this with other amps, especially lack-luster small-box combos.
Click to expand...

No heat problems to speak of. That speaker in there has a bit of buzz on some notes, but it may be due to over tightening the basket. I'll have to check it for squareness. I have another just like it, but I think the Vintage 30 should be better for me.
 
Re: Epiphone Valve Junior - what are you guys doing with these?

Had originally planned to make a huge combo, but ended up with a WGS v30 in a sealed box running off the head. It has a new OT, nd a standby. Replaced 12ax7 with a Jan 5751 (thanks Artie !)
Last time I played it I ended up rocking out with my digidelay and bad monkey to the intro of "AM I Evil"
Played a shortened version of the backing part looped in the delay. Oh yeah, it was awesome.
 
Re: Epiphone Valve Junior - what are you guys doing with these?

hey reload i keep forgetting to call you! ill call you some time next week to give you the valve jr tube
 
Re: Epiphone Valve Junior - what are you guys doing with these?

rashayritto said:
hey reload i keep forgetting to call you! ill call you some time next week to give you the valve jr tube
Click to expand...

No big deal. It gave me chance to run it with just the pre swapped out so I get a fair comparison.
 
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