how to sweeten up a stock Valve jr?

[rashayritto]

I'm a poor college student so the only way i could get tube tone was to get an Epi Valve Jr. head. I have yet to bust this thing out at a gig because i still dont know how to get the tone i hear in my head from it.

when fully cranked, it produces a ton of highs and mids. Basically strong chord progressions sound really nice and meaty, but i really cant get a lead tone on this. Can anyone tell me how to get a soaring and sustaining lead tone?
NOTE: the amp uses a 12ax7 preamp and el84 power tube with solid state rectifier. the stock tubes are still inside, both Sovtec

also, if anyone can tell me how to get a nice metal lead tone for good harmonics without making the amp squeal (it seriously sqeals when i drive it with a boost to get a non-vintage tone)

i mainly use a BC Rich warlock with a SD Livewire Metal and also use a SSH strat-type. The speaker i'm currently running the amp through is one of the 8 ohm speakers on my Crate solid-state combo. I prefer going pedal-less but i have a small collection of boss (blues driver, metal zone, phase shifter, and dynamic wah)

thanks! :help:

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: how to sweeten up a stock Valve jr?

If you google for mods on that amp, you'll find some pages written about changing some simple things in it. Most of it is to make it run quieter and improve the overall fidelity. It is what it is...a simple plug in and play cleanish amp. If you're looking for gain, you might consider selling it for something like a Vox Valvetronix. Even if you mod that amp, it'll sound roughly the same.

 

[Low_fidelity2100]

Re: how to sweeten up a stock Valve jr?

Even if you mod that amp, it'll sound roughly the same.

+1

Theres no way your ever gonna get a VJR. to do Metal well. Haha. Ya just gotta love it as it is, or not. I've tried TONS of different mods on mine (none that required extra holes though), and really for all the slight differences each mod makes, Its still not much of a difference.
Mine is back to stock now (cept for a couple mods to make it hum less), cause honestly it sounds best that way. You can toss tone controls on it, and mod the tone stack, and increase the gain all you want, But its still not gonna sound MUCH different. Not enough difference to justify the time it takes to mod it.


Also, if its Sqealing when you hit it with a boost/OD thats probably not the amps fault. Mine doesn't squeal when I boost it. So chances are you've got a microphonic pickup, or a microphonic tube. Or your just standing to close to the amp.

 

[rashayritto]

Re: how to sweeten up a stock Valve jr?

oh well

thanks guys. i havent tried boosting it with my new livewire metal so i'll see what results i get

 

[baritone]

Re: how to sweeten up a stock Valve jr?

I bought my Valve Jr. with the intention of getting some modifications. I was so impressed with the stock version that I just kept it that way. I run it through a couple different cabs at different times, and it sounds great with distortion pedals. I found that I would rather have a simplified amplifier and consider the pedals and the cabs to be the "modifications".

 

[tinneric]

Re: how to sweeten up a stock Valve jr?

I modded my with the BitMo upgrade, changed the tubes to JJ's and the speaker to a Ted Webber, it rocks, but definately not a metal amp.

www.tedweber.com (Speaker)

www.eurotubes.com (JJ's)

www.thetubestore.com/modkits.html

www.valvejr.com

Also see,

http://duhvoodooman.com/VJr/VJr_mods.htm

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: how to sweeten up a stock Valve jr?

My SG into my Valve Jr. fully cranked does a pretty decent 'old school' metal tone...like 70's style. Add a Bad Monkey or some other OD and you're golden...just gotta take it for what it is.

-X

 

[Hot _Grits]

Re: how to sweeten up a stock Valve jr?

There's a transformer upgrade kit available for the valve jr. I'm sure that'll make a huge difference. I think mercury magnetics do it.

 

[rashayritto]

Re: how to sweeten up a stock Valve jr?

i really like the sound of my jr cranked and with my Livewire metal driving it. the eq sounds really neutral or something though. it just lacks presence. Will an EQ pedal allow me to dial in some puchier settings without changing the base tone?

 

[baritone]

Re: how to sweeten up a stock Valve jr?

An EQ pedal is an awesome compliment to that amp. Some of the mods for that amp include adding a tone stack to get away from that limiting single knob, but a EQ pedal would accomplish the same thing, but much more powerful for tone-shaping. Equalizers also work well as customizable frequency boosters for pushing toob amps.