I've had a Peavey valveking for about a year and I almost always play metal rhythm and shred guitar. It has enough gain but it's not as tight or punchy as I'd like. I LOVE the sound of engl amps and I was checkin out a screamer and the thunder and they have the qualities I like in an amp but I was wondering if I could breathe new life into my peavey by retubing it. What do you guys think?
New tubes or new amp?
- Thread starter KiD CuDi
- Start date
FuseG4
Our Neighbor Totoro
Re: New tubes or new amp?
retubing can work magic, but not miracles. Especially with higher gain channel switching amps, usually tube changes are more subtle in those configurations.
I've demo'd the valveking on a few occasions and found it to be rather muddy and indistinct. I feel like you could benefit from a new amp.
it's good to have something that you really like the stock sound of... then you can do finer tweaks on top of that, like speakers, tubes, mods, etc. That'll get you wayyy more bang for your buck.
retubing can work magic, but not miracles. Especially with higher gain channel switching amps, usually tube changes are more subtle in those configurations.
I've demo'd the valveking on a few occasions and found it to be rather muddy and indistinct. I feel like you could benefit from a new amp.
it's good to have something that you really like the stock sound of... then you can do finer tweaks on top of that, like speakers, tubes, mods, etc. That'll get you wayyy more bang for your buck.
Uk Ant
New member
Re: New tubes or new amp?
Having used a cheaper end highish gain amp in the past (Ashdown Fallen Angel) I suspect that new tubes may improve matters a little, but not a massive amount.
That said tubes are cheap, so you could try a few out and then if that doesn't work swap back in the stock tubes before you sell the amp and buy something better.
Engl's are sweet amps.
Having used a cheaper end highish gain amp in the past (Ashdown Fallen Angel) I suspect that new tubes may improve matters a little, but not a massive amount.
That said tubes are cheap, so you could try a few out and then if that doesn't work swap back in the stock tubes before you sell the amp and buy something better.
Engl's are sweet amps.
Re: New tubes or new amp?
Hmm I didn't think of trying that but it seems that it'd be the most cost effective choice. Now are you talking about a 10 band eq or something like a sonic maximizer?
Hmm I didn't think of trying that but it seems that it'd be the most cost effective choice. Now are you talking about a 10 band eq or something like a sonic maximizer?
SrDeMaFp
New member
Re: New tubes or new amp?
Just an EQ (I'd recommend a Danelectro Fish 'N Chips to try out on the cheap. Works/sounds good too!). I'm actually not a fan of the Sonic Maximizer.
Just an EQ (I'd recommend a Danelectro Fish 'N Chips to try out on the cheap. Works/sounds good too!). I'm actually not a fan of the Sonic Maximizer.
Johtosotku
New member
Re: New tubes or new amp?
The amp, no question about it.
If you're looking at ENGLs I'd recommend to check out the Blackmore too.
The amp, no question about it.
If you're looking at ENGLs I'd recommend to check out the Blackmore too.
mwalluk
New member
Re: New tubes or new amp?
The VK is what it is. Nothing you do will make it sound any better. It's a good first tube amp, but it's now time to upgrade. Save the money used for new tubes, speakers, mods, eqs, etc and invest it into a better amp. If you don't have the money for ENGL, look around used market. You can surely find a used XXX, JSX 5150, 3120, 6505 (or any peavey for that matter around $600). I've scene some MESAs and Marshalls for around the same ballpark price range. You can generally find your tone in anything, it's all about technique.
The VK is what it is. Nothing you do will make it sound any better. It's a good first tube amp, but it's now time to upgrade. Save the money used for new tubes, speakers, mods, eqs, etc and invest it into a better amp. If you don't have the money for ENGL, look around used market. You can surely find a used XXX, JSX 5150, 3120, 6505 (or any peavey for that matter around $600). I've scene some MESAs and Marshalls for around the same ballpark price range. You can generally find your tone in anything, it's all about technique.
drew_half_empty
Looking for Real Life
Re: New tubes or new amp?
If you own a peavey, chances are you're answer is to buy a new amp
If you own a peavey, chances are you're answer is to buy a new amp
mwalluk
New member
J
Jay 77
Guest
Re: New tubes or new amp?
I retubed mine with TAD 6L6's and it was a whole new animal. They get slagged here a lot but the VK can give some really good rock sounds if you take the time to find them. What cab/speakers are you running it into? In the end it's all about your playing anyway. Good luck with wherever your search takes you! If you love the ENGLs then get one. Simple!
I retubed mine with TAD 6L6's and it was a whole new animal. They get slagged here a lot but the VK can give some really good rock sounds if you take the time to find them. What cab/speakers are you running it into? In the end it's all about your playing anyway. Good luck with wherever your search takes you! If you love the ENGLs then get one. Simple!
Mattr4president
New member
Re: New tubes or new amp?
+1 and new tubes. I've been down this road. Especially if you want to play metal. EQ in the loop and TS9 up front will get you where you want to be. What speakers do you use? That will also play a part
+1 and new tubes. I've been down this road. Especially if you want to play metal. EQ in the loop and TS9 up front will get you where you want to be. What speakers do you use? That will also play a part
Chickenwings
Alnico 6/8
Re: New tubes or new amp?
yeah! Engl! dooo eeeeet
New tubes in any amp only make it sound as good as it can...and a valveking just cant sound as good as an Engl no matter what tubes you have.
If you are broke tho an new set of tubes may help - and possibly different speakers...what are you currently using?
yeah! Engl! dooo eeeeet
New tubes in any amp only make it sound as good as it can...and a valveking just cant sound as good as an Engl no matter what tubes you have.
If you are broke tho an new set of tubes may help - and possibly different speakers...what are you currently using?
Last edited:
