Valve King Help

[carpfishy]

Alright just invested in a Peavy Valve King 100 half-stck. The gain is alright and I love the the sustain in the notes and be able to hear the chords on full distortion, great all around amp. My problem is this. I expected more out of the amp. The distortion is kinda cheap.

I Just plugged it in today. Do I need to break in the tubes to get a better tone out of the thing?

Is there any pedals you would recommend? I heard the tube screamer kicks arse, would you recommend that?

For my future use what Tubes would go well with this head? Any good ones you would recommend? How expensive are they?

This is my first tube amp, basically I stayed with solid state heads, but I guess I just need to adjust to it more. Hopefully Im getting good bang for my buck. Thanks for all your help.

Josh

 

[suislidE03]

Re: Valve King Help

You got cheap sounding distortion.. how much is that amp worth again?

Get some JJ 6L6 tubes for the power amp if you want a little better tone. Also, get a good OD pedal, like the ZW44 or a tube screamer or modded SD1 for better kick. Other than that, buy a new amp!

 

[BigAlTheBird]

Re: Valve King Help

I'm sure the amp's fine, just let everything break in. If that still doesn't work, buy pedals.

 

[LoFiBrian]

Re: Valve King Help

give the speakers time to break in and sometimes less gain is more...get a sd-1

 

[Mr. B]

Re: Valve King Help

A full set of JJ tubes made a world of difference in mine, changing the speaker to a vintage 30 celestion did not, so I put the original back. The best tone I can get out of the amp is by doing the following:

(My Screamin Demon and Dimarzio Virtual Hot Paf work best for this)
Plug into the Low input (2) jack
Set texture knob to class "A"
Set cabinet to loose (or tight if you want it punchier)
Channel 2 with the GAIN BOOST ON even if you are not going to use much gain.
Then turn the Gain and EQ to what you want.

Even at Very low volume this sounds awesome.

Just don't judge the amp until you change the tubes!!!! I was ready to sell it before I retubed it. Love it now.

 

[carpfishy]

Re: Valve King Help

Yeah I just invested in it. Maybe I just need some time before it sets into me. My sider II can do all of the same, but I can't get the clear tones all distorted like I can with the valve king. Its been one day and its growing on me. How much will decent tubes run?

 

[suislidE03]

Re: Valve King Help

Around $40 at the cheapest (ebay), or 50-70 new. I strongly recommend this as well, because my friends valveking became way more alive and warmed than before. I still think the best tone will come from an OD pedal hitting the amp than anything.