The Acoustic Guitar Forum

Go Back   The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > Electric Guitars

Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 01-07-2015, 06:28 PM
Darwin Darwin is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Minneapolis Mn.
Posts: 793
Default New Small Amp Day

I had mentioned last week in Dru's amp thread that I was looking for a head for my JBL D130 15" cabinet. I finally decided last Saturday after checking some out. There have been some nice low wattage suggestions recently. I finally decided to order a Peavey ValveKing Mini 20 and it arrived today. It is a switchable 20/5/1 watt tube head with EL34's and weighs less than 15 lbs. I didn't want to spend time building a kit so this was quick, fairly low budget solution. I already have a VOX AC 15 and larger amps but this head will work as a backup for our lead player when we are gigging, as it has a direct out to the PA. The features are best described on the Peavey web site and it has many. I did an A/B against my AC 15 tonight but it isn't a fair comparison as anything would sound better through the JBL 15. It is very full and articulate and the low end is great as it always is with the 15 . Anyway, I use clean all the time but did check the distortion channel. It goes from slight to insane and seems works well on the 1 watt setting but I will probably never use it. It will take some more testing but it looks good from the get-go. I used my Hamer Newport with the Phat Cats for the test. At about $350 it is a good value if it holds up well. We will see. I am going to order Red Tolex and cover it to match the cabinet. -- Darwin



__________________
Stay Tuned
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 01-07-2015, 07:32 PM
Steve DeRosa Steve DeRosa is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Staten Island, NY - for now
Posts: 14,985
Default

Have you used the Vari-Class together with the power level switch yet - I'd be curious how it sounds at different settings/levels (same settings I use on my Bugera V22, BTW - EQ @12:00, 'verb on 3. pentode mode),,,

Don't know what your tube complement is, but if you're running the usual 12AX7/EL84 setup and prefer cleaner tones I can't recommend these highly enough:

http://www.thetubestore.com/Tubes/Pr...ies-7025-12AX7
http://www.thetubestore.com/Tubes/Pr...9-Premium-EL84

If that's a sealed or ported cab a set of these will probably let you do double duty, as a low-volume/big-tone bass rig for acoustic jams as well...

Good luck and enjoy...
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 01-08-2015, 02:20 AM
MBE MBE is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,283
Default

Didn't know of this model - looks really cool. I'm a big believer in the low wattage tube amps. Very practical as home practice and rehearsal tools. I'll have to track that one down and give it a test drive.
__________________
Some might call me a "Webber Guitars enthusiast".
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 01-08-2015, 09:40 AM
Darwin Darwin is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Minneapolis Mn.
Posts: 793
Default

Steve, I did try the Vari-class and noticed that is is fatter in either the A/B and A position. When in the middle it drops the low end a bit and is a bit quieter and very defined. I didn't try it with distortion. This is a vented cabinet and comes with decent tubes, JJ's for power tubes and I don't recall the preamp brand but they are decent. That is one thing I found when doing my research. I also like the reverb so it turned out to be a nice find. It is very quiet, no noise when idle. I still have a lot to learn about it and am gigging this weekend so will get back to in next week. I gig as a bass player so no opportunity to test it gigging. -- Darwin
__________________
Stay Tuned
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 01-08-2015, 09:48 AM
Dru Edwards Dru Edwards is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 43,428
Default

Congrats Darwin. I didn't realize Peavey had an amp scalable to 5w/1w. Something to add to my research.

There are so many low wattage tube amps out there at affordable prices. It's great.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 01-08-2015, 10:06 AM
Darwin Darwin is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Minneapolis Mn.
Posts: 793
Default

Thanks Dru, I have decided to add photos showing the rear as it will show a lot of the functionality. -- Darwin





__________________
Stay Tuned
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 01-08-2015, 10:39 AM
Dru Edwards Dru Edwards is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 43,428
Default

Sweet, it has an FX loop.

The USB audio, that just goes into your computer?
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 01-08-2015, 10:41 AM
Darwin Darwin is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Minneapolis Mn.
Posts: 793
Default

Yes, the USB can go directly to your computer. -- Darwin
__________________
Stay Tuned
Reply With Quote
Reply

  The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > Electric Guitars

Thread Tools





All times are GMT -6. The time now is 05:30 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright ©2000 - 2022, The Acoustic Guitar Forum
vB Ad Management by =RedTyger=