Secrets of the Epiphone Valve Junior - Modifying, Troubleshooting & Tube Amp Repair

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  • čas přidán 11. 02. 2021
  • Follow up video on how to reduce noise in this amp: • Reducing Hum Noise on ... c
    The Epiphone Valve Junior tube guitar amp has been a target for modding or circuit "hot rodding" since its inception. In this video, we'll go through an already modded, non-functioning Valve Junior Combo and see what mods were done before us, and then we'll modify it differently in the hopes of getting a nice blues tone out of it. First we'll troubleshoot it and see what's working and what's not working. At the end of the video, we'll demo the tone with my Big D Bourbon Barrel Telecaster. Because they are cheap, these amps are a good place to start cutting your teeth on electronics.
    Audio tracks:
    Electric Tooth Syndrome "Drone": www.reverbnation.com/electric...
    Electric Tooth Syndrome "Ecclesiastes": www.reverbnation.com/electric...
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  • Věda a technologie

Komentáře • 354

  • @TheGuitologist
    @TheGuitologist  Před 3 lety +25

    Tell me in the comments if you own one of these. Have you modded it? What mods did you do to yours? Also, what mods do you think I should have included in this one?

    • @ibanezleftyclub
      @ibanezleftyclub Před 3 lety +2

      I would gut it and put a P2P amp circuit in it. :)

    • @martinpark8371
      @martinpark8371 Před 3 lety +2

      No but I have a little Fender Greta amp that I use in the house all the time any chance of doing a similar video on one of them Brad? Great video though and nice sounds man!

    • @kedocom
      @kedocom Před 3 lety +5

      maybe a power supply resistor to simulate sag ....

    • @phillipbainbridge9107
      @phillipbainbridge9107 Před 3 lety +4

      I've had two of them. One bone stock with a new set of JJ tubes and a Crate 4x6-1/2" cab. It admittedly sounded pretty good for what it is and sold it to a friend to use with his electric banjo. My other was purchased "modded". It's fixed and sitting on another Crate mini cab. I definitely like your approach. Speakers make a huge difference with these!

    • @p_mouse8676
      @p_mouse8676 Před 3 lety +8

      The best mod in my opinion, is just strip the whole circuit, build it from the ground up and basically turn it into a vibro champ with 2 knob tone stack.
      Mix that with a 10" or 12" speaker and you have a hell of a amp, for very little money.

  • @SyntagmaStation
    @SyntagmaStation Před 3 lety +31

    I sometimes forget how buddy can burn up the fretboard, when he’s of a mind to.

  • @rustydelorean6405
    @rustydelorean6405 Před 3 lety +25

    I remember reading about Valve Juniors for a while and deciding on getting one. I went to a Guitar Center and asked about the Epiphone amps. He looked at me weird and said “Epiphone makes amps? Nah, we dont have that” Clearly should be working in the keyboard section.

    • @guitarocd9984
      @guitarocd9984 Před 3 lety +3

      The only thing worse than a guitar salesman is a guitar salesman with stale alcohol from the night before on his breath. Looking around like he just landed on Mars.

    • @hockeyjon596
      @hockeyjon596 Před 2 lety +2

      I went to a GC once looking for replacement saddles for a strat bridge.
      F'n guy didn't know what string saddles were... 🤦‍♂️

  • @madaxe79
    @madaxe79 Před 3 lety +25

    Yessss!!!! The Old Brad is back... Love these vids... It's what bought me to the channel in the first place.

    • @boggsty
      @boggsty Před 3 lety +3

      Yes, love that content, too. But Brad is Brad and will be Brad. Either you take it or leave it

    • @madaxe79
      @madaxe79 Před 3 lety +1

      @@boggsty what are you trying to say? Seriously! I just said I love this content and you come back with a comment like that. I discovered this channel years ago when I was repairing my own amp, then became addicted to his amp videos. I like his other content too, (except for the dumpster diving) but This is my favourite content that he does. Why do you have to make a comment like that?

    • @boggsty
      @boggsty Před 3 lety +1

      @@madaxe79 maybe I should have explained my comment a little further. It was no offense, I just wanted to say that if you like those kind of videos like this one you can still watch it even if you don’t agree with his opinions in other non-technical videos. People just mock him, which is kinda what happens a lot lately... so yeah, cool that you stick around

    • @biglutherie
      @biglutherie Před 3 lety +2

      This is the kind of video that originally brought me to this channel. I generally avoid this channel now because of gratuitous profanity and content that doesn't interest me.

    • @madaxe79
      @madaxe79 Před 3 lety +1

      @@biglutherie I agree, although I still watch most of videos he posts, I really miss SPF though. Obviously the separation killed his mono, it’ll take a while to get that back, but it’s slowly coming back

  • @thenovello-pugh
    @thenovello-pugh Před 3 lety +2

    Really enjoyed the sounds you got out of that little amp, Brad! Greetings from Wales, UK.

  • @trubadorphotography2541
    @trubadorphotography2541 Před 3 lety +9

    Lovin’ the dystopian music during the double-speed breakdown. 😵🤐🤫🤖😆

    • @SuperEvilC
      @SuperEvilC Před 3 lety

      It was really cool... especially since I'm getting so twisted on cbd flower tonight!!

  • @badpants
    @badpants Před 3 lety +21

    You put those two 1M resistors in parallel like that because one is a pot, and that makes the pot react differently through the range of motion. That's typically a non-linear response vs the linear 500K pot you could use.

  • @sski
    @sski Před 3 lety +5

    Nice work, Brad. Turned it from an (at first non-functioning) ratty looking and sounding mess into a snarky and responsive little barn-burner of an amp. You really know your stuff and are cool enough to share it with us. And I always love the jams at the end. Thank you, brother.

  • @dalesmyth7398
    @dalesmyth7398 Před 3 lety +16

    I've removed that glue for years, most of it was on radio equipment. The glue was supposed to be for vibration, like on the filter caps and bigger caps that will produce vibration during driving. I remove all the glue because it is caustic after a few years, I've seen it eat the legs off electronic components. When that stuff turns a darker brown, then it's really fun to get off the board. I've recently got another HR2510 10/11/12m radio, that it's loaded with that glue, another fun job to look forward to.

    • @dalesmyth7398
      @dalesmyth7398 Před 3 lety +1

      @@LeapFrog_Radio I've owned several since 1994 when I got my first, they are good radios when set up right, pretty narrow banded/low bleed over from other channels if any, clean transmit/receive. My biggest problem with them is finding the MRF477 final, they are near non-existent now, and I mean the originals, not knock-offs. The 2SC1969 final will work, in its place, but, output suffers a heap.

    • @russellhltn1396
      @russellhltn1396 Před 3 lety +1

      When that stuff turns turns darker brown, it can become conductive. That will mess up your bias.

  • @jasonkeen712
    @jasonkeen712 Před 3 lety +1

    Another great video. I can't get enough of your repair vids.

  • @graxjpg
    @graxjpg Před 3 lety +2

    Hey brad, loved the background music. I had this video on while I took a short nap, and I woke up feeling like brainiac. Tubes and wires coming out of my head and all listening to that stuff

  • @LookingForEntertainment112

    That was a great video, thanks Brad. I seriously enjoyed your playing at the end too.

  • @angryshoebox
    @angryshoebox Před 3 lety +2

    Cool to see the inside of one of these amps. I always wondered what the Valve Junior's guts looked like.

  • @stevegore4504
    @stevegore4504 Před 3 lety

    Loved your playing at the end. It was just great

  • @hannahpumpkins4359
    @hannahpumpkins4359 Před 3 lety

    Damn, the repaired amp sounds incredible! I am seriously impressed!

  • @Ninjametal
    @Ninjametal Před 3 lety +7

    I've been watcing this channel a long time, and I missed vids like this. Besides the obvious value in education of amplifiers, and the nice escape from news and politics, I particularly enjoyed this because it reinforces the perspective of Brad as a knowledgeable authority. If Brad says something about an amp, I believe him; because he knows more about the subject than I do. Same goes for disputing copyright claims on youtube, or politics. He's spent time learning the details, I'll believe what he presents as facts. (and continue to form my own opinions, of course.) It's easy to discount people, like: "Why should I listen to this dude?" But that becomes apparent after being completely schooled.
    ...Here's what I like about the tone demo. It wasn't a bunch of Brad's ego showing the most difficult things he could play. It was him testing the amp, and listening to it closely throughout. He also showed the subtle shades of the amp circuit, and at the end, (intentionally or not) showed how 'inspiring' he found the amp's tone. All in all, a great demo while also proving the amp he rebuilt in front of everyone wouldn't melt down after getting good and hot...That's legit.

  • @brianblair1478
    @brianblair1478 Před 3 lety +1

    I have the model in the thumbnail and i love it. I used it plugged into a cabinet. The cabinet is an old 71' Gibson 4/10 Ranger amp, that blew and fried the components. I removed the amp unit and filled the panel opening with chrome diamond plating. Looks great too! (Backstory: I tried to get Brad to repair that amp, because I loved it. It was solid state 100w and he suggested that it wasn't worth the effort/cost shipping etc after i described the damage. He said the way I was using it as a cab was probably the best use of it at this point. I very much appreciated his insight.) Its all original 1971 10" speakers sound great with the Epiphone pushing them. Don't let the 5 watts fool ya, it cranks pretty damn loud! Pure tube tone.

  • @dougckelly
    @dougckelly Před 2 lety +1

    Sounds glorious after your handiwork!

  • @13strikeasnare
    @13strikeasnare Před 3 lety

    love your videos brad, great work!!!!! keep bringin em back buddy!

  • @toysbackzen
    @toysbackzen Před 3 lety

    I was doing some maintenance on a pa system last week and it had that adhesive in. It was everywhere, I agree not needed unless they know the solder joints are going to fail thinking it will help. Thanks for the video, amp sounded pretty good after your fixed the design and those crazy mods.

  • @BAADAPPLE
    @BAADAPPLE Před 3 lety

    You’re the man Brad. Thanks for all these videos.

  • @baylockthewarlock5729
    @baylockthewarlock5729 Před 3 lety

    I have one of these heads somewhere. I like it, although it isn't the most distinguished sound, it's got some nice attributes. Nice response on the fingers and dynamics. This one sounds great with your upgrades. The previous work was a scary mess, but you did a great job cleaning it up. I like it a lot- thanks for sharing.

  • @jacobdowler1
    @jacobdowler1 Před 3 lety +1

    Brad the interior decorator...the orchid looks good! amp sound nice. good work man.

  • @youssefkasim7556
    @youssefkasim7556 Před 3 lety +1

    I really enjoy watching your channel man. Keep it up.

  • @richardnita8176
    @richardnita8176 Před 3 lety

    Always nice to hear you play through it after. Thought I heard a little diamonds and rust in there.

  • @roncarter2188
    @roncarter2188 Před 3 lety +4

    Turn volume on the amp up all the way, then use guitar volume as you see fit, then let the good times roll! Sounds great Brad.

  • @fractul22over7
    @fractul22over7 Před 3 lety +6

    As Jeri Ellsworth said “fail and fail often” good stuff

  • @redactedname3459
    @redactedname3459 Před 3 lety

    Sounds great with that guitar and your modifications/ fix up. I had a valve jr combo amp for a few months. It was stock/ vanilla. I sold it for a 50s Champ Clone.

  • @bigballstouchem1560
    @bigballstouchem1560 Před 3 lety

    i know its youtube audio im hearing on my laptop but that amp now sounds rich and has its own voice and by the way u are playing it gives u them tube amp feels. and might i add that bourbon barrel style finish tele is brilliant

  • @lorcanfeely6371
    @lorcanfeely6371 Před 3 lety +1

    Sounds superb

  • @lewe666
    @lewe666 Před 3 lety +1

    I've never so much as played a tube amp, and yet I fucking love watching these.

  • @fractul22over7
    @fractul22over7 Před 3 lety +3

    This guy loves this amp

  • @G60syncro
    @G60syncro Před 3 lety

    Around the 37:00 mark your jam had some of McCartney's Momma Miss America vibes!! Loved it!!!

  • @clifflee7461
    @clifflee7461 Před 3 lety

    Hi. Great mods nice clean work wicked tone..Had one of these amp since 2007 head and cap all i have changed is the tubes Nos Phillips 6bq5 and GE 5751 in the pre amp plus Changed out the speaker for a made in England Vintage 30 Celestion Still going strong played many a gig nice tone for drunk Crowds .Cheers from Australia .

  • @JeffD63
    @JeffD63 Před 3 lety +1

    Thank you for letting The Guitologist come out and play.

  • @PapaWheelie1
    @PapaWheelie1 Před 3 lety +1

    I’m gonna bookmark this one to watch the play through part over and over

  • @markbryant2012
    @markbryant2012 Před 3 lety

    I've got the head/cab version of his amp. I bought it when it first came out and used it for a good five years as my at-home amplifier. Using it every day. I love it. It sounds great. It came with a good speaker in the cab. Eminence 12" I think. I have it out in the shed now but I pull it out every now and then and I always enjoy it. I haven't heard much good said about the combo but I've never heard anyone say anything at all about the head/cab version. I guess they didn't sell well. This one here sounds good to me. That really nice feedback around 40min, that's something I like about this amp.

  • @ADITADDICTS
    @ADITADDICTS Před 3 lety

    Subscribed. I am blown away by your knowledge sir. Thank you.

  • @framusburns-hagstromiii808

    Good work! that amp sounds great now!......and Dude... That rug really ties the room together.. . Does it not?!?
    😀😀👍👍👌👌🎸🎸🎼🎵🎶🤗🤗

  • @joelaughlin2815
    @joelaughlin2815 Před rokem

    Great stuff, n great pickin!

  • @OrfinMusik
    @OrfinMusik Před 3 lety

    Nice work man

  • @mark64tanner
    @mark64tanner Před 3 lety

    Great and timely, I've got a little Joyo Crybaby which appears to be similar enough to use your basic ideas to clean it up and reduce some Humm.
    Cheers buddy, take care
    👍✌😎
    Nice playing by the way, could happily listen to it all afternoon.

  • @santrixhimself3679
    @santrixhimself3679 Před 3 lety +1

    There was a handwired version of these amps sold in german discounter supermarkets around 2005. Bought one new for 89€! Handwired! And still perfectly working to this day. I also had a valve junior, and the difference between pcb and handwired was pretty striking. Hw champ clone is still working to this day. Never had a service whatsoever

  • @andrewc9762
    @andrewc9762 Před 3 lety +1

    I have the head version of this amp, with the bitmo mod. Awesome amp!

  • @JPilot2
    @JPilot2 Před 3 lety

    G'day, Brad! Enjoyed the video! Great job - modifying & troubleshooting!! By the way... Smooth distortion… super-clear note definition. Turn up the volume, more grind. Turn it down, nice warm jazzy sound. Plus! I always enjoy the guitar playing at the end!! Well done! Thank you! Cheers! 😊🎸✌🏻❤️
    P.S. Just an observation... "Noticed through the years, a number of amplifier manufacturers have tried their hands at producing budget tube amps. The problem with the vast majority of these items was that they were not primarily amps, they were primarily amps. Their main audio function was to give the listener the distinct feeling that a knitting needle was slowly being shoved through their eardrum." Lol! 🤣

  • @HiHello-ku1fl
    @HiHello-ku1fl Před 3 lety +1

    Sounds pretty damn good to me. I always like these little amps in a room with wood floors with some natural ambience. Makes me play for hours. Something about the natural reverb.

  • @MegaTubescreamer
    @MegaTubescreamer Před 3 lety

    LOOK,,,NO PEDALS fantastic job again brad ,whatever the
    bill, you are undercharging !,it just needs a little spring reverb
    as do many of this type of home use practise amp,,

  • @morganghetti
    @morganghetti Před 3 lety +3

    I had the 5 watt head for 5 years or so when I was in college. I used it all the time for jams at my different friends houses. I put a tube screamer in front and cranked the amp to about 2 o'clock. Loved it. Was about 15 mins into an extended Garcia-ish jam one night and it burst into flames. I wasn't even mad as I def got my 90 bucks out of it. It was a fitting death for my little 5 watt buddy.

    • @randallsmith7885
      @randallsmith7885 Před 4 měsíci

      Epic story and what a fitting end to the little amp that gave everything to the cause!

  • @johnp6269
    @johnp6269 Před rokem

    That sounds rad!!!!

  • @VB308
    @VB308 Před 3 lety +1

    Sounds 💯% better after your work Brad 👍

  • @joejackjones1
    @joejackjones1 Před 3 lety

    Looking forward. I have a VJ head I was planning to build into a mini SE 2204. Got the PCB already but think it needs a lot of work to make it sound good. I've built a PCB 5E3, and done some basic modding/blackfacing.. Really like the tech content..

  • @deputyfestus4163
    @deputyfestus4163 Před 3 lety +1

    Fantastic Amp

  • @PatrickAustin
    @PatrickAustin Před 3 lety +1

    That Bulleit Bourbon Tele is very cool!

  • @davidhelmuth6654
    @davidhelmuth6654 Před 3 lety +55

    Am I the only person here who thinks you should build an amp?
    If you build it they will come...

    • @miguelluismusic4181
      @miguelluismusic4181 Před 3 lety +7

      Brad, I agree with David immensely. If you built your own amp.. it would sell... make sure you put your price high for profit.. you earned it...

    • @davidhelmuth6654
      @davidhelmuth6654 Před 3 lety +2

      Maybe do a collaboration with one of these wood working guys. They would love to do that. Do the build. Then put up a wiring diagram, make it DYI project.
      Just spit-balling here...

    • @rikantony6571
      @rikantony6571 Před 3 lety

      @P J Pachasa Jr ha

    • @vxidastronaut
      @vxidastronaut Před 3 lety

      he said he has a pile of weird nos tubes, or knows one that goes to waste because there aren't circuits based on it, and so he designed an amp around it. Who knows if we'll see it

    • @timm.6391
      @timm.6391 Před 3 lety +2

      @@vxidastronaut I'd like to see him build one with 3 or 4 12ax7 and 2 7868.... that's what I have on hand from gutting a old console unit. 7868s in push pull can go about 45 watts... I'm only looking at pushing them about 30 watts though... basically limiting for 2 reasons... the caps I have on hand from electronics salvaging are my voltage limit... and figure the tubes will hold up longer not maxing them.

  • @jasonthewiczman5442
    @jasonthewiczman5442 Před 3 lety

    Awesome repair my friend Michael ledger has a band plays guitar 🎸

  • @joshuataft5541
    @joshuataft5541 Před 3 lety

    I love the les Paul with tape on the logo...its beitiful....gota have a dream right. Good jobon the amp.your amazing as usual..wish u were my nxt door neibor

  • @patprop74
    @patprop74 Před 7 měsíci

    Your mods makes it look more like a Peavey Valveking Royal 8 now which is a great-sounding little amp.

  • @l6srob990
    @l6srob990 Před 3 lety +1

    Great sounding little amp grear vid also

  • @mattsworld7943
    @mattsworld7943 Před 3 lety

    One of your first videos I watched was when I was working on my own Valve Junior Amp Head. I ended up getting the schematic and putting everything back to stock and starting again. My fault for buying a modified Amp blind on eBay of course, and half the fun is fixing these beasts. The previous owner had replaced components with substandard fake orange drop capacitors and a dreadful attempt at a tone stack in the middle of the guts which really was causing all kinds of oscillation and nightmares! I ended up ordering a load of replacement parts from RS Electronics. I didn't spend a lot of money, but anytime someone has been inside these things its a mess. I feed mine into a Marshall 1x12 Cab with a Ruby Speaker, sounds pretty good and plenty loud enough.

  • @howardrose8481
    @howardrose8481 Před 3 lety

    This was my first build/mod project.
    Upgraded power and output transformers, larger first filter cap, used a 12AY7 instead of the 12AX7, and added a switchable 100k resistor as an option for the 1 Meg resistor in the interstage circuit (I think; it’s been a long time since I worked on this amp). It still gets used to test speaker cabinet builds, and demonstrate the difference between a 5 watt amp and anything larger.

  • @joshuataft5541
    @joshuataft5541 Před 3 lety

    Neat looking amp jst started the vidio.cant wait to see this one come to life. I want a small tube amp.iv never played a tube amp only a small crate and my katana 100 .the katana sounds good fortune 230 bucks I paid .and versatile tho I dnt have a footswitch. Love the channel brad

  • @jgrimsley2000
    @jgrimsley2000 Před 3 lety +1

    It's a good thing that you dug all the bird shit from board. When that stuff hardens it can actually become conductive. Great video always, Brad.

  • @ronwoodard9391
    @ronwoodard9391 Před 3 lety +1

    Dudes got some chops.

  • @DANTHETUBEMAN
    @DANTHETUBEMAN Před 3 lety

    Nice outro blues

  • @Mojoman57
    @Mojoman57 Před 3 lety +2

    Over here vibin

  • @GScott50
    @GScott50 Před 3 lety

    I had one of these produced under the Harley Benton name for Thomann. In the end I used the cabinet for a 5E3 Micro (with Jensen speaker) and the transformers were perfect for a 6G15 Reverb.

  • @keithrevst692
    @keithrevst692 Před 3 lety +2

    That whisky barrel tele sounds good through that amp.

  • @r8pilot296
    @r8pilot296 Před 3 lety

    Thanks for doing what you do best. Avoid the rest.

  • @mikehartke1535
    @mikehartke1535 Před 3 lety

    Black Diamond? By Kiss? Killer!!!! Brad, you should be building and modifying amplifiers. Make it 100 watts able to lower to 10 in a 2x12. Great job as always.

  • @valuedhumanoid6574
    @valuedhumanoid6574 Před 7 měsíci +1

    You (and Uncle Doug) got me inspired to build my own amp from scratch. I got one of the Mojotone kits. Not only do you learn how all this stuff work's. but you can tinker with values and learn what does what. Within reason. If you double the resistance, or half it, you better know what it's going to affect. I have released the magic smoke out of a few components by being a dumbass. Same with making your own pedals. I did the Keeley mod to my Tube Screamer and I love it now more than before! If I could just get my soldering skills up to par now...

  • @MrSmithvideo
    @MrSmithvideo Před 3 lety +1

    Brad . Sod the amp for once. . great job tho. It is your voice on a guitar that really speaks to me . . it has a " Voice in the wilderness " quality to it that draws me in every time , to put it simply , it is beautiful my friend.
    Love and Peace from a fellow wanderer in the UK.

  • @royaljones5237
    @royaljones5237 Před 3 lety +5

    Really looking forward to this! I have the burgundy panel head with matching cab. The head is totally BitMo modded with the low/mo/whoa switch and tone control with pull boost. This thing is a little 5watt beast! Loud as hell. The matching cab has the Eminence Lady Luck 70w speaker in it and sounds great. I've run several different amps through that cab and gotten many compliments on how good it sounds with the EVJ head, my Orange tiny terror, Quilter 101 and even my EHX 22 caliber (which sounds incredible through it....).

    • @stevesuv
      @stevesuv Před 2 lety

      I do not believe it. Different strokes.

  • @thomascoulter6121
    @thomascoulter6121 Před 3 lety

    It’s a black V3 pcb. Removed C3 and added the Jumper like everyone else. Basically a 5f2a preamp with unbypassed V1B. 220k resistors in R6/R7. And a 500pF bright cap/ high pass on a separate control allows the right low content at any volume. I typically run volume at 2’clock. 1000k first supply resistor and upped EL84 resistor to 270 or 330 ohm. A little cold but gives the OD a bright edgy Soldano crunch. 12” Jensen C12Q. My friends love it too. Say it doesn’t sound like any modded EVJ. More like a Tweed Deluxe. Biggest thing is controlling lows. Most guys do it with cathode bypass. I chose low cut control. I also chose Fender values in pre because overdrive sounds better imo. Then use the divider to adjust overdrive balance between pre and power amp.

  • @DChrls
    @DChrls Před 2 lety +1

    The biggest improvement to my Valve Jr. besides better tubes and speaker was plugging my Marshall 9001 tube preamp into the input and plug my guitar into the 9001.
    It made that lil' amp sound a ton better and a unique voice as well.

  • @terrysspeedshop
    @terrysspeedshop Před 3 lety

    I have one I haven't modified it or had any trouble with it . I like it. Mine is the head version it has 4 ,8,and 16 ohm outputs

  • @ctcards2636
    @ctcards2636 Před rokem

    I messed with one of these. Ended up up using a 6n2p-ev (w/ 6n2 to 12ax7 adaptor) for preamp. Not a huge fan of the sound of these. :-( But i see a lot of people like to mod these etc. Very simple to work on. Good learning amp id say for someone interested in messing with a tube amp without getting overwhelmed. Thanks for the videos. Oh by the way the 6n2p tube sounded the best of the different tubes we tried. Power tube wise we stuck with a 6p14p-k, that tube worked very well in this circuit.

    • @ctcards2636
      @ctcards2636 Před rokem

      Wow that power tube was getting warm, look at the brown on the board. Yeah that 100mfd is over kill.

    • @ctcards2636
      @ctcards2636 Před rokem

      Yeah I used a 250ohm to cool the bias, thats how i was able to use 6p14p-k power tube in this amp.

    • @ctcards2636
      @ctcards2636 Před rokem

      What type of pickups are in that Tele you use towards the end of the video ?

  • @stevenburvenich168
    @stevenburvenich168 Před 3 lety

    Had v3 head + cabinet. already had high input Z and DC filaments. swapped OT with a 125ESE. Wired for 10k (not 5k!) and rebiased for giving less hot idle below advised power. Added treble bleed at R6. Sounded great. Much cleaner on the lower notes. Better drive. Sold it now.

  • @Ange1166
    @Ange1166 Před 3 lety

    good video useful tips

  • @StahlsBlues
    @StahlsBlues Před 3 lety +2

    Awesome stuff. I still say you're one of the best players alive today.

    • @TheGuitologist
      @TheGuitologist  Před 3 lety +1

      Well, I disagree, but still kind of you to say.

  • @matthewf1979
    @matthewf1979 Před 3 lety +1

    I just bought a whole bunch of brand new production Vishay/Sprague “Cera-Mite” Z5U caps from Mouser. They’re the perfect amount of microphonic. I was working on a 1961 6G3 Deluxe that was all dead and lifeless after someone replaced ALL of the original ceramic caps with orange drops. It changed hands probably 7 times in the last 2 years going off all the Reverb/EBay listings.
    I tried to find the original Sprague Z5U’s, but they’re just not out there anymore. The new Cera-Mite caps brought back the dimension. It’s like the thin plywood baffle in a Tweed amp.

  • @astrogerry
    @astrogerry Před 3 lety +2

    I really like your channel and I sub !!!
    You have a new friend !!!
    Greetings from Italy !!!

  • @serginhofromhell666
    @serginhofromhell666 Před 3 lety +2

    Very nice video Brad. Just a comment about putting a resistor in parallel with the volume pot: as you already commented, a 500k pot could be used in place of the combination of a 1M pot and a resistor. The reason (as I see it) is to also change the log pot curve. For example, in a 500kA pot, it is usually around 10% of that value with the pot at midpoint, so it would be at around 50k at midpoint. The 1M pot would be around 100k at midpoint. But here is the catch: a 1M pot in parallel with a 1M resistor essentially becomes the same as a 500k pot, but with a midpoint of 100k (as in the 1M pot), or a 500kA pot with a 20% midpoint. I use this trick in my own circuits (such as gain controls and tone stacks) and it works great when you need to tweak the curve.

    • @TheGuitologist
      @TheGuitologist  Před 3 lety

      It’s just odd in a factory circuit.

    • @serginhofromhell666
      @serginhofromhell666 Před 3 lety

      @@TheGuitologist sure it is!

    • @stevemartin9035
      @stevemartin9035 Před 3 lety

      R6 & R7 also make a voltage divider. Probably done to keep the gain in control for the second triode. I think the previous tech tried to "Fenderize" this amp.

  • @mattmiller22
    @mattmiller22 Před 3 lety

    I’ve had a VJ head for a long time with the only mod done was JP1 which basically is a quick snip that instantly opens up the sound.

  • @MrAnalogDan12
    @MrAnalogDan12 Před 3 lety +1

    Dunno about how it went in the US, but here in Europe, these affordable amplifiers were a favourite among modders.

  • @grberendzenproductions312

    That goop looks like liquid nails construction adhesive. Glad to see an amp repair. The guitar repair stuff is good too.

  • @producerman10030
    @producerman10030 Před 3 lety

    I have played a gig through one. It's not bad. A lot of people used to like to put in a Weber speaker. That and replacing the tubes.

  • @bertrandmajorik6589
    @bertrandmajorik6589 Před 3 lety

    Good thing i watched this video, i was gonna buy one for 100$ CAD........not anymore. THANKS!!!!! AWESOME VIDEO!!!!

  • @skot373
    @skot373 Před 3 lety

    I know guys who used to build tube equipment for amateur radio. They used paraffin wax as an adhesive. Don't know if it was better than what was used in the video, but it worked for them.

  • @michaelhicks9396
    @michaelhicks9396 Před rokem

    Once upon a time I had an EVJ with a Weber in it. I used an attenuator to get distortion at low volume. It was a nice little amplifier.

  • @lanceriffle4841
    @lanceriffle4841 Před 3 lety +1

    Magical

  • @stevereeves2552
    @stevereeves2552 Před 2 lety +1

    Hey Brad, been really digging the chanel! Keep it up, any body that criticizes your work is a idiot. Your trouble shooting skills are top notch! Steve in California.

  • @Mr3DBob
    @Mr3DBob Před 3 lety +1

    I have the head model. I use it with an old upright radio cabinet with an Eminence 12" speaker. It sounds pretty good. Above 5, it begins to bark and growl.

    • @guitarocd9984
      @guitarocd9984 Před 3 lety

      Come on does it really sound good. Sorry for being skeptical.

    • @Mr3DBob
      @Mr3DBob Před 3 lety

      @@guitarocd9984 It's a matter of taste, I suppose. I seldom use it, as I have other amps; a '64 Princeton with an extension cabinet, a Hotone classic, an Excelsior, a Traynor bass mate, Traynor Quarter Horse, Roland Street Cube and a Spark. So, I seldom get around to giving the Epiphone a workout. I'm over-supplied, but Covid has cramped the buy/sell market. Who wants a 5 watt Epi rig that's as bulky as a Marshall half-stack? Oh, if you're asking about the cabinet, it's good. Those old cabinets were made to project sound, and 5 watts was science fiction in those days, so low watts=good sound. I have three that I've reworked for guitar amps.

  • @sevenpointsixtwo9707
    @sevenpointsixtwo9707 Před 3 lety +1

    Sooo many folks trashed and still to trash this amp.
    The lowly Valve Jr. was my first legit tube amp and how I discovered things like, 1) volume control on a guitar and dynamics
    2) What tube breakup really meant 3) the value of a decent attenuator (yes 5w single ended is damn loud)
    Man I loved that little thing.

    • @gregoryrussell8267
      @gregoryrussell8267 Před 3 lety +1

      The old 6 watt Fender Champs sound really good.I used to have one . They take pedals really good but I had to get a better speaker. The Bugera V5 5 watt and Bugera 15 watt sound really good too

    • @sevenpointsixtwo9707
      @sevenpointsixtwo9707 Před 3 lety

      @@gregoryrussell8267 I’ve come close to purchasing a Bugera V5 a few times.

  • @whatsstefon
    @whatsstefon Před 3 lety

    I love it when I find amps like this on my bench. It makes me think that people really do want the world to burn when you open up a chassis and these “mods” are discovered.

  • @drummerhammar
    @drummerhammar Před 3 lety

    Nice!

  • @grumpymikeguitar
    @grumpymikeguitar Před 3 lety

    After seeing the guts of this amp, I can't help but wonder why one could possibly cost more than about 75 bucks. It's about as simple as you can get. Not saying it's bad, just saying you don't really get what you pay for.
    That said, great video, Brad. I love your stuff, I always learn something, and that's what it's all about. Cheers!

  • @tatialo37
    @tatialo37 Před 3 lety

    I missed buying one of these!!!

    • @standupstraight9691
      @standupstraight9691 Před 3 lety +1

      You didn't miss anything, they are rubbish. Basically have to rebuild it to make it sound half decent.

  • @Jettblack_
    @Jettblack_ Před 3 lety +4

    I feel I have missed out in life,I've been playing guitar for 30 years and never owned a tube amp.I live in the hills of eastern Kentucky there are no music stores around,so I watch the Guitologist and dream.

    • @auntjenifer7774
      @auntjenifer7774 Před 3 lety

      @@kitten-whisperer how do you know for yourself ? You don't have a neural DSP board, do you ?

    • @auntjenifer7774
      @auntjenifer7774 Před 3 lety +1

      Mike, I can recommend a couple real good tube amps specifically cheaper more affordable amps like the Peavey Bravo combo, Peavey valve king combo, Peavey classic combo or 20 watt head, Fender super champ X2, fender deluxe VM combo also the fender bandmaster VM head, Fender champion 600.
      Those are some of the good cheaper tube Amps that I've used with good results. The monoprice tube Amps are pretty good but look kinda ugly but there's also Bugera ! All the Bugeras I've tried sounded great so Bugeras a good buy.
      There's also Fender mustang 150 stereo head unit that's awesome and cheap and not tube, while on the topic of digital I've also had great results running a Headrush pedal board unit into a Peavey USA 6534+ head into a Mesa oversized 412. So the best of both worlds.

    • @PapaWheelie1
      @PapaWheelie1 Před 3 lety +1

      You have to get a tube amp - You won’t regret it

  • @gd2329j
    @gd2329j Před 3 lety +1

    It has a good speaker but it needs a tone stack & you could
    fix the volume problems with V1B grid at the same time .
    Better magnetics will help specifically the output transformer .
    A new one is expensive but if you've got one in the junk box !
    I might even experiment with a small resistor after the rectifier .
    Say 150R @ 2W .
    Movie ground around from the PCB & finding the lowest 120 Hz noise will help .
    ( Yes the green wire )

  • @DavidMorales008
    @DavidMorales008 Před 3 lety

    Awesome