Epiphone Valve Junior Modifications

[duhvoodooman]

If you are new to guitars, don't listen to Vood about *must have* pedals .

Don't get any pedals until you identify a need.

No, scratch that: maybe get the Bad Monkey, it's cheap & will give you decent overdrive.

Regrettably, this is probably good advice. I don't seem to have a lot of , er, self control when it comes to pedals. However, a decent overdrive pedal is considered by saner folks than me to be a pretty basic accessory for a tube amp. And I'll stick by the reverb pedal recommendation, because a little 'verb really adds a dimension of space/openness to an amp that doesn't have it "on board", whether Epiphone, Blackheart or another brand. And don't buy a real cheap one, 'cuz that's exactly how they sound. My DigiTech DigiVerb does a great job--good reverb sounds and several to choose from. Not too expensive, either, particularly used ones on eBay.

Whaddya think, Tot? I trimmed it down to two! Am I not a bastion of restraint?? :AOK:

 

[just strum]

Whaddya think, Tot? I trimmed it down to two! Am I not a bastion of restraint?? :AOK:

Are you twitching?

Edit: ok, you recommend an overdrive pedal for a tube amp, what about the ad30vt? One pedal, which one would it be?

 

[tot_Ou_tard]

Regrettably, this is probably good advice. I don't seem to have a lot of , er, self control when it comes to pedals. However, a decent overdrive pedal is considered by saner folks than me to be a pretty basic accessory for a tube amp. And I'll stick by the reverb pedal recommendation, because a little 'verb really adds a dimension of space/openness to an amp that doesn't have it "on board", whether Epiphone, Blackheart or another brand. And don't buy a real cheap one, 'cuz that's exactly how they sound. My DigiTech DigiVerb does a great job--good reverb sounds and several to choose from. Not too expensive, either, particularly used ones on eBay.

Whaddya think, Tot? I trimmed it down to two! Am I not a bastion of restraint?? :AOK:

Very good Vood! :AOK:

Maybe I should get me a 'verb. I haven't felt the need for one, maybe I'm wrong .

I do suggest, however, that wet newbie wanking won't sound any better than dry newbie wanking .

 

[just strum]

I do suggest, however, that wet newbie wanking won't sound any better than dry newbie wanking .

:rotflmao: that didn't take long.

 

[duhvoodooman]

Actually, the same thing--a good overdrive pedal--but for a somewhat different reason. The amp models on the righthand side of the AD30VT's dial cover heavier distortion quite well, but I want to have something to "dirty up" the cleaner amp models, particularly the Boutique Clean and the Black 2x12. That's the best way to get a nice blues tone with those models, IMO. Also useful with some of the other "left-side" amp models like the Tweed 4x10, AC30TB, and even the UK'70s where you might want to run edge-of-breakup on their gain settings and then push it over the top with an OD pedal for soloing.

There are a zillion good OD pedals out there. The Bad Monkey gets a lot of press here because it has a pretty broad tonal range, sounds great and is very reasonably priced at $50 new, and can occasionally be found for even less. But there are so many more excellent ones. Of course,the best is probably the ZYS, but I hear that's temporarily out of production.

Re: that reverb pedal, even us hacks can use a little variety in our wanking.... :rockon: (Take note of which emoticon I didn't use!)

 

[marnold]

Actually, the same thing--a good overdrive pedal--but for a somewhat different reason. The amp models on the righthand side of the AD30VT's dial cover heavier distortion quite well, but I want to have something to "dirty up" the cleaner amp models, particularly the Boutique Clean and the Black 2x12. That's the best way to get a nice blues tone with those models, IMO. Also useful with some of the other "left-side" amp models like the Tweed 4x10, AC30TB, and even the UK'70s where you might want to run edge-of-breakup on their gain settings and then push it over the top with an OD pedal for soloing.

Yes! To DVM you listen!

I like the bluesy overdrive I can get from my TO800 through the Blackface model better than cranking the gain on the AD30VT alone. For that I'll keep the gain on the amp at about 1:00 and set my TO800's drive at about 9:00, the level at noon, and the tone at about 1:00-2:00. That gives single coils some respectable SRV-esque umpf.

As I've mentioned many times before, I use my TO800 to give the UK70s model the extra cajones that it otherwise lacks. The gain is dimed on the AD30VT. My TO800 is set for virtually no drive, but the level is dimed and the tone is at about 1:00. Basically I'm using it as a non-clean boost (by "non-clean" I mean it is also boosting upper mids slightly).

 

[hindmarsh]

Alas, timing is everything. So, I go out to look at the Bad Monkey and what do I see? A buy 2 get 1 free coupon staring back at me.

After reading the coupon I understand the task at hand. a) The pedals must be on the approved list and the freebie has to be equal to or less than the lowest purchased pedal by category level. b) the purchase must be done by Jan 15th! Gotta work fast under pressure.

Wanting to maximize the freebie I ended up buying the DigiVerb and the DigiDelay so I could get the SynthWah as the freebie and claim a 45% savings. Then I made a second purchase for the Bad Monkey.

So, instead of spending $50 I spent $250, just to get a free $90 pedal - :thwap:

Thanks for suggestions and explantion DVM, when do you hear the ZYS is going to be back in production?:whatever:

 

[duhvoodooman]

Thanks for suggestions and explantion DVM, when do you hear the ZYS is going to be back in production? :whatever:

Well, I didn't have any immediate "production runs" planned anyway, but I couldn't even if I wanted to, at the moment. The ZYS is built on the BYOC "Screamer" clone PCB, and Keith Vonderhulls (Mr. BYOC) has stopped selling them separately from his kits. So instead of buying an $8 PCB, I'd have to get the full kit for $90. I don't think so!! So I'd have to locate a new PCB source and make the corresponding design changes to the ZYS before I could make any more....

 

[tot_Ou_tard]

So, instead of spending $50 I spent $250, just to get a free $90 pedal - :thwap:

Such are the ways of GAS .

Enjoy!!

 

[Bloozcat]

Regrettably, this is probably good advice. I don't seem to have a lot of , er, self control when it comes to pedals. However, a decent overdrive pedal is considered by saner folks than me to be a pretty basic accessory for a tube amp. And I'll stick by the reverb pedal recommendation, because a little 'verb really adds a dimension of space/openness to an amp that doesn't have it "on board", whether Epiphone, Blackheart or another brand. And don't buy a real cheap one, 'cuz that's exactly how they sound. My DigiTech DigiVerb does a great job--good reverb sounds and several to choose from. Not too expensive, either, particularly used ones on eBay.

Whaddya think, Tot? I trimmed it down to two! Am I not a bastion of restraint?? :AOK:

Well, look at it this way, DVM. It's not a lack of self control that inspires you to add more pedals to your collection, it's the quest for knowledge and self satisfaction that drives you. After all, you build your own pedals now, and even sell some of them. When you think of some of the things that people throw money away on as "entertainment", what you're doing looks pretty good.

And BTW ,DVM, if you use this line of reasoning with your wife, please don't use my name in the discussion, ok?

 

[F_BSurfer]

Don't know if you have came across this site DVM a little more than you were paying but I think they have your pcb

http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1

 

[duhvoodooman]

Don't know if you have came across this site DVM a little more than you were paying but I think they have your pcb

http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1

Yep, familiar with them. May very well try their PCB, since they provide full project documentation for the TS clone on their site. Thanks, FBS! :AOK:

 

[Guitar Gal]

I received the Hammond 125ESE output transformer from Radiodaze.com late last week, and installed it over the weekend. It dwarfs the puny little VJr stock OT! Very easy installation. Other than disconnecting the stock OT, running the wires & soldering them in, the only other thing required is to drill an additional hole through the chassis for mounting the OT, due to its larger footprint.

I don't have before/after clips for this change, but I can tell you that the change was really quite noticeable. The amps overall tone sounds clearer & crisper to me, and the bottom end is significantly louder and better defined. This is particularly evident when I run the amp through one of my cabs, since the 12" speakers really show off the better bass response.

Glad to hear that you like the new OT also DVM :dude: I personally think it was $$ well spent ........ can't put a price on sweet tone!

:rockon:

GG

 

[just strum]

Yes! To DVM you listen!

I like the bluesy overdrive I can get from my TO800 through the Blackface model better than cranking the gain on the AD30VT alone. For that I'll keep the gain on the amp at about 1:00 and set my TO800's drive at about 9:00, the level at noon, and the tone at about 1:00-2:00. That gives single coils some respectable SRV-esque umpf.

As I've mentioned many times before, I use my TO800 to give the UK70s model the extra cajones that it otherwise lacks. The gain is dimed on the AD30VT. My TO800 is set for virtually no drive, but the level is dimed and the tone is at about 1:00. Basically I'm using it as a non-clean boost (by "non-clean" I mean it is also boosting upper mids slightly).

Do you have any idea as to how this compares to a Bad Monkey? I see they are about 1/2 the price as the BM, but I was curious on how the two compare.

checked out e-bay the other day and could have had a new Bad Monkey for $40, free shipping (BuyItNow) - but drag your feet...

 

[marnold]

Do you have any idea as to how this compares to a Bad Monkey? I see they are about 1/2 the price as the BM, but I was curious on how the two compare.

checked out e-bay the other day and could have had a new Bad Monkey for $40, free shipping (BuyItNow) - but drag your feet...

I've never seen a Bad Monkey. I'm sure it has more solid construction than my TO800. IIRC, the Monkey also has two tone controls instead of one on the TO800. I posted a link to a review about a year ago where someone compared a TO800 very favorably to a TS-808. Sounded good to me!

 

[duhvoodooman]

For the sake of completeness, I've updated my Valve Jr. Mods webpage with a description of the last 3 mods/upgrades I did to my "vers. 1" VJr combo:

• Speaker upgrade to Jensen C8R
• Switchable 4 ohm/8 ohm output
• Output transformer upgrade

The new info is down near the bottom of the page.

While doing the OT swap, I came across a very useful document HERE. These are the detailed instructions, with a lot of good technical explanation, that came with a commercial VJr upgrade kit from S2 Amps. Though the kit is no longer sold, the information is detailed enough that you could easily buy your own components and do many of these upgrades yourself. I see a couple in there that I may yet do on my own VJr (it never ends!)....

 

[Bloozcat]

While doing the OT swap, I came across a very useful document HERE. These are the detailed instructions, with a lot of good technical explanation, that came with a commercial VJr upgrade kit from S2 Amps. Though the kit is no longer sold, the information is detailed enough that you could easily buy your own components and do many of these upgrades yourself. I see a couple in there that I may yet do on my own VJr (it never ends!)....

That is a very good document, DVM. I made a hard copy of it awhile ago and put it im my "amplifiers" book.

 

[Duff]

Bad Monkey

I have a bad monkey but haven't used it since I got a couple multi effects units: a Digitech RP350 that usb's into the computer, and a really neat Korg AX5G that is plastic but uses batteries or ps and is really full of great sounds without even tweaking but is highly tweakable and has a pedal that works as a selectable vol, wah, or effects depth pedal, also has a default setting for each program you can change. Got the Korg AX5G for 39 price match at GC from printout of Music123 sale. Got an acoustic AX3A, no pedal, I'm experimenting with but my Grate Gunnison 60 watt two channel has some effects built in, not many but good ones.

The bad monkey is nice. I like it but it is fairly heavy overdrive even at the lowest settings. There is a lot of great distortion/overdrive, but not outrageous like a Metal Master or even a Grunge. I like my Grunge though. Fairly heavy distortion/overdrive. My VJr. brand new, (what version would that be?) has great natural overdrive. I'm using it mostly with the Epi 4 by 12 So. Cal. Cab I got for it rather than the matching one 12 that I also have for portability purposes. Those 4 by 12s sing and I got it new for 199. The one 12 is like 130. I can now also get a more powerful head.

Bad monkey is something I won't sell though. It has great tone. Way superior to my Metal Master. My Boss OD-3 is neat though and has a lot less overdrive if you are looking for something that you can turn the overdrive down on.

 

[F_BSurfer]

Ok after starting some mods to the stock board I decided to go full tilt!! Had most everything except the board ,tube sockets and the sozo caps so did not have to invest much more into it. Now that it is done I am totally happy with it.No more hum and its got some serious balls now,gain might be a little over the top I think if I did the tone mod it would curb that some,will wait get some more playing time and see??Just sounds way cool through my 2x10 cab!!

 

[duhvoodooman]

Very cool! Nice job there, FBS! :AOK: :dude: :bravo:

Got clips?? oke:

 

[F_BSurfer]

No don't have any clips no way to record right now one of these days I am going to get a 57,but right now gear budget going to a few amp builds......Two more builds and one rebuild then I'll be set........ I think??????? Plan then is to pick up couple 57's ,multi track digital recorder (something like Boss Br 900 cd) and a looper.

The last pic is not how the VJR finished out I wound up rerouting some wires the tied down excess for a cleaner look.......Have pull the chassis to cool down bias some will take final pic then