Rift
29 posts
Dec 16, 2010
4:23 PM
|
I am looking to get a small amp. Nothing crazy, just something to start playing amplified practicing and garage band stuff. I have a shure bullet mic and have decided between the Epiphone Valve Jr or Vox Valvetronix VT15. I know these two are completely different and I am not sure what I should go with. I know the Epiphone is loved by many but the Vox has a tone of effects for about the same price. Let me know your thoughts. Like I said I wont be using it for anything serious like gigging. Should I go with the quality and tone I hear the Epiphone has or the cool effects and features of the Vox?
|
KeithE
148 posts
Dec 16, 2010
4:35 PM
|
FYI - If you're near a Guitar Center then you might be able to pick up a Valve Jr for $80. There's a special on and it was posted last week on this forum.
http://www.guitarcenter.com/BCD-2010-12-07-EpiphoneValve-g25816t0.gc?rel=email&source=4NL0M9
Even if you don't like this amp you could probably resell it and not be out any money.
Anyways I don't know how popular this has been - I would call ahead. Don't know if you can trust the inventory reported by their website.
Another question would be how does an $80 Epi Valve Jr Combo compare to a restored Kalamazoo:
http://www.blowsmeaway.com/kalamazoo.html
Last Edited by on Dec 16, 2010 4:37 PM
|
jim
569 posts
Dec 16, 2010
4:48 PM
|
I'd get the VOX provided it has an attenuator. And buy an MXR EQ! It's a must-have with any of those two.
----------
www.truechromatic.com
|
KeithE
150 posts
Dec 16, 2010
10:32 PM
|
Jim - I think that the $80 is below Guitar Center's cost. So even if people think that GC sucks and don't want to shop there, they can be happy that they are sticking it to the man. Just ignore their pleas for insurance and the like, unless they can throw in an additional discount. For example it's a no brainer to get $20 off a purchase of $100 or more ("Holiday Savings" coupon), so let them add the insurance and give you $20 off and you will still be able to take the amp home, molest it for a bit, and sell it on craigslist at a profit if it doesn't rock their socks. Search on CL for Epiphone valve and you'll see.
Or consider how much an Epiphone is worth as parts if you're a DIYer.
Just trying to stimulate discussion. Issac has at least one video discussing modifications that he made to the head. With this you're getting the whole combo man! Where are Issac's words of wisdom?
I couldn't take it so I stopped by on my way home from work and bought one. (I was surprised that they were still in stock as there are quite a few harp players in San Jose.)
Last Edited by on Dec 16, 2010 10:42 PM
|
jim
570 posts
Dec 16, 2010
11:09 PM
|
I own that epi. it's a great amp and the only thing I lack now (since I bought that EQ) is an attenuator.
----------
www.truechromatic.com
|
toddlgreene
2263 posts
Dec 17, 2010
5:07 AM
|
I'll do a vid soon with high-quality audio of how a modded Epi V Jr compares to a Kalamazoo.
----------
Todd L. Greene, Codger-in-training
|
HarpNinja
877 posts
Dec 17, 2010
6:41 AM
|
I don't know your budget but for $189-199 you can find the VHT Special 6, which is FANTASTIC for harp!!!!!!! PTP wiring, 6v6 instead of EL84, 10" speaker...
----------
Mike
VHT Special 6 Amp for Harp Blog
|
joshnat
92 posts
Dec 17, 2010
7:32 AM
|
Yup, I just picked up a VHT also. For under $200, it absolutely smokes. It's the loudest 6 watts I've ever heard, and the output switch makes it totally usable at low volumes. I can't think of a better starter amp to grow into.
----------
|
bluzlvr
407 posts
Dec 17, 2010
3:30 PM
|
I've been wanting to try out the Valve Jr., but I've never seen one in any of my four local Guitar Centers...
----------
myspace
|
garry
15 posts
Dec 17, 2010
3:50 PM
|
get to a music store, bring your mic, and play through them both. buy accordingly. based on my experience, i'd likely go with the vox over the valve jr *. not because of the effects, though those are nice, but because of the sound, specifically the ac30 models. but that's just me, you need to hear them and decide what sound you prefer. just make sure you play the vox in manual mode. the rock star presets are feedback city.
* i've not tried the vht, so no comment there.
|
