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

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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[@TheGuitologist]

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]

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

[@martinpark8371]

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]

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

[@phillipbainbridge9107]

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]

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.

[@rustydelorean6405]

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]

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]

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

[@SyntagmaStation]

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

[@madaxe79]

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

[@boggsty]

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

[@madaxe79]

@@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]

@@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]

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]

@@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

[@badpants]

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.

[@trubadorphotography2541]

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

[@SuperEvilC]

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

[@thenovello-pugh]

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

[@LookingForEntertainment112]

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

[@dalesmyth7398]

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]

@@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]

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

[@sski]

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.

[@angryshoebox]

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

[@stevegore4504]

Loved your playing at the end. It was just great

[@graxjpg]

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

[@Ninjametal]

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.

[@baylockthewarlock5729]

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.

[@fractul22over7]

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

[@toysbackzen]

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.

[@roncarter2188]

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.

[@13strikeasnare]

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

[@hannahpumpkins4359]

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

[@brianblair1478]

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.

[@redactedname3459]

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.

[@jasonkeen712]

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

[@richardnita8176]

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

[@jacobdowler1]

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

[@bigballstouchem1560]

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

[@morganghetti]

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]

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

[@youssefkasim7556]

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

[@TheGuitologist]

Glad you enjoy it.

[@dougckelly]

Sounds glorious after your handiwork!

[@santrixhimself3679]

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

[@HiHello-ku1fl]

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.

[@ADITADDICTS]

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

[@PapaWheelie1]

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

[@BAADAPPLE]

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

[@markbryant2012]

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.

[@andrewc9762]

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

[@lewe666]

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

[@TheGuitologist]

Thanks for watching.

[@mark64tanner]

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.

[@JPilot2]

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! 🤣

[@framusburns-hagstromiii808]

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

[@TheGuitologist]

It does. Don't piss on it, man.

[@jasonkeen712]

A big lebowski reference ...nice.

[@G60syncro]

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

[@davidhelmuth6654]

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

[@miguelluismusic4181]

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]

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]

@P J Pachasa Jr ha

[@vxidastronaut]

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]

@@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.

[@joelaughlin2815]

Great stuff, n great pickin!

[@joejackjones1]

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..

[@lorcanfeely6371]

Sounds superb

[@MrAnalogDan12]

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

[@howardrose8481]

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.

[@JeffD63]

Thank you for letting The Guitologist come out and play.

[@Jettblack_]

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]

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

[@auntjenifer7774]

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]

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

[@mattsworld7943]

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.

[@patprop74]

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

[@OrfinMusik]

Nice work man

[@gregoryrussell8267]

That sounded so much better after you modded it . Nice job. Have you ever worked on the little Bugera V5 5 watt or the 15watt Bugera?

[@PatrickAustin]

That Bulleit Bourbon Tele is very cool!

[@Hardrockkenny]

I'm an Epiphone guy but I don't have an Epiphone amp. This will be very interesting. I will,, of course,, tell the cops about your channel.

[@gregoryrussell8267]

What exactly does tell the cops about your channel mean.Please expand on that??

[@Hardrockkenny]

@@gregoryrussell8267 See item 6 under *show your support*. I'm taking this as some badly needed humor. What does it mean to you?

[@gregoryrussell8267]

@@Hardrockkenny sounds to me like a threat,which was why I asked him what it meant.I HATE PUNK RATS!!!

[@stevelacombe5291]

@@gregoryrussell8267 The FBI or sheriff actually did show up at Brad’s house over a dumb KZbin joke one time. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qXa3dYN8rq2Eqa8

[@MegaTubescreamer]

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,,

[@clifflee7461]

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 .

[@MrKenward777]

Never heard a valve junior sound that good.Really awesome and inspiring playing at the end Brad! Have you ever designed/build an amp from scratch?

[@TheGuitologist]

A few, yeah.

[@DChrls]

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.

[@mikehartke1535]

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.

[@jgrimsley2000]

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.

[@keithrevst692]

That whisky barrel tele sounds good through that amp.

[@fractul22over7]

This guy loves this amp

[@l6srob990]

Great sounding little amp grear vid also

[@GScott50]

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.

[@MrSmithvideo]

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.

[@TheGuitologist]

That's very kind. Thank you.

[@jasonthewiczman5442]

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

[@MezzMcGillicuddy1]

Damn man, you have a nice touch on the gitfiddle! Are you a professional player? Your vibrato is great, and you don't hit the strings too hard like amateurs often do.

[@skot373]

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.

[@robertscharlow]

Awesome playing at the end, Brad. I could listen to that all day. You ever watch/hear Jim Campilongo? He's an awesome Tele player who does this style. Sorta jazzy/rockabilly/blues. There's some great vids of him here on KZbin.

[@TheGuitologist]

I'll check it. Thanks!

[@joshuataft5541]

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

[@valuedhumanoid6574]

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...

[@matthewf1979]

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.

[@TheGuitologist]

Thanks for the tip.

[@ronwoodard9391]

Dudes got some chops.

[@VB308]

Sounds 💯% better after your work Brad 👍

[@deputyfestus4163]

Fantastic Amp

[@joshuataft5541]

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

[@thomascoulter6121]

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.

[@mattmiller22]

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.

[@lousekoya1803]

Man thats a lot of mods for this littlke thing ! The music while you were soldering ,...man is it good ! Is this you Brad ?

[@TheGuitologist]

Yes

[@lousekoya1803]

@@TheGuitologist Well that was really soulful !

[@stevenburvenich168]

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.

[@serginhofromhell666]

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]

It’s just odd in a factory circuit.

[@serginhofromhell666]

@@TheGuitologist sure it is!

[@stevemartin9035]

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.

[@amieffects5754]

To my knowledge single ended amp may need larger filtering caps just to get rid of the power supply noise that you don't have with push-pull amps because the phase inversion makes it cancel itself. I have read that you can go up to 1000uF without issues, but it draws more current when turning the amp on. Do you think there could be some other issues with large filter caps?

[@astrogerry]

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

[@TheGuitologist]

Welcome to the channel!

[@bobtheblindbedroomguitaris8742]

Hey how you doing doctor guitarologist I'm just commenting on the the music you had while you were going backwards from the speaker up I'm assuming it's your own and it's really cool and really interesting and I can just imagine how much fun it must have been for you to make that that is if I'm correct and you did that but I think I'm correct so therefore in my mind I'm correct so how do you like that sincerely yours, Bob the blind bedroom guitarist

[@whatsstefon]

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.

[@royaljones5237]

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]

I do not believe it. Different strokes.

[@grberendzenproductions312]

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

[@michaelhicks5150]

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.

[@johnp6269]

That sounds rad!!!!

[@DWGill1896]

Brad, we love your work Buddy! Would you consider working on a Gibson G-20 solid state amp from early 70's? Still has a tube like tone! Thanks, BluesFully, DW🎶🎵🎷😎

[@terrysspeedshop]

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

[@Mojoman57]

Over here vibin

[@DANTHETUBEMAN]

Nice outro blues

[@producerman10030]

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.

[@sevenpointsixtwo9707]

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]

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]

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

[@gd2329j]

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 )

[@Msoulantzos]

I like the Beato Clickbait picture

[@RudolfWolph]

I remember years ago on the Epiphone forums modifying these was a HUGE deal to the point that people were selling mod kits. BitMo mods for adding tone controls and reverb were popular, and Mercury Magnetics had one that upgraded transformers, added a choke, and added a 6V6 power tube. For all the time and money people were spending upgrading these things, it might've been better to just buy a kit to build a point to point wired Champ clone.

[@TheGuitologist]

No need for a kit, just experiment.

[@ctcards2636]

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]

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

[@ctcards2636]

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

[@ctcards2636]

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