Which Valveking is......KING? | HEAD TO HEAD - Peavey Valveking MKI vs MKII

[@JoelCSabo]

I love that by demoing even out-of-production high gain gear you provide a resource for KZbin-viewing gear nerds of the future. I don't know if that ever struck you before, but you and others are making quite the library for generations to come, assuming the videos can remain viewable. Well done.

[@belligerentamateur]

Thank you my friend! this was actually the entire reason I started the channel in the first place. An all in one amp resource channel. Never dreamed what it would turn into, but I'll never stop cataloguing all the out of production amps I always wanted to see demos of, but never existed

[@JoelCSabo]

@@belligerentamateur right on.

[@SwedishMeattball]

cause all pros used old gear the new stuff sucks

[@SwedishMeattball]

it is a great amp better cleans than a 6505 and similar high gain u must remember many but this for blues tube tone andclean rhe fact ir does metal is amazing better than a 1000 hot rod

[@gort9623]

I do prefer that brighter sound from the MK1

[@davidburgess5689]

Yeah, if you ever recorded the mkii, the engineer would pull out all that low end.

[@GerhardGeficky-jg4ok]

Same here. It actually ain't bad with the Mesa Mod.

[@mrxandrewxbellerx]

Completely agree with yall. I actually just picked up a MK1 at a local pawn shop and love this little fuck.

[@EdvinLaura]

Thanks to your review, I've bough one 2 years ago and have no regrets

[@danielgoepferich9548]

That tone with the mids scooped a little is damn near my perfect modern hardcore punk tone. Pretty damn good for 200-300 bucks.

[@MetalZoned]

I definitely prefer the MkII due to the upper mids, it sounded clearer to me and I assume would cut through a mix a bit better.

[@jasonfrench8851]

Kyle, thanks for making this one. I took a chance a couple of years ago and bought a VK mark II, and after some love and minor tweaks it's become one of my favorite tube amps. I use mine for sludge metal and I use a fuzz pedal to drive it, but it really holds together well for that purpose.

[@kerrrobin]

I have a Peavey Valveking MK II 50 Watt combo that I am running in a dual amp setup, sometimes with a 6505+ 112 into an external cabinet, sometimes with an Orange Supercrush 100 into a Peavey Valveking 412. I'm ether playing sludgey stuff in drop C with one band or stoner/post rock in A in another. I am constantly surprised at how good the Valveking sounds. No it doesn't do super high gain sounds, but it has so much presence and character that it doesn't matter what anyone else is playing, you can always hear my Valveking and it's always musical! I only bought the thing because it was on sale at 50% off and I thought "why not?!?". Potentially the best gear purchase I have ever made.

[@HAHb-zc2dp]

It's actually very very high gain lol

[@Horcruxxx-xn1ej]

I've used both these amps live before. The mark 1 definitely is tighter and darker as to where the mark ii is more fuller and handles a overdrive better. All comes down to personal preference in the end. Great shootout Kyle 🤘🏻

[@belligerentamateur]

Thanks man!

[@wootks]

​@@belligerentamateur Have you had a chance to try the Valveking 20 mh? Interested to see how it stacks up to the bigger VK2 for the home/bedroom player. With current gear prices the newer 20mh are a good deal cheaper at times than the full fat VK2. I saw a VK2 sell for $500 today....

[@Rael0505]

I have the valveking II and it sounds amazing for lead playing. Very dynamic and smooth

[@tbirdpunk]

Every time I thought I could pick a winner you would make an adjustment in gain or eq and my opinion would swap, haha. The MKII seems to be a bit more upfront, but, there were some tones on the MKI that I preferred. I think a budget minded buyer would win with either purchase.

[@belligerentamateur]

Agreed!

[@willielopez4042]

@@belligerentamateur Hello man, was it $400 dollars for just the head or did you get the speaker cabinet with it? I just bought one with the cabinet at a garage sale and I may have over payed. It gave me a hard on when I seen it...

[@choplass]

I'd love to see the Mk1 in a head to head with Marshall DSL100 H. Make it happen bro, there are no other vids out there.

[@Dustiehippo]

idk about the mk1 but I had the dsl100h and still have the valve king. I personally like the valve king better. it doest pretty much everything the dal will do but doesn't have the over bearing bottom end that the dal has and to me the clean channel is much better on the VK also the switchable wattage is quite nice which the dal doesn't do. I sold my dsl and still have the VK and I only have 100 bucks in the VKm2

[@JimboJimmy-i2u]

I’m sorry but if you think a valveking sounds better than a dsl you’re absolutely crazy man and don’t know tone

[@connorpayne2671]

I can try to do one if I ever get around to getting either amps 😅😅

[@cylos_mx8524]

subscribed! I love the look of Peavey and I'm looking at this as my first cheap head and cabinet so thank you for all this info it really helps!

[@martymcpeak4748]

I had an original VK 100 head that I had a gain stage mod done on. it was honestly a beast of an amp.

[@chickenman7801]

Turning on the reverb to noon really helps.

[@jasonbailey973]

Finally! Scooped mids 😄🤘. Sounds great for heads that cost a couple of hundred

[@dilloncox1238]

The tones at around 12:15 were pretty sweet. I have a ValveKing 100 Mk1 and the matching ValveKing 4x12 cab. Stock speakers that look BRAND NEW still!!! Also , I’ve recently realized that all my metal distortion pedals are less in overall volume and don’t hold a candle to the clarity and volume of the amps lead channel when paired with a boss sd-1 , ns-2 and ge-7 ran 4 cable method thru the fx loop leaving the overdrive in front of the amp but thru the fx loop of the ns-2. Sounds amazing. None of my metal distortion pedals pair better volume wise with the amps clean channel either. I’ve got my best results with using only amp distortion and I gotta say my tones sound JUST like the tones you are getting here. I do wanna try 4 new speakers one day tho just to see!!! Thanks for the demo!! I personally like the tone and look of the Mk1 with the more “ open looking design” where you can see inside the amp. They are seriously good amps for what they cost. ANY guitarist could find a tone with this amp , and would benefit from owning one in many ways. Thanks Kyle

[@jcmoore5819]

For poops and chuckles, I’d like to hear them with a low/medium output pickup to let the amp do its thing a bit more. Then throw that nice yellow SD-1 in front to push it. They both sound great though!

[@robhanson2653]

I used to combine this with my 2CH Triple and was crazy how well they mixed. Bold statement I’m aware… but might be a fun video or worth a in the room clip.

[@tonedriverss8629]

They sound like they should be worth 10x more . I own both . Had many other more expensive amps ( m-f-b ) . Sold them , very happy with these . Their clean channels and reverbs make fndrs cry for mercy .

[@jasonfrench8851]

I love my MKII VK. It's very impressive for what it is. Also better speakers make these amps shine a lot more than the Peavey VK speakers do

[@travisspaulding2222]

I used to own the Mk1. It is a good amp as a starter because the wattage will get you over a drummer easily, and the boost function gives you the ability for a lead boost without the need to purchase any additional gear. However, for myself, I grew out of it quickly. The best part about this amp is the clean channel which makes it a great pedal platform. Among the quirks on this amp, I got the best out of the gain channel when I realized that the highs at 12 O'clock is 100%. Anything higher than that is ear piercing and fizzy. Same thing with the gain knob. Anything higher than 1 o'clock is fizzy and bad sounding. I used an SD1 to give me any additional gain I needed. I eventually ended up getting a 6505+, but now my main amp is a 5153 50 watt Stealth. However, anyone looking for a good pedal platform would do well with a VK. Especially someone going for a Swedish chainsaw sound. Also, it gets really good rock tones. this amp does 80s glam really well.

[@rocketpigrecords3719]

Some guys like Marshall type high gain, you seem to like recto/5150 structure

[@sambenevento7536]

What’s a dummy plug and where do I find one?

[@michaelmills4154]

Ever try a Empress heavy distortion pedal ? Ever since I got mine, I’ve never went back to amp built in drive. It goes in the front end of a jcm 900 on the clean channel boosted by a Friedman be-od deluxe in front of the pedal.

[@belligerentamateur]

Haven't tried one yet!

[@choplass]

Love the sound of the MK 1 more.

[@MetalAzza]

Badass reviews as always

[@belligerentamateur]

Thank you!

[@matthewgolke865]

The best function on these amps is the class A class AB mix control. I know your doing demos for the metal crowd but these amps are great for late 70's to early 90's rock like a good Crate. You nailed it when you said it was a good cheap amp. Great bang for buck. I use mine for a backup road amp.

[@travisspaulding2222]

Yeah, this amp does rock tones really well. It's also a really good pedal platform. HM2 dimed out, and you're instantly in Swedish death metal territory, and you didn't have to spend a lot to get there. Also, get a little gain going in the lead channel, and use an MT2 as a boost, now you're hitting on some New Orleans sludge.

[@SmokinFoolz]

I agree. An under-rated feature. I use it to shape what I'd describe as the cab tone. Its not, but thats the closest I can think of to describe it.

[@Rael0505]

What does that dial do? I have the vk2 and I hear no difference no matter how I turn it lol

[@matthewgolke865]

@@Rael0505 it is supposed to switch between class A circuitry and class A/B. The Colin's Got Tone channel has a good explanation on the differences. Basically class A 8s the old way amps were made and the power tubes run constantly at a higher rate which is less efficient lowering the amps overall volume. It also makes the amp sag more. A/B is designed to run the tubes more efficiently resulting in longer tube life, higher volume output and tighter musical response. I notice the difference more on my Windsor. I hope that helps.

[@Rael0505]

@@matthewgolke865 thanks for the explanation!

[@MC-dj7ri]

Great comparison Vid Kyle. Great job!

[@boggsty]

These amps are like twins, but one of them is chugging beer and the other pours baileys into his espresso

[@jasonsapp792]

Look at that...learned something about my MK1 by watching this...dumby plug in low input...not heard that before, good stuff

[@soundgardener75]

Great shootout between the two! Since you have made a video for the Classic, 6505 and Invective 20 MH heads, you should have one for the VK 20 MH as well to round up these Peavey mini heads!

[@soundgardener75]

Always wanted a Mk I and this shootout definitely confirmed what I should've done YEARS ago when they were on clearance! I have a lead locally that I'll use with my G-Flex 2x12. Thanks Kyle! 🤘🏾

[@LutherusPandragon]

Last year i got mark1 and mark 2 valveking for 400 euros shipped from Italy

[@alvaroruizruiz7538]

One thing to keep in mind is that the MKII can still be biased when changing tubes, although the TSI system isn't the best, Leds will keep blinking at high volumes no matter how you bias it, my recommendation is to keep the bias pot in the lowest position where you get all the tsi leds lighting green, it will be a little cold but tubes will last more and still sound fine.

[@alvaroruizruiz7538]

It's like the amp is designed to work best with the volume set at 2, a little low for a 100w head. Using an attenuator just for attenuating and getting full tube sound becomes pointless, because the tsi will start blinking volumen past 5 and either the tubes or the tsi will start choking the sound once the tubes start getting a little worn out. Still a good sounding budget head though.

[@Rael0505]

@@alvaroruizruiz7538i spoke to peavey customer support about the issue you’re describing and they said it’s not normal. They’re paying for me to get it fixed at a third party repair shop. Great customer support especially considering I never mailed out the warranty paperwork

[@paulkielt9301]

To me the MKII sounds fuller but on the other hand is more expensive!

[@JesseQuinn]

Your tremble tonal differences may be due to newer or older tubes. Older tubes lose brightness, so that MKII may have older, or slightly diff tubes, that’s not outputting same as the MK1. Also, if they have different Transformers (which Peavey is known to have varying transformers, which they recently recognized and now have a select factory produce their Transformers).

[@t_separator]

I had the mark one. Did all the goofy mods like you did and boosted it with a marshall drivemaster. Sounded killer. At least in my memory😂

[@GerhardGeficky-jg4ok]

I own a valve King , Xxx and Vypyr tube 120. I actually like the Vypyr the best .

[@millerlightmoose]

the mark 1 with this recording set up sounded best to me

[@DemonKingOFFICIAL]

Honestly I’m thinking that the reason why the Mk1 is so much brighter than the Mk2 here is because of the fx loop jump. That “mod” introduces so much high end... gives it a crappy crossover distortion sound. I have found that just running the amp without the jumper makes it a bit smoother overall.

[@josephbutler148]

I have owned both back to back i prefered the new one just to have loop on the back and the texture knob on the front. I didn't really notice any difference. The older one had a teeny tiny bit if that cocked wah sound the jsx could have on the lead channel and don't notice it on the new one that's all I recall

[@bedrockhead]

If you happen to have or come across the Mk II lookalike, the Butcher II, let's heard that bad boy.

[@clintmapes8454]

Combine them. I would have loved to hear both of them together. I think being as affordable as they r a mix of them would have been awesome

[@petkopeet]

ENGL 412 vs Mesa 412?

[@adnansusic1650]

Wonder the same thing

[@belligerentamateur]

Engly much brighter with less mids.

[@adnansusic1650]

@@belligerentamateur how about EVH vs ENGL Then Because i know EVH is supposed to be bright with less mids too

[@toemasmeems]

Does the mkII have the texture knob that the mkI has on the back? because that's where you really are gonna take full advantage of what the 4 6L6s can do, i mean it's essentially a dummy proof variac!

[@massttrshrdrharmonicminor2002]

If I was Kyle I'd hit the road with about 5 amps and a drum kit and just do a jam tour . Show up to a town or venue and jam with the locals

[@tunasalad970]

I think I might prefer the slightly more brash sound of the Mk 1. But real close, I bet with an EQ in the loop you'd be hard-pressed to tell a difference, even back-to-back. Thought about doing an ultra series comparison? I'd love to see Triumph vs Ultra vs XXX vs JSX (I think you have all of those!). Something I haven't seen anyone else do.

[@belligerentamateur]

Eventually, yes!

[@SuperBriandamage]

If you record a full mix I don't think anyone would care which one you used..Both heavy as hell

[@Masterriffer]

How much a difference does it make with that dummy jack with the VK100?

[@Bassguitarist1985]

Not much, plus it converts input 1 from a high gain to a low gain

[@musicmore5169]

why are you choking on Almond dust?

[@mxaxe5591]

Awesome video Kyle, thanks man! 🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@belligerentamateur]

Thank you!

[@Joe-vc3cc]

Hey man - How about a match up between say the JSX (EL34) and the 6534 (EL34) makes sense ....maybe ??? have Love your vids man !!

[@volltroll]

finally subscribed :D you have really good content but it feels like your videos are on 1,5x speed^^ I owned a 50watt vk mk1 and changed the V1 Tube and the powertubes. It then sounded much better clean and with a Tubescreamer and a good cab the distortion was actually quite good! Ever tried a peavey Windsor? heard they are kind 800ish ?! Greetings from Germany

[@smeemusic]

I didn't expect them to be so similar. I mean 1% difference between the two. I liked the mk1 in all the examples more except for when you scooped the mids. I liked the mk2 better with scooped mids. But I'm not a scooped mids kind of guy so mk1 all day for me! But seriously the difference is negligible.

[@choplass]

The Mark II sounds like a Hiwatt.

[@williamklug4647]

I just bought a VK1 with cabinet for 300.00 .. I'm currently having the amp modified. I can't wait to hear what it sounds like.

[@nekrovulpes]

...There's two?

[@belligerentamateur]

and a Mini

[@MarciRayn]

I saw the Mk 1 in my local pawn shop late last year. It was about 300 dollars. After researching it and the Marshall DSL 20H is how I found your channel. Interesting how stuff works. Never bought the amp, but I found your channel so it's a win for me. Haven't checked, but if the amp is still there in the future, would you recommend getting it, or just save up for something better?

[@belligerentamateur]

I'd say it's a decent amp on a budget, but always try to talk a pawn shop down!

[@ThrashMetalAJM]

Hey man! Was curious to ask if you can do a line 6 spyder valve hd100 review if you ever can. Mk1 or mk2.

[@cmd_f5]

Def prefer the MKII but only by a little. Great shootout

[@ronaldpalermo6882]

What do you use to switch between the amps? Great video btw!

[@joesantangelo1]

MK II seems more balanced to me! Not crazy different. But it seems to be a bit “nicer”

[@Tacklebox455]

The differences in the 2 heads sounds to me like the tone stack has some slight tweaks in cap and resistor values and with the way the gain pot on the mark 2 reacted I would guess that pot value has been changed to a higher value and the same might also be true for the eq pots. Honestly the mk1 sounds close to a jcm 800 the mark 2 had that hot rodded jcm 800 feel.

[@OddTimeMan]

I like the Peavey better 😀

[@sweetyboy81]

i cant get sound from Valveking ll like this. Way?🤔

[@Rael0505]

Might have to do with volume but my vk2 sounds pretty close to this Edit: speakers also play a huge role

[@chucknorris66611]

I prefer the sound of mk1

[@metalal5150]

Dunno bro. Mark 2 is muddy bro. Mark 1 is sharp and clear. Mark 2 is muddy as fuck. Dunno. Mark 1 is sharp and tight man. Only my humble opinion bro. And no I don't own any of those. Just listening using headphones 🎧. Respect. Good job bro.

[@EzyoMusic]

I bought a Triple XXX for $400, how 'bout that?

[@belligerentamateur]

Nice score!

[@jasonfrench8851]

A friend of my mine found a 1st gen triple x in the garbage next to his apartment. I hooked it up at it worked just fine, he sold it to me for $200. It's mine now and folks would have to fist fight me for it

[@EzyoMusic]

@@jasonfrench8851 Awesome. I've rolled some speakers, got another mic and the more I use it, the more I begin to understand and appreciate what it does. It's a pretty dry sounding gain but I like that. What speakers do you pair yours with?

[@untoldguitarist]

The bowling shirt 👕 MKII sounds better to me on this clip.

[@belligerentamateur]

Not a bowling shirt, haha

[@untoldguitarist]

@@belligerentamateur If you look close at it, it does give off that 80's bowling team shirt vibe.. as well as the Peavey Windsor heads 🤣.

[@jasonfrench8851]

@@untoldguitarist I changed out the front panel on mine for smoked plexiglass and moved the logo over. It totally looks like a bowling shirt.

[@6slayer6sam62]

Peavey valveking or windsor....hmmmm

[@belligerentamateur]

Valveking for me, Never could get a Windsor to sound good to my ears.

[@6slayer6sam62]

@@belligerentamateur thanks for the tip! The video Glenn did a few years ago piqued my interest. I see valve kings a lot around my local cl, but never a windsor. Actually...my cl kinda sucks for metal :/ some crazy guy up around Cleveland has a massive collection for sale i've found though ;D unfortunately i'm 6+hr away and HATE driving.

[@KukuicanMurder-jl6gj]

What is Road king mesa boogie 👶🎤🙏

[@MrHongsangjin]

Prefer m2

[@JesseQuinn]

SHOCK! WAVE!! .. SHOCK! WAVE!! 😅 I can’t believe you know who that band was. Old school Christian Hardcore ✝️❤️👍

[@BradRocker]

Mk II looks and sounds better to me.

[@GerhardGeficky-jg4ok]

The Gain is too high and coarse on the valve King. Even Soldano foesnt have that much gain

[@FourMypersonaluse]

Sounds good with MESA STR 441 TUBES ,,,me prefer VK100 with MESA STR 441 tubes ,, Tung Sol pre amp tubes position #1 and #3 and mullard 12xax7 in second tube position 👶👑🎤🙏👶👑🎤🙏,,, throw those JJ and Ruby's tubes in the Garbage 🗑️🚮 needs no mods ,, except pedal overdrive IN MIX and MXR 10 BAND IN LOOP ,,knob on class AB ,,all the way

[@FourMypersonaluse]

Me still want JCM 900 , to try tubes different 👶👑🎧🙏🎸👶👑🎧🙏🎸. ,,,, evil ,, me like VK 100 now ,,Sounds EVIL 👹🎤🙏

[@joschelei262]

MKI looks better, smaller. It has a more modern metal look.

[@Turbo-D]

both are not too great in my experience

[@SmokinFoolz]

I mod the Version 1 in my video. Check it out.

[@Timconnorsis]

I like to repeat myself… modern. Lol

[@edisonformatvv]

King mk1 >>>>>

[@miroslavdockal9468]

Valveking is dead. Not for me. Cheap pile of inspiration. Try some cheap pedals before inputing it. Like Bad Monkey, and decent EQ. Best startup for your our money.

[@TheCyberMantis]

That moment when you realize your Boss Katana head sounds better than an actual 100-watt TUBE amp. Life is good.

[@belligerentamateur]

You really love that katana

[@tbirdpunk]

But... does it djent?

[@caljerm]

Ludicrous.

[@TheCyberMantis]

@@caljerm Denial is strong with you.

[@markjovanelli2607]

one of many sterile sounding amp and terrible od channel in my opinion