| DanB from Hazel Green, Alabama |
| danlynnb97@yahoo.com |
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| Subject: | Excellent amp for the money |
| Quality:
| For the price I don't see how they can put this much quality in to building this amp as they do and still make a profit. (I can't build anything close to this from scratch for this price) |
| Sound:
| Make no mistake about 5 watts, this thing can get loud. It's plenty loud to play/practice with a band and small venues although the clean headroom may not be enough with the stock tubes that come with it. You'd be fine playing rock, blues songs with sweet power tube distortions. Remember 5 watts is about half as loud as a 50 watt amp so if you like that power tube distortion/tone you get by cranking that 50 watter up to painfully loud volumes, this can do that at half the ear splitting volume! I would suggest experimenting with different tubes for your tastes as the stock Chinese tubes aren't really that good. |
| Reliability:
| Time will tell. Like I said I bought it to experiment with building my own amp. It is however built to be modded/upgraded. It's not a cheap, junk circuit board that can't be repaired. |
| Overall:
| This is the best deal in single end class A tube amps. The cabinet and chassis are built very durable and rugged. It sounds great out of the box and is probably the absolute best sounding tube amp I've seen for the modest price of $150-$200. It is built to be very "mod" friendly and several mods are out there for it and the Epiphone Valve Junior. I'm interested in building my own tube amp. I bought this to gut and use the chassis, cabinet and assorted parts to build an upgraded amp. After playing it for a while, and listening to it's great tone, I think it'd be a crime to do that so I'm gonna start from scratch on my other build. |
| Playability and Feel:
| Didn't feel like I was "violated" after I got the amp in and checked it out.. like I have felt on some other products I have bought before (if you know what I mean) so I guess it "feels" good |
| Tone:
| Nice warm tone. handles pedals great. Tone knobs are very responsive. Experiment with different tubes to dial in the tones that fit your tastes. |
| Finish:
| Cabinet work is great! Built very solid with excellent tolex and piping. The chassis is sturdy as well. Not too crazy about the huge blackheart emblem on the front but it can be taken off by removing two phillips screws. |
| Action:
| N/A |
| Skill Level:
| Semi-Pro |
| Do you own this product?:
| I own it |
| Date submitted:
| 11/01/2009 |
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| B. Paris from NJ |
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| Subject: | Can't do better in 5 watts |
| Quality:
| This is where I have been most impressed. It feels like a "Real" amp. Not the cheapie that it is. I have total faith in this that it will last a long time. It has been used A LOT and I feel like it hasn't even been brokem in yet. I would replace it in a heartbeat if it was gone for some reason and probably try out one of it's bigger brothers. |
| Sound:
| Awesome sound, handles pedals well. When pushed all the way it does flatten out a bit due to the low wattage but from 5 to 7 on the volume it REALLY sings. I use it alone with a Weber Alnico spaeker cabinet and it plays above my drummer at practice no problem. Not enough for a club though unless you pair it with something else with a AB box. |
| Reliability:
| Built like a tank. Heavy, thick plywood, durable tolex. |
| Overall:
| Wow this things is a workhorse. Had it almost a year now and it has been through the ringer and it hasn't skipped a beat. Can handle professional situations from gigging to recording to 24 hour a day playing. |
| Playability and Feel:
| Tone controls are not all that responsive but they do work. Think of it as low, middle, high, instead of 1 through 10. Doesn't bother me because it sounds awesome. |
| Tone:
| Clean has some headroom but not a lot. Clean sounds nice but I rarely play clean. Has a darker tone - think Sabbath or Zepplin. You can dial just about anything using the controls and appropraite guitar. But it really sings for straight forward Rock. This is a low wattage class A amp so there is not a lot of control here - it is what it is - a rock n roll amp. Pair it with a good cabinet too, it is a little picky with what speakers it likes, seems to really like 10" speakers. |
| Finish:
| Looks good. No rips, or problems over the year at all - don't forsee any either. I am surprised by the quality for such an inexpensive amp. |
| Action:
| Got some this morning. |
| Skill Level:
| Pro-Rock Star |
| Do you own this product?:
| Yes |
| Date submitted:
| 9-12-2009 |
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| Daniel C. from Saint George, Utah |
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| Subject: | Best 5W amp for the price |
| Quality:
| This amp is made well. Cosmetically clean, solid construction, decent electronics. My tubes were not even microphonic when I got it, so...yeah. |
| Reliability:
| Hasn't quit yet. |
| Overall:
| I love this amp. Great EL84 crunch with a tone stack and a pentode/triod switch and multiple speaker-outs. It's got what I want and it sounds great. |
| Playability and Feel:
| Easiest amp to use. Plug in, turn on, and play. |
| Tone:
| The tone is on the british side, I think. Plenty of bass response. Decent saturation at full volume. |
| Finish:
| Good tolex work. |
| Action:
| It's an amp. |
| Skill Level:
| Intermediate |
| Do you own this product?:
| Yes |
| Date submitted:
| 3/10/2009 |
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| Marshall Mike from Kearney, Missouri, USA |
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| Subject: | Great amp for low dough |
| Quality:
| Seems very rugged. Solid and well put together. Seems dependable. |
| Reliability:
| Just got it but I think it will last. |
| Overall:
| I love this thing. 5 watts is more than enough power and it's a simple design, great for working with pedals or just simple plug in and play. I debated this one or the Epi Valve Jr. but this one looks better, is more solid and has tone controls and a 5/3 watt switch for a few bucks more. |
| Playability and Feel:
| The controls and switches appear to be quality. It has that great tube push you can't get with SS amps. |
| Tone:
| Not a gain monster but you can get into AC/DC territory with good humbuckers. What you get most is round, full tube tone that NO digital modeling amp can achieve. This amp with a good guitar is the corner stone of great tone. |
| Finish:
| It looks great, especially considering the price. I've paid more for amps that don't seem to have this leval of fit and finish. |
| Action:
| Plug in, crank up and hit a chord. It's that simple. |
| Skill Level:
| Semi-Pro |
| Do you own this product?:
| yes |
| Date submitted:
| 2/27/09 |
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| Garygee from Pensacola, Fl. |
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| Subject: | Best Bang for the Buck |
| Quality:
| Built like a tank yet very stylish |
| Reliability:
| So far so good. |
| Overall:
| Tons of Fun. Great tone. Great Price. |
| Playability and Feel:
| It's an amp. |
| Tone:
| Does the job for me. |
| Finish:
| Looks good |
| Action:
| It's an amp |
| Skill Level:
| Semi-Pro |
| Do you own this product?:
| Yes |
| Date submitted:
| 12/17/08 |