My new Epiphone Valve Jr. amp head
I just bought a new tube amp head that is prime for some juicy mods! Priced no more than many effects pedals, the Epiphone Valve Jr. is an excellent buy. I got this one for $129 with free shipping.
The amp is well made and solid, not at all like I would expect for such a bargain priced item. The design is a basic 5w all-tube guitar amp that uses a 12AX7 and an EL84.
I had read that this amp had humming problems so when I first turned it on, I was amazed that it was stone quiet. I kept looking at the panel light to make sure it was working, and even checked the speaker cable to see if I had forgot to plug it in. Nope, this little beast is very quiet and hum-free. I later discovered that the tube heater filaments are now powered by DC instead of the AC used in the first versions of this amp.
A quick jam session with it driving a 2 x 15″ speaker cabinet proved it to be a capable performer. It’s not as loud as my own homemade EL84 amp but it has some nice sounds.
The best thing about this little amp is that it has plenty of room in the chassis for mods and additions to the basic circuit. A tone control would be a good feature and I can think of numerous other changes that would make it even better.
Buy one of these amp heads, even if only to add a line-out to use for overdriven tube sounds. I will have an article soon that shows how to add this feature along with all of the other mods I make to the Epi Jr.
While you are waiting for my mods to be posted, download the schematic to this amp and look it over.
I played through one of these at the local Guitar Center a few weeks ago and was blown away! Loud, punchy, and awesome tone.
I may very well pick one up myself I was so impressed.
take care,
Robbie
Bought one of the combo versions. Changed heater filiments to DC and it’s very quiet. Love that amp. Put it in a recoding room w/ a decent mike and you won’t believe what it sounds like on tape!!
Those are cool amps.
If you are looking for a nice little 5w combo to fool around with, check out the little Crate Palomino. Tube sounds in a little package, ready for your mods.
Scott
Jack, it appears from your schematic, that you have one of the new improved ones that has the output transformer that matches the el-84 better, as well as some other improved part values. It will be interesting to see what you come up with.
Hi,how can i recognize the new improved ones from the older ones?
Thanks,Ed
Hi, bought a couple of the combo’s about a year go, added a master volume control and various suggestions from the 18watt forum.
Also changed out the OT’s for hammond type 125C’s.
They sound incredible now !
Cheers,
Marty.
I have two. V2 VJS.. both modded with help from Sewatt and Epi forums and more.
Using Hammond 125 ESE and Weber transformers, both sound really great.
I’ll be ordering parts from you folks soon.. I definately want to do more with pedals and a scratch amp build.
Nice thing about these epis.. clean front panel for what you want to add!
thanks for being here.. great stuff!
Thanks for your detailed schematic of the VJr.
However,
This particular (http://www.muzique.com/news/images/Epi1.gif)Epiphone Valve Jr Schematic you have, has a problem with the rectifier diodes.
The way it’s drawn up… one of your diodes would not function in the rectifier.
I fixed the diode polarity, thanks for pointing that out.
Ð Ñто Ð’Ñ‹ напиÑали на оÑнове иÑключительно Вашего личного опыта?
(Translation: And you wrote that solely on the basis of your personal experience?)
@Шиш-Кин: As with all my articles, I write from experience playing or testing the equipment that I feature… I own the amp shown in the picture above.
been using the valve jr head-cab in live band practice with a marshall guvnor d petal.i vas so impressed used it at the gig.i havent had to turn up past 12oclock for stage vol with theamp in the house and monitor sounds huge with lots of harmonics.it can be brightened up nicely with the pa eq.i would like to modify but dont really have a clue what i want
i actually just picked this up myself last week and have to gree that the tone is unarguably impressive for such a small simple design. and ive been using a tube screamer pedal along with it. i would have to say this is well worht the 185 i spent on it.
I have had a Hofner, a Rick, a Fender and several others. Nothing compares to Epiphone Valve Jr. Easy to play, great sound and tone
Guitar Center Currently has the Epiphone Valve Jr Combo on sale for $79.99. It has to be the deal of the century!!!
I was thinking about adding a choke to my EVJ and I understand that it goes in place of a resistor in the power section but I can’t find any info on which resistor it should replace. Any suggestions?
Would it be possible to tap a headphone output from V1A or V1B?
-David
Hi Jack,
The schematic it’s a Version 2 or Version 3?.
Thanks.
I believe it is a version 2.
Hi, Jack. Was there ever any progress on a line out mod?