Amp Project

[DetroitBlues]

I saw in my latest mailer from Guitar Center, they are selling the Epiphone Valve Jr. head for $84.  I also know there are modification kits out there for them.  One such kit is by BitMo that converts the amp into a sweet tonal monster.  The basics of the amp are really simple.  5w tube head with a single 12AX7 preamp tube and a single EL84 power tube.  Only one control, volume knob...

The BitMo EVJ Trio kit converts it into this.

6 voicings and gain settings - Switch between all the Tweaky voices
Duo Control - Famous BitMo Tone Control w/ Fat Boost switch
3-Way Voicing/Gain Switch - LOW, MO’ and WHOA!
"Blackface", "British" and "Over the Top Boost" voicings
from this:



to this:



So I'm crossing my fingers this works.  According the website, should only take a couple hours.  We'll see!

[zagatron1]

Hope everything works out!

[pictoratus]

I'm curious as to how much variation you'll get in sound. Keep us updated.

[DetroitBlues]

This should turn out well.  A friend is a great amp builder, so I'll have some help if I get stuck.  I ended up getting this amp for $76 and the kit from BitMo was $49.  Grand total is $125 which is less than the Guitar Center website advertises.

[diaper head]

maybe you could post a before/after sound bite?  after modding both of my guitars, i wish i had done that.

[DetroitBlues]

I'll post a before and after.  I'll have the amp for a few days before I mod it.

[zagatron1]

I wonder how it'll sound compared to like these...http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/epiphone-valve-junior-hot-rod-5w-tube-guitar-amp-head/620577000705000 I must say though, I've never heard either, but I figure they came out with those due to some kind of demand.

[hillbilly-joe]

I wonder how it'll sound compared to like these...http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/epiphone-valve-junior-hot-rod-5w-tube-guitar-amp-head/620577000705000 I must say though, I've never heard either, but I figure they came out with those due to some kind of demand.

I thought the price is a bit high, but if it has the tone, well

[DetroitBlues]

I wonder how it'll sound compared to like these...http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/epiphone-valve-junior-hot-rod-5w-tube-guitar-amp-head/620577000705000 I must say though, I've never heard either, but I figure they came out with those due to some kind of demand.

I thought the price is a bit high, but if it has the tone, well

I'm guessing the tone will be simuliar.  Sounds like Epiphone modded their amp in the same fashion as the BitMo mod kits.  I'll save myself $75 for doing it myself.

[diaper head]

you know, there's alot a man might do with $75 

there some nice used pedals out there, for example.
or that would pay for a set of tuners if you had a guitar that could benefit from a new set, with enough left over for a new set of strings, and bus fare.

[DetroitBlues]

The amp costs me $80 after taxes and the Bitmo is $52 after shipping.  Leaves me at the normal price of the amp.  I suspect this will be a cool amp that I will most likely sell for a small profit.

[DetroitBlues]

Brought home the amp tonight, after reseating the tubes (which caused me to tear the leather rear cover a bit when litterly prying it off).  Its tone is ok.  Not as noisy as I've heard on previous models, but it doesn't seem like a have bad little amp.  I'll be ordering the mod kit soon, so I need to get a recording of it before I mod it.  That way we can have a A/B comparison.