Members bendedavis Posted June 17, 2007 Members Share Posted June 17, 2007 I bought this amp on Friday after playing it in the store and being pretty impressed with it. Right after I bought I went to practice with my brother. The thing I really don't like about this amp is that it doesn't have the same tone when it gets loud, I'm guessing this is just because of the open back. At low volumes it sounds great. I live in an apartment and here it's fine, but I'd like an amp that I can be heard over drums with, and still have good tone. I was thinking about taking it back for a B52 AT112 since I've heard they are pretty versatile and have a closed back. What do you guys think? I play mostly indie music but my brother likes playing metal so I need an amp that can do metal and also have a nice clean tone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members xbryanx Posted June 17, 2007 Members Share Posted June 17, 2007 try running the valve king into that sunn 1x12 you have listed in your sig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Herald of Light Posted June 17, 2007 Members Share Posted June 17, 2007 I don't think that B52 is really going to be much better. I hate the 1x12 combo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members YogurtKing Posted June 17, 2007 Members Share Posted June 17, 2007 Buy a 20-watt Traynor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bendedavis Posted June 17, 2007 Author Members Share Posted June 17, 2007 try running the valve king into that sunn 1x12 you have listed in your sig I've already sold it, just updated my sig. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members GuitarMasterNot Posted June 18, 2007 Members Share Posted June 18, 2007 that's what I found with the vk112. Sounds great on it's own at bedroom levels, but not so great in a band situation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Riggins Posted June 18, 2007 Members Share Posted June 18, 2007 I don't have a combo version, but it's my understanding they really do benefit greatly from a speaker swap. Easy component for the chinese manufactured stuff to keep the cost down so makes sense. I have the VK100 head and love it. But I get to choose whatever cabs I have at my disposal to run it through. Also, I've never been fond of open back combos period. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bendedavis Posted June 18, 2007 Author Members Share Posted June 18, 2007 I don't have a combo version, but it's my understanding they really do benefit greatly from a speaker swap. Easy component for the chinese manufactured stuff to keep the cost down so makes sense.I have the VK100 head and love it. But I get to choose whatever cabs I have at my disposal to run it through. Also, I've never been fond of open back combos period. Yeah I was thinking maybe I'd just go with the head and a closed back cab. What cab are you using with it? Probably any 212 with v30s should sound nice, right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members dcooper830 Posted June 18, 2007 Members Share Posted June 18, 2007 I have a Valve King 212 that sounds really harsh and piercing on high gain tones at band volume. I put a Boss GE-7 graphic EQ in the loop and cut 1.6K almost completely. It really smooths out the tone A LOT!! It sounds much better! Try that before you do speaker and tube changes maybe. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Herald of Light Posted June 18, 2007 Members Share Posted June 18, 2007 I'm not sure if V30s would be the best speakers for that amp. Even if stores near you only have the combos, try hooking them up to all sorts of other cabs, then get something with those speakers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bendedavis Posted June 18, 2007 Author Members Share Posted June 18, 2007 I'm not sure if V30s would be the best speakers for that amp. Even if stores near you only have the combos, try hooking them up to all sorts of other cabs, then get something with those speakers. They had the head, I was just looking for a combo when I went in and figured it'd do what I wanted. Obviously not, so I'm gonna play the head next time I go there and probably return my combo for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members cobrahead1030 Posted June 18, 2007 Members Share Posted June 18, 2007 Yeah I was thinking maybe I'd just go with the head and a closed back cab. What cab are you using with it? Probably any 212 with v30s should sound nice, right? a good 2x12 with v30's will improve things a ton if you want the option to use the combo at home, or another cab at shows/practice or whatever then the combo is great to have...if you don't need to use it for both tho, i'd probably get the head Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members NixerX Posted June 18, 2007 Members Share Posted June 18, 2007 When I had the valveking I thought the same thing. You could try swapping out the tubes ( pre and power) and maybe even the speaker. Oddly most 50 Watters would cut it in band practice I don't know why the VK isn't as loud.All in all they are good amps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bendedavis Posted June 18, 2007 Author Members Share Posted June 18, 2007 When I had the valveking I thought the same thing. You could try swapping out the tubes ( pre and power) and maybe even the speaker. Oddly most 50 Watters would cut it in band practice I don't know why the VK isn't as loud.All in all they are good amps. Well the thing is I just got it so I can still return it for the next few weeks. That'd probably be better than replacing everything in it, and probably still not be satisfied. I guess a combo would be the best for me, being in an apartment. I actually think I'm gonna sell my Pod XT soon so I'll have a bit more money to put towards a good combo when I take this one back. I'd like something with a power switch to go from 100w to 50w if that's possible, and probably a limit of 800 dollars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members NixerX Posted June 18, 2007 Members Share Posted June 18, 2007 Well if you like Peavey look for the triple X 60 Watt 1x12. You can get those for under or around 600 clams ( used ). They are loud enough and don't sound like {censored} when turned down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bendedavis Posted June 18, 2007 Author Members Share Posted June 18, 2007 Well if you like Peavey look for the triple X 60 Watt 1x12. You can get those for under or around 600 clams ( used ). They are loud enough and don't sound like {censored} when turned down. I don't necessarily like Peavey, I'm open to anything that sounds good. I'm wanting to just return this amp for something else at GC, so I can at least have the option of returning it if I don't like it. I'm probably gonna wait til July 4th to bring it back and see what kinda deals they have going on then, if I can get the Valveking head for cheap I'll probably do that, otherwise I'm really looking for a combo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Tele The Truth Posted June 18, 2007 Members Share Posted June 18, 2007 I'm not a big fan of the VKs, but FWIW.....you may just need to break in the speaker some. Push em hard for a few weeks and then see where you're at with the amp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bendedavis Posted June 18, 2007 Author Members Share Posted June 18, 2007 After looking at a lot of good reviews for the B52 AT100 head I think i'm gonna get it with a 212 cab. I think I'll just return the Peavey tomorrow. I'll probably use MF since they'll let you do 5 payments on stuff over $1,000. What 212 should I get from Musician's Friend? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bendedavis Posted June 18, 2007 Author Members Share Posted June 18, 2007 OK here it is. B52 AT100 head and Randall R212NXT cab. Think that'll work good? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members 5ththrax Posted June 18, 2007 Members Share Posted June 18, 2007 What was your texture knob on? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bendedavis Posted June 18, 2007 Author Members Share Posted June 18, 2007 What was your texture knob on? I've tried it all the way to both sides and many places in the between. The distortion was just really harsh when loud. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members cobrahead1030 Posted June 18, 2007 Members Share Posted June 18, 2007 OK here it is. B52 AT100 head and Randall R212NXT cab. Think that'll work good? $599 sounds like a lot for that cab! you could get a splawn 2x12 for around that:http://www.splawnguitars.com/custenclos.htm or if ya wanna go cheaper, i'd check out one of the avatar vintage cabs like this one: http://www.avatarspeakers.com/Vintage%20Premier.htm i'm not knocking the randall as they do make great stuff, i just haven't played that particular cab Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bendedavis Posted June 18, 2007 Author Members Share Posted June 18, 2007 $599 sounds like a lot for that cab!you could get a splawn 2x12 for around that:http://www.splawnguitars.com/custenclos.htmor if ya wanna go cheaper, i'd check out one of the avatar vintage cabs like this one: http://www.avatarspeakers.com/Vintage%20Premier.htmi'm not knocking the randall as they do make great stuff, i just haven't played that particular cab Well yeah, but the thing is I only have about 500 right now. So I could get one and then wait forever to get the other OR I could get them both now and pay for the next 5 months. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Deuterium Posted June 18, 2007 Members Share Posted June 18, 2007 I've tried it all the way to both sides and many places in the between. The distortion was just really harsh when loud. As with ALL tube amps... I have found the best sweet spot with my ValveKing 100 head is to have the gain set at noon or even a bit lower...definitely NO higher. Do NOT engage the gain boost. Set the Resonance and Presence at Noon. This will give you a nice, round, warm overdriven tone. Then, use a nice OD pedal, such as a Digitech Bad Monkey, to send it over the top. Do NOT listen to people who preach that an amp should make all the gain and tone you need...and/or that you don't need no stinkin' pedals. THIS IS NOT TRUE . Every tube amp I have ever owned has performed and sounded better when setting the amps controls for low to moderate overdrive/gain...and then boosting and slamming the front-end with an overdrive pedal (not a distortion pedal). Give it a try, at least. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bendedavis Posted June 18, 2007 Author Members Share Posted June 18, 2007 As with ALL tube amps... I have found the best sweet spot with my ValveKing 100 head is to have the gain set at noon or even a bit lower...definitely NO higher. Do NOT engage the gain boost. Set the Resonance and Presence at Noon. This will give you a nice, round, warm overdriven tone. Then, use a nice OD pedal, such as a Digitech Bad Monkey, to send it over the top. Do NOT listen to people who preach that an amp should make all the gain and tone you need...and/or that you don't need no stinkin' pedals. THIS IS NOT TRUE . Every tube amp I have ever owned has performed and sounded better when setting the amps controls for low to moderate overdrive/gain...and then boosting and slamming the front-end with an overdrive pedal (not a distortion pedal). Give it a try, at least. I've got an SD-1, guess I could give it a try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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