Lets look at our guitars thread

[FreeLitres]

Regarding valve amps - if I buy 2nd hand, am I likely to buy something that needs replacement valves?

Is it obvious when the valves are worn out? Do the knackered valves just not work, or does the tone just lose a bit of clarity over time?

[smn159]

How about something like an Orange Micro Terror head and a separate cabinet if you don't want the small cab that is paired with it?

They seem to get good reviews; I went for a Hayden Mini Mofo head and a decent sized cabinet and am very pleased with it

[Tom_C76]

FreeLitres said:

Regarding valve amps - if I buy 2nd hand, am I likely to buy something that needs replacement valves?

Is it obvious when the valves are worn out? Do the knackered valves just not work, or does the tone just lose a bit of clarity over time?

Depends. Which isn't very helpful I admit. My old Fender Pro Junior used to rattle the valves apart and as a result had a tinny sound over the top of what you're playing. The Mesa needed a new V1 tube just after I bought it as it started to splutter a bit on clean playing. The 1987X seems to have done a power tube and taken out the main fuse in the process.

Fundamentally valves are consumables, but unless you drive them very hard power tubes last for ages. Preamp tubes, particularly V1 do get more hammering, but are only £12 or so each.

[andy-xr]

FreeLitres said:

Regarding valve amps - if I buy 2nd hand, am I likely to buy something that needs replacement valves?

Is it obvious when the valves are worn out? Do the knackered valves just not work, or does the tone just lose a bit of clarity over time?

I kind of just assume they'll need replacing if there's nothing to say otherwise

I have a Peavey Bravo inn the garage, its a really cool little valve amp that looks like the solid state Bandit, except its hiding 5 valves in there. When I got it you could hear what I think is called sag, it was just unclear in some of its tone. The thing with some valve amps is they needbiasing, so it'd be worth checking if the one you're looking at is self biasing or not. It'd be about £50 for someone to replace and bias (+ cost of valves, have a look at Jjs)

[Tom_C76]

andy-xr said:

FreeLitres said:

Regarding valve amps - if I buy 2nd hand, am I likely to buy something that needs replacement valves?

Is it obvious when the valves are worn out? Do the knackered valves just not work, or does the tone just lose a bit of clarity over time?

I kind of just assume they'll need replacing if there's nothing to say otherwise

I have a Peavey Bravo inn the garage, its a really cool little valve amp that looks like the solid state Bandit, except its hiding 5 valves in there. When I got it you could hear what I think is called sag, it was just unclear in some of its tone. The thing with some valve amps is they needbiasing, so it'd be worth checking if the one you're looking at is self biasing or not. It'd be about £50 for someone to replace and bias (+ cost of valves, have a look at Jjs)

Only need to bias if you change the power amp valves though, and as I posted these rarely fail as most amps don't get pushed hard on the power stage as it gets too loud too fast. Mesa amps don't have adjustable bias and rely on tight tolerances on the new valves, some Marshall and Fender amps have very easy access test points and adjuster screws so you can bias them yourself with a multimeter, so even that's not necessarily a showstopper.

[andy-xr]

I dont know about the power valves - most I've used to get a workout in a rehearsal space but if we're talking 100W heads then there's not many drummers who can match one at full tilt.

I think tubes being tubes though, they'll need replacing at some point, it's just a question of when and whether you're bothered/notice the gradual decline

[ou sont les biscuits]

Tom_C76 said:

Only need to bias if you change the power amp valves though, and as I posted these rarely fail as most amps don't get pushed hard on the power stage as it gets too loud too fast. Mesa amps don't have adjustable bias and rely on tight tolerances on the new valves, some Marshall and Fender amps have very easy access test points and adjuster screws so you can bias them yourself with a multimeter, so even that's not necessarily a showstopper.

I have an old (1992) 100w Marshall. I buy power tubes from Hot Rox, who sell matched sets with different current draws. I buy the same current draws as the old set when I need a new set, so I don't have to re-bias the thing (which, on mine, is a pain in the arse to do, as you have to take the amp chassis out of the cabinet, which exposes the innards and plate voltages in there are about 475V).

I have one of these though http://www.compu-bias.com/ so I can check that the new set are doing what they say on the packet, and aren't running crazy hot.

[davidd]

This is an interesting read.

http://blog.hughes-and-kettner.com/does-it-pay-to-...

[chemistry]

Have you tried a Yamaha THR10X?

I know it's not a valve amp, but...they are small and deliver amazing sounds, with great bass.

I have a H&K Tubemeister 36 and an Orange Micro Terror (both played through two 1x12 cabs) but am seriously thinking of getting a Yamaha too for home practice. I played through a mate's and they sound great, especially at 'bedroom' volumes. Easy to dial in a wide range of rock and metal tones.

Try one before you decide on a real valve amp purely for home use.

Edited by chemistry on Friday 3rd February 12:19

[31mph]

FreeLitres said:

Can I revisit this topic and get some amp recommendations please?

I currently have a ~20 year old 30w Marshall Valvestate amp (solid state, not valve). I'm not impressed with the tone and I would like to explore my first valve amp.

Criteria;
Must sound good at low levels
Would prefer something relatively portable like a combo, but it will mainly stay in my bedroom
I hate tiny speakers with no bass sound
I will be using this amp with a multi effects pedal - need an effects loop?
I want a versatile range of tones as I play a range of blues, metal, lead/shred, etc

My research indicates that I might want a Blackstar HT5 combo

Any other recommendations? It it worth investing in a bigger amp or would this not give nice tones at low levels?

I've just got a Fender Bassbreaker 15 which I'd certainly recommend, worth checking out

[counterofbeans]

Is this Les Paul worth £7k?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gibson-Custom-Shop-Jimmy...

[The Nur]

Not off a bloke called dodgy nozz

[counterofbeans]

The Nur said:

Not off a bloke called dodgy nozz

Harsh but fair...

[Don1]

https://reverb.com/item/1473686-gibson-custom-hist...

This gives a different look at a Jimmy page Black beauty.

As does this for a lot less.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TPP-Jimmy-Page-Black-Bea...

Can't find any others out there with the gold bits, except on Google Images, where there seems to be an argument between the gold one and the lost one...

[Sheetmaself]

If you were after one of the following g & l tribute strat or mexican standard strat which one would you buy? Can get the g&l for £250 secondhand or the mexican strat new for £507.
I have read some reviews but interested on opinions from here please.

[enjo]

Why not a second hand MiM?

[Sheetmaself]

Sorry that would be an option as well but the ones ive seen have either been really poor condition or not cheap enough to not just go secondhand. Just figured worst case is new mim and secondhand g & l as i know of one i am happy with condition.

[Evangelion]

Of the two I'd go for the G&L, as I very much doubt it would have those horrible ceramic pickups.

What about a MIM Classic Series? Secondhand they're very reasonable; 50s 60s or 70s style, take your pick.

[Sheetmaself]

Been looking at those as well but an increase in price and it will be my pub guitar so needs to be something im reasonably comfortable leaving on a rack unattended.
From the ceramic comment i assume this means you wouldnt go mim standard? Strat wise i have use of a 56 reissue jap strat (1980's build) but value has crept up and up on these to the point i wouldnt leave it alone and ideally would like something similar to this. Would the 50's mim re-issue be close or a pale comparison?

[Mastodon2]

I've bought myself a bass, I want a change from guitar and have wanted to play bass for years. It's a 2004 Warwick Thumb bolt on, looks to be in decent condition but more of a player than a case queen. These are some of the seller's pics, I'll take some better ones after it arrives. I may stick the brass Warwick "Adjustanut" adjustable nut on one day, but other than that it will go on as it is.

I'll need to buy an amp too, exciting times.