Pignose G40V

Not exactly sure what year it was made since I purchased it used this year and haven't bothered to figure it out. I do know that I have noticed that there seems to be two different types of grills. Mine has the pignose logo offset from the sides while others have the logo parallel/horizontal to the face plate.
I play mostly classic rock, alternative, and blues. I leave the jazz stuff to people who know what they are doing, cause i sure don't.
This is a single channel amp with a master, volume, treble, mids, bass, and presence knobs. Plugs into an 8ohm speaker but has an 8 and 4 ohm jack in the rear. Very simple, no effects loops, channel switching, headphone jack, etc. But thats part of the reason this amp appeals to me. K.I.S.S. About the only feature I wish it had would be a reverb tank. Other than that, I love it as is.
I mostly use this amp for practice as I have a twin reverb and a line 6 for gigging. Although I might start using this for gigging as well due to some upgrades I installed.
As fas as power is concerned, there are no concerns. Plenty loud, 40 Watt pure tubes. I'm always asked to turn it down and I play with a "lead drummer" if you know what I mean. It takes pedals very well too.

I play with a Fender Deluxe American Strat with noiseless pickups and the s-1 switch which allow the pickups to be configured in a humbecker type configuration. I also use a 92' Studio Les Paul with humbucker pickups.
Since I purchased it used the first thing I did was to purchase new tubes. SED Winged "C" 6L6GC's matching duet, JJ ECC83s w/matching triodes in V1, Sovtek 12ax7LPS in V2, and new production Tung-Sol 12ax7 w/matching triodes in V3/P.I and I upgraded the stock speaker with a Eminence 10" Rajin' Cajun. The sounds that eminate from this amp now are amazing. Depending on where I set the Master and Volume knobs I can get fender type clean tones with just enough breakup to make you soak your pants(Volume knob about 2/3 o'clock and Master at about noon), to Marshall type distortion with the Volume between 1-4 o'clock and Master between 9-12. And if you're lucky enough to own a 212 or 412 cab, watch out, the bottom end emerges like a rose pedal in spring. This amp went from below average to above average with these simple changes. I am in the process of building a 212 cab to allow me to use this as a giggin amp. Paired with my twin, it should be all good. I'm giving it an 9 due to the fact that I had to perform these upgrades in order to make it sound better.

I don't think I would ever use any tube amp without a backup, whether it be a seperate amp or a backup set of tubes. That would just be asking for trouble. You might get lucky and never have to experience a technical problem on stage, but why take a chance. Time is money, and I need all the money I can get to feed my tube amp addiction.
Reliability, I have practiced with this amp for several hours at a time and sure it gets hot, it's a tube amp. But no problems to date.
FYI, at one point I removed the chasis to check all the wiring, solder contacts and to install a bias pot. I also removed paint from all the grounding points to allow for better contact. This amp is prone to hum at higher volume levels, but I haven't had to run this amp at those levels yet.

Customer support, Sucks! I have sent several emails on basic questions and have not received a single response. Luckily, all the information i've needed i've found on line.

I've been playing off and on since I was 13. Actually started gigging about 2 years ago. Mostly b'day parties, graduations, charitable events, etc.
If it were stolen, I would buy another. Luckily, because of the mediocre cabinet and asthetics, it looks more like a solid state amp than a tube amp. Great for me cause there doesnt seem to be a high demand for solid state amps.

This is an update from my previous post.

A year on and that hum is just a 12AX7 on the way out - but is taking it's time! I am still using the amp without any problems or reduction in tone or enjoyment!

I have bought some new amps since owning this including the Cornford I mentioned earlier and a Super Champ XD, a 57 Tweed Deluxe and a Fender Super-Sonic. The Pig is as good as all these other expensive/branded amps. I run the Pig in stereo with the Tweed Deluxe and is 'so' Bassman!! I aslo run it with the Bassman setting on the SCXD and add a touch of Vibratone and again - another Bassman sound as good as the 59LTD I had... but in your room and not a field!

But it doesn't quite do Blackface Fender, so I got the SuperSonic and that does (wondeful Vibrolux) - but iat has a Bassman channel too... So I A/B'd them. The SuperSonic Bassman is a '66 version - not the Tweed. But, boy, the Pig is the better quality sound and not much quieter - it packs a massive wallop for 40W and through the bigger speaker is close to the output of the SuperSonic...

19 months on... has been to some jams and travelled with me, sits quietly in the gorner taking up no room, runs as nicely at low vol as does wound up... and all with a slowly failing tube!

As I had said - Pignose/Gorilla marketing always respond to tech Q's and advice... excellent

After losing out on my 59 Bassman LTD I hankered for another Tweed. Other amp deals came my way which have offered other dimmensons, but for ??150 plus some cariage, this has been a super little amp if you like those classic, Blues/Rock/Indie tones.

If you treat it kindly it will keep in shape and get some stunning compliments - everyone who has heard me says how nice I sound - and I am a ham fisted player who for the same vintage as a real Tweed bassman, should be better!

I should have believed someone I chatted to a couple of years back. He was an ex pro who had done the rounds and illness had curtailed his playing. All he had was a couple of guitars and TWO of these. He said forget all the hype over Tweed Twins, vintage Blackfaces etc, this amp can hold it's own... You know what? HE WAS RIGHT!

Features listed applenty here so I will just add another bunch of comments and observations and more importantly, some links to where you can find some meaningful demos to draw your own conclusions - so overlooked on HC in general!

However, re: features, all it lacks is a reverb ... but...(!)

One thing not made enough of here too - it is so easy to move about and work with!!

I have had mine (was a new/old stock) since late Nov '07 and waited until now to compile this as I now know the full extent of this beauty's capabilities! At the time I bought this I had just taken a gamble on an ex demo Fender 59 Bassman LTD. Sadly it was a duffer and went back to Fender via the dealer for repair... but just before, I was able to A/B them side by side... Well, both have 2x6L6 and 3x12AX7's and a 10" and 40W... the pig has an added gain and you know what - is the better amp! All those wonderful Brown Bassman tones are here but at lower controllable vols. BUT THIS CAN BE LOUD to - I link mine to an external 1x12 Celestion V30 cab and its like openning the patio doors and letting the warm breeze in on a summers' evening!

It won't do Marshall hi gain, this is in essence a Tweed voiced amp. Forget Blues Juniors and Hot Rod's - this is the daddy of those tones!

Was recently advised that the Bassman wasn't coming back after its 7 months away at Fender/Dealers as "was too uneconomic to continue to try and get perfect" and Fender don't replace ex demo with new... So I tokk my ??700 back and spent the money on a new Cornford Roadhouse 30 combo. This Pig though, is much more tuneful, articulate and characterful - I paid ??160 for this!!! The Cornford is more gainy and Marshall-esque and is EL34 powered, but not as clear. The G40V more rocking Neil Young, the Cornford more 60's/70's British Classi Blues Rock aka The Faces and Led Zep... But the Pig more versatile...

Mine has developed an dim earth-like hum... something maybe not as tight as it should be and I will investigate. Doesn't interfere with the sound/ pleasure at all. The afrementioned Fender Bassman??? Awful hiss piss hum dunk....! No contest!

I am UK and still able to get answers from Pignose in US via email/website... Basic componnts, hope will be servicable for years to come...

So just so you get an idea of the basis for my praise - I am 49 and played since '73 and have some nice guitars where the amp is AS IMPORTANT to achieving an enjoyable sound/tone. My '73 Fender Strat, Gibson Les Paul, Gibson 335, Hofner Archtop (featured in clip below) and a chinese cheapo Telecaster (??35 off ebay but Boy! amazing tones!!) sound at home with the Pig, I don't need anything better to hear more... The sound is there. I could rig up a different external cab and hear other textures if I wanted - I don't need to buy another amp... so versatile again. AND IT IS SMALL!! No roadie required! Forget 5W cut downs... this is everything and more for same money...

OK pics of mine and links to some sounds and a fabulous detailed review here:

My Pig/1x12 Celestion V30 cab and Hofner E457 Archtop - note dynamics in reaction to hard/soft picking. No pedals or editing and captured on a Canon Powershot A70 camera via the video function/onboard speaker!!
http://www.4shared.com/file/37308893/1f2a5a12/G40V_demo.html

Gearwire G40V with Humbucker review:
http://www.4shared.com/file/56991731/b10c9827/pignose-g40v-humbucker-amplab.html

Pretty as a Pig in SH1 !!!
http://www.4shared.com/file/56995220/56b9cc4c/Piggy_Back.html

How it stacks up to a 59 Bassman!!
http://www.4shared.com/file/56607383/62d20764/Amp_Stack.html

Feel free to email for any further info/advice gen chat and experiences...

Remember, it's not quantity, it's quality. You get vol, master, low, mid, treb, and presence. One input jack, no effects of any kind, not even reverb. Oh, it also has 40w OF TUBE POWER in the smallest package I've seen in a long time.

ok, let's face it. the G40V isn't an amp so much as it is a build-your-own tube amp kit. I'm not rating it here based on the stock equipment because nobody plays it that way for long. The original tubes are lifeless and muddy and the stock speaker is worse. The 10" that it ships with is papery, harsh, and lacks depth. If you play it that way, you just ask yourself if it's really a tube amp. However, a set of sovtek tubes and an eminence ragin cajun put me right where I wanted to be. With upgrades the amp is expressive, sensitive, complex and LOUD. Winding the gain up produces a silverface-style distotion (which not everyboy likes), but backing it off allows plenty of headroom and a nice brown sound.

Hasn't failed me so far! But, with that said, I can't imagine that some of these cheap Chinese parts won't go at some point. I don't think it makes much of a difference though, I dare you to find a sub $350 amp with American guts.

huh? not yet. besides, i've never had any luck in this category.

If you need portable tube power on a budget, this is a no-brainer. Think of it this way - you can buy this amp NEW, upgrade the speaker, and still come out cheaper than the Fender Pro Jr. If you manage to get a good USED one, you can throw in a set of tubes and a neodymium driver and come in at about the same price. Grab one of these before people wise up and the price hits the roof.

I bought this amp in England - new - in 2000. I gig infrequently and I used a Yamaha semi acoustic with it and it sounded great. Loved it. Only one input which was a problem for me. Lots of power for the rating.

Sound was good in all categories.

Within about 4 gigs this amp burnt out the main transformer. I took it back the dealer who sold it and although it was over a year he did a good deal on a replacement tranny. Approximately 3-4 gigs later this transformer burnt out.This was over a period of 3 years. I took it to a reliable repair man who works for local shops doing repairs and his opinion was that the transformer fitted was not big enough to cope with the load and he would recommend a bigger replacement. This was going to cost me nearly as much as the price of the amp. I said thanks, but no thanks, and wrote to Pignose in Las Vegas who were good enough not to reply. This is probably going to end up on the tip.

You are on your own with customer support - there is none.

I have been playing for 40 years and one amp that I have used consistantly for 15 years is a Laney pa head 300w. The only minor problems after 10 years of regular use was a new socket and volume pot. I am now looking at the Laney A1 as a replacement to the Pignose. If this is what Pignose are doing after being in the business for years, then I could not recommend anything of theirs.
If anyone wants this amp - free if collected - let me know. It seems a shame to chuck it.(Kent area, England)

Pignose G40V, a valve amp made in China, but supposedly designed by an gent called Kager. Cool. It is a 2004 model, 3 pre and two power tubes for a 40 watt mojo. This single channel amp is not shabby at all, especially for what I use it for, jamming and practice. No efectts loop, and the usual goodies, but I don't care for all that.

Right of the box, I hated the sound. But I was expecting too much. I used to own a Fender Super Champ which I foolishly sold to a friend with the promise that he will sell it back if he changes his mind. The dude traded the Champ for a stoopid made-in-Asia Dobro copy, because he wants to become a Blues player.
NOW THE MUSIC SHOP WANTS A SMALL RANSOME TO SELL MY OLD SUPER-CHAMP BACK TO ME.!!! I signed off of Fender amps permnently.

With only input, the only way to get good O/D is via pedals, and I got lots of those. The first course of action was to attach an external speaker cab and check it out. It sounded decent. Next, I start replacing the pre-amp tubes, with all the usual well-known brands. No luck. As fate would have it, I have an old, but broken down WEM (UK) tape echo. I pulled the pre-tubes (shield logo Mullards ecc-83), and plug them into the Pig.
Big surprise! The little guy came alive! The hum disappeared, and the tone controls became quite useful. Now this amp is a keeper. With my pedal-board #1(out of 4)..I punched in the Boss MT-2. Sweet. Next I tried the ML-2 Metal Core. It sounded so 'in-yer-face', that I immediately mic'd the little guy, and laid the rhythm tracks for my next song. The sound was nice, focussed, and present. Now if Pignose would put decent pres-tubes in this little mutha, it will be a killer recording amp.

It looks reliable, but I won't take it to a gig. It hasn't broken down yet, but I am looking replacing the power tubes with something better.

I have never dealt with the company, so I have no clue what they do with repairs and warranty and stuff.

I have been a permanent resident of the 'tone zone' for a few years, i.e, I own and run a nice 'home recording studio' (Malcolm Toft era Trident console and all the other cool audio tools). I have played thro' too many amps to recount, British, American, and Canadian. This one is just another 'lo-tech'(not so nasty) tube addition to the collection.

The Good: Great classic push-pull 6L6 tube sound, master volume, great early distortion, 1 channel i.e. less is more, small and light weight, inexpensive (when i bought it), tubes can be replaced without bias adjustment.
The Bad: 40 loud watts through a 10" speaker and small cab is a poor match (but it also makes some sense, see later comments), like other mass produced amps it doesn't come new with quality tubes or a great speaker, no reverb.
The Ugly: The middle tone control is voiced very high and can be very irritating until you learn how to use it. Tip: Keep the middle at 1 (not 1 oclock) and treble and bass around 3. If using lots of distortion turn middle up to compensate for mid dippy 6L6 tubes and achieve a more Marshall like sound.

I love the sound of this amp. I use it the way I think it was designed to be used i.e. as a practice amp with a strat or jazz type guitar played at clean or semi-clean settings. I keep the volume low and keep the (stock) speaker near ear level. I have replaced the tubes with JJs. The amp produces a warm and extreemly satisfying tube sound. At practice volume the output tubes do not get pushed and the preamp tubes can produce a great early distortion. The sound is warm and kind of dark, not as sparkly or complex as a Fender, but very beautiful in its own way. I also have the cleaner sounding Pignose G60VR Head but prefer the darker warmth of the G40V. The G40V could use more headroom which I believe can be achieved by using lower powered preamp tubes instead of the 12Ax7s as others have suggested. I have played this amp through a Marshall cabinet and it sounds huge that way, certainly loud enough for most bands. I do not care for this amp's high gain distortion which sounds very mushy to me. This amp gets gobs of distortion but its not really what you want if you are trying to totally nail a Marshall or modern distortion type sound.

I bought this amp used in June of 2000 for $150.00 and have never had a problem with it.

I have been playing for almost 30 years and been through numerous tube amps over the years. I now own the marvelous Fender Deluxe Reverb Reissue, Peavey Classic 30, Pignose G60VR (which I plan to convert to a bass head), and a Marshall stack. I will never sell this amp because its perfect for practicing if you are into a clean or early breakup type of classic Fenderish 6L6 push-pull sound. The combination of 40 watts (unavoidable with the classic push-pull 6L6 tube arrangement) and only a 10" speaker is weird but it makes sense when combined with the master volume design because you end up with a versatile inexpensive practice amp that makes warm beautiful classic sounds in a small package. Nothing else like it.

Basic all tube, 40 watt screamer. Volume and master volume, treble, mid and bass EQ, and a presence adjustment. 1 input.

Tubes are 2 6L6's and 3 12 ax7's

Out of the box this amp sounds very Marshall and "brown". It has great "sweet spots" that you can dial in. Not a ton of clean headroom, but here is a hint for you small tube combo freaks:
I installed 3 Tung-Sol 12ax7's and 2 Svetlana 6L6's, then swapped the stock chinese speaker with and Eminence Rajin Cajun. OH Baby! Now this amp is alive. The bass response is huge. Now this things sounds like a cross between a Mesa Boogie and an Ampeg VT series. When I play smaller gigs, I shove a SM57 in front of my G40V and it produces the creamiest, sexiest, early Humble Pie, Mick Taylor kind of warmth. Folks walk up to me all the time and ask "what is that little amp?" My main amp is a 1967 Sears Silvertone Twin Twelve, which does not go to all gigs. If you cna find one of these lil G40's get it, do your tube research for the sound you want, and you will have an outstanding boutiqe amp that will amaze you.

I mainly play classic rock, brit invasion, rock-a-billy, Americana, using a 1952 telecaster reissue with some mods, and a Dearmond M75 stock. The described sounds are direct in, but i have great results using a Butler Real Tube overdrive and a Rocktron Austin Gold and the Pignose set clean with just a slight bite. (these lil amp have secret hidded sweet spots that you have to fiddle with to find).

Never had a problem in the 1 year I've had it.

N/A

Stock it will sound good. Add your favorite tubes and speaker...LOOK OUT..it sounds very pro.

Great little amp for the price. I agree with the guy below, you HAVE to get rid of the speaker. I put an Eminence Delta Demon in mine, and it is a perfect match for this little amp. Another thing you NEED to do is change out all the tube. It comes stock with all Chinese tubes which SUCK! I tried a bunch of different power and preamp tubes, and NOS tubes sounded the best. I ended up putting Mullard 12AX7's in all preamp positions, and RCA 6L6's for the power tubes. This made a HUGE difference in the tone. You can also experiment with 5751 tubes in the different preamp positions, they have slightly less gain, and will give the amp more clean headroom. For new production tubes you cannot beat JJ's!! Their 6L6's also sounded great in this amp. I also changed the grillcloth(DR Z black/brown weave), and knobs(Fender brown) giving it a great vintage look.

Amp sounds great, still could use some more low end, but it is WAY better with the new Delta Demon speaker!! Great practice amp, and only 24lbs!! Good clean tones, and nice overdriven bluesy tones. Amp works good with a variety of different guitars/pickups/effects pedals.

So far, so good, what do you want for $200!

Don't know...

Great little amp, especially if you can get it cheap. But you have to do some of the mods. Also check out http://blueguitar.org/articles.htm and http://www.tdpri.com/forum/amp-central-station/49578-me-my-hot-rodded-pignose-g40v.html and http://www.tdpri.com/forum/amp-central-station/57465-pignose-g40v-%22super-sized-%22.html and especially http://www.guitarnuts.com/amps/g40v/index.php.

I bought mine used off of eBay. It had been used and gigged pretty heavily. It smelled like a bar. Whereas it looked pretty rough, everything worked perfectly. I didn't see any QC issues at all. As far as features, basic 1 channel amp. If it had Reverb it would have everything I want. Two big plusses; the tube sockets are ceramic and not mounted on the circuit board to facilitate changing tubes without wearing out the sockets or stressing the board. And, the 4 and 8 ohm speaker out jacks. Stuff you don't see on all bedroom practice amps in this price range.

I'll keep this simple so my suggestions don't get lost in here. The secret to this amp is in the preamp tubes. I experimented with lots of different combinations and came up with this: Put a 12AU7 in V1, a good quality 5751 in V2 (mine is a NOS Jan GE), and leave the 12AX7 in V3. This takes out the hum, gives a good Fender clean with excellent headroom and still allows me to dial in a very nice warm crunch. For more distortion than that use a pedal. They did extend the lows making them a little fuller than with the stock tubes. For bedroom practice the stock speaker is fine. For a little more volume and depth I built a 4 ohm 2x12 cabinet. I play a MIM Strat and an Epiphone Sheraton II. I thought this amp was lacking in low end with the stock speaker and the Strat. With the Sheraton and the cabinet plugged in it has all the depth you could ever want.

I just have the one. It looks to have been gigged hard and I can't see any evidence of having been repaired.

Never dealt with them

This is a great little amp that really packs a punch. I can't see buying any of the 5-15 watt tube amps in this price range when you can get one of these for the same or less money. With the tube changes above I can get great tone at bedroom volumes and have the power to play a live gig.