Valvetech 1x12 Combo

made in 09

I play Jazz, Funk, Fussion, Classic Rock, rockabilly, pretty much anything

2 channels plus a boost for the second channel

everything on this amp is usefull I chose to get the tremolo and reverb options that come at a price but very much worth it.

This is not an amp for the stage there is a 50 watt version for live shows but to record or just fiddle around you can get some great tone out of this 25 watt tube rectified monster.

I use a semi hollow tele style custom built by rice custom guitars #147 which has both a standard style bridge pickup and a p90 neck pickup.

The vac goes from Bassman clean to 80's rock and everything in between

This amp was designed to break up early and as such you can get marvelous grit at not bedroom levels but an acceptable level

I hate how this gives the hypothetical question "How brutal is the distortion" that phrase is lame but as for the structure of the gain It sounds almost like orange amps very spongy but you can cut mids and get an 80's vibe if thats your bag.

There isnt much Mesa tone here but thats a plus for me.

of course it is point to point wiring.

Rob is a good guy who will tell you whats up

Its a great amp and I have played boogie to divided by 13 and this amp more than holds its own as far as tone is concerned. I know your anti 10's across the board but this amp is awesome and does everything in a unique way. Im a guitar teacher have mess load of gear, and this is great

I bought mine in August of 2004, and purchased it new, directly from Rob Pierce, the man behind Valvetech. I ordered the optional effects loop, and reverb. It has received all mods to bring it to current manufacturing specs as of December 2006. The controls on this amp are fairly straight forward at first glance, but there is more under the hood than meets the eye! The seamingly simple front panel controls include a Vol.1, and a Vol.2, a High, Low, Mid, and Master Vol. Also included on the front panel, are a Ground switch, a "DC On" switch that is a "Standby" switch, and an "AC On" switch that is a "Power" switch. There are four inputs, a Hi and Low input for the Clean channel, and a Hi and Low input for the Dirty channel. It should be said here that this is not a channel switching amp in the traditional sense. You cannot footswitch between the Clean channel, and the Dirty channel, but never fear! Mr. Rob Pierce has developed a very feature filled approach to his controls.

When you plug into the clean channel only, Volume 1 is your "preamp" volume, or "gain" as it were, and Vol.2 serves only as a "bright switch" that is envoked by turning it fully counter-clockwise until it clicks. The tone controls are standard fare except for the fact that they are slightly "interactive" with each other, which provides a very wide tone palette indeed! This amp has a ton of low end, especially on the clean channel! The Master Vol. functions as per normal, and it provides enough headroom to fool you into thinking it is louder than 22 watts!

When you plug into the dirty channel only, you gain the ability to have a footswitchable boost function! This channel can be setup in a semi-clean to higher gain footswitchable situation with the proper control settings. With the boost off, Vol.1 does nothing, Vol.2 serves as your preamp gain control that will take you into mild breakup, but with the boost on, Vol.1 is like the amount of boost, and Vol.2 is the overall "gain" control! In this boosted mode, the two volume controls kind of work like the two volume controls on an old Marshall when you "jump" the channels! With Vol.1 representing the "bright" volume, and Vol.2 representing the "normal" volume. The Vol.2 control really does most of the "gain structure manipulation" while Vol.1 adds to this gain, it also controls the "brightness" of the distortion that is created, adding to the open-ness, if that is a real word! The master volume, and tone controls function just as you would think in the boosted mode.

WHEN YOU PLUG INTO THE CLEAN CHANNEL, YOU DISABLE THE BOOST FUNCTIONALITY OF THE DIRTY CHANNEL. (wow...that was loud!)

This is why you can't simply use an A/B box to switch between the input jacks of the two channels.

On the back control panel there are controls for Presence, Reverb, Impedance Selection, Effects Mix, and a switch for selecting a second input "character" on the clean channel only, that simulates a "12AY7" tube, which has a lower gain character. There are send, and return jacks for the "line level only" effect loop, and two parallel speaker output jacks.

I told you it was a "feature filled" approach!

The clean channel is very open sounding for a 22 watt amp...period. If this amp had only the clean channel, I would still buy it! You can get it to break up fairly well by just turning the amp up on the clean channel, and use the master volume to control the output.
I could spend all day telling you about the "character" of the different gain structures that can be created with this amp! The two volume controls on the dirty channel supply a "tweeker's delight" for the person who can really use an amp to it's fullest. It really lets the character of whichever guitar you use shine through. I use a mixture of guitars which include, two PRS McCartys, one with P-90s, and one with humbuckers that are tap-able, a '79 cherry sunburst Fender Strat, and an older Godin TC with Fralin Classic Hot strat pickups. I am able to get most any sound with this mixture of guitars, within the limits of a 22 watt amp. You have to keep reminding yourself of that fact because the amp belies it's small size. It's not going to break glass, and it probably won't cut it in a loud band situation, without a mic, but in a small club atmosphere it works fine. I throw a mic in front of mine, in a loud band situation, and it screams! You can get everything from ultra clean Albert King/SRV tones, to Black Sabbath fuzz! You can get some pretty heavy tones, but death metal is not really going to happen! This is more of a classic tone machine that will reach into the edges of the metal genre without the aid of a distortion pedal! This is a major feat that is accomplished with the talent of a devoted creator that stands behind his product!

It has worked perfectly for 2.5 years, and I feel confident that with proper care, and maintenance, this amp will last semi-forever! (Really just "a long time"!) On the inside, the amp is assembled in a very neat point-to-point fashion on terminal strips. No PC boards, no ICs, just resistors, caps, tubes, and transformers assembled appropriately. Chassis mounted tube sockets, heavy duty switches, and jacks, all mounted in a welded metal chassis. All easily troubleshot by any competent tech in the event of a component failure where shipping it back to Rob for repair would not be an option. No "goop" poured over parts of the circuit to hide anything. Well made for pure tone!

This is where Valvetech shines! I have worked with Rob to apply all upgrade mods, and he has been both available, and gracious! He literally stopped production for two weeks to finalize a mod for me, that eventually became a current production change. He contacted me when he came up with an even better way to do the mod, so that I could have it retrofitted locally, without having to ship it! How many companys would have done that! Bottom line... he is a down to earth guy, that plays music himself, and makes a great amp that sounds bad ass!

I have been playing guitar since I was 13 years old, and that was 28 years ago. I own LOTS OF AMPS! About 20, which include a '61 Fender Deluxe, Tremolux, and Concert, a '65 Ampeg B-12-XT portaflex, a Jennings 2 X 12 AC-40, '79 Marshall 100 watt Superlead, Rivera TBR-1 (running a Vibrotone cabinet), various small 50's to early 60's Ampeg Mercurys, Rockets, and Jets. I have multitudes of pedals, from the best of vintage, to some of the best current production models. I have replaced my '61 Deluxe, in my live rig, with this Valvetech 1X12 combo. That is saying alot right there, but I have gained these huge distortion tones that I never had before! But this isn't stomp pedal distortion (not that all of those are bad!), this is big amp distortion just like Eddie, Eric, Jimmy, Jimi, and Slash! The clean tones are WAY BIGGER THAN MY '61 DELUXE, and it has great reverb! It is more like Ampeg reverb than Fender, but to me, like alot of others, that's a good thing! Anyway, I am still finding more tones in this amp, and I really dig the way it sounds! If it were stolen I would be completely bummed, then sell something to buy another Valvetech, maybe a 2X10 this time, or a 50 watt 6v6 model......

Bought it used, made on 2003. Great tone. differant setup for the inputs, two of them kinda like an old fender, but functional and you can use an a/B switch and it would be a channel switching function. all kinds of tones can be brought out of this amp, a studio dream machine.

The sound is very clear and defined in its frequency range. can be pushed for a very saturated but defined tone with infinite sustain. once again a studio dream machine. only 22 watts but can be pushed to 35 with 6l6 tubes and a 5au4 rectifier tube.

Havent had it long enough but very solid built and wired. only concern would be the flimsy rear speaker baffle and tube cover. Seems to be built from particle board and flexs all over the place. could be easily broken.

I pre ordered a 50 watt head from him and communication was pretty much non existent. felt completely ignored or unapreciated. would never answer questions in full through email, seemed to pick the easiest answer to answer fast. I had to cancel my order because all my bands equipment got stolen and I couldn't afford the amp and replace everything I owned. never emailed me back and still hasn't returned my deposit. Don't order unless you are patient and can deal with being ignored.

If I lost it I would buy a Vox just because the owner pissed me off and a used one is a rare find cuz no one wants to sell theirs. Would miss it though gets more attention than my buddys vox hand wired!!!!!!! buy one used if you find one no matter what the cost (usually $700-$800) it is that sweet of a tone.

As the owner of a recent VAC I have to chime in and say that the current VAC units with evolutionary upgrades do not have any of the thin tone or brittleness that early reviewers mention. I am an owner of a Valvetech amp and have no affiliation with the company, but I think that some of the earlier posted reviews were less than objective.

I also find the amp extraordinary in its versatility. I think that there are many great amps out there, but a truly objective listener would have to be pretty impressed with the current (or modded) VAC.

I have owned a bunch of amps and I think that these Valvetech VACs keep up with them all. With respect to the tone fiddling, and channel switching, you need to put this little amp in the class of a small gig or studio set-up. I have no problem finding tone and going back and forth across the tonal palette.

Sure, if you want to have it all set up on separate switchable paramenters for performances you probably need a two or three channel set up. This VAC is not that type of amp. But, getting tone out of this amp is really no more challeging than it is on many fine little boutique amps. Have you used the multiple toggle settings on a Fuchs ODS, and not changed your EQ? Have you played through a Fargen with a Decade switch and not had to play with your pots? This is not a problem unless you want it to be.

Despite another reviewer's comments, I must say that I have played through Dr Z Juniors on many occassions. To my ears, the VAC seems far more versatile, and much louder. It also has reverb and two channels. I am not dissing other amps, because everybody has their favorite, but the earlier reviewers seemed a bit too judgemental. For example, DrZ makes some really great amps, but to my ears, nothing that they make in this class is directly comparable to the Valvetech in features and tone. Budda makes some nice small amps too and they can get into some hot OD territory, but they are not handmade and point to point wired. And on, and on

No flaming intended, but I wanted to add my perspective.

Excellent

Rob is a cool guy and he takes pride in his product. He has addressed the complaints in the earlier versions of this design and he will even upgrade your older VAC for a measily $25 or so. How much more could an amp builder do??

Thumbs up

This amp was upgraded in June this year to what Rob calls the "F" mod (for final mod)It has been mentioned here before what features it has, it is basiclly 2 amps in 1, Channel 1 is clean, cranked it breaks up with power tube distortion, channel 2 is a quasi almost channel switcher by itself, but not really.This channel will take you through about any marshall, boogie soldano type overdrive you would want with the changes Rob made, it did not do this as well before the mod,the OD was always a bit thin and buzzy, to my ear anyway.The mid control always seemed more like a low treble control,too,and the overdrive got too mushy/farty when turned up past 10oclock with the overdrive set at its max. All of these issues were taken care of,really amazing for the $25 and shipping it cost to have done. I think it is cool that I could upgrade this amp without having to buy a whole new amp to get the much improved performance. I would give it a 10 with the changes,6 without, I split the differece and go with an 8

I like a wide array of music, after reading the reveiws, this is what drew me to the valvetech. I always thought it was always too bright sounding in the OD mode, I would always have to run it with the presence off and still wishing I could reduce it more.After I got it back, the presence control was much better, very useful actually and the mid control was perfect. The huge thing for me is I could CRANK the OD channel master wide open and get these CRAZY cool boosted power tube sounds, that the amp could not even think about getting before. It still does all the metallica,tool, scorpions type preamp distortion too, but in a much more musical, non shrill way, like the amp was before. I have run a G&L asat,s-500 p 90 sg and lespaul with dimarzio super distortion humbuckers through this amp.They all sound great. Although I have had the amp back now for a while ,I am still finding more and more cool tones with each different guitar. AC/DC ,metallica, scorpions, VH ZZ top are all here but you will have to find them for yourself. the amp responds very differently to each guitar. the clean channel was improved as well, not so Hi FI sounding. more like what the victorias and tweed bassman reissues I have played in the past.Is it a 10,I think so, but agian, I gotta go 8 here, since the amp before was maybe a 5 ,so the average is only fair.

10s all around here. Over 2 years of use, never a strange sound, never even had a tube failure yet. It is not a real fancy amp, but very solid, no rattles,top shelf construction.

After talking to Rob about improving these issues, the amp was sent and turned around really quick. like I said$25 and return shipping

Ive been playing about 5 years. i used to have a reissue bassman but wanted something with some overdrive to it at low volume.This amp is not as loud as the bassman, nor would I expect a 25 watt amp to be as loud as a 40 watt amp. If you are a small club player this is going to be a good choice for you. If you play in a loud band, you may want to get the 50 watt version.If it were lost/ stolen in would get back in line to get another no doubt. I compared it to some of the boogie and soldano amps right after I got it new, the Soldano SLO was a better overdrive amp, so was the mesa tremoverb I tried.I would now say I like the VAC better than the T VERB because it has better dynamics, and a is shave fatter than the SLO The slo was an unmodded amp. I used to wish it had true channel switching but now I dont know, I can see where he was going with this different approach.You use the boost switch and guitar volume to do clean crunch and megadrive, in any amount you want it real time.It is a set up you have to learn how to best utilize it. I give it a 10 here becuase someone is doing something different,instead of the vast see of clones out there.And then the price. PTP wired ,made in the US,all good quality innards(as far as I can tell,some of the big blue filter caps say sprauge on them)with weber speaker and reverb under $1000??

Any amp purchased from me new has a 10 day trail period, you can return it for a full refund less shipping. Also as I tell anyone who is interested in the loop that is for LINE LEVEL rack effects only.
It is not made for GUITAR LEVEL effects. Lasty this amp is not a clone, it is an original design and works differently than most other amps. If pair of rocks or rumble is what you want,then pony up the 3k+ and buy one !!!!!I make a good amp at reasonable price point,and will not apologize for it.
Like I said, it is different, and that is why I offer the return option.
Rob

This amp was purchased new in early 2004. Foolishly I did not listen before I bought. I did like the gain structure on this amp except there was no way to access the very nice clean channel wia the footswitch.
The reverb was ok. Not as lush like I expected based on previous reviews.
Effects loop - not very useful, ended up putting my choprus and digital delay through the front of the amp. Big disappointment there.
Clean construction, well packed and arrived in one piece.
Great looking amp though, love that logo!!

Guitars = several PRS, Hamer USA, Suhr and Zion guitars.
Effects = many boutique effects....too many to list.
Other Amps = Buddas(various), Boogies (MKIIC+, MKI), Fuchs ODS, DRZ.

The amp was set up with 6V6 tubes. Overall the tone with all of my guitars was decent. The distortion had a unique, though somewhat nasely/thin sound that may be my being used to 6L6 set ups on most of my other amps. I could not get a good sound with the slide on this amp.
The clean channel was very nice with all guitars. Very warm.Reasonable amount of clean headroom.

As I stated above, the amp took effects ok through the front but not so well through the loop.

Back to the lead channel - to me it sounded like it wanted to be a Marshall, but just could not get there. A little thin and brittle to my ear. A big let down overall.

Did not have the amp long enough to see...

Had little dealings with the owner. He stated the warranty was lifetime but I had no paperwork that backed this up.

***The amp came with the incorrect color combination than was ordered, and when I questioned it no resolution was offered.

I have played 40 years. Some of that full time with alot of studio time. Travelled for years. I have had a chance to play and own alot of great gear through the years. Unfortunately, this amp does not cut it for me at all and I quickly let her go on eBay about 3 weeks after I bought it.
WARNING - as long as I have been playing I never cease to amaze myself in that I stupidely bought this amp SIGHT UNSEEN.....don't do it. Make sure you play this amp before you even consider ordering one. DO NOT GO BY ALL THE GLOWING REVIEWS!!! It may be just your cup of tea, but it is different enough that it will most definitely not be everyone elses. It most certainly was not mine...not even closely.
The price of the Valvetech makes it inticing, and I must say that had something to do with my haste in deciding to try one. But in my opnion, spend a little more and get a DrZ (not much more), or a Budda superdrive series. If you can pop for it try out a Fuchs or a Two-Rock, both of which are screamers. In the end I think you will be way happier and have an amp that sounds thicker, works better and has better resale value. I wish I could have liked this amp more.

I've had this amp for years. I got it when Rob was still getting started. The amp is very versatile and has that "something special" that special extra good tone. It's kind like this: Valvetech is to most production amps like real cream is to half and half. It's just a wee bit better. This amp might profit from a SS/tube rectifier option but maybe, maybe not. As far as the volume or the power concerns I think it's enough for a small club and really great for recording. It's louder than a Deluxe Reverb and a lot of people use them. It would be nice if Rob were to build a version with 4 6V6s or two 6L6s but that would be a different amp. You can run it through a 4x12 cab and it, IMO, really sounds big.

This amp likes my Les Paul and my Strat as well. It doesn't like OD pedals as much as my Vibrolux. It's a great amp for 80s rock (Scorpions), clssic rock, and blues. Mine doesn't have a lot of clean headroom but the clean that is there is good, not as good as the Lux but good. The dirt is where it is at.

I had a couple of problems with it when it was new but I shipped it back and Rob fixed it.

Customer support...i've never seen better with any product of any kind. Besides fixing a problem. I've sent it back two different times for it to be re-incarnated to the latest version. The first time I just paid shipping and the second time I paid for a new logo and shipping. To me this means a lot. It's like getting a new amp every few years...cool.

I've been playing since 1964 and i've played a lot of stuff. This is one amp i'm glad i've kept. There have been times that i've toyed with the idea of selling it and buying something else...GAS. Then later I plug into it and man...i'm glad I kept it. i'll never sell it, it's just too good.

Two-channel 22 watt 1-12 with reverb and boost, the usual EQ controls. It's very well made and has the same bells and whistles as any mass-produced combo. The only difference is that this is a point to point wired amp made one at a time, so you can assume it's better made. It gets a seven. It's average, but a 5 here is considered a slam so it gets a 7.

Using with a mid 70s Les Paul Deluxe Goldtop and a late model Tele with stock single coils.

Here's where I must diverge from all the raving and hype that most new users launch into when they post here the first day their new toy arrives. I'm sure I'll get flamed so I'm leaving my email off, but I lurk regularly at TGP and HC: This amp is very flexible and will cover alot of styles, but so will my Peavey Classic 50 4-10. This amp can be dialed to an American sounding, thumping, cranked Mesa sound or a scooped mids sound, but so can my Peavey Classic 50 4-10. This amplifier, contrary to what I was promised before I bought it by users and by the maker, does not cut through in a band situation no way no how. It will not do it. My Peavey Classic 50 4-10 does though. Our lead player switches between a Fender Deluxe Reverb and a Hot Rod Deluxe and the DRRI cuts through OK on most songs. But this amp doesn't come close to making it in a real live situation.

Bottom line: I am kicking myself in the ass because I have spent over 1000 dollars and it really won't do anything my Peavey can't do, and it can't be heard on a gig without mic-ing it. I must be getting senile early because I have just spent almost 1200 dollars on a bedroom practice amp. I'm sorry, but this is the truth.

I'm sure it will last forever, as there are no pc boards to fry out or develop bad solder joints. You'll never have to worry about blowing the speaker either, because it will never get loud enough.

I tried to explain my issues with it in a very respectful manner to it's creator after I'd played it for a week and I was made to feel a bit dumb and ungrateful. I begged off the phone and have nto called back. It will be sold in December to a bedroom player who is grateful get a boutique amp so cheaply. Maybe Mr. Pierce can explain it to him. I don't know.

It is not an amp for a serious working musician. I'm sorry but that's the truth. Anyone who says otherwise fooling themselves. I have learned my lesson about boutique equipment and will buy a 1x12 JCM900 as soon as the check clears. Disaster, narrowly averted.

This amp was made in 2003 by Rob Pierce; a small "mom and pop" operation based in Indiana. I play mostly classic rock and blues, but dabble in all sorts of music. This amp will play any style of music I throw at it, from super chimey cleans to super distortion and anything in between. It is a 2-channel amp (non switching). I opted not to get the effects loop or the reverb. It's a 22 watt amp that sounds alot louder and will be good for anything I'll ever use it for. This amp is point to point hand- wired 112 combo in Forest Green with a wheat grille. They now also come with Weber Ceramic Blue Dogs (standard)

Right now I use mine with a US Masters Vector (twin humbucker super strat). The 6V6 based amp suits my style and my ear to a T. It is one of the quietest amps I've ever played and I've played a bunch. With a master volume switch it goes from super clean to super distorted at any level very easily.

Only time will tell as I've had it less than a year but, I've had it apart for inspection and it is built like a brick shithouse. On the inside everything is meticulously laid out and all the solder joints look good. The only problem I've had so far is the boost switch puked, which is not any fault of the builder it's more a manufacturer's problem. I'll cover this more in the customer support category.

Rob Pierce, the builder of this amp, is a super guy to deal with. I've contacted him several times, before and after buying the amp, and he has always taken the time to answer any and all of my questions. When I contacted him about the boost switch going bad, he sent me a new switch right away. He also included a governor(which is a new mod) for the boost swtich free of charge. As far as the warranty is concerned, Rob packs his products 100%.

I've been playing the guitar on and off since the mid-60's. If you can find a more versatile, better made hand-wired amp for this kind of money, let me know.