Epiphone Valve Junior Head

I've never written a review before but I felt like I needed to on this little amp head. I look at these reviews and find them extremely useful and grateful that people take their time to leave an opionon. 5 watt amp head - 1 power tube EL84 - 1 12AX7 preamp tube and 2 transformers. A volume knob and thats about it. What is absolutely great about this amp head is on the back you have your choice between a 4 ohm speaker load an 8 ohm speaker load and a 16 ohm speaker load. Also it has a really cool vintage look. Red front cover panel.

I have an Epiphone Elitist Standard Les Paul with american humbuckers and a Fender strat with GFS Texas specials. I also have a 72 Fender Dual Showman reverb and a 2X12 closed back cab with 2 Vintage Celestion 30's. This head with the volume cranked to the max is virtually noisless. The sound from this amp delivered to your door for $99 bucks is amazing. The distortion is right on. Not fake but good quality distortion. It is loud. The cab I have sounds great through it. My advice is to get a nice cab to go along with this head. Like everyone else I would have liked some kind of reverb and a standby switch.

Just got it about 2 weeks ago and it hasn't skipped a beat. But hell just fill out the warranty card and you have 5 years. I can't think of anything I have bought for $99 bucks and have felt this good about. It's copied from an older Gibson design. I've dealt with Gibson on my Epiphone Elitist and everything I've asked for has been sent to me for free. They are great people to work with just call their 800 number and ask for parts.

I've already explained the warranty and support.

Just got back into to playing again after taking a long break from playing. Lost a lot of money on shipping trying out new equipment and sending it back and forth. This one will not be sent back. Would I replace it if it was lost or stolen? Yes. My advice is build you a little 1X12 cab put a good speaker in it a Celestion Vintage 30 at Avatar speakers.com is about $79 bucks. For about $200 bucks you will have something really decent.

New 2006
Good for blues and classic rock.
Single Channel NO effects loop NO headphone jack NO standby switch.
Just 1 chicken head volume knob and choice of 4/8/16 speaker. impedance out. That's it. Give it 1 point for each option !
5 watts tube, 1 12ax7 preamp and 1 el-84 power tube.
Use it at home through a Avatar 2/12 speaker cab.
Plenty of power for home use. Still probably too loud for apartment use, if you play it loud enough for some breakup, and that is what this amp is all about in my opinion.

Use a Epiphone Elitist Less Paul and American Deluxe Fender Strat.
Humbuckers in the Paul and Single coils in the Srat.
I use it for Blues and Classic rock, sounds true to form, I like it.
No noise at all until volume is at 3:00, then only slight.
Raw, raunchy, dark is how I describe it overall. It can get some cleans (but not Fender cleans) up to about 10:00 o'clock a little more with the single coils. Starts getting some nice dirt at around 11:00 o'clock. It just keeps getting more and more dirt a mild distortion up to 3 o'clock, that's as loud as I have had it. I think it sounds a little better with single coils, not as dark.

Not a lot to go wrong but no opinion as of now. Looks well made for what it is, a $100.00 amp!

Do not know.
5 year warranty, 90 days on tubes.

Been playing off and on since I was about 10 years old. I am now 44.
Yes , I would buy it again. In fact I have thought about buying a second one to run in stereo, for lush ear pleasing tone at home. I think this is a great amp for playing basic rock and blues at home. Better than any solid state amp that cost twice as much as this one. Great starter amp for the kids also, and yes it does get loud. I would not buy this amp to gig with, sounds good but not enough of it with a band. I would be glad to pay $100 more if I could get it with a effects loop and a tone knob. Here is my favorite setup, guitar, Bad Monkey OD, Carl Martin Red Delay, Dano fish & chips EQ to speakers = Very Nice Sounding Inxepensive Rig.

Other than the volume control, the only "feature" is separate speaker output jacks for 4,8, or 16 Ohms connections...

Sounds very good; I would not miss the tone control, I don't think. I tend to set my tone controls and just leave them, unless the room is really strange. And I tend to roll the bass off the louder I crank. You don't have that option here, but no worries.

As others have mentioned, it looks very well made. The tolex is nicely done, there is a metal mesh screen on the back. One would have to take the back off the head to change tubes; 6 screws, as I recall. The verdict is out for me on Chinese made stuff; might just be my politics. As someone here has said, at $99, by two...

No idea...

The only reason I'm not keeping this is that there is not enough headroom for me. I know, I know, change to an 12AT7. If this were 15-20 watts, no question, I would keep it. It is THE quietest tube amp I have ever heard. Wide open, it is barely perceptible that it is even on....that and the size is perfect...

NONE!!! That is the beauty of this amp, just the one volume knob. This is a honeymoon review got it today. Sounded great out of the box, but I have alot of tubes laying around so I started messing with different tube combos. Ended up with an old NOS Siemans 6BQ5 and a NOS GE 7025, they sounded like majic together, gave this amp alot more shimmer. Ive had alot of gear, well way to much ranging from Marshall and Mesa to the boutique stuff so I hope by now I know good tone.

Well this amp really likes single coils. If I run an EQ in front of it I can dial in the hummers. Im using a Seymour Duncan loaded Brian more with coil taps, running the head into one of the newer Avatar vintage cabs loaded with Celestion G12H-30's. In the bridge with the hummer tapped it is puer heaven. Very big full sound fills the room. Im very much a humbucker fan, never have been able to break my self of that but this amp screams for a good strat or tele, and heck I just sold a nice tele so I guess Im on another quest. Im an effects junkie but I was so happy jamming on this thing for like 2 hours striaght.It is so resposive to pick attack. I like what others here have said, the american compaines should be watching out for gear like this, for 100 bucks you cant go wrong!!

After I opened it up, Im sure she will last, its a tube amp, things can go wrong. All looks fine to me, who can complian for this kind of money?

Dont need it.

Im telling you this thing at between noon and 2 o'clock is heavenly. With a good boost and a bit of delay you can do anything you want. Watch out, this thing is going to become outrageously popular, there is nothing like the sound of a good pushed bunch of tubes and this little head delivers.

2006 Made In China. Class A, Tube Amp with and EL-84 and a 12AX7 Preamp Tube, 5 Watts, One Volume, One Input, and Three Speaker Outputs... for 4, 8, and 16 Ohms. Only other feature I wish it had is a standby but that is it. Great practice or small gig amp with plenty of nut when combined with an effecient speaker.

Not noist at all, sound good with both single coil but absoutely fantasic with humbuckers. Combined with a J-Station or V-Amp it will siut every muical style with ease.

Haven't had long enough though the warranty is great.... some people hace suggested it is 5 years. My experience with electronics is if it lasts 30 days then the rest is up to how you take care of it.

Wouldn't know they are part of Gibson so I would expect it to be excellent.

Been playing for many, many years and have a lot of gear. I know a great product when I see one and this is truly a great product. Go buy one now before they are discontinued or the price goes up. If you love Great Vintage Tube Sound........ GET ONE NOW!

no features. volume, speaker outs, on/off switch... you have read the other review, so you see the specs, etc. It is a sweet low wattage tube head for $99. amazing!

This amp was really hyped by some of my friends, so my expectations were extremely high. The epi did not disappoint. i am very happy with the sound. I am especially pleased with how this head takes an overdrive. I played a Les Paul through a DOD OD-250 into the epi. It sounds sweet like that. Real creamy organic tube sound, with that saggy clapton like compression that you can only get by pushing some tubes to their limits. Turn it on 10 and go man! I have yet to change out the tubes on this baby. I plan on trying some various EL-84s i have around. electro harmonix EL-84s rock particularly hard in my other small bottle amps. so I think they will kick it in the epi as well. also have a ton of various 12AX7s to try out too. I am looking forward to many rewarding hours of tube swapping and tone tweaking with this thing. I am one happy camper. Please note, that the volume is quite low. I read some of the reports that say you can jam with a band with this amp... i dont think so... at least not with a real drummer. maybe if you play light jazz or something. i dont know... cant see it. I have an 18 watt hand wired marshall that is infinitely louder than this head. anyway, the purpose of this thing is to crank up the tubes and keep the volume at a low level. and it does that perfectly.

This head looks to be built very well. The box is solid. The insides are nice and neat... I cant see it being an issue.

I have dealt with gibson for years, and they are quite helpful. So I am assuming they would be just as helpful with this product.

This Epiphone Valve Jr head is one amazing product for the price. It is about time that someone made this amp... Thanks Epi !

This is the 2006, "NO-NOISE sibling" of the Valve Junior Combo Amp. It has the same features, sans "noise",speaker and the extra bulk. I bought this amp for the tube sound, simplicity, impedance-flexibility and value. Part of its appeal was the classic, clean appearance. I play a lot of different styles of music, jammin' with my brother and another friend ( a "garage trio", if you will ). Portability was also a deciding factor, and this amp is very good for pick-up-and-go applications. The dimensions are-- 10"height X 14-1/4"width X 8-1/2"depth. It weighs about 24 pounds. I also like to be able to use various cabinets for different occasions and this suits me to a "T", with 4,8,and 16-ohm output options. The only gigs we've ever done are small, intimate venues, so 5 watts is plenty. I rated this amp an "eight", only because the addition of a stand-by switch and reverb would have made it a true "ten"

The guitars I use mostly with this amp are a 1962 Martin F-65 semi-hollow body with a pair of DeArmond?s and a Martin Bigsby, and a 1970's Ovation Breadwinner with a pair of active humbuckers and a double-octave scale. Both of these guitars shine through this amp. If your stomp-boxes are noisy, this amp is so quiet, the noise from them will drive you nuts! The head is loud enough to be too loud for "bedroom" practice at full volume. Good clean, smooth sound up to about midnight on the volume dial. After that, a nice smooth transition into vintage tube overdrive.

I've had this amp less than a month. I don't travel-gig regularly and am my own "roadie". The main concern might be the Sovtec tubes and how long they will last. I don't use this amp under extreme conditions and do not expect any problems. As far as I know, Gibson/Epiphone has a good amp reputation and track record.

When you go to register on-line for the warranty, it says it is a limited-lifetime warranty. Amazing! I hope never to have to use it!

I've been playing "at" the guitar since about 1968. I own a variety of guitars, a Crate PowerBlock ( which is a great value in a solid-state, extremely portable, versatile amp!! ), a pair of 1X10 cabs with Eminece speakers and serial (daisy-chain) capabilities. This amp exceeded my expectations enough that I bought two more - - one for my brother and one for our jammin' buddy!! I really don't think this amp will disappoint you. How can you beat classic tube sound, great portability and simplicity, for $99.99 - delivered to your door?

This amp head with 2 pre tube and output tube was manufactored in 2006. Except for the real old timers amps don't get much simplier which is perfect. If you got chops this amp will high light your talents.. if You use an amp more then the guitar to get your groove this is not for You. On/Off--Volume... 3 Z choices for speaker, 4,8, 16 one channel, class A.. How do you rate an amp with an on/off and volume with 3 speaker output choices.. For me its perfect but i don't want to mislead anyone with any rating

My style is all rather obscure blues from my friend the great JESSIE MAE HEMPHILL to the R.L. Burnside who recently passed away. I am a solo act, this amp only has to compete with the noise that comes out of my mouth and either my heel on a piece of wood and/or tamborine.The speaker that is coonected is a Celestion G12P 30 that came with a GALAXIE amp my Son had. I sold the guts, kept the speaker and cab and the VALVE JUNIOR sits proudly and very quietly on top of the cab I have in a vertical standing position. Usually I read the reviews to get a feeling for something I'm interested in mosty looking for problems but in this case I am agreement with all the accalaids listed below. I've been looking for this amp since 1962, but its important I repeat that I play solo, If Hooker, Muddy Waters, Robert Nighthawk, Jessie Mae Hemphill, Lightning Hopkins (Elec) etc. is your deal, this is as close as I have come to what I been hankering for with the exception of the old vintage gear that can be a hassel for serious gigs, The has the "junky blues" sound, meaning fat and wirey. I think someone said something like "better get one while they are around" The man is right. 5 watts can be more then You might expect in class A. I'm buying another one.. are You kiddin' me 99 bux?! I have an epiphone SG, I think its a special that I use for rough gigs. I had just put it on Ebay to sell, for the purpose of this review I ran it htrough this amp... couldn't believe my ears, i just pulled this cheapie guitar off the auction block. As far as distortion like many class A's, it is very responsive and touch sensative, I use finger style (no picks) and with a little extra attack on the strings it gets fat just on the verge of distortion, turn it up and its the opposite.

Haven't dropped it yet, no openings on top so booze/liquids can't invade the electronics unless a bozo throws his drink inside from behind.AC cord could have been a bit longer, You know how it is in some of these dumps when it comes to outlets. So far so good... not much to go wrong so a 10 seems logical

Have had mnay Epiphone products over the years, never had to enlist there support, I have heard good to fair hear-say.

This is the part I don't like because it sounds like "Hey look at all the great stuff I have/had" so i will just say, I've had very good gear but until know never found something new that sounds like something 50 years old AND .. NO NOISE! I chose this amp for all the wrong reasons.. that is, by the reviews and i am glad i did, but its worth repeating, many of the players and tunes I cover are only known by hard core blues fanatics, my comments are naturally based on my needs, I might be getting long in the tooth but my babes like this amp and they are not as old as my python boots...

Epiphone 5 Watt Tube Amp Head - 2006
Volume
Input jack
On/off Switch
3 outs in the back - 4/8/16 ohms

Tone can be altered significantly with the volume knob.
This amp is very loud.
The price is an awesome feature as well.
Very well built, retro looking and pleasing to the eye as well as ear.

Using a 35 year old jap 3 Humbucker hollowbody with a Seymore Duncan Screaming Demon at the bridge (switched to reverse phase mostly), Ibanez V7 in the middle, and a Dimarzio Evolution at the neck.

Also an Oscar Schmidt OE30 Semi Hollow stock for slide.

Playing head through a 20 year old Crate CR-112 amp 12 inch speaker.

I play mostly blues, but I think even polka would sound good through the Valve Jr, gives me eargasms. The distortion at the 3 o'clock setting is a bluesmans dream. It is too loud for me but the tone is so sweet there I put a pillow in front of the speaker so I won't go deaf. Perfection for my living room.
At full volume it snarls and snorts but doesn't really get any louder.

This amp is silent when turned on. Very clean at the lower volumes. Sweet and creamy distortion from 12 to 3, then pretty nasty and mean after that.

Gigable if mic'd (with 12 inch speaker, not sure about 4x12 cab)

Guitar pickup, volume and tone settings really alter the sound better through this amp. My bridge pickup has a series/parallel/coil cut switch that I always kept on series because it was louder there and the other options didn't do too much through my solid state amps. Now I can really hear the changes well and am using the other options.
Rolling guitar volume back really cleans up the sound if need be too, so of course I never do it.

I've only owned it 2 days, but so far so good. It traveled all the way from China and made it in one piece.

It seems solidly built and very gigable.

N/A

I've been playing guitar 27 years. I have 4 other amps, all solid state and the Valve Jr is by far the sweetest sounding of them all.
I have 9 guitars. Even my Epiphone Special that I hate sounds good through this amp. Playing slide on my Oscar Schmidt sounds swampy and bone chilling.
I've not tried any effects yet because I was having so much fun straight into it that it never occurred to me to try anything else until just now.

If stolen I would replace it in a heartbeat. If I win the lottery saturday I'll buy 20 of them and give them to my buddies, kids, nephew, and keep the rest.

The tone of this amp at reasonable volumes can't be beat. The value can't be beat either.
I love the retro, elegant look of the gold, red and black face.
The simplicity of design defines the "less is more" philosophy.
I wish it had reverb, then it would be the perfect amp for me, but as is it's very close to my idea of how I want to sound. I am one happy SOB.
Get it. Now.

ON/OFF, Volume, input jack, 4, 8 & 16 ohm outputs. You know i should give this a 4,but i'm giving it a 10 because DUH..the features it has are PERFECT in their simplicity.

HEAVEN. PURE HEAVEN! QUITE. Breaks up quick, but DUH...again, this is what I wanted, hoped, and prayed for. It's not like it's meant to be "ANYTHING" but what it is. Meaning...it's not totally marshall (can't be because it's class A rather than A/B), it's not totally fenderish because it's not rectified (and most agree that the best fenders have rec's in them). But it has a twang, a pop, a bite, a growl a snarl, a swirl (yeah..how did they do that with class-A???) and presence that seem to come from many different types of amps. The amp comes alive best with a 212 custom cab (email me for details) and the sound seems to come from within YOU rather than eminating from the speaker. The odd and even harmonics were most notable with humbuckers just at the break up point. It surrounds you with sound rather than pelting you with it. Plugged into the 212 it actually is louder than my peavery classic 20 (which is only 15 watts) but that can be attributed to the brilliant design of my 212 being totally efficient. Again...NO AMP DOES EVERYTHING...but it does SO MANY THINGS well that this will be a very used amp in a very short time...i intend on using the hell out of this thing!

I'm very sorry to disappoint all the american manufactures of goods and services, BUT.......this amp is a prime example of the increadible quality of chines manufacturing. Fender, Mesa, you guys better wake up. Now as far as american manufacturing, THD seems to be the last of the ones who actually make MADE IN AMERICA mean something...THD, ED, ANDY, YOU GUYS ROCK!!!! Gotta love a UNIVALVE! BUT...if you cannot afford a univalve...well i guess even if you can afford a univalv...this is a very well made amp and you should buy one NOW...RIGHT NOW....DO IT...before they are ALL GONE...and then i'll have to sell you my other one on EBAY for 300.00!

WHO CARES! It's 99.99, coverred for 5 years...and built better than anything fender ever made. BUT...they actually are pretty good about getting around to things for you.

Playing for 29 years. Lost or stolen i'd buy 3 more.

Just so you understand, I'm quite familiar with VERY GOOD low wattage amps. I own this amp now, along with a THD Univalve and Peavey Classic 20. I also have exclusive use of a REAL 1968 Fender Deluxe Reverb Amp. Love small amps that just totally Rock. This one is no exception and sits proudly beside my other amps. The Valve Jr. Head absolutely blew me away from the very beginning. I plugged it in, after it was warm, cranked it all the way...QUIET..and I had to recheck that I had the speaker plugged in. I then plugged my guitar in, cranked it up and WOW! We played an ASAT, a tele, a strat, and an old epiphone genesis through this amp. We also played the amp through a 212 8ohm cab loaded with 1 Greenback and 1 Vintage 30, then plugged it into a 412 16ohm Peavey cab loaded with 30's. It likes the 8 ohm cab better, however still rocked in the 412. Taking into consideration that I own what many feel to be THE BEST little class A amp (the THD UNIVALVE) I was mildly skeptical that this amp was as good as all the reviews. What I expected was ?sounds ok for 99.99. What I got was, HOW DID THEY CRAM $900.00 into $99.99??? Don?t get me wrong, I totally love my Univalve. I totally love my Peavey. BUT?after purchasing this amp and putting it through it?s paces, I almost feel in some small way that I?ve spent too much money on other things. This amp alone will be THE most important economic change to the amplifier industry ever. All you ?boutique? companies beware. Epiphone impressed me with my Genesis, they now have blown me away with the VALVE JR. HEAD!