Valvetech 2x10 Combo

Made in 2002 by Rob Pierce, and shipped all the way to Cairo Egypt-- it is a safe bet that I am playing the one and only Valvetech in this town. This one was built with the tube reverb and effects loop.

I was looking for a quality, low-output tube combo in between a $2000+ boutique amp and the servicable Peavey Delta Blues 210 that I've been gigging with for the past two years.

One of the big selling points of the Valvetech is that Rob really has put two great sounding tube amps in one box-- channel 1 is a very Fendery clean to crunchy overdrive (which with a Fulltone Overdrive pedal has a wonderful singing sutain at gig levels), and channel 2 is a (footswitchable) high-gain overdrive channel capable of wicked Plexi-like distortion. These two channels are not two flavors of the same sound - they are REALLY different.

All very retro- four input jacks on the front (a high and low gain for channels 1 & 2), reverb and effects loop (parallel with mix cntl) controls on the back. Plus a little toggle marked "12AY7" that does a neat trick of simulating lower-gain preamp tubes - cleans up the sound nicely or allows you to put a bit more bite in the crunch.

It would be great for gigging if more of these controls could be footswitchable, but that's not a big deal once you get to know the amp.

I've played two guitars so far through this amp - one a Lone Star Strat and, more recently, a Tom Anderson Hollow Drop Top Classic. Both sound great, the Anderson really sings. We play in a cover band here in Cairo - lots of classic rock (Stones, Beatles, Doors, etc.), R&B (Susan Tedeschi, Blue Bros stuff) mixed with some more current punk-oriented (New Found Glory, Green Day). At small gigs this amp can cover most anything on the list, without a whole lot of pedals.

On channel 1 it will begin to break up if you crank the volume past about 1 o'clock - also dependent on the 12AY7 toggle on the back. The distortion sounds great (perfect for old Stones) and it cleans up nicely by backing off the colume on the guitar.

The distortion channel has a footswitch that toggles the preamp distortion on and off. You get a big gain boost when the distortion is on. It really sings and is LOUD - can be hard to control when gigging. Again, crank this channel and back way off on the guitar volume, and you can have a nice crunchy rhythm sound and wail on demand by turning it up a few notches.

It is just amazing what a spectrum of sounds you can get from a quality tube amp and guitar just using the volume control on the guitar and the knobs on the amp. And they all sound good. This is not news to a lot of people, but it is a real treat for someone who has struggled with pedals and modeling amps over the last few years.

Looks built like a rock - all handmade, PTP wiring. No problems so far. Give it an 9 for tubes...

Rob Pierce is doing a great thing making and selling these amps, at a price point that is way below a lot of the competition. I've exchanged a few emails with him and found him to be friendly and responsive.

I'm 47, been playing since I was 12 - gigging on and off for 30 years, not a pro by any means but can play a bit. Recently I decided to put together a rig of really nice gear - this amp and the Anderson guitar are a great match and a real pleasure to play. Thanks Rob!

My Valvetech I have purchased was made to order in the fall of 2002. It was built by Rob Pierce. It took a while for the order to be completed, but it was worth it. The unit is an all tube two-channel 2x10(w/Jensen speakers) combo amp that puts out up to 22 watts. The amp has a power switch, standby switch and a ground switch. It has the common treble, mid, presence(in the rear) and bass control. It has four inputs in the front which be mixed and matched for a broader spectrum of tones once familiarity has been achieved pertaining the amp. Channel one is the clean channel. By turning the volume knob to the 5-o'clock position it will induce the brightswitch for channel 1. Channel two is the dirty channel. There is a 12uy/12ax7 switch in option in the rear. I primarily use the 12uy setting for clean and 12ax7 for dirty. Also located in the rear, is an option to select the ohms. Rob told me to leave it at 4 ohms when using the amp without any external features The amp also comes with a footswitch(with a pretty long cord) for channel selection. Also, I had the option effects loop (with a gain-attenuation) installed.

I use this amp for woodshedding, rehearsing and gigging. I play in small to medium-small size clubs and so far it wielded ample power. However, I recommend to have the amp miked if it appears the venue is of a medium to large area. I did have the oppurtunity to experiment with miking this amp with an Sennhieser E206/9 series instrument mic and it performed adequate with a both live and studio enviroment. I would like so see a footswitch for the optional effects-loops itself along with a bit more wattage for this amp.

Each guitar I used with the Valvetech amp had either single-coils, humbuckers, mini-buckers or soapbar pickups. I tried them all. The amp performed fine for all the type of pick-ups mentioned above in any enviroment or control setting. The amp is fairly quiet even when pegged. This amp is able to play very clean while cranked and utilizing the bright switch while adjusting the presence yields to a sparkling magnificent sound. The dirty channel has enough gain even a Metalicca fan would adore. The crunch tone isn't brittle. The overdrive has an automatically semi-fat sounding, but can get an unparalled fat sound or a brilliant crunch when the controls are tweaked. Along with the clean and dirty sounds the other two channel(inputs jacks actually) can accomodate a myriad of spectrums if properly conjunctioned. This Valvetech amp gave me a tone that I was hoping for. All-in-all, it does give the unique boutique sound without the boutique price.

So far, so good. I haven't noticed any troubles.


Note: For any tube amps no matter what brand, quality or price, I always use a back-up - either it be another amp or a spare set of tubes.

The heart of Valvetech is Rob Pierce. He is a down-to-earth guy. He will answer all your questions immediately by phone or e-mail. He even does follow ups with new ideas for tweaking the amp or just to ask how things are going. He is easy to work with. He does what he advertises and then some.

I would give this a 10, however, I would like to recommend there should be a footswitch for the optional effects-loops itself along with a bit more wattage for large venues. Though, I understand there are plans for a 50-watt amps. This amp does sound louder than 22 watts and it has done its job concerning gigging in small to medium size venues. It does have ample volume for any kind of situation I have been in. As a matter of fact, it seemed louder and cleaner than my friends 50 watt solid state Marshall (his was cracking up when he passed 8 on his dial). But tube amps are know to be louder than expected. The money spent on this amp was well worth it. In the future I will not be surprised if the price of a Valvetech amp will double itself in the next couple of years and still retain very much on demand situation.

2002 Hand Built by Rob Pierce.
Non channel switching, 2 channels, 22watts, see previous reviews for all the specs.
Amazingly sensitive controls. Extremely versatile amp, although channel switching would be well worth any added cost it would surely bring. I can't think of any other features it could posibly use, this amp has it all. Don't let the 22watts fool you, I rehearse with a full band, and it cuts through without ever opening her up.

I use this amp with a Charvel strat, and a Washburn P-series. Both with humbucks. I play rock/blues, and this amp covers it all. I must mention, this is the first tube amp I've ever owned, but I did a lot of research before I chose Valvetech. In my opinion, for the money, I don't think I could have done better. This amp is truly inspiring to play, and reacts to every nuance sent through it. The clean channel has to be heard to be appreciated. As far as the high-gain mode, truly awesome. Everything from 70's classic rock to 80's rock/metal, and anything in between. It's all in there. The amp is also dead quiet. People with a lot more experience than me, have been blown away by the sound, and that might be an understatement.

I've owned it since summer 2002, Never had a problem. I'll give it a nine, since I haven't owned it that long.

This is a big category for me, since I work for myself. Whenever I had a question about this amp, Rob has always responded promptly and courteously. E-mails answered same or next day every time. What more can you ask for? He stands behind his product 100%. Very impressive.

I've been playing a few years, own a few high-end pedals, but this amp really needs no pedals. I would definitely buy another if stolen. I love everything about the amp, but channel-switching would put it over the top for me personally.
I took a big chance buying it sight unseen/unheard, but am very glad I did.

2002 22 watt 2 channel all tube custom built by Rob Pierce, Sovtek 12AX7 preamp tubes, matched Sovtek 6V6GC output tubes, Sovtek 5U4 rectifier. Reverb, mid boost, master volume, low (bass) high (treble) 12AY7 switch, footswitch for overdrive. If anything, this amp has too many features, the 12AY7 switch in the clean channel goes to super clean treble boost mode, sort of a Nashville tele twang mode. Some of the controls are on the back of the Amp, which I don't like. The overdrive does not work in the clean channel(for obvious reasons) and the channels are not footswitchable (unless you buy an A/B switch). Other than those minor gripes, this amp has planty of features. I opted to not get the effects loop, since I don't use a lot, but that is an option you could pay for.

I play rock and blues, I have an Ibanez RX series, and Ibanez Talman with p-90's a tele and an Epiphone LP. This Amp sounds good with anything. In the 12AY7 mode, it is a Nashville twangin machine, in the overdrive mode, it really cranks. The distortion is really sweet, and it is supersensitive to the type of pickups you use. 22 watts sound more like 60.

I have had it 6 months and haven't gigged with it, but judging from the quality of workmanship, I wouldn't hesitate.

Rob Pierce is a helluva guy, he builds these one at a time in his house. I have had positive response from Rob for every question I asked. It's about a four month wait to have one built, so order early.

I have been playing over 20 years. I always used off the wall amps modtly for economic reasons, until I bought the valvetech. I bought this without hearing one, and I am not disappointed. It compares to an old silverface twin I had years ago, only more reliable. If it was stolen, I would probably order a new one. This is my first 210 and I love the sound. It's about 1/2 the price of the Dr. Z I was going to buy and twice as loud.

I'm submitting a follow up review after nearly 2 years of using a Valvetech.
I had a couple of minor mods done after lot's of back and forth brainstorming with Rob.
And, I sent the chassis back to Rob for a semi-major mod.
An interesting switch Rob designed and called the "ay7/ax7" toggle. It basically allowed you to choose between the original raging animal or a tamed version (ay7). It was a toggle on the amp.
I llllloved this switch so much that I asked Rob to put it on the footpedal. He did.
Basically the amp now has 6 different voices.
ay7/ax7 in ch1 or
ay7/ax7 lo gain, ay7/ax7 hi gain in ch2

I had the bright cap value increased from 150-250 and it was a great idea.
No, this is technically not a "channel switching" amp, but I can go from clean to crunch to scream 1 or scream 2 on channel 2.
ch 1 clean to major crunch.

Also, you can interchange any one of 4 rectifiers to taylor the feel to your style. Standard is the 5u4GB (nice balance). you can also use the GZ34 (more punch; headroom), the 5y3 (more sag and compression), and even the Groove Tubes SS plug in to Really tighten things up. All these are plug and play; pick your poison.

And if ALL THAT AINT ENUF...

You can also upsize from 6v6 to 6L6 with only a bias adjustment (BTW, the bias pot is conveniently located on the exterior of the chassis).
Rob had oversized trannys that will handle the upsize. this upgrade is recommended if you want the bigger clean sound. Use of a rear fan is recommended if you do this.

jeeez, talk about options.

this amp is now capable of all tones. It's prior limitation have been addressed. It'll do Chet Atkins to Jimmy Page to Megadeth.

I aint kiddin.

Oh, BTW, I forgot to add how DEAD QUIET this amp is.
Even in the most intense gain mode. Stone Quiet!

If you can't find your signature tone in here somewhere, Rob will help you tweek to find it. I truly believe there is a tone in here that will please everyone.

Added footnote, don't let the "low power" thing fool you. I've heard this amp in a 5 guitar jam against some major firepower unmic-ed. Cuttin through a mix IS NOT a problem.

simply put, in-frickin-credible.

This amp can cover tones from all decades 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s.

Rob also built me a ext. cab with a 12" and 10" speaker. Closed back with a removable back. This only enhances the fullness and forward throw. the 2x10 combo doesn't really need help.
RE: the reverb-I use a 12at7 tube in the reverb circuit. this will never be a "surf" style reverb. Considering amps with similar circuits (marshall jtm45, fender bassman, vox ac), those amps chose not to even try reverb in their circuits. to reiterate a quote from Rob:
"OK the deal with the reverb is I had to make it work with a cathode
follower amp. This is why plexi marshalls,tweed bassmans and vox AC 30 don't
have reverb. Fender scrapped that design because they could not ( or did not
want to mess with) matching reverb to this type of amp.( if you have the Tube
Amp book, it explanes this in there.) On the fender type amps they drive the
reverb transformer with a 12AT7 wired in parellel. That signal that runs
through the transformer and reverb tank is amplified again by one half of a
12Ax7. This is mixed in with the dry signal, that has been severly padded
down(across a 3.3meg resister with a 470k grounding resister,10pf bright cap)
Then that mixed signal is amplified again with the other half of the 12AX7
but has no bypass cap on the cathode resister. So they use a lot of tubes !
I was not going to change the fundamental design of the amp to take reverb.
So I had to come up with a way to make it work. So I took the reverb strait
off the cathode follower. Since this signal is already so hot, I did not have
to use a whole tube to get it to the level needed to drive the reverb cicuit.
Now on reverb, you need a signal drop to so that the reverb will be loud
enough.Since the tone controls provide the drop, the reverb is wired across
that, this eliminates the need for the fender type pad. Then the reverb
recovery tube is really beefed up so that it adds a little more reverb to the
sound. So with a lot of experimenting and a CAN DO attitude, I got it to
work".

has never failed in 2 years. never crackled, never buzzed, never flinched.

If I could rate this a 15, I would.
There are great amp builders out there, but not one puts his heart and soul into every one like Rob does.
He will take as much time as you need.

I got in on the ground floor (ser# 014)of a brain of builder who really came up with something truly unique here. The favorite adjective I still use is "alive" and "organic". I have tried to unseat this amp as my #1, I've thrown the best at it and it's still sittin there with a smirk on it's face.
I have seen his recent cabinet work and believe it now rivals the big boys. His ability to give you any color or covering you can dream of is huge.
Also, I have been inside the chassis a few times and am blown away by the quality of his detail work and soldiering skills.
His backlog keeps him in the shop constantly and his prices will keep going up. At $899 is still a huge bargain. Rob has been putting this chassis is some fancy dancy combo cabs and shipping them over to europe. people are screaming for more, adding to his backlog, and are paying over $3000 for them. That alone says something.
He has a more conventional model ( we call it version II), that has more traditional sounds, but I haven't personally played it, so I'll leave that for someone else to review.
feel free to email me.
just DONT TAKE ME VALVETECH AWAY!

...peace...

This a brand new 2001 2x10 combo designed by Rob Pierce of Valvetech Amplifier Company. THIS IS A CUSTOM, HAND WIRED AMP! Mine was ordered with black tolex, a fender-like silver/blue grill cloth trimmed with silver piping, and black chicken head knobs.
This is an all tube amp rated at 22 watts, with twin 6V6 power tubes, 5U4 rectifier tube, and 4 12AX7A's in the preamp section (including the tube for the spring reverb). There are 4 inputs (2 per channel, high and low gain). The front panel controls consist of 5 knobs: Volume 1 and Volume 2, Hi and Lo tone controls, and the master volume. The rear panel controls include the AY7/AX7 toggle switch; effects loop input/output with mix knob, controls for reverb mix and presence. Channel one is the clean channel. The standard footswitch controls the gain channel i.e. channel two. The footswitch is inactive when using the channel one inputs.

The guitars and pickups I?ve used with this amp thus far include my: Suhr Strat with Suhr?s own pickups in S/S/H configuration, Suhr Tele with Suhr P90?s, Fender Tele with a pair of Joe Barden?s (awesome Tele pickups), 70?s Gibson Les Paul Standard, and a Guild semi-hollow body with single coils.
The amp sounds terrific with all these guitars. The controls on the amp are very interactive, and unlike some other amps, they all help you to shape your preferred tone. The Valvetech has a broad, rich tonal palette that allows me to create the tones I?ve longed for. The distortion is so thick and creamy, and the amount of gain available is just sick! The much sought after smooth violin distortion is easy to dial in.
I love the AY7/AX7 switch! There is no actual AY7 in the preamp, but flipping the switch drops the gain and changes the characteristics of the AX7 to a cleaner, bluesier tone. I compared that setting, to actually replacing the 1st stage AX7 with an NOS AU7 (my favorite preamp tube for blues tone). The result? I went back to the AX7 because the AY7/AX7 switch did a great job of mimicking the lower gain AU7.
The only potential gripe others might have with this amp is the limited amount of clean headroom. If you want max clean headroom, you need a Twin or a Fender clone.
For my purposes, recording in my studio or jamming, this amp is perfect.

I cannot rate this category as I?ve only had mine for 2 weeks. However, let me say that the build quality is excellent. The cab is solid, and I could roll over the boost pedal with my truck and it would still work. I see no reason why it should not hold up for the long haul.

Rob was very easy to deal with. We corresponded via e-mail and he answered in a timely manner. It was a no hassle transaction. Though I worried about the amp arriving in one piece from UPS, it was a needless concern. It arrived wrapped, packed and without a scratch!

I've been playing over 25 years and have heard some great tone over that time. For me, playing through this amp is so rejuventating I feel like a teenager all over again. I am awed by the sounds I'm able to produce with it. I'm old enough(42,)experienced enough,critical enough, and jaded enough to know this is not simply a case of "new amp euphoria". This amp is the real deal for anyone with rock in their heart and soul.
Overall, I cannot imagine making a better purchase. I was admittedly anxious about buying an amp I?d never heard. Let?s face it; personal taste in tone is highly subjective. Yet, most of us would agree that SRV had great tone, and that early EVH tone was awesome too, and so on. Likewise the Valvetech tone is such that upon hearing one, you?d agree that it is special! The other HC posts for this amp are what convinced me to take a chance on a new unknown, unheard of amp builder/designer. Prior to purchasing this amp, I had researched many others listed in the HC amp database including well-known boutique heavyweights such as Bogner, Dr. Z, Budda, Carr, Matchless etc.
Their reputations are well founded because they do have such wonderful tone.
However these boutique makers have justified their astronomical prices by pointing out that their amps are hand-built, with point-to-point wiring etc. Yet here I sit with my Valvetech, a custom ordered and built, good old point-to-point wired, amp for under $900 INCLUDING SHIPPING to my front doorstep! That?s pricing which competes with mass produced PCB Marshalls, Boogies and the like. The Valvetech makes all the others appear over-hyped and over-priced. Are the premiums for the others really worth it?
Now don?t take this to mean that pricing was my main consideration. Like most of you, TONE is where it?s at for me, and I am willing to pay for it. I fortunate in that I can afford to buy any of the other amps I?ve already mentioned, in spite of their stiff tariffs. If I had been dissatisfied with the Valvetech?s tone after hearing it, I had planned on shipping it back, eating the shipping costs, and then purchasing something else.
But, when I plugged into my Valvetech for the first time, I just smiled and said ?Oh Lord, what a tone.? In this amp, Rob Pierce has created musical voice with it?s own special timbre. It makes me feel like a rock star whenever I?m playing it. Like a truly great guitar, everyone should own one, at least once in their life. I realize that all this gushing admiration may make it seem as though I am a shill in the audience, but I just can?t temper my enthusiasm for this amp. It?s simply outstanding!

2 channels, 4 inputs, shared EQ, 22 watts, 2:6v6, 4:12AX7's, 1:5U4 rectifer loop, reverb,and footswitch. Mine is a beautiful turquois leather style covering with a wheat grill cloth. However the owner of valvetech offers many variations of tolex and grill cloth assuring the amp you order reflects your personal statement. As cool as the amp is outside I must stress this amp is also hand wired, ultra cool. To sum up the features this amp will look great on stage, is simple to use, and being 22 watts allows you to let it rip with your band and being hand wired will be very reliable. I've had this amp 4 weeks playing on the average of 8 hours a day and have had no problems.

I have owned, Carr, Matchless, THD, Victoria, Fender, Marshall, Messa, Soldano, Hughes, and Kettner, Trace-Elliot and always needed some type of pedal to get the nasty crunch I am inspired by. I've been playing 33 years and until I stumbled on this amp on the internet I hadn't found it. With a 30 day trial period offered by Valvetech I took a chance, and I am so glad I hadn't given up. This amp has the heaviest yet most toneful distortion I have ever heard. This is not to say it is only a crunch fest, this amp can give you all shades of distortion from raging metal to violin like sustain. The myriad of tones can be achieved by plugging into any of the four imputs, as each has it's oun character. Couple that with the EQ and gain knobs and the sky is the limit. This amp simply smokes anything out there and I've wasted a bundle of money in my quest for what the valvetech renders rather easily. The sound is warm, liquid and as nasty as you want at all volumes.

As this is hand built point to point wired I see this as being as reliable as a tweed Fender and we all know they are still around. Only one difference this amp would eat any tweed Fender.

I spoke to the owner many times prior to my purchase and I am very confident he stands behind his product 100%, check him out at www.valvetechamps.com

I rate this a 10 because I've finally found "THE" amp that can deliver the most awesome crunch tone with liquid sustain for leads and each guitar I use retains it's own unique character, (59 melody maker, les paul jr., parker deluxe). This is a tall order to fill and it must have taken the owner many, many hours to tune this amp because to my ears it is superior to any other amp out there, and I've owned most of them.

New amp company (2000).
This is a traditional 4 input design (like JTM45).
2 channels, shared eq, master shared master volume.
5 knobs on the front. All tube 4-12ax7 2-6v6, tube rectifier GZ34, presence, tube spring reverb, tube effects loop, P to P chassis construction, custom color, footswitch with reverb, gain switch. truly unique tone stack. 22 watts ripping watts!! I ordered mine with white tolex. you can ask for any color and any grillclother combination. YES!!

truly unique tone stack. Lo and Hi; the lo, when maxed, scoops the mids. as you back off the lows diminish and the mids drive up.

This amp is powerful enough to do any gig.

Chassis Construction is incredible; Cabinet construction is good, but not on par with the big boys (Top Hat, Bogner, Victoria).
But again, comeon, CHECK OUT THIS PRICE!!!!!!!!!!!
YOU CAN BUY 3 OF THESE FOR WHAT THEY CHARGE.

a darker sounding amp; full of rage!New amp company (2000).
I used stock 2x10. The combo by itself does sound excellent. 3 amps in one.
plugged in ch1- warmer, cleaner but can be dimed to produce Mellenkamp style raunch tone.
plugged in ch2- rock monster. sort of a JTM 45 but less brittle cuz uses 6v6 instead of EL tubes. Footswitch allows an extra gain stage to be added to put it over the top.
plugged in ch 2; channels jumpered together. Complex balanced tone-lots of tone variations depending on where you set both vol dials my favorite setting. reminds my of 70s rock guitar tones of yore.
The tone stack is totally different from the norm. Lo is a bass/mid control. full on gives a scooped sound. Back off slowly to roll of bass and increase mids at the same time. Reverb is good; not fendery/surfy. parallel loop has dial to control mix.
the only pedal i use is a Rangemaster which pushed the front of the amp and adds gain in the treble frequencies.
note:need to compliment with Clean/buttery amp for complete sound i.e. deluxe reverb. all other sounds are in there because lower power, you can open her up nicely without baking your ears too bad.
Also sounds truly as excellent on 3 as it does on 10.

so far 100% reliable after 1 year.
builder answers all questions and concerns himself and does it promptly.

I would rate this a 10+.
He is right on top of everything.
If he makes a tweak in the design, he offers to update your amp for you. unreal!

I have tried every amp available under $1500-
For $550; handbuilt amp; this is a dream come true.
Custom color, tube reverb and effect loop.
Final Impressions- Built solid to last long.

The Valvetech (VAC) is an amp you can play with pride. Not a clone of anything, but has it own raging tone. A hand built beauty whose sound can only be described as "ALIVE". But even better...it's priced for the working class. I just ordered my second!"
Myself, I wouldn't use it for country, but everything else...
www.valvetechamps.com