polara Posted August 14, 2015 Posted August 14, 2015 I haven't seen Rob on the HFC in ages but I know he used to participate a lot here and there used to be a lotta folks here who were into Valvetechs at the turn of the century.I had the red one that's the photo model on the Valvetech site, as it was made to my specs for the photo shoot. Two 10" Weber alnico speakers, reverb, effects loop. Sounded magnificent but I was mostly playing bass at the time and my guitarist quit playing his super-hot-rodded Deluxe Reverb and his Mesa Maverick in favor of the Valvetech, so it ended up being HIS amp until I traded it away.As I settled into playing guitar almost exclusively I missed it, and a couple years ago snagged another red VAC25 with two 10s off someone here. Played it exclusively until I started doing I am a Rocketship, and the 5-watt Marshall was just lighter and quieter for a drummerless band.Tonight I was messing around with the new Yamaha solid-state. Sounds pretty darned good. Then plugged into the Marshall, Nice, a little boxy, I think I actually like the Yamasaurus Rex better for cleans.Then the Valvetech. Clean, edgy, dirty, or gain it has this chiming, "3D" quality, and such touch sensitivity. Just lively, balanced, amazing. I've come close to buying Matchless, Victoria, a Mesa Blue Angel, and owned Brit AC30TBX and a Laney before but this Valvetech... damn.Who else?
belgian Posted August 14, 2015 Posted August 14, 2015 I love mine - have 3. They are on the road this weekend as I am providing backline for the Guy Forsyth Blues band. This is some footage from last May - 2 vac's on stage - even works great for harp.
Disturber Posted August 14, 2015 Posted August 14, 2015 I bought a Weber alnico 10A150 from him over 10 years ago, that he kindly shipped over to Europe. It was at a stellar price too. The two amps I got the pleasure to play at Conrads house (Belgian) were both Valvetech's. I could not dial them up that loud, but I sure liked what I heard.Would love me a Valvetech amp. They are not easy come by here in Sweden though.
gorch Posted August 14, 2015 Posted August 14, 2015 VAC25 in the background. Have it for quite some years now and wouldn't replace it. It's a great representation for Fender style sounding amps. Goes tweed and darn rocking. It's run with the Eminence Cannabis Rex speaker that delivers a nice vintage sound without being muddy.
MCChris Posted August 14, 2015 Posted August 14, 2015 In the past year I've acquired a Friedman Smallbox and a Bogner Shiva. But my custom VAC50 (the brainchild of Brewmaster and the first one of its kind, I believe) goes toe to toe with either of 'em easily. This setup is pure magic with the jam band (cab is a Bogner 2x12 with 70th anny G12H30s):
velorush Posted August 14, 2015 Posted August 14, 2015 Point of information: one of the first things I was introduced to when I joined the HFC were Valvetech amps. Rave reviews followed by interest on my part (I think I remember a few inquiries from me as they were posted for sale from time to time), but I've always been confused about exactly what they were.The web page is titled "The Amp," (singular) but goes on to indicate three distinct models (used to be two IIRC).1. VAC 25/50 The Ultimate Tweed Amp - two channels with a gain switch (boost?) on the second2. Hayseed - reads like a redesign of the Vox AC amps (EL84 power section and a EF86 preamp option)3. Superluxe Reverb (haven't seen this one before today, but it's been a while since I've been to the web site). Can anyone elaborate on what exactly these are (power section, leans toward this sound or that sound, etc.)? I've always been interested, primarily because of the raving reviews these have gotten here and elsewhere, but I've been just as confused.
MCChris Posted August 14, 2015 Posted August 14, 2015 ^^^Model confusion makes Valvetechs a natural for Hamer fans!
triodecr Posted August 14, 2015 Posted August 14, 2015 They're made 20 miles south of me but I've never seen one around to try.
Disturber Posted August 14, 2015 Posted August 14, 2015 It seems the VAC50 at least runs EL34's, which would be interesting to me. Not a big fan of EL84 tubes's.
MCChris Posted August 14, 2015 Posted August 14, 2015 It seems the VAC50 at least runs EL34's, which would be interesting to me. Not a big fan of EL84 tubes's. The 22/25 watters run 6V6s. The one I had originally (SN007) currently resides at BruceM's 4321 Club. Nice to know there's a firebreather in the house that I can plug into whenever I show up.
polara Posted August 14, 2015 Author Posted August 14, 2015 I don't know why Rob doesn't more clearly do a spec sheet like most manufacturers. Not that tubes and wattage are the real definition of an amp, but it's how people shop.
RobB Posted August 14, 2015 Posted August 14, 2015 As I settled into playing guitar almost exclusively I missed it, and a couple years ago snagged another red VAC25 with two 10s off someone here.Oh, I SEE. I whore out a great amp at a Bangkok price and I'm "someone here?" Really?
tomteriffic Posted August 14, 2015 Posted August 14, 2015 The only Valvetech I've ever met in Person was Rob's own, with him wrangling it with my Studio Goldtop with P-90's. This was at one of MCChris' legendary Midwest Jams. It killed.
polara Posted August 15, 2015 Author Posted August 15, 2015 As I settled into playing guitar almost exclusively I missed it, and a couple years ago snagged another red VAC25 with two 10s off someone here.Oh, I SEE. I whore out a great amp at a Bangkok price and I'm "someone here?"Really?Short-term memory issues. I'm the kind of guy who has to buy the same amp twice, after all.
belgian Posted August 24, 2015 Posted August 24, 2015 Just did a tour (mainly festivals) with 2 Vac25's in the backline. They sounded great - even on big stages. A lot of guitar players from the rest of the line-up at some of the festivals asked about them.
velorush Posted August 31, 2015 Posted August 31, 2015 Any chance he'll be at the Gear Expo in November? That would be great because I just can't seem to get my head around what he's offering. The Suplex could be just what I'm looking for! or maybe the Superluxe (6V6's!)
stonge Posted August 31, 2015 Posted August 31, 2015 I really have to get Nightwolf's Hayseed back to Rob for cleanup and a refresh.
valvetechamps Posted November 5, 2015 Posted November 5, 2015 Come check out the Hayseed 30,VAC 25, and Suplex at the Nashville Gear expo, NOV 13 throught the 15th 2015. If you like the sound of these new and improved amps, fret not, ANY of your old valvetech amps can be converted to the new amp specs. Hope to see you there, Rob
sirDaniel Posted November 5, 2015 Posted November 5, 2015 I've had 4 in my house over the years and they all did damage to the infrastructure... that's good btw. Still have the original VAC22
Hbom Posted November 21, 2015 Posted November 21, 2015 Check out the amps and the prices. http://www.valvetechamps.com/
valvetechamps Posted November 22, 2015 Posted November 22, 2015 https://youtu.be/xlaPb7AIIRE Absolutely nailing early rush with a Suplex amp and Hamer Artist. Thanks Currypowder. What a GREAT guitar, my new favorite. Layer this over the original recording, its scary....
foodermon Posted November 22, 2015 Posted November 22, 2015 https://youtu.be/xlaPb7AIIRE Absolutely nailing early rush with a Suplex amp and Hamer Artist. Thanks Currypowder. What a GREAT guitar, my new favorite. Layer this over the original recording, its scary....RUSH! thanks for sharing.. cool tone.
valvetechamps Posted December 21, 2015 Posted December 21, 2015 For anyone who cares... I am discontinuing the VAC 25 and 50 models, also the superluxe reverb in 2016. I have parts for 2 VAC 25s left, one with reverb one can be made with or without reverb. $300 off the original price for either of these, you will have to pay the shipping and no returns on them. Once these are gone thats it. No more VAC50s or superluxe reverbs will be made from here on out . Still going to keep going with the hayseed 30,15 and suplex heads. Also changing policy on custom tolex amps, custom tolex amps will not be returnable from here on out.
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