Valve Junior Head Review

The Valve Junior is a 5 watt head that also features a single-ended class A tube amp with solid state rectifier, 1-12AX7, and 1-EL84. 4, 8 & 16 ohm speaker out.

Features:	8
Sound:	9.3
Reliability:	9.3
Impression:	9.8
Overall rating:	9.1
Users rating:	8.1
Comments:	42

Featured review by: unregistered, on august 11, 2006

Price paid: $ 109

Purchased from: Rudys Music

Features: This is the new series of tube amps from Epiphone. This little baby is a 5 watt, one channel tube amp. It has only a volume knob. While almost everyone would probably go: "wow this thing sucks", this amp benefits from the lack of controls. Your guitar now becomes a lot more important. You really feel the difference of rolling of the volume and tone to affect your sound. Additionally, this small tube amp includes an EL44 tube to your typical 12XXXX style tube found on most low wattage amps. That really helps out the tone. Another Versitile feature is the speaker out jacks. You can hook the head up to cabs having 4, 8 or 16 ohms of impedience. This really helps because now you can use your favorite speakers in single, two-by or four-by configurations. // 9

Sound: I played a fat strat in the shop with this thing and funked out some "Dani California" riffs. I was sold on the spot. In the shop the head was connected to a Bogner 1x12 cab and the sound was orgasmic and very RHCP plain and overdriven. For 5 watts this thing is loud enough for small venues. Depending on the cab you're using, the amp starts breaking up between 10 and 12 o clock, and I use my volume knob and pick attack to initiate overdrive and clean. It has the feel of a Fender champ, only with a slightly different tonal characteristic. This is a great early '90s cleaner crunch that you don't get from a higher wattage amp. This thing also loves pedals. // 9

Reliability & Durability: These things are incredible. It survived the subway trip and car ride home from NYC, and it's still in pristine condition. I would certainly gig this without a backup, I've already cranked it as loud as it will go and it has no intentions of blowing out. These tubes are designed not to be replaced, because the back grille leaves no access to them. That can only say something about its durability. // 9

Impression: I play blues rock, and this is my practice amp. It is good enough to gig with, but will probably be restricted to smaller indoor venues. I've been playing for about 4/5 years now and this is my first tube amp. I've had valvestate marshalls and I've played through tube amps before. This thing rocks. For roughly 100 bucks, it is definately worth a buy. If you can find the combo version (which is about $130) you'd have a great all in one practice amp. // 10

overall: 9.5

Reviewed by: V_mike, on july 18, 2007

Price paid: $ 100

Purchased from: Fuller's Vintage Guitar

Features: This is a 5-watt, Class A, tube amp. It uses a 12AX7 for the pre-amp and an EL84 for the power amp. The only control is a chicken-head volume knob. Other than that it has an input, on/off Switch, and three speaker outs in 4, 8, and 16 ohms. The setup of this amp is great, no bullshit, just amp. The volume control is the only thing on it. Everything else I control with pedals as should be done. The only thing I would want would be a headphone out for quiet practice ability. // 9

Sound: I use this amp with an '06 Fender Standard Fat Strat and the matching cabinet. The HSS pickup configuration gives me a few tonal options to work with. The Tex-Mex single coils sound great until the amp starts feeding back at a certain amount of distortion. The bridge humbucker, however, crunches it out great at all volumes. Either way, the feedback can be used in a sweet-sounding kind of way. I use this amp with a Boss DS-1 Distortion and it makes the world of difference. The volume control actually gives quite a bit of tonal variation with the turn of the knob, with cleaner sounds at the lower volumes, and raunchy tube overdrive at the loudest. I set the volume to about 10 or 11 o'clock and use the DS-1 for switching between clean and overdrive. The way I use it is smooth & warm w/ the single coils, or crunchy and raunchy zep-like humbucking. The clean sounds awesome too. // 10

Reliability & Durability: No problems with the amp, although I haven't owned for more than a few months. I would use it for gigging, but only miked thru a PA because it might not overcome the drums. I would use it without a backup, but that's only because I don't have the money to buy amps out the ass. I might replace the tubes as time wears on, but that's just personal preference. The construction seems pretty solid, and it looks like something older than me. Other than that, it is a sturdy mofo. // 9

Impression: I have been playing for about 2 1/2 years now. I play mostly blues, classic rock, and hard rock. This thing gets the job done for those, but I have played some funky shit with a wah, and it can even jam some good reggae tone with a envelope filter. All in all, the only thing I wouldn't play with this amp is metal, but I don't play too much metal. You might be able to if you wanted, but the distortion you can get from this amp might not be enough for you. If this amp were lost/stolen, I would definitely replace it, since it was so much bang for the buck. // 10

overall: 8

Reviewed by: guitarcam123, on january 19, 2009

Features: My VJ is the latest model head (version 3). The VJ is quite limited feature wise, one volume control, no standby Switch, one channel, no effects loop or headphone jack. Although I do like the speaker outputs in the head. All three 4ohm, 8ohm and 16ohm, so you can plug pretty much any speaker/ cab into it. One of the best amps for it's price. // 5

Sound: I'm using this through cheap plywood & pine guitars with cheap $10 pickups, so I don't get any thing great out of my guitars, but the Valve Junior on the other hand is a great amp. I can get awesome blues tones out of it, no matter humbucker or single coil. it's very quiet, there is a very small amount of buzz, but that could just be the lights. I only practice at home so I can't turn the volume up past 3 as it gets too loud. At low volumes I get a nice bluesy tone, but when no ones home and it goes up around 10, then the distortion starts to kick in. Although it's no Marshall heavy/ brutal distortion, it's enough! I usually play a lot of heavier music (Heavy Rock, Metal etc) so the VJ is not the best for that type of music, but with my Boss ME30, then it gets brutal! // 9

Reliability & Durability: Very durable, could take a fair bit of abuse! I would definitely take it to a gig without a backup, it works like a charm. So far I haven't needed to change any tubes, so it's still in it original state. Everything's as it came in the box. Although I don't think I would gig with the Epi VJ speaker cab in a large arena. it's a good size for bars and resturants but if your doing a massive gig, I would buy a bigger 4x12 cab. // 9

Impression: For my style of music, it's not the best but with a bit of distortion I love this little amp. I've been playing for about 3 years, so this being my first tube amp, I'm very impressed. If it were stolen I don't know if I'd buy it again, because it's more for the blues, but with my effects, I'm getting a good tone from it. But then there's the little Blackheart amps that would suit my style of music, but then I'd have to re adjust my pedal settings again to get a really nice tone out of it. I love this amp because it's a small little handy amp that can really rock at only 5 watts! My favourite thing being an amp modder myself is all the room on the front panel, just think of all the mods possible! // 9

Reviewed by: unregistered, on november 18, 2008

Purchased from: GAK.co.uk

Features: This is a all-valve class-A valve head with a simple volume control.
i bought this as a replacement for my 30-watt Marshall solid-state combo. I bought it with it's 1x12 cab . it's actually quite versatile for an amp with one knob! i use it with a DigiTech Screamin' Blues overdrive and it sounds amazing especially for the price!theres only one channel , a volume knob input jack, on/off Switch around the back theres inputs for 4,8 and 16 ohm speaker cabinets. // 9

Sound: I currently play an Epiphone G-400 Sg copy with this and although the Epiphone pickups aren't that great the amp provides a decent blues/rock tone although i can't see it stretching as far as metal. So far i haven't pushed it into overdrive you'll be amazed at just how loud it is! I personally think the bright punchy sound better suits single-coil pickups though it dosen't do a bad job with the humbuckers on my Sg. // 9

Reliability & Durability: Im not in a Band yet so have yet to gig this amp although i would certainly take this amp to a gig witout a backup!So far i've had no technichal problems with it, although i just want to point out that due to the lack of a standby swithch each time you turn the amp on you have to wait about a minute for the valves to warm up before you hear any sound! // 10

Impression: I think this is must for anyone in the market for their first tube-amp it covers most styles loves effects and although I would never take a soldering iron to mine is a perfect oppourtunity to start modding amps! It is perfect for my style which is blues/rock I especially love the break-up bluesy tone you get with the volume at about 11 O'Clock. so anyone looking for a decent amp should consider this. Don't let the price mislead you into thinking this amp is for people Who can't afford the big Brands, this amp represents great value for money! // 10

Comments

[Lprince]

You could play it where ever ya want really, just need to turn it up more on the PA the bigger the venue

[AngryGuitarist]

Looks very retro

[uncle_jimmy]

haha, "wow this thing sucks" that made me laugh

[forsaknazrael]

I find this whole line to be great - with the exception of the DSP effects.

Amazing amp.

[eddiehimself]

I saw the combo version of this amp for about 95 pounds and after seeing this i might get it as a practice amp. I don't think this amp needs anything more then a volume control. If u wanted a clean and distortion sound u cud just add a preamp.

[fitzyfantastic]

very RHCP plain and overdriven.

If this guy had any idea how much shit John Frusiante uses for his tone, he would take that statement back right now.

[kurtcobain44444]

john frusciante owns

[dogmeat]

I have the combo version and it's pretty damn good. Only cost me 99 quid as well. Good practice amp. I wish it had a headphone socket though, for those late-night moments when u HAVE to try out something you just thought of.

[gmsje]

These tubes are designed not to be replaced, because the back grille leaves no access to them.

C'mon. Tubes that don't wear out? Can't the back grille be unscrewed? There's a guy selling a tone mod kit for this head on ebay. How would you fix or mod it if the grille denied access to the guts of the amp?

[RR=bestevrplaya]

k, question, if i wanna play metal can i boost it with a pedal and eq?, just cause i can't see buying an amp if i can't play my favorite type o music

[harrypito]

I wanna buy this so bad

[GibsonsBest]

These tubes are designed not to be replaced, because the back grille leaves no access to them.

C'mon. Tubes that don't wear out? Can't the back grille be unscrewed? There's a guy selling a tone mod kit for this head on ebay. How would you fix or mod it if the grille denied access to the guts of the amp?

I have this head and he is totally wrong. There are just a couple screws to remove the grille. After that changing tubes is a cinche. I would actually recommend doing this as a Groove Tubes 12AX7 sounds way better than the stock one. BTW this head is amazingly cool, I've got mine going through 2 !2" Celestion Governors

[Anchoret]

Be sure to get the newer ones with DC filament circuits. The older ones were very noisy.

[LocutusOfBorg]

Today I bought the combo version for €149. In combination with my Vox Tonelab and Ibanez S540 it sounds great. Btw without any unwanted noise at whatever volume setting.

[slashguitar1234]

yeah, this is a good amp (ive tried it and almost bought it, but guitar center didnt have any),but if you want just as good a tone (for about the same price) with WAY more versitality, get a vox pathfinder 15 r

[Silky Smooth]

It's amazing

Still the best 100 dollars i've ever spent on equipment.

[soul_power]

Next $100 will be going on this amp. Hmm, now how the hell am i going to get $100???

[B_Payn]

daddy i want one

[V_mike]

Oh man, I bought one of these a month or two ago and I have one word to say... DAMN!!! I mean, this is not the best amp out there by any means, but for the buck, this baby gets some bang. I use it with an '06 Mexican Fat Strat, the matching extension cab, and a Boss DS-1 for extra punch. Due to the single coils and humbucker on the Fat Strat, I can get so many sounds. From smooth overdrive to crunchy almost-metal distortion, this thing takes the cake in cheap but quality amplification.

[nathanthehippie]

this thing is amazing
when i turn the volume up to all the way i get a major hendrix sound its awesome and LOUDDDD

[the.spine.surfs]

RR=bestevrplaya wrote:

k, question, if i wanna play metal can i boost it with a pedal and eq?, just cause i can't see buying an amp if i can't play my favorite type o music

You can put a Metal Muff into anything and play metal, but this isn't the best amp for metal. A good all-tube amp for metal would be the Peavey 5150.

[madguyposerhomi]

would this be loud enough to play over drums and loud enough for a medium sized school auditorium?with the matching cab of course.

[madguyposerhomi]

oh and with a pedal, ive noticed that with my amp it gets trememdously louder when i use it with a pedal

[adamshakermaker]

I just bought the Harley Benton GA5H, its the same amp, made at the same factory but it comes with a tone control and its half the price. Oh, and its amazing!!

[Silky Smooth]

A YJM308 in front of the head sounds incredible

[madguyposerhomi]

hey if i wanted to eq it,could i get a eq pedal(7 band) and have it work like a tube amp with eq?or possibly better b/c more options.thanks

[V_mike]

Yeah this amp loves for you to put pedals in front of it. It can really crunch with a good fuzzbox. I love it for its utter simplicity.

[weorge]

madguyposerhomi wrote:

would this be loud enough to play over drums and loud enough for a medium sized school auditorium?with the matching cab of course.

can someone answer this guys question please, i also need to know, without using a pa system

[rokknrollldude]

could I make it louder or get lo volume dist by running my guitar into my 15 watt SS amp, then the speaker out signal into the input of this amp?

[JessicaGonzo]

i can buy this for $150 for the half stack. should i get it?

[asd]

[Mitchell?]

so need to know, without using a pa system[/quote]

rokknrollldude wrote:

could I make it louder or get lo volume dist by running my guitar into my 15 watt SS amp, then the speaker out signal into the input of this amp?

No.

[finesse623]

Would this sound good with a Les Paul?

[AirborneSF]

I got one of these a couple of months ago. It is freakin' great! Dependable, yes. Great tone, yes. Loves pedals, yes. It is well worth the $100 I spent on it.

[rhcpjhlz]

fitzyfantastic wrote:

very RHCP plain and overdriven.

If this guy had any idea how much shit John Frusiante uses for his tone, he would take that statement back right now.

Frusciante only used a lot of pedals on Stadium Arcadium. Up to that point, he was extremely minimalistic with his setup. Especially in the earlier days.

[Genghis_khan]

This amp is a GREAT addition to any set up. I mean. unless you're the kind of person who uses a 100 Watter even for practice at home... there is no reason to reject the pleasure of owning a VJ Head.

I actually own 2 with their matching cabs. The first one I bought it for "room practice", I live in a small flat and and after 5 mins got the neighbor at my door (lol).

This amp loves pedals or multiFX, I play mines with single pedals (SansAmp GT2, Boss DD-20, Ibanez WD-7 (Wah), Boss PS-5, Digitech Bad Monkey, EH Big Muff Pi NY, etc.)in different configurations and the results are always good. My POD XT Live also shines thru the VJ.

I use 2 VJ to make a stereo rig, also you can get an extra kick if you plug the VJ into a 4x12 cab, this works great!

[KG6_Steven]

Nice job on the review, however I need to point out a couple of mistakes. It's very crucial that you go back and reread what you've written to check for errors and omissions. You referred to the power tube as an EL44, where it's actually an EL84. You also mentioned that it's a "12XXXX style tube" at one point. This is also wrong. Instead of submitting your rough draft, you need to proof the article at least 2 or 3 times - looking for spelling and punctuation errors AND proper flow. Also, it's a good idea if you get your facts straight when posting a review. RTFM!!! Which, translated into English, means Read The Freaking Manual. In the military, we used to call it RTFM2, which means do it twice. Who would make an amp you can't replace the tubes in? I'll bet the manual talks about removing the screws on the grille to access the tubes. Also, you facts about this thing only being good for smaller venue gigs is based on bad information. Most bands mic their cabs and combos into the PA system. So, whether you were playing for 100 people or 100,000 is a moot point, because the PA system handles the amplification of the small amp.

Again, this is just constructive criticism. I'm not trying to flame you or put the smack down on you. Other than that, you did a decent job.

[blackborrego]

^ THIS !

[cthuludawn21]

despite the majority of reviews being for blues/bluesrock, i play metal. i have the head and matching cab, and i play an SD Hot Rails in a modded strat through a EH Metal Muff, and this is by far the heaviest metal tone i have ever gotten out of an amp. its perfect for metal, nice tight low end. if you're wondering if this thing can handle metal, with a decent pedal in front of it, its absolutely great. metallica, pantera, devildriver, rob zombie, bloodbath, led zeppelin, black sabbath. i have been unable to find a style this amp is not suited great for, because of the simplicity of the single volume knob.

[TimBFMV]

Hopefully I'll be getting one of these
I tried one out today, wow it was louder than i thought, amazing tone too.

[DarkLordArthur]

ok, if I put the head through a bigger cab, let's say 2x12 or 4x12, how loud can I get? because 5w isn't really a lot, you know; and other valve amps are extremely expensive