Reviewed by:
adamshakermaker, on december 05, 2007
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Price paid: $ 113.46
Purchased from: Thomann
Features: The Harley Benton GA5H, guitar head, 5 Watt (class A), 1 channel, 1 volume, and 1 tone control, 1 x 12AX7 and 1 x EL84 tubes, speaker outputs 4, 8 and 16 Ohms. Made in 2007 this amp is just an Epiphone Valve Junior with a tone knob added, they make them in the same factory but badge these up as 'Harley Benton' for Thomann. It's a very simple but brilliant little amp, the front panel consists of the input jack, a volume knob, an EQ knob and the power Switch. The only thing I would add is a headphone output. // 8
Sound: I use this through my Marshall Valvestate VS102R 2x12 with a tube screamer clone and it's just awesome. It breaks up with the volume at around 4, anything over 8 with a humbucker sounds very overdriven and British. When using my strat through it I can hear all the shimmering highs I was missing with solid state amps. The EQ really alters the tone of the amp, I can't understand why they don't use it on the Epiphone VJ. With the amp at full volume through a 2x12 cab it is very loud and could easily be heard over a drummer. // 10
Reliability & Durability: Solid. I have heard of problems with the combo version but the head seems bullet proof. It looks really classy with its cream vinyl finish. The feet and the corner protectors are attached with self tappers and are going knowhere, all the knobs and inputs feel very durable. I would gig this without a backup. // 8
Impression: I think this amp could cope with any style of music, it just depends on what pedals you use. If you look at the other small tube amps out there this wins hands down for value. It's only £62, that's half the price of the Epiphone Valve Junior and the Fender champ 600. It's easy to mod as well, for just a few pounds more and a few hours with a soldering iron this GA5H can be turned into something sounding like a £1000 boutique amp. Don't let the fact it's only got 5W of power fool you, this little fella is loud! If it were stolen I would buy another, at this price I might even buy two. // 9
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