THD Univalve

Ganon · April 30th, 2004, 12:02 AM

I am interested in getting a THD univalve to use at home to practice...don't want clean sounds just good pure tube saturation and overdrive at low volumes. All the sound clips I have heard have been just leads and little riffs. I primarily am a hard rhythmn guitar player doing early rock roots stuff and some harder rock with a Les Paul Standard. Trying to get Marshall Plexi sounds at "10" or close to it. Can the THD do this? I am worried the distortion is too thin for heavy palm muted bar chords and that the lows may be flabby and not full enough. Is the gain more modern sounding like a Mesa Dual Rectifier or more old school and vintage like a Plexi? I would run it through a closed back Marshall 4 x 12. Any comments from owners would be great! Also any other recommendations for a pure tube head or combo under 15 watts for Marshall style sounds?

Lance · April 30th, 2004, 12:38 AM

It's a fun amp....little Marshall on 10 is the idea. The first thing you need to do with these amps is swap the first 12AX7 for a 12AY7 or 12AU7. The 12AX7 is just too much gain and it sounds buzzy. With a lower gain tube in the first preamp position, you'll have that amazing tone but not too loud. With the attenuator, you can dial it down to a whisper also. I'm running mine into a 2x12 Marshall bottom. It doesn't have the whomp of a 50 watt Marshall head but its more than sufficient even for jamming.

geddyleedog · April 30th, 2004, 05:34 AM

Yes, the Uni will do a very good job for what you want it to do. I bought it for the very same reason you'll be using it for. It's an AWESOME amp for home use. IMHO I felt it had limitations for gigging though. I say go for it. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Rob DiStefano · April 30th, 2004, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ganon

I am interested in getting a THD univalve to use at home to practice...don't want clean sounds just good pure tube saturation and overdrive at low volumes.

Then this is the amp for you - I had a UV and couldn't get clean enuf tones at living room volume levels. YMMV.

Lance · April 30th, 2004, 08:10 AM

Yup - with the pre-amp tubes as shipped, you'll be challenges to get clean tones. Swap that 12AX7 out and you'll find the amp more versitile.

Rob DiStefano · April 30th, 2004, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lance

Yup - with the pre-amp tubes as shipped, you'll be challenges to get clean tones. Swap that 12AX7 out and you'll find the amp more versitile.

Been there, done that to the max - I don't think I missed a power or preamp tube in all the swap outs I did - 6V6 through KT88, ECC81, 5751, 7025, 12AX7 - lotsa different tube brands, too. For me, the UV just didn't have that *clean* tone at g'tar-only jam levels. The cab I built and used was loaded with a pair of ceramic Weber Blue Dogs. And I *really* wanted that amp to work for me, too.

Ganon · April 30th, 2004, 09:28 AM

Thanks for the input! Like I said I am not worried about cleans because I have a Fender SF Princeton Reverb for that! Also I'm not gigging so not worried about it being loud. I think I am going to pick one up soon! So the distortion is pretty good then? It's warm and vintage sounding? Can it do a good AC/DC crunch?

Rob DiStefano · April 30th, 2004, 09:39 AM

Aside from not offering decently clean volume levels, I really liked this amp *lots*. Built like a Panzer tank. Yep, it'll do just about any flavor of overdrive thru metal distortion.

Poppatwang · April 30th, 2004, 10:16 AM

Think that would have the headroom?

Rob DiStefano · April 30th, 2004, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poppatwang

Think that would have the headroom?

My best guess is - yes, for sure. Go to the THD website and check out the reviews and responses at the Bi-Valve forum.

MJB · April 30th, 2004, 11:34 AM

Hi Ganon,

I think we've chatted briefly about this over on the Hiwatt site....

Have you ever tried a Cornford?

They're British, so probably pricey over there, but the 6 Watt Harlequin combo has everything you're looking for and more.

http://www.tonemerchants.com/Cornford_Amps.htm

If you can find anyone near you who sells them, go and give it a try. You'll enjoy it.

All the best,

Martin

Ganon · April 30th, 2004, 12:00 PM

Thanks Martin,

I have seen those before. A little pricey but sound like a nice amp. I will definitely give it a try if I can find one. I was just curious about the THD because you can pick one up used really cheap :)

geddyleedog · April 30th, 2004, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ganon

Can it do a good AC/DC crunch?

A 6550 power tube will put you exactly where you want to be for an AC/DC tone. But please, only where the school boy outfit in the house

April 30th, 2004, 12:02 AM	#1 (permalink)
Ganon NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 5	THD Univalve I am interested in getting a THD univalve to use at home to practice...don't want clean sounds just good pure tube saturation and overdrive at low volumes. All the sound clips I have heard have been just leads and little riffs. I primarily am a hard rhythmn guitar player doing early rock roots stuff and some harder rock with a Les Paul Standard. Trying to get Marshall Plexi sounds at "10" or close to it. Can the THD do this? I am worried the distortion is too thin for heavy palm muted bar chords and that the lows may be flabby and not full enough. Is the gain more modern sounding like a Mesa Dual Rectifier or more old school and vintage like a Plexi? I would run it through a closed back Marshall 4 x 12. Any comments from owners would be great! Also any other recommendations for a pure tube head or combo under 15 watts for Marshall style sounds?

April 30th, 2004, 12:38 AM	#2 (permalink)
Lance Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 2,197	Got one! It's a fun amp....little Marshall on 10 is the idea. The first thing you need to do with these amps is swap the first 12AX7 for a 12AY7 or 12AU7. The 12AX7 is just too much gain and it sounds buzzy. With a lower gain tube in the first preamp position, you'll have that amazing tone but not too loud. With the attenuator, you can dial it down to a whisper also. I'm running mine into a 2x12 Marshall bottom. It doesn't have the whomp of a 50 watt Marshall head but its more than sufficient even for jamming. __________________ Lance "not very good...but I make up for it by playing loud"

April 30th, 2004, 05:34 AM	#3 (permalink)
geddyleedog Tele-Holic Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Connecticut, USA Posts: 584	Had One! Yes, the Uni will do a very good job for what you want it to do. I bought it for the very same reason you'll be using it for. It's an AWESOME amp for home use. IMHO I felt it had limitations for gigging though. I say go for it. I don't think you'll be disappointed. __________________ (.o)==:::

April 30th, 2004, 08:10 AM	#5 (permalink)
Lance Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 2,197	Rob - clean tones.... Yup - with the pre-amp tubes as shipped, you'll be challenges to get clean tones. Swap that 12AX7 out and you'll find the amp more versitile. __________________ Lance "not very good...but I make up for it by playing loud"

April 30th, 2004, 10:16 AM	#9 (permalink)
Poppatwang Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: St. Paul, MN Posts: 1,909 13 Photos	How about the Bi-valve. Think that would have the headroom?

April 30th, 2004, 09:28 AM	#7 (permalink)
Ganon NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 5	Thanks for the input! Like I said I am not worried about cleans because I have a Fender SF Princeton Reverb for that! Also I'm not gigging so not worried about it being loud. I think I am going to pick one up soon! So the distortion is pretty good then? It's warm and vintage sounding? Can it do a good AC/DC crunch?

April 30th, 2004, 09:39 AM	#8 (permalink)
Rob DiStefano Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Park Ridge, NJ Age: 63 Posts: 4,915	Aside from not offering decently clean volume levels, I really liked this amp lots. Built like a Panzer tank. Yep, it'll do just about any flavor of overdrive thru metal distortion.

April 30th, 2004, 11:34 AM	#11 (permalink)
MJB TDPRI Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Crouch End, North London, UK Posts: 70	Tried a Cornford? Hi Ganon, I think we've chatted briefly about this over on the Hiwatt site.... Have you ever tried a Cornford? They're British, so probably pricey over there, but the 6 Watt Harlequin combo has everything you're looking for and more. http://www.tonemerchants.com/Cornford_Amps.htm If you can find anyone near you who sells them, go and give it a try. You'll enjoy it. All the best, Martin

April 30th, 2004, 12:00 PM	#12 (permalink)
Ganon NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 5	Thanks Martin, I have seen those before. A little pricey but sound like a nice amp. I will definitely give it a try if I can find one. I was just curious about the THD because you can pick one up used really cheap :)