Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: gwEm on August 11, 2011, 01:09:12 PM

Title: jet city picovalve - any good?
Post by: gwEm on August 11, 2011, 01:09:12 PM
(http://www.jetcityamplification.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/PICO-Crop_Centered_490W1.jpg)

2 x 12AX7 preamp followed by a 6L6 power stage. 2/5w. Keenly priced. Designed by THD.

Looks very tempting on paper! Anyone tried one?
Title: Re: jet city picovalve - any good?
Post by: blue on August 11, 2011, 02:31:35 PM
i haven't tried one, but these guys don't seem overly impressed.  of course, that's only their opinion

http://www.musicradar.com/gear/all/amplification/picovalve-410475/review
Title: Re: jet city picovalve - any good?
Post by: Philly Q on August 11, 2011, 02:52:06 PM
As we've said before, it's not often you get negative reviews in guitar mags - doesn't sound promising.
Title: Re: jet city picovalve - any good?
Post by: blue on August 11, 2011, 03:50:16 PM
very true Philly, very true.  still wouldn't mind trying one myself though.  i was intrigued by them when i first saw them, and now young Gwem has brought it up again :)

might be improved by a different output valve, maybe an EL34 would give it a little more grit?
Title: Re: jet city picovalve - any good?
Post by: HTH AMPS on August 11, 2011, 03:56:38 PM
My mate bought one recently - will ask him what he thought of it.

I know he said bigger valves sounded better in it - he is particularly fond of 6550s.
Title: Re: jet city picovalve - any good?
Post by: gwEm on August 11, 2011, 04:58:40 PM
My mate bought one recently - will ask him what he thought of it.

I know he said bigger valves sounded better in it - he is particularly fond of 6550s.

would be interesting to hear what he thought of it. the internet seems to be saying its a bit meh.
Title: Re: jet city picovalve - any good?
Post by: FELINEGUITARS on August 11, 2011, 05:02:31 PM
Think you'd be better off with a Tweaker for not much more money

http://www.musicradar.com/gear/all/amplification/instrument-amps/guitar-amp-heads/tweaker-head-285693/review (http://www.musicradar.com/gear/all/amplification/instrument-amps/guitar-amp-heads/tweaker-head-285693/review)
Title: Re: jet city picovalve - any good?
Post by: Telerocker on August 11, 2011, 08:54:21 PM
Weird, bec everybody is enthusiastic about the Jet City 20. I like the Tweaker, and for a bit more money, the H&K Tubemeister 18 which can be knocked down to 1 watt (and total silence for recording).
Title: Re: jet city picovalve - any good?
Post by: Philly Q on August 11, 2011, 10:24:15 PM
There are lots of these tiny low-wattage and/or Power Scaled amps now, aren't there?  They do appeal to me, I must say, but I'm starting to lose track.

Jet City Picovalve
H&K Tubemeister 18
Egnater Tweaker
Orange Tiny Terror (and Dark Terror)
Mesa Transatlantic
Blackstar HT-1 and HT-5
Vox Night Train
Vox AC4
Suhr Badger
Fargen Mini Plex

Any others I've forgotten?
Title: Re: jet city picovalve - any good?
Post by: Denim n Leather on August 11, 2011, 10:36:07 PM
When I was looking for a practice amp, I ran through the usuals. The PicoValve was the worst sounding one of the bunch.

I ended up with the Little Night Train.
Title: Re: jet city picovalve - any good?
Post by: Denim n Leather on August 11, 2011, 10:36:34 PM
There are lots of these tiny low-wattage and/or Power Scaled amps now, aren't there?  They do appeal to me, I must say, but I'm starting to lose track.

Jet City Picovalve
H&K Tubemeister 18
Egnater Tweaker
Orange Tiny Terror (and Dark Terror)
Mesa Transatlantic
Blackstar HT-1 and HT-5
Vox Night Train
Vox AC4
Suhr Badger
Fargen Mini Plex

Any others I've forgotten?

EAST Studio 2!!! :)
Title: Re: jet city picovalve - any good?
Post by: marauder on August 11, 2011, 10:37:09 PM
There are lots of these tiny low-wattage and/or Power Scaled amps now, aren't there?  They do appeal to me, I must say, but I'm starting to lose track.

Jet City Picovalve
H&K Tubemeister 18
Egnater Tweaker
Orange Tiny Terror (and Dark Terror)
Mesa Transatlantic
Blackstar HT-1 and HT-5
Vox Night Train
Vox AC4
Suhr Badger
Fargen Mini Plex

Any others I've forgotten?


Mjw goldstar, I only posted it the other day!
In fact, quite a few of martins amps.
Title: Re: jet city picovalve - any good?
Post by: Philly Q on August 11, 2011, 10:45:42 PM
Yes, should've thought of the East! 

I had MJW in mind too, but couldn't remember model names and I know there are various custom options.

Thanks chaps.  :D
Title: Re: jet city picovalve - any good?
Post by: shobet on August 11, 2011, 10:56:27 PM
MJW cub, 1W of loveliness!
Title: Re: jet city picovalve - any good?
Post by: Telerocker on August 11, 2011, 11:58:04 PM
There are lots of these tiny low-wattage and/or Power Scaled amps now, aren't there?  They do appeal to me, I must say, but I'm starting to lose track.

Jet City Picovalve
H&K Tubemeister 18
Egnater Tweaker
Orange Tiny Terror (and Dark Terror)
Mesa Transatlantic
Blackstar HT-1 and HT-5
Vox Night Train
Vox AC4
Suhr Badger
Fargen Mini Plex

Any others I've forgotten?


The Valve Bimbo  :)
Title: Re: jet city picovalve - any good?
Post by: choucas09 on August 12, 2011, 12:06:08 AM
Traynor Darkhorse.
Title: Re: jet city picovalve - any good?
Post by: Philly Q on August 12, 2011, 12:10:33 AM
D'oh!   PDT_038

You told me about the Valve Bimbo just the other day.
Title: Re: jet city picovalve - any good?
Post by: Crunch on August 12, 2011, 02:02:53 AM
Traynor Darkhorse.
I hadn't noted this one, yet. I'm in love.
Title: Re: jet city picovalve - any good?
Post by: Keven on August 12, 2011, 02:24:29 AM
more love for the dark horse. although the THD univalve is technically a quiet amp even if it can get quite loud!
Title: Re: jet city picovalve - any good?
Post by: gwEm on August 12, 2011, 10:47:35 AM
as much as i love it - i'm wondering if I really need my 2204 and looking at alternative options.

i occasionally plug-in to orange tiny terrors (they're all around in shops and studios etc), they have their haters, but i do think the tone is pretty good and they can be picked up for cheap now on the 2nd hand market.

that egnater tweaker looks like a really thought out amp.

the market is full of these type of amps - which is good since we have alot of choice as players! the epiphone valve junior, which seemed to start this trend was total sh!t, so i'm pleased that better offerings are now available.

edit: laney have their cub range too, which aren't total sh!t as i tried one the other week, though people saying the jet city 20w is better, so they can't be that good. its so hard to say until you get the gear home and try it with your complete rig.

edit 2: the clips i've just found of the dark terror don't sound very good to me

edit 3: anyone know a good amp shop where one can try all these ;)

edit 4: didn't realise the East Studio 2 was class AB.. thats very cool in fact. just listened to a few clips of it, and it sounds brilliant - expensive though
Title: Re: jet city picovalve - any good?
Post by: JacksonRR on August 12, 2011, 05:53:38 PM
Forgot the Wangs VT-15. Wangs is owned by Biyang. It's supposed to be a straight up Marshally sound and it's cheap. Edit: Also forgot the Epiphone Valve Jr..

(http://image.made-in-china.com/2f0j00weaTALIBCvpz/Wangs-Guitar-Tube-Amplifier-15W-Head-VT-15H-.jpg)
Title: Re: jet city picovalve - any good?
Post by: choucas09 on August 12, 2011, 08:10:04 PM
Yeah but you could never say I like wangs.
Title: Re: jet city picovalve - any good?
Post by: Afghan Dave on August 12, 2011, 09:00:31 PM
 :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Small Wangs at that!
Title: Re: jet city picovalve - any good?
Post by: JacksonRR on August 13, 2011, 01:09:11 AM
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Small Wangs at that!

Penis joke=Afghan shows up.  :lol:
Title: Re: jet city picovalve - any good?
Post by: Pete24v on August 13, 2011, 03:23:46 AM
The Blackheart Little Giant is a really good amp too, i picked one up 2nd hand for £80 recently.
Title: Re: jet city picovalve - any good?
Post by: juansolo on August 13, 2011, 07:25:27 AM
MJW cub, 1W of loveliness!

...and I have a 5W Goldstar.
Title: Re: jet city picovalve - any good?
Post by: HTH AMPS on August 13, 2011, 10:02:18 AM
Yeah but you could never say I like wangs.

yeah, but you could also say "I'm off to play with my wang"  :lol:
Title: Re: jet city picovalve - any good?
Post by: Crunch on August 14, 2011, 05:48:47 AM
http://www.ibanez.com/Electronics/model-TSA15H (http://www.ibanez.com/Electronics/model-TSA15H)
Ibanez Tube Screamer Amp. 5/15W 6V6 and 2x12AX7s and a Tube Screamer built-in. Musician's Friend prices them at $300 for the head.
I haven't checked out how they sound, but it fits in the thread, I guess. Good idea, on paper.

I'm still sold on the Ironhorse, though.
Title: Re: jet city picovalve - any good?
Post by: plastercaster on September 08, 2011, 05:51:05 PM
Yeah but you could never say I like wangs.

yeah, but you could also say "I'm off to play with my wang"  :lol:
Scarily, it would actually be "I'm off to play with my wangs" :lol:
Title: Re: jet city picovalve - any good?
Post by: Philly Q on September 08, 2011, 06:02:46 PM
Anyone tried the Vox Lil’ Night Train?

I know it's downmarket from some of the things we've mentioned here, but I saw one in a shop window the other day and it's so ridiculously dinky I instantly wanted one (no, I didn't buy it).
Title: Re: jet city picovalve - any good?
Post by: Mr. Air on September 08, 2011, 06:05:50 PM
Yeah but you could never say I like wangs.

yeah, but you could also say "I'm off to play with my wang"  :lol:
Scarily, it would actually be "I'm off to play with my wangs" :lol:

Ha ha ha. I love the way this tread turned out  :D
Title: Re: jet city picovalve - any good?
Post by: Brow on September 11, 2011, 02:35:51 PM
There are lots of these tiny low-wattage and/or Power Scaled amps now, aren't there?  They do appeal to me, I must say, but I'm starting to lose track.

Jet City Picovalve
H&K Tubemeister 18
Egnater Tweaker
Orange Tiny Terror (and Dark Terror)
Mesa Transatlantic
Blackstar HT-1 and HT-5
Vox Night Train
Vox AC4
Suhr Badger
Fargen Mini Plex

Any others I've forgotten?


Do Matamp still do their smaller valve amps?
Title: Re: jet city picovalve - any good?
Post by: Philly Q on September 11, 2011, 03:24:16 PM
Do Matamp still do their smaller valve amps?

I had completely forgotten about them!

Turns out they've expanded the Minimat range to no less than four different models.  Details on their website are a bit sketchy though (as usual).
Title: Re: jet city picovalve - any good?
Post by: Brow on September 11, 2011, 03:38:32 PM
Do Matamp still do their smaller valve amps?

I had completely forgotten about them!

Turns out they've expanded the Minimat range to no less than four different models.  Details on their website are a bit sketchy though (as usual).

I only remembered as it dawned on me I need to get my Little Rock serviced