Author Topic: Opinions on the Peavey Valve King Royal 8 (Read 4160 times)

Sollophonic · « **on:** January 25, 2008, 09:55:31 AM »

Has any one got, or played thru one of these, and what are they like?

I currently have a very modded Epi Valve Jnr, which gives me a great tone, but at antisocial volume for a family home. I mean, I think they are great amps for the money, but the volume that you get a decent overdrive sound, is bordering on small gig volume.

What I need is a similar sized tube combo, but with a gain control, and the ability to get a bit more crunch at lower volumes.

What are folks opinions on the Peavey, and are there other small amps which will do the same thing? I use a variety of guitars and pickups, and also play a lot of open tuned slide as well. Your views would be appreciated, as no shops near me seem to stock them, and theyre mainly seem to be only available online.

Sollophonic

sgmypod · « **Reply #1 on:** January 25, 2008, 10:37:53 AM »

http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=11131

Why not build one if you can do modding

kellar · « **Reply #2 on:** January 25, 2008, 10:41:03 AM »

When I bought my Valve Junior, I compared it to every other amp in the 5 watt class. I tried all of them. I personally didn't like the Peavey. The problem is that with such a small amp, you will always get that boxy tone(due to the 8 inch speaker). I thought the EVJ (stack version- I am assuming that is what you have) was far better than the rest. You just can't beat that sort of tone for the price.
With that said, why don't you buy an overdrive pedal? I don't use many pedals, but i did see the need for a good overdrive so that I wouldn't have to crank the EVJ up. I bought a Keeley Modded SD-1 and it's great. I use it as a boost and sometimes a a slight overdrive and it sounds incredible. The EVJ is super pedal friendly.

Scotty477 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 25, 2008, 12:04:44 PM »

See this fairly recent thread. It may help a bit.

http://www.bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=11089

Sollophonic · « **Reply #4 on:** January 25, 2008, 12:55:49 PM »

Thanks for this.

I have the VJ Combo, and actually I like the boxy tone, especially for slide. I can always run it out into a cab if I want to, but I like its portable nature too.

The mods I have done are quite basic, I opened up the input signal, and the signal between the preamp and output valve. I put in JJs and also a new Hammond transformer. Awesome difference, but the great sound comes at the price of being too damn loud for home use.

I could go the route of building my own, but my experience is limited to swapping resistors, valves and transformers, rather than buiding one from scratch. Besides I'd rather build guitars.

I have got overdrive pedals, but I am a simple soul, and I like to just use a lead twixt guitar and amp, which is why I was wanting something with onboard gain. I dont want total overdrive, just a nice zing, and a cranked tone.

I guess I'm looking for something that maybe doesnt exist, and maybe I should crank up my VJ, bot put it into a soundproofed box.

Thanks for your views anyway

Sollophonic

Elliot · « **Reply #5 on:** January 25, 2008, 02:13:43 PM »

Didnt like the Peavey at all - found the sound buzzy and its tone very unvalvelike. Maybe that's just me - but I like Fender tone.

dave_mc · « **Reply #6 on:** January 25, 2008, 03:09:58 PM »

i thought the royal 8 was alright. i found i had to crank it to get much dirt, though (whether it was broken or they're all like that, i don't know, and i was trying it with a tokai strat).

EDIT: if you're willing to mod, why not just mod in a master volume?

Sollophonic · « **Reply #7 on:** January 25, 2008, 09:54:30 PM »

I forgot to add, I have actually wired in a kind of gain control, between the preamp and the output, but all it does is boost the touch sensitivity really, rather than give lower volume zing. According to the Epi valve jnr forum, a master volume is not really effective on these anyway, and tends to kill your tone, and make it more muddy.

As far as making one is concerned, there was someone called Ampmaker, but he seems to have stopped trading according to his website. Id love one of them.

Its funny with the VJ even with a high output pickup ( a 21k Mighty mite!) it still doesnt crunch until the volume is higher than deafening.

They are great amps for the money, when modded, and really nail both classic bluesy tones, and crunchy rhythm tones too, but only when miles away from sensitive ears.

Sollophonic

kellar · « **Reply #8 on:** January 25, 2008, 10:34:07 PM »

Well, that goes for the majority of tube amps. I mean, the fact of the matter is that you are going to have to crank a tube amp before you get breakup. Even if you have a master volume, it's going to be loud in terms room level.
I personally can relate to your situation. I play mostly in room level situations and searched a while for a tube amp that would give me what I want at home, without making my family deaf. It's simply not out there.
What I would recommended is what I said before. I own a EVJ (stack version). It was simply too loud so I went out and bought a quality overdrive and I haven't regretted it. And I hate pedals, I am a plug it in and play kind of guy. But, in our situation I would certainly recommend a high quality overdrive. Check out a Tube Screamer, Keeley, or Fulltone OCD. They are all high quality products that are effective at room levels and can bring a smile to your face.