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1xEL84 and 1x12AX7 (Groove Tubes).
5watts.
10" celestion speaker.
Gain, Tone, and Volume controls.
5yr warranty.
$280.
The GC salesman did try to sell me their 7 year warranty, which covers tubes and speakers as well, but unfortunately I'd have to send the whole amp out to replace two tubes. And if I were to re-tube it myself, or change the speaker, it would void the warranty. I just declined the warranty rather than asking him to verify all of that.
On to my review.
The v8 is probably the loudest 5w amp I've ever played. Its got a very warm clean tone, and a nice growling distortion. Though with having only a 10" speaker it does give you the impression that there's more bottom end there to be discovered. In the future I'll have to try out some other speakers in this thing to see if more bottom-end can be drawn out without getting flabby.
The amp isnt super high gain but it growls nicely as I said above, although it does get a little muddy with the gain dimed. I prefer to play with lower gain on the amp and use pedals when I need distortion. My sig path is SL1 -> Ibanez Metal Screamer -> Pearl Distortion -> amp. With this setup I can get a great 70's/80's hard rock tone that I really like.
On this amp the tone knob is not a treble control like most effects and small amps. From 1 through about 5 on the tone dial the mids are gradually boosted, and then gradually scooped up to 10. Its actually very easy to dial in a useable tone without effects, but the amp is geared towards a modern tone that I don't dislike, but dont necessarily prefer either.
As far as quality goes I'd say this is a well built little amp. The cab feels solid and the materials appear to be of good quality.
Overall I'd say this is a great way to spend $280, It's a perfect fit for what I was looking for in a small tube practice amp.
Later,
Steve
5watts.
10" celestion speaker.
Gain, Tone, and Volume controls.
5yr warranty.
$280.
The GC salesman did try to sell me their 7 year warranty, which covers tubes and speakers as well, but unfortunately I'd have to send the whole amp out to replace two tubes. And if I were to re-tube it myself, or change the speaker, it would void the warranty. I just declined the warranty rather than asking him to verify all of that.
On to my review.
The v8 is probably the loudest 5w amp I've ever played. Its got a very warm clean tone, and a nice growling distortion. Though with having only a 10" speaker it does give you the impression that there's more bottom end there to be discovered. In the future I'll have to try out some other speakers in this thing to see if more bottom-end can be drawn out without getting flabby.
The amp isnt super high gain but it growls nicely as I said above, although it does get a little muddy with the gain dimed. I prefer to play with lower gain on the amp and use pedals when I need distortion. My sig path is SL1 -> Ibanez Metal Screamer -> Pearl Distortion -> amp. With this setup I can get a great 70's/80's hard rock tone that I really like.
On this amp the tone knob is not a treble control like most effects and small amps. From 1 through about 5 on the tone dial the mids are gradually boosted, and then gradually scooped up to 10. Its actually very easy to dial in a useable tone without effects, but the amp is geared towards a modern tone that I don't dislike, but dont necessarily prefer either.
As far as quality goes I'd say this is a well built little amp. The cab feels solid and the materials appear to be of good quality.
Overall I'd say this is a great way to spend $280, It's a perfect fit for what I was looking for in a small tube practice amp.
Later,
Steve