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THD Univalve users

Les Paul Special

Les Paul Special

New member
Joined
Apr 7, 2004
Messages
565
I received my Uni just before I left for Kuwait. I have not even had time to get to know it well. I did like what I heard, but haven't tried a lot of different tubes in it yet. Who else in here has one of these and what are your favorite settings? Also would be interested in hearing your likes/dislikes with this amp. I am currently using my Marshall 4x12 cab loaded with Eminence Private jacks, but am going to buy a 2x12 once I get home just for it.

Quote on the back: "My guitar wants to kill your mama"...Frank Zappa.
2038_p50185.jpg
 
Les Paul Special

Les Paul Special

New member
Joined
Apr 7, 2004
Messages
565
I am fully aware of that site but unfortunately, cannot access it through government computers over here in Kuwait.
 
Modtourman

Modtourman

Member
Joined
Sep 27, 2003
Messages
741
Try lower gain input and driver tubes (such as 12au7, 12at7) vs. the more common 12ax7 tubes to give you the ability to clean up the distorted tones with your guitars volume control. I really like the KT66 power tube with the Univalve..Gives a nice Marshall-like distortion and a sweeter clean tone than I hear with the EL-34's.
The good news is that all power tubes seem to sound good in the Univalve. Don't forget to experiment with the driver and input tubes though, because they also alter the tone. Be patient with the Univalve - You really have to explore tube, cabinet and speaker combinations to appreciate all it can do. Enjoy, and good luck to you.
 
Cream Fan

Cream Fan

Active member
Joined
May 1, 2003
Messages
2,695
I owned a Uni for awhile when it first came out, and didn't find it all that versatile. One thing I've learned about amp design is that a circuit is going to have certain sonic paramters, parameters that will keep the tone within fairly strict boundaries, regardless of tube swapping. For me, the amp sounded pretty much the same, no matter which power tubes were in it. There were minor variations in the tone, at best. Now, it wasn't a bad amp, it just wasn't the tonal chameleon the hype initially promised.

Another thing, which they may have corrected since that time is that the power transformer hummed. Not out of the speakers, mind you, but the transformer itself. You could put your ear up to it and hear it plain as day. I believe this effect is due to electro-magnetic coupling. One thing amp designers do to minimize this is to have all transformers set at right angles to one another other. I don't think the Uni did, if I'm remembering correctly. They were both laydown style. The noise wasn't loud, but it was there.
 
G

GCDEF

New member
Joined
Apr 11, 2003
Messages
588
Cream Fan said:
I owned a Uni for awhile when it first came out, and didn't find it all that versatile. One thing I've learned about amp design is that a circuit is going to have certain sonic paramters, parameters that will keep the tone within fairly strict boundaries, regardless of tube swapping. For me, the amp sounded pretty much the same, no matter which power tubes were in it. There were minor variations in the tone, at best. Now, it wasn't a bad amp, it just wasn't the tonal chameleon the hype initially promised.
Click to expand...

That's my impression too. I didn't like it much at all. No clean headroom to speak of, didn't respond well to the guitar's volume, and tube swapping is an over-hyped gimmick. If you want one particular sound all night, I suppose it's okay for that, but if you need something versatile for stage use, the UV isn't it.
 
MikeSlub

MikeSlub

Administrator
Joined
Jul 15, 2001
Messages
15,171
I own one, and it's not my cup-of-tea either.... :salude I probably will sell it when I get around to it.... :wha
 
Z

zacknorton

Active member
Joined
Aug 26, 2011
Messages
735
spent a lot of time in a recording session with one of these.
tons of tube swapping, and the amp pretty much always sounded the same.
Could've been the player.

Super well made amp. I was impressed with that. And the univalve does sound good. No doubt. Cool platform. But you're not going to get a thousand distinct tones out of it. Cream Fan is SPOT ON.

Swap all the tubes you want, it's still pretty much going to sound like a univalve.
Which is not a bad thing. It's great amp, but the super tube swapping thing is a bit of a gimmick.

I love low wattage amps.
 
ourmaninthenorth

ourmaninthenorth

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 28, 2009
Messages
7,129
I had one when they first arrived on the scene too.

Couldn't for the life of me dial out the overwhelming and unpleasant brightness, regardless of what valves I put in the bugger.

I ended up going with Matamp's response to the developing valve swapping trend, and bought a C7, which taking out the Matamp 1224, I personally thought was their finest hour. I even sold one of my "spares" ( a code word for having too much money, and too much time on one's hands - multiples of the exact same amp!!!! even I can't figure that nonsense out!!! ) to a geezer in California, who lets face it wasn't exactly short of home grown amplification genius.

I'm still messing about with the lower powered valve swapping amps btw, when I find one that gives me more satisfaction than the Emery MicroBaby, I'll buy three of 'em. I believe my money is as safe as houses...
 
ourmaninthenorth

ourmaninthenorth

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 28, 2009
Messages
7,129
Couple of gratuitous shots....K464wSt.jpg

Matamp C7.

KIJj5Nl.jpg

Then a little BadCat...

AOWJvMO.jpg

Then a little Matchless...

ToqBNXr.jpg

And then, my absolute favourite little amp...The Emery MicroBaby...

IPNC3mT.jpg

Very closely followed by this little 1 watter that I've not had for long, an Audio Kitchen Big Trees. Smashing little bugger it is...

kBqPBsB.jpg
 
Korina& Mahogany

Korina& Mahogany

Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2003
Messages
600
zacknorton said:
spent a lot of time in a recording session with one of these.
tons of tube swapping, and the amp pretty much always sounded the same.
Could've been the player.

Super well made amp. I was impressed with that. And the univalve does sound good. No doubt. Cool platform. But you're not going to get a thousand distinct tones out of it. Cream Fan is SPOT ON.

Swap all the tubes you want, it's still pretty much going to sound like a univalve.
Which is not a bad thing. It's great amp, but the super tube swapping thing is a bit of a gimmick.

I love low wattage amps.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the reply.
 
Last edited:
Z

zacknorton

Active member
Joined
Aug 26, 2011
Messages
735
Oh the big trees is pure magic. That’s the end right there. Amazing clean. Incredible cranked and better than almost anything else that amplifies guitars in-between.
 
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