Here's one of the tube amps I used to own; it's a 5W Ibanez ValBee, 100% tube performer sporting a 12AX7 (preamp) & 6L6GC. It's a simple amp to use & a great avenue for those of us who wish to own a tube tone without breaking the piggy.When I bought this amp, I let the default, Chinese tubes, be. However, as I continue to play it on a regular basis, my ears were telling me there's something amiss about the amp's tonal manifestation, I desecrated the original pre-amp tube & had an Electro Harmonix replacement installed; the tonal improvement was rather marked at upper volume settings.
Why did I let it go? I have a soft spot for friends who are genuinely interested in the products I revere; there was a good offer made & I agreed to let it go for even lesser. Also, the amp was not quite able to pull off the drive intensity which would serve my (black) metal needs; adding pedals to make things happen is just not my way of conjuring Lucifer to deliver my dark arts...
