Blackheart Little Giant

is this just an epiphone valve jr head and cab with tone controls?

# 5W Single-Ended, Class A
# 4, 8 and 16 ohm Speaker Outs
# Solid State Rectifier
# Volume with 3 Band EQ
# Pentode (5W)/Triode (3W) Switch
# DC Power to filaments for super quiet operation
# 15 ply (18mm) thick-void free Plywood Construction
# 1W resistors in signal path, 2W & 5W resistors in power supply

In aus, the only shop I can find that sell these have them selling for $846

for a much more affordable price, would an epi valve jr head/cab (AU$400) with an EQ pedal sound the same/better?

Or for A$2 more, I could get a Vox AC15 ...

Matty, I don't know how the Blackheart compares to the Epi valve amp. I know the Epi is thought of as a great value for the money, but doesn't really perform at a high level until it is modded with a Mercury (or other) mod kit.

The Blackheart amp gets good reviews overall at Harmony Central:
Blackheart Engineering BH5H Head: Harmony Central User Reviews

Blackheart appears to have a working relationship with BitMo amp mods, and there is one review of the 5-watt amp with a BitMo mod kit. Although it is only one customer, he gives a very thorough review:

Blackheart Engineering BH5H with Bitmo Triple Bypass mod: Harmony Central User Reviews

I believe whether you buy the Blackheart or the Epi, they will be good amps, but they won't be great until you mod them.

Of course, the AC15 is also quite tempting...I think you're left with no choice but to take your favorite guitar and play it through all of these amps so you have an unbiased, direct comparison between them.

hmm. I read a few reviews of the AC15 that turned me off. I dunno. After tonight, I really wanna hear my telecaster through my current amp, I think I'm just over the humbucker archtop sound at the moment.

I see what you mean about the AC15 reviews...but then again I've clearly stated my love for my Valvetronix amp and it is also an Asian-made product. Admittedly, I had to return the first one I bought because the line out jack didn't work, but Sam Ash took it back no questions asked, and the second amp has performed flawlessly ever since.

When you're looking at value-priced amps I think you're going to get some variability in sound and build quality no matter what manufacturer you look at. Blackheart, Epi, Vox...they are all legitimate options, but you'll have to play them thoroughly before you make a buying decision, and in the long run, be prepared to invest a little time and money in modifications that improve their performance.

fair enough.

hey, a thought just occured - I've never really driven my amp that hard, but it hasn't had the tube changed at all. Ever.

Would it be worth looking into a new tube? It's like your valvetronix - just runs a ECC83 tube (aka 12AX7?)

Does anyone know anything about putting a new preamp tube in and how this might affect/improve the sound?

ok, after a big play with my tele through an epi valve jr head and cab, I'm sold. one-trick-pony, I know, but I love that pony.

YouTube - Pony