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- Valve Types:
- Valve Names:
  - ECC83 (12AX7)
  - ECC82 (12AU7)
  - ECC81 (12AT7)
  - EL34
    The EL34 (6CA7) valve was originally introduced back in 1949 by Philips the parent company of Mullard.
    Among the first amps to use EL34 valves were the Marantz 2 (1955), Dynaco Mark II (1956), and the rare Pye Mozart, a single-ended 9-watt British unit from 1956.
    The EL34 valve’s popularity was sealed when Jim Marshall selected it for his JTM45 guitar amp in 1965. He went with it because it was cheaper and easier to get in England than the 6L6 he had used previously.
    That amp went on to become a standard for the British blues-rock sound. The EL34 tube also found its way into Hiwatt, Orange, and Laney amps, all made in Britain, as well as the popular Canadian-made Traynor brand.
    Although Philips no longer makes the EL34 tube, it is manufactured by Electro Harmonix, JJ Electronics and Sovtek which deliver top quality output tubes with stunning tone.
    Of course, many amplifier manufacturers rebrand these valves in their own name.
  - EL84
  - KT66
  - KT77
  - KT88
  - 5881
  - 6550
  - 6L6
  - 6V6
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5 Reasons Guitarists Prefer a Valve Amplifier

      EXCELLENT  
   Based on 23 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Stuart ukguitarampguy 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I'm a Berkshire based amp tech and have fitted literally hundreds of valves sold by Ampvalves. Always reliable and I get a personal servivce too if I have any queries. Very good company in my view.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Isabelle Worthington 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great service , friendly and helpful very knowledgeable. Thank you so much amp now working as it should.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Anthony White 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Absolutely brilliant service from Ampvalves.co.uk
I will not hesitate to use this excellent company again.
Easy website to navigate, with valves arriving well packaged and on time.
Ampvalves provide a service I've not experienced for years. Try them. You wont be disappointed.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Steve 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. New valves arrived today from Ampvalves. Awesome. I loved the sound of my Victory V40 when I bought it new - and now it's even better. Great valves and superb customer service. Highly recommended.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Alex Fischer 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I recently purchased a replacement tube set for my Line 6 DT25 Head amp from Ampvalves.
The website is very user-friendly and makes it easy to find the perfect tube set for your amp.

Due to an error by the parcel service, my shipment did not find its way to me. After contacting the support, I was helped immediately and competently.

The quality of service was truly exceptional and exceeded my expectations. A special thanks to Barry Tyler. Hey Barry, you did a very good job.

The tube set arrived afterwards in excellent condition, exactly as described on the website.

The quality is remarkable. It’s well worth the money for their high-quality tubes. I highly recommend the tubes from Ampvalves.
Also, my amp gives grateful feedback with a wonderful fresh sound.

Alex from Switzerland
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Max Bevan 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Will never buy valves anywhere else. Incredibly well set up website to find the correct tubes. Very well priced and very quick delivery. Will be recommending to everyone! Thank you!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   David Dawkins 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Amazingly helpful, truly above and beyond with their customer experience. I was pretty stuck, through my own fault, and still they went the extra mile to get me back up and running. Thank you so much.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   kev herbert 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Cant fault them extremely helpful & prompt with delivery.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Steven Wilson 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Excellent place to grab your amp valves. Great choice of valves, amazing customer service and prompt responses to queries via email. I was unsure of the best valves to use for my amp and sound, they gave me great advice. When I ordered the valves I used the wrong delivery option and they even sorted that out for me. Highly recommended.
  
 
  
  
 
    Verified by Trustindex  Trustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more

Outside of the world of the guitar valve amplifier, valves are seen as very ‘old hat’. Apart from some high-end Hi Fi valve amplifiers, valves have almost totally been replaced by semiconductors.

So why is it that many (or even most) guitarists prefer the sound of a valve amplifier?

Here are the top 5 reasons given by guitarists for preferring a valve amplifier:

1. Many cheaper transistor amplifiers sound ‘thin and clinical’. Guitarists love the ‘warmth’ and soft distortion which comes from a good valve guitar amplifier.

2. Even good quality transistor amps which attempt to model the valve amplifier sound don’t get it totally right.

3. The distortion and drive from Guitar Amps which use transistors is too harsh. Valves distort more gradually and this is the sound favoured by professional guitarists around the world. Many enjoy using very old tube amps.

4. Most beginners learned to play by listening to classic guitar solos on record. They associate these solos with the sound of the original amplifier (and guitar) used. Invariably a valve amplifier was used and they seek to emulate that sound in their own playing as they improve.

5. Many guitarists long to own a ‘classic’ amp from yesteryear with the warm sound and soft distortion only found in a true valve amplifier. Many vintage valve amplifiers are now worth significantly more than the price paid for them and are now much sought after items by collectors.

Even if a modern amp modeled a classic valve amplifier perfectly, most guitar players would want the original.

It’s not all positive though as a valve amplifier can have some drawbacks. The two most frequently mentioned are the weight of a valve amp (particularly when gigging) and the ongoing maintenance costs of replacing the valves. For guitarists, these two drawbacks are far less important than getting that all important valve sound. At the end of the day it’s the sound that counts. But do read valve amplifier reviews to find the best amp for your needs.

View our extensive range of valves for your valve amplifier.

5 Reasons Guitarists Prefer a Valve Amplifier

Here are the top 5 reasons given by guitarists for preferring a valve amplifier:

Even if a modern amp modeled a classic valve amplifier perfectly, most guitar players would want the original.

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