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Choose Your Valve
- 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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Why Are Valve Guitar Amplifiers Considered Dangerous?

      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

Replacing valves in valve guitar amplifiers can be dangerous. Working with valve guitar amplifier is not dangerous in itself as long as it is not opened up. That’s fairly obvious otherwise they would not be sold!

The danger comes if the innards are exposed and you touch a live component.

In this respect they are far more dangerous than a transistor amplifier because they have high DC voltages (around 500v) which are far more lethal than 240V AC (present in all transistor amplifiers).

It’s usually not dangerous to take the back off the amp to get at the guitar amplifier valves for exchange because the manufacturers of valve guitar amplifiers consider the valves to be user serviceable parts. Obviously it’s important to switch the valve amplifier off first and disconnect from the wall.

Removing valves from valve amplifiers or tube amplifiers

To remove the valve from a guitar amp give a firm, steady pull whilst rocking it around and around (in a small circle) until it comes free.
Be aware that some power valves have a retaining clip close to the base which must be sprung open with one hand whist removing the valve with the other.
The danger comes if you remove the chassis and expose the internal wiring and components.

Please note that lethal voltages may still be present inside the amplifier even if it is switched off and disconnected from the wall! This may seem counter-intuitive, but there are large capacitors inside valve guitar amplifiers which store these high voltages, sometimes for several days before they eventually leak away.

Valve guitar amplifier technicians always discharge these high voltage caps before working on an amplifier.

So the advice is that unless you really know what you are doing, stay away from the innards of a valve guitar amplifier!

Why Are Valve Guitar Amplifiers Considered Dangerous?

Removing valves from valve amplifiers or tube amplifiers

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