Ibanez ValBee amp

[germX]

i just played the above amp, IMO it's one of the sweetest sounding small, all-tube unit ever, i like it more than Laney's LC15. it's easily driven by volume (mere 5W), superb with a tube-screamer.

anyone else played it?

[rufes]

curious... I'd like to try it. However I find it quite ugly

[germX]

agree- it's visually unappealing but the tone is worth it.

[Dylan7620]

is it single channel? i cant find any info on these

[Dinosaur]

I have read its speaker is not that great though...

[germX]

Originally Posted by Dylan7620

is it single channel? i cant find any info on these

single channel. it has an FX loop feature at the rear- a thoughtful inclusion.

[germX]

Originally Posted by Dinosaur

I have read its speaker is not that great though...

those who dismiss this amp by virtue of the speaker are really splitting hairs- it's a mere 8" & we shouldn't expect a stellar response from it. IMO it lacks bass but it's really due to the driver size. however, in its entirety, it's an amazing unit to own.

[ric232]

Are they available in the U.S. yet? I don't see them anywhere.

[Dinosaur]

I would be more likely to buy one if it had a larger speaker.

[germX]

Originally Posted by Dinosaur

I would be more likely to buy one if it had a larger speaker.

my initial sentiments, exactly.

i had the opportunity to bring this little mencae into a soundproof room & crank it up to good results. my dealer had me plug a Tubescreamer into it as well & i was sold.

let's hope there's a 12" driver version in time to come.

[pawel]

I am sure you could mod it for a speaker out somehow, then plug your favourite preamp in there and you have a budget version of a low-wattage recording rig.

[JoeTube]

I bought one for my son as a Christmas gift.

Ours is distictly humming at 50Hz and multiples of it, when pausing the play.
Sometimes one can even hear a radio channel.
To me it looks like a shielding or ground-wiring problem in the amp.

Is this a known common problem or do I just had back luck with mine?

Cheers
Joachim from Germany

[germX]

hearing radio signals isn't a unique encounter with the Valbee- i hear Japanese broadcast from my Marshall & i'm nowhere near Japan...

does your ValBee come with a 3-pin plug? this reduces the hum greatly & a good lead also helps.

[JoeTube]

You mean the power plug and cord? Yes, it got two main and protective earth (PE).
What do you mean by "good lead"?

I am tempted to open the amp and look for the problem, but that would certainly be the end of my guarantee rights.

We already noticed the humming when testing the amp at the store and I asked the assistant about it, but he claimed he doesn't hear anything. No wonder, he was carrying a hearing aid behind his ear.

I was hoping it would be better at home, as there were dimmed lights and much adventurous wiring in the store, but it wasn't.

Cheers
Joachim

[germX]

in this part of the world, a 'lead' refers to that contraption that connects your guitar to the amp, elsewhere, it's called a 'cable'...