| General Mods: | Amp Re-Voicing | Re-Voicing an amp involves making changes to the gain and equalization curves of the various amplifier stages. Need more gain? Need more high end? The process of re-voicing is involved in achieving those desired tonal changes. |
| Master Volume | A Post Phase Inverter Master Volume can really help tame an amp's volume without sacrificing all of its character. Best results occur with moderate changes in volume. | |
| Blackfacing | Blackfacing involves returning a Silver Face Fender amp's circuitry back to its Blackface predecessor's specifications. Tonally speaking, the amp tends to sound more open and lively. | |
| Reverb and Vibrato applied to Normal Channel | On Fender amps that have both a normal and vibrato channel (Deluxe Reverbs, Super Reverbs), the reverb and vibrato can be applied to the normal channel as well. A pleasant side benefit to the mod is that what was a previously unused channel on the amp now becomes a thicker, meatier sounding channel great for leads. Using a quality A/B switch turns the amp into a more modern channel switching tone machine. | |
| Amplifier Specific Mods: | Fender Blues Junior | If you've checked on the web, there are several sites that propose mods for the Blues Junior. I've evaluated what's out there and can provide the best and most useful of those in addition to my custom tweaks. Some things to consider: adjustable bias mod - don't cook your EL84s to death, extended clean dynamic range, Blackface tone stack midrange mod, Treble reduction - no more icepick-in-the-ears brittle highs. Hey Mike, I just wanted to drop you a line regarding the fantastic work you did modifying my Fender Blues Junior. It has such a warm and rich tone that I'm finding new tonal possibilities out of my guitar I didn't even know I had. My Blues Junior is my main amp now and it sounds freakin' fantastic. You've done it again my friend! Derek Bassett - Flatbed |
| Epiphone Valve Junior | "The Studio Mod": brighten the amp (optional front panel toggle switch), pre-amp gain restructuring, hum and noise reduction - correct ground issues, add power supply stiffening cap, convert heater supply to DC. "The Marshall Mod": Re-voice the amp's gain and EQ to produce crunchy British goodness! A bright switch is added to add sparkle to lower gain/volume settings. Especially nice when done to a series 3 Valve Junior head. The Ampsmith recently modified my Epiphone Valve Junior into a screaming little recording amp. I couldn't be happier with what he did for my Valve Junior. He understands what guitarists are looking for...Ampsmith rocks! Derek Bassett - Flatbed Just wanted to say thanks to Mike (http://www.ampsmith.com) who did a great job with my Epiphone Valve Jr. amp work. He did a "studio mod" which included lowering the overall noise and adding a 3-position switch. Position 1 doesn't color the sound much so it sort of acts as a bypass. Position 2 acts as a bright mode and position 3 adds 6 dB gain. The amp sounds great at any volume and gives tones from nice and clean to down and dirty. Only knock, limited low end from the small speaker but who's complaining given the form factor. This is now a great studio amp that is also ideal for small gigs. Thanks Mike! Ryan - Toast! |
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| Epiphone Valve Special | Revoice the amp to have more chime, restructure gain for wide range of clean and overdrive tones, tone stack midrange mod *** perform a hardwire bypass of the DSP effects and associated solid state support circuitry for a TRUE ALL TUBE SIGNAL PATH*** Hi, I'm the one that brought in that Epiphone Valve Special. Finally had a chance to play it at band practice. Boy that thing sings now! The other guitarist refuses to believe its only 5 watts, lol. Freaking Awesome Job! Thanks so much! Chris Rhoadhouse |