----------------- BitMo™ Tweaky™ ----------------
Mod Kit for Epiphone Valve Junior Amp
*** Includes updated instruction for both Version 2 and Version 3 EVJ amps ***
(Version 3 of these amps can be identified from the outside by having no I/O on the power switch
and from the inside by having a brown or black circuit board. Previous version had green boards.)
The BitMo Tweaky Mods kit contains the full Spanky kit as described below, plus parts and instructions for 4 alternate configurations – Swanky (Blackface), Yankee (Tweed), Cranky (British high-gain), and Skanky (Over the top!). Also contains suggestions and parts for re-voicing the amp if you plan to replace the output transformer (OT is not included with this kit, but I recommend a Hammond 125DSE or similar). Twist this little amp into submission – clean/dirty, bright/dark, etc. The kit contains all the parts for any of these configurations.
Great 1st kit for novices and budding tweakheads!
Spanky Mods
Celebrate the “less is mo’” philosophy of this great little amp. Spanky adds no external knobs or switches, no wires, no drilling and no decals. Nothing but amazing TONE! This is what this amp should have been coming out of the factory - only a BitMo Spanky!
Includes a feature called Progressive Tone Shaping" (PTS™) that provides a wider tonal range at the turn of the volume control.
The idea was to make this amp as good as possible with the minimal number of changed components - a total of 5 tweakage points!
First of all, at lower volume settings, the amp now sounds fabulous, clean and sparkly – nothing like the original dull sound. Trolling the Internet EVJ Mod Forums, everyone seems to be ignoring this range of the amp. If you have never heard a well-tuned class A amp putting out thick glassy clean tones, you are in for a real treat! (Think Mark Knopfler)
Going up to the mid volume levels, you start to get a little hair and a very touch-sensitive over drive, great for the blues and rock. Still very well defined – not like the farty sound, the stock amp puts out. Add a touch of compression and slap-back echo from your pedals and you are in tone-dog heaven. (Ry Cooder, BB King, JJ Cale, Gurf Morlix)
As you push the volume even higher, you get serious classic rock crunch and then well beyond into mayhem territory. (Stones, Zeppelin, Spinal Tap)
These mods add quite a bit of gain to the amp while at the same time making the clean, lower gain much broader and more useful.
If you are a novice and have been hankerin’ to get into modding, but were afraid of the complications, this is the kit for you. These mods can be done in under an hour, start to finish. If you are a seasoned tone hound and bought the EVJ as your rehearsal or recording amp, this kit is for you. With the right speaker, it is loud enough to keep up with a sane drummer.
Note: Spanky mods are compatible with the BitMo Tone control and BitMo Brat switch and I include instructions for the integration. This kit is not compatible with the BitMo Duo or Trio kits.
BitMo Mods – Features Matrix
|
BitMo Kit |
Installation &
Estimated time |
External Controls |
Circuit interface points / config options |
Works with |
|
Studio
10-uator |
Easy / Novice
2 hours |
1 Speaker Attenuation knob
1 Line Out Level knob
|
None - no circuit mods to the amp
No drilling required |
Low-wattage (< 12 watts) amps with or without other mods |
|
Spanky
Tweaky |
Easy / Novice
1 hour |
None -no drilling required |
6/lots! |
Tone or Brat
and 10-uator |
|
Tone |
Moderate
1-2 hours |
1 Tone knob with off switch to remove from the circuit |
3/0 |
Spanky and
10-uator |
|
Trio |
Moderate +
3-4 hours |
1 3-way Voicing switch +
1 Tone knob w/pull boost |
7/2 |
10-uator |
*** !!! BitMo Demos !!! ***
Night of the Dogmen
This song demonstrates various BitMo mods. I re-amped the lead guitars through EVJ heads with a 12 “ ceramic Weber Blue Dog speaker miked with a Shure SM57 on the grill and a Neuman U87 room mic at about 4’. The main lead guitar parts panned near the center use the Mo’ setting of the Trio mods (similar to the Brat) along with a Pro Co Rat pedal. The leads on the left are using a Spankified EVJ. The rhythm guitar uses the Low setting of the Trio with a Jensen speaker and Spanky through a 10-uator to a Motion Sound Leslie.
The lead guitar parts are played by Alan Magee (thanks). I wrote the song, played rhythm and bass guitar and sang. Let me know what you think. Anyone else have a BitMo demo? Send it to me. If I post it, I will send you a free Spanky kit.
http://demos.dovetailsystems.com/bruce/Bruce%20Hutcheon%20-%20Night%20of%20the%20Dogmen%2006.mp3
Here’s some of the feedback from my BitMo kits:
MOTHER OF GENE DAVID! Mo is debinibly mo!
Again, I'm simply stunned at the difference your two kits made.
This mod takes the valve junior to the Matchless level, and it's easy to install
Excellent mod. This amp just sizzles now. +++
Very, very well done!
Thanks are in order sir! You just transformed my Valve Junior Combo (version1) in a tone machine.
Between the TRIO mods and the JJ's I had in place, this amp has become my favorite one to play. And that's going agaist my old
trusty Dual Recto (2 channel) JTM-45 Clone and a Peavey Classic 30. I can't say thanks enough!
Warnings, etc:
While these mods are easy to do and reversible, you will void your warrantee by soldering and drilling.
The kit will work with both Epiphone Valve Junior head or combo (original or updated Version 2, but V2 is highly recommended and the instructions and support only cover V2. I understand that V2 Combos have faceplates with BOTH the stripes and Labels printed ABOVE the input Jack and Volume control.)
I also recommend the head over the combo - it is more versitile, having the multi-ohm outputs, and it looks cooler too! Different speakers really affect the range of tone. If you want it to sound Fenderish, use a Jensen. If you want it to sound like a Marshall try a Celestion. Vox, go Blue. Weber and Eminance sell a full range of speaker flavors. Mix and match!
Tools you will need – screwdriver, soldering iron, solder, eyeglass screwdriver, wire stripper, needle nosed pliers, spray on acrylic sealer for the decals, and drill/bits. There can be some dangerous voltages in tubes amps so be careful!
I’m sure you will love this upgrade!
I welcome questions and suggestions and appreciate your feedback.
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