Guitar Amp Terminology

[Boston Joe]

Do they still make the THD Univalve and Bivalve? Those were interesting amps. They were designed for any power tubes. Just plug 'em in and go. Always wanted to fool around with one.

(Just checked. No amps listed under "products". Too bad.)

[Top of the Arch!]

Do they still make the THD Univalve and Bivalve? Those were interesting amps. They were designed for any power tubes. Just plug 'em in and go. Always wanted to fool around with one.

(Just checked. No amps listed under "products". Too bad.)

I used to have the Univalve, it was an Ok amp but, I never thought it had really that much of a tone spectrum going on. The various tones werent that noticeable when switching to different ones unless as already mentioned you cranked the thing. I have been using a Rivera Clubster 1/10" with 6v6s and its got gobs of clean headroom even for smaller gigs so living room volume is pretty clean and sweet. Easily found used for about $450 /500 and not too heavy either. Bob

[vanschoyck]

I may be correct, but just to be sure - I guess I need to confirm what I'm looking for and not looking for, so - -

1. What does the term ' headroom' ( 'clean headroom ' ) mean, and

2. What does ' breakup ' mean ? ( 'distortion' ? )

This is only going to be me in my living room, with my L-5 w/ a humbucker, and I don't ever want any distortion - at all - at any volume --especially low volume.

So am I looking for all clean headroom at low volume, and is there anything else I should keep in mind ??

Thanks.

I think you understand the terms perfectly well. The biggest decision you may have to make is whether to go with a tube amp or SS. Clearly lots of tube fans here, but there are a number of very nice clean sounding SS amps that would work with your L5 beautifully.