Tube Works Mosvalve Power Amps

James Quackenbush · Post by **James Quackenbush** » 3 Dec 2002 7:15 pm

I was wondering how many people are using these amps....Has anybody switched from a tube amp to use the TW Mosvalve ??...Has anyone switched from the TW Mosvalve ??..I'd appreciate some opinions on these amps if you would...Thanks..Jim

Robert Parent · Post by **Robert Parent** » 4 Dec 2002 4:41 am

I used a Tubework 1170 (I believe that was the model) a few years ago. It was a nice sounding amp but three things I disliked. First, the fan was very noisy. Second, was the 'thump' when you turned the unit on. Third, it took up two rack spaces and the front panel would flex if the rack was moved.

Tubeworks changed the fan to a slightly less noisy one for free but they did not fix the thump problem stating it was within specs.

The amp sounded great but could not live with the fan noise, and turn on thump.

Steve Feldman · Post by **Steve Feldman** » 4 Dec 2002 5:31 am

I had a MV 1500 for a year or so and really liked it. However, sometime later, I had the chance to pick up a used VHT 2/90/2 amp and once that baby went into the rig it was bye-bye MV...

The low end response and clean headroom blew me away right quick and the MV went up for sale soon thereafter. YMMV.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 4 Dec 2002 7:52 am

I use a Tube Works 962 amp in my rack setup and love it. It is the single space model with no fan and it puts out 80 watts per channel. I just bought a 942 over ebay and am waiting for delivery of it. That is a two space model with 250 watts per side. I also use their pre-amp (Blue Tube II) and spring reverb.
Erv

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 4 Dec 2002 1:26 pm

I use a tube preamp with the Mosvalve 500 and I like the sound -- especially when I need to blow the back end off a gymnasium.

The Mosvalve is a very tubelike amp with high power. Heavy, though. (anybody want to trade for a Stewart????)

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<small>Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2000 Fessenden S-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro

chas smith R.I.P. · Post by **chas smith R.I.P.** » 5 Dec 2002 12:47 pm

I have one in a rack with a pre and a TC Electronics G-Force. The fan is a problem in a quiet room, but the amp is great on stage. My understanding is that it uses FET transistors which are supposed to be similar to tubes.

John Macy · Post by **John Macy** » 5 Dec 2002 4:12 pm

I use a Boogie/MosValve 500 and love it. Very fat.

David Cobb · Post by **David Cobb** » 5 Dec 2002 4:57 pm

I have a Mosvalve 1500, not being used right now. It has lots of power and seems to give a very bright sound, almost too much when used with George L cords. I'm a little suspicious of TubeWorks service dept.

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 6 Dec 2002 5:16 pm

Hi James, I bought one of the BK Butler Mosvalve500/TubeWorks rigs some 10 or so years ago when Ronnie Neighbors had them at the St. Louis Convention. It's in a 6 sp. case w/the 924 Blue Tube preamp [12xa7a's] and the 921 [also 12xa7a's] spring reverb. I use a Chandler stereo echo/mod. unit, 1 15 cab and 1 12 [BW's].
Big powerful warm, fat open sound...The preamp is 2 channel which is great for me for guitar or the 6 string slide....I can stack the 2 channels and run the gain up on the red channel for a good overdriven edge for blues and rock which is what I use mostly on the slide tuned down in open D [sometimes E]. The other channel is clean for steel. I love the sound of this rig....I've got a 1/2 sp. tuner, also a parametric EQ in there... Like the other guys say, this thing weighs a ton. Some guys split it up in 2 cases. The amp alone is 32# I believe.
The sound quality is worth the weight factor for me, though.
I've heard some say they get an unwanted
distortion on the clean channel...
I do sometimes hear harmonic overtones when playing alone, but never notice anything on the stage.
This amp and a T/Tubefex or Tubefex preamp/processor might be a good combo for a more compact and lighter rig.