Valveking vs Maxwatt

I'm on the lookout for a new quality combo amp, and I found a Hiwatt Maxwatt 40 whilst browsing Ebay this morning. Being a boutique amp brand used by the likes of Gilmour and Townshend, I'm hazarding a guess that it's pretty good - but, seeing as the Maxwatts are much cheaper than normal Hiwatt combos, I can't be sure. In any event, the Ebay ad expires in three days or so; and the other amp I've been looking at is a Peavey Valveking 112, which I know they have down at the local guitar shop. I was just wondering whether anybody has tried one or both of the amps, and could perhaps advise me on the sound/pros-and-cons/controls etc? I can't seem to find anything but advertising cliches anywhere else on the web.

Muchas gracias.

personally I think the Peavey would be better but I have not heard the Maxwatt...but it is solid state and you know how I feel about solid state :rolleyes: i would go with tube over solid state no matter what.

Ah, so the Maxwatt IS a solid-state? I couldn't even get that much from the stupid Hiwatt website... looks like it'll be the Peavey then. Cheers mate.

yeah man, the valveking is probably the best bang for your buck in the tube amp world, IMO.

Originally Posted by: jiujitsu_jesusAh, so the Maxwatt IS a solid-state? I couldn't even get that much from the stupid Hiwatt website... looks like it'll be the Peavey then. Cheers mate.

Sure the old Townshend Hiwatt was tube but Hiwatt now is under new management.

I'd take the Valveking over the Maxwatt everytime it was offered.


The highend Hi-Watts are still awesome, but unless you're spending about 1000 Pounds, I wouldn't go near Hi-Watt

Hiwatt is far from being a boutique company. That amp is also most likely solid-state, seeing as how it doesn't have a standby switch, and all tube amps have a standby switch.

I can vouch for the PV Valveking. I had the 1x12 combo for a while, and it rocked my socks off. I ended up putting an Eminence Wizard speaker in, and some different tubes, and it made a big difference. The stock speaker is crap, and the power tubes aren't the greatest either. Don't let my OCD of tone deter you from this amp though, because it is an awesome amp in it's stock form... it can just be much better with a tube and speaker swap.

Thanks for the feedback on the Valveking, guys! I was pretty sure I was going to get that one - until a few days ago, when I checked out the Marshall DSL401 combo online. It looks pretty awesome - just by first impressions from my viewpoint, it looks as good as the Valveking - but of course, there's a price difference. Over here, the Valveking goes for about a grand, and the DSL for about $1400. I know I won't be able to make any proper judgements until I've tried them both, but what do you guys think of the Marshall DSL?
Cheers!

I don't think it's worth anywhere near what it costs! Not sure if you can find a Traynor amp down there, but if you're looking for more of a Marshall type tone, then look for a Traynor YCV50.

That Traynor looks excellent! Apparently it's slightly more expensive than the Marshall over here. I'll see if they have it at any guitar shops in the area, and if they do, I'll definitely give it a try. Cheers Eric! :)

I saw an H&K triamp combo on ebay sell for $830 american. I was going to bid, but I already have a combo and combo tube amps make me nervous because of the extreme vibration to the chassis at high SPL.

Cheers for the headsup, Aardvark! I don't usually buy from Ebay outside Australia, but I'll check out the amp anyway, it looks pretty damn good.

I also recommend the peavey for two reasons.
1. You're not buying it from a stranger on ebay. No shipping, no accidents, no horrible surprises like a chunk bitten out of it.
2. You get to try it out before you buy it and decide whether you like it or not before you part with your $$.