Subzero 5w valve Guitar head amp

eldarvanyar

Hi,
I have just come across the subzero 5w valve guitar amp. I think it may have a 12ax7 and el84 driving it. I have only found a couple of videos on YouTube. 
Does anyone have any experience of these amps and can recommend them? 

Thanks 

chrisj1602

I know someone who has been gigging the 50w head and 212 cab for a few years, sounds decent and no issues as far as I know.

SlopeSoarer

I have the 20w version (which I picked up for £130) and love it. Apparently it is the same wiring as a Fender Blues Junior.

I like it so much I'm going to buy the 5w version for another room.... I'm hoping to get one for around £50 used.

DJH83004

I've had a few 50watt heads in the workshop, and the build quality is surprisingly good, the thing that let these particular amps down was the Chinese mains transformers, but not massively expensive to change if they go.

olafgarten

You might want to read this, aparrently they are dangerous.

https://www.ratvalveamps.com/subzero-tube-20r

longjaw

olafgarten said:

You might want to read this, aparrently they are dangerous.

https://www.ratvalveamps.com/subzero-tube-20r

Would it not be better to report this to Trading Standards if the amp is dangerous?

SlopeSoarer

olafgarten said:

You might want to read this, aparrently they are dangerous.

https://www.ratvalveamps.com/subzero-tube-20r

To be fair I've read that. I checked what I could, no issues with the screws on mine (neither to long/interfering or loose). Regarding the fuse I couldn't possibly comment though I do have a great circuit breaker: )

Sound wise it is excellent.

Some of the finishing could be a little better (not that it is poor) on a couple of areas where the tolex is pulled around compound curves nothing as bad as shown in RATs photos.

Maybe quality control has improved or I just got a good one.

Keefy

olafgarten said:

You might want to read this, aparrently they are dangerous.

https://www.ratvalveamps.com/subzero-tube-20r

He Likes His Capital Letters Doesn't He?

Arktik83

I bought a 20w combo and they had the exact same issues as Andy at RAT Valves described.  I sent it back and advised Gear4Music of this, didn't get anything back from them about it.

If you do get a subzero amp head or combo, may be best to just check to ensure the screws aren't touching the PT etc.

DJH83004

Arktik83 said:

I bought a 20w combo and they had the exact same issues as Andy at RAT Valves described.  I sent it back and advised Gear4Music of this, didn't get anything back from them about it.

If you do get a subzero amp head or combo, may be best to just check to ensure the screws aren't touching the PT etc.

Definitely no screw issues with the 50watt heads that I have looked at, but being a head you wouldn't really expect there to be a problem as the screws access through the bottom of the cab, into the chassis, well away from any components or the PCB.