• Nice Bedroom Amplifier

  
  As reviewed by scott silvers on 4/21/2011

  I really wanted to like this Amplifier. I like small 5w tube amps. I use an Epiphone Valve Jr. when I rehearse in my band's basement studio. The Epi's transformer blew, so I figured while fixing it [or maybe not], I'd try Jet City's new PicoValve. GuitarCenter had it on store blowout, so why not. It's nicely constructed, very burly and sturdy, with a nice aluminum lunchbox handle on the side from which you can pick it up. It's no lightweight, it's pretty hefty, but the small size makes it easily transportable in a small gym bag. As for the sound, it's great if you really do not want a loud amp. Plain and simple - this amp does not sound very good when it's getting loud. The main issue I have with the amp, is in order to get some degree of non-saturated tone [tube breakup] from the amp, you have to set the gain control to 1-4 max. The Picovalve goes so quickly into it's distorted hi-gain breakup, that there's really no headroom left for any tone from your guitar, other than a compressed overdriven sizzle. Turn the Main Volume up to the limit, and it just gets louder, without any definition to your playing - all supersaturated mush. All this happens even before I activate any pedals on my pedal board - do that, and it's oversaturation city. It's not possible to turn the gain control low enough without cutting the sound off completely - it's tied to the main volume control in some way. The only realm where this makes sense is when the main volume control is set lower, and the Gain is as low as you can go, but then a bongo player will be drowning you out.... To make it short, the Picovalve is an incredibly well made one trick pony, that never will leave the stable. That's terrific if that's the only sound you ever want. Factor in, that even at almost max main volume [7-8], the amp is barely as loud as my lowly Epiphone Valve Jr. when set to 1/4 max volume. You will not gig at all with the PicoValve, or even play a loud party. But, at 3am in the morning when you want to play "Sweetleaf", or some Jesus and Mary Chain song, it would actually be pretty good. BTW, when switched to 2-watt mode, all of the above happens at even lower volumes! Great, if you're rockin' in the Casbah and don't want the Shari to find out. So, if you live in a highly restrictive theocracy, you're all set to rock out! It's not that it's a bad amp, which is why I gave it at least 3 stars, it's just not for me. Lastly, G.C. had the PicoValve and Jet City's J20H head on sale, and I should have gone with my gut and gotten the J20H. The J20H has the tone headroom and clean, yet gritty sound, that blows away the one dimensional PicoValve. Nice try JCA, but even your own amps dwarf this Pico.

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• Great little amp

  
  As reviewed by Shay on 6/23/2011

  This amp head is awesome, if you put the gain on 1 you get a clean tone, you do sacrifice volume but for what it is I still say its worth it. As for the gain, I actually think it has pretty good distorted tones - That is THE reason I bought it. Although, you can run a effects pedal through it, I recommend it to anyone looking for an amp with hi quality distorted tones. I have only owned mine for a couple of days but I still think I will keep it for a while, also even if I had to buy a bigger amp head, I would keep this one for my bedroom. A light amp head for sure, but do not let the size fool you, this sucker rocks!

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• Easily worth it

  
  As reviewed by cwandaan on 6/18/2011

  I purchased the picovalve after looking for a small practice and recording solution. Having real tubes was a must. If you want "Fender-clean," you need to buy a Fender, which I probably will down the road. But not before I buy another Jet City. I play an old (80s) Schecter Pete Townsend modded with Seymour Duncan P-Rails. With the coil-tap (hum/single) I can say to anyone interested that this head will glorify both your humbuckers and single-coils. The Picovalve runs nice and hot, and beautifully articulates every note you play. I am amazed by how adjusting the preamp gain, the master, and your guitar's knobs, give you most every sound you could want. Perfect amp to concentrate on your technique. I recorded a few ideas within the first several, hours, and my wife now thinks I sound professional. I plan on buying one of the new modded 20-watt heads JCA has designed, with tube-driven effects loop and 2nd Soldano channel. Huge value here. I'm glad I stumbled upon Jet City, and will definitely buy again. Especially for the clearance price (almost half off), the Picovalve is a steal.

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