The Valpreaux is the imagined French spelling of a contraction of "Valco" and "Supro". ("Valpro" was already being used by a Euro-pharmacuetical company). Along with a few vintage Gretsch models some of these amps used the 6973 tube, which was also found in certain hi-fi applications and is about the same size and shape as an EL84.
Architecturally, the Valpreaux is very similar to the Super17 - exact same control surface - and a single gain stage matched to a long-tail phase inverter, which was not present on any of the original Valco/Supro amps. A 5-volt GZ34 rectifier tube supplies the higher voltage to feed the 6973s, and the front-end utilizes 3 12AX7s to cover pre-amp, reverb, and tremolo functions.
The Valpreaux has noticeably more girth and clean headroom than the 17, and the breakup, coming at the same place on the dial as the 17, is thicker, like your mama's gravy made in an iron skillet after a roast beef - two completely different beasts of the same DNA. Does for humbuckers what the Super 17 does for single-coils, and when it’s dimed it yields the most beautiful Tele bridge pickup tone you’ve ever heard.
Goodsell Black Series amps are handcrafted and handwired in Atlanta, Georgia using imported birch/poplar plywood cabinets. Domestically sourced pine cabinets in a variety of colors are available on a build-to-order basis for a significant upcharge. Any questions? Give me a call or send an email.