I have two Epi Valve Juniors that I'm getting ready to mod. One will be a full makeover 18 watt lite conversion. The other though, is what I'm undecided on. I initially figured either a "Marshallize" or "Voxy" mod. But now I'm wondering. Since I have a Barb EQ, which would be the best base platform of tone to start with, then use the B-EQ to get to other tones? Should I start off with a more neutral Fender mod instead?
I've never asked directly, if the intent of the B-EQ is to replicate the tone stacks of the different style amps or just to try to come close to their tone. I do understand that the tone stacks are in different places in the gain stage chain, on Marshall, Fender and Vox amps etc. I'm pretty into DIY and have already built amps and pedals, so I understand all that. And I realize a Valve Junior and Barb EQ aren't going to sound just like the real amps. (Although my Dirty Bomb, DDSS, LTD etc can handle the gain aspect).
So, If I have gain handled with pedals, and if I want everything from clean strat, to blues, to classic rock to modern high gain, what would be the best mod to the valve junior in order to use the Barb EQ and get into Fender, Vox and Marshall tone land, EQ wise?
I asked this in a valve junior mod forum, and one person actually said maybe don't doing any voicing mods, just the mods that correct the mistakes in the design and build of the stock Jr. (Tubes biased way wrong, wrong OT, wrong input resistor value, etc). So that is an option.
My thoughts are this: I'd prefer a Voxy or Marshall mod. But the Fender might be a more neutral platform to start from. Thoughts? Suggestions?