Karltone

Karltone: valves and amplifier parts from Prestatyn

Karltone is a U.K.-based company selling guitar and amplifier accessories, with a catalogue built around valves (tubes) and the components that surround them. The business presents itself as offering competitive prices and a friendly service, and its stock is organised both by brand and by valve type so that buyers can locate a specific replacement quickly.

Valves by brand and by type

The catalogue groups valves under several manufacturer names, including JJ, Tung-sol, Electro Harmonix and Sovtek, alongside a miscellaneous section. A parallel classification sorts the same stock by valve type, covering pre-amp, power-amp and rectifier categories. The type list includes ECC83 (12AX7), ECC82 (12AU7), ECC81 (12AT7), 12AY7, 5751 and EF86, the EL34/E34L/KT77/6CA7 family, 6V6, EL84, and the 6L6/5881/KT66 group, plus a miscellaneous types section.

Among the products shown on the site at the time of writing were a chicken head knob with brass insert and grub screw at £1.90, a Belton 9-pin (VT9-ST2) socket at £1.95, JJ EL34 from £24.00, JJ 5881 from £32.00, Tung-sol EL84 (6BQ5) from £32.00 and a Marshall (TAD) Gold Label KT66 from £36.00.

Amp parts beyond the valves themselves

Alongside valves, Karltone stocks a range of amplifier components: capacitors, valve (tube) sockets, potentiometers (pots), valve retainers, resistors and knobs. These are the parts typically replaced or upgraded when servicing or building an amplifier, and they sit in the catalogue as a separate section from the valve listings.

Testing and matching process

The company states that all its valves are premium tested in-house on precision digital and analogue equipment. Each valve is burned in for a minimum of 24 hours before matching. In its own explanation, this serves two purposes: to eliminate faulty or weak valves, and as a pre-grading step that allows the plate/grid mechanism to settle into its rest position. Karltone argues that because small construction differences produce large differences in electrical characteristics, grading a tube after burn-in means the measured characteristics hold true over its lifespan to a greater extent. The company notes that this practice is often overlooked by other vendors and links it to complaints about poorly graded valves.

Services for guitarists and amplifier owners

Beyond parts supply, the site lists a services section covering PAT testing, guitar setups, and amp bias and servicing. These are presented as separate offerings from the product catalogue.

Buying and practical information

The online shop includes a basket, wish list and customer account area, and the information pages cover postage options, cookie policy, terms and conditions and privacy policy. The site also carries a news section, with entries dated between March 2020 and March 2023 covering topics such as a valve matching update, new additions to the range and the opening for business, as well as a blog. A Trustpilot reference appears on the site.