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26 January, 2009 - BBZGuitars of High Wycombe has introduced the Harma range of STR and Retro cryogenic valves for guitar amplifiers to its Buckinghamshire based showroom and online store. The valves, which are available on a 'supply only' basis or as part of the company's supply and fitting service are on-sale from £16 each.

BBZGuitars' MD, Steve Busby, has used cryogenic valves in his personal collection of amps for a number of years and believes they are virtually unbeatable when it comes to enhancing the sound quality of guitar amps.

"When I first heard about cryo valves I thought they might be a bit of a gimmick but the review they got in Guitarist Magazine prompted me to take a chance," said Busby. "I'm really glad I did; you don't get any popping or spitting with them, there's virtually no background noise and the overdrive produced sounds warmer, sweeter and generally superior to untreated valves - unless you spend a fortune."

The production of cryogenic valves is a patented process which takes stock valves and slowly freezes them to a temperature of approximately minus 320 degrees Fahrenheit. This process aligns the metal fibres inside the valve elements. Once brought back to ambient temperatures the fibres remain aligned and the result is a less expensive valve with the qualities of an extremely expensive, and increasingly difficult to find, New Old Stock (NOS) valve similar to those produced in the '50s by companies such as Mullard Limited.

BBZGuitars' customer, Chris Peake, has become one of the latest converts to cryo valves. Chris was experiencing problems with his Marshall 610 (60 watt, 3 x 10 All Valve Combo); a fairly recent model (probably circa ‘90s) featuring 4 x ECC83s in the pre- amp and 2 x EL34s in the power stage.

"My amp would be okay for about 20 minutes but would then start screaming and feeding back. Steve at BBZGuitars recommended the Harma Cryogenic STR valves as the best fit for my particular Marshall. When they were installed my amp sounded awesome and the problem was immediately resolved; I also got Steve to set up my guitar so I'm now getting a better sound all-round," said Chris.

Harma cryogenic valves are available in various Early, Mid and Late overdrive versions, including the more common ECC83s (12AX7), EL34s, EL84s and 6L6s models.

BBZGuitars offers Harma cryogenic valves on a 'supply only' or supply-and-fit basis through its High Wycombe showroom in Bucks or via its online store at www.bbzguitars.co.uk. For customers who require more unusual valve types, the company recommends calling first to check availability although, in general, BBZGuitars has a good stock of most valve types available. The company also maintains a range of high quality non-cryo valves, with prices starting at around £9 each.