Is Vox's reliability really that bad?

[beggar_guitar]

Re: Is Vox's reliability really that bad?

I've got an AC15C1. Had it for about 8 months now with no issues. The tubes went bad very fast but that was a simple fix.

The amp does get hot and I have heard that it can burn through tubes pretty fast. We will see how long my new tubes last compared to the cheapo chinese tubes that came with it.

I love mine and would recommend it to anyone in the market.

[mwalluk]

Re: Is Vox's reliability really that bad?

I've got an AC15C1. Had it for about 8 months now with no issues. The tubes went bad very fast but that was a simple fix.

The amp does get hot and I have heard that it can burn through tubes pretty fast. We will see how long my new tubes last compared to the cheapo chinese tubes that came with it.

I love mine and would recommend it to anyone in the market.

Run a fan behind it, problem solved.

Used to have to do the same with my old Marshall JTM60

[Andrew Lamprecht]

Re: Is Vox's reliability really that bad?

I think I'm just going to scope one out once I get some extra money. The one I played was $400 used, almost mint, retubed with JJs. Sounded great! I'll probably just run a fan behind it.

[ganzosrevenge]

Re: Is Vox's reliability really that bad?

i REFUSE to open my AC4TV because of the fact every known way to get electrocuted is right at the tubes... I do though want a merc-mag set and a celestion gold g10 in there though

[Andrew Lamprecht]

Re: Is Vox's reliability really that bad?

i REFUSE to open my AC4TV because of the fact every known way to get electrocuted is right at the tubes... I do though want a merc-mag set and a celestion gold g10 in there though

? I open all my amps to look at the beautiful innards. I know not to touch the board but I have never had an issue just looking or changing tubes....

[drpietrzak]

Re: Is Vox's reliability really that bad?

I love my AC15C1 and have had no trouble with it. I play a LP with it as well.

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Is Vox's reliability really that bad?

I'm very lucky to date with my VTH120 Blue head..Play it almost everyday and have gigged alot with it...When it takes a dump,it gets fixed locally and put back in action..Love this amp,especially for home practicing...Played through it again last night over an hour...Did you ever have your's fixed and what went south on it?

Are you saying it's been perfect, or you've had it fixed before?

Mine started sounding like the power section was cutting in and out, till it stopped altogether. I changed the tube a few times, and checked all the jacks on the amp. Mine's been sitting for over a year, since I've been putting off bringing it 30 miles to the Vox Service center. I need to get it fixed because it was a valuable tone tool.

I love the older blue grill amps.
Mine was the 68th Valvetronix made, so I call it my 68 Vox. haha

[lareplus]

Re: Is Vox's reliability really that bad?

Nearly everyone who has owned or played through one is in love with the Vox sound. . .however, if you cruise by the Vox forum page you will see there are a lot of complaints about problems with some of the units. There are a few models that seem to be mostly trouble free, but other lines are practically notorious. .

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Is Vox's reliability really that bad?

Are you saying it's been perfect, or you've had it fixed before?

Mine started sounding like the power section was cutting in and out, till it stopped altogether. I changed the tube a few times, and checked all the jacks on the amp. Mine's been sitting for over a year, since I've been putting off bringing it 30 miles to the Vox Service center. I need to get it fixed because it was a valuable tone tool.

I love the older blue grill amps.
Mine was the 68th Valvetronix made, so I call it my 68 Vox. haha

No GJ my amp has never had a problem and is stock other than the 2 RCA 12AX7s I stuck in it when I got it new...Like your's mine is an earlier one and the better of the series.

[75lespaul]

Re: Is Vox's reliability really that bad?

Knock on wood, I haven't had one problem with my blue grill AD60VTX or Tonelab LE. Well, the modulation button on my LE can get wonky, but I had to learn to be easier on the buttons, ha ha. IIRC, I had ordered a silver grill 50 watt combo that came from MF first, and it had all sorts of problems straight from the box, so I sent it back and went to GC and bought the VTX. I got it 11/05 and it has been super solid since then. I hope that 7/8 year lifespan doesn't hold true!

[ErikH]

Re: Is Vox's reliability really that bad?

The early silver grill 50 watters didn't have a fan so they would tend to overheat and fail. The ones from at least 2006 (maybe sooner) onward have the fan. Mine has a fan (I can hear it kick on) and no problems. The latest silver grills are really sweet. More models, more memory spots to save settings, more effects. I'd look at one if my AD50VT died but it's still kicking like new.

[ImmortalSix]

Re: Is Vox's reliability really that bad?

I've been running a Vox AD50VT Valvetronix amp since 2006. It's been gigged a lot, lots of rehearsals and loads of home jamming and practice. Needless to say, it's seen a lot of use. No problems.

x2

Mine even got wet once. I replaced the fuse and was back in business inside 10 minutes.

I have probably played that amp, I don't know, 1000 hours, easily 100+ times out of the house and easily 100+ gigs.

I have worn out a Toyota pickup truck and a Honda Accord in the same time that I have had no success in killing my Valvetronix.

I have had several amps in and out since I got it, and it has earned a place in the permanent staff.

I give it my seal of empirical-and-specifically-not-hearsay-reliability.

[phil_104]

Re: Is Vox's reliability really that bad?

I know it's a tiny amp, but my AC4TV was with me in Alberta. It was dragged around, fell down stairs, had beer spilt on it, was kicked accidentally by myself, and still did not miss a beat. I use that thing every day.

[ImmortalSix]

Re: Is Vox's reliability really that bad?

I love my AC15C1 and have had no trouble with it. I play a LP with it as well.

Once your LP explodes into a pile of toothpicks, you can use the Vox to light it on fire, and now it's a party!

[slightly_rude]

Re: Is Vox's reliability really that bad?

I bought my AC15C1 new back in 2010. No issues so far other than noisy preamp tubes.
Changes made to the C1 compared to the CC1 were supposed to improve reliability. It's been a solid, good sounding amp.