Advice on amp. Is Vox valvetronic 50 VT the best deal for around $435

[twanger]

I have to confess that my knowledge of amps is very limited.. My guitars are a Gretsch Pro Jet and Washburn Idol 166V plus 3 old accoustics, my effects pedal is a Behringer Blues Overdrive and my "amp" is the mike input of an an inherited (circa 1977) 45 watts RMS per channel hi fi amp driving two enormous, equally ancient, Yamaha Concerto speakers (with amp in mono mode of course) which have their own metal stands . Music played is very mixed but mainly classic Rock and blues with a bit of Country Rock thrown in..My girlfriend plays fiddle and others sometimes play with us and we also use backing tracks. My bedroom sees most of our playing but sometimes we play elsewhwere in front of small audiences.

After years of being a penniless, but very fortunate, student , Graduation looms and hopefully I will have some cash in a few months. A New Amp is very high on my shopping list..

I have tried a few and like the Vox Valvetronic 50 VT . Although not a true valve amp it seems to be able to produce some excelent sounds including some very valve like tones , Price in the UK is about £300 (around $435) . Is there anything which you think is vastly superior in this price range which I should hunt down. Have tried a few practice amps and a BEHRINGER 30 and some Marshalls but nothing has yet poduced a sound that really grabs me other than the Vox..Actually the sound I am getting from my existing set up alnt that bad and I am looking for a distinct improvement..Its unlikely I will replace the amp I buy for very many years so I want to try and get something I am going to be happy with long term.

Any advice and guidance would be much appreciated..

 

[mr.ball]

Re: Advice on amp. Is Vox valvetronic 50 VT the best deal for around $435

Just my opinion, but I will never go back to solid state amps after having real tube amps. Even Valvetronic or Valvestate, whatever they call it. You might Want to check out the Peavey Windsor. It's cheaper than the Vox and has tubes. I haven't tried one but I heard they're one of the best values out there and it would be in your price range. Other than that, it never hurts to check ebay or other sites for used tube amps, you might just find a tube amp in your price range

 

[twanger]

Re: Advice on amp. Is Vox valvetronic 50 VT the best deal for around $435

Will try and track down a Peavey Winsor to try but have heard these are one trick ponies.. The used amp market is not that good in my area of the Uk but is there any particular model you think I should look out for..Used Mesa Boogies and valve Marshalls still seem a bit pricey.

 

[Top Jimmy]

Re: Advice on amp. Is Vox valvetronic 50 VT the best deal for around $435

Depends:

- Tubes are loud as hell, 1 watt, 5 watt, 20 watt, all loud. The Vox modelers can be quiet and still sound decent. Depends what your parents or living situation is.

- Cheap tube amps usually sound cheap. The Windsor is loud and doesn't sound horrible but it is a one trick pony.

I don't have a clue what prices in UK are but I'm doubting you'll find better deals in that price range.

Egnater Rebel 20
Peavey Classic
Used Peavey 5150
Fender of some type with pedals.
Maybe a B52 AT-112, low budget Mesa style amp.

 

[twanger]

Re: Advice on amp. Is Vox valvetronic 50 VT the best deal for around $435

Thanks Top Jimmy. Do not actually want to drown out people I am playing with but loudish volumes are no problem . There is a good gap to our neighbour's house and my parents are away a lot of weekends. They also encourage us to practice....Dad even joins in sometimes on guitar; he's a bit rusty but can still keep good time. He's a Marshall fan cos he had one many moons ago.

Will check out a few more amps including the Peavey but have a gut feeling that the Vox is as good as any in the price range I have in mind.

Always glad to have a recommendation however

 

[twanger]

Re: Advice on amp. Is Vox valvetronic 50 VT the best deal for around $435

Just an afterthought. Is there any mileage in getting a seperate amp and using it to drive my pair of Yamaha speakers..They have 3 speakers (12in, 6in and 3in) in each cabinet with a crossover unit and are rated up to 100 watts. Resistance is 8 ohms. They also locate nicely on substantial purpose built metal stands.

Thoughts and ideas on this please.

 

[Mark Cearlock]

Re: Advice on amp. Is Vox valvetronic 50 VT the best deal for around $435

If you like the sound and response of the vox, I say go for it! Nobody else can advise you as to the sound YOU like.

 

[Mark Cearlock]

Re: Advice on amp. Is Vox valvetronic 50 VT the best deal for around $435

just an afterthought. Is there any mileage in getting a seperate amp and using it to drive my pair of yamaha speakers..they have 3 speakers (12in, 6in and 3in) in each cabinet with a crossover unit and are rated up to 100 watts. Resistance is 8 ohms. They also locate nicely on substantial purpose built metal stands.

Thoughts and ideas on this please.

no!

 

[super rad stuff]

Re: Advice on amp. Is Vox valvetronic 50 VT the best deal for around $435

The Windsor is loud and doesn't sound horrible but it is a one trick pony.

no it's not:foot:: private:

seriously though if you set it up for loud cleans, it takes effects(distortion/OD especially) and is quite versatile.

 

[ErikH]

Re: Advice on amp. Is Vox valvetronic 50 VT the best deal for around $435

If you like the Vox, go with it. I have an AD50VT and have gigged with it the last 2 years. It keeps up in a band situation no problem. Mic it up through the PA if you need more. The wattage selector on the back is a wonderful thing.

All that matters is that you like it. If it works for you and gives you the sound you hear in your head, use it. There is no law written in stone that says a guitar player must use a tube amp. Use what works for you.

 

[Mark Cearlock]

Re: Advice on amp. Is Vox valvetronic 50 VT the best deal for around $435

If you like the Vox, go with it. I have an AD50VT and have gigged with it the last 2 years. It keeps up in a band situation no problem. Mic it up through the PA if you need more. The wattage selector on the back is a wonderful thing.

All that matters is that you like it. If it works for you and gives you the sound you hear in your head, use it. There is no law written in stone that says a guitar player must use a tube amp. Use what works for you.

+1 I like both my ss and tube peaveys. Maybe my bandit more than my valveking for od/gain.

 

[Gstring]

Re: Advice on amp. Is Vox valvetronic 50 VT the best deal for around $435

The Vox 50VT is a great amp. A friend has one and he gets great sounds from it with his budget Strat with Tonerider pups. You can depower it with the lever at the back so that you can still turn up the wick a bit in the bedroom. I wish I had got one instead of my 60 watt Fender .

If you are happy with your demo, I doubt you will fnd anything better for the price. More knowledgeable people may disagree.

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: Advice on amp. Is Vox valvetronic 50 VT the best deal for around $435

I gig with a VOX Valvetronix, but I am growing out of it as a performance amp, I am wanting to keep it as a practice amp and get a Blackheart Little Giant or Blackheart Handsome Devil --- both 1x12" combos (or heads, they make them both ways) as a cheap gigging amp.

The Little Giant is 5W and $350, and the Handsome Devil is 15W and $450

They are both very impressive amplifiers.

 

[infrared72]

Re: Advice on amp. Is Vox valvetronic 50 VT the best deal for around $435

I tried the Vox VT50, and thought it sounded pretty darn good. There are a whole bunch of different amp models in it that were very convincing. I know it's not a real tube amp, but I have seen the VT50's second hand for $200 and change. VT30's are out there second hand as well typically for less than $200, some just over $100. For all the sounds you get, it seems like a pretty good deal. And from what I heard, the built in fx are pretty good too.

There are good used Mesa and Fender all tube amps out there as well. If there's something specific you're looking for, you've just gotta be a hawk and watch craigslist, evilbay, and any other sites that have used gear listings. Our sales tax just went up in California, so I've been focused on buying stuff online when possible to avoid the extra taxes. You can really score on some of the deals out there on second hand gear as well.

-Peter

 

[alex1fly]

Re: Advice on amp. Is Vox valvetronic 50 VT the best deal for around $435

I have tried a few and like the Vox Valvetronic 50 VT . nothing has yet poduced a sound that really grabs me other than the Vox..

If you like the sound and response of the vox, I say go for it! Nobody else can advise you as to the sound YOU like.

If you like the Vox, go with it.
All that matters is that you like it. If it works for you and gives you the sound you hear in your head, use it. There is no law written in stone that says a guitar player must use a tube amp. Use what works for you.

The Vox 50VT is a great amp.
If you are happy with your demo, I doubt you will fnd anything better for the price.

Notice a theme? Get what grabs you, not what other people think you should get. The external speaker jack will allow you to plug into other amps and cabs, which is a great thing when experimenting with sound. The only thing it doesn't have which I would prefer is an effects loop, but you can't get everything you want! I'd say, play some more amps, then play the Vox again, and if it keeps grabbing you the most then snag it. The real key to getting a good sound live is proper EQ, not tubes, though they do help. I personally love the versatility of multiple amp models and effects built into the amp, and the power dampener knob on the back of that amp is freakin' rad.

 

[DonP]

Re: Advice on amp. Is Vox valvetronic 50 VT the best deal for around $435

I have a VT15 and it's pretty loud. I use it for practice only, as I have plenty of tube amps. Not sure how a VT50 would sound cranked up.