I don't like Recto's normally... real, or modelled...at least the sounds most people dial into them (though they can get mark-like if ya tweak 'em). Using EL34s in them instead of 6L6's makes a big diff to my ears..I played a 6L6 back to back with the EL34 setup and the EL34's to my ears make the amp much more desireable. ON the Vox Recto setting by keeping the gain very low, and goosing it It smooths out most of the fizz and it makes for a really nice cutting lead sound.
The Fender tones I def like...however I jes don't use 'em much. Same with the Vox...once in awhile I'll switch on the TB and play some old Yardbirds stuff...but it's not often. The Boutique clean is spectacular, don't care much for the OD setting tho. Too thin for me personally.
The Soldano is also pretty good. But I find it has to be getting up in volume to sound it's best otherwise it's middy, too compressed and has a flabby low end (also since Soldano's are very middy as is, I run the mids almost all the way off). I found at least on the 30 and the 50 I had..the MV and reg V have to be cranked, and the variable power control up at least 1/2 way and 3/4 + is even better. Unfortunately for evening practice this is getting pretty durn loud.
I think where VOX really dropped the ball is on the Marshall models...The UK70's is OK. The 800 & TSL is jes not right: Sterile, "small", and artificial. Unfortunately those are the 3 models I need to use the most.
I'm contemplating jes gettin rid of the Vox..My MESA F50 sounds much better by itself at low volumes, even though it's mostly pre-amp gain.
