I think it's time to give up on the Vox Valvetronix AD120vtx.

[jon the art guy]

Yes, it's vaunted as one of the best modeling amps ever made. Yes, it's true stereo-out and tube-driven. Yes it's pretty.

It's also old and it's a PITA dealing with sellers.

I think I'm going to aim for something cheaper and probably better in all aspects now. One of them new Fender Mustang heads.

First of all, they have more models, more of the kind of models I want (including Orange), USB connectivity and interface with FUSE, more wattage, and a lot of people say that the amp sounds really, REALLY good. It's also got stereo effects in and out, as well as stereo headphones out and stereo in.

I'm vaguely curious if it would work as an ad-hoc stereo in for an mp3 player....

anyway, that's where I am right now I think.

Oh also, the Mustang V head v.2 is selling used for $175 at GC. As opposed to the wildly fluctuating AD market.

I can get a cab later. I have powered speakers right now.

 

[dominus]

Re: I think it's time to give up on the Vox Valvetronix AD120vtx.

Wait for the Peavey Vypyr Pro.

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: I think it's time to give up on the Vox Valvetronix AD120vtx.

That Vox was a great amp. Have you ever played one? I don't know how it stacks up against what's available now, but it certainly made an impression on me eight years ago.

 

[Top-L]

Re: I think it's time to give up on the Vox Valvetronix AD120vtx.

Yes, it's vaunted as one of the best modeling amps ever made. Yes, it's true stereo-out and tube-driven. Yes it's pretty.

It's also old and it's a PITA dealing with sellers.

I think I'm going to aim for something cheaper and probably better in all aspects now. One of them new Fender Mustang heads.

First of all, they have more models, more of the kind of models I want (including Orange), USB connectivity and interface with FUSE, more wattage, and a lot of people say that the amp sounds really, REALLY good. It's also got stereo effects in and out, as well as stereo headphones out and stereo in.

I'm vaguely curious if it would work as an ad-hoc stereo in for an mp3 player....

anyway, that's where I am right now I think.

Oh also, the Mustang V head v.2 is selling used for $175 at GC. As opposed to the wildly fluctuating AD market.

I can get a cab later. I have powered speakers right now.

I love the mustang. If you already have a tube amp with loop, consider the floor. I may also get the head.

 

[jon the art guy]

Re: I think it's time to give up on the Vox Valvetronix AD120vtx.

I only have a Vox AD15vt on loan right now. I really would love to play a 120VTX and see if it's as good as it's heralded as. It does have a lot of convenience functions on it and was about as high tech as you were gonna get back then, but times have changed and having a usb interface is kind of a biggie for me, as I can't mic anything around here because I live with three people who can't shut dey damm mouths ever all day and night.

The AD120vth (head units) are even harder to find. I really really want that stereo in/out/thru thing that both the vox and the mustang have on them, but it really breaks down do availability and price and the mustang has those hands down.

looks like I'll be rolling over to GC with a protege guitarist next week sometime. I'll play a mustang head and see if I can cope with it's tones for a while. I like the idea of making a pentagonal deco cab for it...

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: I think it's time to give up on the Vox Valvetronix AD120vtx.

I played that amp back when I was looking for a small combo for cover gigs. It does 'that epic Marshall Plexi tone' better than any recent era amp/modeler I've played, including my SansAmp, Line6 Flextronics III, and even recent Marshall tube combo amps. Today, however, not sure anymore. AxeFx is pretty amazing, but in a different cla$$.

 

[jon the art guy]

Re: I think it's time to give up on the Vox Valvetronix AD120vtx.

The next step after this amp is to get a tube amp or two, if I need take that step, that is. I'm not sure my heart is that set on putting a lot of scratch into an amp of which I'm still feeling out as to whether I want to push farther or not, I guess. If a real band situation was looming I'd be getting the Carvin valvemaster100 half stack for $400 that's been sitting on cl for a month now.

off u see did MRSAge, I m on tapa talk and auto correct is hating on me

 

[Andrew Lamprecht]

Re: I think it's time to give up on the Vox Valvetronix AD120vtx.

Have you ever thought about the tech 21 products? Would be cheaper than buying an amp....

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: I think it's time to give up on the Vox Valvetronix AD120vtx.

I am a vintage handwired tube amp snob but... I don't mind the Mustang or the modern Valvetronix stuff... Digital technology is a lot better now than it was a decade ago Yknow...

Putting the Mustang head through a decent guitar cab will improve its tone a lot compared to those powered speakers..

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: I think it's time to give up on the Vox Valvetronix AD120vtx.

Putting the Mustang head through a decent guitar cab will improve its tone a lot compared to those powered speakers..

Yep. And I would avoid using a guitar amp to play back music. It will work, sure, but guitar amps and cabinets are so colored that the tonal balance and dynamics will all be screwed up, never mind that you'd lose all the stereo information. You'd be better off with powered monitors, or Audioengines, or just about any kind of decent hi-fi rig.

 

[dominus]

Re: I think it's time to give up on the Vox Valvetronix AD120vtx.

Have you ever thought about the tech 21 products? Would be cheaper than buying an amp....

They make/made amps too.

 

[Top-L]

Re: I think it's time to give up on the Vox Valvetronix AD120vtx.

Yep. And I would avoid using a guitar amp to play back music. It will work, sure, but guitar amps and cabinets are so colored that the tonal balance and dynamics will all be screwed up, never mind that you'd lose all the stereo information. You'd be better off with powered monitors, or Audioengines, or just about any kind of decent hi-fi rig.

The mustang has comprehensive playback mode EQ. You can set wheter response is for PA, combo, or stack. Then there are further options for global EQ. The musang sounds great full range, but even better into the return of a tube amp. I have the floor, but I think the other models have the same util feature.

I have been running the mustang hi gain models into a tube amp to cab for miked recording and it sounds amazing. I was getting the same lead tones as my JSX, when played through the JSX power. The trick with the mustang is to always use the overdrive, it gives a pre-gain EQ and volume control and its where all the versatility comes from. The high gain models without the OD are loose and bassy, to tighten them up use the OD to roll back bass and boost treble. The signal chain is VERY versatile when you figure it out, and responds like an analog chain. I was originally going to return it til I figured it out.

You can also use the OD to decrease volume and hit the front stage softer and it opens things up. Lots of options.

The mustang also has sag, bias, and master volume control each which simulate different kinds of saturation. Until you figure these out, most of your patches will sound too fat and not articulate. When playing through a tube amp, I put the master on 1.3 because I don't want any simulated tube saturation; i get that from the real tubes. Also, need to experiment with the bias, it operates like a mid push but varies by amp model.

I would put the mustang high gain amp models in the AE FX category for authenticity, and some people think the clean models are even better. Seriously. The reason I say this is that the pre models when played through a tube power section are indistinquishable from tube amp. They are also 99% there when played direct.

The cab modelling of the mustang is good, but not as versatile as an axe. The axe seems to be designed for the guy who wants to choose custom cab impulses instead of EQing his mix, and who also wants every effect and full chain flexibility.

The mustang high-gain models get a bad rap, likely because most of their line is an open back cab with solid state power. I am pretty sure the head played through a good stereo cab will sound amazing.

Honestly, if I was in a band right now, I would use the Fender Mustang Floor direct to the loop of a small power amp or just run direct to PA. (Maybe just buy a mustang III). Too much other stuff to worry about carry expensive and heavy gear to a gig.

 

[jon the art guy]

Re: I think it's time to give up on the Vox Valvetronix AD120vtx.

How does your Mustang react to pedals in front of it? Have you ever done it?

I'm going to load a 9v into my HM2 knockoff when I go test this amp just to make sure I'm going to be able to do teh br00tz. Digital amps have some difficulty dealing with extra oomph coming from the front end and will end up compressing and de-sacking the signal. If the power section will produce a mildly or uncolored sound, I'll be able to do my preamp pedal tricks and if the preamp on the amp is too squashy, I'll be able to to teh br00tz as well. After that it's all EQ shaping.

My Pod HD can handle stuff in front, but it's such a nuisance to fiddle with. I probably would have been happier with a floor unit, but I'd still have the issue of no amplification. I'm just sooooo tired of knobs and plugs and want as little of them as possible now.

 

[Top-L]

Re: I think it's time to give up on the Vox Valvetronix AD120vtx.

How does your Mustang react to pedals in front of it? Have you ever done it?

I'm going to load a 9v into my HM2 knockoff when I go test this amp just to make sure I'm going to be able to do teh br00tz. Digital amps have some difficulty dealing with extra oomph coming from the front end and will end up compressing and de-sacking the signal. If the power section will produce a mildly or uncolored sound, I'll be able to do my preamp pedal tricks and if the preamp on the amp is too squashy, I'll be able to to teh br00tz as well. After that it's all EQ shaping.

My Pod HD can handle stuff in front, but it's such a nuisance to fiddle with. I probably would have been happier with a floor unit, but I'd still have the issue of no amplification. I'm just sooooo tired of knobs and plugs and want as little of them as possible now.

It works great; that was the big surprise to me. I have used an SD-1 and and ICE-9 in front. The Mustang floor has a switchable loop which you can put pedals in. They will be first in chain.

At first, I was using the SD-1 with a treble boost to get the lead sound I wanted, then I figured out I could do the same thing and more with the built in OD.

The amp models respond to pickup changes and volume/tone sweeps just like a real amp. This is the first modeller I have played that convined me. I bet the new Line6 is just as good.

I did find out its possible to clip the input when you come back in the return with an amplified signal. It doesnt neuter it, but it starts to create artifacts on higher notes. I had no problem using an SD-1 in front with high gain pickups, the only time I found I overdrive the Mustang was when I had the JSX pre in the loop of the mustang, with the channel volume and loop output high it was causing clipping. I have no idea how hot the signal out of the JSX was, but it has active EQ and the channel volume was high. Rolling back the volume fixed the problem, but you do have to watch it. Didnt run into that problem with pedals.


If you do try out the amp and want good high gain sound, go into the 90s american model, put the sag on low or match, roll the bias all the way off (to start) and put the master volume on 1.3 with the channel volume high. That will give you a a dry and tight sound, then you can add saturation one of several ways. I found that if you add bias, you usually have to roll back mids, etc. Also put the OD treble on 10 and bass on 0 to see what that does.

The supersonic model generally sounds best out the box, it gets the fat satruated lead tones easily. THe american 90s and 2000 metal really need to be customized to the amp/cab you are using.

I dont know if the cab models in the standard mustangs are on or off when played through it's speaker. I like the 2x12c for lead work, but generally if you change the cab model you also have to change the pamp settings.

 

[Inkstained]

Re: I think it's time to give up on the Vox Valvetronix AD120vtx.

The Mustang III was God's way of saying, "Class D Solid State is better than you think." And, yea, the nations rejoiced ..."


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[rumy22]

Re: I think it's time to give up on the Vox Valvetronix AD120vtx.

You guys mentioned using digital pedals with the Mustang, any experience with analog pedals like mxr and the Mustang?

 

[mantis]

Re: I think it's time to give up on the Vox Valvetronix AD120vtx.

I had a Vox AD120VTX and it didn't last more then a few months. It failed. One day I went to play it and nothing. Checked fuses, power cord wall outlet, nothing. Took it back and got a Fender Twin Reverb which is by far a much better amp.
Using Modeling amps is cool, I suggest checking a really clean amp like a Fender Twin and then putting a Boss GT100 in front of it. I think this might be a killer replacement for your Vox amp.
The Vox did sound very good. I liked it the very short time I had mine. Then again a AC30 with a Boss GT100 might be more up your alley IF you prefer the Vox style clean over the Fender style.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: I think it's time to give up on the Vox Valvetronix AD120vtx.

I never could get along with my Valvetronix AD120. It sounded sooo cheap and tinny. I couldn't get a decent tone out of it at any setting.