drpietrzak
New member
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.
I love my AC15C1 and have had no trouble with it. I play a LP with it as well.
Is Vox's reliability really that bad?
- Thread starter Andrew Lamprecht
- Start date
Gearjoneser
Gear Ho
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
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
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. .
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
Stratoblaster Tone Meister
Re: Is Vox's reliability really that bad?
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.
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
New member
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!
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
Well-known member
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.
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
John Mayer's Mankini
Re: Is Vox's reliability really that bad?
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.
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.
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ImmortalSix
John Mayer's Mankini
Re: Is Vox's reliability really that bad?
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!
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
New member
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.
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.
astrozombie
KatyPerryologist
Re: Is Vox's reliability really that bad?
This makes me feel a little better. I want one of those.
This makes me feel a little better. I want one of those.
Re: Is Vox's reliability really that bad?
Afraid not, i bought a AC15HW1 yesterday and it's going back today, no replacement as they are not making any till March but has to be repaired as it has a crackling and apparently its a bad valve, £1000 amp and Vox don't even bother to check them when they are built.
Afraid not, i bought a AC15HW1 yesterday and it's going back today, no replacement as they are not making any till March but has to be repaired as it has a crackling and apparently its a bad valve, £1000 amp and Vox don't even bother to check them when they are built.
Sirion
Well-known member
Re: Is Vox's reliability really that bad?
Welcome to the forum! I should point out that this thread is seven years old, and people have most likely moved on.
Welcome to the forum! I should point out that this thread is seven years old, and people have most likely moved on.
Re: Is Vox's reliability really that bad?
these threads are old..but itt seems Vox have done it again by making the AC10 C1 a closed back.. If you buty one cut a vent in the back and fit extension shields to pre amp tubes
these threads are old..but itt seems Vox have done it again by making the AC10 C1 a closed back.. If you buty one cut a vent in the back and fit extension shields to pre amp tubes
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Re: Is Vox's reliability really that bad?
There is a statistically unignorable probability that every Vox amp since the original post of this thread has broken.
There is a statistically unignorable probability that every Vox amp since the original post of this thread has broken.
St_Genesius
New member
Re: Is Vox's reliability really that bad?
I've been running a Gen 1 Night Train for about ten years now. Two days ago, it started eating fuses the second it's turned on, even after I pulled all the tubes.
Honestly, requiring a trip to the tech once per decade seems acceptable to me.
I've been running a Gen 1 Night Train for about ten years now. Two days ago, it started eating fuses the second it's turned on, even after I pulled all the tubes.
Honestly, requiring a trip to the tech once per decade seems acceptable to me.
Markk
New member
Re: Is Vox's reliability really that bad?
I'm actually really interested in this hypothesis. People still using their Vox's? I'm on the brink of buying one, and was wondering the same, if they are fairly unreliable.
I'm actually really interested in this hypothesis. People still using their Vox's? I'm on the brink of buying one, and was wondering the same, if they are fairly unreliable.
Re: Is Vox's reliability really that bad?
Reminds me those "...but, Harley's leak oil" comments; when referring to a post AMC Harley Davidson. Modern VOX amplifiers are as stout as any other modern production amplifier.
NegativeEase
New member
Re: Is Vox's reliability really that bad?
Personally, I flew with Asian Vox AC15 or AC10 checked in the belly of a plane approximately in a light duty flight case about 25 times in the last 4 years and many countries. They never gave me any trouble. Vox proved more durable than other backup amps that did the same trips to gigs in case the Backline sucked.
Personally, I flew with Asian Vox AC15 or AC10 checked in the belly of a plane approximately in a light duty flight case about 25 times in the last 4 years and many countries. They never gave me any trouble. Vox proved more durable than other backup amps that did the same trips to gigs in case the Backline sucked.
