My ability to let things go has improved...

[jon the art guy]

I've just recently changed my mind on the White Stag of my amp-hunting recently in favor of an easier and probably better prey; The AD120VT from Vox has been a standout in digital amplification for a long time and has the feature I covet the most which would be full stereo speaker out, as well as stereo effects loop. I found out that the Fender Mustang IV and V have the same features as well as a nice computer interface and are currently being produced!

Lo, I walk into the local GC and there it is, sitting there.

a blue-tolex AD120VT...WITH the extended pedal controller which sells for about $300-$400 alone...all of it for $350.

I sat down and played it and wasn't really blown away, tell the truth. The power throttling was a nice feature and was immediately apparent when switched up (2x1w is a great deal quieter than 2x10w or 2x60w), but everything sounded very, very similar to the AD15v I currently have. I was expecting more, I guess.

I walked over to the Mustang IV and liked the sound far more.

Oh well. Icons are hard to keep a hold of. Word to the wise-play before buying.

Also, if anyone has $350 and wants to immediately flip an amp for profit, go to the Roseville GC and buy it, clean it with a toothbrush and some contact cleaner and change out the 12ax7s.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: My ability to let things go has improved...

Digital amps will always be constantly depreciating in value. Whatever somebody spent to get his last month, you should spend at least $50 less than he did.

$300 for the foot controller... wow. I'm glad I use real amps & pedals...

 

[jon the art guy]

Re: My ability to let things go has improved...

This amp in particular has a bit of mysticism to it in being more capable than a decade's intervening modeling amps. There's tube power in that Valvetronix rig. I got the schematic for it and want to apply it to some other sort of amp build.

I just couldn't buy the hype I wrote though. Just sounded like a starter amp, only louder. It might as well have been a Champion 100 or a Spider. The Mustang was just better.

My tube amp will be a Hovercraft and a mess of Carvins, I already know that.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: My ability to let things go has improved...

That's what I'm saying. Internet lore and designs that look good on paper are meaningless if it doesn't freaking sound good... Haha.

You should just get a kickass cabinet and a Micro Terror while you save up for the Hovercraft.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: My ability to let things go has improved...

The best way to tweak a Valvetronix is to always use one of it's OD models in conjunction with an amp model. Then you have 2 volumes, 2 gains, and 1 master. When the stompbox rotary knob is OFF, the amp gets a little bland. Even if you're using clean or midgain tones, adding a Treble Booster or Tubescreamer set low will enhance the sound.

That said, I'm selling my blue grill AD60VTH head for $350 shipped if anyone wants it.
It's a great amp but I'm thinning the herd.