Purchased Vox AD120VTH Head plus port city cab.
- Thread starter Gr8Scott
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ErikH
Well-known member
Re: Purchased Vox AD120VTH Head plus port city cab.
Yup, and I LOVE it. It's a 1x12. The 2x12 wasn't out yet when I got it. I'm just using the stock speaker it came with, a Celestion 7080. Sounds great. I've hooked it up to my 4x12 before with good results but I like the sound of the 7080 better. My 4x12 has these old Alnico speakers in it, whatever Music Man used back then (old 412G cab).
Yup, and I LOVE it. It's a 1x12. The 2x12 wasn't out yet when I got it. I'm just using the stock speaker it came with, a Celestion 7080. Sounds great. I've hooked it up to my 4x12 before with good results but I like the sound of the 7080 better. My 4x12 has these old Alnico speakers in it, whatever Music Man used back then (old 412G cab).
Gearjoneser
Gear Ho
Re: Purchased Vox AD120VTH Head plus port city cab.
I'm a firm believer in these amps......so much so that I hope Vox comes out with an improved version. I was disappointed this year when I saw Vox didn't have a Valvetronix II.
I was a HUGE tube snob before. I'd given some Line 6's a chance, by owning Flextones, but I sold them and said I was done with modelers. Then, I got hooked onto the Vox heads, and love them. The combos aren't bad, but in order to go head to head with tube amps, you should use them with the same cabs you'd use with your tube amp. That's why I love the AD60VTH and AD120VTH blue grill heads. IMO, those are the ones to buy. Like Scott said, they love Vintage 30 4-12 cabs more than anything else. It allows the Marshall models to sound more realistic. And speaking of Marshall tones, the Marshall models aren't always the best ones to use. Like Stratdeluxer97 says, try the Bassman 4-10 model along with an OD model, and crank it up. He A'B'd it with his ACTUAL PLEXI and got his Vox to sound almost the same!
And he uses the Vox live, when he even owns a vintage Fender Pro Reverb and 50W plexi with a point to point board! For someone that owns classic amps to rely on the Vox as a gigging amp speaks volumes about it.
This isn't an amp that will floor you when trying it in the store, with their junky speakers, and guitars strung with 9's and stock pickups. You need to take it home, listen to it with your guitars, and plug it into a high quality cab.
Then, you'll realize it's potential. It's a fun amp. From Blackface to Tweed, to Marshall, to Dual Recto? For $400?
I'm a firm believer in these amps......so much so that I hope Vox comes out with an improved version. I was disappointed this year when I saw Vox didn't have a Valvetronix II.
I was a HUGE tube snob before. I'd given some Line 6's a chance, by owning Flextones, but I sold them and said I was done with modelers. Then, I got hooked onto the Vox heads, and love them. The combos aren't bad, but in order to go head to head with tube amps, you should use them with the same cabs you'd use with your tube amp. That's why I love the AD60VTH and AD120VTH blue grill heads. IMO, those are the ones to buy. Like Scott said, they love Vintage 30 4-12 cabs more than anything else. It allows the Marshall models to sound more realistic. And speaking of Marshall tones, the Marshall models aren't always the best ones to use. Like Stratdeluxer97 says, try the Bassman 4-10 model along with an OD model, and crank it up. He A'B'd it with his ACTUAL PLEXI and got his Vox to sound almost the same!
And he uses the Vox live, when he even owns a vintage Fender Pro Reverb and 50W plexi with a point to point board! For someone that owns classic amps to rely on the Vox as a gigging amp speaks volumes about it.
This isn't an amp that will floor you when trying it in the store, with their junky speakers, and guitars strung with 9's and stock pickups. You need to take it home, listen to it with your guitars, and plug it into a high quality cab.
Then, you'll realize it's potential. It's a fun amp. From Blackface to Tweed, to Marshall, to Dual Recto? For $400?
Gr8Scott
Wookieologist
Re: Purchased Vox AD120VTH Head plus port city cab.
This is a huge point that a lot of players don't get. When I tested this amp, I brought the V30 loaded cab with me to test it out. It showed great potential in the store, but it just wasn't right and I couldn't put my finger on it. Turns out the salesman doesn't know how to switch the ouput to the correct ohm rating (He had it on 8 and I told him I rewired the speaker for 16 ohms in the parking lot). I discovered this when I went to TheOdie's place and we first turned the amp on. From then on it really blew me away. Great tones and easy to dial them all in. Running through his V30 loaded cab it was incredible. I think he'd have a heck of a time telling one marshall model apart from his JCM-900. It wasn't bad at all through my port city 2x12 either, but it lacked the punch and the complexity the marshall 4x12 offers.
I tried the combo with the neo-dog speakers in the store and it seemed ok, but something wasn't right with the EQ. It was a shade better than the BBQ grill speakers though to my ears.
What really killed me is that the salesman said "we have one of these turds left and we're clearing them out". I thought, "that's one heck of a way to sell an amp there champ." I tried to get this nitwit to complete the sale with me because I figured that he'd let it go for next to nothing given what he said about it, but he went to lunch and I had the younger and more knowledeable assistant manager to finish the sale with me. The older guy must have been the manager. Nice enough fellow, but he doesn't know his gear like he should. I could tell that he didn't believe a word I said in the store about that head sounding good with the vintage 30 speakers. Most of the salesmen there don't realize what this amp is capable of. The store I went into today had the same thing going on. One guy was a producer/engineer etc and he was looking at me like I'm some kind of a loon when I talked that amp up as a serious tone arsenal. Their folly shall be other's gain I say. Let them sell these great amps for cheap and the smart forum members here shall be the ones to reap the benefits (assuming they have the right speakers). I'll see if I can get my nephew to grab one by selling his Sovtek amp on fleabay. It won't take me long to convince him. Just let him plug it in and flip through the presets etc. He already has a great cab for it.
This is a huge point that a lot of players don't get. When I tested this amp, I brought the V30 loaded cab with me to test it out. It showed great potential in the store, but it just wasn't right and I couldn't put my finger on it. Turns out the salesman doesn't know how to switch the ouput to the correct ohm rating (He had it on 8 and I told him I rewired the speaker for 16 ohms in the parking lot). I discovered this when I went to TheOdie's place and we first turned the amp on. From then on it really blew me away. Great tones and easy to dial them all in. Running through his V30 loaded cab it was incredible. I think he'd have a heck of a time telling one marshall model apart from his JCM-900. It wasn't bad at all through my port city 2x12 either, but it lacked the punch and the complexity the marshall 4x12 offers.
I tried the combo with the neo-dog speakers in the store and it seemed ok, but something wasn't right with the EQ. It was a shade better than the BBQ grill speakers though to my ears.
What really killed me is that the salesman said "we have one of these turds left and we're clearing them out". I thought, "that's one heck of a way to sell an amp there champ." I tried to get this nitwit to complete the sale with me because I figured that he'd let it go for next to nothing given what he said about it, but he went to lunch and I had the younger and more knowledeable assistant manager to finish the sale with me. The older guy must have been the manager. Nice enough fellow, but he doesn't know his gear like he should. I could tell that he didn't believe a word I said in the store about that head sounding good with the vintage 30 speakers. Most of the salesmen there don't realize what this amp is capable of. The store I went into today had the same thing going on. One guy was a producer/engineer etc and he was looking at me like I'm some kind of a loon when I talked that amp up as a serious tone arsenal. Their folly shall be other's gain I say. Let them sell these great amps for cheap and the smart forum members here shall be the ones to reap the benefits (assuming they have the right speakers). I'll see if I can get my nephew to grab one by selling his Sovtek amp on fleabay. It won't take me long to convince him. Just let him plug it in and flip through the presets etc. He already has a great cab for it.
Virtual Kevorkian
New member
Re: Purchased Vox AD120VTH Head plus port city cab.
Hmm... so these things have built in effects and a tubescreamer model?
Going to have to check this out for live use vs. the JSX.
Hmm... so these things have built in effects and a tubescreamer model?
Going to have to check this out for live use vs. the JSX.
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Gearjoneser
Gear Ho
Re: Purchased Vox AD120VTH Head plus port city cab.
I think you'd like them, especially since you can mic them, but also run a direct line out, which has it's own volume control.
I'm not gonna lie....there's some cheezy tones that can come out of it, but if you know how to tweak the controls, you'll find the good tones pretty easily.
When tube amps are turned down low, they lose all their punch. With these, you can bring it down to a crawl, but still have it sounding good. That's what I use it for mostly.
I think you'd like them, especially since you can mic them, but also run a direct line out, which has it's own volume control.
I'm not gonna lie....there's some cheezy tones that can come out of it, but if you know how to tweak the controls, you'll find the good tones pretty easily.
When tube amps are turned down low, they lose all their punch. With these, you can bring it down to a crawl, but still have it sounding good. That's what I use it for mostly.
Virtual Kevorkian
New member
Re: Purchased Vox AD120VTH Head plus port city cab.
See, I don't really have any volume restrictions, or a need to have a super quiet amp or anything, and I never record direct, aside from scratch tracks on the PODxt, and I don't need an entire new head to do that.
I think for some people, all tube just might work better.
See, I don't really have any volume restrictions, or a need to have a super quiet amp or anything, and I never record direct, aside from scratch tracks on the PODxt, and I don't need an entire new head to do that.
I think for some people, all tube just might work better.
Gearjoneser
Gear Ho
Re: Purchased Vox AD120VTH Head plus port city cab.
I can't disagree with that, but it's another amp to have, if you want a swiss army amp. If you were in a situation where the 5150 was too loud, and you wanted something to clone that sound, the Valvetronix head might be your best bet. Plus, with most 2 channel tube heads, you're stuck with those 2 signature sounds, whereas with the modeling head, you can pinpoint an exact sound you're looking for.......think of all the amps as EQ structures to build the sound around, whether it's clean, midgain, or highgain. It's basically your POD with a nice power section attached.
I can't disagree with that, but it's another amp to have, if you want a swiss army amp. If you were in a situation where the 5150 was too loud, and you wanted something to clone that sound, the Valvetronix head might be your best bet. Plus, with most 2 channel tube heads, you're stuck with those 2 signature sounds, whereas with the modeling head, you can pinpoint an exact sound you're looking for.......think of all the amps as EQ structures to build the sound around, whether it's clean, midgain, or highgain. It's basically your POD with a nice power section attached.
Gr8Scott
Wookieologist
Re: Purchased Vox AD120VTH Head plus port city cab.
This makes for one heck of a practice amp. Volumes can be low enough to not need earplugs while still sounding great with great feel. That was one big draw for me. Second was the swiss army of tone it seems to be (yes, I know that I've only scratched the surface).
This makes for one heck of a practice amp. Volumes can be low enough to not need earplugs while still sounding great with great feel. That was one big draw for me. Second was the swiss army of tone it seems to be (yes, I know that I've only scratched the surface).
PUCKBOY99
Irish Flagologist
Re: Purchased Vox AD120VTH Head plus port city cab.
Man, sorry it seems you aren't digging the Wave cab....mine lacks for nothing, but it might have more to do with the speakers I'm using, which are G12-65s from '81-'82.
Did you sit it on the ground or get it off the floor?
I have mine sitting on top of another cab & it'll knock ya' over if you get too close
Man, sorry it seems you aren't digging the Wave cab....mine lacks for nothing, but it might have more to do with the speakers I'm using, which are G12-65s from '81-'82.
Did you sit it on the ground or get it off the floor?
I have mine sitting on top of another cab & it'll knock ya' over if you get too close
Gr8Scott
Wookieologist
Re: Purchased Vox AD120VTH Head plus port city cab.
It may sound that way, but I gave it a pretty harsh test. Putting it right up against a marshall 1960 cab with 4 original vintage 30's in it is not exactly a nice way to test or compare it. If I compare it to other 2x12 speakers it will absolutely rule. Comparing it to the real deal 4x12, it is of course going to lack punch. It sounded just like the 4x12, but it just had a little focus problem. Theodie was impressed with it. Not impressed enough to offer me his 1960 in trade, but impressed nonetheless. I was impressed too, but I feel that it is not quite the equal of a 4x12. Anyone even talking about a 2x12 being close to equal to a similarly equipped 4x12 should consider that 2x12 to be outstanding. It sounded very similar indeed.
I had nowhere to stand it up and get it off the floor. That could be the cause of the focus problems. I'll try it on top of my edana cab later this weekend and see what happens. That may solve the punch problem.
Man, sorry it seems you aren't digging the Wave cab....mine lacks for nothing, but it might have more to do with the speakers I'm using, which are G12-65s from '81-'82.
Did you sit it on the ground or get it off the floor?
I have mine sitting on top of another cab & it'll knock ya' over if you get too close
It may sound that way, but I gave it a pretty harsh test. Putting it right up against a marshall 1960 cab with 4 original vintage 30's in it is not exactly a nice way to test or compare it. If I compare it to other 2x12 speakers it will absolutely rule. Comparing it to the real deal 4x12, it is of course going to lack punch. It sounded just like the 4x12, but it just had a little focus problem. Theodie was impressed with it. Not impressed enough to offer me his 1960 in trade, but impressed nonetheless. I was impressed too, but I feel that it is not quite the equal of a 4x12. Anyone even talking about a 2x12 being close to equal to a similarly equipped 4x12 should consider that 2x12 to be outstanding. It sounded very similar indeed.
I had nowhere to stand it up and get it off the floor. That could be the cause of the focus problems. I'll try it on top of my edana cab later this weekend and see what happens. That may solve the punch problem.
innerdreamrecords.co
TrippyVinylologist
Re: Purchased Vox AD120VTH Head plus port city cab.
I would have to disagree with you here. If you look closely at the Vox web site there is a distinct mention of the Korg technology in the Blue series and no mention of it on the BBQ models. I don't think this is a mistake I think it is the truth and my ears tell me there is a difference.
I would have to disagree with you here. If you look closely at the Vox web site there is a distinct mention of the Korg technology in the Blue series and no mention of it on the BBQ models. I don't think this is a mistake I think it is the truth and my ears tell me there is a difference.
Pink Unicorn Horsey
Megä Pöny Rÿdr
Re: Purchased Vox AD120VTH Head plus port city cab.
I'm all bummed out for having the BBQ series head, instead of the blue one.
I'm all bummed out for having the BBQ series head, instead of the blue one.
ErikH
Well-known member
Re: Purchased Vox AD120VTH Head plus port city cab.
That's also a very big selling point with the Blue series. If they actually had all that in print, they'd probably lose sales of those amps to the BBQ grill models. Did you run both through the same speakers? That makes a big difference.
That's also a very big selling point with the Blue series. If they actually had all that in print, they'd probably lose sales of those amps to the BBQ grill models. Did you run both through the same speakers? That makes a big difference.
beggar_guitar
New member
Re: Purchased Vox AD120VTH Head plus port city cab.
Excellent amps. I have several friends who own them, and have considered picking one up myself in times past.
+1 to Gearjoneser on the heads being better than the cabs. The cabs are fine, and sound good, but pairing the head with the right cab makes all the difference in the world.
Excellent amps. I have several friends who own them, and have considered picking one up myself in times past.
+1 to Gearjoneser on the heads being better than the cabs. The cabs are fine, and sound good, but pairing the head with the right cab makes all the difference in the world.
ErikH
Well-known member
Re: Purchased Vox AD120VTH Head plus port city cab.
You own a Celtic too. Shut yer yap. :chairfall
To be honest, I wanted to get the AD60 combo when I was amp hunting. Couldn't afford it though. Same with the AD120VTH. The prices were higher than they are now, and that was just 9 month's ago.
I'm all bummed out for having the BBQ series head, instead of the blue one.
You own a Celtic too. Shut yer yap. :chairfall
To be honest, I wanted to get the AD60 combo when I was amp hunting. Couldn't afford it though. Same with the AD120VTH. The prices were higher than they are now, and that was just 9 month's ago.
kjrocks
New member
Re: Purchased Vox AD120VTH Head plus port city cab.
Erik,
Can you run the combo as a head if you wanted too? Can you disconnect the amps speaker? If so maybe this would be the way I'd go. I've been looking for a nice backup or alternative amp. A combo would work graeat sometimes and other times I'd just use my 2x12.
Erik,
Can you run the combo as a head if you wanted too? Can you disconnect the amps speaker? If so maybe this would be the way I'd go. I've been looking for a nice backup or alternative amp. A combo would work graeat sometimes and other times I'd just use my 2x12.
Pink Unicorn Horsey
Megä Pöny Rÿdr
Re: Purchased Vox AD120VTH Head plus port city cab.
I gotta get me an AD120VTH and a 2x12 Marshall cab... I am offering my Mark III as a trade now in the Trading Post. The power selector is what really brings me in as well as the tone/versatility. I keep watching that movie on gearwire in amazement...
I gotta get me an AD120VTH and a 2x12 Marshall cab... I am offering my Mark III as a trade now in the Trading Post. The power selector is what really brings me in as well as the tone/versatility. I keep watching that movie on gearwire in amazement...
