Valvetronics guys---

[75lespaul]

My Valvetronix AD60VTX, which is about 2 1/2 months old, is doing a few strange things. First, on the cleaner amps like the Voxes, Fenders and Marshall JTM45 I am getting a low/soft pumping or thumping sound, almost like a heartbeat. I have no effects on at all, just the basic amp. I am also getting weird overtones, buzzing, distortion like sounds on the G B & E strings. More with the Strats, but also with my Les Pauls. I used all the guitars through five other real tube amps and these tones weren't there. I did use amps like a Vox Student, Fender Champ etc... so they were the same amp types. Could this be the tube? I've got that GT Mullard reissue which has had problems. Is this a typical sound of tubes going? The only time I ever had tubes crap out, the amp sounded like an AM radio so it's not like that.

Any--almost any, lol--suggestions would be appreciated. :smoker:

 

[JeffB]

Re: Valvetronics guys---

I hate to say it, but this is typical of the VT amps. My 50 did it...my 30 did it. My friends who had the 30s/15s had it happen too.

All kinds of weird crap like that...most of the time they die not long after. My 30 never did, and stopped doing that after a bit. My 50 died as did my buddies amps.

Call korg. And good luck.

 

[34029324079]

Re: Valvetronics guys---

I was thinking about getting a valvetronix - thought it may be a saviour, and then read the reviews at harmony central. tripped me out. If I were you I would think about selling it...that is if you think you have a lemon. the VTX is pretty new, but their previous line had tons of problems failures etc. Gearjonser said his was in the shop...

also, I think you have to replace the tubes on the VTX alot according to the harmony central posts...

I dunno, but I am definitely getting a mesa tube amp when I get around to it. Best o luck, glad you posted an honest post, hope that it is no problem and that it keeps on ticking well into the future...

 

[Wattage]

Re: Valvetronics guys---

I think that sound is what is called "motorboating" and it is likely the output tranny but I am not that sharp on the electronics. It'll be covered under warranty without a doubt.

I'd swap the tube first before I go through the hassle to be sure it isn't something that simple. FWIW my little VT has performed flawlessly for me and swapping the tube and dropping in a Weber speakerreally upped the quality of sound tremendously, good luck.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Valvetronics guys---

I've not experienced any of this with my VTH 120 head? Guess I got a really great working one? Take it somewhere under warranty and get it looked at?

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Valvetronics guys---

I hate to say it, but this is typical of the VT amps. My 50 did it...my 30 did it. My friends who had the 30s/15s had it happen too.

All kinds of weird crap like that...most of the time they die not long after. My 30 never did, and stopped doing that after a bit. My 50 died as did my buddies amps.

Call korg. And good luck.

Jeff.....Are you talking specifically about the VT series(Which had alot of issues)? Or the later VTX series which didn't have as much issues,in my case,no issues?

Sorry this was your experience with a nice peice of gear and I Know there are tons of these amps out there that are more than likely like mine and not like what you explain? Call me lucky,but I've gigged and practiced at high volume levels and have had 0 problems with my VTX series head? Same goes for my Fender Cyber Twin that I bought new in 2001.You offer good advice to any prospective buyers of the series,but you really aren't offering our fellow forum brother anything positive in your posting brother...Maybe you can give 75LP some further advice?

75LP.....Sorry to hear About the problems with your amp! Since the tube is the only thing you've messed with,I'd try swapping that out first...Also check the input jack for tightness...Earlier versions had headphone jack issues,but doesn't sound like it pertains to your problem..Try tapping on the amp when the problem occurs? Does it change anything....Maybe a connection got loose on the board etc? Mess with every control and jack and see if you can at least narrow the problem down, also take a 1/4" jack and move it several times in and out of every input and output jack on your amp and see if it influences what the amp is doing....It's a start..

 

[Artie]

Re: Valvetronics guys---

I think that sound is what is called "motorboating" and it is likely the output tranny but I am not that sharp on the electronics. It'll be covered under warranty without a doubt.

I don't think a transformer would cause this, but definitely, take it to be repaired.

Usually, something like this would be caused by a leaky cap. The cap causes a circuit node to slowly build up in voltage, that voltage "turns on" a pn junction. That junction discharges the cap, and shuts the junction back off. The process repeats.

 

[75lespaul]

Re: Valvetronics guys---

Okay! I'm going to do tons of testing on my VTX later today after all the playoff games. My Giants are back in and HOPEFULLY can atone for the last two post-season debacles.

As far as the amp, I'll swap out that tube and check everything that you guys mentioned that I'm able to check. There has been no power loss, no tone loss--still sounds great. When I moved it this morning, I heard something rattle around inside the amp, like a loose nut or something like that. This amp has been BABIED since I got it so I'm interested to see what it is. If I can't solve the problem I'll see if GC can help me. This is the reason why I got it from a local dealer and not MF. Now we'll see if that theory works, lol. From there, it's Korg.

Thanks for the good wishes bro's. I appreciate it. I'm not worthy :bowdown:

 

[Oldslowhand]

Re: Valvetronics guys---

have you tried Rebooting the amp I got this from the ValveTronix Site :-

Although the Valvetronix is a guitar amp, it's a DSP (digital signal processing) amp that is controlled by software. Just as with your lap-top or desk-top computer, the software file paths can become broken or corrupted. In this regard, your Valvetronix is just like a computer, and often a re-boot is all that is needed to re-set it.

SOLUTION

With your computer, it may just need a re-boot to re-set the machine back to where it should be(ie switch it off, then on again). However, unlike a computer, simply switching your Valvetronix on/off will not re-boot it.

To re-boot your V'x, you need to re-set it back to factory settings (see the re-set instructions in your V'x manual). 95% of the time, this will rectify the problem. Be aware though that you will lose all of your customised patch settings, so unless you're lucky enough to have a full-featured AD60/120 and a VC12 floor controller (which can save up to 4x32 patches) it's a good idea to write your favourite settings down somewhere - & why not even contribute your favourites to the patch section here!

(Whilst we're on the subject of the VC12 (or VC4) if you're getting problems with the floor-controller attached, just try your amp without it! Most problems are just caused by a faulty connecting cable!)

Rich

I got this from www.valvetronix.net Might be worth a try and a lot less trouble than pulling the amp apart

 

[JeffB]

Re: Valvetronics guys---

I'm no amp tech John. Afraid I cannot help in any way or diagnose his problem in detail.

Vox VT amps are notorious for issues.

From HC

AD100 combo
Features 8.9 (9 responses)
Sound Quality 8.1 (9 responses)
Reliability 6.7 (6 responses)
Customer Support 3 (4 responses)
Overall Rating 8.2 (9 responses

Ad120VT combo
Features 8.9 (128 responses)
Sound Quality 9.1 (134 responses)
Reliability 6.7 (90 responses)
Customer Support 5.2 (52 responses)
Overall Rating 8.2 (128 responses)

AD120VTH
Features 9.2 (16 responses)
Sound Quality 9.5 (18 responses)
Reliability 9.2 (11 responses)
Customer Support 7.8 (4 responses)
Overall Rating 9.5 (17 responses)

AD120VTX combo
Features 8.6 (20 responses)
Sound Quality 8.5 (20 responses)
Reliability 6.5 (15 responses)
Customer Support 6 (7 responses)
Overall Rating 8.1 (18 responses)

AD15 combo
Features 8.7 (51 responses)
Sound Quality 8.8 (50 responses)
Reliability 7.6 (25 responses)
Customer Support 7.7 (12 responses)
Overall Rating 8.7 (51 responses)

AD30 combo
Features 8.7 (87 responses)
Sound Quality 8.7 (90 responses)
Reliability 6.3 (44 responses)
Customer Support 5.8 (16 responses)
Overall Rating 8.7 (80 responses)

AD50 combo
Features 8.8 (56 responses)
Sound Quality 8.4 (55 responses)
Reliability 6.7 (35 responses)
Customer Support 7.4 (19 responses)
Overall Rating 8.3 (47 responses)

AD60VT combo
Features 8.8 (76 responses)
Sound Quality 8.5 (73 responses)
Reliability 6.6 (43 responses)
Customer Support 6.4 (19 responses)
Overall Rating 8.2 (68 responses)

AD60VTH head
Features 9.4 (9 responses)
Sound Quality 9.7 (9 responses)
Reliability 9.4 (5 responses)
Overall Rating 9.6 (9 responses)

AD60VTX combo
Features 9.6 (8 responses)
Sound Quality 9.4 (8 responses)
Reliability 7.7 (7 responses)
Customer Support 5 (2 responses)
Overall Rating 9 (8 responses)

On the whole the line is not reliable (as Vox, EVER been? Look at the new chinese tube amps, as well), and customer support from Korg is marginal. Read the reviews..ALOT of dead amps. Sure some people on HC are numbnuts..but an amp that dies is an amp that dies.

The heads seem to be a bit better and the 15 watter seems to be the best outta the inexpensive line, but comparitively the #s of head reviews vs. combos does not compare.

My personal experience with 4 VT amps is a 75% complete failure rate. All 4 had issues.

My advice was based on what I've experienced...they tend to just die when those symptoms start. And Korg, frankly.... sucks.

Not trying to be jack@$$, just how I see and have experienced it, as well as alot of other folks apparently.

 

[75lespaul]

Re: Valvetronics guys---

The Truth Jeffb? The Truth? I CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH (spoken like Jack Nicholson).

HAHA, never a problem with just talking truth Jeff, you're not a jakass in my book. The way I look at it, there's a ton more things in life worse that can happen than to have an $800 amp die. If I get it fixed, cool--I love the amp. If not, then I never buy a Vox item again and life goes on.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Valvetronics guys---

Not trying to be jack@$$, just how I see and have experienced it, as well as alot of other folks apparently.

Jeff....I didn't feel you were being one. All those reviews don't really help 75LP's amp problem and he owns a VTronix amp already.....What's the point? ;o)

ANTI ValvetroniXs Lover! LOL

Anyway.....Hopefully he'll get his amp problem(s) resolved?

 

[Wattage]

Re: Valvetronics guys---

Just a thought could it be a cold solder connection anywhere?

Artie comments are definitely far more knowledgable than mine sorry if I confused anything there.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Valvetronics guys---

Just a thought could it be a cold solder connection anywhere?

Artie comments are definitely far more knowledgable than mine sorry if I confused anything there.

Without being with the amp,could be alot of things?

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Valvetronics guys---

They're great 'home amps' but they're not perfect. I've experience something like that, when smacking the strings harder, sometimes the digital preamp will sound like it's clipping....kind of a heartbeat ticking, but only when you're digging into notes real hard. Also, the amps seem pretty sensitive to bad electricity. They hum more than tube amps.

I have a feeling it's not related to the tube. I'd follow Oldslowhand's advise, and reboot the amp, before taking it in. I think you do it by shutting it off, hold down all four buttons, then turning it back on. It's a good idea to write down your favorite few settings first. When you turn the knobs, the LED near the reverb control will blink when you've hit the spot your knobs are set at.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Valvetronics guys---

Jeff....I didn't feel you were being one. All those reviews don't really help 75LP's amp problem and he owns a VTronix amp already.....What's the point? ;o)

ANTI ValvetroniXs Lover! LOL

Anyway.....Hopefully he'll get his amp problem(s) resolved?

No real point I guess, other than I feel bad for him cos this is a common occurence.My advice (if one read "between the lines" so to speak) was : Be prepared...they tend to die when they start doing stuff like that. Korg is a PITA to deal with. Good Luck "

I don't hate the amps...not at all..there's some great tones in them (barring the Marshall ones ) and I prefer their effects over say Line6 or BOSS modellers.

Unreliable or not, I'd be playing them if I could get the 800 models to sound right..cos no doubt they have the best warmth and feel of the modellers I've tried. I'd take my chances again if they could get the voicing correct.

 

[JumpMarine]

Re: Valvetronics guys---

Mine has done that occasionally, but then it just seems to go away without doing anything at all. It's still going and still sounds good!

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Valvetronics guys---

Sometimes, I'm wondering if it picks up electrical interference from neighboring appliances or if a chip inside glitches momentarily. Like Jumpmarine said, it happens every once in awhile, then goes away and it's fine.

I've played on combos, and can't say I like the speakers and cabs. I think the best buy is the heads, then put them on high quality cabs. With a Marshall cab, the Marshall models start to sound more authentic.......which makes sense.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Valvetronics guys---

Sometimes, I'm wondering if it picks up electrical interference from neighboring appliances or if a chip inside glitches momentarily. Like Jumpmarine said, it happens every once in awhile, then goes away and it's fine.

I've played on combos, and can't say I like the speakers and cabs. I think the best buy is the heads, then put them on high quality cabs. With a Marshall cab, the Marshall models start to sound more authentic.......which makes sense.

I have the VTH 120 head that I use with either a Marshall 4x12 or the matching Vox 2x12 cab....I've gigged and have practiced with my amp(Alot of hours)....I've not experienced anything you guys mention? Hope I don't anytime soon! :laugh2: Mine has been a wonderful amp...Reliable and with consistently great tone.

Or I'd have dumped it if it sucked really bad! LOL

The problems I read about before buying the head version,was with the combos mostly..

 

[34029324079]

Re: Valvetronics guys---

I was just going by harmony central VT posts since the VTH series has not been around long enough for me to judge it based on merit...

I sure as hell would not go out and buy a VT

sounds like those combos may not be loud enough, and that the panels vibrate and are made of cheap materials?

good idea to have the closed back though...I may get one of their next generation if quality improves...

hopefully no problems!