Vox valvetronix, advice needed!

[Ringlund]

I bought the amp some months ago, I get good tones out of it but not my tone if that makes any sense. I like the clearness out of the Uk 80´s but its really dry, I like the uk modern for its gain but it lacks some defination, numetal has good palmmuted tone but is too fizzy. I can get chords, and bars that kindof stuff, out of Uk 80´s and modern, not the single string riffs. And the oppsite from numetal... The tone I am thinking of is megadeth/slayer but smoother chords. The guys in Mastodon has pretty good tone to.

I dont want to get rid of the amp, dont have the money, is it possible to get "my" tone out of it with some not to expensive methods? Pedals, tube change? Give me som ideas. Or should I sell right away and get some new amp, save the time and frustration...

 

[lex666]

Re: Vox valvetronix, advice needed!

If you still have the manual, I would refer to the section where it lists what each of the knobs do for each amp model. I know that some of the knobs do different things depending the amp model selected. Use that and see if that helps bring you closer to the tone you're after...

 

[Gr8Scott]

Re: Vox valvetronix, advice needed!

Does your model have the effects loop? You didn't list the model BTW and that makes me unable to help much until I know that. If you have an effects loop, get an EQ pedal and run it through your effects loop. This will cure the fizzy nature of the higher gain models and it should give you something closer to "your" tone.

 

[Ringlund]

Re: Vox valvetronix, advice needed!

It does not have an effects loop, sadly, it is a vox ad30vt. And I have checked the manual, I might give it another try..

 

[JumpMarine]

Re: Vox valvetronix, advice needed!

Unfortunately that amp wasn't intended to truly get the heavier tones that you are looking for. The new XL series is geared specifically toward what you stated. If that isn't an option, the VT is quite pedal friendly so the sky's the limit at that point. I've also found out that on the higher gain models(UK Modern, Rect, etc..) they need to run at about 50% gain and amp volume to not go fizzy.

 

[Gr8Scott]

Re: Vox valvetronix, advice needed!

Jumpmarine is correct. The AD30VT is not going to make you happy. Sell it and get the AD30XL. You could try changing the speaker on the AD30VT, but I doubt that you will be happy with that amp no matter what. The XL would be vastly better for your needs.

 

[Kac]

Re: Vox valvetronix, advice needed!

I have a similar amp (50 watt version) and my TS-808 helps add some great tones to the UK modern channel

(I only use the Tweed 4X10 channel and UK Modern Channel, I get all I need from those two with the addition of my TS-808)

Rock On!

 

[ErikH]

Re: Vox valvetronix, advice needed!

The AD30VT itself isn't bad. It has the same models as the 15, 50 and 100. The problem is the speaker they put in it. It sounds horrible to me, and many others. I have the AD50VT and I get plenty of heavy tones and light mellow tones. I use an overdrive out front to push it more and it gets the job done. Look at upgrading the speaker, it'll make a huge difference.

 

[GinoAmes]

Re: Vox valvetronix, advice needed!

You should check out www.valvetronix.net, the have a ton of presets and a message board. You should be able to find some good info.
I have the 50 watt and love it.

 

[Ringlund]

Re: Vox valvetronix, advice needed!

Thank you for your input! I dont think the amp is bad, actually it is pretty good but just not for the tones I want unfortunately. And I recognize that I have to set the gain low to not get fizzy..

I have been eyeballing the XL, havent seen it in the shops and as far as I know it hasnt been released in sweden yet.

I the mean time do you guys have any other suggestions, prefably in roughly the same price range? As for pedals could the digitech bad monkey do something good with my amp?

 

[lex666]

Re: Vox valvetronix, advice needed!

hey bro,

as someone else mentioned, the problem isn't with your amp, its problably with the speaker. I remembered when I auditioned the ad15vt and ad30vt back to back. I was actually thinking of going with the bigger ad30vt, plus it had that attuenator knob on the back, but when I demo'ed them I couldn't get a good sound at any level or setting. The 15 just seems way tighter and sounded better, so I went with that. Anyways, that was a long time ago, way before others started saying the problem was with the ad30vt's speaker.

anyways, try a speaker swap and see if that helps. I'm not sure if a pedal will help, since your tone will still be coming thru that crappy speaker. You can try the new XL's but I heard the 15 now comes with that same crappy speaker from the ad30vt.