Vox Valvetronix amps?

[StratTom]

I saw a few of these this weekend at a local shop but I didn't have a chance to play through one. Hopefully I get back there this week to check it out. Anyone have an opinion on these amps? I'm debating if I want to go with a modeling amp or not. I noticed that it has a headphone/line out jack. Could the line out be used for recording?

 

[Mephis]

Re: Vox Valvetronix amps?

After playing through my regular amp for awhile then plugging into mine, I'm starting to think they're a little fake sounding.

The cleans are great, cold but great. Distortion seems strange to me.

Try it, you might like it. If you've got a 5150 I would invest in a attenuator 1st.

 

[innerdreamrecords.co]

Re: Vox Valvetronix amps?

The Blue faced ones sound pretty good, I wasn't too knocked out by the silver ones.

 

[StratTom]

Re: Vox Valvetronix amps?

After playing through my regular amp for awhile then plugging into mine, I'm starting to think they're a little fake sounding.

The cleans are great, cold but great. Distortion seems strange to me.

Try it, you might like it. If you've got a 5150 I would invest in a attenuator 1st.

Thanks for the advice. I have an attenuator, my problem is space, i need something smaller.

 

[Reckless Abandon]

Re: Vox Valvetronix amps?

I really love mine. With some dialing in you can get really close to the amps it is modeling. To me it sounds more like what you would hear on a cd, so it is a bit processed. BUt I would not trade mine for anything. The amount of sounds you can get is incredable. Just mess with the knobs and you will be happy. It is not 100% exact on replication but close enough to have fun with. I have one of the blue front ones.

 

[pedalinbob]

Re: Vox Valvetronix amps?

Many people love them.

I tried an AD30VT, and thought it sounded muffled and un-dynamic.
I tested a 60w version with the built in "stomp boxes", but it still didn't do it for me...but, I didn't have long to really tweak it.

 

[StratTom]

Re: Vox Valvetronix amps?

I really love mine. With some dialing in you can get really close to the amps it is modeling. To me it sounds more like what you would hear on a cd, so it is a bit processed. BUt I would not trade mine for anything. The amount of sounds you can get is incredable. Just mess with the knobs and you will be happy. It is not 100% exact on replication but close enough to have fun with. I have one of the blue front ones.

I try to look at modeling amps knowing that they will not be a 100% exact replication. I guess this way I don't get my hopes up.:laugh2: Glad to hear you like yours!

 

[JumpMarine]

Re: Vox Valvetronix amps?

They are great amps for what they are. I had the 60 watt mono head running into a couple of 2x12's(Vintage 30's/Texas Heat/Swamp Thang)and really enjoyed it. No, it won't get you 100% true tube tone but it does sound good and is a knob tweakers paradise.

 

[ErikH]

Re: Vox Valvetronix amps?

To me they are the most "real" sound modellers out there. After my Marshall 100 watt head blew the power OT, I need an amp fast and went on the hunt. Yeah, I could've fixed the Marshall and I want too but the cost was more than getting a new amp. So, I tried several out and the Vox AD50 took the prize. I love it and it has kept up no problem with playing almost every day.

The direct out sounds pretty darn good for recording. Better than most amps I've heard. The wattage selector is the coolest feature though.

Take one of your guitars and try them out and fiddle with it, not just the presets either, but in manual mode. There's some good tones to be had from them.

 

[StratTom]

Re: Vox Valvetronix amps?

To me they are the most "real" sound modellers out there. After my Marshall 100 watt head blew the power OT, I need an amp fast and went on the hunt. Yeah, I could've fixed the Marshall and I want too but the cost was more than getting a new amp. So, I tried several out and the Vox AD50 took the prize. I love it and it has kept up no problem with playing almost every day.

The direct out sounds pretty darn good for recording. Better than most amps I've heard. The wattage selector is the coolest feature though.

Take one of your guitars and try them out and fiddle with it, not just the presets either, but in manual mode. There's some good tones to be had from them.

Cool! Nice to hear that it's good for recording too. I'm going to try and check these out this week.

Thanks!

 

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

Re: Vox Valvetronix amps?

I've got the newer version of the head, AD100VTH. The versitility is great, and I love the continuous wattage selector. I play it into a Mesa 2x12 cab with V30s. I've also recorded direct from the head and played it through headphones. It definitely shines when run through the cab; the cleans are better than the drive tones when playing direct.

Remind me to make some clips of it tonight for you. I think you'll be surprised. It probably makes sense to do some A/B clips of the direct tone vs. the mic'd tone through the 2x12.

- Keith

 

[StratTom]

Re: Vox Valvetronix amps?

I've got the newer version of the head, AD100VTH. The versitility is great, and I love the continuous wattage selector. I play it into a Mesa 2x12 cab with V30s. I've also recorded direct from the head and played it through headphones. It definitely shines when run through the cab; the cleans are better than the drive tones when playing direct.

Remind me to make some clips of it tonight for you. I think you'll be surprised. It probably makes sense to do some A/B clips of the direct tone vs. the mic'd tone through the 2x12.

- Keith

Awesome, I'd love to hear some clips, thanks!

 

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

Re: Vox Valvetronix amps?

I just set myself a reminder to do so. Any tones in particular you'd like to hear?

- Keith

 

[StratTom]

Re: Vox Valvetronix amps?

I just set myself a reminder to do so. Any tones in particular you'd like to hear?

- Keith

Any Marshall tones would work for me. If there is a high gain, like a mesa or a 5150 that would be great too. Way not throw in some cleans too. Hope I'm not asking for too much.

 

[WhoFan]

Re: Vox Valvetronix amps?

I own a real 5150 and a JCM 800 head... but for around the house and just jamming for fun with friends, band practices, so on i have been looking at the AD50VTH thingy... there is no way i'm going to expect a $400 practice computer based amp to sound like my real amps but for some sessions with my buddies it would be more then i need! For a few hundred bucks they make a nice compact portable amp that can sound good and have a huge 4x12 bottom end to them.. It's true you get what you pay for, but for the little bit of money these computer based things run you are getting a lot!

 

[Foeburner]

Re: Vox Valvetronix amps?

I have one, silverfront ad50vt. It sounds great by itself but when running thru cab It really sounds sweet. Quite close to the amps modeled. And the variable power level is great thing.

 

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

Re: Vox Valvetronix amps?

I don't think the 50-watt comes in a head-only version.

 

[JumpMarine]

Re: Vox Valvetronix amps?

Just for reference....

The amps are modeled after:
AC15: Modeled after a 1962 VOX AC15
Amp specs: 1x12”, 15 Watts
Valve specs: 1xEF86, 3xECC83s, 1xECC82, 1xEZ81, 2xEL84s

*CONTROL NOTE: The original AC15’s Top Cut control works in the opposite way you’d expect – it “cuts” when you turn it up! You’ll be glad to read that our model of the Top Cut control (the PRESENCE knob) works in a much more logical fashion – turn it up for more “sparkle”, turn it down for less.

AC15TB: Modeled after a Korg re-issue VOX AC15TB (Top Boost)
Amp specs: 1x12” Celestion “Blue” speaker, 15 Watts
Valve specs: 5xECC83s, 1x5Y3GT, 2xEL84s

*CONTROL NOTE: The original has two tone controls – Treble and Bass. So, as is the norm, the Valvetronix’s TREBLE and BASS controls mimic their namesakes while the MIDDLE (“neutral” at 12 o’clock) and PRESENCE (“neutral” when turned off) add further tonal flexibility…should you want it. To ensure maximum “Voxiness,” we’ve made sure that the PRESENCE control behaves exactly like the “Top Cut” on the original AC15 – except in reverse (“off” = cut) to make it more logical, just like on our AC15 model.

AC30: Modeled after a 1960 VOX AC30
Amp specs: 2x12” Celestion “Blue” speakers, 30 Watts
Valve specs: 4xECC83s, 1xECC82, 1xGZ34, 4xEL84’s

*CONTROL NOTE: Once again, our PRESENCE control models the “Top Cut” on the original AC30 exactly – except in reverse (“off” = cut) to make it more logical, just like on our AC15 model.

AC30TB: Modeled after a VOX AC30TB (Top Boost)
Amp specs: 2x12” Celestion “Blue” speakers, 30 Watts
Valve specs: 5xECC83s, 1xECC82, 1xGZ34, 4xEL84s

*CONTROL NOTE: Once again, the PRESENCE control of our model acts as the original’s Cut (but in reverse: “off” = cut) while the GAIN, TREBLE and BASS mimic the original’s Volume, Treble and Bass controls. The MIDDLE is an “extra” with 12 o’clock being its “neutral” position

NERDY HISTORICAL NOTE: VOX initially called this their “Brilliance Unit” but it quickly became known as “Top Boost.” When Top Boost was first introduced it was only available as a retrofit assembly. Even though this modification was not particularly difficult to add, it was beyond most folk (hey, I dunno about you, but messing around with electricity is hardly my idea of fun!). Consequently, in 1964, Top Boost was fitted to the AC30 as standard.

UK Blues: Modeled after a Marshall JTM45
Amp specs: 30 Watt head
Valve specs: 3xECC83’s, 1xGZ34, 2xKT66’s

 

[JumpMarine]

Re: Vox Valvetronix amps?

.....Continued......

UK 70’s: Modeled after the High Treble channel on a 1971 Marshall Plexi
Amp specs: 100 Watt head
Valve specs: 3xECC83’s, 4xEL34’s

UK 80’s: Modeled after a Marshall JCM800 2203
Amp specs: 100 Watt head
Valve specs: 3xECC83’s, 4xEL34’s

UK 90’s: Modeled after a Marshall JCM900 4100
Amp specs: 100 Watt head
Valve specs: 4xECC83’s, 4xEL34’s

UK Modern: Modeled after a Marshall JCM2000 DSL100
Amp specs: 100 Watt head
Valve specs: 4xECC83’s, 4xEL34’s

Recto: Modeled after a Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier
Amp specs: 150 Watt head
Tube specs: 5x12AX7’s, 3x5U4G’s, 6x6L6’s

US Higain: Modeled after a Soldano SLO100
Amp specs: 100 Watt head
Tube specs: 4x12AX7’s, 4x6L6’s

Boutique OD: Modeled after a Dumble Overdrive Special
Amp specs: 100 Watt head
Tube specs: 3x12AX7’s, 4xEL34’s

Boutique CL: Modeled after a Dumble Overdrive Special
Amp specs: 100 Watt head
Tube specs: 3x12AX7’s, 4x6L6’s

Black 2x12: Modeled after a Fender Twin Reverb
Amp specs: 2x12”, 85 Watt
Tube specs: 4x12AX7’s, 2x12AT7’s (ECC81), 4x6L6’s

TONAL HINT: BLACK 2x12 is the perfect partner for ACOUSTIC (Acoustic Guitar Simulator) in the Pedal section.

Tweed 1x12: Modeled after a Fender Tweed Deluxe
Amp specs: 1x12”, 18 Watt
Tube specs: 1x12AY7, 2x12AX7’s, 1x5Y3GT, 2x6V6’s

Original Tone control turned all the way down (off) = BASS on full; TREBLE and MIDDLE at 9 o’clock (PRESENCE “off”).

Original Tone control turned up “full” (on 10) = TREBLE on full; MIDDLE and BASS at 3 o’clock (PRESENCE “off”).
NOTE: As the original doesn’t have a Presence control, PRESENCE is “neutral” when “off,” but can be used to add “extra” sparkle and cut to the model if you so wish.

TONAL HINT: To duplicate this “big sounding” little amp even more accurately, turn the POWER SELECT to 15W on the AD60VT and 15W x 2 on the AD120VT.

Tweed 4x10: Modeled after a Fender Bassman 5F6-A
Amp specs: 4x10”, 35-40 Watts
Tube specs: 1x12AY7, 2x12AX7’s, 1xGZ34, 2x5881’s

TONAL NOTE: Just like on the original, the Middle and Treble control of TWEED 4x10 are highly interactive and high settings of the Middle control automatically add treble to your sound. As a result, you may want to turn down the Treble control as a counter measure. Conversely, low Middle settings reduce treble so you might wanna crank the Treble a little more in such instances.

 

[Foeburner]

Re: Vox Valvetronix amps?

I don't think the 50-watt comes in a head-only version.

No it doesn't, but it has external speaker out.