Vox Valvetronix question

[75lespaul]

Besides wattage and maybe effects and quantity of amp models, is there a difference between the Vox Valvetronix AD15VT and say the 60 or 120 as far as the "sound" of the AC15 and AC30 models? I want one of these amps strictly to get those sounds so I don't care about effects and I want the lowest wattage I can get.

I've heard great things about these amps and wanted a few opinions before I trek out to the local music store to snag one or the other. I'm looking to record at bedroom levels, but I want that "Vox" sound. :beerchug:

 

[Wattage]

Re: Vox Valvetronix question

I didn't notice any difference between the 15 and the 30 for my purposes, I have not played the 50. You get a bit of a difference in sound due to speaker size. I wasn't much concerned with that because close miking it didn't seem to produce any significant difference and I wanted as small a package as possible.

I use this amp almost everyday, I think it is possibly the best deal on the market for a small practice/recording amp there is right now.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Vox Valvetronix question

HUGE Difference...

well not huge, but significant...

I've had the 30/50 and have played the 15 and 60 sev times. I would not really recommend the lower line for tone or for reliability. But if $ is a concern than def go with the 50 for it's 12" celestion speaker...sounds considerably better than the no name speakers in the 15/30...they are very fuzzy sounding.

 

[75lespaul]

Re: Vox Valvetronix question

Money isn't the issue really. It's the volume. I don't need the higher wattage amps because I've already got a few 50 watt tube amps and the Line 6 Vetta which is 300. I love the old low wattage tube amps like the Univox U45-B, Gretsch 6150 and the Vox student, but the student is only like 2 or 3 watts and I wanted something that won't get drowned out using it in stereo withe the other amps which sound great at bedroom levels.

I was considering an old sixties vox Cambridge (with tubes) which is 17 watts and about the size of a Fender Champ, but they go for like $700 is bad shape and $1200 in good shape. Can't spend that just on principal, LOL.

The AD15VT looked good because of the 15 watts and the reputation of being able to model the old Vox amps really well. Maybe a speaker change would help it out?

 

[JeffB]

Re: Vox Valvetronix question

I've heard of people swapping speakers and liking the imrpovement, but I don't have any personal experience

As an FYI, 15 watter does NOT have the variable wattage, you still gotta crank it a bit for best tone. The 30 watter would prolly be the way to go so you can turn down the wattage, crank the master and saturate the powerstage 12ax7.

 

[75lespaul]

Re: Vox Valvetronix question

I've heard of people swapping speakers and liking the imrpovement, but I don't have any personal experience

As an FYI, 15 watter does NOT have the variable wattage, you still gotta crank it a bit for best tone. The 30 watter would prolly be the way to go so you can turn down the wattage, crank the master and saturate the powerstage 12ax7.

That's cool. That's why I want the low wattage amp. I like to run my small amps wide open--cuz I can't with the big ones, LOL. Not where I live now.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Vox Valvetronix question

That's cool. That's why I want the low wattage amp. I like to run my small amps wide open--cuz I can't with the big ones, LOL. Not where I live now.

I like to run them ALL wide open

The 30 watter is dang loud...so I'd imagine the 15 is no slouch..I never cranked one all the way up at the store. I wouldn't say it's the 30 watts of an all tube amp, but def louder than 30 SS watts.

 

[Wattage]

Re: Vox Valvetronix question

The 15 is a fairly loud amp I have nothing else small to compare it to other than a novelty amp from Lace which is 10 amps and doesn't compete at all. Actually I take that back it is quite a bit louder than my 2x12 15wt Hilgen but the Hilgen made need some updates to really be in fighting shape.

I have had no issues with mine, certainly I would have noticed the speaker buzzing I would think? I have used to it to record a CD and several other tracks for release and have had nothing but positive comments on the sound. I like the small speaker it is near impossible to mic it badly with an SM57. It projects fairly well but even that isn't really much of an issue for me. I have not had to open it all the way up to get good sounds on most models, I do find that it gets a bit thin when running flat out but to my ears most of the low gain models sound better when on the loud side. FWIW, YMMV etc.

The Vox models are good but my fav models are the Boutiques (Clean and OD). They are a take off on Dumbles and are usuable for a huge range of styles, I also like the 70's Marshall and Soldano settings quite a bit.

I did mess with the Vox settings doing some Plimsouls tunes for fun but I didn't save what I recorded. With a Tele I thought they were fairly authentic, not dead on but certainly for what I wanted they were very close.

 

[75lespaul]

Re: Vox Valvetronix question

I like to run them ALL wide open

Man, you said it all! Every once in awhile I'll crank the bigger watt amps up but I'm in a suburb so I can only do it for maybe a minute or so. These low watt amps make it way easier and the kiddies can still listen to the TV one floor down.

 

[75lespaul]

Re: Vox Valvetronix question

I did mess with the Vox settings doing some Plimsouls tunes for fun but I didn't save what I recorded. With a Tele I thought they were fairly authentic, not dead on but certainly for what I wanted they were very close.

Sounds great! I don't need dead on, but in the ballpark would be fantastic. I'm gonna go to GC and try one on for size. I think it's worth the ride to check it out. Thanks guys.

 

[Wattage]

Re: Vox Valvetronix question

You know another amp that has Vox-esque sounds that can rock like crazy is the Crate VC2112. It is a 20 wt little beast that sounds like a cross between a Marshall and a Vox. I wish I never got rid of mine. In fact if my buddy decides to sell it I have first dibs.

They're pretty cheap usually too.

 

[75lespaul]

Re: Vox Valvetronix question

I was looking at some of the V series and Palomino series Crates. Was gonna check them out this weekend at GC. If they got the sound, I'd go with them but I don't know if Crate can do the Vox thang.

 

[Wattage]

Re: Vox Valvetronix question

I don't know about the new Crates mine was a few years old when I got it and I sold about 2 or 3 years ago. There is a 10" version and a 12" version both had Vox-y sounds IMO when running hard. These are Vintage Club series not V series.

 

[jonnymangia]

Re: Vox Valvetronix question

I heard the Vox valvetronix 30 at GC today. I was really impressed as my SG sounded amazing through it. I live in an apt and my Peavey Classic 30 is just too big of a sound for this space. I love the attentuator on the Vox which allows you to lower the wattage yet still get the tones related to a cranked amp. It seems like a really good buy.

 

[75lespaul]

Re: Vox Valvetronix question

That's what I like--being able to change the power. I would probably get the 50 and put the neodog speaker in it, maybe even make a head out of it and get a 2x12 as I heard the cabinets are particle board.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Vox Valvetronix question

That's what I like--being able to change the power. I would probably get the 50 and put the neodog speaker in it, maybe even make a head out of it and get a 2x12 as I heard the cabinets are particle board.

I use the Vox AD 2x12 matching cab with my VTX 120 head...I'm going to be moving away from the Neo-dog Clestions because I feel they are too bright and too tight now...They are efficient speakers though! I leaning towards some Helltone 60s,V30s,or maybe the Emminence stuff...I need a bit warmer and a bit looser tones from the cab..

 

[75lespaul]

Re: Vox Valvetronix question

I use the Vox AD 2x12 matching cab with my VTX 120 head...I'm going to be moving away from the Neo-dog Clestions because I feel they are too bright and too tight now...They are efficient speakers though! I leaning towards some Helltone 60s,V30s,or maybe the Emminence stuff...I need a bit warmer and a bit looser tones from the cab..

I was waiting for you to chime in! I've actually got a few Hellatone 30s and 60s sitting in a box, brand new. I've been been agonizing over whether to get an AD30/50VT and make a head out of it or just get an AD60VTH head. You can get the VTH used for about the same price as a new AD50VT. Is it worth getting the head or in your opinion do you think the new amps have the same quality tone, sounds and features. I really only want these amps for the Vox amps. I would also prefer to get new because of the quality issues, but the head I think is discontinued. I also think that both have the feature to change the wattage which is important to me.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Vox Valvetronix question

50/100 watter (inexpensive line) has a extra speaker out...no need for a conversion to a head...

 

[75lespaul]

Re: Vox Valvetronix question

50/100 watter (inexpensive line) has a extra speaker out...no need for a conversion to a head...

That's right....I forgot about that. Thanks Jeff.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Vox Valvetronix question

I Like using my VTX 120 in stereo and love the added dimension,especially with the delay and other time based effects...