Vox Valvetronix question

[JumpMarine]

Re: Vox Valvetronix question

I've got the 60 head and couldn't be happier. The plus is that I am running it through a pair of V30's and a Swamp Thang/Texas Heat, really 3d when you spread the 2 cabs out in the room. I got mine for about $330 off of ebay, not bad for a great amp.

 

[lex666]

Re: Vox Valvetronix question

I've got the AD15VT and I really like it. The little 15 watter SMOKES! It can rattle the windows.

before getting this amp I compared it extensively with the AD30VT. I know the lower output feature on this amp sounds like a really good idea ( I almost bought the 30 because of it ) but I highly recommend listening to it first. When I tried the 30 with the volume up, and the output set to its low setting, the amp sounded real bad. Like amp fart. I much preferred the sound of the 15 watt amp at low volume compared to the 30 with the vol up and the output down. Both amps sounded great at their normal (full) settings...

Try it out first. I'm not just saying this becuz I own the 15. If you plan to use the lower output on the 30 alot, see if you like the sound. I'd recommed the 15 simply becuz it sounded better at any volume.

 

[75lespaul]

Re: Vox Valvetronix question

That's just what I'm going to do. I'm going Sunday and I'll decide whether an AD15 or 50 will do the trick or if I want to go all out and get the AD120 head.

 

[JumpMarine]

Re: Vox Valvetronix question

BTW, Side by side with my buddy's VTX120 combo I couldn't tell the difference in volume. The area that I really noticed an actual difference was when using stereo modulation FX. The 120 was obviously fuller sounding than my mono head. That said, the 60 sounds pretty dang great too. So you have to ask yourself, do I want to spend X amount more just to get stereo fx?

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Vox Valvetronix question

BTW, Side by side with my buddy's VTX120 combo I couldn't tell the difference in volume. The area that I really noticed an actual difference was when using stereo modulation FX. The 120 was obviously fuller sounding than my mono head. That said, the 60 sounds pretty dang great too. So you have to ask yourself, do I want to spend X amount more just to get stereo fx?

I went with the VTX 120 because of the stereo and it's basically 60 watts per side...I Like the stereo effects alot.

 

[75lespaul]

Re: Vox Valvetronix question

BTW, Side by side with my buddy's VTX120 combo I couldn't tell the difference in volume. The area that I really noticed an actual difference was when using stereo modulation FX. The 120 was obviously fuller sounding than my mono head. That said, the 60 sounds pretty dang great too. So you have to ask yourself, do I want to spend X amount more just to get stereo fx?

That's a great tip. I actually don't need the effects. I always run two amps at once and I don't use stereo effects. I'm only looking for the classic Vox tones and have read for years on this forum that except for actually buying an AC30 or AC15--which I can't afford nor want because of the volume--the Valvetronix series is the way to go.

So as far as the quality of the sounds, I guess Sunday will tell my ears if the AD15/30/50VT series stands up to the 60 or 120 series.

Man, I wish there was a WWW when I was 20 and not 40, LOL! Would have helped me tons. You know I've learned more about amps, guitars, effects etc... since I found this forum than in the previous 24 years or playing? My neighborhood really was devoid of guitarists so I had no training. Now I'm getting tones I never had and my guitars are playing and sounding better than ever. You guys all RULE!:yell: :cool3:

Okay, now that the lovefest is over, thanks again, lol.

 

[Tim]

Re: Vox Valvetronix question

What am I missing here boys?

I got the AD15VT about a year ago. All I can get is a crunch/distortion sound out of it. I bought the 15-watt hoping to get a clean tone from it.

I have set the Gain, Volume and Master in a combination of settings. The results are the same.

I have used my Squire Tele Custom w/2 humbucker, a Strat copy with 3 single coils and my Washburn HB-30 Jazz guitar. I have tried the three guitars with different volume settings also.

I have tried all amp modelers. They all sound the same.

Any suggestions??? Maybe it's in the fingers!


75lespaul,

My neighborhood has no guitar players either. I am just starting out on this venture at 55 years of age.
Tim

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Vox Valvetronix question

What am I missing here boys?

I got the AD15VT about a year ago. All I can get is a crunch/distortion sound out of it. I bought the 15-watt hoping to get a clean tone from it.

I have set the Gain, Volume and Master in a combination of settings. The results are the same.

I have used my Squire Tele Custom w/2 humbucker, a Strat copy with 3 single coils and my Washburn HB-30 Jazz guitar. I have tried the three guitars with different volume settings also.

I have tried all amp modelers. They all sound the same.

Any suggestions??? Maybe it's in the fingers!


75lespaul,

My neighborhood has no guitar players either. I am just starting out on this venture at 55 years of age.
Tim

I Love the Vox Valvetronix VTX series and I also use the first series Fender Cyber Twin combo...They don't both sound the same to me though? I'm playing 30 years now and maybe it is in the hands to some extent? :beerchug:

 

[lex666]

Re: Vox Valvetronix question

What am I missing here boys?

I got the AD15VT about a year ago. All I can get is a crunch/distortion sound out of it. I bought the 15-watt hoping to get a clean tone from it.

I have set the Gain, Volume and Master in a combination of settings. The results are the same.

I have used my Squire Tele Custom w/2 humbucker, a Strat copy with 3 single coils and my Washburn HB-30 Jazz guitar. I have tried the three guitars with different volume settings also.

I have tried all amp modelers. They all sound the same.

Any suggestions??? Maybe it's in the fingers!


75lespaul,

My neighborhood has no guitar players either. I am just starting out on this venture at 55 years of age.
Tim

My AD15VT on the clean channels sound absolutely superb. I almost get chills sometimes. I mostly use the Fender settings for clean. The Vox settings are good, but not really my cup of tea. I'm not really an expert on the Vox 'sound' so I really shouldn't comment on how close it sounds, but it is still very clean and very usable. I mostly use the gain channels which sound absolutely superb and heavy especially for such a small amp.


No offense, but did you read the owners manual? The controls are supposed to be representative to the amp it emulates. For example, if its trying to emulate an amp with no gain or vol control, the gain and vol controls on the amp won't do anything. Also, some amps may not have a 'mid' control so this knob may actually control a totally different function or parameter... Maybe thats why your not getting the tone UR after?

 

[Tim]

Re: Vox Valvetronix question

Lex666,

I am trying to figure out both Fender's (Blackface and Tweed). Not only am I new to amps, but especially modelers. I have read the manual, but I must be doing something wrong since I do not understand the settings for the knobs.

Can you give me a few settings that you are using and indicate which kind of guitar you use? I really would like to figure this out so I can enjoying the amp like the rest of you VOX AD lovers.

Thanks.

Tim

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Vox Valvetronix question

Lex666,

I am trying to figure out both Fender's (Blackface and Tweed). Not only am I new to amps, but especially modelers. I have read the manual, but I must be doing something wrong since I do not understand the settings for the knobs.

Can you give me a few settings that you are using and indicate which kind of guitar you use? I really would like to figure this out so I can enjoying the amp like the rest of you VOX AD lovers.

Thanks.

Tim

http://www.patchtronix.com/modules....&POSTNUKESID=002f3d01de00aebf6747e023e4062286

 

[75lespaul]

Re: Vox Valvetronix question

Well, Musician's Enemy had a scratch and dent AD50VT for $287.00 so I bit and I got the extended warranty for another $44. I NEVER get extended warranties, but with the horror stories I've read about I figured this was a well spent item.

I have 45 days to check it out and return it so I felt safe with that. I really liked the clips of this amp on the Vox website and supposedly once you edit it yourself, they're even better. I know if I like this one I'll eventually get the top of the line, and maybe by then they'll even have a topper of the line, lol.

Thanks again guys. I'll post my review later. Should have it next week.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Vox Valvetronix question

Well, Musician's Enemy had a scratch and dent AD50VT for $287.00 so I bit and I got the extended warranty for another $44. I NEVER get extended warranties, but with the horror stories I've read about I figured this was a well spent item.

I have 45 days to check it out and return it so I felt safe with that. I really liked the clips of this amp on the Vox website and supposedly once you edit it yourself, they're even better. I know if I like this one I'll eventually get the top of the line, and maybe by then they'll even have a topper of the line, lol.

Thanks again guys. I'll post my review later. Should have it next week.

I'[ve been dealing with Musician's Friend since their inception and to date I've never had a problem...Sometimes I think the musicians are hard to deal with,and I know alot of us don't communicate well...Now Music 123 is another story....Won't ever buy from them again..It's always a waiting game with this company! :smack:

 

[Wattage]

Re: Vox Valvetronix question

For what's it's worth I asked a local shop I deal with for a quote on the AD120 the AD60 heads and they called back saying the 50 wt head in the simpler version would be available next month???

Hmmm

 

[75lespaul]

Re: Vox Valvetronix question

I've never had a problem with MF either. I just like to haggle and you can't haggle with a website. I was going to go to GC, as there are no more "local" music stores by me, and haggle. Then I saw the blem and figured I get 90 bucks off so I can justify the extended warranty. I'm a little weird where I don't care what it looks like, just what it sounds like.

Wattage--your Avatar is....man, she's hot! Looks better on your website, LOL. Get to see a LITTLE more. Too bad we can't get the whole pic here. I love the way you got your logo to look like a real tat. I can't do stuff like that.

 

[Tim]

Re: Vox Valvetronix question

http://www.patchtronix.com/modules....&POSTNUKESID=002f3d01de00aebf6747e023e4062286

Stratdeluxer97,

Thanks for the link to www.patchtronic forum. I have visited the forum and tried to alter some of the patches. I still get the crunchy overdrive sound. The only problem is the AD15, 30, 50VTs do not have numbers on the dials and missing a lot of the extras that the bigger VOX Valvetronic amps have.

I set the master at 3:00 or 3/4. I read it must be this high to get the tube hot for a good sound. The volume is at 3:00 or 3/4. The Gain is set anywhere between 1/2 and 3/4. It all sounds the same. I am confused and frustrated. I read about the other owners of AD15VTs that are extremely happy with their amps. It must be the settings or me.

I am not into the heavy metal type sounds. I like clean & clear tones with some chorus and/or delay. May a little bit of distortion once I learn how to use this amp.

I am beginning to think that I lacking the knowledge of how to dial in the different sounds that an amp can produce (Jazz, Country, Rock and Roll, Blues). Maybe I should chock it up to lack of experience and no tone in the ear.

I play the guitars at about 7 on the volume and full 10 on the tone control. I read this on several forums. 7 on the volume keep the humbuckers from distorting the sounds. Should I go lower?

Thanks for all who help me in solving this problem.

Tim

 

[75lespaul]

Re: Vox Valvetronix question

Got the amp today. Sending back tomorrow. Poor thing is crackling, popping, cutting in and out. MF gave me no trouble (so far) with thre return. Too bad. I gambled, hoping it was scratch and dent and not defective, but it looked new coming out of the box. I took that as a bad sign. I turned all the knobs down and when I turned it on, it popped, the delay gave a horrible screeching sound, it fed back a lot as well, even standing across the room.

As far as I could tell on the sounds, the Vox models were great, the Fender models were great, the 70's UK sounded about as solid state as you could get, the 80's UK was more organic and sounded pretty good. Didn't really try out much other stuff as I had decided it had to go back. The effects were pretty okay as well when they didn't screech.

I gotta wonder why MF would put this back out there for sale, even as a scratch and dent item. Oh well--ya win some, ya lose some. I love the tone of my 60s Vox Student amp, so the search will go on. Maybe I'll try the AD30VT next, but new. Gotta make sure it has an output though because I want to run it through a cab.

Any truth that they're coming out with a head version on these amps?

Later guys.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Vox Valvetronix question

Got the amp today. Sending back tomorrow. Poor thing is crackling, popping, cutting in and out. MF gave me no trouble (so far) with thre return. Too bad. I gambled, hoping it was scratch and dent and not defective, but it looked new coming out of the box. I took that as a bad sign. I turned all the knobs down and when I turned it on, it popped, the delay gave a horrible screeching sound, it fed back a lot as well, even standing across the room.

As far as I could tell on the sounds, the Vox models were great, the Fender models were great, the 70's UK sounded about as solid state as you could get, the 80's UK was more organic and sounded pretty good. Didn't really try out much other stuff as I had decided it had to go back. The effects were pretty okay as well when they didn't screech.

I gotta wonder why MF would put this back out there for sale, even as a scratch and dent item. Oh well--ya win some, ya lose some. I love the tone of my 60s Vox Student amp, so the search will go on. Maybe I'll try the AD30VT next, but new. Gotta make sure it has an output though because I want to run it through a cab.

Any truth that they're coming out with a head version on these amps?

Later guys.

Gosh that totally sucks! Mine is great......Sorry to hear this!

 

[JeffB]

Re: Vox Valvetronix question

Yup...I'm sorry to hear it too, bro ...that's the typical scenario with them (if they are bad)..the sputtering..crackling...exactly what my 50 did as well as my friends' 30s...

The UK70s is a tough model to get a good tone out of on the inexpensive VOX amps...you REALLY have to tweak the vol/master/gain and power levels...

I've got a Tonelab SE due in today that's going into the Atomic...we'll see ..I've got my fingers crossed :laugh2:

 

[75lespaul]

Re: Vox Valvetronix question

Gosh that totally sucks! Mine is great......Sorry to hear this!

It's not that bad really. I figured with a scratch and dent, it was either damaged visually and worked fine, or someone returned it for the problems these Vox amps seem to have. I was prepared for the second option, and that's what I got. I gave it a shot and lost nothing but time. Now it gives me an excuse to go to the music store!