Vox Valvetronix Video & Appreciation Thread

Re: Vox Valvetronix Video & Appreciation Thread

Turn the gate off. I turned mine off the minute I got any of my VTs/DAs home and have never used it again. The vid clip I posted shows how to adjust it on the silver series amps.
 
Re: Vox Valvetronix Video & Appreciation Thread

Froget getting those tones out of it at bedroom volumes.

that was my problem exactly. My 30 sung when i cranked it, but the output knob on the back was more of a make it sound worse knob.
 
Re: Vox Valvetronix Video & Appreciation Thread

that was my problem exactly. My 30 sung when i cranked it, but the output knob on the back was more of a make it sound worse knob.

This is more indicative of the 30's speaker than the line as a whole. I've no problem getting tones like on the vid with my 15 at bedroom volumes. The 50 still needs some push too, but is better than the 30 which I had alot of trouble with (I've owned all 3) The 30's speaker is the weak link and is strident, buzzy, and lacks punch and mids unless it's cranked.

When I got my 15, I spent prolly 2 hours a/b ing the 15/30/50 in the shop. The 15/50 were fuller and punchier at all volumes. The 30 only could compare when the volume was above bedroom levels. I've not tried it but have heard a Celestion G10 makes a huge positive difference.
 
Re: Vox Valvetronix Video & Appreciation Thread

Boy, I'm sure JeffB got in here and replied to answer the questions that came up. I didn't want to have to repeat myself again....LOL. Thanks, bro. :bigok: :laugh2:

One thing I do want to point out in response to a post about blue vs. silver series. The blue series was out before the silver, several years before actually. Vox saw the market share potential in the lower priced range of modellers (Line 6 Spider for example). With the success of the blue series, there was no doubt that if they did it right, the silvers would do just as well. I think they hit a home run with them. Sure, there were some QC issues early on but those have beem remedied. It happens with stuff like this.

There have been times were I wished I had a AD15VT in addition to my 50. That way I could leave the 50 at the rehearsal space. But I can't because I love practicing at home with the tones I get from it. Maybe when we start making some gig money I can spring and get one.
 
Re: Vox Valvetronix Video & Appreciation Thread

I've tried both the silver and cloth versions and say the cloth 60/120 VTX etc. sound better. I did also notice on the Vox web site they mention a Korg modeling technology for the cloth ones and no mention of that for the silver.
I tried a 60w cloth head and the 100w silver head through the same cabinet and the 60w was a lot better to my ears.

My 2 cents.
 
Re: Vox Valvetronix Video & Appreciation Thread

I would like to replace my 10" speaker in my AD30 and I thought about the G10 but $85 for a $200 amp seems silly, though I may do it in the end. I saw Celestion also makes something called the Tube series part of the Originals lineup, any thought on these replacement speakers? They run only about $40 or so.
 
Re: Vox Valvetronix Video & Appreciation Thread

It's not so silly, considering the speaker is an integral element of the amp's overall tone -- integral and critical. Plus, you can always put the old one back and reuse the G10 if you find another purpose for it later.

- Keith
 
Re: Vox Valvetronix Video & Appreciation Thread

I gotta admit, the video I saw really sounded great. I honestly (and foolishly) ignored Gearjoneser's raving reviews about these amps because I thought the feel would be missing and I also thought the tone would be a little stale like my GNX-2. I'm beginning to think that these assumptions were a serious mistake. As much as I like my Marshall Studio 15, it's a pricey little peice of real-estate. I could sell it and have TWO valvetronics amps (one 120 watt stereo head and one 15 watt combo) for just a few additional dollars. If their tone is good enough to impress Jonesey, then it has to be pretty darned good. Once my port city cab is ready, I'll probably head down to Guitar center and do a shootout between the stereo head and the Traynor head that is currently being replaced by the factory. Same goes for the Studio 15. I could then unload some pricey ampage and just keep what works. Put the left over money into getting rid of debt.

One quick question, does the 120 watt stereo head have a stereo efx loop? I could buy an additional port city cab for it and use my warm stereo chorus and analog stereo delay with it then. That could be very cool sho nuff.
 
Re: Vox Valvetronix Video & Appreciation Thread

Are these amps pedal friendly? Here's a link to a grill change demo http://duhvoodooman.com/AD30VT/spkr_grill.htm to make it look less industrial with the metal grill and more like a traditional vox. The guy also replaced the stock speaker with a celestion vintage 10 (pretty basic). http://duhvoodooman.com/AD30VT/spkr_swap.htm

Cool links!

I've had mixed results using pedals with the Valvetronix. I have the 100-watt head, which has an effects loop. I run my delay (when I use it with the Valvetronix) only through the loop; it sounds much better than putting it out front. Interestingly, my Mojo Vibe (Uni-Vibe clone) sounds better in front of the amp, rather than in the loop.

The Valvetronix seems to handle different pedals differently, based on which amp mode you're using. (I suppose that's the idea.) It demands more experimentation, but I will say that it takes pedals well. You just need to take some time trying out different combinations to see what works best.

- Keith
 
Re: Vox Valvetronix Video & Appreciation Thread

Y'all are making me want one bad!

Anybody have insight or experience with "I got a Valvetronix but I wish I got an all-tube amp instead"?

Just curious

After this big thread that is my exact question...

I quess you may have both at that price ranges.
 
Re: Vox Valvetronix Video & Appreciation Thread

I have an AC30, a Super Reverb, a Mesa Single Rec, and a Mesa DC-5. All that, and I play the Valvetronix at least as much as the rest.

Does that answer your question?

- Keith
 
Re: Vox Valvetronix Video & Appreciation Thread

Could you "survive" without your tube amps? or is there some gap without them?
 
Re: Vox Valvetronix Video & Appreciation Thread

Well, since my tube amp needs a new power transformer and new tubes, I've been forced to live without it. I haven't been complaining about it though. Do I wish it was working? Sure, but I'd still be using my Valvetronix combo with the band.
 
Re: Vox Valvetronix Video & Appreciation Thread

Could you "survive" without your tube amps? or is there some gap without them?

There would be a gap if I was missing any of those amps. Each serves a different purpose:
  • AC30 = Chimey cleans or classic drive a la Iommi
  • Super Reverb = Clean blues
  • DC-5 = Straight-up rock/alt. rock
  • Single Rec = Metal
  • Valvetronix = Versitility and quality tones at bedroom levels -- or louder, if needed
If I only had the Valvetronix, I'd still be doing well. However, over the years I've had the opportunity to get the other tube amps as well, so now I've got a large palette of tones at my fingertips. Further over time, I'll pare down my rig so that I have one great practice amp (could be the Valvetronix), one great clean amp, one great tweed, and one great multi-gain.

Jeez, that doesn't sound too pared-down, does it? :smack:

- Keith
 
Re: Vox Valvetronix Video & Appreciation Thread

Are these amps pedal friendly? Here's a link to a grill change demo http://duhvoodooman.com/AD30VT/spkr_grill.htm to make it look less industrial with the metal grill and more like a traditional vox. The guy also replaced the stock speaker with a celestion vintage 10 (pretty basic). http://duhvoodooman.com/AD30VT/spkr_swap.htm

Some models handle them well, some don't.

For example: I use the UK 70's model with the gain at about 3 O'Clock and use a DS-1 to boost it (very little distortion but crank the level) and it get a nice hard rock sound going. Or the Clean Boutique model is all what the pedal sounds like when a pedal is used. Each channel is different.

I don't have the effects loop on the ad30 so maybe the other models will take them differently with a loop.
 
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