Vox Guitar amplification

Features 7/10 Only 1 button for all effects (except delay/reverb). So you won't be able to have compression+flanger at the same time, for example. you'll have to choose between them. Use 6/10 It's easy to dial in.. But it's hard to make precise settings of the effects or the reverb. You can adjust them with the "tap" button, but it remains imprecise. Sound 5/10 I have mixed opinions regarding the sound. It's quite all right for this type of amp, but it's all relative. In absolute terms, it lacks elegance, it's very, very solid-state, it even sounds "boxy" at times, especially at low volumes. Speaking of which, I think it delivers a powerful sound for a 3-watt amp, you shouldn't be disappointed in this regard. The independent mic input (with reverb) is quite all right. It's nice to be able to sing and play at the same time. The amp's main strength is that the choice of sounds is very wide. Each of the 11 amps is very particular. Do note that it's a bit noisy. Overall opinion 6/10 It's really hard to have a strong opinion about it. You can't expect a product like this to have an awesome sound. I'd say this is an excellent mobile amp. It has everything you need for such applications, it's even hard to find anything more comprehensive: Sounds, effects, mic input. On the other hand, for a fixed installation it's quite limited. You can easily find something better and cheaper.

I wanted to buy a twin reverb...I love its pristine sound!!!! But once at the shop I said to myself: "At least try other amps just in case..." and looking around I saw the vox ac30 and I said to myself "what does that sound like?" Phew!!! What warmth!!!! That's the first thing that came to my mind... Do you like tube sounds? You want a nice high end? Go for it!!! It's heavy to transport, but it's really good!!!! 900 euros, new....no regrets USE It couldn't be easier to use!! SOUND Excellent!!!! OVERALL OPINION Expensive!!!! I sold a kidney!!! But now I have THE sound!!!!

If you bought into the Vox amplification from what it's done over 30 years ago then you're simply not buying into the same company that it once was. Vox is really shown how it desires to produce garbage sounding and garbage built amps. They have really lost the touch of building high quality great sounding amplifiers. I don't even think they build anything in the United Kingdom anymore and I believe it's all outsourced to China now. This is the Valvetronix series some Vox that basically is an attempt to be a modeling amplifier company such as line 6. UTILIZATION * 60 watts * 12" neodymium NeoDog speaker * Closed-back cab * 32 programs * * Pedal effects include: * Compressor * Acoustic simulation * VOX wah * Auto-wah * U-Vibe * Octave divider * Treble boost * Tube overdrive * Fat overdrive * Fuzz * * Digital effects include: * Modulation: * Chorus * Flanger * Phaser * Tremolo * Rotary * * Delay Effects: * Delay * Tape echo * Multi-head delay * * Reverb Effects: * Spring * Plate * Room SOUNDS The tone of this amplifier is flat out terrible. It has a lot of options in different flavors and effects to use but none of it sounds or feels like a real amplifier. It's modeling quite a few different traditional amplifier sounds along with a traditional effects such as flanger, phaser, delay, in chorus, but nothing about it feels and sounds natural. I've never really did San Jose in modeling technology but I've always been a fan of Vox in the early years. Now the boxes producing such items like this. I've really been turned off to this company. OVERALL OPINION These amplifiers have been discontinued for a while but Vox still continues to produce the amp modeling, but they have a newer version of this model so if you're really into this then I suggest going with that over this amplifier. This is not a very good sounding amplifier and I suggest only using this if you needed all-encompassing practice amp.

The valvetronics amps from Vox are just a complete waste of time. These amps sound so bad that is makes playing the guitar a joke. It also makes Vox look like a joke by putting out amps that sound like trash. Vox is one of my favorite amp builder, at least it was, but have just been so set on putting out cheap amps. This is an amp modeler that sounds like you would thin an amp modeler to sound....like a process cheap piece of garbage. These amps are such a disgrace to the amp community and th sound of a Vox trying to do a US metal tone is laughable. Vox trying to sound like a Mesa Boogie is just flat out ridiculous. UTILIZATION Number of amp types: 11 Number of effects: 11 Noise reduction: 1 Number of programs: 11 preset, 2 channel Input/output jacks: Top panel: 1 x input, Rear panel: 1 x foot switch jack, 1 x Line/Phone jack External speaker output jack x 1 (AD100VT-XL only) Loop send jack x1 Loop return jack x 1 Power amp output: maximum 100W RMS @ 8 ohms Speaker: VOX original (12 inch, 16 ohm) x 2 Weight: 28 kg / 61.75 lbs SOUNDS The sound of this amp is terrible like I mentioned above. The amp has 11 different models and some of them sound decent enough to jam at home on but most just come up very short. Not that it is all Vox's fault because you cannot recreate a real tube amp in some digital casing. You can try this amp out with any guitar because it really doesn't matter what you use. This amp is a processed box of trash. No way would I ever put out an amp that sounded like this if I owned an amp company. This should be an embarrassment to Vox and friends. The amp just processes you guitar playing and it doesn't feel like a real amp at all. They just mimic the notes you would hit and leave dynamics completely out of the equation. OVERALL OPINION These have been discontinued for newer models so the used market is the only way to go nowadays. These amps can't be much more than a few hundred dollars in today's used market. I would only recommend this amp to someone testing out whether or not they want to try the electric guitar. This is for a beginner player who needs effects and an amp all in one.

This amp is an English rock legend. If you ever get a chance to play a JMI VOx Ac30 there is nothing that will satisfy that need an desire for a vintage Vox Ac30 top boost. I thought that the tone from this amp was very useful and exciting. It was strong and warm and sounded old , but in a good way. The great thing about this amp is that it has a familiar British flavor but vastly different from the British sounds of a Marshall or a Hiwatt. The grind from this amp is very unique and voiced much like a Fender Twin, but deeper tonally and much darker than a Fender Twin. These amps were only made for a short while in the early 60's. There are a lot of them in existence still and you don't have to look very long or hard to find one. They do break down easier since they gave one on off switch which makes amps short out with that quick rush of power. UTILIZATION The operation is unique to this amp as well to these amps. It doesn't look anything like a Marshall or a Hiwatt front panels. To get this thing to work harder or overdrive the Cut control knobs is what will enable you to to that.If you need an overdrive tone than you will have to crank the hell out of this thing. These amps cut through the mix very well and you will ned an attenuator to get this thing to usable volumes levels when cranking. Plus the Alnico speaker are very loud and need to be taming when diming this amp. SOUNDS If you want this sound there isn't much else that will achieve it. JMI has been reissuing the Ac30's but they are around $5000 for a new one. For that price you might as well throw down the money for a vintage one. You can use a Strat or a Gibson guitar and all will sound incredible. Each one of those guitars gave a very usable and tasty flavor. For the clean stuff the Strat was optimum and for throwing an overdrive pedal in front the Les Paul gave a solid warm and rich vintage tone. There isn't too much that you can do to get a bad tone out of this amp. It kind of directs you towards the tone that the amp wants you to hear. OVERALL OPINION I would recommend this amp to anyone looking for that Vox tone or any music or record engineer who needs a good arsenal or tones. There is only one way to get this tone other than this amp and that is the new production JMI amps which are about the same price as a vintage one. If you are going for a Vox or Brian May tone then there is only one way to go. You will need to get a JMI/ Jennings Music Industries Vox AC0 amp. If you are going for a particular tone then the Vox isn't going to be it. This amp has a unique tone which is only Vox.

This amp was released in July 2007 as the Heritage collection. This is supposed to be a throwback to the old amps with a simple control user panel and a great tone. Housed in an oil finished, hand-crafted African Mahogany cabinet. This is the official limited edition Anniversary model, and only 500 would be built. This amp is just tone for days. I cannot think of of a better amp that Vox could have made when this thing was released. This amp was everything you loved and wanted out of the old JMI amps from the early 60's These I believe are the last of a great tradition in quality and in tone. The great thing about this amp is that it has a familiar British flavor but vastly different from the British sounds of a Marshall or a Hiwatt. The grind from this amp is very unique and voiced much like a Fender Twin, but deeper tonally and much darker than a Fender Twin. UTILIZATION VOX AC30H2L Specificaitons * Power Output: 30 Watts RMS into 8 or 16 ohm loudspeaker load—selectable via rear panel switch. * Valve complement: 1 x EF86, 3 x ECC83/12AX7, 4 x EL84, 1 x GZ34 (rectifier). * Loudspeaker: Where fitted, is 2 x 8 ohm VOX/Celestion Alnico Blue loudspeaker wired in series for 16 Ohms. * Included items: Power cable, Dust cover (AC30H2L only) * Dimensions & Weights: AC30H2L Dimensions (W x H x D): 695 x 564 x 260 mm / 27.4 x 22.2 x 10.2 inches Weight: 34.5 kg / 76.1 lbs. SOUNDS This amp is more used for country, blues, and mild rock tones. The biggest users of the amp is the Edge and Brian May. Not this particular amp model but the Vox AC30 in general. The best thing about Vox Ac30 is their ability to take pedal extremely well. You can throw just about any pedal in front of the amp and it just accepts the tone from the pedal and blends it with the Vox darker amp character that is present in its voicing. A Les Paul works quite well with this amp. You get a great blues rock tone that is extremely warm and smooth in tone. I like to use a Strat with this amp as I'm a big fan of the Edge and his Strat is very recognizable in the songs I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For and Bullet The Blue Sky. OVERALL OPINION You will have to pick this amp up on the used market. Since there are only 500 in existence it might be tough locating one but if you stay persistent you'll find one pop up. If you need a well built combo amp and are playing anything from country to mild rock then this might be an amp for you. If you use overdrive or effects pedals frequently then this is just about the best amp you could use effects with.

JMI was the Vox to have hear in the latest vintage crazy. They are harder to come by now a days as many of them failed to stay together working. The thing about the early AC30's was that they had one switch to turn the amp on a ready to play. Today we see that every amp has a power switch and then a standby switch. This keeps the amp from breaking down with everything going on at one time. Nonetheless, this amp is an amazing creation of tone. This is the amp that was basically the first creation, the amp that was without top boost. The top boost came around 65 I believe. The great thing about this amp is that it has a familiar British flavor but vastly different from the British sounds of a Marshall or a Hiwatt. The grind from this amp is very unique and voiced much like a Fender Twin, but deeper tonally and much darker than a Fender Twin. UTILIZATION The operation is unique to this amp as well. It doesn't look anything like a Marshall or a Hiwatt front panels. The gain control knob is the Cut knob. This is where you get the gain from the amp but you have to get the power section working hard to get any kind of distortion from the amp. This means you have to blast the hell out of this amp to get it to sustain. Which won't sounds very pleasing to any neighbors you may have living next door to you. If you want to get that Brian May tone then I would recommend getting an attenuator so you can crank that volume up to get a power tube distortion. There really isn't much if any preamp distortion at all with the amp. SOUNDS If this is the sound that you are going for then there really is not anything better out there. There haven't been too many clone amps of the Vox Ac30 so you are quite limited in trying to obtain that vintage sound from the 60's. JMI has been reissuing the Ac30's but they are around $5000 for a new one. For that price you might as well throw down the money for a vintage one. I used this with a Fender Strat and a Les Paul. Each one of those guitars gave a very usable and tasty flavor. For the clean stuff the Strat was optimum and for throwing an overdrive pedal in front the Les Paul gave a solid warm and rich vintage tone. However, the best operation I found was my personal favorite: a Electro Harmonics Big Muff in front with a Fender Strat. This combination gave me a great 60's tone that was so enjoyable to play. OVERALL OPINION If you are going for a particular tone then the Vox isn't going to be it. If you are going for a Vox or Brian May tone then there is only one way to go. You will need to get a JMI/ Jennings Music Industries Vox AC0 amp. This amp has a unique tone which is only Vox. I would recommend this amp to anyone looking for that Vox tone or any music or record engineer who needs a good arsenal or tones. You can't make a Marshall sound like this amp and you can't make this amp sound like a Marshall.

Let me begin by saying that this amp is everything that the AC30 is but with just Celestion Alnico Blue speakers. In my opinion this is the only way this amp should come. My favorite speaker is the Celestion Greenbacks but I play hard rock and metal and they fit my tone, but when it comes to Vox AC30 then there is only one speaker to be had and that is the Celestion Alnico Blue. This was the speaker of choice when the amp began in the late 50's early 60's and still is the best voicing speaker for this particular amp. It sounds better in every way comparatively to the Greenbacks. The tone is brighter but sparkles and drives a lot better in my opinion. Vox AC30 Combo Guitar Amplifier Features: 30-watt power output (8 and 16 ohms) Birch-ply cabinet features solid bracing and a natural high-frequency diffuser All-tube design 2 x 12" Celestion Alnico Blue speakers 3 x ECC83/12AX7 preamp tubes 4 x EL84 power tubes 1 x GZ34 rectifier tube Fitted with matched Ruby Tubes for extended dynamic range Traditional VOX 2-channel design Top Boost and Normal High and Low inputs for each channel The Normal channel provides an additional BRIGHT switch The top boost channel provides a HOT/COOL switch to achieve even more gain Master Volume/BYPASS switch completely bypasses the Master Volume section OP mode switch cuts the output power level in half Vintage fawn-colored vinyl, reminiscent of the 1960 classic AC30 2 x 1/4" output jacks for extension cabinets Included VFS1 footswitch controlls the Top Boost channel's HOT/COOL switch Premium, custom-fit dust cover included UTILIZATION Detail Type Tube Number of Channels 2 Power 30W Speakers 2 x 12" Celestion Alnico Blue Effects No Effects Reverb No Reverb EQ Ch 2: Treble, Bass; Master: Tone Cut Amp Modeling No Amp Modeling Number of Models 0 Number of Tubes 8 Preamp Tubes 3 x ECC83/12AX7 Power Tubes 4 x EL84, 1 x GZ34 (Rectifier) Inputs 2 x Instrument (Ch 1), 2 x Instrument (Ch 2) Outputs 2 x Speaker Footswitch I/O Yes Effects Loop No Effects Loop Height 21.65" Width 27.76" Depth 10.24" Weight 70.6 lbs. SOUNDS The ability for this amp to take pedal is exceptional. There isn't really any better amp that can take pedals better than this amp. Throw a delay pedal and a TS9 in front of this amp and you'll get some great tone that is hard to beat. I like this amp with every guitar you can throw at it. My personal favorite would have to be a nice Gibson Les Paul. It gets a round warm tone that fills the air. Say you want to get a nice U2 sound then slap a Fender Stratocaster in front of it and use the master gain controls and you'll get a great Edge tone. OVERALL OPINION The only thing that I don't like about this amp is the Greenback speakers. Don't get me wrong the Greenbacks are my favorite speaker but I mostly use Marshall's so it works for me. I think this amp sounds best with the blue alnico speakers. They get you a great solid chimey tone that mixes best with the amp. I would recommend this amp to anyone who needs a vintage Vox Ac30 tone. Or any sound engineer who needs to add to his catalog. At new these amps come in at around $1400, which isn't bad for a Vox Ac30. Years ago Vox did a run of hand wired and they were almost twice the price. I think these may be made in China which would constitute the lower price.

I am not sure if it actually is the smallest in the world but it sure is very small for having not only a preamp tube but also a power tube. It doesn't use any amp modeling or digital parts just natural tube goodness. Vox AC4TVmini 4-watt 1 x 6.5" Tube Combo Guitar Amplifier Features: Affordable all-tube design Switchable output levels — 4 watt, 1 watt, 1/0 watt Vintage Vox styling Controls: Tone, Volume, OP Level (4W, 1W, 1/0W) In/Out Jacks: Input, External Speaker Jack 1/4") Output: 4 Watt RMS UTILIZATION Details Type Tube Number of Channels 1 Power 4W, 1W, and .10W Speakers 1 x 6.5" No Effects No Reverb EQ Tone No Amp Modeling Preamp Tubes 1 x 12AX7 Power Tubes 1 x EL84 Inputs 1 x Instrument Outputs 1 x Speaker No Footswitch No Effects Loop Height 10.24" Width 11.02" Depth 6.69" Weight 13.45 lbs. SOUNDS This guitar amp is really a great practicing amp that is very quiet and can be picked up and played anywhere. It has a switch on it go from 4 watts down to 1 watt and then down even further to 1/10 of a watt. It actually has a sweet breakup when you crank the volume up and turn he tone control know down. You'll get a nice British flavored distortion/ overdrive that is full of warmth and tone. OVERALL OPINION This is the perfect amp for these needing a great practicing amp or a great recording amp and doesn't want to spend a load of money acquiring one. At new amps come in at around $199, which in my opinion is a steal of a price. It is small and compact and will go anywhere with you. Don't try and play this amp at a show unless you mic it and heavily increase the levels from the house. If you need a great small practice amp with tube tone and or need a small amp for recording then this is a great choice.

This might be the best sounding of the pocket amps. It has a great voicing geared for lead playing with the added digital delay within the unit. The sound mimics the tone you would get from heavy loaded amp stacks tailor for metal and hard rock music. Vox amPlug Lead Headphone Guitar Amplifier Features: * Plugs directly into your guitar * AUX in jack lets you jam along with your CD/MP3 player * True analog circuit faithfully simulates the response of the original amps * Voiced for lead guitar; includes digital delay * Up to 15 hours of battery life with supplied AAA batteries UTILIZATION Details Type Solid State Number of Channels 1 Speakers No Speaker No Effects No Reverb No EQ No Amp Modeling Number of Models 0 Number of Tubes 0 Preamp Tubes No Tubes Power Tubes No Tubes Inputs 1 x Instrument, 1 x Aux (1/8") Outputs 1 x Headphone No Footswitch No Effects Loop Height 3.15" Width 3.39" Depth 1.22" Weight .09 lbs. (40g) SOUND QUALITY For me the tone from the classic rock amplug is similar to this one but with the added midrange for the lead tone as well as the digital delay. There is a little more gain added to this one as well. It has a great tone and voice for hard rock and metal. You don't have to play rock with this though, just roll back the guitar's volume and then the thing cleans up a little bit and has more or a low gain sound. This thing has a rich and warm heavy gain tone that is great for single not lead playing. It works well with rhythm playing as well. It sound good not matter what guitar you use with it. I prefer a Superstrat or a regular Fender Strat so you get that sweet sizzle and not clarity. OVERALL OPINION A fantastic pocket amp that can go anywhere with you. If you need a quiet amp that will be silent for practice jamming in your home or office. Just close your door and grab your guitar along with your headphones and you won't disturb anyone around you. At new these units come in at around $50 which is a great price for something of this quality. I recommend thise device to anyone who need a to go amp that is silent and fits in your drawer.

This amplug is a little bit unusual to me. I know they meaning Vox are trying to capitalize on the Joe Satriani fans by marketing this pocket amp but to me it sounds nothing like Joe's tone. Also it doesn't fit in with the tone from the rest of the pocket amps by Vox. The other ones have a very usable and natural tone to them especially when plugged into the computer but this one seems a little on the thin side tone wise for me. Vox amPlug Joe Satriani Headphone Guitar Amplifier Features at a Glance: * Get the sound of Joe Satriani's custom rig (a distortion pedal through a high-gain vacuum tube amplifier, followed by a delay) in your headphones * Plugs directly into your guitar * AUX in jack lets you jam along with your CD/MP3 player * True analog circuit faithfully simulates the response of the original amp * Up to 15 hours of battery life with supplied AAA batteries UTILIZATION Details Type Solid State Number of Channels 1 No Speaker No Effects No Reverb EQ No EQ No Amp Modeling Number of Models 0 Number of Tubes 0 Preamp Tubes No Tubes Power Tubes No Tubes Inputs 1 x Instrument, 1 x Aux (1/8") Outputs 1 x Headphone No Footswitch No Effects Loop Height 3.15" Width 3.39" Depth 1.22" Weight .09 lbs. (40g) SOUND QUALITY Out of all the pocket amp from Vox this one is a bit of a disappointment for me. I really like the acoustic and the classic rock the best because they have really captured a solid tone, but this is very thin. Joe's tone is not thin by any stretch and for them to put this thing out with his name on it is a bit bizarre. You probably want to use a Ibanez signature Satriani model guitar otherwise why would you buy this thing. Even coupled with a Joe signature guitar it doesn't even come close to any sound that I have heard him play. The voicing is close to his sound but the tone is lacking in depth and warmth that I find in the other pocket amps. OVERALL OPINION Unless your are a huge Joe fan and even if you are not this is not the best of these units. It has almost half the battery life and the tone is just sub par. At new these units come in at around $50 which is ten bucks more than most of the other pocket amps. With a higher price tag and a lot less battery life this is a must PASS for me. Pick up the Lead or the Classic rock one if you want heavy distortio. If you can't help yourself because you are such a Joe Satriani fan then this is the only person that is going to buy into this amp. I do not recommend this amp.

All of these pocket amps from Vox have their specific applications and this one geared specifically towards the metal lovers. So the California metal tones are what this unit is modeled off of, which I'm guessing is Mesa Boogie. So if you hear this thing you can get that overly saturated gain structure. It has a midcut circuit that drops the midrange out for that low voicing. It actually is amazing to me how they are able to fit something like this in the size of a watch. Vox metal will get you a good Megadeth tone or something comperable in that type of metal genre. This isn't isn't 80's glam metal tones or even hard rock tones. This is all out balls to wall metal, and you won't get that tone either. Vox amPlug Metal Headphone Guitar Amplifier Features: * Plugs directly into your guitar * AUX in jack lets you jam along with your CD/MP3 player * True analog circuit faithfully simulates the response of the original amps * Metal delivers the explosive roar of US high-gain metal sound * Up to 15 hours of battery life with supplied AAA batteries * Quick and easy setup UTILIZATION Details Type Solid State Number of Channels 1 Speakers No Speaker Effects No Effects Reverb No Reverb EQ No EQ No Amp Modeling Number of Models 0 Number of Tubes 0 Preamp Tubes No Tubes Power Tubes No Tubes Inputs 1 x Instrument, 1 x Aux (1/8") Outputs 1 x Headphone Footswitch I/O No Footswitch No Effects Loop Height 3.15" Width 3.39" Depth 1.22" Weight .09 lbs. (40g) Notes "Metal" - California-made High-gain Voicing SOUND QUALITY If you are going to use this version over the other Vox pocket amps then you are going to need a humbucker style guitar. It is voiced for the low end so a single coil guitar like a Fender Stratocaster isn't going to cut it in any way. Sure you can play through it and it will sound fine but I would suggest the Lead version if you are going for the single coil operation. There you will get more of a yngwie malmsteen type tone. Or even the Joe Satrinani version with be better suited for thinner guitars or single coils. Any guitar will work if you are just wanting to jam but I find these setting to be the best for each version. OVERALL OPINION If you need a pint size amp that fits in your pocket and goes where you and then this is for you. You can toss it in your drawer at work or at home and quietly jam with some headphones quietly without disturbing anyone else around you. At new these units come in at around $40 which is a great price for a finger amp. This is a practice tool and not be able to use in any gig. You can hook it up to your computer and get some cool sounds with other effects units and such. Nice little buy!.