Vox Venue amplifiers

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Sat Jul 23, 2005 11:51 am

Has anybody had any experience with these?

There's a Venue Lead 100 on Aussie eBay which might go quite cheaply. As I understand it, they were introduced in the mid 80s as a solid state alternative to the valve amps and were designed and manufactured by another company for Vox.

I've decided not to spend $4500 on a '63 AC30 because I've laid out heaps on other stuff but this may be a good companion for my Tonelab SE.

Thanks in advance, guys!

Scastles · Post by **Scastles** » Sat Jul 23, 2005 12:15 pm

Howard, never used one, but the Venue series was put out when Vox was under Rose-Morris. There was the Venue 50 and 100, introduced in '84. The Smiths used 'em and some other group called the Style Council. I would think it would be a pretty decent amp.

randyz · Post by **randyz** » Sat Jul 23, 2005 12:55 pm

Stan: The Style Council was formed by Paul Weller after he broke-up The Jam in 1982. I didn't care for the mellow direction his music took with that project, but he was one of the great all-time Rick-slingers and AC30 thrashers. He and John Lennon are chiefly responsible for my interest in Rickenbacker guitars. He mainly played 330's but also had several 360/12's in his arsenal. Check out videos of his days as The Jam frontman to see some ferocious playing.

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Sat Jul 23, 2005 12:56 pm

I'm inclined to agree with you, Stan - if the price is decent! Made in the UK - hopefrully under Vox quality control. This one is currently going for around $300 US which may seem steep in your terms but not bad over here. The one in question has only ever had studio use.

I read about the Style Council using them - they have been described as the "most innovative group ever". "Shout To The Top" was their biggest hit, I think. One of them played a Rick, so they couldn't be duds, could they?

Scastles · Post by **Scastles** » Sat Jul 23, 2005 12:58 pm

Interesting, Randy. I must admit I haven't been much a follower of Weller, thus my lack of knowledge on him.

Scastles · Post by **Scastles** » Sat Jul 23, 2005 1:01 pm

Howard, another thing, I have an AC 30 and also and old Vox Cambridge. I get great results out of both of them....but I obviously didn't pay anything near as much for the Cambridge, but I still like it.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Sat Jul 23, 2005 1:36 pm

Avoid the late '60s VOX "Solid State" amps, if you don't already know that. They're common in the States and are underpowered, trouble-prone duds. They were built by Thomas Organ in Southern California to cash in on the Beatles thing, when Jennings didn't read the fine print on their contract to license Thomas the VOX name in an attempt to meet Stateside demand.

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Sat Jul 23, 2005 1:40 pm

The good thing about this one is that it's local and I can have a look and listen prior to bidding if I like. Think I might!!

Scastles · Post by **Scastles** » Sat Jul 23, 2005 1:59 pm

No harm, no foul in checking something out, even though the Venue series were solid-states.

randyz · Post by **randyz** » Sat Jul 23, 2005 3:25 pm

Stan: I didn't mean to lecture a fellow Texan, but when one sees a hero dismissed in such a way, something must be said. The Style Council (or The Jam) never made a wave in this country (or even a ripple), so most folks would never know a thing about them. Paul still plays Ricks (360WB's and 330's) on occasion, but he's mostly playing Epiphone Casinos, Gibson SG's and other guitars. He's a real artist and a terrific performer, so whether I like all of his projects or not, I respect him for his artistry.

Scastles · Post by **Scastles** » Sun Jul 24, 2005 3:56 am

No lecture felt, Randy. And I didn't mean to fluff off your post. I have seen Weller mentioned numerous times on different threads. I am still going back and rediscovering a number of artists who slipped through the cracks with me a few years back. I like to think of it as NOS of CD's, Weller (and others) among my those who I will be giving new attention.

atomic_punk · Post by **atomic_punk** » Sun Jul 24, 2005 4:48 am

Weller and the Jam were one of the best punk (as they started) and New Wave (as they ended) bands of the early 80's. They broke up basically (as I understand it) because Paul didn't think they could go any farther or get any bigger than they were.
I think the reason they never "Made it" over here was that they were SO English. Meaning, a little hard for US listeners to digest. (I did it just fine, though!!!)
I bought the first Style Council LP because I was hoping for something a little different, but it was too different for me.
Paul and Bruce Foxton were both Ric players and a big influence on me getting into Rics. I highly recommend the Complete Jam DVD set if you wanna see what you missed!

randyz · Post by **randyz** » Sun Jul 24, 2005 4:39 pm

I just got a DVD collection of Style Council videos this weekend, and was surprised by the number of Ricks that it features. Paul can be seen playing a gorgeous 360F (FG or AG with gold TRC and guards), his 330 with the pop-art 'Whamm!' finish, and a 360 MG. The Style Council played blue-eyed soul, and I'm afraid that isn't my cup of cappacino (though I tried to like it back in 1983). Pleasant enough but boring to me.