Vox Pathfinder 15R update, and 650 wiring thoughts

[eatswodo]

I used the Pathfinder 15R in church today for the first time. For perspective, we play in a large bare room capable of holding around 200 people (although, while we are growing, our current congregation rarely approaches half that number). Up until now, my standard electric rig has been my 650D, running through a pair of Yamaha MagicStomps (one for amp modeling, one for effects). The output is split, through a DI box to the PA, and to my Ultrasound AG30 acoustic guitar amp for onstage monitoring. I

I've been aware that the Ultrasound, while an awesome *acoustic* amplifier, really hasn't been cutting it for the electric side. Hence the Pathfinder - inexpensive, portable, and it has a line out, so I can still go direct to the PA.

So how was today? In a word, outstanding. The little Vox did a great job; I learnt to appreciate my 650D even more. Out of all the electric guitars I've owned (and there's been a few), this has the best dynamic range I've ever experienced. I was able to set the amp up for a mild crunch, and just by moderating picking strength I could get a whole range of sound textures. Using a volume pedal really helped as well.

The boost on the Pathfinder did indeed prove to be unusable - it adds way too much level. What I'll probably end up doing is using one of my MagicStomps just for that purpose - there are a number of good stompbox models in there.

Finally, close to perfection though the 650D may be (for my purposes), it would be even better if it had a master volume control. I'm now thinking of rewiring it with a single volume control, and a pickup blend pot (with a new pickguard, of course). I never use the tone controls; the master volume would let me get rid of the volume pedal, and the blend control would be a much more convenient method of overall tone control than all the knobs I don't use now.

[junglejem]

I agree about the Pathfinder. I bought the 15R for a practice amp with my new 330 12. Tried it live this past weekend (I play in a large Church, 1600 seats) and in conjunction with the Jangle Box, the little amp was a screamer. Never pushed the volume past 50% with the gain at about 20%. To my ears, almost a tube amp quality. Obviously I was going line out into the house system. A 15 watt amp with an 8 inch speaker isn't going to fill a 1600 seat sanctuary. But for $120, this little guy is an absolute monster.