Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I was in Steve's Music in Toronto yesterday and tried out a small Vox hybrid amp (a 30 watter). Sounded pretty good to my ears though admittedly, it was kind of hard to tell-there were the obligatory background wailing solos that were making my ears bleed. Also, they had no Rics in stock and the fellow set me up with a Strat to try out the amp. To be honest, by the time I was set up with the amp, I was anxious to get out of there. The price of the amp seemed reasonable too. Any thoughts on these Vox hybrid solid state/tubes?

I also spent about an hour in Capsule Music playing the Mapleglo 360/6 they have in stock through an old Electrolux amp (early 70s I think). The amp sounded fantastic though with just one channel, it struck me as being a little limited. Great on-board tremolo though. And yikes, the 360 made me wish my guitar was here, now! Great feel and fantastic tone possibilities.

What Vox model(s) are we talking here, Bill?

You got me - I have to admit, I'm terrible with this kind of thing (i.e. model numbers and all that-I think it all goes back to my terrible experiences with school math-you start throwing numbers at me and my eyes involuntarily glaze over). As I say, it was a 30 watt solid state/tube hybrid that Vox has recently come out with, a new amp. From what the salesman was saying, they've just recently began putting out new product after a hiatus?

If you get a chance try the 330/12 1966 they got in Capsule Music

Bill,

Vox has a couple of new amps in the 30 watt range. Here are some links to their site that might help your memory:

http://www.voxamps.co.uk/products/valvetronix/ad15vtad30vt.htm

http://www.voxamps.co.uk/products/vr_range/vr1530.htm

I've not played either, but I think they are generally getting good reviews.

Don

I've used the 15w and 50w Valvetronix combos for awhile.
They do the Vox emulations pretty well.

The 12AX7 tube in them is used as a faux power tube, which they then sample and amplify further I guess.

Seems to work pretty well, but the "tweed" tones left a bit to be desired. They emulate a bunch of amps and have effects, presets, etc.

Fun, but I've since gone back to tube amps.

Stubby, next time bring yer own axe. That'll teach ya.

I've got a VT AD30. Great little amp, especially considering its size!

Those Electroluxes are not amps, FYI. They are vacuum cleaners. So those weren't "wailing background solos". That was the giant sucking sound of the 'Lux trying to remove your shoes.

It sounds like VOX may be doing digital emulation batter than Line 6.

ugh, dont get me started. I went a few hard fought rounds with a Line-6 Spyder 212 until I finally gave up in frustration. It does EVERYTHING, but does NOTHING well.

Then I got a Fender Hot-Rod Deluxe which was good. Then I got the Vox AC-15 and the rest (for me) is history.... nothing can beat that AC15 ! (at least nothing my somewhat limited experience is aware of).

I'm in there with you in the VOX camp, Kent.

My first solid state purchase since 1967 (Vox Berkeley III) was a Line 6 Spider II 112. Eye-opener. LOUD. My first modelling amp, very cool, etc.

Then I picked up a smaller VOX AD30 VT on sale, and had my mind blown, considering the size. Such sound and from a single 10.

Still love my ART ST825, though it's a HEAVY mutha. Twin 12 Celestions, tube preamp, 170W, 96 presets, yada yada. And classic Marshall combo styling.

The VOX 30 is smashing, pumpkins.

Twas definitely the VR30. I was doing all kinds of walking and window shopping that day so didn't want to bring an axe along - and I don't even own an electric now anyway! I wonder how my bouzouki would've sounded through it-hmmm, interesting. When the 360 arrives, I'll be taking it around to plug in for sure.

Also, the guy at Steve's was trying hard to sell me on a Fender Hot Rod.

Yea, I've tried Capsule's 330/12 1966. They kicked me off it several months ago because my drool was mucking up the fingerboard....

>>>The VOX 30 is smashing, pumpkins.

yea... what can you tell me about the new VOX AC 30? I know it has some good reviews but I haven't really paid that much attention since I wasn't looking to buy anything different. Is it a straight tube amp like the old ones or does it do some new-fangled modern stuff too?

... and yes, weight / transporability counts for a lot as far as I'm concerned. Maybe in another lifetime when I have a roadie to haul my stuff I wont care, but nowadays I'm humping stuff in and out of my Ford Escape and I DO care. Speaking of which, I invested in a ATA flight case for the AC-15 and am glad I did. Aside from protecting the valuable amp, its got nice big wheels and acts as another dolly for moving things. Plus, on stage I set the flight case cover on end and put the amp on there so that its at a nice stomach-level height.

I recently purchased a new AC-30CC1, Kent. One word....... brilliant!!

All tube, single 12" Neodog speaker. Heavy (54lbs) but not too much so. Much better sound than the CC2 with the twin Wharfedales. I was thinking about the CC2X with the twin Celestion Alnicos, but at more than twice the dollars.......

The CC line isn't a hybrid, is it? I was thinking it was an all-tube design. The Valvetronix line is hybrid, though.

Howard, what do you think of the NeoDogs. Are they really the G12 Century Vintage (Vintage 30 voiced but with a neodymium magnet) with a bit more mids?

How would those compare to the Blue Alnico speaker thats in my AC15?

It's all tube, Lawton. And in my opinion, they are great bang for bucks! The Neodog in the Vox is excellent, to my ears, but I think the Blue Alnico may have it (on reputation alone)!