Vox VT50 Valvetronix vs Fender Custom Vibrolux

[miltric]

Not sure if this is the best section in which to post this, but as it involves discussion of Ricks and amps in various combinations, here goes . . .

Currently I have two amps to go with my 360, 660/12, and Tele Deluxe, and I use them for gigging and occasional recording: a Vox AC-15 and a Fender Custom Vibrolux Reverb. At rehearsal the other night, my drummer suggested I plug into a Vox AD100VT Valvetronix amp, just for the heck of it, and I was pleasantly surprised. I have shied away from amp modellers, but several of the models on the Valvetronix sounded pretty authentic to me, even with high gain.

So, now I am considering trading in one of my amps for a Vox VT50--I have to do a trade because of, to quote Gang of Four, "economic circumstances"
Between the two, I am leaning toward giving up the Vibrolux, because I hardly use it anymore; it now seems so character-less to my ears compared to the AC-15. The Valvetronix would seem to give me more versatility, as I could get the AC-15 or AC-30 when I want to "double my pleasure," or dial in a Fender Blackface sound when I want something different.

Anyone out there have experience with any or all of these combinations? Any advice? How well, for example, does the Valvetronix record when mic'd? Or is that just out of the question? Am I going to miss have the real Fender sound later on--even though right now, I find it pretty boring? Anybody been down a similar road before?

[scotty]

Mark the Valvetronics in my opinion is a great modeling amp i use mine at home and have not been put off by it.Ok the nu metal and the US higain is not for me but it serves a purpose and its a affordable wee amp that does i suppose what it says on the tin.OK and yes whilst you cant beat beat the sound of tubes its still got a good clean tone when you need it.I asked Adam what he thought and he said"Its ok whatever dad, whats in the fridge" I translated that as` well its a Vox modeling amp` thats ok for the home and small gigs.
No its not a Ac30 no its not a Fender Princeton its a bottom end Vox that when analysed all in all a not bad sounding timorous beastie.


adam and a 2x12 ad50vt not afraid to say that a Rickenbackers play great through any small amp and they dont need to be all tube

[rickosound]

Anyone out there have experience with any or all of these combinations? Any advice? How well, for example, does the Valvetronix record when mic'd? Or is that just out of the question? Am I going to miss have the real Fender sound later on--even though right now, I find it pretty boring? Anybody been down a similar road before?

We don't have a Fender, but we have a Valvetronix.

As to the recording question, here's an example of what I did. In this song, I played our 355JL through our Vox AD100VT (Old equivalent of the new VT100), which was then mic'd (if we're remembering correctly) with a Sterling Audio mic about 3 feet away. The tremolo and amp effects are both coming from the amp. (It is on the AC30TB setting.) (The acoustic solo is different.)

http://www.garageband.com/user/ricsound/podcast/main (Click "Winter Avenue" down below.)

[JakeK]

I'd go for the Vibrolux, mostly because it's a Fender Tube amp, which has a glassy tone one cannot go wrong with.

[gregga41]

I've just picked up a Valvetronix AD100VT 2 X 12" and haven't had a spare moment to really get into it. What have heard from it has impressed me. Seems like a top quality modeler to me.

[buchrob]

330 and 650 sound fine thru AD50VT 2 x 12. Just a smidgen short of tube quality. Plus you will be getting a fair scattering of useful effects.

The Vox AD series can usually be bought and sold fairly cheap, since they are almost a commodity item. You won't have to wait to buy/sell the way you might with the rarer Fenders or boutique brands.

You've pretty much answered your own question if you are not really using the Vibrolux.

[miltric]

Thanks for the advice; thanks especially to the Clinkenbeards for providing a recording. It sounds good!

You've pretty much answered your own question if you are not really using the Vibrolux.

True enough--but I needed to hear it from an objective source.

[qwezirider]

I use the AD50VT with very nice results micing and recording. I'm not a guitarist, so I'm not a good judge of many other amps. But this definitely beats the daylights out of how I was doing it (direct with a POD). Slap a good mic on the cabinet and I record exactly what I'm hearing from the cabinet. Plus it's been a very nice addition to my bass rig for blending in some sparkle and dirt for my sound.

[whojamfan]

Doesn't the Vox have a direct out for recording? I would think that plus micing the speaker would give a good blend of signal. If you don't use an amp, and you need to get rid of one, then the Fender should go. I can understand the whole "tube" thing, but tube amps like that can often be a one trick pony with a great sound and feel at one particular volume, but less than stellar at others. I have a Fender Champ, and a Fender Champion 600, both small tube amps. I also have a Vox AD-5 battery powered modeling amp I use in my truck. Both tube amps are mediocre at best, but at one narrow setting they sound good. The AD-5 sounds great at any setting, and the versatility is awesome. The JC-120 setting with compression is perfect for the 360/12FGVP, the AC-30 settings are great for my 330FG, and my other guitars sound good through a lot of the others. Currently, I'm running guitar or bass(4003AFG) in to a PODXT Live with a Tascam CD trainer plugged in to the Aux In of the POD. From there I plug the output of the POD in to the Aux In on the back of the Vox and budda bing, I get a perfect mix of CD and guitar coming out of the amp to jam along to. Minding the volume, the bass sounds great through it as well, since I downloaded all of the bass amps in to my POD. That little AD-5 works well for what I need it to do.

There are more forumites here who use the Vox modeling amps to play live professionally, and do recording. A search will yeild more folks who have missed this thread, and you can PM them with more specific questions or what not.

[qwezirider]

Doesn't the Vox have a direct out for recording? I would think that plus micing the speaker would give a good blend of signal.

It does have one, but it's not even close in sound quality to micing the amp for a recording. I suppose it could make a nice blend doing both. But I have yet to try that simply because micing alone sounds so good on this cabinet.

[8mileshigher]

I use a VT50 Valvetronix all the time with my Rics at home. Lot's of versatility for a low-priced Vox. I'm always fiddling with the different modelling functions and settings for tweaking a certain sound. I also find that Valvetronix Website pretty useful, with various postings that other guitarists have used, to capture this or that tone, for this or that band....

More than 600 Preset postings that others have devised for the VT series amps....
http://www.valvetronix.net/valvetronix/ ... ame_1.html

homepage is:
http://www.valvetronix.net/valvetronix/

Check it out....
Rich F.

[miltric]

Thanks a lot. I definitely see a Vox Valvetronix amp in my future.

[gregga41]

Hey Rich, i found that website a while back, ....very handy little reference guide!

[Mossman]

I'll throw in my .02 for the Valvetronix... I love mine. I used to have the AD30VT and upgraded to an AD60VTX, which is/was the top of the line model... Unfortunately, Vox doesn't make the VTXs anymore, and they're hard to come by on the used market, (they're highly coveted by Valvetronix afficianados) but if you come across one, I definitely recommend snagging it. (the Koren-made VTXs are preferable to the ones made in Vietnam) Failing that, the new VT series looks like the best of both worlds between the old VT/VTX series and the more recent ADxxVT series, and will cost you less than a used VTX.

[kenf]

I've been looking at VT-series combos for a few weeks now and am very impressed. I suspect I'll be picking up a VT30 in the near future.