customer reviews
95 People rated this product :
8 out of 10
19 People wrote reviews
8 out of 10
"Vox..years on the battlefield with many hits."
Feature:
Amp modeling is nice going through Vox circuitry. I wish it had speaker impedance selection for the speaker out instead of just a single 8 ohm load and also an off switch for the internal cooling fan for recording.The box is made of mdf and wished it could have been a good plywood but for the sake of keeping costs down, they had to use cheaper materials. I like the metal grill as it spreads the beaminess of the speaker and would rather have this than the classic cloth for this model although Vox used to put beam blockers in their old cabs. I think the metal grill enhances the sound from the amp. Sort of like a Stedman metal pop filter in front of a good mic will do.
Being an amp maker, you have to get ready for the new wave of features and sounds while retaining your own sound and bringing that forward. Vox did a good enough job for the price of making a tube referencing amp modeler. If I understand it correctly, the tube is there to act as a modeling reference and the sound does not actually go through the tube as in some other hybrid amps. Vox designed this to constantly check the sound against the tube without actually needing the tube carrying the signal..I'm not an amp designer but it's interesting that this is what Vox has decided to do.
Quality:
It looks like it was reasonably well made although there have been issues of screeching feedback type sounds that for some reason Vox did not foresee. Sometimes when you first plug into the amp the sound or the thunk of the guitar cable jack sets off this weeeeeeeeeehhhh sound... And Vox has no explanation or remedy in place..yet...Turning off the amp and then turning it back on makes it go away.. The input jack should have been made stronger as some Trog types have broken these plugging in..And yes two input jacks would have been nice. An FX loop for this model would add extra features. I don't see why they put one on the AD100 and not the AD50..
Value:
Well an amp modeling device like a POD costs about $300 or if you buy the original version, you can get it cheaper, but they still are not amps and were made for recording. For $380 bucks you get an amp modeler with a Celestion speaker with breeding...And they've picked the right model speaker.
Desirability:
It has that Vox tone, Vox look although modern, is small enough and loud enough to do a gig. Versatile for recording. I purchased it for live so I wouldn't have to cart around pedals. Always wanted another Vox and short of an AC30, it will do.
Sound:
Sounds like a Vox. Used to have a Buckingam way back when. Even if Vox is trying new things and they have been doing solid state amps since the '60's, they still seem to know their sound. It has a great tone for live and for recording. You just have to know what to tweak.
Ease of Use:
It's not really intuitive and may be a turn off to newbies. There is some sort of a learning curve but with amps with this many features, they are not for the beginner. As long as you know how to compensate for the guitar you've plugged in and know how to dial in an amp sound, you shouldn't have problems with this amp. Sometimes there are too many things to tweak but with practice it gets easier. Rather have more features and tone shaping than less.
Support:
Vox answered me on the screech problem but just said to take it to the dealer. Whether the dealer is set up and knowledgeable to address the problem is another matter. I still have yet to address this problem if I can find the time...it doesn't happen often enough for me to worry but it may be a deal breaker for someone else.
Overall:
I will keep it the way I've kept most of my equipment. Someway I find a use for this amp along with all the other one trick ponies I own. You can't have one amp to get every sound. In fact this amp is the effects amp to my live gig set up which consists of a silverface Fender Bassman running through an Old Vox Defiant open back 2x12 cab.I also use it as a reamping amp in the studio to run solo tracks through and then mic'd as it has much tone shaping features either through the amp models or through the eq/preamp/poweramp section, compression and delays. I wish Vox had ironed out the squealing problem but so far it's only happened once to me. Perhaps in time there will be a retrofit available or Vox will have figured out the problem. The metal grill units are not being made anymore and they are coming out with these cloth grill types. So if you like the metal grill which will out last a cloth grill, as long as you clean it so it won't rust, and it's stock from the factory, you better get one before they all disappear.
Submitted: 8/11/2008
Style of Music: Classic rock, country, alternative
9 out of 10
"Versatility and value for your money"
Feature:
Four reasons why I didn't give the amp a 10. First, the programming controls are not intuitive, but the manual does an excellent job of explaining how to use the controls. Second, these amps really need an effects loop/return jack. The built in effects are nice, but I use several effects pedals to get my unique sound and would like to run them through the a built-in effects loop. Third, the built-in combinations of effects are cool, but I would like more control over the mix. Lastly, this amp should have 2 inputs, not just one.
Quality:
So far so good. I've dragged these amps back and forth to practice and gigs, and they are holding up well. Minor scrapes and tiny tears in the tolex is about all the issues so far after about a year of moderate use. I always carry a spare tube just in case, but everything seems to be solid. The controls are still easy to operate, no crackling or scratchiness, the jacks are working fine, the effects still sound good.
Value:
For versatility, power, reliability, and quality at a reasonable price, these amps are hard to beat. The regular prices are good, but if you find them on sale for 20-30 bucks off, grab one, you won't be sorry.
Desirability:
Some may dislike the chrome grill plate used in place of the usual VOX diamond cloth, but it definitely helps prevent accidentally tearing the grille cloth or puncturing a speaker. The rotating speaker, wah, and tremolo effects are great for 60s classic rock. The chorus, compression, and delay are great for modern rock. One of the really cool things (on the 30 watt and larger versions) is the ability to turn down the main amp without turning down the preamp. This allows you to get real tube overdrive sound at lower volumes, as well as easily adjust for smaller venues when you gig.
Sound:
Very versatile controls. Can play anything from 60s classic rock to 80s punk and get the right sound. The amplifier simulations are pretty close, but the Tweed 4x10, the Blackface 2x12, and the AC30TB are dead on. The 12AX7 tube in the preamp gives you a warm, vintage sound. I bought three of these amps, the 50 watt version with 2-12" speakers, the 50 watt version with 1-12" speaker, and the 15 watt version with 1-8" speaker. The 50 watt units are sufficient to play most gigs, and the 15 watt is perfect for practice at home. I've used the amps with my Strats, a Moseley, and my 60s Epi Casino, and get authentic early and classic rock and roll sounds from them.
Ease of Use:
Once you read the manual and get over the learning curve on programming the channels, it's a piece of cake to duplicate your setup. There are things about this amp that are not intuitive, but once known, set up is easy.
Support:
Haven't had to use VOX support.
Overall:
If I lost this amp due to theft or damage, I would probably replace it with the same. Like I said above, I already bought 3 of them, and I think what you get for the money is hard to match. They can produce the warmth of the older, small Fender amps as well as the brassiness of the small Marshall solid state amps. If you can't afford to buy several different amps to match different styles of music, this one amp may be what you need to cover a lot of territory.
Submitted: 4/25/2008
Style of Music: 50s - 70s Rock
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