Vox Valvetronix AD30VT

I've been wanting to post some sound clips of my Vox modeling amp for some time now, but I don't have any home recording tools, so I got a little creative and recorded a few samples using Garage Band, then posted them on a new Myspace page I created.

Although the Valvetronix amp is not new to the market, this amp is a great value and I've always wanted to give fellow guitarists a chance to hear what the amp can do. At the same time this gives me a chance to show off a few of the guitars in my collection...remember I'm not making my living playing guitar, so this is designed to demonstrate TONE, not TALENT.

Note: In each case the guitar is plugged directly into the amp, using only the amp's effects as described below...

Here's a description of each sound sample:

1. "66 Jag on board effects tour"

I love the pickups on this old Fender Jaguar. Great vintage tone, even if you have to put up with a little buzzing and rattling along the way.

This sample was recorded using one of the Jag's more "trebly" lead circuits. The effects are demonstrated in the following order:

Auto Wah
Compressor
Compressor + Phaser
Flanger + Reverb
Tremelo + Reverb
Rotary + Reverb
Delay

2. "66 Jag clean Fender models"

This sample is designed to show the amp's two Fender models while using the Jag's lead circuit - first with max treble then with more bass (using the trio of slider switches on the guitar).

I start with the Black 2x12 model, then go to the Tweed 4x10. The sound of the guitar's switches will make it obvious when I'm changing settings.

This clip was recorded using the amp's reverb. I think you'll hear that a Jag, although always thought of as a surf guitar, can sound a helluva lot like a Strat.

3. "LP P90s Max Gain"

The title says it all. I'm using my Les Paul doublecut with P90s, using just the bridge pickup, and I have the amp's volume and gain dimed. You'll get tired of hearing my D-A riff, but you'll get the idea!

I go through all 11 amp models as follows:

Boutique Clean -- some nice overdrive. Almost an alt country sound.
Black 2x12 -- takes it up a notch.
Tweed 4x10 -- does just what you'd expect from a Bassman model.
AC 15 -- a much more compressed overdrive. I love this model.
AC 30 Top Boost -- lives up to its name. Lots of high end.
UK 70s -- big, fat overdrive. Sounds like the opening to "That 70s Show."

From this point forward it gets a little nutty with the P90s. Too much noise from the single coil pickups, but it's still fun to experiment with the insane distortion, sustain and harmonics these models generate:

UK 80s
UK Modern
Numetal
US High Gain
Boutique OD

I'll try to post a few additional sound clips in the near future. I've found that Garage Band handles clean tones much better than distorted tones, so I'll have to do more experimenting before I break out the humbuckers. Meanwhile, here's the link to my page:

MySpace.com - 2 Pounds of Strawberry Jam - CINCINNATI, Ohio - Other - www.myspace.com/2poundsofstrawberryjam

wow, thanks for that, I was just looking at one of these amps today. not to buy, just curious. But it sounds very nice.

And thanks for throwing in a few G's there towards the end!

Hey that's cool. I had a 10 year hiatus from playing and just got into it again. I picked up a VOX valvetronic 50 watt and I love this amp. I have had tons of amps, and I have had alot of fun and get a bunch of cool tones with this little unit. Sounds absolutely dynomite.

Yeah, they really are great little amps.

MattyJ, nice catch on the "G"...you know, I got about halfway through that sound clip and thought I'd stretch my wings...show my range...

how do they go live?

I run the band for my church, and I've been heaps happy with my Laney TF200, but dream of upgrading one day, and lending the Laney to our other guitarist, who plays through a 15watt fender practise amp...

If you were to buy again, would you go for the vox, or for a fender tube amp?

haha, don't push it too hard mate, you might upset the anti-shredder guy!

(just jokes, I agree with him)

I don't play live often, but the few times I have (Church, company Christmas party, family reunions, that kind of thing), the Vox does quite well live. It is surprisingly loud, and with the footswitch you can go back and forth between two user presets, choosing amp model, effects, gain/volume settings, etc.

However, the amp is better in a home and/or recording setting, where it is more practical to switch manually between its many amp and effect models. If you were using it live and planning to use multiple effects, you would still need to have an effects board on the floor.

If I were to buy again I would still buy the Vox, because its value and versatility make it the perfect home amp, and I play guitar a LOT more than I used to because this amp makes it more fun to play guitar.

Having said that, my next amp purchase will be a true tube amp -- either a small boutique amp or a vintage amp -- because at some point I still want to enjoy the authentic Valve Experience. But at $239.00 the Vox is an insanely good bargain!

wow ... I wish they were that cheap in Australia!

hmm ... the music shop i frequent has this amp at $379 ... might have an extended play with it next time I'm there... Products

That's a pretty good sale price considering the $499 starting point. When you take your extended play I recommend the following:

1. Put the amp in preset mode and play through all of the amp models. This will give you a good idea of how Vox thinks each amp model sounds the best.

2. Start with the first amp model (Boutique Clean) and choose the volume/gain/tone settings you like. Then leave those settings unchanged and again go through all of the amp models. This will show you how much your guitar's tone, volume and crunch can be changed by each of the amps. By the time you get to "Boutique Overdrive" you'll be blown away.

3. Choose one amp that you like, choose the volume/gain/tone settings you like, then leave all of that unchanged and switch through all of the effects models. This will give you a feel for the quality and range of each on-board effect. You can also play around with the depth of each individual effect.

Well there you have it. That's what I did when I demoed the amp and that's why I couldn't leave the store without it, so you better have $379 in your pocket when you go