A quick question for VOX DA/AD users

[markb]

Having spent a lot of time lately bonding with the "Blues 2" setting on my DA5, I'd like to ask those who've used both the AD and DA amps whether the AC15 setting on (say) the AD50VT is as impressive as the little baby. This tone blooms beautifully, crunches on demand and cleans up a treat AND it's coming out of something the size of a shoebox! It's like Buddy Miller playing Richard Thompson (or vice versa). I can see this becoming my core tone as it beats the bottom off a BD-2 into Ch 1 of my TM60 which is the closest I can get to it with my current rig.

PS, please say no as my wallet and SO will thank you :)

[oldguy]

Haven't had the chance to play one yet, but I hear they're nice.


If this keeps up.........you may need to add to your sig, Mark.........
:rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:

[Big K]

the 15 & 30 settings on my ad30vt are both very usable & take well to some front end push with either an overdrive or full on distortion pedal:bravo:

[Radioboy950]

On my 50, the AC models sound very good. There was a time when I was using pretty much only those models, plus a Tubescreamer. That covered everything I needed for the moment. It really takes a pedal very well.

[piebaldpython]

Hey MarkB,
How do you like the amp settings (blues 1-3, crunch, nu-metal, etal) on your DA5? The DA15 has piqued my interest for a long time.

[sunvalleylaw]

The AC settings, and the UK70s have been my favorites as I have messed around with those in the stores.

[marnold]

UK70s with or without a Tubescreamer is my favorite. I normally use the Black 2x12 for clean/blues, but I don't like the distortion that amp model produces on its own. It needs a TS, imo. I like the AC30 a lot for classic rock distortion or blues distortion. I don't really use the AC15 that much--mainly because of the default autowah on the preset.

[R_of_G]

UK70s with or without a Tubescreamer is my favorite ... I like the AC30 a lot for classic rock distortion or blues distortion. I don't really use the AC15 that much--mainly because of the default autowah on the preset.

agreed on all counts.

[markb]

Thanks for the advice. I've got the TS thing covered with a Bad Monkey, I almost never try to get all my drive from my amp. UK70s (Crunch1 on the DA5) is my third favourite tone, I could see me storing the Twin and the AC15 and pretty much forgetting the rest except for one off uses. I have the feeling my TM60 is getting outclassed here. Interesting, I think I'll have to haul my tele' down to the local dealer and test further.

Piebaldpython, I'd go for the AD if I wanted a larger amp as it has a better user interface. The DAs are very much practice/recording amps only. I can't see me ever using any of the high gain settings but they do what it says in the manual. I got a very cool ambient sound the other day using the Boutique OD with the Reverb and Rotary effect setting so maybe I should explore these further. The Bluesx tones are all great, They're Tweed, AC15 and AC30 respectively and have me fooled (and yes, I've used all of the originals over the years).

[duhvoodooman]

Hey, let's be givin' some love to the Tweed 4x10 and Boutique Cl models, too! I'm not a high gain model guy, but I find most of the left side of my AD30VT's amp model dial to be highly usable. I find the AC15 rather dark & dull, but the AC30 is a keeper! :AOK:

[marnold]

Hey, let's be givin' some love to the Tweed 4x10 and Boutique Cl models, too! I'm not a high gain model guy, but I find most of the left side of my AD30VT's amp model dial to be highly usable. I find the AC15 rather dark & dull, but the AC30 is a keeper! :AOK:
Did your upgrade to a Celestion G10 Vintage affect your take on any of those models? The Tweed and Boutique CL can get into mud territory pretty quickly for me.

[markb]

I find the AC15 rather dark & dull, but the AC30 is a keeper! :AOK:

Dark? Not with a tele' :dude:

And to all those who suggested using a Tube Screamer, I hooked up a Bad Monkey, whoaah!

[just strum]

Hey, let's be givin' some love to the Tweed 4x10 and Boutique Cl models, too! I'm not a high gain model guy, but I find most of the left side of my AD30VT's amp model dial to be highly usable. I find the AC15 rather dark & dull, but the AC30 is a keeper! :AOK:

+1:AOK:

[markb]

AD50VT landed today. Used but in great nick and local seller at a good price. No footswitch but hey, it'll take me a while getting used to it before I play out with it. Thanks for all the tips, it looks like the Tweed is getting the nod for clean(ish) duties while the AC15 is every bit as good as the DA5's version but without the "essence of shoebox".

[tot_Ou_tard]

Hey, let's be givin' some love to the Tweed 4x10 and Boutique Cl models, too! I'm not a high gain model guy, but I find most of the left side of my AD30VT's amp model dial to be highly usable. I find the AC15 rather dark & dull, but the AC30 is a keeper! :AOK:
I find the AC15 dark as well, but it becomes very nice indeed, if you can manage to eq it to your tastes.

[duhvoodooman]

Did your upgrade to a Celestion G10 Vintage affect your take on any of those models? The Tweed and Boutique CL can get into mud territory pretty quickly for me.
The G10 has a firmer bottom (rather pornographic, that phrase!) so it gives you a little more room before muddiness sets in.

BTW, I didn't mean to imply that the AC15 model isn't useful, just that it's dark sounding (to me) as a preset. You can EQ it to be brighter, and a treble booster does wonders with it. It breaks up pretty nicely with gain, too.

[markb]

After some testing, I think you may be right about the AC15/AC30 sounds. The AC15 with a bit of extra gain is gorgeous for just playing on, but the AC30 will have more presence for live use. It's hard to tell on the DA5 with that 6" speaker. The bigger amp really opens the voices up nicely.