Decision Time!

[Matt]

Well, I've now got the means to buy myself a semi-decent amp around the £230 mark, approx $400 for you americans, but I am torn as to what to get. Within this price range, I have several options:

Laney Tubefusion range (the one I want is 120W (the TF-300 II), hybrid (tube/ss))
Vox Valvetronix (The AD50VT, again a hybrid amp, but only 50W)
Fender FM series (the FM-212R is 100W, but doesnt look great)
Marshall MG series (Shudder)
Marshall AVT50 (looks nice but again only 50W. Hybrid)
Epiphone Triggerman amps (60W, but SS)
Line6 Spider II series (look interesting, but still all SS)

Now, the thing is, I jam regularly, and I'm about to start gigging often. My current amp (which is pretty damn awful) is 60W, and it can barely keep up with the drummer, and it squeals like a pig at high volumes with feedback, which is why I am skeptical of the amps below 60W. Theres part of me that wants an all valve amp, but I cant get one big enough at this price range, and I need the amp soon, so I can't wait and save more money (I'll be ordering this weekend).

So my question is, what to go for? I'm leaning toward the Laney, because it does have fairly convincing tube sound, and alot of wattage. check them out here, but I'm fairly sure alot of you here will try to persuade me otherwise *cough* Vox *cough*

regards

Matt

[marnold***]

Naturally, I'd plug the Vox. Are you sure that the feedback is actually the amp's problem and not the guitar's?

[Matt]

erm, well it could well be my VS6 SG clone, as it doesn't seem to feedback as much with my '51. Probably the extremely cheap electronics in it.

I've been looking at the AD50VT, and I am slowly becoming more convinced- the multitude of things you can do with it is quite astounding, and the cheese grater look doesnt bother me that much But is it loud enough to keep up with a fairly heavy drummer? The music itself isnt that heavy, he just likes to hit his drums very loudly. And thus, would it be able to gig with? I don't have the money to get an extension speaker cab yet. Could always mic it I suppose.

regards

Matt

[Matt]

Well, I've taken the gamble and ordered the AD50VT. Guess I'm yet another AD**VT abnd Squier '51 fanatic. What are people's tips then for these amps? Any settings that you favour?

regards

Matt

[duhvoodooman***]

Well, I've taken the gamble and ordered the AD50VT. Guess I'm yet another AD**VT abnd Squier '51 fanatic.

Well, congrats! An excellent choice, I believe. I have the smaller AD30VT, and the versatility of these Valvetronix amps is quite amazing. Unless your drummer measures his beats on the Richter scale, you shouldn't have any trouble cutting through with the amp dialed up.

What are people's tips then for these amps? Any settings that you favour?

Well, keep in mind I'm an old fart and favor "the classics", so I tend to stay on the left side of the amp model dial. The Boutique CL offers some beautifully clean and responsive tones, and the two Fender emulations (Black 2x12/Twin Reverb and Tweed 4x10/'59 Bassman) are great, too. I especially like to "dirty them up" with an overdrive pedal for blues tones a la SRV. Your Bad Monkey pedal should work great for that.

The AC15 does nothing for me, but the AC30TB is a cool model, especially since you can bring on a nice gradual break-up with the gain and volume controls. The UK 70's (Marshall Plexi) model sounds great with my LP for classic 70's rock, especially with the gain pushed up. The UK 80's (Marshall JCM800) adds some distortion and is perfect for 80's vintage rock and metal.

I don't use the models above that point much, since they are high gain/high distortion models better suited to stuff I just don't play. But depending on what you like, they may be very useful to you.

As far as the effects go, you just have to play around and see what suits your fancy. I tend to use the reverb settings mostly, along with comp and occasionally some chorus. I'm not much of a phaser/flanger guy, but it has those, too.

You should definitely stop by Patchtronix.com and Valvetronix.net and check out the information and user forums there. Both offer "libraries" of amp settings people have posted to emulate individual songs or the sound of certain artists and bands. Browse through and see if there's anything there you like.

And, by the way, you don't have to live with the cheese grater. Click on the link in my signature info below....

[r_a_smith3530]

Too late now, but wow, with that kind of dough, there's all kinds of cool stuff available on the used market. I wouldn't be all that worried about wattage. Just mic the amp and run it through the sound board!

BTW, with my Les Paul and 50 watt all tube tweed Peavey Classic, I cut through the mix quite nicely!

Oh well, good luck with your AD**VT!

[SuperSwede]

Matt, I dont know if the ADxxVT series has the Tweed 1X12 amp, but that is my favorite on the Valvetronix Tonelab. UK Blues is really nice as well.

[duhvoodooman***]

Matt, I dont know if the ADxxVT series has the Tweed 1X12 amp, but that is my favorite on the Valvetronix Tonelab. UK Blues is really nice as well.

Unfortunately, both of those models are missing from the ADxxVT series. I'd like to have the UK Blues myself....shades of EC on the Mayall "Beano" album! But there's still plenty of cool models to fool around with. Throw in a couple of pedals, and the possibilities are endless.

[Justaguyin_nc]

Congrats Matt!
Hope you enjoy that VOX... This place kinda draws people to the VOX so your in good company... I probably started on this forum due to the videos of the VOX and the 51 over at renman's site... The 51 was a no brainer and is here in the house... I some how got side tracked from the VOX and landed a 65 watt Cyber-Champ by Fender (Cyber-Twins little brother) which I am very happy with but I don't play with no drummer.. although not as popular, it also has alot of features and great sound (imho)... With the patches for the VOX available elsewhere and all the members here to share experience with, you should be a happy owner in no time with a quality product...

[SuperSwede]

Unfortunately, both of those models are missing from the ADxxVT series. I'd like to have the UK Blues myself....

Maybe you should check out the tonelab, its really fun to mix and match amplifers and cabs! And let me tell you that the Tweed 1x12 sounds great through the UKH30 4X12! Lots of great sounds cooking in the lab

[marnold***]

I like the Tweed 4x12 because it's, like, four times better

In all seriousness, that is the amp I use for my blue tone which I just love.

[SuperSwede]

Yes the Tweed 4x10 is nice, but the 1x12 is nicer imho lol

[Matt]

Cheers for the inputs guys. I can invisage using all of the amp models at times- while what my band practises is modern and indie, I still favour classic rock

regards

Matt

[Tim]

Hey Matt - Congratulations on you selection. I have the AD30VT and I am still learning about this amp. Below are the best advice I can give you.

Read the instruction manual. It’s one of those manuals that should be read over and over. When you figure out something about the amp ... read the manual again and something new will jump out at you. I have read mine at least 6 times and I am still highlighting something new in it.

As VooDoo has mentioned visit the other two sites. There is a ton of information along with more knowledgeable and friendly guys there. Especially “VoxMan”. He will go out of his way to help you.

The problem you will most likely experience is not having enough time to read all the information on the two sites, because you want to play and jam.

The Fret Net also has some Vox amp owners who are knowledgeable owners and will be glad to answer any questions.

Have fun and enjoy

[Robert****]

Congrats on a good amp Matt. I have a lot of fun with mine. It isn't hard to get a good sound out of it. Just go to manual mode and tweak away, but go easy on the effects.

[Matt]

Aww, but I love effects lol, thanks for the input guys. I can imagine spending a large amount of time in the manual mode. I've ordered the footswitch as well, so i can have three channels if I remember correctly?

Tim- thanks for the advice. I've looked at the websites, and found a few settings I want to try out (alot of the Pink Floyd ones!) and if I come across a cool setting I'll submit here and there

regards

Matt

[Katastrophe]

Congrats, man! From what I've heard, that Vox sounds like a great amp. Don't worry about the wattage so much. 50W is plenty loud, even with a heavy drummer. Next time at practice, try placing the amp on a chair and leaning it back, to where the speaker points slightly upwards. It'll be like you found "11."

[Nelskie]

Matt - Hey, congrats on the new amp. I'd like to say that I'm surprised that you chose the Vox . . . but not really. The ADxxVT series amps are easily some of the best-sounding amps out there, not to mention ultra-versatile with all of the quality tones they have. Your head will be spinning like a top in no time once you have it in front of you - there's just so MANY awesome sounds to be found in it.

There's really quite a herd of you Valvetronix players on this forum. Me and Justa' are starting to feel a little lonely out here in Fenderland. Oh well, maybe it's time for me to fire up a Cyber thread, and see if we can't put our own "herd" of players together!!

Robert - Vox should really be paying you some type of commission. I've lost track over the # of folks that credit you, your videos, Dolphinstreet, or Fret.Net for turning them onto those amps. One thing that seems to get overlooked is how good YOU sound playing through that amp. And, that, my friend, is a feather for your cap.

[Matt]

Cheers Katastophe, I'll have to check out that chair trick. That'll show the drummer a thing or two.

Nelskie- there seems to be a dark presence on this forum that whispers in your ears "buy a valvetronix" repeadedly. I'm not complaining Hopefully it will arrive by midweek. I'll post the results when I get it.

p.s. When I have the money, I will buy myself a real Fender. Stress on the "When"

regards

Matt