It all started when my dear friend Rikipu questioned my choice of desired guitar amplifier. If you were following my previous posts, its the Vox Valvetronix VT30. Since I'm already getting a Line 6 Pod X3 Live, "which is already some super amp modeling thing", I guess there is no point in getting an amp which is essentially, another effects unit with a speaker attached.
Since then, the competition has been thrown wide open. However, me being me, and having the time I do, I could not help but do some "research". Please do keep in mind that I've decided to keep an open mind when it actually comes to making a decision, this is just for the sake of showing the results of the research and what I find interesting, the highlights if you will, at my price range of course, even if its just a tad bit over. You might just realize that I am a very biased Vox man...
Meet this little bugger.
Vox AC4TV
Yup. 4 watts of screaming power. DO NOT BE FOOLED, 4 watts is NOT soft (as you may think). Anyone with a decent knowledge of logarithmic functions: the relationship between power (Watts) and volume (Decibels), is exactly that, a logarithmic function. Without boring the faces out of you (trust me, I can do that), it basically means that at lower Watts, closer to 1, the lesser the power, the more drastically the volume reduces, eg. twice the power can mean 10 times the volume. From Watts 5 and beyond, generally, depending on how you view the changing gradients of the graph (MORE MATHS?!) an increase in power means a less drastic increase in volume, eg. 15 W to 30 w can only mean an increase in 3 db of volume. All in all, this thing can be pretty darn loud.
This amp is all tube, Class A for those "pros" out there. Dear old Rikipu uses one, loves it. its a 4 watt, which means that it will (theoretically) have less "headroom". It can be a downside for me, I'm not the type that overdrives his sound ALL the time, especially when I need the volume out for a gig, this amp is not very gig worthy as far as I'm concerned (take note, I could ALWAYS be wrong), especially when the venue has poor PA equipment or crew (and there are plenty of those, I've been to a few too many already, drums that drown out the rest of the instruments, unbalanced EQ, the whole lot). Although I'm told this makes for the perfect practice amp, so that the neighbors won't start screaming at me. Plus its all tube, you've gotta give it that, natural overdrive is just sweet. From the video clips I've been watching so far, it sounds pretty good, another good mini tube amp to note is the Epiphone Valve Junior, far simpler construction and features, but its sound is very good, especially with the overdrive. Its cheaper too, well under my amp budget, which is superb when you are spending your parents money.
Lets bring in the big boy:
This amp is all tube, Class A for those "pros" out there. Dear old Rikipu uses one, loves it. its a 4 watt, which means that it will (theoretically) have less "headroom". It can be a downside for me, I'm not the type that overdrives his sound ALL the time, especially when I need the volume out for a gig, this amp is not very gig worthy as far as I'm concerned (take note, I could ALWAYS be wrong), especially when the venue has poor PA equipment or crew (and there are plenty of those, I've been to a few too many already, drums that drown out the rest of the instruments, unbalanced EQ, the whole lot). Although I'm told this makes for the perfect practice amp, so that the neighbors won't start screaming at me. Plus its all tube, you've gotta give it that, natural overdrive is just sweet. From the video clips I've been watching so far, it sounds pretty good, another good mini tube amp to note is the Epiphone Valve Junior, far simpler construction and features, but its sound is very good, especially with the overdrive. Its cheaper too, well under my amp budget, which is superb when you are spending your parents money.
Lets bring in the big boy:
Vox AC30VR
30 WATTS! Definitely gig worthy. Reports say that its a good representation of the real AC30. I can only complain that the annoying VR logo makes it look like, what it is, an imitation. This amplifier is driven by the same technology that drives the VT. They call it the Valve Reactor. A 12AX7 preamp tube is used as a power tube (giving it tube like response), but with only 0.5 Watts or so of power, the actual amplification of the sound is done with solid state technology that "adds no tone coloration to the signal". The result is debatable, if not with a little sense of controversy, you are either with it, or against it, if you're on a fence, you don't know your gear. In my opinion, hybrid amps will never be able to fully emulate the texture of a true tube amp, since this is only emulating the preamp stage of the amp, but it can come very close to the real thing, so for musicians on a budget (*cough*, me), this could be a life saver. For me, I say, why can't we just treat this product as what it is, another amp, with its own character, flaws, pluses, if you like it, buy it, simple.
It seems that the amp has favorable reviews so far, although amp ownership by public is far from adequate to present accurate data. But some have commented on the early breakup of sound (ie. less headroom) at relatively low volumes. The overdrive channel is a bonus for a lot of people seeking versatility in sound, "vintage and modern" sounds can be created. Problem with this amp though, is the volume, if this is anything at all like the real AC30, then this is going to be LOUD (which can be an advantage as well). the 15 watt version (in theory) is not softer by much, so getting the AC15VR will not help with noise, only makes the sound breakup earlier.
The thing with these 2 amps, is that they appeal strongly to my appetite for that Vox sound. In my opinion, these are some of the best amps for they types of sounds I want to create. Sure, there are other amplifiers out there I'm sure, that sound good as well, its just that they seem to only be an expert in the type of sound that I do not need as much. DON'T get me wrong, I would love those sounds, just not as much. For the photoholics, I leave you with this picture of the man, Hendrix, and his Marshalls, carving tone history.
you only live once,
Artking
It seems that the amp has favorable reviews so far, although amp ownership by public is far from adequate to present accurate data. But some have commented on the early breakup of sound (ie. less headroom) at relatively low volumes. The overdrive channel is a bonus for a lot of people seeking versatility in sound, "vintage and modern" sounds can be created. Problem with this amp though, is the volume, if this is anything at all like the real AC30, then this is going to be LOUD (which can be an advantage as well). the 15 watt version (in theory) is not softer by much, so getting the AC15VR will not help with noise, only makes the sound breakup earlier.
The thing with these 2 amps, is that they appeal strongly to my appetite for that Vox sound. In my opinion, these are some of the best amps for they types of sounds I want to create. Sure, there are other amplifiers out there I'm sure, that sound good as well, its just that they seem to only be an expert in the type of sound that I do not need as much. DON'T get me wrong, I would love those sounds, just not as much. For the photoholics, I leave you with this picture of the man, Hendrix, and his Marshalls, carving tone history.
you only live once,
Artking
