VOX VT100 , VT50...any thoughts please

vic

I was thinking of getting one of these 2nd hand... . the onboard effects (delay, reverb, overdrive, etc.) and amp modelling will/should eliminate the use of pedals.
Does anyone actually have experience with these amps ?...any thoughts please. Thanks.

raithza

I have the older model (Vox AD50VT). From what I could gather the only real differences are that the newer VT series has more channels and amp models. http://www.voxamps.com/forum/topic.php?id=37

The amp models are good, the sound is good, most of the effects are good and the built-in attenuator is very handy. I really like the amp and don't see myself upgrading until I've upgraded everything else in my setup and even then I don't think I'd get rid of it, due to its versatility.

Some of the cons: only one effect per channel (from the thread i linked above it seems like this does not apply for the VT series though). No tap switch for delays on footswitch. NO FX LOOP! I've read that you can mod one in, if you're brave enough. It is a modeling amp so it does not react well to all pedals.

I'm also in stellies, I wouldn't mind bringing it round so you can have a go on it (and so i can perve on your LP collection... ? )

Warren

vic wrote: I was thinking of getting one of these 2nd hand... . the onboard effects (delay, reverb, overdrive, etc.) and amp modelling will/should eliminate the use of pedals.
Does anyone actually have experience with these amps ?...any thoughts please. Thanks.

I have an AD50VT-XL. Not sure on the exact similarities with the VT50, but my thoughts:

You can only have one amp model selected at a time. There are two channels you can switch between, but these are basically just stored amp-model / EQ settings.

You can only have one effect selected at a time, or at most one pre-existing combo of effects. You can't make up your own effects chain. So you could have maybe reverb, or reverb+chorus, but if you wanted reverb+chorus+delay, you're out of luck if there is no such preset.

Unless the VT50 works differently, it's something to consider. You're not going to be able to dispense with pedals completely depending upon the sounds you're chasing.

I use the reverb on my amp (cos I like it), and a Boss-GT8 with a TS808 for everything else.

EDIT: I see Raithza has mentioned some other specifics which I must echo!

Nice amps though, I've been really happy with mine.

DonovanB

It doesn't take pedals too well.
I had the VT50. It is awesome with a strat and if you use the on board effects.

Unfortunately didn't work well with a GT8. the GT8 is my favourite child so I traded the VT50 for a Cube 80.

Most have 22 amp models and plenty effects. The VT50 has a footswicth where you can have 2 banks of 4 presets each so you get 8 different sounds if you want.

Warren

Donovan Banks wrote: It doesn't take pedals too well.
I had the VT50. It is awesome with a strat and if you use the on board effects.

Unfortunately didn't work well with a GT8. the GT8 is my favourite child so I traded the VT50 for a Cube 80.

Most have 22 amp models and plenty effects. The VT50 has a footswicth where you can have 2 banks of 4 presets each so you get 8 different sounds if you want.

Interesting, as I find mine seems to do well with the GT-8. I use the Fender Twin and Marshall models, but I roll the gain off a lot and let the pedal handle that sort of thing, using the amp models to add a certain "flavour".

Tricky though, because with a modelling amp AND a multi-effects pedal (with amp models of its own) you can really lose the plot. I try to just use the amp as a really basic thing: to make the noises louder and I control the rest with the GT-8.

DonovanB

I think I did lose the plot a bit. Great amp, sucky user.

I find the cube a little easier to use, but I am also on top of my GT8 more than the amp so I prefer VERY simple...

Mr-M

Just to clarify on the features: The VT series has a separate reverb section to the effects section allowing you to run any effect and reverb at the same time. The AD VT & AD VT XL series has the effects and reverb on the same control which limits the combination of effects and reverb that is possible.

epictring

I own a Vox VT100 (the 100watt) and at every gig I arrive people start drooling over it.. The sound is incredible for the price, the onboard effects quality is also above average compared to other built in effects on amps (line 6, roland etc.). It also features "deep-edit" on each effect to edit it to your liking just like a stompbox.

The 100w model (VT100) also has an effects loop. I'm sure if you use it and turn Bypass ON the GT8 or any other multi-effects board or stompboxes should work great. Just make sure to turn amp effects off.

The 1 tube (you can see it from above) it has certainly makes a huge difference, this is a hybrid tube amp or "Valvetronix" and you get a bit of that warmth of a tube amp. But don't expect a full tube amp, this is not one, and not priced as one.

The build-quality on the amp itself is awesome..the outer shell is much "harder" than other amps. I own a line 6 spider, and it has tons of tears and scratches. But the vox is spotless, you can easily FEEL the difference on materials.

Only 1 complaint - Although I know this problem is only present on their 100watt model it may need to come to your attention. When playing clean, some amp models will need a equalizer on the effects loop as the low end freq. is really to much and a bother. I guess it's because of the large 2 x 12'' speakers..

The amp is not that complicated. You may need to refer to their (greatly written btw) manual for a few features (Noise gate, effects edit).
But overall I don't think there's a better amp out there for it's price.

Shoot any more question you have..?
And how much are you paying for it? Keep in mind the Valvetronix+ is also out, this is the updated model, I think it's about the same price.

raithza

dayum... kind of regretting not getting the VT100 reading that now... FX loop and more channels, that'd fix everything that I dislike about the amp..

epictring

raithza wrote: dayum... kind of regretting not getting the VT100 reading that now... FX loop and more channels, that'd fix everything that I dislike about the amp..

Correction... All the valvetronix series amps have 2 banks with 4 channels each = 8 channels.

Extra's the VT100 have is Effects Loop and Extension Speaker. In other words, you can connect a Cab to it ?
I think those are the only main differences..

vic

Thanks guys for all the info...much appreciated. I'm glad to hear that reverb is separate from the other Fx.