So..Vox VT40+ or Cube 40XL?

Stubbs

So to simplify things:

I have: Marshall MG15CDR and Epi LP100

I play: Metallica, AC/DC, Chili Peppers, Nirvana, Zeppelin, Hendrix

Budget: R3000

Mustang II: didn't like the layout but I enjoyed the bass (12" speaker). Wasn't wowed by any of the clean presets, but truth be told I only spent about 30 minutes on it. . Metal tone was very '2000s' but I preferred it to the Extreme setting on the Cube (normally play with the R-Fier model). I would have to take my guitar into the shop and try it out first (I played it on a Fender Tele in the shop)

Cube 40XL: borrowed a friend's for a week. Looper is a big plus. I like the cleans and the simplicity of the layout. The bass is just right, but I hated the metal channels at first. After spending some time I've tweaked the sound to something of my liking, but I reckon it lacks tone and it's a very modern metal sound (I'm after a more Metallica-era tone ). Also the versatility is great for what I like to play. The downside is it's a little bland and I have a feeling I might get a little bored. The noise gate is fantastic too.

I've watched Anderton's Ultimate Practice Amp Shootout and I like the look of the Vox very much. I might buy a Boss DS-2 from a friend (is R450 a good price?) - it sounded sweet with the Roland! I could a get a lot more tone with it. I will be using the amp for practice, jams with a drummer and also gigs in a few months.

So what can you guys recommend? I just want some opinions. What will the Vox be like with high gain - with and without the DS-2? My budget is R3000 (including the DS-2).

I'm happy with a solid state, but I like the idea of this Vox semi-valve thing. How sturdy is it though?

Any opinions appreciated! ?

epictring

I had a Vox VT100, the previous model. They are the best solid state modelling amp money can buy IMO. The valve does make a little difference, but its not a valve amp by any means. The valve also doesn't need replacement and those amps are built really solid, although I know my model was prone to damage when turning her up for long periods of time, probably fixed in the new "+" lineup of amps.

Get one, they have tone and you won't be sorry.

IceCreamMan

u dont put the pricing on the 3 amps , i suspect the Vox is quite a lil more expensive than the other 2.

The Vox valvestate series of amps are top notch without a doubt ,Roland have sold a gazillion cubes so they cant be too bad either , and the new kid on the block the mustang is one hellova interestign amp. with the others you gets what u gets and thats the way it is , with the mustang u can program the presets , download em and manipulate it anyway you want. there are are over 4000 presets now availble on the fedner webstie to download into the mustangs giving you any sound u pretty much like.

I guess all 3 are great amps, and either would work , question is which do yo prefer.

Norman86

the mustang also has to be tweaked... its a lot more in depth than the cube or vox even!
so you cant expect a fantastic tone, you need to spend time dialing one in!

AlanRatcliffe

Norman86 wrote: the mustang also has to be tweaked...

+1. I think one of the big advantages the Mustang has (aside from a 12" speaker) is the ability to tweak patches on a computer via USB, which the VOX and Roland do not have. And the Fuse editing software looks good - comprehensive and well laid out (apparently made by IK Multimedia - The guys who make Amplitude). By all accounts, bias and sag are the two parameters key to getting realistic clean tones on the Mustang.

I'm getting a Mustang III later this week to try out properly. I'll give my report once I've put it through it's paces.

Stubbs wrote: I might buy a Boss DS-2 from a friend (is R450 a good price?) - it sounded sweet with the Roland!

A classic, second only IMO to the venerable RAT. They can be a bit harsh into the wrong amp (don't try it into a Roland JC120! ?), but can add a nice, cutting edge to most. R400 - R450 is about right. However... I think with decent amp and effects models, you shouldn't need an extra pedal for drive - especially on a tight budget, where you need to put everything into getting the best possible amp. Between the amp model itself (which should be the basis for your tone) and the built in drives and distortions, you should be covered. If you can't get the tone you want from the amp alone, move on, move on...

I like the idea of this Vox semi-valve thing. How sturdy is it though?

Preamp valves aren't a problem, they usually last for ages. When valves do die, they are easy to replace - even for the user (unlike most SS electronics these days).

DonovanB

I really hated that VOX. While most here like it, there is the chance you wind up like me and hate the thing. Play it extensively first before making your mind up.

To repeat what a lot of other say, you can get bigger and better in the second hand market. I just sold a Cube 80x for R2500. There is also the Ibanez TS in roughly that range.

Metallica also make use of Randall amps. Why not try look at some of those?

Keira-WitherKay

Alan Ratcliffe wrote:
Norman86 wrote: the mustang also has to be tweaked...
+1. I think one of the big advantages the Mustang has (aside from a 12" speaker) is the ability to tweak patches on a computer via USB
Stubbs wrote:

well thats exactly where individuals differ ? i can say i don't want an amp i need to plug into a pc to get good sounds . For some i guess it's wonderful but to me i prefer an amp i can get instant great tone from without endless twiddling and need a degree in computer programing to use the software effectively . So to me if the amp needs twiddling and software to sound good i'm sorry to me thats a negative not a + , i like an amp i can plug it and get instant good tone but take it wence it comes , technology is for the young ? but that said i have read on most international forums that if you want the modelling and heavy overdrive tones then thee mustang is top of the heap , however all the guys on jazz forums agree if you want clean tone and add your own pedals nothing beats the roland cube clean sound using the clean channel but the roland cubes drive sounds are not great, and i agree as a jazz player i recently got an old cube as a clean jazz amp and it's fat and warm and very usable at pro gigs for clean tone . So yes decide your needs and buy accordingly cos very few amps offer everything but each does certain things better than others and thats what you should focus on .

Stubbs

How's the Vox with high gain though?

Because of my budget I need an amp that has some variety - I don't just play Metallica. I saw someone playing a Gibson LP through a Mesa Boogie, do they make any smaller SS amps?

At Music Connection in Cape Town the Vox is R2600 and the Roland R2400. I'm not convinced by the Mustang so far.

I also like the idea of good tone at my fingertips without using a PC. An 80 watt is way too loud for my room and for all the giggable venues here a 40 is ample

IceCreamMan

Stubbs wrote: How's the Vox with high gain though?

Because of my budget I need an amp that has some variety - I don't just play Metallica. I saw someone playing a Gibson LP through a Mesa Boogie, do they make any smaller SS amps?

At Music Connection in Cape Town the Vox is R2600 and the Roland R2400. I'm not convinced by the Mustang so far.

I also like the idea of good tone at my fingertips without using a PC. An 80 watt is way too loud for my room and for all the giggable venues here a 40 is ample

That Vox price is excellent i reckon , cube pricing a lil high .....

Norman86

The Mustang is essentially a multi effects unit in an amp.. so you cant just write it off imo.
i would go as far as to say thats a bit premature.
To get the best from the amp and its presets, you have to tweak it!
The EASIEST way is through the Fuse software.
Its possible to tweak without it, but a lot more difficult.

While the vox and cube would be easier to set up, there isnt anything close on the way you can tweak them, or the effects you can use together. they're very much wysiwyg. (what you see is what you get).

But, best is to test the amps out and get the one you like, based on your experience.

IceCreamMan

Norman86 wrote: The Mustang is essentially a multi effects unit in an amp.. so you cant just write it off imo.
i would go as far as to say thats a bit premature.
To get the best from the amp and its presets, you have to tweak it!
The EASIEST way is through the Fuse software.
Its possible to tweak without it, but a lot more difficult.

While the vox and cube would be easier to set up, there isnt anything close on the way you can tweak them, or the effects you can use together. they're very much wysiwyg. (what you see is what you get).

But, best is to test the amps out and get the one you like, based on your experience.

i think thats it , the mustang gives you 1000's of tones potentially ..... but it takes more work to get them ... u have more control over the amp than with the others and with the FUSE u go an program whatever u like and tweak an play .....

i am pretty sure the next versions of the vox and cube will have similar features ,it just makes sense

epictring

yes, the vox can do high gain.

ZarK

I can get most old-school Metallica tones from a Roland Cube 60 on the Rectifier setting and JC for cleans... I would have guessed the Cube 40XL should be able to do the same. It's all about tweaking and of course, the guitar that is plugged in (amongst other factors). If you're after Metallica-tones, the guitar should preferably be fitted with EMG active or passive pups. (Not limited to these pups only and there are different models to consider but it's part of their sound and a suggested place to start...)

You have PM...

Stubbs

@ Alan:

"I'm getting a Mustang III later this week to try out properly. I'll give my report once I've put it through it's paces"

Please let me know how it goes. I'm not ruling out the Mustang. Initially I was impressed when checking it out on the net, but when I was in the store it didn't live up to my expectations in those 30 minutes that I had with it.

I also don't want to have to use my PC to get "the best out of the amp" because after I all I will spend more time playing at home than I at gigs.

I did get a decent Metallica tone out of the Roland on the R-Fier, but I'm pretty sure I might get a little bored after a while. Nothing Else Matters was elusive though

IceCreamMan

Stubbs wrote: @ Alan:

"I'm getting a Mustang III later this week to try out properly. I'll give my report once I've put it through it's paces"

Please let me know how it goes. I'm not ruling out the Mustang. Initially I was impressed when checking it out on the net, but when I was in the store it didn't live up to my expectations in those 30 minutes that I had with it.

I also don't want to have to use my PC to get "the best out of the amp" because after I all I will spend more time playing at home than I at gigs.

I did get a decent Metallica tone out of the Roland on the R-Fier, but I'm pretty sure I might get a little bored after a while. Nothing Else Matters was elusive though

Thats a misconception , while it may take you a minute or 2 to link it to your pc it wont necessarily take longer to set up ...in fact it may take less time cos the controls are "easier" to mess around with. Also iwth the 4000 plus presets avialble (and growing daily) you could just download one from the net in a second (they are 2 kb files) and insert it into the amp....there are loads of metiallica presets ..... essentially u could have a metallica tone in a second or 2.

dont diss the mustang out of hand .....yes it requres a hook up but the transference of knowledge amongst owners speeds up the process.

AlanRatcliffe

Keira WitherKay wrote: i can say i don't want an amp i need to plug into a pc to get good sounds .

Fair enough, and the Mustang can operate pretty much like any normal amp of the knob twiddlin' variety - it's only as complex as you let it be. And if you want access to a wide range of sounds, but don't want to fiddle extensively in the software, you can simply download patches to the presets (over 2500 user patches available already). You can get and share patches with other people too.

Anyway, the software makes it easier to tweak sounds. If you can work with a real amp and stomps, you can work with the software. Check these screenshots out:

Stubbs wrote: Please let me know how it goes. I'm not ruling out the Mustang. Initially I was impressed when checking it out on the net, but when I was in the store it didn't live up to my expectations in those 30 minutes that I had with it.

Will do. One thing I do know is that a friend of mine who has a dozen vintage Fender amps (he has an amp for every size gig) had a similar experience in the shop, but he bought it anyway and now can't stop raving about it.

I also don't want to have to use my PC to get "the best out of the amp" because after I all I will spend more time playing at home than I at gigs.

Consider this: it already hangs with the competition with the stock presets and has all the usual controls they do to tweak the tones (and especially when you play with others, that is important, you don't want to have to delve into the deep end of a menu system at a gig). But if you want to take it further and tweak even more, you can with the Mustang, but not with the others. And if you are looking for a specific sound from a popular song, you can just download it (e.g. there are already two versions of Nothing Else Matters in the Fuse database).

Stubbs

Alan Ratcliffe wrote:
Keira WitherKay wrote: i can say i don't want an amp i need to plug into a pc to get good sounds .
Fair enough, and the Mustang can operate pretty much like any normal amp of the knob twiddlin' variety - it's only as complex as you let it be. And if you want access to a wide range of sounds, but don't want to fiddle extensively in the software, you can simply download patches to the presets (over 2500 user patches available already). You can get and share patches with other people too.

Anyway, the software makes it easier to tweak sounds. If you can work with a real amp and stomps, you can work with the software. Check these screenshots out:

Stubbs wrote: Please let me know how it goes. I'm not ruling out the Mustang. Initially I was impressed when checking it out on the net, but when I was in the store it didn't live up to my expectations in those 30 minutes that I had with it.
Will do. One thing I do know is that a friend of mine who has a dozen vintage Fender amps (he has an amp for every size gig) had a similar experience in the shop, but he bought it anyway and now can't stop raving about it.

I also don't want to have to use my PC to get "the best out of the amp" because after I all I will spend more time playing at home than I at gigs.
Consider this: it already hangs with the competition with the stock presets and has all the usual controls they do to tweak the tones (and especially when you play with others, that is important, you don't want to have to delve into the deep end of a menu system at a gig). But if you want to take it further and tweak even more, you can with the Mustang, but not with the others. And if you are looking for a specific sound from a popular song, you can just download it (e.g. there are already two versions of Nothing Else Matters in the Fuse database).

I'll give it a better effort when I get the chance ?