I have a 50w all valve amp but don't like lugging it around. I also have a 15w non valve amp which I sometimes mic up because it gives me more of the overdriven sound I'm after. So what I'm thinking about doing now is to buy a Vox VT30 which has one valve and a series of electronic amp types to choose from via switching. I'm thinking this is good compromise, but won't know until I've done the buying part and tried it out. What do you reckon?
i use a vt30. it's a great little amp. i like modeling amps, and the flexibility and simplicity (e.g. built in effects) they provide. the vt uses a 12ax7 in the power amp (not preamp) section. i can't speak to whether this makes engineering sense or is a marketing thing, but i do know i really like the sound. much better sounding than the fender mustang 2 i keep as backup.
the vt30 is small, light, gets plenty loud enough for my too-loud band, and provides way more flexibility than i actually use. i mostly use the Vox AC30HH model, with either a little delay or a chorus effect.
here are two samples, one with delay, one with chorus, using an ultimate 545 > samson wireless > vt30. any deficiencies in tone are mine, not the amp's. i've had others play through it, with my mic or with bullets, and it sounds great.
as always, i highly recommend trying it out at a store before buying if you can. just avoid the built-in presets like the plague, unless you like screeching howling feedback. use manual mode instead.
Why can't you go try it out? - Spend a little more locally and hear what you're getting into if you can.
As repeated ad-nausium around here (by me and others), - the VHT special 6 , which is an actual hand wired small tube amp. Is pretty hard to beat for the little $$ it costs - and sounds good regardless of price. - though it won't do what a bigger amp can. I for one won't argue with Moon Cat.
Gary -the music and band are pretty cool - but you're sound through that vox doesn't do it for me. Now your white capped guitar player is getting a phat sound - through a 50 watt fender tube amp from the looks of it. - Just another opinion - as per usual.
Thanks Gary for posting those clips. I thought it sounded like it would sound good in the room. I found I was getting frustrated at not being able to move around a bit and find a better place to stand. Strange sensation. I contemplated one of those vt30 amps, then wondered if I should go bigger. Now they are much cheaper it seems, also a few s/h about. Interesting to hear one in use. Thanks again ----------
it depends on what you have for opportunity. micing a small amp is sometimes just not going to work so depending if you have gigs with a particular band you may need 40 watts and 4 10's behind you. most of what i do is covered by a 17-20 watt silvertone amp with a single 12, but for instance tomorrow night i am dusting off the bassman and lugging it out to a bigger room than i usually play. i can always either turn down or unplug 2 speakers if the volume seems excessive. i have no good experience with anything other than a tube amp, my adventures with ss equipment has been horrendous for harp unless it was a p.a. channel set just so. even then i was acceptable but not thrilling. i have had a few ss amps that were a real disappointment. i may one day get a roland cube just for giggles. ---------- http://www.reverbnation.com/jawboneandjolene
Garry, thanks heaps for posting up those clips. That's the kind of thing which really helps. Bonedog, up here on the north coast of NSW, Australia there are not many places to choose from regarding getting a play of anything. As for the VHT, I had not heard of it until you mentioned it. It's not available here in Australia, but I can import one I guess. Again, it's nice to hear before buying, but then I was prepared to buy the Vox simply on the write-ups. I was impressed that the Vox has 30 watts, and I think it would do for most venues without having to mic up to the PA. I did some reading about the VHT and it sure sounds like a good option. Can anyone post up a sample played at a gig? Thanks again guys.
Hey Leatherlips, I got one from Arties Music online in Brisbane earlier this year for $300.00, and they ship for free to QLD and NSW. It's a great amp, I'm really pleased with it.
@bonedog569: that's cool, nobody has to like it except me. i wish i had some video of more traditional players playing through it, because i've had others use it and get much more traditional blues sound out of it.
one thing i forgot to mention is that if anyone tries one out in a store, make sure you stand back a ways. when i first tried it i thought wasn't loud enough, until the salesman came over from the opposite end of the (large) store to tell me that it was way too loud over there. it turns out it's fairly directional, and it was essentially playing to my ankles. also, the prevailing wisdom on the vox forums is that you must get it on a stand to get the best sound. though that may be true of amps in general.
