Guitar center has the VT30 on sale for $169.99. That makes it only 40 bucks more than the VT15. Would this be a good first amp for a newbie? Wouldn't thirty watts to a 12" vs. 15 to a 10" be worth the 40 bucks?
EDIT: Whoops it's 8 and 10 inch speakers not 10 and 12.
Last Edited by on Jan 11, 2011 3:42 PM
I borrowed one from my guitarist last year and tried it out when I was doing some work on it for him. It's OK-ish: The stock speaker isn't harp friendly,and the amp models you can realistically use at a gigging volume level are somewhat limited- The JC clean, Blackface, Tweed and AC15 are usable to a greater or lesser degree. It does have a nice attenuator control though, which is useful for home, but my overall recommendation would be to save your money and get something better.
I have used this amp before, the older version. I still have mine and love it, but I bought a HarpGear to replace it. I used it for years and I think it is a fantastic harp amp. I would pick it up if you can get it for cheap. Brandon Bailey uses one because of my recommendation and I do believe he loves it!
i use a vt-30, and i love it. it sounds great, is very responsive, gets really loud when i need it to, and doesn't break my back getting it to and fro.
i mostly use the ac30hh model with a little delay. it was a good deal at $250, it's a steal at $169. i considered the vt15, but didn't think it'd be loud enough on its own, and i can't rely on having a PA available. the vt-50 seemed like overkill, and its size and weight were more than i wanted to deal with.
i'd recommend you get to a music place and try it out, with the mic you intend to use. a word of warning, though, make sure you hit the "manual" button so the controls are active. the presets are feedback city. also, its sound is rather directional, so stand back a ways. if you stand right in front of it, your ankles will hear it but your ears won't.
My first amp was Vox valvetronix VT15. It sounded cool, but was not enough loud to use it onstage. ---------- Excuse my bad English. Click on my photo or my username for my music.
