Vox AD100VT 212 Combo

Price Paid: 600 (EUR)

Features: 8
brand new ad100vt 2x12 combo -
-100w ss amp with valve emulation preamp and one preamp valve in the power amp section to create valve breakup.
-plywood body
-2 customized celestion 70/80 speakers
-2 programmable channels and one manual mode (so actually a 3 channel amp). -footswitchable
-11 amp models
-11 effects
-effect loop
-external speaker jack (internal speakers will be muted)
-line-out/phones jack
-footswitch not included

Sound Quality: 2
i bought this amp 4 weeks ago. i was trying a couple of different amps in the shop. amongst others i played the 50W version of this mp and really liked it at low volumes. so i thought the 100W 2x12 should be just what i need! i didn't care much about the modelling/sounds-like mesa,plexi,dumble shit - just liked the over-all tone pretty much (especcially the uk70's setting). so i ordered myself this amp to play it in the rehearsal room and on stage with my band.
well...it arrived - i first was very impressed by the building quality and weight...but when first played it loud i was completely
dissappointed.
we're playing stoner rock-foofighterish music and i thought this amp should be just right for it... but it isn't.

the only setting that works at all is the uk80's amp.
its tonality really gives a little bit of a punch with a smooth distortion but all the others just didn't work at all for me.

all the amp models either create not enough punch (numetal, us-higain,boutique-od) or weak sounds with honky mids (ac30tb, ac15)
but the worst for me is the plexi simulation. that one was the main reason for me to buy it- sounded amazing in the shop or played just by myself - but in the band you just CAN'T create a sound that
you can actually hear through the other instruments. at high volumes it just gets bassy, mushy and ugly. and no way to tweak it right.

the effects are of very bad quality also. the compressor and the reverb work quite well but all the modulation sounds are just weak, flat and digital sounding. i've honestly rarely heard a chorus sounding that bad.

the noisegate (normally a very useful feature) always influences the input signal, even when turned to minimum. so when your guitar volume turned to let's say one third it still cuts your tone.

The preset sounds are not useable because of their completely exaggerated effect amount. the manual mode leaves you unsatisfied
because of the completely exaggerated amp-modulation tonalities.
the tone controls are supposed to work like the tone controls on the
original amps. well, i used to have a plexi and a jcm800 and i
played ac30s and twin reverbs. sorry but the tone controls on either of these amps worked completely different than the rip-off versions on this AD100vt because the vox designers were so keen on getting this thing to sound like for example a recto that you just can't
weaken the annoying tonality that seems to be vox's interpretation
of a recto by tweaking the tone controls.
if a mesa recto would sound like THAT noone would ever play it.

but to be fair i need to say that the clean sound are really quite good. it's just that i never use really clean sounds.

over-all said: this amp is completely useless for me.
i'd say the 15-50 watts are nice little amps. they sound great at low volumes and give you a versatility and quality that is outstanding at this price.
but a 100W 2x12 combo is usually built for high volumes and professional use. and that's were it just doesn't work!
it is NOT a professional amplifier and everyone (like me) who thought 'wow, what a bargain!' should consider to spend slightly more money and buy a real thing.
it's a toy! a great, big, very loud one but still a toy.

Reliability: 10
no problems with it.

Customer Support: 9
there's avery good forum on korg's german website.
whenever you have a problem or a question the korg guys will answer you at least within 2 or 3 hours.
so i think they are quite good. never heard anythig bad about korg's customer support.

Overall Rating: 2
i played this amp with a gretsch duojet and a godin artisan telecaster.
as said above i hated it and just returned it to the shop.
i've spent some extra money and bought an AC30 head with 2x12
and some stompboxes and now seem to have found what i need.

though everybody denies it i am now convinced that modeling amps still are miles away from a tube amp's tone quality. the AD100VT sounded good played by itself but had strong weaknesses within the band context. and -sorry- what should such a huge amp be built for if not playing with a band?
i would recommend the smaller versions but not this one.

Submitted by rcb at 12/20/2005 01:11

Price Paid: 600 (€)

Features: 9
Features are explained below, enough for most people.
The only problem is that it doesn´t support midi, so you have to buy the expensive v-12 footcontroller (which is great, by the way)

Sound Quality: 9
Im playing an unmodified Fender Highway Strat and play mostly funkrock and rock. Sounds perfect, although metalheads won´t be happy with it, its not great for high gain sounds. All Amp models sound great, i played a 100watt alltube combo before i bought the amp, i don´t miss anything.
Effects sound great, much better than the effects on the 1x12 combo.

Reliability: 10
Never had any problems

Customer Support: N/A
Never dealed with them..

Overall Rating: 10
I love the amp, it sounds great, it is vertisale, Its funky

Submitted by s_tabii at 10/23/2005 09:02

Price Paid: US Replacement

Features: 10
This is a follow up review from an earlier review by Slick Adams.
My replacement came and sounded great but.....

Sound Quality: 9

Reliability: N/A

Customer Support: N/A

Overall Rating: 9
The preset selector knob was out of whack! For exapmle if the knob was pointing to "AC30" I would be getting a "70's British" preset. Just a misplaced knob---fixed easily. Also my replacement was a bit noisier than the original. These amps have a nice look, sound, and are solid enough physically, but I just can't trust this model. I have never had to return products like this before and I have been playing professionally for over 20 years. Hopefully others have had a better experience. I'm sure Vox will work the bugs out eventually.

Submitted by Slick Adams at 10/23/2005 08:03

Price Paid: US $549

Features: 10
This amp is a very versitile model made in Korea. 2 channels, 11 models, high quality effects and a third channel when using the Manual mode. Effects loop, line out, and headphone out. Packed with features after an hour or so of tinkering! I use this amp in medium to large venues as well as in session.

Sound Quality: 10
The amp models are pretty convincing for a lower budget model. I especially like the AC30 setting for clean and the Nu-Metal for crunch. I use Les Pauls, SGs, a Parker and a Haggard Tele. They all work pretty well with this amp. It is Surprisingly quiet and it haqs a noise reduction feature! Plenbty loud for all types of gigging. There is a handy wattage knob that adjusts the power amp wattage while allowing you to keep the full krank sound. Very handy.

Reliability: 1
This amp died on me during the first studio session!!!! Musicians Friend replaced it without a problem. Normally I would have NEVER given Vox another chance. It caused me quite a bit of frustration when it quit working. (not to mention the session $$$ I lost....maybe I should go after Vox for the lost wages!!) Due to the great sound I am giving this amp another shot. Defects are a fact of life when products are manufactured but it just seems to me that I have seen quite a bit more problems with quality in recent years. I believe manufacturers need to step up and take care of the working professionals who get burned by their defects. Unfortunately in the corporate world today it is more about sticking it to us than making great products. It has become pretty scary to go on stage without a couple of back up rigs!

Customer Support: N/A
Haven't had to deal with Vox or their affiliates. Musician's Friend was great when a replacement was requested.

Overall Rating: 8
Sounds as good as amps I have spent thousands on, broke down the first time it was in the studio but I wanted to replace it. I will keep my fingers crossed but if the next one takes a crap I am going to FREAK!!!
www.slickadams.com

Submitted by slick adams at 10/09/2005 17:43

Price Paid: US $599.00

Features: 8
This amp is 2005, is very versatile to play any style of music from rock, jazz,country,blues any style. It would be nice if you could change more then just two channels from the box.
I play this amp in a band and has the power to push but the speakers are not not that good I have know idea what kind of speakers are in this amp all it states on the back of the speakers is VOX. I bought this amp at North Coast Music and has the gril cloth that makes it look like a AC/30 cause that metal grill has to go, I don't know why Vox would ever come up with that style of gril....what were they thinking of when they installed that gril.

Sound Quality: 8
I am playing a 360 Ric and a re-issue 1954 Fender Strat and 620 Ric.The music I play is the old 60's and 70's.
On some style's of the amp sound I am using it can be noisy. The distortion is very good and will do the job for what I need it to do.

Reliability: 9
So far this AD100AT I can depend on it and would not take a back up amp with me when I have to do that then the Vox is out the door, thats why I got this amp I play in a band I don't tour the world so I don't need alot of amps to hual around for a few hours of playing if you can't trust the amp you are using I think you need to look for a new kind of amp and pay the high price.

Customer Support: 1
I called the Vox company but you get nowhere with them I wanted information on the speakers but they won't get back with you.
So for me customer support S U C K S......I will use someone local if I ever need the amp fix.

Overall Rating: 10
I have been playing for over 40 years and I have owned alot of gear over the years and I must say that this amp is built strong and will hold up to any amp out there meets all my needs and I would buy it again if anything happen to it. I compared this amp to the AD50VT and this amp blows that one out of the water so for me spending $200.00 more was well worth the price.
And if you want a amp that works right the frist time and want a nice looking amp get the amp from North Coast Music and get the black gril upgrade you will be happy you did. Remember that North Coast Music don't send you a amp with out them testing the amp 1st and checking it over to make sure that it looks GOOD and everything WORKS when you get this amp from them. So it's your money but go to that web page before buying any Vox amp from any other company you won't be sorry. Have any questions about this amp you can e-mail me.

Submitted by Robert Wilson at 09/23/2005 10:00

Price Paid: £319 + £198 (UK Pounds)

Features: 8
2005,features as previously listed.
Would have liked a footswitch included at this price, but hey dont pay £20 for a VOX one just get the Marshall, its exactly the same without the word VOX painted on the top, and considerably cheaper !!!
Amp is a powerfull 100w and is great for gigs or practice.
I like the idea of not lugging round armfulls of effects that sap your TONE !!! This really does the buisness and that all important TONE is there...but only after i changed the drivers......G12 Centurys ROCK big style the best investment you could make to improve this baby.(£198 from Watford valves UK )

Sound Quality: 10
Used with a 92 EVH Musicman / USA Strat. I like the versatility of the 11 amp modes, effects and use this for smaller gigs. I already own the AD 120 VTH and 4x12 cab but this was just too big for some smaller venues. So i use this AD100VT. I like the simplicity of this model as opposed to using the V12 floorboard on the other amp. What i didnt really like was the stock speakers supplied with it. Ok they do a reasonable job, but i changed to G12 Celestion Centurys and the results are unbelievable !!!Using a footswitch and tweaking i can get all the sounds i like, clean and distorted I just put my Morley Tremonti wah in front and a programmable delay (Boss DD20)in the effects loop and ROCK. Give it a full 10 with the speaker change, 8 without.

Reliability: N/A
Amp seems to be ok for the short time i have owned it.Only one valve to go wrong....All valves are guaranteed only for 3 months so carry a spare !!! Nice to have only one to change instead of the armfull i had on my AC30 TBX or Marshall DSL 100.
Nice thing is NOS Mullard Ecc83's are still out there..
Check out Ebay and have a play !!!Only one valve to find, like to hear from anyone who has changed the stock valve on this. The stock valve is probably a Sovtek / Electro Harmonix Ecc83 but still sounds good. Stock speakers are probably NOT Celestions as in the AD 50 VT, I believe they are more likely Korean copies of the Seventy/80 16 ohm Celestions made for Vox. The speaker is not that bad but i didnt like the bass break up at volume.

Customer Support: N/A
I contacted KORG UK with an email about changing the stock speakers....no reply.....Thanks !!

Overall Rating: 10
Have been playing for 25 years plus, Used many different guitars/amps and effects.I like this amplifier, it does exactly what it says on the box, the speaker change has breathed life into it and gives the full speaker emulations a chance to work through some good drivers.
It is loud nad the effects are good quality sounds. I have read some Odd reviews from other people re: The Vox Valvetronix amplifiers. I say Odd as i get such good tone and sounds out of mine. Let you into a BIG secret here, read the manual, put the master all the way up, with a high volume on guitar for a full on distortion, roll back the guitar to clean it up. Use the Amp Volume to set level of amp simulation, not overall volume and control the whole lot with the rear power level control. The valve harmonics are awesome doing this. I play in a classic ROCK band AC/DC, Velvet Revolver, Motorhead, etc...This does it all i love the 80's Marshall sound, but all of the emulations are spot on...with the right drivers.

Submitted by Taz 5150 at 09/19/2005 08:10

Price Paid: 300 (GBP (sterling))

Features: 10

* Number of amp types: 11
* Number of amp types: 11
* Number of effects: 11, Noise reduction: 1
* Number of programs: 11 preset, 2 channel.
* Input/output jacks: Top panel – 1 x INPUT. Rear panel – 1 x FOOT SW , 1 x LINE/ PHONE, (AD100VT & AD50VT only) 1 x EXTERNAL SPEAKER OUT, (AD100VT only) 1 x LOOP RETURN Jack, 1 x LOOP SEND Jack.
* Power amp output:AD100VT = maximum 100 RMS @ 8 ohms, AD50VT = maximum 50W RMS @ 8 ohms, AD30VT = maximum 30W RMS @ 8 ohms, AD15VT = maximum 15W RMS @ 8 ohms.
* Adjustable Output Wattage (AD100VT, 50VT, 30VT).
* Speaker: AD50VT = 1x Celestion 70/80 (12 inch 8 ohm), AD30VT = 1x VOX original (10 inch 8 ohm), AD15VT = 1x VOX original (8 inch 8 ohm),
* Signal processing A/D conversion: 24-bit, D/A conversion: 24-bit, Sampling frequency: 44.1 kHz .
* Power supply requirements: AC, local voltage.
* Power consumption: AD100VT=100W, AD50VT=52W, AD30VT=45W, AD15VT=23W Dimensions: AD100VT = 55.3cms (21.77") (H) x 68.4cms (26.93") (W) x 26.8cms (10.55") (D), AD50VT = 50.67cms (19.95") (H) x 57.81cms (22.76") (W) x 26.5cms (10.43") (D), AD30VT = 43cms (16.93") (H) x 45.59cms (17.95") (W) x 22.40 cms (8.82") (D), AD15VT = 39.5cms (15.55") (H) x 42.8cms (16.85") (W) x 22.4cms (8.82") (D) Weight: AD100VT = 29kg (63.93lbs), AD50VT = 20kgs (44.09lbs), AD30VT = 12kgs (26.46lbs), AD15VT = 10kgs (22.05lbs) .
* Included items: power cable .
* Options (sold separately): VFS2 dual foot switch.

Sound Quality: 8
I am using a fender USA strat and its sound great... it suit all style of music (unless your a heavy distorted metaliica fan but a £40 footpdeal would sort it out). It sounds absolutly beutiful on some of the cleaner models... my mg30DFX sounds crap clean... this is like skating on glass.. its very soft and smooth (if you want! so so versitile!)

It is loud!

I play funk, blues, and proper rock (i.e. before i was born!)

It will work and is loud enough for gigging!-- if the gigs big... mic it!!

Reliability: 5
FIRST ONE DEAD ON ARRIVIAL - NOT A GOOD START... built solid though so i dount it will fall apart on me!

Customer Support: 1
FIRST ON DEAD ON ARRIVAL --- AWEFUL ... VERY SLOW COMMS AND REPLACEMENT-- I remmomend trying the actual amp your buying instore... i didnt and it was as dead as John lennon!

Overall Rating: 10
I have a MG30 DFX and this made me realize how crap it is! very very good amp.. well done vox... although i doubt they will reply... they never do - Korg are aweful at customer services. I have a fender USA strat as my main guitar... makes a good pair!- I wil gig it, rig it, even hump it. I love this mofo... if it were stolen- i would cry, cry, and hunt down the guy who stole it and severly hurt him!

Submitted by Base music at 09/02/2005 14:35

Price Paid: $630 (CDN)

Features: 9
Brand new model from Vox/Korg, plenty of features with 11 amp models and 11 single and combination effects. 2x12, VOX original speakers...not sure if these are made by celestion but I doubt they are as this would be a marketing point for them. Built on the Valvetronix chassis with a low power 12AX7 in the output stage as opposed to the pre-amp section. It has plenty of power. I played on an outdoor stage last week and it had no trouble keeping up. Typical VOX chicken head knobs, 2 pre-set switchable "write" channels. The usual compliment of rear input and output jacks.

Sound Quality: 9
I use this amp with a Korean Squire bordello tele, Stratocaster and Turser hofner copy six string. The amp models cover everything from very clean to brutally distorted...I'm not sure how accurate each of the amp voices are but they all seem to do a different job. There is no noise to speak of thanks to the internal gate but you need to be careful that it is not clamped to tight or you lose the musicality of the instrument. I would guess that if you can't find a suitable sound with this amp that you are not really trying very hard. The only thing I find odd is that the 100 watt version seems thinner than the 50 was..this may be attributed to the open back cabinet on the AD100 or the speakers. It just requires a bit more tweaking of the EQ.

Reliability: 5
I've owned a number of VOX amps in the past from a vintage Berkeley II combo to a cambridge 30 twin. The 30 twin was a nightmare with to many problems to list here. I liked the sound and had hoped for more from this amp. It broke down twice and took over 3 months to fix...I swore that I would never own another VOX but an AD30 and 50 later, here I am. I still don't trust it so I'll split the difference.

Customer Support: 1
Korg (the North American distributor) was of no help when I had the problems with my Cambridge 30R a few years back...I can't begin to tell you how poor the service was and how difficult they were to deal with. Perhaps, things have improved in this area but I guess I won't know until I need to contact them again. I tried to contact VOX in England to discuss the issue with their product but the machine that could measure their indifference to my problems had obviously not been invented yet. The saving grace of course is that my local music store will be responsible for the duration of the warranty but after that, I'm afraid you'll be on your own.

Overall Rating: 8
Been playing for about 25 years. I am an average rhythm guitar player and I always hope that my gear will be a help rather than a hinderence. I also own a KUSTOM Quad 100DFX with twin celestions that is a fantastic amp...I'm not sure the VOX will take its place yet. I like most features of the VOX amp but I'm not crazy about the effects selected automatically with the amp presets and how the volume can jump wildly if you move any of the controls when in preset mode. I usually use the manual mode for each of the amp models and dial it in the way I like it. I came to this amp via the AD30, which I liked but was to small...to the AD50 that I liked but was not quite gigable and finally to the AD100. I think I'd buy it again but not sure the AD 50 wouldn't have been a better amp to have around as a backup.

Submitted by bc beatle at 08/29/2005 16:12

Price Paid: US $550.00

Features: 8
* Number of amp types: 11
* Number of amp types: 11
* Number of effects: 11, Noise reduction: 1
* Number of programs: 11 preset, 2 channel.
* Input/output jacks: Top panel ¿ 1 x INPUT. Rear panel ¿ 1 x FOOT SW , 1 x LINE/ PHONE, (AD100VT & AD50VT only) 1 x EXTERNAL SPEAKER OUT, (AD100VT only) 1 x LOOP RETURN Jack, 1 x LOOP SEND Jack.
* Power amp output:AD100VT = maximum 100 RMS @ 8 ohms.
* Adjustable Output Wattage (AD100VT, 50VT, 30VT).
* Speaker: AD50VT = 1x Celestion 70/80 (12 inch 8 ohm) (they dont list the speakers here but if memory serves me its two of the same that the 50 has i.e. 2x12 Celestion 70/80 8 ohm)
* Signal processing A/D conversion: 24-bit, D/A conversion: 24-bit, Sampling frequency: 44.1 kHz .
* Power supply requirements: AC, local voltage.
* Power consumption: AD100VT=100W

Dimensions: AD100VT = 55.3cms (21.77") (H) x 68.4cms (26.93") (W) x 26.8cms (10.55") (D),
Weight: AD100VT = 29kg (63.93lbs) .
* Included items: power cable .
* Options (sold separately): VFS2 dual foot switch.

One point here, it says Options VFS2 dual foot switch, but the owners manual has an asterisk next to the sold separately item and the asterisk says something like VFS2 Included w/ AD100VT, but mine DID NOT include one. I need to get to who I bought it from and ask about that or ask Vox themselves

Sound Quality: 8
I currently have a Gibson SG w/ normal dual humbuckers in it, but I have a Fender Stratocaster w/ three gold lace sensor pickups I'll try later. It's not here w/ me yet. I play typical alt rock, and electronic type music and the amp has some great tones, from clean and even subtle effects like chorus, flangers, phasers, leslie etc, as well as some good OverDrives and Distortion. The tube section of this thing really warms up the tone and makes it feel like a full tube amp. It sounds clean so far, I haven't had a chance to really crank it up loud and hear it but at lower volumes it still sounds good and clean or nice and crunchy. The variety of what you can do in the amp seems really nice, but I haven't had a chance to twirl it around a lot yet.

I'll have to update you more as I get time to play it, but since the amp wasn't here yet I wanted to create a section for it.

Reliability: N/A
I don't know the reliability on it yet, just got it so I can't say much there.

Customer Support: N/A
I'll find this out soon too when I ask why the users manual says the AD100VT comes w/ a footswitch but mine had none.

Overall Rating: 7
I've been playing guitar for quite a while, and I have a fender amp right now, all tube blues deluxe, and I love the tube sound, I've been wanting a vox, but didn't want a full on top of the line one right now, my fender is out of commission for a bit and I needed a second combo amp, this lil guy seems to be able to handle that job for me, and may become my main amp.

Submitted by Pompeiisneaks at 08/16/2005 14:41