Vox AD120VTX Valvetronix 212 Combo

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This is a "possibitlity" tip for the guy with the "vibrating cab" problem. I had what sounds to be the exact same problem on my new Traynor custom valve 80. I tightened all the screws - kept happening. I took the whole thing apart and put it back together (with Traynor's maintenance specs in hand of course) - kept happening. I never thought for one second it could be a cabling problem, but that is exactly what it turned out to be. One of the cables between my guitar and amp was bad and that is in fact what caused this sound; a sound that sounded like it could only be born of bad amp construction. Might not apply to you, but speaking from experience I would definatley suggest starting with the lowest common denominator. Good luck.

Sound Quality: N/A

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Submitted by Anonymous at 10/29/2003 13:55

Price Paid: N/A

Features: 9
Everyone knows the features

Sound Quality: 10
Great sound.. Best amp modeler out there

Reliability: 8
I have had no buzzing problems with this model. I will, however, note that they keep revamping this model with improvements. I got one just a few days ago. I've bought and return this before when trying to find my favorite amp. I feel sorry for the guy with the vibrating cab. The problems I had in the past was line noise no matter what setting,etc.. It was fixed in the new model(closed back). I don't know what they did, but it's gone. Now I must say I returned one also because one speaker sounded louder in one side. Also, for the guy with the vibrating cab, did you try removing all the screws and lifting the back off then screw it back in? It doesn't cause anything to fall loose. I've checked mine out before I decided to keep it. I've never had a vox amp with cracks in the frame, but enough of other combos that were split and crap. Not a problem straight up, but in the long run and just the fact that I'm paying for something this much that it should be perfect. What's funky to me is there was a huge piece of that white stuffing junk inside the cab of mine?! I have no idea what the hell it's in there for. I finally decided to go with a power amp. Not because of the combo, but the vox tonelab that came out. I will report back here next week when I get that. I got that because it's superior to all their heads/combos except the fact that you cannot limit the output like you do on their amps. I'll be using a power amp.

Customer Support: 1
Piss poor... one I got my very first one(open back model) they didn't send one damn email back... and that was 1 year ago. Blow me Customer support.

Overall Rating: 8
Make sure you order from a mail order company.. They usually sell tons of them ensuring you'll most likely get the latest revamped version. Going to a music shop could have the first run of the line that's been sitting there collecting dust.

Submitted by Anonymous at 10/23/2003 21:18

Price Paid: US $1200

Features: 8
Lots of features and very good quality effects built in. Some will most likely want more tweakable effects(not that they are garbage or anything). The effects sound superb and are easy to find the sweet spot.

Sound Quality: 10
The sound is super. It's the best modeling combo amp at this time. I've wasted my time by trying a line6 duoverb(no character). I tried a PSA-1 and was not impressed one bit!

I've owned the older models and had tons of problems with the line level noise. I am happy to report they fixed the line level noise.

Reliability: 9
No problems. They did upgrade some things. I had two of these models at different times and they keep revamping as they go(thats a good thing). The first one I sent back because I was getting into rack gear, but missed the sound and got another one later on.

The differences I noticed now(3 months later) is that the gold pin-stripes around the amp are now flush with the exterior of the amp. It prevents the stripes from coming loose and rubbing off. I had this problem just from moving the amp on the previous models. Yes, it's just a cosmetic issue. I guess they read my comments from prior models I posted a review on. The corner pieces of the amp frame now have an extra set of metal corner. What I mean is they have the basic old model corner pieces, PLUS a metal piggy back corner piece on top of them for double the protection. I've never had any problems with this amp.

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Overall Rating: 9
The Tonelab preamp they just release to retails stores has software to tweak alot more stuff behind the scene. I've got one coming on the way. Download their software for the tonelab and you can check it out. You don't need it to install the software. The octave pedal now has 1 voice above,2 below control, etc..

Submitted by Jason at 10/23/2003 01:40

Price Paid: US $1100

Features: 10
Made in '03. I have tons of amps and this one pretty much does it all. Very impressive. More features than can be listed here. It is also extremely simplistic to use.

Sound Quality: 10
I play through several guitars. Guitar Factory EA models, Gibsons, Fenders, and an Ibeenhad. Sounds great with all of these guitars.

Reliability: 4
I was a bit disappointed because I'm on my second unit. The first one I got a couple of weeks ago. Special ordered it. There is some vibration inside the amp area of the cabinet that resonates a very irritating buzzing noise. Super apparent when you are playing clean, and just a hair loud and up. I tightened all of the screws and it is still there. So present that you would think you could reach out and apply pressure to the cabinet and make it go away. But you can't. So I had a second one ordered. Same exact problem. This one is worse. The salesmgr at the store I bought it from spoke with the VOX rep and showed him the problem using my old amp. He said they were unaware of this anomaly. Sounds like they didn't do a hell of alot of testing this new closed back design before they started shipping. Pisses me off. So, they are supposed to get back with me for a solution. Sitting here waiting. They better do me right. I can be a great customer, or I can cost them an awful lot of sales just be reporting what happens right here. I will follow up and let you all know how they accomodated me.

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Waiting to see. Read above. I will get back to you on this. :)

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Will get back to y'all on this one.

Submitted by Jamie Carling at 10/08/2003 21:13

Price Paid: US $1199

Features: 9
This is the new AD120VTX Neodog Valvetronix 212 Combo. The added features are the stunning Celestion Century speakers and a completely closed plywood cabinet. The amp's weight is very reasonable with the new lighter Century speakers and the cabinet is top notch (feels and looks very very well made... no cheap feeling anywhere with this combo). Other added feature is an impedence selection switch for hooking up external cabinets. I won't go into everything this amp features but I am slightly disappointed that for a stereo amp all the delays options are mono. Lastly I'd like to comment I always felt that the rating for this category shouldn't be based on the number of features but of the features the product has, how satisfying are they. Because of the lack of stereo delays it gets a 9.

Sound Quality: 9
Like alot of people, I've gone through a ton of gear and I recently sold most everything I had to just pair down to one great amp and one great guitar. This is that great amp. I was going with the new Line6 HD147 head but was missing alot of the clean and medium distortion tones that amp doesn't have. I ended up swapping it out with a Line6 Flextone III XL 212 combo. It was versitle but lacked a satisfying high gain sound for me. Well, I decided to try the VOX AD120VT and the newer AD120VTX. As for comparison between the older model and the newer model, there is a very noticable improvement in tone. The Celestion Century speakers in the plywood 100 percent closed back cab sounded huge, deep and full. The older model sounded thin in comparison and less focused in my opinion. The extra $200 is way more than worth it. As for sounds this amp is everything I wanted (minus the stereo delays I mentioned). It really sounds and feels like a tube amp, no question about it. I found for high gain tones the US Modern setting with the Treble Boost 'pedal' setting provides a huge full and tight metal sound. The Treble Boost 'pedal' is the trick I've found. The High distortins can feel a little flubby but with the Treble Boost 'pedal' on it makes it super nice and tight. Another great thing is that the tone controls are very usable (unlike the Line6 where they don't really do a whole lot). The cleans are crystal clear and the medium overdrive sounds are terrific. The VOX also has a huge edge on the quality of effects over anything else I tried. The LIne6 compressor is really funky, I've never heard a compressor sound like theres. Not to sure what they were going for but it is strange. The VOX compressor is great (and quiet) sounds just like the way a compressor pedal sounds to me. I settled on a American Deluxe Fender Stratocaster as my one guitar and this amp sounds unbelivable with the guitar. I love the high and low inputs. I can go very where from a Heavy DIO sustain guitar sound to a spanky compressed country AC15 clean that never fails to put a smile on my face. Fantastic amp. I'm going to give it a 9 though because this amp does have a very low level hum/buzz when the power amp setting is on the 60 watt setting. If I put it to 30 watts I can't hear it unless I put my ear to the speakers. It is the only mole on an otherwise perfect experience. If you want one versitle awesome sounding amp this new Neodog Valvetronix 212 should definitely be considered. Made the line6 sound really bad in comparison.

Reliability: N/A
No opinion yet about the electronics. But, the cabinet construction is very impressive.

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Overall Rating: 10
The best sounding most versitle amp I've ever owned. For those wondering about a comparison to the older model... The Celestion Century speakers with the plywood closed back cab made this amp noticable better sounding.

Submitted by Anonymous at 08/30/2003 06:12