Vox AD30VT Combo

Price Paid: US $240

Features: 10
I bought this for a practice amp since I just started playing again after a several-year layoff and wanted something small enough to use at home. Lots of amp models and effects that make it fun to play around with. As others have noted, not all of the amp models will be for everyone, but everyone should find 3 or 4 that suit their style.

I haven't had the need to see how loud this thing will get since I've only played it at home (and have neighbors who probably don't want to listen to me), but it works great at low volumes.

Sound Quality: 9
I just started playing again with my '77 les paul special. Mostly classic rock and blues with some jazz is what I try to play. This amp sounds great for those styles (and many more, I'd imagine). I don't have to screw around with a lot of other stuff to make it give me the sounds I want. I love the tweed 4x10, AC30 and UK 80's (JCM 800) models. It's got some noise, but has a noise reduction feature that usually does the job without losing much else.

Some of the effects are not as good as what you'll get out of your pedals, but I don't think that's much of a drawback. You could disable the effects on this thing it'd still sound great. The fact that I can toss in some chorus or delaywithout a second thought is just a bonus.

Reliability: N/A
Haven't had it long enough to know.

Customer Support: N/A

Overall Rating: 10
I've owned Marshall valvestate and an old Twin and I like this one better than either so far. So versatile at a great price, I didn't see anything else in this price range that even comes close. I'm not gigging now and don't need huge volumes, so no complaints there. If you can't get the sounds you want out of this amp, I don't know what to tell you.

Submitted by Anonymous at 11/04/2004 12:08

Price Paid: 350 (cdn)

Features: 9
Amp has everything you'll ever need as a practice amp. Has all the popular effects you'll want to experiment with as a novice. The variety of amp sounds earn this thing a nine. My only gripe, is that you can combine delay or reverb with most but not all of the effects. Loud as hell though for thirty watts.

Sound Quality: 10
I play a highway 1 strat and an epiphone special II. The strat shines on the "boutique clean" "boutique od" and blackface(fender twin) settings. But it sounds horrible on the chanels meant to copy the marshalls and vox amps. So bad in fact that I was think of returning it. The store I bought it at has a thirty day return policy. Then I tried it with an epiphone special II (cheap les paul copy, but nice guitar anyway) and boy what a difference. Marshall channels sound awsome now. With the "70's" chanel you can some alot like Page or Sabbath. With the "80's" setting use can sound like Slash or Rhodes. Switch to modern sound get some slayer sounds. While it takes some tweeking to get there, it is there. The best thing about this amp, is that you only need thi one with different guitars. You can get both single coils and humbuckers to sceam on this sick puppy.

Reliability: N/A
Hav'ent had long enough. No promblem so far though.

Customer Support: N/A
Hav'ent used em yet.

Overall Rating: 10
been playing on and off for 15 years. If this were stolen, I'd shop around. But I'm almost sure I'd buy this again. I tried alot of amp before I bought this one, and this was by far the best deal. Everything else is that price range sounded like shit.

Submitted by Anonymous at 10/31/2004 14:31

Price Paid: US $239

Features: 10
2004. 30w, 1x10" combo. Modeling preamp section with a 12AX7 tube used as part of the output section of the amp. 11 amp models and 11 effects/effects combinations. 2 programmable channels. Headphone jack/line out (shared jack). Cab compensated for direct recording, althought the signal at thhis point is pre-valve-reactor. I play at home, these days, with an occassional jam with a friend.

Sound Quality: 10
I play classic rock, 80's rock/metal, and blues. I play a Strat copy with vintage output AlNiCo pickups and a LP copy with vintage output AlNiCo pickups. This amp covers all the bases for me, and then some. I really have no use for the "UK Modern" or "NU Metal" models. The variety of tones this amp does is really great. You can even push the clean models into clipping a bit, if desired.

I unboxed this amp and immediately set it to the "guilty pleasure" patch (for me). That would be a JCM 800 2203 ("UK 80's"). I maxed out every gain/volume/tone control and the MV too, then controlled the volume of the amp at the back with the power level control. SWEET!

It can get you down to normal TV volume, and do an amazing job of maintaining the tone! That tone sounds better when it's louder, but that's the nature of the beast. Who ever heard of a quiet Marshall? Still, I could play this late at night here in the living room, and my wife would never hear it in the bedroom on the other side of the wall.

The key to this thing is to use the "power level" control on the back as your volume control. Gain, volume, treble, middle, bass, and the master volume on the top of the amp are all really tone controls. Just like on the original amps. Do not use the gain, volume, or master volume on the top of the amp for volume control.

Another note about the amp models. They recreate the original volume/tone controls of the amp. The controls for "UK 70's" act just like an old Marshall should. The "AC30TB" mode does the same, but that amp originally didn't have a mid tone control. To compensate, you just turn the mid control to 12 o'clock for a neutral setting. The tone controls of some models will actually kill the amp's volume if you turned them all the way down - just like the originals.

You also have to turn up the volume in some models (like the 70's UK or AC30TB) to get OD tones, just like you would on the real deal. That's why the adjustable power level control on the back of the amp is so cool. You can set up the tone up front and then drive the tube/valve reactor circuit, then control the volume AFTER that stage. The models make the amp act just like the original. No other modeling amps do this that I'm aware of. Vox got this exactly right, IMO.

If you're not familiar with tube amps (or the models provided in this amp) it pays to read the manual. If you set this amp up wrong, it will sound like ass... just like the original amps would.

The 1x10 setup sounds bigger than it is. Sealed back cab. Great bass response. I doubt a 1x10 combo would stand up to a loud drummer. I've never seen a 1x10 combo that could. You just can't move that much air with a single 10" speaker. Still, this thing sounds great. I usully prefer a 12" speaker, but this thing doesn't sound like a typical 10". I'm very pleased.

I'm not much of an effects guy, and these effects are more than I need. I've messed with them a bit, and they're all pretty good. Nothing cheesy or "bad."

Reliability: 8
This thing looks like it's pretty sturdy and solid.

Customer Support: 10
I bought this through North Coast Music. www.northcoastmusic.com I first tried a AD15VT from them for 2 days, but felt that I was missing the power level control that the AD30VT has. Gary glady took the AD15VT back and upgraded me to a AD30VT. Gary is a great guy to do business with.

Overall Rating: 10
I've been playing on and off for 20 years now. I've been a tube amp guy for many years. I used to repair, mod, and build tube amps too. I've got a couple reviews of my amps in the "Bogen" section of H-C reviews. I've packed up my work bench and just focus on playing these days. I needed an amp that would give me a variety of decent tones at low volume. I was always skeptical of modeling. I've played a Line 6 Flextone and owned an analog modeling amp (Behringer V-Amp). I preferred the analog modeling over the Flextone, but this amp gets even closer to the real deal. As I stated before, you have to run this like you would an actual tube amp. Very cool concept.

Submitted by Leftee at 10/23/2004 06:46

Price Paid: US $239.00

Features: 9
2004. I play stuff heavy stuff and have been doing some more bluesy zztop type stuff. The amp can do both very well. I need to read the manual as i have just been satisfied with the presets at this point (Ive had it like 6 months) I am a hobbyist and it has enuf power for me in the house-

Sound Quality: 10
I play an explorer. I havent found a setting the seems really noisy.
I like the distortion-

Reliability: N/A
Seems tough enuf for what i use it for. We'll see

Customer Support: N/A
Havent had any issues

Overall Rating: 10
8 years of playing.
I also looked at a line6 spider2. But I dunno the VOX was better suited for me.. maybe for death metal heads or whatever the line 6 is a good choice, but too many of the seetings on the line 6 sounded computerized and sort of techno. I am more into the 80's metal sound, or van halen type overdrive.

I have also played through a fender 212 ultimate chorus - very nice as well very clean, but not a modeling amp so not really a good comparo. looked at some of the crates as well, some small marshalls etc.. Luckily I have a big music shop in town so I could try all this different stuff out. at the price range i was at the VOX was the best fit for me.

anything else I'd like to share? Um yeah. Trust Jesus- everything else is temporary !

Submitted by Anonymous at 10/19/2004 09:03

Price Paid: US $139.00

Features: 8
NOt only does this amp have plenty of usable sounds they are laid out in a common sense arangement. The selection of amps at the left starts out with a lower volume settings and as turned "up" the models get louder. Any sound that you want is in there and tweeking is so easy that I don't use the foot switch with it. I gave it an 8 because the larger models have more features, I bought this so I can throw it in the trunk and set up at a gig in munites.

Sound Quality: 8
I use Epiphone and Gibson guitars and can go from Allman Brothers clean to ZZ top crunch with a push of a button. Or from open "C" and "F" chords in "you can't always get what you want" to Voodo Chile sustain and sensitivity with a couple of knob tweeks.
Try playing with each amp setting for a few minutes with the effects bypassed. Set the tone controls on the mid positions and the Master volume and the channel volume all the way up. Then tweek the gain to see what each amp will give you. Do the same with the effects, use a clean sound and go through all the effects and
pramiters. It's all in there. I gave it an 8 rating because it is not a "tube amp all the way up". (What I do live is use two amps in stereo, a 5 watt tube with a 12" speaker almost all the way up next to the Vox, this gives me an effects/non-effects mix and more stage volume)

Reliability: N/A
I don't know yet but I'll beat it a little and see what happens.

Customer Support: N/A
Never called them.

Overall Rating: 10
I have been playing "out" since 1975 (local and overseas) and I wish I had this amp years ago.
Over all it is the best amp I've ever played. I play a kind of blues/classic rock oriented instrumental jam thing. I need clean open chord and slide tones and screemin' over the top leads, this amp has it all. Sometimes we play small rooms and this amp shines. In the large rooms it gives me the stage volume I need and a mic does the rest. My back loves it too.

Submitted by MAC or Dirt at 10/19/2004 05:38

Price Paid: US $239

Features: 4
2004, Made in Korea, Various Amp Models, Various Effects, 12AX7 single tube distortion, "power brake" power reducer, footswitch purchased seperately. If the features were as hyped I would give this a much higher score. Unfortunately it falls very short.

Sound Quality: 1
I've tried a USA Strat Plus w/Lace Gold, ESP Horizon w/JB, standard Squier Strat. It has a lot of variety of sounds. Too bad they all suck. Every selection is muddy no matter what settings I use on Mid, Bass, etc. Amp is not loud enough to gig with, not even close. My Fender Frontman 15W ($100 new, sold it for $50) puts this thing to shame. The distortion sounds on this thing are pathetic at best. This thing may say Vox, but its Korg through and through and is Vox only in appearance. It was shipped to MF from Korg USA where they recieved it from Korea.

Reliability: N/A
You couldn't gig with this if you wanted to, its not loud enough. I've heard many problems with the input jack but have had it for just a week so have had no problems other than it sounding like crap. Its going back and I'm getting something else.

Customer Support: 9
I talked to Customer Service thinking it was broke as the "reviews" are glowing. They got back with me (KorgUSA) very quickly and said "its the nature of the beast." So Customer Service was good.

Overall Rating: 2
It says Vox, but its only in looks. Its made in Korea and I am almost 100% sure the thing is Korg. I thought it was just me, but had a few friends take a listen and they said it sounded like pure crap too. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone who values tone over effects and bells and whistles. Its a shame, I'll never look at a Vox under $1000 with respect again. I bought this thing based on the reviews here. Never again will I trust these reviews as it is pure hype. This thing is a joke.

Submitted by pittsburg_22_m at 10/18/2004 07:19

Price Paid: US $240

Features: 10
This is an addition to the more expensinve Valvetronix series of amps. It has one channel, 30 watts (but has a user selectable knob on the back to adjust the wattage). It offers 11 different amp models. It has a tube (12AX7) that emulates power amp tubes. It also has built in mono effects

Sound Quality: 10
I'm not sure whether I'm supposed to like this amp... I've been in the music business for about 35 years. I've owned a number of Fender amps (a "back in the day Twin, a Fender 75, and now a Hot Rod Deluxe) as well as Music Man and a bunch of Peavy amplifiers. I've been using a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe (that I reviewed on this site) about five years ago and it still works beautifully. I decided to research a modelling amp for my production business.
I bought it about a week ago (from the date of this review). I've been trying it out on a Country album I'm working on. So...

The clean sounds are beautiful. Very sweet and easy on the ears. I thought I was 'hearing' things but plugged in the Hot Rod Deluxe with the Celestion speaker I just put in and confirmed (to my ears) that the clean sounds were very real.

The overdriven and distortion sounds are pretty amazing as well... I go back to my opening statement... I'm not sure whether I believe my ears yet. I paid $240 US for this thing and the quality 'seems' to be amazing. I've owned a Digitech 'modelling' pedal that just recently broke down and it's my only foray into the digital modelling world of amps. Granted this technology is evolving quickly and I'm not going to diss the Digitech RP-200 (about four or so years old). But I listened to a few of the available amps (online) and decided on Vox. My decision was based mostly on the available sound bytes from web sites. I have to say at this moment, I'm seriously impressed. However, I HAVE NOT brought this amp to a gig as of this writing.

Reliability: N/A
I don't know about Vox reliability at this point.

Customer Support: N/A
NO comment yet because it's new and I haven't had to deal with support.

Overall Rating: 10
The one thing I don't like so far is the amp has a bit too much white (could be pink...) noise coming from the speaker (regardless of the volume setting). I have to put a noise gate on the mic to tame it. Otherwise, the sounds are excessively good (Like I said in the beginning, ...I'm not sure if I'm supposed to believe what I'm hearing...) I'm a bit shocked at the price frankly. Whatever... I recommend it for anyone looking at modelling amps.
It's pretty realistic (so far...) and at this moment I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for an amp that emulates (nicely) the amps many working musicians can't afford.

Submitted by Pershing Wells at 10/05/2004 20:49

Price Paid: 199 Euro

Features: 9
All has been said about how versatile this little beast is and it's all true. You don't really miss anything in terms of features. Nothing comes even close to the sound of a "real" Vox than this one.
It's got to be a 9 for features and sound.

Sound Quality: 10
I'm using as my main guitar a Fender 57 Reissue and Schecter and Burns or other guitars used. The music I'm playing is instrumental like The Shadows and The Spotnicks. The settings I'm using for a general sound is AC30TB: Gain: 10 o'clock, Volume: full. Treble: 10 to 12 o'clock. Mid: 12 o'clock. Bass: 10 to 11 o'clock and Master: full. It's a nice warm sound with any pick up. The variety is endless.

Reliability: 10
Great reliability I hope, had no problem with any of my Vox's.

Customer Support: N/A
Don't know

Overall Rating: 10
Have been playing for more than 40 years now and still learning.
I have an old Vox AC30 non top 1964 model, a newer AC30TB/6, a Q2 Alesis with echoprogram from EFTP, various pedals and gadgets. I've had so many different amps and guitars through the years but allways comes back to Fender guitars and Vox amps. If stolen, I'll cry for a minut and go and buy a new.

Submitted by Franklin at 09/30/2004 17:50

Price Paid: US $240.00

Features: 10
the features have been listed, so i will not repeat them. just to comment on the usefulness, I like it simple and basic. this amp has lots of sounds and features i will probably never use, but it is very easy to operate and is light and easy to carry. (I'm finding this feature more important as i age)

Sound Quality: 10
I play a 79 Ibanez artist solid body, stock humbuckers. mostly classic rock. BTO, Zeppelin, Grateful dead, Beatles, etc. and some Motown. This amp is perfect for all of it, great for loose impromptu jams, maybe small gigs. has plenty of power and stays clean sounding most of the way up. not too noisy with distortion. I really like the black 212 clean sound and the ac30 driven sound. when i get a wild hair going, the more overdriven amp models are fun to play with too. there is no end to the distortion this thing is capable of if you want that. Most importantly, in my opinion, there is not a better sounding or even comperable sounding amp in its price range. including used amplifiers. Price point is important to consider, in rating this amp, I am comparing it to similar and somewhat higher priced and similar sized amplifiers. Its not a fender twin.
It sounds good enough that when i was trying it out at the music store, another customer purchased one also, just based on what he heard while i was playing it.

Reliability: N/A
it is a new model, uncharted territory. time will tell.

Customer Support: N/A
hopefully, i will never have to form an opinion on this subjuct. (crosses fingers)

Overall Rating: 10
i have been playing over 20 years, i have a carvin bel air which i love, but it is too big, heavy and powerful for many applications. this is what led me to purchase the vox advt30. i checked out the fender blues jr, i did not like it. it seemed lifeless. i liked the peavey classic 30, but pricey and alittle heavy. i checked out the line 6 spider 2 112, it was impossible to get a good clean sound out of it. i tried a few other amps too. i was not even looking for the vox. a salesman told me to try it. i was convinced at the first chord. if it were stolen, i would get another one with out any hesitation. this amp has something for every player. the kids will like it, the older folks like me will like it, and the real old timers will like it too.

Submitted by Rich at 09/30/2004 16:47

Price Paid: US $239

Features: 8
This is a new 2004 amp with lots of features. Almost too many. The good news, though: (a) the controls are knobs (yeah!)-very easy to use & adjust, even while playing and (b) almost everything can be disabled/by-passed. I have a 2 switch foot switch--I suggest you get one, it really helps, even as you play around and learn to use the amp (channel 1 vs 2; manual vs channels/"programs"). The various amps are great. No one will like them all, but there will certainly be 3 or 4 for everyone. A very cool feature is that for any presets (built-in or your programs on 1 or 2), you can move any knob and the light blinks when the switch gets to the position of the preset used. Very cool. Also, when in preset if you "bump" a knob it will take over from whatever the preset value was...now the knob value is what's used.

The bigger siblings (VT60 and VT120) have a bit more usable layout of controls, separating some of the effects functionality into different areas & controls. But the VT30 is still pretty usable. It simplifies things by having one effects section and having 11 combinations of effects to choose from.

Sound Quality: 8
I mostly use an ES-335, but also a Tele. There are so many sounds and combinations. I feel like I'm still learning the amp. I won't offer my option on which amp or settings are good since I think everyone will have their own loves and not-loves. But it's very expressive and rich. The response is excellent. Bridge pickup sounds are much richer than other amps I've used. It's quiet (no/low noise) and clean... or distinct, event when the gain is cranked for a hi-gain amp. It's so much fun, too! If you can't decide on buying a Fender Blues Jr or a Marshall or a Vox... with the VT30 you can have one of each!

I would also say that it's sounding better the longer I've had it (2 months now)... as the tube/valve and everything get worked in.

The on odd thing is a few of the models ("to the left" on the selector, like the Tweed, Blackface, ACs) seem quieter than the others--at least in their preset mode. But in manual, messing with the volume, gain and tone controls (the tone controls can have a bit effect, depending on the model) seems to have brought out more umph for them as well.

The back panel output power adjuster is a great idea and works fine... makes it easy to get decent sound even when the rest of the house wants to sleep. But it sounds best when it's nearer full output; the speaker wants to be driving, too.

Reliability: N/A
It's been 2 months. So far so good. I was thinking about waiting, until the warranty was up, to put a hole & jack in it for an expernal 12" cab. But I'll probably install the jack on a slow weekend.

Customer Support: 6
I've intereacted a couple of times via email. Questions about why the amp was backorded for 2+ months (very popular). And questions about why the Backface, Tweed, etc. seemed quieter. The answers in both cases were good and helpful. But they took a couple of days (a week?) to get an answer out.

Overall Rating: 9

I ordered it online and then waited while it was on backorder. Eventually the local shop called--they had 1 come in and it was the exact same price a mail-order. I got it that day and I'm very happy with it.

I've been playing for 20+ years, electric & acoustic, rock & recently jazz. And I play with others in a rehearsal studio. This is a great amp. I really like it and it's got a great range of options and sounds. There are days when I want a clean, jazz amp and there are days when I want to crank it and grind. It's got it all. So much fun. The 335 & humbuckers sound great. The Tele sounds great, too. I've also used the Fender Blues Jr. very nice amp, but that's much harder to control (although it seems much louder, head to head ??).

As far as the primary measure for a review: I would definitely replace it if it were stolen.

Submitted by dredge at 09/25/2004 10:30