Vox AD60VTX Valvetronix 112 Combo

Price Paid: US $799

Features: 10
I bought it at a GC in March but I'm pretty sure the amp was made in early 2004 (serial # in the 000700's)As far as versatility, the thing has EVERYTHING, albeit the pedal section can only be used one at a time. The 60 watts was more than enough and I liked the ability to switch down to 30-15 or even 1 watt setting for practising. Also appreciated the headphone jack for quiet times. The Acoustic pedal setting was an added feature. Made my guitar sound like an Ovation..

Sound Quality: 9
I have an old guild X-88 with EMG's (HB at bridge, single at neck) and was able to get great tone from most settings; especially the black 2x12 and boutique clean with the neck PU, and all the bigger gain amp settings with the bridge PU. My favorite was the Recto with gain at 12:30-1:00,volume at 1:00, treble and bass at 2:00, mid at 11:00, presence at 11-12:00 and spring reverb at 12:00..absolutely stunning. IMO, better than the Mesa at room volumes, especially when picking near the natural harmonic (24th fret). Also, nearly silent (compared to most amps) even with the gain up to massive sustain levels. Some of the pre-sets were interesting but a little over the top if you're doing your own material. Tone and playability, as in the amp doesn't fight you to get tone and sustain, were top-notch. delay, reverb, chorus, etc were fair/OK. I focused mainly on the overdrive sounds and was extremely pleased with the results...very responsive. The 70 and 80's marshall sounds were great for chords, fair for leads, anything after UK 90's had as much usable gain as just about every amp I tried, mainly Marshalls, Mesa's and Koch, more often than not it "out-gained" them. (BTW the Koch twintone is amazing). My guess is that room volumes will be as good as it gets. As opposed to the Mesa's, that supposedly come alive at gigging volumes. For that reason I give it a 9 not to insult tube purists.

Reliability: 3
Now the bad news. Granted the amp I bought wasn't fresh off the assembly line. (I'm sure it was sitting around for awhile - early serial #) But I experienced problems within the 1st week. As I was adding Chorus to a clean pre-set, I noticed a change in the volume when I turned the depth knob. I turned it again and pressed on it lightly...no sound!!!. I pressed the channel changer and got sound back but was able to re-create my problem. Managed to get the amp working and then bam, sounds like someone threw a huge wet blanket over the speaker...change channel, back to normal...wait 10 seconds, back to wet blanket..ARRGGHHH!!!! The problem went away when I got it home but I began getting a low-level hum whenever I turned the amp on. Anyways, I returned the amp and bought something with less technology, a Crate V30 all-tube class A 30 watt combo. (bye, bye versatility sniffle, sniffle) Sad to say I miss the Vox but can't take a chance after reading the reliability issues others have had. I will probably re-visit the amp in the future.

Customer Support: 1
Emailed Vox, took them 3 days to respond and suggested I change cables, rooms, guitar, blah, blah, blah. I wanted an 800 number like I get with EVERY American made product. Also a one year warranty is a joke. My new Crate has a 5 year warranty, as does mesa and fender.

Overall Rating: 7
I'm a Gary Moore, Schenker, Morse, Satch, EVH, Vai fan. Been playing off and on for over 20 years and was absolutely loving the flexibility it provided. The VC12 footcontroller ($279) had a great volume pedal and worked very well for switching channels. If customer support and the warranty were better I probably would've kept the amp. Compared VERY favorably to Marshalls and Mesa's for ease of use and tones, especially at room volumes. My drummer claimed even loud in a 750 sq foot area, the amp was as good as he had heard...adding to my frustration of having to return it. BTW, I'll ad an update to his comment after he hears a class A amp cranked in the same 750 sq foot room.

Submitted by Anonymous at 03/21/2005 12:06

Price Paid: US $600

Features: 10
This is a full featured modeling amp based around vintage and modern amps. Unlike the host of other modeling amps, this one has a tube circuit that actually goes through the motions of a rectified power amp, then feeds that dynamic signal to a solidstate power amp to get it to volume. It's almost like the reverse power attunated tube amp. Instead of getting the desired dynamic out of very powerful tubes and then controling the output by reduction, it takes a very small power amp then increases the output. Very clever, and it works! Then in line with that, add digital reproductions of classic stompboxes in front, and after pre-amp effects. All of this is controlled by knobs that can be adjusted on the fly, and then programed. It's a near seemless interface. The power can be reduced, headphone jack and level controled FX loop. There is a lot to work with here!

Sound Quality: 8
The most faithful reproductions were the Vox settings (AC30/AC30TB/AC15/AC15TB), and the Bassman/Marshall circuits(TWEED4x10/BLUESBREAKER/70sBRITISH). The Fender Models (apart from the bassman) were not all there. My favorite were the Vox AC30 and the Bluesbreaker. These had not only the sound nailed, but the FEEL as well. Line6 can't touch that with its technology. The power amp section is clean all the way up, getting just loud enough on the 60watt model to keep up with a modest volumed band, but not with much more gas to go. For this reason I would get the 120watt model. Wattage on these SS amps does'nt go that far when you have this nifty modeling circuit going in at such low levels to keep the signal clean. Getting a good on-the-verge of break-up sound is very easy. The effects are great. The echo is very important for me, and I found the Tape Delay setting to be highly usable. Spring reverb is fine, but not soggy and boingy as I would have liked. Rockabilly and Sruf guitarists might yearn for more. The stompbox section is great, very musical octave effect, and singing tube screamer emulation. The best upgrade you can make to the amp, however, is to it's dull speaker. This is a major corner cutter on this amp, so go the extra mile and pick up a tasty 12 incher and swap it out. You'll get all your definition back and your mid-highs. Even well mic'd recordings sounded like it was coming through a sock.

Reliability: 4
This is where the whole thing goes South. After three years with this amp, it petered out. I replaced the tube and nothing. It's a very digital sounding distortion, I am guessing a burnt out IC chip somewhere. This is not a hard wired tube amp, so good luck finding the issue if something like this happens. This happened with very mild use, specificly; going back and forth to rehersal and playing at 50% volume. So this was a dissapointment. The build is not great, but the tolex has really stood up suprisingly as it isnt even up to par with Crate or Peavy. It looks great though. The whole amp looks stunning!

Customer Support: N/A
We will test this VERY soon!

Overall Rating: 7
For my use it was great. I play a standard Telecaster and an import Grestch Jet. Indie rock, Alt-Americana and U2 style stuff. I was very happy carrying around this and two guitars. Highly versatile, quick to dial-in and highly mobile. I just wish it was up to the task by being rugged enough.

Submitted by Micaiah at 01/27/2005 13:57

Price Paid: US $799.00

Features: 10
I have been looking for a good all-around amp for a while, and I have found it in this Vox. I was tired of dancing over a floor full of pedals with my Line 6. I had a Duoverb with the FBV Shortboard (pretty good amp, acutally - very loud), a POD XT and a bunch of Digitech pedals on a pedalboard. I got rid of all of them and this amp has everything I need for every style that I play. I love the clean layout of the controls, very easy to tweak, but would say that it is a must to get the big pedal board with it (and it is BIG). Don't get the little plastic one, which is cheap and you will not be happy with it, especially with the delay in changing banks. The big board is in a metal housing and is built like a tank. Well worth the extra money (I paid $270 for the pedal). There are very few amps that have the design genius of the Line 6's. The back of most Line 6 amps have a wealth of connections and the short board allows you to do so much. The Vox is the only thing that really comes close without having to sell your house to afford. I may switch out the tube, as many people recommend.

Sound Quality: 10
The sounds are what we are all after. I tried Marshalls, some other Line 6's (Flextone, etc.), Peavey XXX (which is an awesome sounding amp) and tons of others. I just loved the sounds in this Vox. I know sound is a very subjective thing, but to my ears it was just what I wanted, even judging by the factory presets. Be careful where you plug it in, as it does get some interference from halogen lights, as I found out. I use American Strat and Telecaster, PRS CE 24 and a Burns Brian May (how could you plug that into anything but a Vox) and they all sound great. The amp really allows the unique character of each guitar to shine through. The distortion can get really heavy - maybe not enough for death metal - and the cleans are typical Vox, nice and shimmery. I do agree with others that it would be nice to have some effects combinations available that are not availalbe, but such is life with an amp that has everything but the kitchen sink built in. For a variety of styles, this amp really does have it all, and if it doesn't, you probably haven't spent enough time with it.

Reliability: N/A
Haven't had it long enough to say, but it is very solidly built.

Customer Support: N/A
Haven't had to use it yet.

Overall Rating: 10
I have been playing for about 35 years and play classic rock, original and praise and worship at church, and this is an amp that finally brings it all together for me in one package. My only hesitation is whether or not I should have purchased the 2X12 version to have more power, but this thing is loud. I have tried several versions of the POD, looked closely at the POD Live pedal, tried other amps, and this is definitely the one for me. To clinch the deal, I found that almost all the guitar guys at the store use this amp personally, and these guys are very picky about their sound. This amp really rocks!

Submitted by Dave at 12/30/2004 07:20

Price Paid: US $450

Features: 10
Oh it has many features. I like this amp better than Fender Cyber Twin. It can emulate many british sound and Fenders too. Go to the store and try it yourself.

Sound Quality: 9
My jekyll and Hyde pedal works better with VOX AD60VTX than my Fender Dyna-touch. The amp sounds good with my Epi LP, Tele, and Strat. It is not noisy at all. With the single coil you will hear very little noise not noticeable. With humbucker it is quiet.

Reliability: 9
I do not have any problem with my VOX AD60VTX.
Let me tell you how I got this amp. I bought a VOX AD60VT for $300 (close out price). The Store brought in the amp from another branch, as it was not available there. When the amp arrived, I tested it and sounded horrible. Most of the time there was no sound coming out even when the volume was max. The assistant manager had tested the amp and agreed there is something wrong with it. They showed me the VOX AD60VTX but I am not willing to pay the $800 price. I think it is over priced. The sales guy and the assistant mgr talked and agreed to sell it to me for $450 since I am a regular customer there.

Customer Support: N/A

Overall Rating: 9
I compared this product with Fender Cyber Twin, Line 6, Marshall, Roland, and more I could not remember their brand names. I am glad I picked this one. I will recommend this amp for people who like to
play along with different british tone and some fender tone. I like the sound of the Shadows, Beatles, Venture, Rolling Stones, Mo-Town sound, Hollies, etc.

Submitted by Anonymous at 09/23/2004 09:57

Price Paid: US $800.00

Features: 10
Since there has been only three reviews of this amp for the last year
I felt compeled to write a review since I must have the fourth AD60 vtx ever sold in the world.
Lot's of nice features. The modulation section sounds great but is very limited on control.You can't add just a "little" Chourus, It's to much in your mix from the get go. So I NEVER use the modulation section. 60 watts is more than enough for small bar. I don't like not being able to use the compressor and tube screamer together. Makes the tubescreamer useless. No tone control for the tubescreamer or the rat.Compressor should have been independent Vox. Nice line out and headphone out. Controls in back of amp make it almost impossible to tweak your sound for having to constantly bend over the front of the amp to see.(If you have it on a stand which is a must for projection of the sound).

Sound Quality: 10
Fender strat with dimarazio super humbucker and 2 single coil.
I play classic rock and country in small venues.
Here's the catch. IT TOOK ME THREE MONTHS TO FIND THE SWEET ZONES IN THIS AMP. I tried every possible combinations several times and have found 3 settings I am impressed with. The clean is very loud without breakup and the distortion is so good with the amp distortions that I sold my Ibanez tubescreamer(although the one in the vox sucks).
If you get this amp be ready to work. although the layout of the controls are excellent you still have to seach for the right tone) THIS AMP CAN BE EXTREMELY HARSH AT HIGH VOLUMES ON THE 60 WATT SETTiNG
DONT OVERDO THE GAIN.
And here is the final thing. I was not satisfied with ANY settings untill I changed the stock pre amp tube with a ruby tube. that made the biggest difference of all.

Reliability: 9
Seems very reliable

Customer Support: N/A

Overall Rating: 10
If in time I change my mind about this amp,I am going back to a fender tube amp with the effect on the floor as that is what i wanted to emulate (and did) with this amplifier. It's the best modeling amp of all. Make's line 6 and ALL other modeling amps sound sick.

Submitted by Bill Cole at 07/26/2004 09:57

Price Paid: US $700.00

Features: 8
This is the 60 watt version with only one 2" Celeston speaker. It has all the amp models I need and more stomp boxes than I would ordinarily use. It has more than enough power for me and the power selector on the back lets me crank it up or keep it soft enough to practice without bothering others. The only feature I wish it had was some cabinet modeling too. But I am not picking about that, having had a V-Amp2 and Amplitube software to modify it if necessary. I am grateful that they put their resources into the sound quality for this one.

Sound Quality: 10
This is were this amp shines. The quality of sounds are superb and far surpass the V-Amp and Line 6 Pod. You can get as clean or as dirt of a sound as you would like. I play a Howard Roberts custom, Fender strat, and a couple of Godins. They all sound great through it. ONe of the things I like is that it is not noisy like my Peavey amp. I love this thing!

Reliability: 10
So far so good. I bought it at GC so I could return it there if anything failed on it in the coming year.

Customer Support: N/A
No experience with customer support.

Overall Rating: 10
I have been playing since 1966. I play acoustic and electric. I have had many guitars but only a few amps, and now much software as effects for my DAW. This amp should handle anything I would need. I am totally satisfied.

Submitted by Steven Gurgevich at 05/01/2004 16:21

Price Paid: 999,00 (Euro)

Features: 10
I bought the AD60VTX in January 2004 in Frankfurt, Germany. When I tried it out in the store - using the settings the people over there had installed, the amp sounded great and it didn't took me too long to make a decision.
I got home, first read the instruction manual and acted like suggested in there. That meant, that first I made a reset in order to get the manufacturers settings back.
The result was, that the amp sounded just horrible and I went back to store and wanted to return the amp and change for an Engl.
They considered it to be too early to give up on an great modelling amp like the AD60 VTX and asked me to give the amp a chance - so I got into the practice room, played the Engl for 30 minutes and it tool them less than a minute to make the Vox soung exactly the same.
So I was convinced, we made a few settings together and stored it and since then I'am absolutly happy with the VOX AD60VTX.
The features provided are beyond what you can use at all, bit I'am sure everybody finds what it takes to make a guitar sound great.

Sound Quality: 10
When you play along with records at home like me, this amp is perfect, because it really rocks at relative low volumes. I have a lot of fun playing it, so I give it as much pionts as available.

Reliability: 10
It's new, so I can't tell - no problems so far.

Customer Support: 9
No need so far, but the people at the store where I bought it - Musik-Schmidt in Frankfurt Germany - are very helpful, so I'am sure there would not be a problem in case.

Overall Rating: 10

Submitted by Peter Motter at 03/13/2004 04:47

Price Paid: 995 (Euro)

Features: 9
Like someone already said not too much but just the right essential effects. Almost everything that a working musician needs and wants in a single box. I just wish that more than one pedals could be used at the same time.

Sound Quality: 9
I use Fender American series strat and occationally Gibson Marauder.
I usually only use the right side "clean" amp models, mainly VOX 30 and Fender Bassman model. I have only used this amp at one gig and a couple of weeks at home. It sounds very good at home but at live situation I had some trouble with harsness and I wish it had sounded more warmer. I turned treble down and it helped to warm the sound. Also I would have expected more bass from this closed back ATX cabinet. I previosly owned H&K Edition Tube 20w all tube combo with closed back and it had more bass but was not as versitile as this amp.

It seems that, like with all modeling amps, you have to tweak the right sounds not at home but at reheasels with the rest of the band.

Reliability: 9
So far no problems. I opened the cabinet and the ATX cabinet looks very well made. There is also stuffing material (white Foam) put in the cabinet, which is good (all good closed back speaker cabinets should have some kind of stuffing material). However, there are a lot of plastic parts used insted of metal.

Customer Support: N/A
N/A

Overall Rating: 9
I bought the VC-4 pedal with the amp and it it could be better made but work alright. There is also another better pedal available (VC-12?)

Submitted by Anonymous at 10/30/2003 05:42