Vox AD60VT Valvetronix 112 Combo

Price Paid: US $350 used

Features: 9
1X12 combo. MIDI switchable with foot controller. FX loop (parallel). Phones and direct out with level. I use this amp live with a cover band weekly. Plenty of power for me, because I run everything through the board live anyway. Tube (12AX7) front end on power amp section with switchable power level (1 15 30 60 watts). VERY COOL.

Sound Quality: 10
I am not at all a modeling fan but you simply must have this amp. I have been playing semi-pro for 23 years and have done everything from pop, blues, country, christian, rock, punk, r&b and ska. I am also classically trained and have studied jazz and music theory. Essentially, I have been around music and music gear for a while. I have had lots and lots of equipment. Some good and some bad. This is one of the better pieces. This amp actually replaces my 240 watt all tube rack mounted pre amp/power amp rig. It is shamefully heavy and I got tired of lugging it around. I experimented with a couple of modeling amps, because they seem to be popular and I initially bought a Line 6. Not the Vetta, but the mid priced one. This was a waste of my time and effort, because after one gig and about one week I took it back and swapped it for a used Vox, which I actually wanted to begin with, but a new one with a controller was around $1000. The line 6 was around $600 with a simple controller. I got the VC12 with the Valvetronix amp and I HIGHLY recommend this if you play live. Modeling to me is a huge marketing strategy that misleads younger players into thinking that the "models" are exact replicas of the original. not true for the most part. However, all this aside I don't care what "model" an amp is supposed to model, but does it sound good when you play it? Not necessarily does it sound like a JCM 900 or a Triple recto, but does it make good tones and does it FEEL good and like a real amp should? This one does. Most importantly is that it feels like a good amp and sounds wonderful for its price. However, if you are not into modeling at all and already have decent effects then you may want to check out a good two or three channel tube amp, which could possibly be had cheaper. Visit shops and try some different ones on. This amp does not disappoint for what I paid for it though. The F/X are really of stomp box quality and are probably supposed to be exactly that. i am used to a little higher quality F/X, but the ones onboard are more than sufficient for live play. Good piece, but pricey new.

Reliability: N/A
No problems yet.

Customer Support: N/A
No problems yet.

Overall Rating: 7
If it were stolen I would try to replace it with another used one. I have better rack mounted stuff and if I had to buy a new one I would probably not for $800 and some change. I would just have to go back to killing my back moving my rack rig and cabinets.

Submitted by guitar_man at 12/23/2005 23:36

Price Paid: HK$ (4,000ish)

Features: 8
A great modelling amp - bought mine in Hong Kong and have had it for three to four months now and have used it with both Fenders and an epiphone semi-hollow body. P90s and humbuckers. Great sounds all round and easy to set up once you've got your head around it. I also have the fancy foot pedal which means I can conreol everything from the floor. Sounds spookily like an all-valve (tube) amp.

Sound Quality: 8
Great variety of sound textures with a choice of versatile overdrives. The AC30 sound is very authentic.

Reliability: 2
Now here's where it all goes pear-shaped. It's just come back from the doctor's after developing Fading Sound Syndrome (FSS). I notice that other reviewers' amp have also suffered from FSS. The amp let me down badly at a gig. We had to scramble round and share amps, costing me time and loss of effects (as they're all onboard - I didn't even have my tube screamer with me). These amps don't travel, that's now becoming obvious. In my case it was a dicky board that needed resoldering. It's back but . . .

Customer Support: 7
Have to say that the irritating problem above was dealt with promptly by Tom Lee Music in Hong Kong working closely with Vox, who explained the problem. A prompt repair, but Vox really MUST sort out this reliability thing. They're getting such bad press for an amp that would otherwise be getting great reviews.

Overall Rating: 5
On balance I have to say that if the amp was stolen I would replace it with a Mesa . . . and that's just 'cos of the lack of trust following the reliability issue.

Submitted by steve cray at 12/22/2005 18:12

Price Paid: 480 (Euros)

Features: 9
Modelling amps usually have lots of features and this is no exception. However what this amp misses, is the possibility to select different cabinets for each modelled amp. Other modelling amps do have this feature.
But the advantage is that it is very ease to use. They've done a good job designing the control board lay out. And the effects are all there; I especially like the fact that it has a treble booster and an auto-wah on board. Stomp boxes aren't necessary anymore. Although you might want to buy the VC-12 control board if you want to use this amp live.

I just want to add that the sounds are much more important to me than the features.

Sound Quality: 10
The sounds, well I guess you could say that they're awesome. This is most likely the best sounding modelling amp on the market. The sounds come extremely close to what a real valve (as the British say) amp sounds like. I guess the fact that this amp has a valve in the pre-amp section makes a huge difference. Someone loaned me a Line6 Flextone II XL and that sounds not half as good as this one. The controls also really work, tweaking them changes your sound and that's not always the case with (modelling) amps.

Reliability: 6
This is were the plot thickens. Vox amps aren't famous because of their reliability and neither is this one. It broke down just two weeks after the one year warranty period ended... Fortunately my dealer convinced the manufacturer that the warranty period hadn't ended, so I didn't have to pay to get it repaired. I seemed that the input section had to be replaced. I own this amp for about 1,5 years now and apart from that it works just fine.

Customer Support: 5
It took quite some time to get it repaired, so that's quite disappointing. Apart from that I don't have any experiences with Vox' customer support.

Overall Rating: 10
Like I said, if you want to buy a modelling amplifier, then this is the one to buy. The sounds are great, the looks are great (classic Vox with a twist), the right name is on it (Vox is a big name and something different than Marshall) and it is relatively cheap. It stands up very well against Line6 amps, which is a company that is known for its good modelling amps. All in all makes that the AD60 VT a great deal.

The fact that it sounds great and is versatile are the reasons I'd buy a new one if it were stolen (although I might consider a good valve amp like an AC30...).

Submitted by M. Otte at 07/31/2005 11:13

Price Paid: US $475 used

Features: 9
First off-the review below me is right on the money! I will echo it. I'm using this amp to find my sound-for that it is perfect. Reliability here for me is questionable-more later.

This amp has a ton of features:
Several Classic Amps to chose from: My favorites are basically all of the Marshalls (UK Blues,70s, 80s, 90s, The Fender Bassman (Tweed 4x10), Fender Blackface (Black 2x12) and the two Dumbles (Boutique CL, Boutique OD.)
Some cool pedal effects to choose from: Comp, Wah, Octive, Tube OD, Fat OD.
Great Reverb and Delay choices: (my favorite feature of this amp.)
Headphone out, Power selector 1, 15, 30 and 60 watts-nice.

Sound Quality: 9
Using Am. Fender Hardtail Strat with SD JB Jr in bridge, and customized Gibson Faded SG into this. Again, the best feature of this amp is it allows you to experiment with a lot of different sounds.

The strat sounds beautiful using the neck pickup into Fender Bassman model (Tweed 4x10.) Crank the Volume and Gain, and solo..nice.

The SG sounds great in any of the Marshall settings. Add Some OD and delay and bang-Tony Iommi.

The preprogrammed factory settings in my opinion, suck. (Just try out the "Angus Beef" wannabe AC/DC preset-a joke.) There are a few that are OK, but I find myself primarily using the manual mode.

Again-this amp will probably play a big roll in future equipment purchases for me, it allows you to try out a lot of sounds.

Reliability: 3
Here we go...simple answer-probably not.

I wouldn't gig with this. I use this amp as a home practice type thing, and have rarely moved it. There have been at least 5 instances where I'd turn it on, and get NO sound. Lights up-no issue there. The fix for me is crank the Volume, Gain, Treble etc. and it finally kicks in. Twice, I had to turn it off, wait 20 minutes, then turn it on again, and it works fine. Can't imagine having that happen in public.

The headphone jack is sketchy. Sometimes, I need to apply upward pressure to the headphone plug to get sound through the phones...Not cool.

Although it's always ended up working for me-the nagging voice in the back of my head will always be there-so it gets a 3.

Customer Support: N/A
Purchased this used-so haven't dealt with them. I'm sure service on this thing will take weeks, travel time, and $$$.

Overall Rating: 8
I'm going to give this an overall 7.5 (rounded up to an 8 I guess.)

I've had it about 6 months now. Got it used with a VC-4 foot pedal for $475 bones...which so far was well worth it. (Although the first major service to this thing may have me thinking otherwise in the future.)

The Good (and it's really good)-You have an amazing array of sounds/tones/effects that you can get with this. When it's working, it can be pretty incredible. The technology that allowed Vox to create such a versatile package is amazing-I've really enjoyed experimenting with different sound combinations.

The Bad-the technology. Just doesn't feel reliable. Kind of like a really hot girlfriend that won't accompany you to that important event where you can show her off.

I'm still going to give this an overall thumbs up. Just know what you're buying it for.

Submitted by Anonymous at 02/05/2005 11:51

Price Paid: US $400

Features: 8
Bought the amp in early 2004, so assume 2003 or 2002. I play rock, blues and the amp is extremely versatile. Modelling amp that emulates 16 different amps, multiple pedals and effects. It's a 1 channel amp. It has both an effects loop and a headphone jack. One very cool feature of this amp is the power switching. 1, 15, 30, and 60 watts. I wish it had a great footswitch that came with the amp at the regular price. I almost never use some of the amp models b/c I just don't think they sound good. Oddly enough, they are the VOX models (AC15, 30, etc.) This is a modelling amp with one tube.

Sound Quality: 8
I use a Am. Std. Strat 2000 model. S/S/S stock pups. I tend to use the "UK Blues" channel for rock and blues. I just think this sound has the most soul. It emulates an old JTM 45. Sometimes I use the "Boutique Clean" for jazzy or country clean. the amp is noisy, but it's made that way, to emulate the old amps it copies. This thing is extremely versatile. Goes from Fender cleans to REcto fuzz. I think the Boutique clean will stay clean at fairly high volumes. The distortion that I use goes up to Classic Rock. I don't switch over to the REcto channel, b/c it's not my style, so don't know how close it gets to the real thing.

Reliability: 6
I am not sure I can depend on it. The first time I took it into a practice with a loud drummer, it crapped out after about 45 minutes of being above 7 on 60 watt setting. Started sounding like very flabby reverb was on when I had none, and chords sounded out of tune. Took it in to the local VOX repair hut, and they said (1 damn month later) that it was a "bad LS1" or somesuch. They said it was some IC chip that was failing. They replaced it and now the amp sounds better than ever. And, it was under warranty (barely). So the fix was free to me. But, it was out of action for a month which meant I was stuck playing some old POS amp. I honestly do not trust this amp, I wouldn't gig without a backup. I don't know the cause of why it broke down. I have babied this thing.

Customer Support: 8
Didn't deal directly with VOX. Had bought this at Guitar Center. They helped get the paperwork over to Audio Electronics in Dallas. AE fixed it but it took them quite a long time. To be fair, it was through the holidays, though. Was under warranty. Found AE easily after talking to Guitar Center. Warranty is 1 year. I think it's shorter for tubes.

Overall Rating: 7
Playing 20+ years. Own the Strat and a handcrafted Yamaha Acoustic. I would probably buy something else. I'd probably go buy a real JTM 45 reissue or something in teh Marshall line that got close to that sound. The cool thing about this amp for me was that becuase it modelled so many amps, it let me "live with" a bunch of different amps and try them out over the past year. (If you will.) This enabled me to discover (after about 10 months) that the sound I preferred most was this "UK blues" sound. But now that I've found that, that's about all I use this amp for. Might as well have the real deal, all tube, anybody can fix it, and wierd obscure chips aren't breaking and in need of repair like with this thing.
I love how authentic it sounds. I like its size. It looks pretty good. I hate that it broke on me when I was right in teh middle of rehearsal. I hate that it took a freaking month to fix. The reason I bought it was I wanted a tube amp, but had minimal bucks to spend. Honestly, at $400, this sounded better than a lot of all tube amps I saw that were close in price. Sounded better than a Peavey Classic 50. It sounded better than one of those new little Gibson Class A amps (forget the model name). Sounded better than an old Ampeg V4. And I figured someday I'd get an all tube whatever. I wish it came with the good footpedal just kinda "thrown in" instead of having to go pay another 279 or whatever it is. Geesh. Be careful if you're fallign for this amp. It's got its good points, it can help steer you to finding your sound. But I'm just not sure you can trust this amp to be reliable for you when it counts. This thing is very complicated under the hood. When I get the dough to replace it, I'm getting somethign simple under the hood. Simple usually means reliable.

Submitted by Anonymous at 01/28/2005 20:25

Price Paid: 869 (Can$)

Features: 10
I bought the Amp just in the spring this year of 2004. It took me a lot of time deciding and what kind of equipment one should buy, especially playing only once or twice week, but prcticing every day. Once the Dude in the store turned on the Amp, I almost fell over. Features galore! Everything a howdy doody Musician such as me needs without spending thousands to get all the effects and possibilities. Power? Blows all the other stuff on it's class away, from what I have seen. I probably spend the rest of my measly, mortal existence to figure out all the options this thing has. Oh yeah! Read the manual (or whatever they call it). Hold it, got those of you who have to worry about a non-understanding female partner. There is a vent on top of the Amp which will generate enough warmth to keep you and your dog from shivering out in the cold dog house, once you have plugged in and cranked a 60 watts (my old lady found out how much I spent on the amp AND the VC-4 foot controller)

Sound Quality: 10
I play a Takamine GZ-300 with brutal humbackers and that is the only electrical guiter I handle. Also use a Washburn acoustic EA16MBL for some some mellow stuff. I range from Santana to Chuck Berry, Tragically Hip, Led Zepppelin and really all over the board. Plus we play our own material which is kinda 60's and Blues. The Vox Valvetronix handles everything superbly. Even Iron Butterfly and Black Sabbath is no problem (I finally found a website to help me get started with the settings, www.patchtronix.com). Due to my brutal pick-ups, I have to be careful with the gain settings, but really not a biggie. Even had some Dudes asking me the other day after a concert, whether I was really playing "that VOX behind me", because it did not sounds like one.

Reliability: 8
Played every event without a back-up, but did have a cold solder. Not everythting can always be perfect. One of my group members tossd me a Fender thing and let me tell you ... I want my VOX back! Service was done in less that 24 hours, just a cold solder, my Dog and I are happy again. I will not toss any equipment and everything rides comfortably with me in my air conditioned car safely belted down (wife and kids ride in the trunk, preferably, because the do not have an "OFF" switch). If someone would do anything to my Amp, I would most likely hire a Voodoo Guru to put a curse on the person who swipes or hits it.

Customer Support: 10
Support was the best I ever had. No cost very fast turn around and questions will be answered almost instantly. The Store which sold it to me got it serviced ... in less than 24 hours, Dudes. Now that is cool!

Overall Rating: 10
What can I say, playing for 30 years off and on, got rid of a lot of equipment when I immigrated to Canada, so I could eat, but still kept an old Ross amp. Would buy a Valvetronix gain, no question. I love the versatility of the equipment, I can play any gig anywhere and sound like anything. Compared it to the equipment my brothers in my Band are playing (Mesa, Fender, etc. and yes, I can do that!)
Wish it would come with a booklet on settings for artists. It would make life a lot more easy.

Submitted by The Rudedawg (Bogo) at 08/19/2004 08:37

Price Paid: 740 (€)

Features: 10
Brand new amp bought with the VC4. A lot, I meen really a lot of features ...

Sound Quality: 8
Here we go ; I'll try to do my best, english is not my natural language.
At the time that I got the amp I was not playing in a band but I was searching for (anything between blues, jazz, metal etc...). I was really impressed by the sound (damn close to a valve amp) and the versatility so that it was a very natural choice for someone who's practicing at home and trys to find a band in a not precise style. And then I found a band, mostly covers from reggae to grunge going through brittish invasion and ska ...In that moment I thought there could not be a better choice than a (very) good modeling amp with a lot of "brittish" character ...The amp did the job very well ....on practicing. When the moment came to play live (and we had a lot of dates) I just could'nt hear what I was playing (using 60W output, master at 5/6 !!!). And we don't play very hard stuff with a drummer kicking his mind of ...I tried several effects, especially a GE-7 in the loop, it was better but ...A the end I had to buy a full valve amp (Hot Rod Deluxe limited edition with the Jensen speaker which is perfect, just perfect). I used the Vox only at home with the very helpfull 60/30/15/1 W features. Finally I read the manual which is writen in a kind of idiot tennager english that made me sick at the beginning. I don't understant why people from Vox made such a "technical" amp using that kind of language in the manual !! Anyway, I found that technical informations given for each of the simulated amps are very helpfull, I'd say essential. That changed anything. I played last week-end live just with the Vox and the VC4 (by the way kind of cheap but indispensable on live situations preferring putting money on other material than the VC12 ...). It was OK. Not perfect but on a very good way. There were even some kids doing some kind of skate nu metal (whatever)rock, they played on our gear and it sounded like skate nu metal (whatever)rock ... So read the manual (try to forget the style ...) and spend (a lot of) time on it.

Reliability: N/A
So far so good.

Customer Support: N/A
Didn't had to deel with them

Overall Rating: 8
Playing for more than 20 years. Never was a gear freek. I'm trying just to play guitar (from metal to blues and from bossa nova to satriani etc. etc..) and become every day a better musician which is not the same thing. I use a PRS SE Tremonti, an ESP custom, an Ibanez s470, a very old japanese Aria Pro II RS, an Ovation Celebrity 2001 and a Cuenca classic guitar. I'm (was) a stomp box collectioner but with the Valvetronix and the Fender Hot Rod there's no special need.
Compared the Vox to what is possible to compare, the flextone III : I spend too much time on the Line 6 , about ...2 minutes, it was enough. The Vox is a keeper especially for people like me who play a lot at home, doing home studio and doing a lot of live gigs in many different styles. Try to put a commpressor in front and an equalizer in the loop and you even have a decent metal sound.

Submitted by Kosta at 08/04/2004 03:34

Price Paid: 487 (£)

Features: 10
I bought this amp new and from the minute I tried it I was hooked. This amp does just about everything, I wouldn't mind if it had an option for a Cry Baby as well as the Vox Wah but thats just me being gredy so I can't deduct points for that. I also have a vc12 foot controller so I can use the thing hands free which is pretty much vital if your playing live.

Sound Quality: 10
I use a slightly dodgy telecaster copy but even that sounds great through this I mainly play indie, rock and a bit of blues but without too much fiddling a huge range of sounds is available. Because everything is modelled on classic gear there isn't a duff sound in the box and obviously the valve just gives everything more life. From boutique clean to insanely distorted you want it, its got it and more.

Reliability: 10
Depend on it? I wouldn't gig without it! I haven't had it that long but its shown no signs of any problems nor do I expect it to

Customer Support: N/A
I haven't had any need but I spoke to them at a guitar show and they seemed nice enough.

Overall Rating: 10
I can't say enough good stuff about this amp. If it got nicked I unfortunately couldn't afford a new one but I would strive to own it again. I picked this over anythig else partly due to the valve, partly due to the ease of use and also because a huge portion of my favourite bands (REM, Queen, the Beatles and many more) all use Vox amps.

Submitted by Anonymous at 06/28/2004 14:15

Price Paid: US $349.00

Features: 10
2002-Korea. I was told this was THE modeling amplifier to buy, and was EXTREMELY suprised at the verstility and maneuverability of the controls. Easy to program. Plenty of power, despite what previous reviews have said. I assume that professional gig-playing gurus can afford to blow 3X as much on more powerful equipment, but for the price, this thing is seriously worth it.
For a tube amp at 349.00, I challenge anyone to tell me where a better deal could possibly be found.

Sound Quality: 10
I use a Les Paul Plus {Epiphone}, an American Standard Strat, An Ibanez 580-G, and A mexican-made {boo!} Telecaster. All of these guitars sound killer, especially with the modeling of the amps corresponding to each of those guitars. The Effects are "good enough" for enjoyment by everyone but top-notch gigging professionals. Being able to hear practically ANY guitar sound and being able to imitate that sound damn well, is worth 3-4X the price I paid for this Vox/Korg collaboration

Reliability: 10
I have tried it under various conditions, inside, outside, 1 watt/ 60 watts, volume at "almost" 11, and it has perfromed VERY well. I have had it for 3-4 months and NONE of the technical issues other reviewers have been upset about.

Customer Support: N/A
The warranty is 1 Year , I believe. I have had no issues at all so I cannot comment on the service I would receive, should I need it in the future. I can only PRAY,I suppose, that I it nver becomes necessary to ask for help.

Overall Rating: 10
I have been playing 23 years. I would have to have another one if it was stolen, absolutely. I looked at all the Line 6 stuff, but the totally digital stuff, in my opinion, removes the "realism" of the sound. If you want EXACT tube sound, blow $1000.00 more and get something you feel is THAT perfect. Otherwise, be realistic and buy one of these 60VT's.
Anyone know which setting is pure MARSHALL SOUND for my Les Paul to absorb ?

Submitted by Glendon Kushner at 06/21/2004 00:29

Price Paid: 399 (sterling)

Features: 8
I bought this amp new ,and have had it just on a year,the features have been pretty well covered in other reviews,plenty of power for most gigs.

Sound Quality: 10
I havent heard all the amp models live apart from valve fenders and a marshall dsl which I own,I can actually stand it next to my marshall and replicate the sound exactly!,I have waited to do this review because you need to live with these amps for a while to get the best out of them. some of the critisisms mentioned on this forum are user faults not the amp! first thing to do is press and hold both buttons till a big red o appears,you are now out of the demo programmes korg put in,and you should never go back to them if you have any taste at all. low volume and muddy indistinct bass, ok select black 2x12 or boutique clean ,gain 3/4,vol max, treble 1/2 mid1/2, cut the bass loads,click to fat od, select 15watt output and strap on tele or strat and fire. now sweep up the dead spiders and tell me that was muffled.what Im saying is this amp is not just plug and play but can give awesome results with some time spent experimenting,ok its not perfect the acoustic patch is awful,and the footboard pedal sweep is way to short,but hey take off the anoraks whether it has every nuance of that vintage whatever amp it is supposed to model,really doesnt matter,if it sounds great "in the style of" why worry? and make no mistake these amps are as good as it gets without spending silly money.

Reliability: N/A
Well it has not broken yet,but then as every amp I have ever owned has gone down at some stage in their life,I expect it will!guitar amps are like that, I usually take some thing to make a noise through just in case. at least its only got one valve(tube)to go wrong! some guy on the net reckons you can change the 12ax7 for an el84! interesting.

Customer Support: 5
Emailed Korg once, no reply, Emailed them again moaning, instant response. are these things even repairable?

Overall Rating: 9
I have been playing for about 20 years, I have made as many mistakes as you have, the next guitar/amp/effect/will always be the ONE the holy grail of tone.but if I cant do it with my american series tele and this valvetronix then I probably cant do it at all. after this it just becomes dick size.If someone stole it I would buy the same again

Submitted by Anonymous at 06/18/2004 17:17