Vox Cambridge 30 Reverb

Price Paid: US $350

Features: 8
dual chan. trem, reverb. gain boost, mid boost on chan 2. on tube on chan 2, solidstate power. great cosmetics. very spiffy looking.

Sound Quality: 8
I use a 96 american standard strat with a maple fretboard and stock pickups. I play a variety of pedals including but not limited to a sovtek muff (modified), an old boss ds-1 distortion, a jd-1 morley preamp pedal, mxr phase 90 resissue, sometimes a z00m 5O5 mulitefx for bedroom level distortions and effects. I then send it to the vox, which feeds into a marshall 4x12 with eminence speakers (it's a funny setup).

i play in a loud kinda throwback back, very organic rock and roll. i have been influenced a lot by newer bands as well - pumpkins, my bloody valentine, modest mouse and things like that. but the true base of my playing style and feel goes for bands like the who, cheap trick, the beatles, u2, rem, queen and things like that. the reason why i choose this amp is because a lot of my prime influences and the guitarists that popped my cherry were/are vox devotees. i'm talking about peter buck (rem), the edge (u2), all of the beatles and brian may (Queen).

a high volumes it is. i attribut this to my single coils and my pedals. the vox by itself is pretty quiet at high levels.

I think a large part of this amp's sounds lie within the speakers. those two celestions are pretty loud and have plenty of cut. the sounds are classic vox, chan 1 = glassy chan 2 = zingy dist. and a high levels a good "rick neilsen roar". plenty of throw with chann 2. it's actually pretty versitial.

chann 1 - like the other reviews stated - it can be pushed to a little zip. i use this channel for my pedals and what not.

the distortion chan is not brutal. you are not going to get an iomi-esque tone with this thing. like i said - think townshend, neilsen, the edge. very clean, lot's of punch. it sounds great. you will never see dimebag playing one of these - even with your thrashmaster pedal in front it will barely get you there. it's good for that clean roar.

if the wattage were pushed up to say, 40 or 50 watts and maybe another 12ax7 thrown in to both of the channs i would rate this a nine. it could be a little bit louder. but i think the key number with voxes is 30.

Reliability: 8
it's been fine so far. built decently. i feel pretty solid about it. i would probably take a back up at a gig.

Customer Support: N/A
haven't dealt with the good people of korg/vox yet.

Overall Rating: 8
i've been playing for about 8 years.

i probably wouldn't buy another one if it broke or got stolen. i would go for an old hiwatt, orange, marshall or an authentic vox.

i really dig the tremolo. the cosmetics (i'm gonna be very shallow here) are pretty cool. it's looks groover.

i wish it were louder.

Submitted by andy at 12/04/2000 14:00

Price Paid: $419 (Canadian)

Features: 8
This amp is new -- made in 1999 or 2000. Although I prefer heavy distorted music, I'm just getting back into playing guitar after a long layoff and decided that I needed a good, clean amp for practising. This is ideal for that. The amp has two channels, one clean, and one distorted with a gain and a mid-range boost. There are reverb and tremolo controls. There's also a 12AX7 valve in the preamp, and several outputs including one for headphones.

Sound Quality: 7
I'm using a Jackson DK-3 (Duncan designed pickups) with this amp. Mostly, I play clean -- I'm trying to get better and not hide behind effects. However, the effects in the amp are decent. The reverb is good, the tremolo gets the job done. I find the distortion useless unless I hit the gain boost, and even then it's not enough for me -- I resort to my Boss Metal Zone or Marshall Jackhammer pedals when I feel like making noise. Any heavy distortion through this amp sounds muddy. The amp is not noisy by itself. When set clean, you can get a real warm, shimmering rhythm sound. The treble can be strong and soothing without being harsh. Good value for the money.

Reliability: N/A
This amp isn't powerful enough for a serious gig. Besides, if I gig, I'll be looking for a hard rock/heavy metal style amp. Again, this thing is great for clean sounds and practising. I haven't had it long enough to decide if it's reliable.

Customer Support: N/A
I've never dealt with Vox.

Overall Rating: 8
I played from 1985-92, and then stopped playing until a few months ago. This is currently my main amp. I chose it over several others in the same general price range -- including Marshall (nice distortion, but no true clean sound), Peavey (non-descript sound), Trace Elliot (very plain tube tone), and Fender (same as the Trace Elliot). The Vox Cambridge has character and a retro vibe. It doesn't match up with all my gear (again, heavy distortion through this is muddy), but it sounds nice with my Crybaby Wah and my Boss Chorus. I'll probably get a Mesa/Boogie or a Marshall for heavier stuff when I regain my chops. But I'll hang onto the Vox -- it should be great for recording slow, moody tunes.

Submitted by Sugarworm at 11/25/2000 05:56

Price Paid: US $260

Features: 10
As previous reviews here do a nice job of describing this amp, I'll simply say that this amp is elegantly designed with just the right amount of real features without "token" knobs. It packs a great punch for its size and weight (seriously important for transporting around!), and looks phenomenal. Although this wouldn't be my choice for a metal sound, it's a great choice for clean or tunefully distorted audio.

Sound Quality: 10
I'm using a Mexican Standard Telecaster, making this package a great bang for the buck (I've never been a worshipper of high price tags). And as stated elsewhere, although the guitar is a little noisy (something that could be remedied if I were to replace the pickups for something a little upscale), the combination of the two is rather versatile and does what I'd like it to do with a nice '60's flair.
And though the distortion channel is nice for recording or playing when lower volume levels are required (like when the wife's home), the clean channel does break up artfully, especially for solid state, when opened up wide. It's not an AC30, but for the price it certainly has virtues. I'd consider this amp at a much higher price tag. Thank goodness I didn't have to. The only thing I noticed I didn't like was that the distortion channel was rather muddy. But I've learned that this might be due to the Sovtek tubes being used in the early ones being shipped because of supply. I'll find out more when I replace this tube. This does not affect the clean channel.

Reliability: N/A
No problems thus far- I've only had it a month or two...

Customer Support: N/A
No repairs

Overall Rating: 10
I've only been playing guitar a couple of years (after years of playing drums, keys, bass + now it's onto the natural progression....)
If this amp were stolen I'd buy another one today. I've heard many other amps over the years, and once in a while I encounter something unique and notable. This falls into that category. And I wouldn't ad anything to it.

Submitted by Chuck D at 05/10/2000 11:05

Price Paid: US $375

Features: 1
THIS IS A NEW MODEL, 12AX7 TUBE W/SOLID STATE POWER AMP ,VERB ,TREM ,MID BOOST, CHANNEL SWITCHING, GAIN BOOST ETC....LOTS OF USELESS FEATURES. I WISH IT HAD THE FEATURE OF TONE.

Sound Quality: 1
PLAYED A STRAT THROUHG IT. IT HAS THE GOOD OLD VOX CLEAN TONE. I OWN THE PATHFINDER AND LOVE IT. THIS LEAD ME TO THE CAMBRIDGE. I FIGURED THE PATHFINDER IS AWSOME,TOO BAD IT DOSENT HAVE MORE POWER AND REVERB THEN THE PATHFINDER WOULD BE PERFECT FOR ME. MY PRAYERS WERE ANSWERED , ENTER THE CAMBRIDGE...JUST WHAT I WISHED FOR AND PROBABALLY ANYONE ELSE WHO OWNS THE PATHFINDER WISHED FOR THIS ALSO. NOW FOR THE POOP!
THE CAMBRIDGE 2X10 SUCKS, AT THREE TIMES THE PRICE OF THE PATHFINDER IT FALLS FLAT ON IT'S GOOD LOOKING FACE. RATED AT 30 WATTS YOU MUST TURN IT UP TO 10 TO GET AN ALMOST USEABLE VOLUME TO GIG WITH.THE CLEAN TONE IS GOOD AND VERY VOXLIKE. NOT NEARLY LOUD ENOUGH FOR 30 WATTS THOUGH! NOW LET'S STEP ON THE LEAD CHANNEL. WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED?DID SOMEONE THROW A MOVING BLANKET OVER THE AMP? HUM...MABEE I FORGOT TO TAKE THE AMP OUT OF THE BOX....NOPE...MABEE THE AMP FELL FACE DOWN ON A SHAG CARPETED FLOOR....NOPE..MABEE THE TREBLE IS TURNED DOWN....NOPE IT'S ALL THE WAY UP...LETS CUT THE BASS A BIT.... HEY! DO THESE KNOBS DO ANYTHING?....NOPE...WHEN YOU GO TO LEAD CHANNEL ALL THESE QUESTIONS WILL COME TO MIND. YOU WILL WONDER WHAT IS WRONG. THIS IS THE DARKEST SOUNDING LEAD CHANNEL I EVER HEARD. EVEN WITH A JAGUAR IT SOUNDS DARK.
SOMEBODY AT KORG FUCKED UP BIGTIME WITH THIS DESIGN. I LOVE ALL AMPS, THE EACH HAVE THEIR OWN GOOD POINTS SOMEWHERE BUT THIS AMPS LEAD CHANNEL SUCKS SO BADLY THAT IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE VOX WOULD LET THIS AMP ENTER THE MARKET.SHAME ON THEM I THOUGHT THIS WOULD BE THE PERFECT AMP. HA WHAT A JOKE. THE AMP SOUNDS WEAK AND SICKLY..THE PATHFINDER BLOWS THIS THING AWAY THEY MUST HAVE FUCKED UP. I STILL CAN'T BELIEVE IT LET ME CHECK EVERYTHING AGAIN MEBE IT'S ME....NOPE...IT JUST SUCKS SUCKS SUCKS AND ALSO IT SUCKS. UNREAL HOW I WASTED 375.00 ON THIS THING, PLUS FOR ALMOST 9 MONTHS I WAITED FOR THIS THING TO ARRIVE.I FEEL RIPPED OFF BUYING THIS AMP BECAUSE THE PATHFINDER WAS ONLY 99.00.I COULD HAVE BOUGHT 4 PATHFINDERS FOR THE PRICE OF THIS PIECE OF KOREAN SHIT. ANY OTHER AMP KNOWN TO MAN SOUNDS BRIGHTER THAN THIS UNDER DRIVEN UNDER POWERED UNDER DESIGNED UNDER TESTED HUNK OF SHIT. SHAME ON YOU VOX. SHAME ON YOU KORG. SHAME ON YOU. JEEZ IT SOUNDS LIKE MY EARS ARE PLUGGED EVERY TIME IT HIT THE LEAD SWITCH.TRY AS I CAN I JUST CAN'T BRIGHTEN IT UP ONE BIT IT SEEMS THE TONE CONTROLS DON'T DO SHIT.NOT ENOUGH VOLUME EITHER. STAY AWAY FROM THIS CRAPPER, A REAL FIRST CLASS DISSAPOINTMENT. SUCKERS GOT MY HARD EARNED CASH ALSO.I COULD HAVE BOUGHT A SOLID STATE FENDER AND BEEN HAPPY BUT NOOOO LET'S GIVE VOX A SHOOT. I FEEL LIKE A REAL ASSHOLE

Reliability: 6
SEEMS TO BE MADE WELL. CAN'T GIG WITH IT BECAUSE I TAKE PRIDE IN GETTING A HALFASSED TONE ATLEAST. NOT LOUD ENOUGH WITHOUT MIKING EVEN IN A SMALL AMP EQUIPED WEDDING BAND. I'LL BET IT WILL LAST FOREVER BECAUSE NO ONE WILL EVER USE IT.IT SOUNDS WIMPY AND IT SUCKS AT THE SAME TIME. AT LEAST IT DOES ONE THING BETTER THAN ANY OTHER AMP AND THAT ONE THING IS SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!

Customer Support: 1
RETURNING THIS AMP TO THE STORE I WILL TAKE A SLIGHT LOSS BUT AT LEAST I CAN SAVE UP FOR SOMETHING BETTER. GET THIS THING OUTTA HERE IT SUCKS.I LOVE AMPS EVEN LOUSY ONES BUT THIS THING SUCKS AND IS A WASTE OF CELESTION SPEAKERS. IT SUCKS IT SUCKS IT SUCKS SO BADLY THAT YOU MUST TRY ONE FOR YOURSELF TO BELIEVE IT.

Overall Rating: N/A
BEEN PLAYING FOR 27 YEARS, I'M A GEAR HEAD ALWAYS TRYING ANOTHER AMP OR GUITAR OR SOMETHING I HAVE A MAJOR COLLECTION OF GUITARS AND AMPS THAT I HAVE BOUGHT OVER THE PAST 27 YEARS,THIS WILL NOT REMAIN IN MY COLLECTION. IF IT WERE STOLEN THE THIEF WOULD KINDLY RETURN IT TO ME AND TAKE ONE OF MY PATHFINDERS. IF ANYONE ELSE HAS BOUGHT THIS AMP LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK OF THE LEAD CHANNEL.IT IS INCONCIEVABLE HOW THE PATHFINDER COMES FROM THE SAME COMPANY. THIS THING SUCKS.. DID I MENTION THAT THIS AMPS SUCKS?

Submitted by Anonymous at 05/09/2000 20:16

Price Paid: US $250.00

Features: 10
This is a new made in Korea version of the Thomas Cambridge with a markedly similar cabinet to the vintage unit but different control panel that is more in keeping with the style of the AC30 (chicken head knobs and copper plexi). The amp boasts two channels that are switchable via footpedal as well as a mid range boost, gain switch, tremolo, reverb, line out, headphone out and a 12AX7 pre amp valve. Lots of features for such a low price. The reverb is a little weak but sufficient and the tremolo is very nice.

Sound Quality: 10
I use this amp with a phantom teardrop with stacked Kent Armstrongs, 62 re-issue stratocaster with vintage Fender pickups and an ovation celebrity. We play hits from the 50's, 60's and 70's so the vox tone really works for me. It's a little noisy with the strat but has a real vintage sound that is unmistakable to Voxheads. The celestion bulldog has a terrific tone and breaks up nicely at louder volumes. I would say that overall this is a great amp for those who would like a vox but can't afford the outrageous amount of money you have to pay for an AC15 or 30. The amp seems to have sufficient power for small to medium gigs and holds its own against my Tube Works combo and lead guitar players fender twin.

Reliability: 9
I had a Thomas Cambridge as well as a Super Berkeley for a while and they were brutally unreliable so I will bring my Tube works to gigs for a while until I'm satisfied that this amp will hold up. I assume it will as the fit and finish of the cabinet is terrific as well as the quality of the pots and switches.

Customer Support: 9
Never tried to get a new Vox product fixed but the Thomas models and some of the AC30's are a technicians nightmare. Korg distributes these amps and I have always found them to be reputable so I assume that they will stand behind this product.

Overall Rating: 10
I have been playing since 1969 and have had lots of amps and guitars over the years. I have always coveted Vox products and I am glad to be able to own a new Vox model with a low serial number (below 300) I think that for the money, you would be hard pressed to find an amp with such great sounds and unabashed good looks. I might even buy the twin when it comes out!

Submitted by gp at 04/11/2000 15:13

Price Paid: US $600

Features: 10
I JUST BOUGHT THIS AMP FOR $600. IT SOUNDS GREAT . IT NEEDS TO BE TWEAKED I THINK. HOW DO I FIND OUT IT'S AGE AND IF I GOT A GOOD DEAL ???IT HAS TWO INPUTS ON TOP AND 1 ON THE BACK THAT DON'T WORK.TREM IS FANTASTIC AS IS REVERB.GOLD BULLDOG SOUNDS GOOD TOO!.

Sound Quality: 8
WHEN REVERB IS ON TEN IT HAS LOW END HUM.BREAKS UP REAL NICE .. i use strat 65. and tele with bardens.

Reliability: N/A
just got it last week 1 10 00

Customer Support: N/A

Overall Rating: N/A

Submitted by Anonymous at 01/17/2000 17:40

Price Paid: US $200

Features: 5
Mine was new in 1965. I paid around $200 for it. The reverb could be a little overdone, and at full volume, it depended upon the guitar. I used a 1960 Gibson ES 350TD, same as Chuck Berry used, as pictured on "From London to Liverpool" alblum. Same guitar. It lacked a master volume, my only real complaint. It was a Thomas Vox, but it was tube.

Sound Quality: 10
I used this amp from 1965 until 1970. I played mostly Gibson hollow-body PAF's through it. It cut through drums and PA in small to medium gigs everywhere. Played Beatles to begin with, but Yardbirds and Stones and one hit wonders were fine too. Used it with the first effects known to man, always sounded good.

Reliability: 10
Never once let me down. It broke in 1973 because I lent it out.

Customer Support: 1
Never needed it.

Overall Rating: 10
I bought it for looks, kept it for sound and reliability, can't say either was better than the other because both were awesome. If I could find a used one in decent condition and had the asking price on me, no problem, it would be mine. Thomas or no, this amp paid for itself in gig after gig until the Marshall sound outpowered it. It handled everything short of pure overdrive with PAF's. Not as good with Strats or singles, but loved those PAF's. Tough, reliable, unique sounding, louder than it had a right to be. Earned it's keep. Wish all my equipment had.

Submitted by Bill Johnson at 12/14/1999 18:15

Price Paid: US $550 used

Features: 6
This is a 1966 Vox Cambridge Reverb. It's got three inputs, though I only use one. Its effects are tremolo and a noisy reverb. Although I only use this amp for recording and practicing at home, it could be loud enough for a small solo club gig. Though this is the solid state model, its tone is deep, warm, and beautiful. At low volumes, the 10" gold bull dog sounds nice and deep for such a small size.

Sound Quality: 9
I play my 56' danelectro baritone guitar (stock lipstick PUs), and tend to play the Camrbridge at pretty low volumes. For the kind of stuff I do at home (moody, sort of Morphinesque stuff), the Cambridge is perfect. I've also used it to record the Bari and a Strat, and I'm amazed at the variety of sounds you can get from it. The main drawback in recording this thing is that if you turn it up past, say, 6 or 7, it starts sounding... bad, for lack of a better word. So, again, at low volumes, sounds amazing, but don't don't push it.

Reliability: 10
Very reliable amp. I've had it for almost four years now, and despite the Thomas Voxes reputation for... shaky reliability, this thing has never let me down.

Customer Support: 1
Ha!

Overall Rating: N/A
If it were to get stolen, I might consider buying the tube version, although they tend to go for big money these days.

Submitted by Anonymous at 03/31/1999 13:26