Vox Climax 212 Combo

Price Paid: 300 (UK Pounds)

Features: N/A
Vox Climax 2x12 valve combo, made in about 1979/1980, 125 watts. 4xEL34 valves. Same size and shape as an AC30. 5 band eq, master volume and a distortion knob, which as mentioned below, sounds cac. Came with blue coloured celestion 70 or 75 watt speakers, I have since replaced these with celestion vintage 30s. It has an extension speaker socket on the back to allow use with a separate cab, either with or without the internal speakers. No reverb or channel switching. It has bright and normal inputs, I have had the normal one converted to be a power amp input, for use with a preamp. For the kind of amp it is I think it has enough 'features'. Having said that, it's not the sort of amp you buy for features - you buy it for the sound.

Sound Quality: 10
I use this amp mostly with a strat or tele, but have tried it with a les paul. The sound can be described as a thicker version of an AC30, a bit like a cross between an AC30 and a 70s Marshall. I also own an AC30, this amp is better for thick crunchy sounds, but has a darker sound than the AC30 - doesn't do the 'pingy' sounds as well as the AC30. It doesn't have really high gain, but sounds good with either a pedal or a preamp. I have used it with a triaxis and a boogie studio preamp, as well as a few boss distortion pedals etc. It goes very loud, and sounds better turned up, but at really loud volumes the bass end can get a bit mushy, for this reason I changed the speakers to vintage 30s. This and careful setting of the two low frequency control has eliminated this problem. Once the sound is set up it sounds excellent! Good for big chords, can do good controlled feedback with it as well. If there is a downside it is that it doesn't sound as good at low levels (like most valve amps). I have a THD hotplate that I use with my other amps, but haven't tried it with the Climax because it is over 100 watts. It can do a good 'chimy' AC30 type sound, if you're the sort of person who uses the guitar volume, you can get a range of sounds.

Reliability: N/A
No problems other than the valves, which are probably the original ones!

Customer Support: N/A
I haven't dealt with the company, but the guy who designed it is still around, and he has serviced it and fitted the power amp input for me. Parts are of the big old fashioned type, so I don't think you'd have a problem finding parts, the problem is finding one to start with!

Overall Rating: 9
I've been playing about 12 years, in bands doing gigs and studio recordings. I would definitely try to get another - well I did, I had one about 7 years ago, when I saw this one I snapped it up. Maybe I wish it had more overdrive, but only if it didn't lose the sound it has. I think if you're the kind of player that doesn't need multi channels, but intead use pedals etc to get the sound, this is a good choice for a gigging amp. Maybe not so good for home use. For what I paid, it's good value for money, when you look at what else is available for the money I paid. Think of it as a beefier AC30.

Submitted by Mat Grant at 12/14/2004 03:03

Price Paid: $1200 (Australian) used

Features: 9
This 100w VOX tube amp was made in the 70's or '80s, & looks the same as a VOX AC30. It is fairly basic as far as guitar amps go, with five seperate tonal controls, plus a master volume and pre amp volume. It has an output for an extension speaker cab on the back, with switching for internal only, or internal/external.It has 2X12 inch VOX blue back spekers, which sound great.It also boasts a horrible diode distortion which is beyond me why they would put such a crap distorion on such an otherwise amazing amp.I never use this. It has brilliant/normal imputs..I only use the normal, as I find the brilliant too bright, even with my Gibson 335. I have used this amp at least two or three gigs a week, for the last 5 years. It has plenty of power for any situation I have been in, large or small venues. The sound can be quite directional, so I always play with mine sitting on top of my road case, which brings things into earshot very nicely. But I must say, after using Marshall & Boogie tube amps for many years, the Climax has the tone to die for. I was told by a friend that it had just come into a second hand music shop..he thought it was an AC30. When I got there, a few people were already interested in it..I plugged my guitar in & played one chord....CHA CHING! SOLD!!

Sound Quality: 10
I play alot of funk & rock styles in a few differnet bands, using a Burns reissue guitar, which is similar to a strat set up, with single coil pick ups. I also use a Gibson 335, which does sound great, but I find the single coils sound that bit better with the tube amp. (personal oppinion of course!)
I have found it to be a little noisy in venues with dodgy power set ups, (specially with high gain distortion),but generally it is a quiet amp.
The amp has quite a versitile range, you can play with it for ages.I have found that once you do get the right balance of pre amp, output & EQ settings, you will never have to touch it again! The only thing to watch out for is when you put it on the ground, people will love to sit on it, or put things on it, (not acceptable!), due to the placement of the knobs, will often knock your settings out. I have remedied this by warning everyone to keep off & also labeling my settings with tape, should any knocks occur.
After all that, let it be known, this is THE best sounding amp I have ever used. People always comment at gigs, even non muso's, which speaks for itself.

Reliability: 9
This amp has never broken down on me during gigs, although it has shown symptoms of something needing attention, with the sound thinning out. Usually it is a valve (tube) issue. I always fit top quality tubes from a specialist, which go the distance & sound great too. I reccomend a proper road case if you intend to transport it alot, after all, this is an older amp now & things can shake loose over time.As I mentioned earlier, the road case makes a great stage stand too, so you can hear it over the rest of the band, without deafening everyone!

Customer Support: N/A
I have never dealt with the company. I did get some repairs done
(burnt out electronic component)by an amp qualified friend. He had no real probems with it.

Overall Rating: N/A
I have been playing for 25 years. I use the amp with a Digitec 2101 valve/digital processor, which makes a great combination, specially with the range of warm distortion sounds I can get. It simply has the best clean tone I have heard.
If this amp were stolen, I would be devistated...(have already had a beautiful 70's Gretsch country gent stolen...have never been quite the same since!) I would definately buy another one, but I think they may be getting harder to find.

Submitted by Pete at 09/19/2003 21:54

Price Paid: 750 (Australian) used

Features: 8
As everyone below has said - British amp, made in the 80's, looks like an AC30. 5 responsive eq's, bright and normal input, 2 volumes, the worst amp distortion i've ever heard.

Sound Quality: 10
This amp sounds better than a few AC30's I've played through - it is that good. Using a Fender Jag running through a few beastly old pedals and a few racks, and it sounds perfect clean or effected. No hum at all, absolutely cranked or down really low.
The distortion is the most useless and pissy qulity distortion ive ever heard. I've got 10watt practice amps with better distortion ;)

Reliability: 7
Have been using this amp for about 6 years now, and apart from being very hot after running for a while, have never had problems. I usually run it with a fan blowing on it. Has never broken down on me.

Customer Support: N/A
Never needed to contact them. I need to replace the cloth, but im not in a rush to do this.

Overall Rating: 10
Have been playing for about 10 years, and this is the best amp I have ever owned. I have since sold most of my other amps, because after playing with this for long enough, I didnt enjoy using the other ones. If it was stolen from me, I would hire bounty hunters to get it back. I will probably end up getting another one if I can find one - for the price of this amp, the quality is amazing.

Buy on sight.

Submitted by Anonymous at 01/21/2003 14:56

Price Paid: 200 (Pounds Sterling) used

Features: 7
A five band EQ, two inputs normal & bright, volume and master volume. Transistor based distortion circuit(moped in a tin can sound!!!) is absolutely awful. Pre amp valves ecc81 and ecc83's, 4 x EL34 output valves. There is no channel switching on this amp, so dial in a tone and use your guitar and effects.

Sound Quality: 10
Best sounding amp I've played through. Nice overdrive breakup, great bluesy amp. The distortion circuit is a joke (unless you like that sort of thing?!?) This amp does not have a serious amount of gain, but what else are stomp boxes for?

Reliability: 4
I've gigged with this amp for several years now, but have had to repair it several times. Overheating can be a problem (the sligh odour of cooking compenents). Also when replacing some components i discovered that a couple had never been soldered to the circuit board since it was first made, EEK!! I have had to replace several capacitors and the output transformer, but I love the tone, so the amp stays.

Customer Support: N/A

Overall Rating: 10

Submitted by Anonymous at 03/20/2002 05:29

Price Paid: US $800 used

Features: 8
This 125 watt tube amp was made in the UK in the 1980's by Vox Limited. 5 band EQ, Channel Volume, Master Volume. Also a diode-based distortion. Two channels: Normal and Brilliant. 2 x 12" blueback speakers. This is a combo version of the V125 lead head. Looks like an AC30.

Sound Quality: 10
The amp's clean/slightly overdriven sound is great!!! It will distort at high volumes, but I keep it right on the edge of overdriven. I am using an Ibanez RG470 through a Boss SD-1 and ProCo Rat for additional overdrive/distortion. DO NOT use the diode distortion built in to the amp. It is total crap. But I must reiterate, you can get that Vox tone without getting an AC30 like everyone else. I use the brilliant channel. No hums on this amp at all. It sounds wonderful.

Reliability: N/A
I haven't been using it long, but this thing is HEAVY. It is a pain in the neck to move. I would say it could take quite a beating.

Customer Support: N/A
I got this used and imported from South Africa. It has a converter in it to convert from 220 to 110 voltage (US). I got a fuse for the amp at Radioshack because I broke one playing with it. I haven't dealt with the company.

Overall Rating: 10
Sleeper value! I love the amp and I'm currently building my effects to find my sound. If you find one, snatch it up!

Submitted by Mark Duch at 01/30/2002 17:14

Price Paid: $700 (australian) used

Features: 8
This amp was manufactured in England in the 80,s.It has bright and normal inputs, mastervolume and a 5 band e.q, instead of standard bass, middle, treble tone controls.
Appearance wise, it looks identical to an ac30.
Power tubes are 4 x el34,s, preamp tubes are 4 x 12ax7,s I think.
Speakers are 2 x 12" vox blue backs.
A diode distortion circuit is also incorporated in this design and is operated separately to the amp's tube preamp and power amp.
I found this amp versatile for most forms of music with the exception of music requiring high gain.
Amp was rated at 100 watts and was nice and loud.
No fancy bullshit, just straight forward tone; much like classic ac30.

Sound Quality: 10
This is where this amp shone.
Sounded similar to ac30, however more headroom could be obtained by opening the master up full, producing bell-like clarity, very punchy, very loud.
With input opened up, a sweet, warm , overdrive could be produced. Very nice musical sounding amplifier indeed.
Eq controls were responsive and tight sounding, giving good tonal contrasts, though this amp was easy to select a tone and operate on.
You could turn volumes to 10 and there was no hum, hiss or farts at all.
Sounded good with all sorts of guitars and pickups.
However.
If you use a vox climax tube combo do not use the diode distortion.
DO NOT USE THE DIODE DISTORTION UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. IT IS FUCKED!
Why? They put this atrocious mechanism into this naturally fantastic sounding amp. I do not know.
Superglue the distortion nob to 0 "off" , pretend it doesn't exist and you'll have the best sounding 'rockpig' of an amplifier ever. I'd give it a score of 100 unfortunately the scores only go to 10.
This amplifier really did sound incredible.

Reliability: 7
Amp got constant heavy use.
Had problems with overheating (as voxes do)
I recommend installing a fan to rectify this.
Speakers are very strong and can really take a beating this amp was at times played flat out pushed to the max.
Overall amp was pretty strong.
Besides tubes ,only things that needed replacing was the grill cloth and the handles.
score:9 with cooling fan. 5 without
average: 7

Customer Support: N/A
Parts are relatively easy to obtain.

Overall Rating: 10
Owned and borrowed marshalls(vintage and current models), mesa boogie callibre 50 , laney protube50 , roland 60 vox ac30 and hiwatts.
Currently own a hiwatt 100. Although the hiwatts are my favourite amplifier as far as sound and reliability goes.
I'm very sorry i sold the vox climax.
They would have to be the most underated amplifier ever.
Many famous Australian bands used these amps. They are truly great workhorses.

Submitted by Anonymous at 09/26/2001 06:51