Price Paid: US $1,000
Features: 10
This review is of a vintage JMI Vox Defiant head made in 1966. It is an incredibly versatile 50 watt amp with killer vintage tones. The Defiant has the exact same pre-amp circuitry as the Conqueror (30 watts) and the Supreme (100 watts) and is the cream of Vox Solid State amps. It was designed by Dick Denney, the original design engineer of the Vox AC30. No doubt - the man's a genius.
The Defiant has two channels: Normal and Brilliant. The Normal channel has two inputs for high or low impedence pickups - very handy. Two tone controls for Bass and Treble. Both tone knobs have incredibly accurate control over their sound shaping spectrum. The Normal channel also features a Top Boost switch which brings out absolutely shimmering highs - just like a Vox AC30TB. A Volume knob controls the pre-amp output to the mains amp.
The Brilliant channel is super bright. Like the Normal channel it also has two instrument inputs, two tone controls and a vlomue control. Specific to this channel are two features: 1) a Distortion control and 2) a Mid-Range Boost control or MRB. The Distortion control goes from mild to blistering and boosts the signal volume in relation to how much distortion is added to the signal. The full one distortion sound is pure "Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" title track or Stone's "Satisfaction". Very, very cool. The MRB is activated by a switch and is an equalizer boost of mid-range bands. These bands can be dialed in with a 3 way knob from low to high mid boost. The MRB was the precursor to Vox's famous Wah-Wah pedal so you get a good idea of the sound it produces. Very cool.
Also both channels can be fed into two other signal loops: 1) Tremelo and 2) Reverb. The tremelo works identically to the AC30's with speed and intensity controls. Very musical, trippy 60's sounds. Denney loved this feature and put it into all of his most sophisticated amps. The Reverb circuit sends the signal thru a very heavy duty spring which does not sound at all like a Fender reverb. The Vox reverb is much more subtle but still present. All of this is controlled by a three button footswitch which works like a charm.
Sound Quality: 10
I play the Defiant with a Rickenbacker three single coil pickup six string guitar. This combination creates the classic British Invasion sounds to a "T". I've been a player for 35 years and this amp creates the best tones I've ever heard hands down. Sweet, bell like, chimey to full on rock and roll to 60's psychedelic - this amp can do it all in spades. Records like a dream. Awesome gig amp. Looks too darn cool as backline. Incredible!
Reliability: 10
Built like a tank. Have replaced three caps and the gold piping - period. Not bad for nearly 40 years old. The head fell off the speaker cab one day onto the concrete floor by accident. Not even a dint. Abrams tank.
Customer Support: 10
Vox schematics are on line from Vox UK if needed. Vox trained techs are around and know what to do to fix their gear.
Overall Rating: 10
OK - you've heard the solid state vs tubes debate for years. I've owned and played nearly every amp made. Fenders, Marshalls, Mesa Boogies, Peavys, Silvertones, Soldanos, Voxs and everything in between. This is one of, if not the finest amp I've ever played. Forget the tube debate. Use your ears... or... ask the Beatles, Tom Petty, Oasis, and countless others who've used this amp on the road and in the studio to record tons of hit records. This is an incredible amp - as are the Conqueror and the Supreme. If you ever come across one of these amps BUY THEM while you can still get them as one day they will be worth a small fortune. They are becoming very rare and they sound absolutely phenomenal.
Submitted by Patrick at 05/01/2003 16:09
Price Paid: US $900 used
Features: 10
My Defiant is most likely from 1967. It is a VSL, but the internals seem to be identical to the JMI ones. This amp can be used for most anything. It is perfect for late-Beatles sounds, but also perfect for prog rock. The amp is a more powerful version of the Vox Conqueror. Same features; Two channels - Normal and Brilliant. Normal has Vol., Treble, Bass and Top Boost plus Tremolo Speed/Depth, Brilliant channel has Treble, Bass, Mid-range Boost (MRB) and Distortion! MRB has a three-position switch. Theres a Reverb assignable to either channel. Tremolo, Reverb and Distortion are switchable from a footswitch. With an A/B/Y switch, this amp becomes very versatile. It has enough power to be the only live amps you need (50 watt RMS). It is a solid state with a sound more like a valve amp.
Sound Quality: 10
Halleluja! I love this amp! The Normal channel is big and full and clean in a pleasant way. the Brilliant channel has a totally unique distortion. Think psychedelic Beatles, Sgt. Pepper, Revolver and you know what it sounds like. Not everybody will like it, but I definitely do! The cleanness is very useful for me as I play 12-strings a lot and the distortion gives me a unique and personal guitar amp sound. This amp is proof that transistor amplification can sound good in its own right.
Reliability: 9
Yes, I would gig with it without backup. I have never experienced a breakdown. It is solid and well constructed from quality materials.
Customer Support: 10
This is a vintage amp so the issue is not relevant. However, the Vox users community is probably the most fanatic in the world and at present it is actually possible to get third-party replacements for items such as the curly side stands, the model flag and the rare footswitch, so it is as good as it can possibly get.
Overall Rating: 10
I've played for 20 years. I have many Vox amps and has played Selmer and Yamaha amps too. This is an amp I would replace, were it ever stolen. This amp may not be everyones cup of tea. It is unique in doing what it does, but some people still find it hard to accept transistor technology, so they can still be found at low prices.
Submitted by Frank Carvalho at 08/17/1999 14:33
