Vox Pathfinder 15

Price Paid: US $99

Features: 10
Well...cheez, it's been covered enough here so I think I'll just add that the chicken head control knobs are very large and very sturdy feeling compared to the small, cheaply molded, puney knobs as on the Laney amps that cost three times more than this hot lil' babe. It's a treat to have a great sounding tremolo on a little amp like this for the money, but I guess in a perfect world, it would have reverb, alas, it would then cost double. The dual foot-switch to control the tremolo and boost is not included -- I paid $29 for it (by the way, if you don't want to shell out the bucks, all you need to build one is a stereo 1/4" plug, 2 switches, 3wire cable, and a project box; I blew the cash just because I wanted the Vox logo).

Sound Quality: 10
I'm playing an Epi Les Paul with a Seymour Duncan Jeff Beck at the bridge and a Seth Lover at the neck. I don't think I can add much more to all the great things that have been said -- it's just really fantastic, this thing has a pretty authentic vintage vibe and I personally find the tremelo on this to be perfectly voiced with the depth and speed ranges just right. I can't figure out why people have written that the tremelo speed doesn't go quite fast enough, I mean, what are they trying to do? Make their guitars sound like a machine-gun? Cheez! Anyway, I don't know how they did it, but they got transistors (FET's no doubt) to sound like a tube voiced Vox.

Many have written that the boost feature is way too loud -- I think it's just right; I perform with this amp twice a week and with the rest of the band blairing, this boost is hot enough to let your sound stand out in front for a solo -- just right (I can see that if you weren't playing with a band, this boost would be overkill).

Okay, push me and I'll tell you that the gain when really cranked is a bit on the mushy side lacking those middy harmonics from a tube and the clarity of some high end sparkle. But the gain sounds better when used for blues and mild overdrive. The way to get good distortion
is not to crank the gain so much, but to engage the boost mode.

I always thought I had a good grip on understanding the fundamentals of the properties of electricity in music applications, but now I must admit I'm really stumpped and am not so sure I understand how things really work now. I took this amp over to my friends house and we connected the external cabinet output to his 4x12 1960A 300 watt Marshall cabinet, and figuring that since there were now 4 big 12" speakers rated at 75 watts a piece, it wouldn't be very loud because there was too much load absorbing material there for the Vox's 15 watts, but much to our surprise, it got louder!!! He had it cranked playing through this 4x12 cabinet, and after a few minutes, I had just had to leave the room -- I couldn't take it anymore -- I went downstairs and plopped on the sofa trying to figure all this out and listened to him rattle the floor and walls in the room above me. He finally emereged from the room with his ears ringing.

Reliability: 6
Seems reliable enough, but I will use this space to comment on construction. I know they wanted this thing to look vintage, but the lack of corner guards has really taken its toil on this thing, already the seams at the corner are dangling threads and the vinyl is lifting up.

The worst thing I can say about this amp is that the input and output jacks don't grab the plug very tightly -- the plug slips in and out too easily and you can wiggle them inside the jack enough to cause it to crackle. So far, there hasn't been a problem with it cutting out or crackling as long as you don't wiggle it with your hand. I pulled the back panel off to bend the metal contact prong on the output jacks to make them tighter and to my suprise, the jacks are the cheap plastic box type that are soldered diriectly to the circuit board -- so now we know how they're able to sell this great sounding amp for $99. That's okay, this winter I'll remove these cheap jacks and mount real ones to the frame and solder the wires to the circuit board.

Customer Support: N/A
N/A

Overall Rating: 10
Overall, I have to give this hot lil' babe a 10, because how long have you been waiting for something that sounds so good to come along at an extremely affordable price! Why can't American companies produce something like this? (too damn greedy!) And I realize Vox took this one out of the UK for production to keep the cost down, but at least they took it to Korea instead of a sweatshop in China -- and right now, the Korean's are producing much more quality stuff than China.

Okay, let me close by saying that this thing sounds so good, I am using it to shape my tone in a band I perform with twice a week -- it is my stage monitor and I use the 'Line Out' jack to feed the p.a. system. My whole tone is shaped by this little amp and its just incredible. I used to use a Tech21 SansAmp GT-2 amp & cabinet simulator and the sound was never really authentic and too thin and buzzy at the mixing board. So for $40 less than the GT-2, I not only got great tone shaping capabilites to send to the board, I also got a great stage monitor, and a tremelo effect. I take my hat off to the good ole Vox boys in the UK who designed this thing to sound sssooooo
good and kept it sssoooo affordable -- cheers maties and thanks! This pint's for you!

Submitted by jimmy at 10/28/1999 07:55

Price Paid: $150 (Canadian)

Features: 8
Your average practice amp, right? NO WAY! This thing is all that and more. 15W, 8" Blue Bulldog Speaker, Boost control, tremolo, footswitch jack, line, speaker, and headphone out. The trem is a nice feature for an amp of this price. I wont say that this is the most versatile amp (like a lot of Vox amps!) butit does what it does WELL; plays that Voxy sound to a tee!

Sound Quality: 9
I'm using a Rickenbacker 330/12, Eric Clapton Strat, and Epiphone LP Custom. With the Rick, can you say 'Hard Days Night'??? I'm really into The Edge at the moment, and with the Strat hooked up to a DOD 280 Compressor and a SDD-3000 delay, there you have U2! For my style and taste, this amp it great!

Reliability: N/A
I'd have to say that this one would probably last a while, being SS and all. I'd trust it to gig with (mic'd up, of course!..it just wouldn't be loud enough!) without a backup. Just bout the amp a while ago so I can't really comment on reliability, though. Seems sturdy, though.

Customer Support: N/A
Can't say. Haven't had any problems yet!

Overall Rating: 9
Just a supurb product all round. If you want the AC30 tone (and who doesn't?), but you are, ahem, without money, this little beast will do wonderfully. Reverb would have been nice, but I can add that, along with chorus and anything else, later. A 10" Bulldog (like the AC15) would have been nice. Classic style, classic tone (it really freaked the music store guys out. I A/Bed it with an AC15; AC15 was louder, but the tone was, to my ear, very similar.). Oh, this this is LOUD for a practice amp, especially with the boost on. (If you're looking for the AC30 sound, keep the boost ON!!!)

Submitted by Mike at 10/27/1999 13:33

Price Paid: US $110

Features: 9
This is a really nice solid state amp. Features include input jack, gain, master volume, treble, bass, tremelo speed, tremelo depth, boost/tremelo footswitch jack. The rear panel features headphone jack for private practice, external speaker output (you can run your favorite 4x12 cab with no problem)this feature woks best with an 8 ohm cab, but you can use 16 ohms. NOTHING LESS THAN 8OHMS! And lastly a line out jack which can be used for connection to external recording or PA equipment. I might mention that this amp is most commonly refered to as a practice amp, but with the line out jack it is also nice for a live performance (which I have done).

Sound Quality: 9
I gave this a high rating but this is a matter of opinion. The guitar I have is fitted with Gibson pickups. The only effect I use is a Zoom 505 multi-effects pedal. Without the boost I ge a really clean sound even When it's cranked to 10, but when I turn it way up it hisses alot(what amp doesn't).I play blues and rock and it suits my style well.

Reliability: 8
This is a pretty dependable amp if you don't push it to hard to long. Like I said before this is not a metal guitarist' amp. Never neded repairs. At $110 you could easily buy another as a backup incase something does go wrong.

Customer Support: N/A
Never delt with 'em

Overall Rating: 9
If this were stolen or lost I don't know if I would replace it or not. I probably would. The value for the money is pretty good considering all I payed for it was $110 bucks.

Submitted by Sean at 10/23/1999 19:07

Price Paid: £99 (STERLING)

Features: 7
REVERB WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE BUT GAIN AND TREMELO SETTINGS ARE EASY TO USE WITH VARIABLE RESULTS. HEADPHONE OUT PROVIDES GREAT SOUND TO DECENT HEADPHONES. OPTIONAL FOOT SWITCH IMPROVES CONTROL OF TREMELO AND MORE IMPORTANTLY GAIN BOOST SWITCH.

Sound Quality: 6
BRUTAL FUZZY DISTORTION IN A NUMBER OF WAYS BUT SOFTER 'CALIFORNIAN' STYLE DISTORTION IMPOSSIBLE TO OBTAIN. CLEAN SOUNDS ARE GOOD. hOWEVER SPEAKER 'FLAPS' AT HIGH VOLUMES.

Reliability: 9
NO PROBLEMS TO DATE...

Customer Support: N/A
1 YEAR WARRENTY, I HAVE NOT HAD REASON TO CONTACT VOX

Overall Rating: 8
BEST PRACTICE AMP I'VE HEARD FOR THIS PRICE. GREAT TONE (MOSTLY) AND VERY USABLE TREMELO.

Submitted by Anonymous at 10/19/1999 11:00

Price Paid: 80 (Pounds Sterling)

Features: 8
Well the amp manual says 1998 in it. It has single channel with gain, volume, bass, treble, tremelo (speed and depth), and a boost switch for gain. It also has a headphone socket and footswitch socket (for tremelo and boost). The Vox web site (www.voxshowroom.com) says that it has a line out and ext. speaker out also, but mine doesn't. I noticed other peoples reviews on here say that theirs has - does anyone know anything about this?? Please email if so.

Sound Quality: 10
I play an Epiphone Les Paul, USA strat (haven't tried it yet) and I'm VERY VERY impressed. It sounds to unreal, far better than any of the valve amps I've tried (Crate VC2112R, buggered up Fender silverface Champ). I have also tried numerous s/state amps and they aren't even worth mentioning for a comparison. I really don't know what Vox have done to get this sound, but it proves that the future is very bright for modern technology and we don't have to use 40 year old electronics!!! The amp is really a blues/rock amp, this isn't for the metal boys, it emulates just about any of the classic sounds you can think up. The bass and treble controls seem to make the EQ very versatile, and if you really want that bit more gain the boost is there (very good controlled feedback - full of harmonics)!! The clean sound has got all that glassy feel that you get from valves and pretty of room for volume.

Reliability: 9
Well I've not had long, but it seems really well built streets ahead of the equivalent Marshalls, Peavey, Crates etc. I don't expect it to break down. One of the things that always seems to be a let down on other practice amps seems to be the pots which are usually cheapo bits of junk, but the Vox has really smooth 'chicken head' things - great!!!

Customer Support: N/A
Haven't had any problems touchwood, but I might try and find out about the missing sockets mentioned above.

Overall Rating: 10
Well I would rate this thing as 'the best thing since sliced bread'. If you are like me, and have been looking for ages for something that will provide those classic sounds of the '60s and '70s without all the volume and hassle of valves, then this is the thing for you!!! If I lost it or it got stolen I would probably cry, and hope like hell that they were still being made, cause I don't think there is an alternative!!!! My brother tried it out and now he is trying to raise the cash ASAP to get one, cause he's only got a Crate S/state thing that used to be mine, and he loves this. He tried a Korg AX1G multi F/X with it and it worked great with the room/hall sims etc. But the distortions/gain etc are far better on the Vox.

Submitted by Howard at 09/30/1999 11:59

Price Paid: US $119

Features: 5
I think this area has been covered enough. It's a practice amp, okay? I give it a five because, hey, it's just a practice amp.

Sound Quality: 10
I am using a Peavey Predator Plus, S-S-H through this amp. I am a blues/rock and closet metal player. I also use a Line 6 Pod through it sometimes. Like so many reviewers before, this amp is amazing. I a/b'd it against a slew of other amps, including some small tube amps and had to go with the Vox. People in the music store I tried it at were amazed that all that great sound was coming out of that little Vox! With the Pod it is awesome!

Reliability: 9
I have had it for several months now. Just recently I got a buzz-rattle at certain frequencies so I decided to void the warranty and take it apart to find the dreaded sound. I found the culprit and eliminated the rattle. Tone heaven. Don't foresee any problems arising. It's very simple.

Customer Support: N/A
Haven't dealt with them. If I had paid alot more my would have been after them about the rattle but it was a no brainer.

Overall Rating: 10
I have been playing for about 23 years and have had many amps and guitars. I have played out occasionally and play acoustic in a praise worship group. Would I buy it again? In a heartbeat. I wish I had had this amp long ago, but then I used to think amps had to give you a hernia to be good. I pretty much chose this amp because of all the glowing reviews. I had to see for myself. It was all true. Try one. For under $120?! For beginners or old timers, for a small amp, this is a must see!

Submitted by PaulR at 09/10/1999 15:44

Price Paid: US $109+tax

Features: 9
Solid state with good looks. This amp has volume, gain, treble, bass, gain switch and most of all tremelo. Other perks include a headphone jack, line out, and ext. speaker (It supposely kicks ass when hooked up to a speaker cabinet). More than enough power for a practice amp. A lot for a little amp!

Sound Quality: 10
I use Fender strats, a Jimmie Vaughan Strat with overwound tex mex pickups, and a Standard Strat with stock pickups. Noiseless, it can go from crispy clean to mean and dirty by the turn of the gain knob and switch. I keep the switch on bright and it gives a clean but sparkle sound. The best thing to do is to invest in a reverb unit. I have a Boss RV-3. Along with the RV-3, The vox can sound like hendrix, garcia, to duane eddy. I play evrything from the Dead to U2 and it has far surpassed my expectations.

Reliability: 9
I have had no problems but I wish it was build in the UK or USA. That would assure me more of its construction.

Customer Support: N/A
I had no reason to.

Overall Rating: 10
I have been playing for 10 years. I have two Fender strats, a Stage112se for gigging(that just blew). I use a Fuzz Face, blues driver, ds-1, for my effects I use a MXR Phase 90(my baby, the best peddle ever) and Boss delay DD-3 and the RV-3 for more lush reverb. I also use a super chorus from time to time. Yes I would but it again. I compared it to the nifty fifty. There was no compitition, the vox blew it away with better sound quality and features. The fact that I have the RV-3 for reverb helps alot, but reverb can be more of a pain in the ass when built in. I have had a lot of problems with built in reverb. It makes the amp more delicate. I wish I could get a gig size version of this, solid state and all. It sounds like a tube amp, I have recordings I made to prove it. You wouldn't know the difference, trust me. Tube amps are like Jaguars, there pretty, expensive, and popular, but they need a lot of maintenance....and they are so F$%^#$& heavy to lug around. I would like to hear it hooked up to a cabinet, maybe I could gig with it. Buy this amp. It's worth every penny.

Submitted by Cliff at 08/31/1999 09:07

Price Paid: US $89

Features: 8
Fairly straightforward little 15 watt solid-state amp with volume, gain, gain boost switch, bass, treble, and tremelo. It has three lines out — headphone, speaker cab, and line out - and has a footswitch in. For 15 watts the thing is able to rattle my windows. It has amazing power. Enough for a small gig even. Only think that would make it a ten in my book is reverb. Really well set up.

Sound Quality: 9
Sounds amazing. I've owned a handful of amps, tube and otherwise, and this little guy holds its own. Sounds as good as my tube Music Man 410/65. I've always loved that Vox sound, and while this isn't quite like an AC30 it has many of the same qualities. Really crystal clear and clean sounding. I play a solid-body Rickenbacker and play cowpunk, ie hipster country, and it has enough high end and treble to give me what I need and can really sound full too. Great feedback. You're only going to get a couple of sounds but they're great. The tremelo isn't bad, but could have a bit more depth.

Reliability: N/A
Haven't had it long but it seems well made.

Customer Support: N/A
Have yet to deal with the company.

Overall Rating: 10
I've been playing about nine years and come from the punk/indie background. People like Uncle Tupelo and Billy Bragg introduced me to the folk and country world and the music I play is a freak combination of punk and folk with a large helping of noise thrown in. This amp fits in nicely. I bought it because I was tired of humping my Music Man, which weighs about 500 pounds, to gigs and rehearsals. I wanted something light and portable with a line out for recording purposes. I also have also like the Vox sound, which is why I went with this rather than the Nifty-Fifty I was also considering. (I'll probably get that too). I use a Rat Brat to get the fuzz and harmonics, etc - it gets trebly and requires a lot of adjusting - and I use a Danelectro Convertible for a trashy acoustic tone. When I want to really test my neighbor's patience I plug the line out of the Vox into the input of my Peavey KB/A, which has practically no tone of its own but is very very loud and it works amazingly well. I would highly recommend this little amp to anyone. For the money it's amazing.

Submitted by powell boyer at 08/25/1999 10:50

Price Paid: US $109

Features: N/A
Gain, Volume, Boost, Treble, Bass, Vibrato depth and speed, 15 watts, 8 inch vox/celestion bulldog and the "Vox is what's happening" look

Sound Quality: N/A
I am using a Fender Strat Ultra. Very clean, noiseless amp. loud as hell, With the gain near off and the volume up full with boost on, it has a very deep, rich, sparkly sound. nice tonal variation with the treble/bass. when adjusted for crunch or overdrive, the amp kicks it. It is great for practice and would like it have it drive a 2-12 cab

Reliability: N/A
I have never had a a problem and if it craps it is only $100 to get another one

Customer Support: N/A
well there is no website for the VOX company

Overall Rating: N/A
It is just great. Much better than all the other small practice amps. GREAT SOUND, and LOUD as all get out

Submitted by bobster at 08/10/1999 13:06

Price Paid: US $90

Features: 8
It was trem. that is a great feture for a amp of this price, it also has a boost that really makes the amp howl. the gain also controls the overdrive and pre vol. so its kinda i fun nob to play with. I wish the amp had seperate control for these, but it still works well like it is. i play blues and rock (i.e. tom petty type) so it works good for me.

Sound Quality: 10
I am running a '84 standard strat with a special edition crybaby pedal, this fits what i play. if you are looking for heavy ditortion this ain't your amp. the amp is solid state but plays just like a tube amp. i belive it was made to sound like the AC15 and AC30 amps and it does, u know that classic VOX sound.

Reliability: N/A
I've only had it for a month and i haven't had a problem yet, i don't expect one either. it is a solid state amp, they are all almost bombproof.

Overall Rating: 9
It plays really well, it a very LOUD 15 watts. i plan to gig with it its that good. The sound is great if u want blues or a nice oredrive tube tone at a discount price. this amp should cost $500 more just because of its sound, but like i said if u wanna play hard rock or metal this ain't your amp. i wish it had reverb and better overdrive control, but i'm still grinnin' about this amp!

Submitted by Anonymous at 08/06/1999 08:48