Vox Pathfinder 15

Price Paid: US $119

Features: 9
Great 15 watt 8" speaker amp. Classic VOX styling in a small solid state practice amp with one input, gain, volume, gain boost switch, treble, bass, tremelo speed, and tremelo depth. It has the basic features you would expect from an amp of this class with one added bonus, a built in tremelo. It is really cool and is a great addition to this amp. Perfect if used subtley and even better if used not so subtley. It is almost like the fender vibrochamp for those who remember.

Sound Quality: 8
This amp gets some great sounds out of it. It can go from very clean and smooth to bluesy to lots of overdrive. If you want an amp of this size and are not looking for tons and tons and tons of distortion, but more of a blues and rock sound then go with this amp. It blows all of the others away. If you want heavy metal than go with the Marshall VS15. for any other style of music the vox is the way to go.

Reliability: 9
Considering it is just a practice amp I don't need it to be terribly reliable. But it is built quite solidly and doesn't look like it's going to break down any time soon.

Customer Support: N/A
Never dealt with the company but the warranty is only 90 days.

Overall Rating: 10
This is the best practice amp I've ever played. It gets really loud if need be and you don't have to wait for tubes to warm up or anything else if you just want to pull off a few licks. You should definately look into this amp. I got the perfect shine on you crazy diamond sound from it and my PRS McCarty RW the other day. Until then only my line 6 could do that. And that was actually on the Vox AC30 amp setting. WORTH THE $120!!!

Submitted by Reza at 07/18/1999 11:57

Price Paid: US $89

Features: 10
This amp provides a great sound at lower volumes (for us apartment dwellers) as well as great loudness- good sound either clean or distorted. No reverb, but the tremelo is very nice. Crimson and Clover!

Sound Quality: 10
Using a Washburn BT-4, this can give a very nice bluesy sound, full and expressive. It's not noisy at all, and seems to offer a good variety, with a nice gain switch and a boost for when you need to go to 11.

Reliability: N/A
Just got it a few days ago, so not sure on this. It seems very solid and well-built, though.

Customer Support: N/A
haven't dealt with anyone on this.

Overall Rating: 10
This amp is absolutely amazing. I've used two other small practice amps, and this blows them away, and is even inexpensive. It is slighly on the large side for this type of amp, but still very portable, and far above anything else I have tried in quality. If you are looking for a small amp, look no further. I mean it! Also, if you are starting out, this will give you great sound, which is especially important.

Submitted by Jonathan Reich at 07/18/1999 08:43

Price Paid: Canadian $199

Features: 5
It's a one channel practice amp, 15 watts, tremolo, line out, speaker out, and headphone. The controls are volume, gain, bass, treble, vibrato speed, depth and a boost button. The trem and boost are foot switchable.

Sound Quality: 9
Loud for a 15 watter, I hooked it up to a marshall 4x12 and it got louder. I used a standard strat through it with a big muff. It has a great clean, the overdrive is good to but i think the boost is a little over kill. The trem sounds really nice but could use a little more depth and speed. The tone controls are very responsive and whoever designed it knew there stuff because the tone contols interact, boosting each other like on a AC-30.

Overall Rating: 10
An amazing practice amp sounds lightyears better than it's competitors like the Peavey Rage 158 (awful amp... like all other Peavey amps). I love it

Submitted by Eddie Clark at 07/07/1999 19:16

Price Paid: US $110

Features: 8
This is a brand new (1999) practice amp. It's probably the best practice amp I've ever heard, and the best value, too. It has pretty much every feature one would need in this type of product. The basic rundown: solid-state, 15 watts, 1 8" speaker, single channel. It has 6 knobs: Volume, Gain, Bass, Treble, Tremelo Speed, and Tremelo Depth. In addition there's a Boost switch and a footswitch jack to control the Tremelo and BoostThere are also three jacks in the back: Line Out, Speaker Out, and Headphone Out. The footswitch option is amazing for an amp of this price/size.
With 15 watts of power it's definitely loud enough for practice, quiet band rehearsing, and home recording.

Sound Quality: 8
I play (mainly) rock and roll, and I don't normally have a need for super ditorted guitar sounds (if I need that I use a RAT pedal). Given this parameter the Pathfinder is a near perfect amp. I'm used to vintage Fender tube amps, and this solid state amp sounds as close to a tube amp as I've ever heard. Other manufacturers could take a lesson from Vox, and put QUALITY speakers in their amps, because it really makes a difference. Even for a practice amp the sound is very full, and with clean or moderately distorted settings it's got a sound good enough to record. With heavy distortion it sounds like crap, really thin and buzzy (like running through a fuzzbox and straight into a board or PA). Two main complaints with the sound: 1) the Tremelo doesn't have much range as far as depth, and 2) when you hit the boost switch the amp gets *much* louder, so much so that I wonder how useful this feature would be in any type of "live" setting. Put these quibbles aside, this is by far the best sounding practice amp I've ever heard, and it's of a quality the it could be priced double what it is and still be a good value.

Reliability: N/A
It's a solid state amp, so it's probably pretty reliable. The production quality isn't so great, but what do you want for a hundred bucks? Given what I'll use it for (practice and home recording) it will probably last several decades. Since I bought it yesterday I guess we'll see...

Overall Rating: 9
I've played guitar for 25 years, and this is the first non-Fender amp I've ever bought. For guitars I play a Strat and a Musicmaster (more Fenders). If for some reason this amp were lost or stolen I'd definitely buy another one. It's perfect for home use, and probably even loud enough for coffee-house style gigs. Before I bought it I tried similar amps (both SS and tube) by Marshall, Laney, Fender, and Peavey, and while my first choice would be a '60's era Fender Champ, this amp will do quite nicely. For a practice amp I had been using a friends Peavey Audition 20, which I can now give back to him.

Submitted by Jim at 06/06/1999 09:07

Price Paid: US $98.00

Features: 10
If you're seeking a low cost practice or rehersal type amp, run, don't walk and get a Pathfinder! This is the best small amp I've ever played that's newly manufactured and it's a steal at the low price. Has volume, gain, treble, bass, and tremelo controls. The boost switch circuit is ok, especially if you want overdriven sounds and can't be bothered to plug in a distortion or fuzz unit. The tremelo is pretty good as well.

Sound Quality: 10
The tone that comes out of this solid-state amp is superb, at low and medium volumes, very tube-like, and reminds me of the original Vox sounds. I used to own an AC-50 and an AC-100, both running through original 4-12 Super Beatle cabinets so I know wherefore I speak. Now if only I hadn't sold that old stuff many moons ago. Oh well, the Pathfinder brings back that Vox tone (unbelievable), and the quality of the amp itself, both cosmetically and in tone convinces me to keep this amp and not sell it. It's very quiet as well, both in the headphone output and from the direct out. I plan on using it for recording direct to PC. Where the amp's sound really excells is the lightly distorted to clean bell-like tones it produces. You have to hear it to be convinced but it doesn't sound cheap or metallic but warm and tube-like. This is a great amp, something I can't say for many of the other small amps I've played recently. The fit and finish is top-knotch, the controls are smooth, and by using the treble and bass knobs, a wide range of vintage tones can be achieved. I just love this amp - you probably will too if you get one. For under $100 it's just amazing!!! The 8" spkr has a very good tone, and the headphone output tone is ok but obviously not as good as playing through the spkr but definitely usable and quiet enough for recording. When you connect the line out, it doesn't mute the spkr output but if you insert a plug into the headphone output at the same time it does, so you can use the line out if you want without having the spkr on, also good for recording without bothering anyone. Believe it or not, this is going to be my main source of tone for home recording - it's that good. I haven't had a chance to hook it up to a 4-12 cabinet yet but the other reviews say the same type of good comments. I still can't believe they sell it for under $100 in this day and age. I think it's worth at least $250 if not more. This is the amp to get if you crave the Vox sound and can't afford the big bucks for a reissue AC-30 or one of the old originals. Plus this updated model has the line out, headphone out, and extension cabinet out controls and is very, very quiet even when playing through a Strat single coil pickup. Get one now!

Reliability: 8
I would suspect good reliability if the amp is taken care of. Solid state circuitry, no high power so less chance of blowing up (other than perhaps the spkr). Korg is the U.S. supplier for this Vox.

Customer Support: 10
I payed $98 including shipping from AMS who matched zzounds.com advertised of $89.95 but AMS had it in stock and zzounds didn't.

Overall Rating: 10
Get this amp!!! Get this amp!!! Especially if you want Vox tone at a drop dead price. For distortion mud freaks, get something else. I have a Boss MG-10 mini practice amp with ultra gain and 2 5" spkrs that is going to gather dust until I sell it. Interested? Email me. The Vox has now taken over in my house.......

Submitted by Peter A. Silberg at 05/11/1999 06:59

Price Paid: US $119

Features: 9
ALL ratings are relative; this is an inexpensive practice amp, and that's the standard by which I measure it.
15w, 1 8" speaker, Volume, gain, Boost, Treble, Bass, Tremolo Depth, Tremo Speed; Headphone jack, Line Out Jack, Ext. Speaker Jack.
Footswitch for Boost and Tremolo is sold separately, but should be included. Reverb would be nice, as would a 10" speaker.

Sound Quality: 9
Probably the best-sounding amp in its class. Pretty loud for a 15w solid-state amp with only an 8" speaker. GREAT bass response for such a small speaker. Clean tones are nice, but the mildly overdriven tones are where this amp shines. Higher gain sounds are thin and buzzy (as is the tone through the headphone jack). At high volumes the amp buzzes and sounds like it's about to explode (and not in a good way, like a dimed blackface Fender Champ). Tremolo is nice sounded, but doesn't have the range of depth and speed that the AC15 and AC30 have. Overall, a decent palette of clean to overdriven tones, more than adequate for songwriting or practicing, unless you need some bone-crushing distortion. Not a tube amp, but a great-sounding solid state practice amp. Sounds good enough and loud enough to use on small coffee house gigs.

Reliability: 7
While beautiful, the construction seems a bit flimsy, especially the particle board cab. But, for just over $100, it seems adequate. Build quality and reliability on my AC15 have been excellent, so I expect the Pathfinder to last a while, too.

Customer Support: 9
Customer support with Korg USA (Vox/Marshall) has been excellent the two times I've called them about my AC15. One of their main guys (Mitch Colby?) posts regularly to the Vox Showroom bulletin board, and the company seems very open to feedback and seems to truly care about its customers, which is refreshing these days.

Overall Rating: 9
It's a good fit in over all Vox line, though a small tube practice amp (along the lines of the AC4) would have been preferable for me, though that amp would have to be more expensive than the Pathfinder. Compared to similar offerings by Danelectro (the Nifty Fifty: dreamy looks but lackluster tones), Fender (all crap), Marshall (mostly crap), and others (Ibanez, Crate, etc.), the Pathfinder has no equal. If you're looking for a low-power, great-looking, decent sounding amp for songwriting or practicing at home (even some recording), you should seriously consider the Pathfinder.

Submitted by Steven Jarvis at 04/25/1999 18:46

Price Paid: US $100

Features: 8
A great little practice amp. Only one channel, solid state, 15 watts, and an 8 inch speaker. Has tremelo, which is kinda neat for an amp in this price range. Also has a boost switch, which actually causes the little amp to get quite loud. On the back there is a speaker out, line out, and headphone out. The gain knob and boost switch allow you to dial in a variety of sounds. If you want high-gain distortion don't get this amp, though a distortion pedal yeilded some pretty good results. Overall, I would say this amp is a steel and is a great buy for the money, plus, it looks pretty keen with its diamond pattern grill cloth and vintage Vox styling.

Sound Quality: 10
I use it with cheap strat copys mostly, and it sounds fine. It gets quite loud for a 15 watt amp, you may even be able to get by with it at band rehearsal. I gave it a ten realizing that it is only a cheap practice amp; but for a cheap practice amp, it does a stellar job.

Reliability: 10
Seems pretty solid to me. No problems in the 2 months I've owned it.

Customer Support: N/A
Never had to deal with them, I guess its a good sign.

Overall Rating: 10
For 100 bucks, you can't go wrong. I was really impressed with this amp. Its a nice change from the other small amps out their. Quiet enough so you don't bug the neighbors, and almost loud enough to cut through the mix at band practice. I almost considered buying another one and driving them both at the same time, that would definitely make it through rehearsal. This amp would be great for a beginner and is versitile enough to grow with the player.

Submitted by Andy Kroner at 04/23/1999 12:35

Price Paid: US $119

Features: 7
15 Watt solid state, volume , gain, boost, treble, bass, tremelo spped and depth, line-out, ext. speaker, and headphones. Everything except reverb, which is fine because it keeps the cost down. 8" Bulldog blue speaker, cheapo plastic imitation tolex, and particle board construction. Looks like a small AC30.

Sound Quality: 9
Amazing sounds. I bought this as a practice amp so I didn't have to replace my tubes as often in my Top Hat. I am a tube guy, but wanted S.S. for home use. This thing has a great clean sound and a great slightly overdriven sound. I think the Bulldog speaker helps alot to achieve the sound. To test this out I connected the Vox to my Top Hat cabinet with it's Celestian Greenback and although it did sound good, I actually preferred the stock speaker cab, particle board and all. I also didn't like the sound through my cheap headphones. My band miked this thing at practice one night and the other guitar player kept stealing it, he wants to use the Vox over his '73 Marshall stack (what a maroon).
The heavy gain sounds in the Vox, I don't care for, but I use pedals anyways for that. Plus the tremelo sounds very cool, I think it's fast enough, it passes the hurl test (OSHA recommends that listening to tremelo for too long will make you want to hurl).
Now don't get me wrong, the Top Hat Club Royale wipes the floor with this amp, but it costs 10X more. For the money, the Pathfinder is an awesome deal.

Reliability: 5
Don't know, made in Korea, particle board, cheezy circuit boards, not really hurricane survivable, it should make it through Y2K though.

Customer Support: N/A
Don't know.

Overall Rating: 9
Bitchin value for the money, and tremelo is icing on the cake. Great sounds can come from solid state stuff. I might put a 10" Weber speaker in someday (there's plenty of room). I'd definatly buy it again for a bedroom amp, and I might even record with it just to get a different sound.

Submitted by Chris at 03/19/1999 11:54

Price Paid: US $99

Features: 8
I was lucky enough to land one of this year's crop. Fifteen watts of power (sounds bigger and fuller than other 15W setups I've heard, though), one input. Two-knob EQ (bass/treble), two-knob vintage tremolo (depth and speed), volume plus gain, and a boost button for when you feel like "going up to eleven," as Nigel says. Headphone jack and line out.
Impressive little package. I feel it has all the features it needs, certainly everything I'm looking for. I've heard others say that reverb would have been nice (and yes, truly it would have), but without it the Pathfinder still holds its own nicely.
I'm giving it an eight here -- has everything it really needs. If I want effects, I plug in a pedal...

Sound Quality: 9
Right now, I'm using the amp primarily with my Les Paul Standard, and the tone is better than beautiful. I'm amazed. After growing up on studio gear I could never personally afford, I thought I was doomed to forever hate my amplifiers. This amp changed my mind.
The tone is warm and expressive, and really brings out the sweetness of my LP. I've never heard sound this good coming from a solid state before. The tone adjusts smoothly (I like the 'feel' of this EQ -- it 'feels' analog, can't describe how) from syrupy to shimmery when clean, even at extremes on the EQ, my midrange fit nicely.
It's built-in distortion is the nicest I've heard in a solid-state amp. It cranks nicely from subtle to ballsy, and with gain all the way up and boost kicked in, it growls and howls with the best of 'em. Set both EQ knobs at 50% for a nice Seventies sound (a la Black Sabbath). Or crank 'em both for that demonic more-scooped-than-scooped sound. Mild (very mild) hiss kicks in around 75% treble EQ when distorted heavily, but it's not very noticable.
It's subtler distortions are really nice too. You can keep gain down around that 'just starting to overdrive' point for a sharper Seventies almost-clean sound, or distort it then crank down volume and flatline the EQ for a more synthetic effect. A very subtle 'natural' reverb is simulated as well -- listen VERY closely to hear it.
I haven't played much with external effects, though I notice it did color my Boss Metal Zone a bit -- like looking at it through honey-amber sunglasses. I gather it's meant mostly for its own effects range, and subtle, non-dominating external effects.
If you have 'your sound' built, this may not be the right amp for you. It'll put a good deal of color into the mix, and it's my opinion that you'd do better looking for a 'transparent' solid-state like a Peavey keyboard amp if you just want faithful delivery of the sound you've architected. However, the sound the Pathfinder delivers is gorgeous, and if you don't mind letting in flavor your sound (the way the vintages always did), you're gonna love this one.

Reliability: 8
Haven't owned it long, so I can't say. It's solid-state -- seems sturdy enough. The case is a little light (plywood), but then, it's only a 15W amp -- for the jobs a 15W can do, it's sturdy enough.

Customer Support: N/A
Don't know.

Overall Rating: 9
I've been playing for about eleven years, and have never been happy with the amps I used before -- Peaveys, Crates, a Gorilla and a cheap no-name whose maker escapes me. I was spoiled on that sunny, colored vintage sound, and found the solid-states of today to be too digital-sounding, and the more affordable tube amps to be far too harsh and metal-y. This one, though, is a dream come true for me. I still can't believe it's not tube, or that I got it for $100.
If it were stolen, I would unquestionably buy another. Down to hunting the world for one, since I hear they're rare now. This is the home amp for me.

Submitted by Justin Carpenter at 03/16/1999 15:13

Price Paid: US $119

Features: 9
15W solid state with one input, one gain, one volume, one bass, ,tremolo speed and tremolo depth, footswitch jack, headphones, and external speaker. Classic VOX look and styling. The tremolo is worth the price, but I with the wish it was just a little faster.

Sound Quality: 9
Listening to The Who and Pete Townsend got me started playing in 1978 and find the Pathfinder to fit my style. I play a Gibson SG, and an American Strat and find the Pathfinder really brings out their tones very well. The sound even though is a SS amp has a nice British tube like sound, but feel that the stock speaker is a bit lacking so I will Probably change it out for a Celestion. The Pathfinder is an incredible amp for the money and will be using it as my main practice amp.

Reliability: 10
I have had the amp now for a few weeks and have not had any problems. The build quality is real solid. I'm still wondering how they kept the price so low. Also since it stays in my apartment I don't see it getting damaged, but I do have a cat that likes to chew through wire and scratch speaker grills, but my wife made a heavy cover for it, guess she figured it would save the cat.

Overall Rating: 10
Basically, If I found out that it was going to be discontinued, I would buy another one just in case. I can not say enough what a great amp this is for the money.

Submitted by Anonymous at 03/11/1999 11:17