Vox Series 90

Price Paid: US $300

Features: 6
This is an update of the review below. I made that review when I was younger, and I didn't know a damn thing about my amp. I have since had my amp taken away from me due to family problems, but I can still remember what I had on it and I have learned a little moer about it. First off, it's a solid state amp. The amp had two channels: a normal channel and a bright channel. The normal channel has a two-band EQ and a volume while the bright channel has the two-band EQ, a MRB (midrange boost) knob, and a percussion/stacatto effect. The percussion and MRB can be turned on by footswitch and/or pulling the knobs. Both of the channels share a trmolo effect and a reverb. The normal channel features an overdrive, but the overdrive was too weak for what I used it for, so I used a DOD Grunge for distortion. Also, you had to plug into each channel individually; you couldn't switch between them with a footswitch or anything. I used to think that the wierdest thing about my amp was the octed plug that went from the preamp head to the "main cab," but after doing some research, I found that this amp came with one huge 4x12 cab. This meant that whoever may have owned this before its previous owner sawed the cab in half due to its weight. That sucks.

Sound Quality: 10
I meant to put a ten on my original review. This amp sounded amazing both clean and distorted. This was before I even know how to play around with the EQ on it and I left my strat copy on the bridge and middle pickup all the time.

Reliability: 9
This amp was extremely reliable considering the condition it was in when I bought it. When I went to go get it repaired after it stoped playing, I found out that I had been playing with a cracked circuit board for a while.

Customer Support: N/A
Don't know. If I took it up to Vox, would they have even recognized it?

Overall Rating: 10
This amp was a great amp and I truly wish I still had it. I know that I'll never have another one unless I came back into posession of this one. If I ever get it back, it will definitely be my main clean amp on all recording I may do in the future.

Submitted by Euck at 12/29/2004 15:02

Price Paid: US $300 used

Features: 10
My Vox Series 90 combo has been with me for about a year and a half now. I have no way of telling how old it is. My guess is that it's a model from 1967. This amp features two channels: one normal channel and one bright channel; each has two inputs. On the normal channel, it has a basic two-band EQ (bass, treble) and one volume control along with an overdrive knob that can be turned on by either pulling the knob or by a footswitch. The bright channel also has a two-band EQ, volume, a percussion/staccatto effect, and an MRB switch (I'm not sure what it does other than alter the tone). This amp also features spring reverb and a regular tremolo (either one can be turned on or off). The cabinets each have two 12" Vox speakers. The weirdest thing about this amp is how the head connects to the main cab. It connects to the cab with an octet plug. However weird this amp is, it is versatile enough for my playing, and is powerful enough to bug the neighbors when the volume is set at two.

Sound Quality: 6
I'm seventeen years old and have only one electric guitar which, sadly, is a Samick SV-43 starter guitar. Of course, you're thinking that I have a strat copy and you're right. Anyway, I play different styles of rock, from jazz-funk fusion to harder emo-esque (NOT EMO ITSELF and DEFINITELY NOT PUNK) styles. This amp suites my every purpose perfectly. I use the bright channel when I'm plugged in; the cleans are clear and bright with a lovely tone, and my distortion (through a DOD Grunge pedal) is dark, loud and extremely crunchy. THe clean distorts sometimes, but one of my speakers is in bad condition so I wouldn't frown on that too much. Other than that one repairable flaw, this amp has the best sound ever and I would never replace it.

Reliability: 9
When I bought this amp, I had no idea what it had been through or what needed to be fixed; I bought it off of my friend's dad because I knew he was selling it for cheap. When I got it, the power cable had been taped together as well as the octet plug. For as long as I've had this amp, it has been completely reliable. I have played many a gig without any worries of it breaking down, and have long since replaced the power cable. Of course, new problems have arisen here and there, but none that are not repairable (keep in mind htat I've only had one repair done).

Customer Support: N/A
As I said, I have no real clue as to how old this amp is, much laess any warranty information. I have tried to get it repaired, and the first response I got was,"What the... what is it?"

Overall Rating: 10
I have been playing my guitar for about three years now with the same gear I started with. My equipment consists of my Samick SV-43, a DOD Grunge distortion, a Danelectro flanger, a Boss Super Phaser, a Dunlop Crybaby Wah, and of course my Vox Series 90 combo. I got my amp because it was being sold for a great price and I needed one. Since then, I have compared the sound of this amp with many other (and more expensive) amps such as Marshalls, Yamahas, Fenders, Mesa Boogies, and Peaveys. Though my amp was a bit less expensive than the others I have tried, it has the exact same sound quality if not better. I consider myself fortunat to own such a rarity.

Submitted by Euck at 04/03/2003 15:46

Price Paid: US $550 used

Features: 10
My Vox Series 90 was a 1969 model. I sold it years ago, so I'm trying to recall all of its features by memory. I remember it had two switchable channels, one clean, and the other with a convincing gain function. It had a VU meter, totally unheard of on a guitar amp, with a sensitivity selector switch. It also had a tone generator for tuning your guitar in "E" (are they mad?!?). One feature I really loved which (I believe) was called the MRB control, provided a staccato-type Vibrato effect, plus the regular tremolo, reverb and tone controls. All solid state electronics, with the pre-amp in the head and the power amp located at the bottom of a fully enclosed speaker cabinet. There were four 12" Bulldog speakers located here and two sound ports towards the top with silver colored, plastic grill covers on them. Mine did not have the "Midax" horns located at these ports as I've heard others did. The whole thing was mounted on a chrome plated, rolling stand with the pre-amp head sitting on top. It's a monstrosity to be sure, weighing a hundred pounds or more! Extreme overkill by almost any standard, before or since. If it wasn't such a behemoth I would probably still have it in my collection.

Sound Quality: 10
One word describes the output of this tyrant: POWER!!!!! It has coliseum level power. For example: I remember once in the eighties, when I lived in the country, I pointed it out my garage door and cranked it up all the way. Two phone calls followed, one from my neighbor who said I was scaring his horses, and another from a friend who said that he could hear me... and he lived three miles away... and I lived in a valley! If you open up the back of the speaker cab, you can see the power amp section. It's like a miniature city in there. Completely mind boggling. Normally I never needed to go much higher than about a "3" setting, even in the most extreme cases.
Of course power isn't anything without tone, and this had the best of both worlds in my opinion. I know that many music connoisseurs frown upon solid state amps, but if there is any such thing as a heavy weight champion in the world of solid states, it has to be the Vox. I have never heard a warmer more natural sounding solid state than this amp. It actually seemed to emulate an AC-30's clean sound pretty good. On the other hand, I too must admit that you can't beat a properly designed tube overdrive circuit, but my old Vox Series 90 was pretty good. The gain channel really shines if you're going for an all out screaming guitar sound. I can't recall what it sounded like at lower gain settings, since I wasn't really interested in that sound at the time. Its main downside, sound-wise, is that it is just too darn loud... UNLESS you're Ted Nugent or Pete Townsend. In that case it might make a good practice amp!

Reliability: 10
The only problem I ever had occurred when I was experimenting with an unproven pre-amp design and it fried a resister located on a plate positioned on the back of the speaker cab (where the power switch and pre-amp connection are located). I actually saw it go up like a flare through one of the sound ports. A new resister and a little solder cured it in no time.

Customer Support: N/A
Anyone who has had anything to do with this amp is either dead, having chronic flashbacks or is working on Wallstreet.

Overall Rating: 9
I have been playing guitar for 19 years and I currently own a Mesa/Boogie Rect-o-Verb, which is my main amp, along with a vintage '65 Ampeg SB-12 Portaflex, a Carvin X-60A and a little Marshall G10MK.II practice amp. My main guitars include a Fender Telecaster, an Epiphone Casino VT, a Carvin DC-200, a Rogue Jazz-style bass and a Fender DG-22CE acoustic/electric.
The main concern with having a Series 90 Vox is moving it. The problem is not only in its weight, but also in its size. More specifically, I'm talking about the speaker cabinet, which is wide and bulky. Plus, the four speakers and amp section makes it very heavy. Even a Twin Reverb seems "light and fluffy" compared to it. Trying to maneuver around corners and up stairs can be difficult. If you have roadies, you'd better give them a bonus at the end of the tour. Otherwise, get one only if you DON'T plan to move it a lot, like in a studio or museum (or Planet Hollywood!). I really wish I still had mine, but I needed something more realistic for the type of clubs I play in.
It is definitely a conversation piece, but I don't think it will help you pick up chicks. That said, get one if you like... but beware of the dark-side!!!

Submitted by Axeman at 07/16/1999 02:17

Price Paid: US $750

Features: 10
The Series 90 Super Beatle Solid State 300 watt amp is a monster in its own right. It has features of Spring Reverb, tremelo, that sound effect from Tommy James' Crimson and Clover, plus a distortion that is warmer than any other. But that doesn't mean the distortion can scream. It does that too. Has two channels, also. Normal and bright. Normal is sweet mid and bottom tone, bright is brilliant. I use this as my main stage amp, and when you turn it up to four, the people in the back row will be deaf.-

Sound Quality: 10
Right now, I'm using a Fender Coronado II prototype and a Fender telecaster. In the Coronado, blues, rockabily and even Jimi Hendrix style playing is major. Only problem is the Coronado is hollow and feedback is a problem. With the tele, there is no real feedback and she sings sustain beautifully with no real tone problems. This amp covers any sound you want and there is no problems trying to come up with the sound. It does make a little noise because it is Vox and it is very big. But it helps to the tone when the music starts. Hardly distracting and when playing, not at all. Like I said before, she is very loud. Clean is magnificant and distortion covers it all from sweet, fat tones to all out hell.

Reliability: 9
Basically, it does need repairs every once in awhile. But thats expected when the amp has been on the road with my father from the late sixties and now me using it. Every amp has those problems. But nothing major. The only problem is one of the connections inside came apart but I believe it was an icolated incident. Otherwise, it has always been reliable.

Customer Support: 7
Vox, doesn't help me out because I've never had to talk to them. The amp is simple to work with but if it needs big repairs, you may want to take it to somebody who knows what they are doing because it can be messed up pretty badly otherwise.

Overall Rating: 10
This amp has been with my family since 1967 and has gone up significantly in value because it is a classic and has nothing wrong with it. Best amp I've ever used, and I've used many. Best amp there was, is, and always will be. A ten all the way.

Submitted by Thom at 01/10/1998 18:54