Guitar chord forum - chordie — Modelling Amplifiers

Re: Modelling Amplifiers

null@example.com (beamer) — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 23:35:22 +0000

I have not had to change any tubes on my 5 watt Bugera yet,, but your probably safe with any of these.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/search.j … x7%20tubes

I hear a lot of good stuff with GT and Sovtek.

Re: Modelling Amplifiers

null@example.com (Tenement Funster) — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 20:52:35 +0000

It seems that some of the humming / hissing troubles in some of the VOX amps is due to their using the Ei ECC83 version of the 12AX7 tube. One site mentions it as a great tube when working, but also being inconsistantly problematic. A higher rated and problem free 12AX7 is the Preferred Series 7025.

http://www.thetubestore.com/12AX7-Tube-Review#summary

Mine sounds fine, but I'm wondering if anyone has swapped out tubes and what make(s) of 12AX7's you would recommend. My main goal is the least amount of tube noise, hiss, hum, pop, etc. possible. Your thoughts?

Re: Modelling Amplifiers

null@example.com (ScarletandCream) — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 15:31:13 +0000

Just get a good tube amp, and get a modeling FX, you can keep your parameters and just have to move to a bigger amp for larger gigs. What I use is a 74' Fender Princeton w/JBL, for smaller gigs, and for larger ones I pull out my Marshall JCM 900, with 1960A cabinet for the wow factor.

Re: Modelling Amplifiers

null@example.com (harleyjim) — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 02:15:01 +0000

MY first amp was some small cheap thing that I bought at a fle market. I don't even remember what kind it was anymore it's been so long ago. Anyway it finally broke down. Than I was at a friends house and he had just purchased a Fender Twin Reverb 65' reissue and it sounded so great that I just had to have one. I went to EBAY and started to search. Finally I found one and started to bid on it. I won and couldn"t beleave it ! I paid around $1000 for it, but let me tell you it was worth every penny. 85 amps, two twelve inch speakers and plug-ins for four guitars. What a sound ! I bought a Fender Stratacaster guitar to go with it and am loving both ! I don't mean to brag, but I am glad I sacrificed and spent the money. It sure was worth it.

Re: Modelling Amplifiers

null@example.com (beamer) — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 02:12:25 +0000

Killer! Glad you like it!

Re: Modelling Amplifiers

null@example.com (Tenement Funster) — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 01:20:06 +0000

So now the VOX VT80+ is sitting here in the rec room, and I've had a blast with it this evening. I ended up setting it alongside the Fender Mustang III at the local Long & McQuade's shop, and went back and forth for a while to compare. To my ear, the Mustang just sounded "thin" in comparison. Another unexpected bonus is the adjustable power level on the VOX. It can be adjusted way down, so that all of the effects / tones / models sound just as good at a lower volume. The Mustang really died off when the volume was turned down. The VOX was about $50 more moolah, but well worth it IMHO.

As a side note, it has a surprisingly realistic acoustic guitar mode. It was cool to play right through Led Zeppelin's "Over the Hills and Far Away" using the foot switch to go back and forth from acoustic to electric. New friends are great to find!

Thanks to you all for the opinions ... it all helps.

Re: Modelling Amplifiers

null@example.com (rotoiti) — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 21:29:05 +0000

I have the Vox VT30 and happy with it. Choices of amps and sounds on this amp was mentioned and I agree there are too many for me. I picked 2 or 3 and I stay with them. Have a look at www.valvetronix.net > Forum > VT15/30/50/100 then click on VT30 clean setting for rhythm playing. There is some good information there.

Re: Modelling Amplifiers

null@example.com (Baldguitardude) — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 01:42:26 +0000

And you're exactly right about the tube warmth.

Re: Modelling Amplifiers

null@example.com (beamer) — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 23:55:23 +0000

then there is always this,, http://www.zzounds.com/item--VOXTONELABST just run it to your current amp.It is probably the main section of teh vox amp your looking at. this way you have control at your feet.

Re: Modelling Amplifiers

null@example.com (jerome.oneil) — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 23:29:12 +0000

Baldguitardude wrote:

The Vox is pretty rad. My rhythm guitarist has one. I've played with a lot of Line 6 gear and I've never been a fan. No experience with the Fender.

I'll second the VOX props. From a modeling standpoint those guys do a great job. Their Valvetronix line has tube inputs so you can even enjoy that in a modeling amp, which is pretty sweet.

Re: Modelling Amplifiers

null@example.com (joeyjoeyjoey) — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 23:27:20 +0000

I have a Peavey Vyper. My daughter has a line 6. The vyper makes every kind of sound except a guitar playing through an amp with no effects. I find it hard to control. The Line 6, my daughter loves and uses all the time. I do like the fact that if I am thinking of buying any effects, I can get an idea of what it will sound like or if it is really useful. Your best bet is to try all of them. Even if they aren`t on your list. Then decide which one you like.

Re: Modelling Amplifiers

null@example.com (Tenement Funster) — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 12:28:46 +0000

Thanks for the opinions, ladies & gentlemen ...

Everyone has their reasons for liking or disliking an amp, so I do appreciate everyone being candid. With a preference for cleaner tones (modified or otherwise) the VOX has a warmth to it that the others don't. As soon as I plugged into it and started with a few Dire Straits tunes, that warmth stood right out. And when I poured on the syrup (reverb + delay + phaser, like Pink Floyd's "Breathe") it really shined (shone?). The VOX uses a 12AX7 tube in the power stage, so that's likely why ... the other two are 100% electronic.

A few of the on-line reviews about the VOX mentioned a humming problem in some instances, which was covered by warranty and replaced. It would seem to be an isolated happenstance, so no worries.

Thanks again; the choice is becoming clearer.

Re: Modelling Amplifiers

null@example.com (Grah1) — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 10:12:27 +0000

I use a line 6 spider 75 I've gigged it for 2 years now Its very good ,however perhaps it give too much choice but its great for experimenting with sounds .For live use I choose only 4 presets and also my pedal board .The only problem Ive found is it was possible to accidently trigger the loop function ,luckily this only happened in rehearsal ,but this bug seems to have been fixed by the last software update .I have no plans to change it in the near future .

Re: Modelling Amplifiers

null@example.com (bunbun) — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 06:11:40 +0000

I have a Mustang I. Admittedly it is not a III but I like it. I got it for xmas last year and was not real happy with it. I made changes to the map banks and fiddled to no avail. Then I saw a vid of a person reviewing it. He just played the amp models as they come stock and it sounded great. I went back and re-set the amp to factory pecs and now I love it. If I want a different sound I adjust the fx knobs and I get what I want. It can be very loud too.

Re: Modelling Amplifiers

null@example.com (beamer) — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 04:59:02 +0000

LOLOLOL Once again its going to come down to you having to go to a shop and plug and play all three to see what you like. LOLOLOL (standard reply at the end of all opinions )