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New Amp Day - VOX VX50BA

#61
Many thanks for your reply!

I don't really mind some noise if I crank everything way up; that's kind of to be expected, I guess. I am just really irked by amps that have that electric buzz just because they are turned on, even without anything plugged in and with them grounded to the utmost of possibility. If this one doesn't really have much in the way of that, I think I am pretty much clear to go and order mine (I don't really need to play properly loud, I prioritize portability way higher).
 
#62
Agreed---
I would still like to find a music store that I can "A" "B" the two---

never seen a Roland 20Xl--- though Im guessing 50 watts is "heftier" build etc than 20

My MAIN bass amp is a Hartke B600 so I am NOT blastin ear drums and vibrating foundations by any means. but again as Hoogmir said --portability would be very nice
 
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#65
There's a NuTube in there, but you can't see it glowing.
They also make a MVX150 head, I think you might be able to see the glow with that one:

Product_Hero_MVX150_H-1920x500.jpg


Invalid Link Removed

Oh wait, there is a little blue glow on the top panel, just serves as the ON indicator, but it could be projecting from the NuTube, not sure.
 
#68
well Im in Fl. so -- NOW is the time for that ---August -- not so much!
thanks for the info-- had a rumble 25 -- and an AMpeg (20 I think) and an Acoustic 10---even an old MARSHALL 20 watt SS bass combo amp--all fell flat -- and went back or sold off........
lol Been oggling Ashdown tourbus for a couple years---but---I think it would be the same drill---50 NUTUBE watts-- VS 15 SS watts.....might be a no brainer for a small portable Bass amp.

Thanks for the "real world" info -- sales videos are so hard ot tell -- and most in home "reviews" sound like ass no matter amp it is....
 
#69
Hi, @Hoogmir and @BamaBird. Just thought I'd throw in my two cents.

I agree with everything KBD says about the Vox VX50BA. I've been loving it for a few months now. It's the only bass amp I've used in that time due to lifting restrictions after back surgery, which is why I took the chance. I practice with it at home and take it to church every Sunday for a 1 hour rehearsal and 15 minutes of playing in both services, going to FOH. I've also used it in a couple large jams with up to 15-ish acoustic musicians to good reviews.

But, I must admit, mine did NOT sound good right out of the box! In fact it took a good bit of playing time to either "break in" or "loosen up". I even consciously cranked various knobs, at different times, just for the "break in" affect (and to learn about it). I even had one of my sons crank out some metal on it one afternoon, while I cranked the knobs. But, once I noticed it sounding better, with all knobs at noon,, it seems to have kept on getting better and even better.

So, if you try it, prepare to be somewhat patient. And make sure to play it a lot within the return policy time of the store you buy it from. I think you'll be pleased you did.

Good luck.
 
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#70
Aye, I have read those break-in posts at the beginning of this thread and will have that in mind.
My only remaining worry is that the previously-tested Orange Crush Bass 50 seemed to be best sounding in the louder registers... which makes me wonder how good is this amp for more quiet, calm kind of playing (avoiding disturbing the neighbors too much in the nightly hours). From your posts I understand that I should be optimistic about that part of it.

Also, I'd like to thank you all for sharing your knowledge and experience here - it seemed really difficult to find anything on Youtube on this amp that wouldn't just be actively trying to sell it to me, omitting any mentions of possible shortcomings and deficiencies. Forum structure seems to be saving the world yet again when it comes to bringing people more directly together (I have my Captain Obvious hat somewhere in the closet, yes yes).
 
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#72
Hoogmir said:
... which makes me wonder how good is this amp for more quiet, calm kind of playing (avoiding disturbing the neighbors too much in the nightly hours). From your posts I understand that I should be optimistic about that part of it. . . . .
Click to expand...

Yes, the quiet tones are quite nice!

I, too, looked askance at the videos beforehand. But I reviewed them again afterwards and didn't find any blatant deception. I even verified that the compressor acts as a boost at low volume, which I got from a video.

Of course, there's always the chance of different behavior in different production units, or differing tastes in the reviewers. That's why the "YMMV" (Your mileage may vary) is always in force in forums.

:)
 
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#73
@G-Dog yep, totally held its own in a small coffeehouse with a drummer playing with those metal brooms (no idea how they're called though) . I played a Revelation RJT-60B (a VERY AMAZING Bass VI thingy with whammy and P90s) and i had absolutely no problems with the amp, clear ringing throughout, playing against two acoustic guitarists, both gain and volume around 11 (pickups are 7.5k if it helps ya) . Of course i went into the PA as well, but i'd have liked the option of an effects loop to preserve the tone, as the overall bass sound was half the PA, and half the little Vox that was absolutely rocking. Also, it could hold the sound on it's own but i just felt "fuller" this way. Kept it on two empty beer crates next to me but i still felt it could shake the floor if it wanted.
Next gigs are gonna be our country punk thing and if it can keep up with the drummer playing his usual and the electric guitars, then i'm definetly keeping it as a stage monitor and mic'ing it .
 
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#76
O.k. well -- the VOX --- will have to wait-----I "fell backwards" into a deal on an ASHDOWN rootmaster 1x12 --220 W for half the price of the vox.........it truly was a "I had to" moment---

I dont NEED 220 watts noodling at home --- but----- well JUST LOOK AT IT!
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SORRY KBD -- not trying to DERAIL your thread----- maybe I can trade this beast (45 lbs) to someone with a VOX 50BA?????
Ill start an appropriate thread to ask about this amp -- I have NO clue -- never played one but could not say no to 160.00 FREE SHIPPING
 
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#77
...an unexpected status update: that transformer-buzzing OrangeCrushBass50 amp that I had tested and disliked for its constant working noise, and sent back, got reported today by the music shop as having some faulty circuitry - as their other unit of this kind that they have on sale doesn't have that quiet-yet-vexing electric buzz/hum.

So now I am torn between receiving a properly working one of those - and they do sound quite wonderful, with their funnyfunfun mid frequency equalizer and tube-like overdrive, the only drawback being the 15kg (30+ pound?) weight, or.... this, more modest and nimble, Voxbox.
Decisions are hard.
 
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#78
And I end up pretty much decided on the Vox - though I still wanted to ask you: what do you think of its compressor powers? Interesting and fun, or largely redundant (and maybe the distortion, too, if you have some extra thoughts on it)?
 
#79
I got it almost solely based on the over-driven sound (tube-like). I rarely play with the gain below noon.
I only use the compressor for one reason, because it blends back in some clean signal when the Drive switch is on. This makes it sound great with guitar & why I think it actually sounds better than the MV50 & its matching cabinet.

upload_2019-2-4_16-46-8.png
 
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#80
I guess it won't quite match the buzzy overdrive of that Orange C.B.50 thing ( ), but it's cool to know that it sounds satisfying enough :D. I have kind of treated that overdrive part with a bit of skepticism, and haven't even thought that I might end up being able to use this amp with some hypothetical non-bass guitar in the future, derp. That does add value to the investment ^^
 
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