VOX Mini SuperBeetle Bass

[Rob Martinez]

This looks quirky enough to have one, have not heard any bad reviews about the sound. 50 watts is fine by me my Ampeg B50R rocks!

 

[iagtrplyr]

This looks quirky enough to have one, have not heard any bad reviews about the sound. 50 watts is fine by me my Ampeg B50R rocks!

It's a niche product, no doubt, and as I've preached many a time in the Combo Club (of which I also own the 50-watt combo version) when VOX gets serious about their bass amp tomfoolery, maybe they'll come out with a gigging rig that can be used to play with those who plug their guitars into amps. Yes, the tone has that vintage vibe, but through an 8" driver it's kind of a challenge to tell where the NuTube can you. I've also hooked the head up to a Fender 115 cabinet and that pairing gives you a better aspect of its possibilities. Need more power though. VOX, ya listening?

 

[FlyingPigSound]

This looks quirky enough to have one, have not heard any bad reviews about the sound. 50 watts is fine by me my Ampeg B50R rocks!

It’s sounds average at best, though it looks the part

 

[Rob Martinez]

This will be cool to have in my music room to jam my Hofners at low volume. I am actually quite happy with the Ampeg combos I have, and the Ampeg DI box gets amazing tone!

 

[Pimpernel Smith]

I decided to buy one of these unpopular, over-priced, little bedroom amps. It’s just what I wanted for its 2 foot total height. I can tuck it under a desk in the bedroom.
The thing is 50 watts and has a double ported back. With the controls at 12:00 , or very nearly, it sounds fine with my Hofner basses - like a 1960s Vox bass amp with a Hofner. Played at low volumes, in a bedroom, its just perfect or my needs.
File photo.

 

[iagtrplyr]

View attachment 4316757 I decided to buy one of these unpopular, over-priced, little bedroom amps. It’s just what I wanted for its 2 foot total height. I can tuck it under a desk in the bedroom.
The thing is 50 watts and has a double ported back. With the controls at 12:00 , or very nearly, it sounds fine with my Hofner basses - like a 1960s Vox bass amp with a Hofner. Played at low volumes, in a bedroom, its just perfect or my needs.
File photo.

Agree with all your points, P. Smith. It's like Vox asked themselves, "What bass guitar should we build a bass amp for? Hey, how about the one that put us on the map!" As you have it set, the amp sounds real nice. When I'm feeling frisky, I'll toggle the fuzz, but controls straight up and your fingers are enough. Enjoy!

 

[G-Dog]

Agree with all your points, P. Smith. It's like Vox asked themselves, "What bass guitar should we build a bass amp for? Hey, how about the one that put us on the map!" As you have it set, the amp sounds real nice. When I'm feeling frisky, I'll toggle the fuzz, but controls straight up and your fingers are enough. Enjoy!

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[iagtrplyr]

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Paul must've been feeling frisky that day too!

 

[Pimpernel Smith]

"What bass guitar should we build a bass amp for? Hey, how about the one that put us on the map!" As you have it set, the amp sounds real nice.

It's uncanny how very good this sounds with Hofner basses. I'm so pleased with its tone - I wish I had bought one earlier in the pandemic while we were all sitting in rooms practicing alone.

 

[Pimpernel Smith]

I'd just like to add that this Vox Mini Superbeetle bass amp sounds great with my Jack Casady bass, too.

 

[Yahboy]

Vox update thier bass amp thing in superb slow progress.... Or maybe the mini beetle is their final masterpiece.....

Ppl need larger watts, bigger drivers...... But , Vox seem deaf and blind.

 

[FlyingPigSound]

If only Vox would take a page out of the Fender Rumble / Ampeg Rocket Bass playbook...

A modern, lightweight, real, gig-worthy bass amp (with optional chrome trolley / stand) would be awesome

 

[Andy Marshman]

I really wanted to like this amp. My friend has the guitar version and his Lennon Ric 325 sounds fantastic through it. The guitar model uses a 10" speaker, open back cab but 8 Ohm so only 25 Watts.
I adore the cosmetics and have owned the PB10 with 2x5" open back so I thought the Super Beetle would be a big improvement. I was so disappointed because it sounded anemic to me. I connected the head to a 4 Ohm, 10" cab and still didn't like it. I sold it to a guy who had a Kala uke-bass.
It broke my heart but I sold it after 1 month. I played a Hofner 500/1 and all my basses through it. My Rumble 25 v3 sounded way louder. I paid big bucks for a huge disappointment.

 

[G-Dog]

I really wanted to like this amp. My friend has the guitar version and his Lennon Ric 325 sounds fantastic through it. The guitar model uses a 10" speaker, open back cab but 8 Ohm so only 25 Watts.
I adore the cosmetics and have owned the PB10 with 2x5" open back so I thought the Super Beetle would be a big improvement. I was so disappointed because it sounded anemic to me. I connected the head to a 4 Ohm, 10" cab and still didn't like it. I sold it to a guy who had a Kala uke-bass.
It broke my heart but I sold it after 1 month. I played a Hofner 500/1 and all my basses through it. My Rumble 25 v3 sounded way louder. I paid big bucks for a huge disappointment.

I'm with you, Andrew! I think Vox got the guitar & bass versions mixed up on the Mini-SuperBeetle. The bas should have the 10" 8 ohm speaker in a closed back cab and the guitar should have the 4 ohm 8" in an open back cab. Then another closed back 10" 8 ohm cab would put the bass' full 50 watts thru two 10s! Oh, but NOoo-oOo, they didn't do that.

So, I'm still very happy with my "Early-Beetle" VX50BA instead. (Stand not included.)

 

[Andy Marshman]

I'm with you, Andrew! I think Vox got the guitar & bass versions mixed up on the Mini-SuperBeetle. The bas should have the 10" 8 ohm speaker in a closed back cab and the guitar should have the 4 ohm 8" in an open back cab. Then another closed back 10" 8 ohm cab would put the bass' full 50 watts thru two 10s! Oh, but NOoo-oOo, they didn't do that.

So, I'm still very happy with my "Early-Beetle" VX50BA instead. (Stand not included.)

View attachment 4347325​

When I opened the closed cab for the SuperBeetle bass, the 8" speaker was ink stamped VX50BA.

 

[G-Dog]

When I opened the closed cab for the SuperBeetle bass, the 8" speaker was ink stamped VX50BA.

Yep, that's what the VX50BA has, but it's a closed combo, so it sounds pretty good, not to mention ultra light at just 9.8 lb.s!
.

 

[duanev3]

Thanks for the info fellas. I think I'm going to look for an VX50BA as I don't want to pay someone haul around the VOX AC50 anymore and sometimes the VOV 2x12 cab. Plus I play electric and Acoustic guitar and I use three different smaller amps for those but those are light and easy to setup.

We finally convinced our drummer he has to start using my Electronic drum set at gigs because it just get's way too loud at the more intimate venues with acoustic drums.