• Vox AC15VR Valve Reactor 1x12 Guitar Combo Amp

  
  As reviewed by B. Higgins on 11/8/2010

  I have had a VOX Pathfinder for years and love what it can do for practice environments and have even driven a 2x12 cabinet with it but I wanted a VOX combo amp. Sure I would like to own a VOX AC 30 but my budget (and wife) don't allow for it so I searched for a lower price VOX with good reviews. The Vox AC15VR Valve Reactor 1x12 Guitar Combo Amp from Guitar Center looked like the candidate. I wanted the classic VOX look cabinet and simple controls. I was not interested in amp modeling, just 2 channels and the simple knob controlled EQ which this amp has. I have gigged with it in my 6 piece band and it has plenty of volume to cut through and everything I want. There is actually a tube pre-amp section in there somewhere and the overdrive channel has 2 settings to choose from. One is a classic with slight edge that responds well when you play it hard. The other is a higher gain modern distortion which some players will value as it is not a common classic VOX tone. The clean channel has that great VOX chime and is just I wanted for my Tele. The cabinet is built sturdy as my Pathfinder and the hardware is all VOX. Some may want an effects loop but I actually was glad that there was not one as I don't need the extra cables on stage. Going direct to the amp from my pedal board is very quiet and I was happy to find that the 2 button footswitch I already owned worked with this amp with no modification. In summary, get one of these before they find out how good they are and raise the price!

  17 of 17 people found this review helpful.
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• The best amp for the money out there!

  
  As reviewed by Paul on 11/4/2010

  I've been a Fender cat my whole life, but at a recent recording session, I had the chance to use a traditional Vox AC15, and fell in love with it. I wasn't sure that I wanted to take the plunge financially into an all tube AC15, so I went to a music store and tried the AC15VR. I was totally floored by this amp! If I heard this amp without seeing it, I'd swear it was an all tube combo. It's definitely got that killer "Vox sound," but at a price that is reasonable enough to take a chance on. This amp has now become my main gigging amp! Now I definitely didn't see that coming! I exclusively use the clean channel on this amp, but I've tried the overdrive channels, and I think they sounded really good, I just don't play any styles that require a "dirty" sound. I was also surprised at how loud this amp is! I've had no problem holding my own at live gigs with this amp! Bottom line, this is sooo much amp for the money it's ridiculous!

  11 of 11 people found this review helpful.
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• Fantastic Tone

  
  As reviewed by JD on 6/8/2011

  I was truly amazed when I got this amp home. It is very solidly built, and shows exceptional quality. I love the simplicity of the controls. This is what playing guitar is all about to me. Just finding a great sounding amp and a guitar that you really enjoy and just playing. The clean tone on the AC15VR is really great. It has a very nice shimmer and the Treble and Bass controls have a great influence on the tone. Many different tones can be coaxed out of this amp by just tweaking the simple controls. Both of the overdrive channels sound great too. The first one is great for a slightly dirty, old school sound. The second one really cranks up the gain and rips through for some great modern sounds. I have used my Boss distortion pedals and wahs with it, and they sound amazing as well. The Celestion speaker really sings and is a great bonus. I couldn't be happier with this Vox amp. I'm not a professional by any stretch of the imagination, but I've played for well over 15 years on many different amps, and I can honestly say the AC15VR is my favorite. It is very versatile and the price is outstanding. If you want a $1500.00 boutique tube amp sound without spending $1500.00, then look no further than this amp.

  3 of 3 people found this review helpful.
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