Is the Valvetronix neighbour friendly?

simon · September 16th, 2004, 07:30 AM

Can I play the VOX Valvetronix AD15VT amp at low volumes and make it sound good at the same time? I mean apartment-house-late-at-night-strumming-volume...?

I know it's not an all-tube amp and asking about it here is probably a sin. But my search for the ultimate bedroom-level and late night neighbour-friendly amp continues. After trying the Zvex Nanohead and a Little Lanilei (and liking them both for some time) I pull out my POD more often lately. Somehow these small tube amps don't give me that sound I am looking for. But with the POD I am missing some other things.

Oskar · September 16th, 2004, 12:55 PM

Don't be shy about posting topics that (gasp!!) might include SS or modelling amps. This forum is titled "Amp Central Station" not "Tube Amp Central Station".
Yes, the amp is very neighbor friendly. The AD60VT & AD120VT (this includes the newer "X" models) can be stepped down from 60 watts to 1 watt output (60, 30, 15, 1). Plus there is a headphone jack if you so desire to use headphones. Setting in on 1 watt you can control the volume so it's no louder than a small radio, but retains the modelling effects. I like these amps very much, easy to use, well put together, and an unlimited variety of sounds and tones. My tube amps are currently "retired".

markothefish · September 16th, 2004, 02:41 PM

I use my AD15vt with headphones all the time at night (3 little kids ) and this way I can crank the gain, volume and master controls untill I get the sound I want. Do you find you have to roll the bass control way down on your Vox amp or is just me ??? :?

Oskar · September 16th, 2004, 03:52 PM

but I haven't had the need to roll off the bass on my amps. Perhaps it may be due to the amp setting you have, or the guitar you are using. There are so many factors that can determine the need for a certain setting. Try a different guitar and see if it improves or gets worse. Do you have to roll off the bass only while listening to headphones, or does it do that in all modes?

simon · September 19th, 2004, 12:52 PM

thanks. your info was of great help to me. thought i'd wait until i can give you a review of the ad15vt i buy. but my local dealers sold all the ones they had. have to wait for the next shippment coming in.

Oskar · September 20th, 2004, 01:50 PM

The ADVT15 are really flying off the shelves from what I've been reading. Over at the VoxTalks site a lot of players have bought them and really like the amp. One complaint is cosmetic, the metal grill instead of cloth, but all rave at the sound and versatility of the amp.

rags71 · September 28th, 2004, 04:55 AM

.. especially when I lug it around to the children church where I play. I'm 33 and suddenly, I look hip and 'up to date'.

TT100 · September 28th, 2004, 04:41 PM

I don't know about the Vox but I hear the Tech 21 Trademark 10 is perfect for late night bedroom playing. Search for them on ebay, they come up fairly regularly.

TT100

WallyArms · September 28th, 2004, 07:19 PM

Seems it would actually be better for the house, since it has the variable wattage feature and the 15 watt version doesn't.

September 16th, 2004, 07:30 AM	#1 (permalink)
simon Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 208	Is the Valvetronix neighbour friendly? Can I play the VOX Valvetronix AD15VT amp at low volumes and make it sound good at the same time? I mean apartment-house-late-at-night-strumming-volume...? I know it's not an all-tube amp and asking about it here is probably a sin. But my search for the ultimate bedroom-level and late night neighbour-friendly amp continues. After trying the Zvex Nanohead and a Little Lanilei (and liking them both for some time) I pull out my POD more often lately. Somehow these small tube amps don't give me that sound I am looking for. But with the POD I am missing some other things.

September 16th, 2004, 12:55 PM	#2 (permalink)
Oskar Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Northampton, MA Posts: 3,191	I own two Valvetronix amps Don't be shy about posting topics that (gasp!!) might include SS or modelling amps. This forum is titled "Amp Central Station" not "Tube Amp Central Station". Yes, the amp is very neighbor friendly. The AD60VT & AD120VT (this includes the newer "X" models) can be stepped down from 60 watts to 1 watt output (60, 30, 15, 1). Plus there is a headphone jack if you so desire to use headphones. Setting in on 1 watt you can control the volume so it's no louder than a small radio, but retains the modelling effects. I like these amps very much, easy to use, well put together, and an unlimited variety of sounds and tones. My tube amps are currently "retired".

September 16th, 2004, 03:52 PM	#4 (permalink)
Oskar Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Northampton, MA Posts: 3,191	I'm haven't used the AD15VT but I haven't had the need to roll off the bass on my amps. Perhaps it may be due to the amp setting you have, or the guitar you are using. There are so many factors that can determine the need for a certain setting. Try a different guitar and see if it improves or gets worse. Do you have to roll off the bass only while listening to headphones, or does it do that in all modes?

September 20th, 2004, 01:50 PM	#6 (permalink)
Oskar Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Northampton, MA Posts: 3,191	Those amps are quite popular The ADVT15 are really flying off the shelves from what I've been reading. Over at the VoxTalks site a lot of players have bought them and really like the amp. One complaint is cosmetic, the metal grill instead of cloth, but all rave at the sound and versatility of the amp.

September 28th, 2004, 04:55 AM	#7 (permalink)
rags71 TDPRI Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Singapore Age: 38 Posts: 73	I like the sound, the size and the Metal look as well .. especially when I lug it around to the children church where I play. I'm 33 and suddenly, I look hip and 'up to date'.

September 16th, 2004, 02:41 PM	#3 (permalink)
markothefish Friend of Leo's Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Greenville, Rhode Island Age: 42 Posts: 2,109 7 Photos	I use my AD15vt with headphones all the time at night (3 little kids ) and this way I can crank the gain, volume and master controls untill I get the sound I want. Do you find you have to roll the bass control way down on your Vox amp or is just me ??? :?

September 19th, 2004, 12:52 PM	#5 (permalink)
simon Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 208	thanks. your info was of great help to me. thought i'd wait until i can give you a review of the ad15vt i buy. but my local dealers sold all the ones they had. have to wait for the next shippment coming in.

September 28th, 2004, 04:41 PM	#8 (permalink)
TT100 Tele-Meister Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 214	I don't know about the Vox but I hear the Tech 21 Trademark 10 is perfect for late night bedroom playing. Search for them on ebay, they come up fairly regularly. TT100

September 28th, 2004, 07:19 PM	#9 (permalink)
WallyArms Tele-Holic Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: TN Posts: 962	Why not get the 30 watt model? Seems it would actually be better for the house, since it has the variable wattage feature and the 15 watt version doesn't. __________________ Save The Hymnals!