Vox Pathfinders

Scoot · February 14th, 2006, 07:14 PM

Hey All,
Was checking out a local large music retailer who lists all
their used gear on line, and found 2 pathfinders at some
nice pricing. 1 was listed as Pathfinder w/tremolo 99 beans
the other was 49. Didn't say anything about tremolo, I was
thinking a pathfinder is a pathfinder????
I know alot of you guys really like 'em, and I know they're
discontinued so should I jump? Unfortunately this site does
not provide "Squat" for descriptions, But I can have 'em
shipped into my local store for inspection w/o obligation,
as long as they aren't sold before shipping, Which takes
2 weeks on average.
Thanks for the input

WickedGTR · February 14th, 2006, 07:43 PM

I have one- but I'm not sure about all of the variations- I know there was one with reverb that was a bit more (about $99 new) and there was another version that was a head and cab instead of a combo....

Joe-Bob · February 14th, 2006, 08:08 PM

There was also a 10 watt version with a six inch speaker. Get a 15 watt pathfinder with reverb. I have a head/cab version. These things sound great through bigger speaker cabinets. If I could, I would get a combo, and put it in a different cab to make it a 1 x 15 combo amp. It would be the ultimate sleeper amp.

phisherman1997 · February 15th, 2006, 10:11 AM

I'd call the store with the item and ask for specs. Try to get the 15 watt version if possible. I've got a 15R and LOVE it.

I'm pretty sure I know the retailer your going through (I lived in MA until 4 months ago) and had nothing but good experiences with them. I have to agree that their online product descriptions leave much to be desired.

Best of luck.

Ben Harmless · February 15th, 2006, 04:01 PM

I'm also pretty sure I know the retailer you're referring to. Actually, I'm pretty sure I used to work for the retailer you're referring to, and while plenty of people, like phisherman1997 have good experiences with them, even as an employee, I've had upwards of 50% of the stuff I've requested from other stores show up broken, or misrepresented, with non-original parts, etc.

I look at that website as just a way to get you into the store, as most of the time the good stuff is either on layaway (in which case it would be nice if they took it out of their listing) or somehow mysteriously unavailable. Take it all with a grain of salt, and don't put money down on anything you can't see - despite what the salesman tells you. The store rules are that when an item is requested, it should immediately be pulled off the floor - there's no reason that you should have to hand them money. Have the salesperson verify that the item is pulled, or being pulled while they're still on the phone.

As far as the Pathfinder goes, they're amazing little amps, and I love mine. The 15w is the way to go, but the reverb isn't much to write home about - though I've got it on mine. $99 seems a bit steep though. I got my 15r for $79 used.

phisherman1997 · February 15th, 2006, 05:30 PM

While I had good experiences, I also dealt with 2 of the salesmen at the shop and pretty much refused to deal wtih the GC style 'guitar-dudes'. "No thanks, I'll wait for (insert name)" was an often used line.

And like Ben said, no matter what the salesman tells you, there's no reason to put $$ down.

Scoot · February 15th, 2006, 06:54 PM

Ben & Phfisherman (SP?)
Yup, bein' East coast boys know Dad.
They've only been here about a year but I've had decent
luck with them, except when I request an item in. I have
never been asked for coin, but 2 outta the three have been
"sold" on me. Maybe they were, maybe they weren't????
One thing I did learn is, Deal w/ the Mngr! The GC style kid
or "skate rat" That can't even remember what he's suppo-
sed to say when he answers the phone, can't remember to
order a piece of equipment in! (Oh Bummer Dude, I spaced
it out... Yeah, probably cause you smoked your lunch!!!!)
Anyways, Thanks for the input and listening to my rant.
I'm gonna see if I can get both of them in and scope 'em.
I'll keep ya posted

Joe D. · February 16th, 2006, 05:11 PM

Funny, I just took home a Pathfinder 10 for headphone playing at night. I couldn't beat it for $69.

Not too bad of a clean sound for a SS amp.

Now I don't have to turn on my Champ for a quick practise session.

Joe

halouis · February 16th, 2006, 05:27 PM

Hey BEN!!

I've seen you mention this little amp before. AND if I recall you also have or once had the Tech21 TM10. (I have one of those and love it).

WHats the difference? tonewise. quality wise. The TM10s are quite a bit more pricey. And while the "Marshall-esque" tones are pretty killer. I never much cared for the cleaner tones.

So whats the verdict?

-HAL

Ben Harmless · February 16th, 2006, 08:01 PM

Well, Hal ol' pal, I've got both at the moment.

I had the Pathfinder first, and I seriously dig it. It's got killer cleans through it's own speaker - cleans that I wouldn't hesitate to record with. They're that good. When I hook it up to my 4x12, it's the same, but much bigger, and handles dirt pedals better than the little built-in speaker. Plus, through the 4x12 cab, it gets insanely loud for its size.

The TM10 is a great little beast that I bought for direct recording at 3:00am because I really can't stand the digital units. Despite what many say, I don't feel like I can get realistic Marshall tones out of it, and the cleans are nothing compared to the Pathfinder. To me, the dirty tones all have this annoying graininess and shrill upper mids that you can't dial out. Still, I can get usable tones from it, and it's good enough for demo work - especially with some software-based turd-polishing. I got mine used for about $170, and I feel like it was pretty much worth it. In fact, Hal, your settings page helped a bit by getting me to not be afraid to twist those knobs to extreme settings.

moonshiner · February 17th, 2006, 12:25 AM

I have one.. I love this amp...

halouis · February 17th, 2006, 10:41 AM

Hey Ben. Thats interesting about the Pathfinder. I will have to keep my eye peeled for one next time I'm in a store. So many here seem to like them. thats ood enough for me.

have you ever tried the TM10 -> 4x12? it might take away that shrill-ness you're talking about. OR maybe you're finding that issue when using the XLR out for recording. the EQ is so extreme that even a little bit of a turn can make a big difference.

I did some lead tracks on the first NGNM demo with my TM10->4x12 w/ a single SM57 and really liked the tones. Haven;t done it since though. I play mine pretty much exclusively with the built in 8" for just home wankering. practicing/ writing.

later bro
-h

February 14th, 2006, 07:14 PM	#1 (permalink)
Scoot Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Republik of Vermont Age: 43 Posts: 236	Vox Pathfinders Hey All, Was checking out a local large music retailer who lists all their used gear on line, and found 2 pathfinders at some nice pricing. 1 was listed as Pathfinder w/tremolo 99 beans the other was 49. Didn't say anything about tremolo, I was thinking a pathfinder is a pathfinder???? I know alot of you guys really like 'em, and I know they're discontinued so should I jump? Unfortunately this site does not provide "Squat" for descriptions, But I can have 'em shipped into my local store for inspection w/o obligation, as long as they aren't sold before shipping, Which takes 2 weeks on average. Thanks for the input __________________ Scoot If I Have to Explain, You Wouldn't Understand!!!

February 14th, 2006, 07:43 PM	#2 (permalink)
WickedGTR Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Hillbilly Hollywood Posts: 2,150 4 Photos	I have one- but I'm not sure about all of the variations- I know there was one with reverb that was a bit more (about $99 new) and there was another version that was a head and cab instead of a combo.... __________________ http://www.myspace.com/jameswilsey

February 14th, 2006, 08:08 PM	#3 (permalink)
Joe-Bob Friend of Leo's Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Dallas, Texas Age: 46 Posts: 4,016	There was also a 10 watt version with a six inch speaker. Get a 15 watt pathfinder with reverb. I have a head/cab version. These things sound great through bigger speaker cabinets. If I could, I would get a combo, and put it in a different cab to make it a 1 x 15 combo amp. It would be the ultimate sleeper amp. __________________ "German is the language God uses when He really means business." --FZ

February 15th, 2006, 04:01 PM	#5 (permalink)
Ben Harmless Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Albany, NY US of A Posts: 3,374 12 Photos	I'm also pretty sure I know the retailer you're referring to. Actually, I'm pretty sure I used to work for the retailer you're referring to, and while plenty of people, like phisherman1997 have good experiences with them, even as an employee, I've had upwards of 50% of the stuff I've requested from other stores show up broken, or misrepresented, with non-original parts, etc. I look at that website as just a way to get you into the store, as most of the time the good stuff is either on layaway (in which case it would be nice if they took it out of their listing) or somehow mysteriously unavailable. Take it all with a grain of salt, and don't put money down on anything you can't see - despite what the salesman tells you. The store rules are that when an item is requested, it should immediately be pulled off the floor - there's no reason that you should have to hand them money. Have the salesperson verify that the item is pulled, or being pulled while they're still on the phone. As far as the Pathfinder goes, they're amazing little amps, and I love mine. The 15w is the way to go, but the reverb isn't much to write home about - though I've got it on mine. $99 seems a bit steep though. I got my 15r for $79 used. __________________ "I think I'll go for the life of sin, followed by the last-minute, presto-change-o, deathbed repentance." - B. Simpson

February 15th, 2006, 06:54 PM	#7 (permalink)
Scoot Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Republik of Vermont Age: 43 Posts: 236	pathfinders Ben & Phfisherman (SP?) Yup, bein' East coast boys know Dad. They've only been here about a year but I've had decent luck with them, except when I request an item in. I have never been asked for coin, but 2 outta the three have been "sold" on me. Maybe they were, maybe they weren't???? One thing I did learn is, Deal w/ the Mngr! The GC style kid or "skate rat" That can't even remember what he's suppo- sed to say when he answers the phone, can't remember to order a piece of equipment in! (Oh Bummer Dude, I spaced it out... Yeah, probably cause you smoked your lunch!!!!) Anyways, Thanks for the input and listening to my rant. I'm gonna see if I can get both of them in and scope 'em. I'll keep ya posted __________________ Scoot If I Have to Explain, You Wouldn't Understand!!!

February 15th, 2006, 10:11 AM	#4 (permalink)
phisherman1997 Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Austin TX Posts: 116	I'd call the store with the item and ask for specs. Try to get the 15 watt version if possible. I've got a 15R and LOVE it. I'm pretty sure I know the retailer your going through (I lived in MA until 4 months ago) and had nothing but good experiences with them. I have to agree that their online product descriptions leave much to be desired. Best of luck.

February 15th, 2006, 05:30 PM	#6 (permalink)
phisherman1997 Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Austin TX Posts: 116	While I had good experiences, I also dealt with 2 of the salesmen at the shop and pretty much refused to deal wtih the GC style 'guitar-dudes'. "No thanks, I'll wait for (insert name)" was an often used line. And like Ben said, no matter what the salesman tells you, there's no reason to put $$ down.

February 16th, 2006, 05:11 PM	#8 (permalink)
Joe D. NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: IL Posts: 6	Pathfinder Funny, I just took home a Pathfinder 10 for headphone playing at night. I couldn't beat it for $69. Not too bad of a clean sound for a SS amp. Now I don't have to turn on my Champ for a quick practise session. Joe

February 16th, 2006, 05:27 PM	#9 (permalink)
halouis Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,404 7 Photos	Hey BEN!! I've seen you mention this little amp before. AND if I recall you also have or once had the Tech21 TM10. (I have one of those and love it). WHats the difference? tonewise. quality wise. The TM10s are quite a bit more pricey. And while the "Marshall-esque" tones are pretty killer. I never much cared for the cleaner tones. So whats the verdict? -HAL __________________ ~ Hal * I'M A DENIM DEMON *

February 16th, 2006, 08:01 PM	#10 (permalink)
Ben Harmless Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Albany, NY US of A Posts: 3,374 12 Photos	Well, Hal ol' pal, I've got both at the moment. I had the Pathfinder first, and I seriously dig it. It's got killer cleans through it's own speaker - cleans that I wouldn't hesitate to record with. They're that good. When I hook it up to my 4x12, it's the same, but much bigger, and handles dirt pedals better than the little built-in speaker. Plus, through the 4x12 cab, it gets insanely loud for its size. The TM10 is a great little beast that I bought for direct recording at 3:00am because I really can't stand the digital units. Despite what many say, I don't feel like I can get realistic Marshall tones out of it, and the cleans are nothing compared to the Pathfinder. To me, the dirty tones all have this annoying graininess and shrill upper mids that you can't dial out. Still, I can get usable tones from it, and it's good enough for demo work - especially with some software-based turd-polishing. I got mine used for about $170, and I feel like it was pretty much worth it. In fact, Hal, your settings page helped a bit by getting me to not be afraid to twist those knobs to extreme settings. __________________ "I think I'll go for the life of sin, followed by the last-minute, presto-change-o, deathbed repentance." - B. Simpson

February 17th, 2006, 12:25 AM	#11 (permalink)
moonshiner Friend of Leo's Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Milyucky, Whiskonsin Posts: 2,171	I have one.. I love this amp... __________________ "Everyone's got to be something... Me? I'm stupid... It's all I ever wanted to be... Shock me again!"

February 17th, 2006, 10:41 AM	#12 (permalink)
halouis Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,404 7 Photos	Hey Ben. Thats interesting about the Pathfinder. I will have to keep my eye peeled for one next time I'm in a store. So many here seem to like them. thats ood enough for me. have you ever tried the TM10 -> 4x12? it might take away that shrill-ness you're talking about. OR maybe you're finding that issue when using the XLR out for recording. the EQ is so extreme that even a little bit of a turn can make a big difference. I did some lead tracks on the first NGNM demo with my TM10->4x12 w/ a single SM57 and really liked the tones. Haven;t done it since though. I play mine pretty much exclusively with the built in 8" for just home wankering. practicing/ writing. later bro -h __________________ ~ Hal * I'M A DENIM DEMON *