Vox Pathfinder Owners

[goonie]

Finally got around to doing the LED mod, I can definitely recommend it. I like the way it doesn't start distorting now until the gain is really cranked up. And the boost switch is more usable.

[WGD1]

Here is a Pathfinder doing a nice job at The Station Inn, Nashville.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IpZOiNRARI

[Hiker]

Originally Posted by goonie

Finally got around to doing the LED mod, I can definitely recommend it. I like the way it doesn't start distorting now until the gain is really cranked up. And the boost switch is more usable.

Congrats!

Was your mod the same as shown in this thread?

[norumba]

Originally Posted by ChrisinMO

OK guys, tell me what you think. I have a PF 15r and liked it so well I bought another. I cut the cabinet down and installed both chassis in the modified cab. Now i always have a backup and I can run stereo too. Very light weight and sounds awesome. Sorry for the fingers in the way. Damn small cameras!

I have/have had the Marshall's, Peavey's and all but I think I like this tone the best! I use a Boss OS2 and an AB/Y switch.

Does anyone know about any heat issues with the SS PF's??? The chassis seemed pretty well closed up on the stock combo. I can add vents if necessary.

Also as an FYI, I can run out of the line outs to a Crate Power Block Line in (even in stereo!) and be pushing 150 SS watts plus the two PFs. I run everything in to 2x12 cabs. I must say I think it is the most awesome rig I have ever put together! Gigging??? Pshhuuu! No problemo!!!!

That is amazing... and if the pics dont show up in the quote, heres the link: http://www.tdpri.com/forum/amp-owner...ml#post4098796

i m thinking of that exact set up, i have two pathfinders in a stereo rig we use in rehearsal but i want to move into 12" cabs... I have no skill set, lol... would you consider building another unit like for retail?

the other route would be to put them into a combo chassis --- does anyone know what fits? I think I read somewhere that a Blues JR would work... if you wired it up right with a speaker jack, the Blues Jr configuration could also be used as a cab with another amp head ( i have a tube 50/50 power amp head for bigger gigs. )

[Bruxist]

Originally Posted by WGD1

Here is a Pathfinder doing a nice job at The Station Inn, Nashville.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IpZOiNRARI

Nice! I been there! Saw the Timejumpers there last summer. Cool place!

[Stylemaster]

Originally Posted by WGD1

Here is a Pathfinder doing a nice job at The Station Inn, Nashville.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IpZOiNRARI

I can't tell - is it miked?

[Mark76]

There's a Confederate General on lead guitar.

[LGOberean]

What makes you say that?

General James Ewell Brown "Jeb" Stuart


General James Longstreet


General John Bell Hood


General Ambrose Powell Hill


Oh, and I kinda resemble that remark.

[goonie]

Originally Posted by Hiker

Congrats!

Was your mod the same as shown in this thread?

Yep, that's the one.

[Chiogtr4x]

Just needed to see this thread back on top, where it belongs!

** BTW, folks looking for that "cranked Clapton Champ tone" (from the Delaney and Bonnie and Derek/Dominos days) can get pretty damn close for cheap with a Pathfinder(clock): Gain at 1:00, Volume at NOON, Bass at 10, Treble at 1:00-2:00, a Strat, and good fingers!:

edit: Boost OFF

[Progger]

Just obtained one two days ago and have enjoyed it quite a bit since. This is my first solid state amp since the '80's, other than stereo equipment. I have been keeping both the bass and treble levels low and have been impressed enough by the low key spring reverb, a key element that attracted me to the amp. An old block MXR Dyna Comp did a good job of helping trick me into feeling that I was playing a tube amp, was not motivated yet to throw a lot of pedals at the amp...and that is a compliment.

Is anyone using 4 ohm cabinets with their Pathfinders? I actually like the stock speaker, so far but prefer options. With a 4 ohm load, I could run either a 15" EV in a sealed Peavey cabinet, two 12"'s and 2 horns in two Fender 8 ohm PA cabinets, or a Leslie 825, that was stripped of its amp, but it has a 4 ohm speaker. I love all of the options with my silver Fender Vibro Champ and hope to do the same while using the Pathfinder without messing it up. Yikes....nearly forgot a few Weber 8 inch/4 ohm speakers that I use with the Vibro Champ and a Bronco. Safety to the new amp is my concern.
Thanks

[ChrisinMO]

I think a 4 ohm would fry it. 16 yes, but not 4.

[Progger]

Originally Posted by ChrisinMO

I think a 4 ohm would fry it. 16 yes, but not 4.

Whoa, thanks, I was getting anxious, sorta frustrated that I only had one 8 ohm option.

[lauke]

Solid state amps aren't that picky in load, usually you can run them safely even without a speaker connected. But it's generally better to hook up a speaker with a higher rated impedance than a lower one.
I wouldn't worry about it.

Not that tube amps are that picky by the way, they just don't like very high impedances (ie running without a speaker connected).

[photoweborama]

Originally Posted by lauke

Solid state amps aren't that picky in load, usually you can run them safely even without a speaker connected.

That may be true in general, but that is NOT THE CASE with the Pathfinder.

And I know this from first hand experience. I was swapping speakers and went back to the stock speaker, but forgot to hook the speaker back up.

I turned it on and it started to emit a terrible smell, then a loud pop.

It blew up the main amplifier chip.

It was a pain to change, and for a time I thought it was never going to work again, but rigged it to work again. The problem is that the traces on the board are very thin, and when soldering the chip in, it melted the traces right off the board.

Like they say on TV "Don't try this at home, kids!"

[lauke]

Ouch.

Good thing you pointed that out, thanks :)

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally Posted by photoweborama

... It was a pain to change, and for a time I thought it was never going to work again, but rigged it to work again. The problem is that the traces on the board are very thin, and when soldering the chip in, it melted the traces right off the board. ...

what i HATE about amps built off pcb's.

but the vox pr is a dandy (and sometimes, tasty) li'l s/s amp that i use daily to test out gear.

[telepath]

Yep its a cool sounding amp - but one that costs relative peanuts.
Some build costs cuts will inevitably invite caution. We ought not to be surprised I guess !

I get the strong impression that the Pathfinders are generally reliable if left relatively unmolested ;)

[simonc]

If you are lifting tracks, then your soldering iron is too hot. Just saying...

[photoweborama]

Originally Posted by simonc

If you are lifting tracks, then your soldering iron is too hot. Just saying...

Might be true. The problem is not soldering it in, it's getting the old one out.