Who thinks the AC4TV is a toy?

Bangbang · November 7th, 2009, 01:25 PM

I have a friend that has been playing for 47 years and he feel that any amp without reverb is just a loud speaker. He is probably going to laugh at my AC4TV Combo. He already laughed at my Epi Valve Junior. However many people consider ther cars and boats as "toys".

Jimi Hendrix · November 7th, 2009, 01:42 PM

The old boy's clearly a bit set in his ways bless him, i finally got around to playin' my new CV 50's through my AC4TV tonight.....dang that rig SMOKES!

Bangbang · November 7th, 2009, 01:47 PM

Thats what I thought. I am just a beginner...doin this for about 2 years and have several guitars and amps. I was dead anti-tube till I got one and now I am kind of a snob when it comes to SS amps.

AllroyPA · November 7th, 2009, 01:52 PM

I think it depends on the application. For hi-gain you certainly can get away with solid state(Jim Marshall might argue with me though). But for more feel and tone structure, go tube.

thaus · November 7th, 2009, 01:54 PM

From what I have heard, read, and seen (on youtube), it's far from a toy and a very good practice amp or in the studio.

AllroyPA · November 7th, 2009, 02:11 PM

You can always get a reverb pedal, I'm sure theres many who can recommend one for that.

ArlenBucy · November 7th, 2009, 02:23 PM

I have used it and it has a very nice sound to it. Although I do prefer to have reverb built in. But a very good little amp indeed.

ZL1LoVeR · November 7th, 2009, 08:28 PM

It ain't no toy that's fo sho! ask me

I haven't used an epi valve jr. before, but those are supposed to be sweet too...

Carlsoti · November 10th, 2009, 04:37 PM

I'm a EVJ owner and I love it, but the vox is in a different (better) class. The stock EVJ needs tome work to get them to sound "good". The newest little fender (the champ 600, I think) is a bit "less" than the EVJ, IMHO.

peskypesky · November 10th, 2009, 05:38 PM

delete

g fun baby · November 10th, 2009, 05:44 PM

I have one too, but not the combo, I have a head with 1x12 cabinet.... this little thing smokes. I miss the reverb as mentioned above some times, but you know what... it does everything so well, I don't actually miss it when I am playing. This amp reproduces such a wide range of tones from the guitar (i.e. various pick up settings and tone adjustments and the few pedals I have), it all shines through it different ways. Who knew!! I am a happy camper with this thing, and it's plenty loud for my basement jams with a piano through a PA and drums!

07 road house · November 10th, 2009, 07:36 PM

I have not had a vox but I have had a epi VJ and they sound really nice but a little too dirty for me. The fender champion 600s just are not good in my opinion. I have had 2 of them and done tube upgrades and I tried to make myself like it but they are just not good sounding to my ears.

ZL1LoVeR · November 10th, 2009, 09:06 PM

I've had a jam yesterday in my music theory class with two pianos, a cello (which my professor was playing), and a '77 Strat (even though it was through a 15W SS Crate... it still sounded amazing)... and I must say, my Schecter straight through the AC4TV Combo got compliments from people in my class. My set-up had the sweetest tone/timber among all the instruments that were playing... the thing is no toy, and that was enough proof for me outside of my living room

Suthrn_BLU_Sman · November 11th, 2009, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 07 road house

I have not had a vox but I have had a epi VJ and they sound really nice but a little too dirty for me. The fender champion 600s just are not good in my opinion. I have had 2 of them and done tube upgrades and I tried to make myself like it but they are just not good sounding to my ears.

I agree. I was really excited to go try the Champ 600 out at the shop cuz it just looks so cool and I was thinking, "Yes a tube amp I can afford!" but it just doesn't sound good. The Vox runs circles around the Champ and the EVJ, in my opinion.

TexBiker · November 11th, 2009, 09:38 AM

I have a pair of AC4TV's (TV8 and TVH). They are certainly not toys.

Regarding the Champ 600, I've said it before...Fender should be ashamed of putting their name on such a POS. It's certainly not worthy of the "Champ" moniker. Of the nearly 20 small amps in my collection, it's by far the worst in all categories. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

Bangbang · November 11th, 2009, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TexBiker

I have a pair of AC4TV's (TV8 and TVH). They are certainly not toys.

Regarding the Champ 600, I've said it before...Fender should be ashamed of putting their name on such a POS. It's certainly not worthy of the "Champ" moniker. Of the nearly 20 small amps in my collection, it's by far the worst in all categories. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

I like the small amps and almost got a 600. However all my research...well almos all said it was a piece of crap in many different words.

Boris Bubbanov · November 11th, 2009, 11:17 AM

Of the little guys, I liked the Gibson (Mojotone) GA-5 the best. But even that, I grew a bit tired of and gave it to my Dad.

I'm a big amp guy, and I've got the hearing loss to prove it. To me, a DRRI is small.

Not one poster used the brand name Vox.

I don't think it is a fluke either. I think Vox is in trouble and might be the first name company to fall out due to the economy.

Revelwood · November 11th, 2009, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boris Bubbanov

Of the little guys, I liked the Gibson (Mojotone) GA-5 the best. But even that, I grew a bit tired of and gave it to my Dad.

I'm a big amp guy, and I've got the hearing loss to prove it. To me, a DRRI is small.

Not one poster used the brand name Vox.

I don't think it is a fluke either. I think Vox is in trouble and might be the first name company to fall out due to the economy.

What makes you say this?
Since VOX is owned by Korg and Korg is privately held, there's no way to see the numbers to tell if they're dying.
I'm curious.

TexBiker · November 11th, 2009, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boris Bubbanov

Not one poster used the brand name Vox.

Actually, several posts in this thread mention Vox by name.

Plus, according to the literature I read from various industry groups, Vox is 3rd behind Fender and Marshall for most units shipped in the last three quarters. In Europe and Asia, Vox outsells Fender. I'd say they're doing pretty well.

Suthrn_BLU_Sman · November 11th, 2009, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TexBiker

Actually, several posts in this thread mention Vox by name.

I was thinkin the same thing.

Jimi Hendrix · November 11th, 2009, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boris Bubbanov

Of the little guys, I liked the Gibson (Mojotone) GA-5 the best. But even that, I grew a bit tired of and gave it to my Dad.

I'm a big amp guy, and I've got the hearing loss to prove it. To me, a DRRI is small.

Not one poster used the brand name Vox.

I don't think it is a fluke either. I think Vox is in trouble and might be the first name company to fall out due to the economy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carlsoti

I'm a EVJ owner and I love it, but the vox is in a different (better) class. The stock EVJ needs tome work to get them to sound "good". The newest little fender (the champ 600, I think) is a bit "less" than the EVJ, IMHO.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 07 road house

I have not had a vox but I have had a epi VJ and they sound really nice but a little too dirty for me. The fender champion 600s just are not good in my opinion. I have had 2 of them and done tube upgrades and I tried to make myself like it but they are just not good sounding to my ears.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suthrn_BLU_Sman

I agree. I was really excited to go try the Champ 600 out at the shop cuz it just looks so cool and I was thinking, "Yes a tube amp I can afford!" but it just doesn't sound good. The Vox runs circles around the Champ and the EVJ, in my opinion.

Well there's 3 for ya Boris.

On what do you base your thoughts of Vox's iminent demise? surely not the fact that people refer to their models by actual model name rather than manufacturer name? surely that's a good thing? means everyone knows who they are?

Incidentally, who makes the DRRI?

BadBrad · November 11th, 2009, 12:39 PM

The ACVTV is just a cheap toy. If you have one, I'll give you $40 for it so I can give it to my toddler as a toy.

ZL1LoVeR · November 11th, 2009, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BadBrad

The ACVTV is just a cheap toy. If you have one, I'll give you $40 for it so I can give it to my toddler as a toy.

If you find someone that'll sell it to ya for $40 lemme know

... I'm sure you can turn around and sell it for $180 to the next buyer

I don't get why this amp is getting so much crap when in fact it is AMAZING!!

Vox didn't go wrong with this one, trust me!

BadBrad · November 11th, 2009, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZL1LoVeR

If you find someone that'll sell it to ya for $40 lemme know

... I'm sure you can turn around and sell it for $180 to the next buyer

I don't get why this amp is getting so much crap when in fact it is AMAZING!!

Vox didn't go wrong with this one, trust me!

Yeah, I was just kidding. I actually want one, but it's not in the budget right now.

Boris Bubbanov · November 11th, 2009, 05:20 PM

Sorry for the science experiment. I saw the vox in there; I just wanted to see what kind of reaction I could get.

Been watching a pattern of testiness of the part of Vox afficionados my whole life.
Tell a guy your don't like his Marshall, he shrugs. Tell a guy you don't like so and so Peavey model. I'm so used to that, I don't notice anymore. Tell a guy his PRS is for Blues-Dentists, he smiles.

But Vox owners get angry. Look at yourselves. What difference could it possibly make whether you named the brand or not?

Oh. Something else.

If the info on the company is closely held and no-one knows, what is it in these numbers that were spat back at me? I would love to know how many guitars Fender has made, FMIC has made the last ten years. We don't know.

I don't know what is going on in Europe. All I know is, Amp sales are way off, much more so than guitars. Korg doesn't sell many guitars. They're in the greatest peril. The USA market dwarfs certain other markets; BMW lives or dies based on USA sales outcomes, so did Porsche.

TexBiker · November 11th, 2009, 08:51 PM

Actually, according to the Annual Census of the Music Industries (which gives detailed sales stats on all music equipment sales in the US market), amp sales are only down 3.4% through the first 3 quarters of this year, compared to -3.9% for total guitar sales (acoustic and electric). This is an improvement over 2008, when amp sales were down 5.3% and guitar sales were down 4.1% across all price points. By comparison, 1999, 2000, 2004 and 2005 were worse years. 2006 and 2007 were phenomenal with double-digit increases. It's a tough industry to predict.

Total retail sales revenue for amplifers is projected to be $945M for 2009, which would be the second highest total ever.

There is no doubt that the economy has had a negative impact on the music equipment industry, but it's not as dire as some would have you believe.

Revelwood · November 12th, 2009, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boris Bubbanov

Sorry for the science experiment. I saw the vox in there; I just wanted to see what kind of reaction I could get.

Been watching a pattern of testiness of the part of Vox afficionados my whole life.
Tell a guy your don't like his Marshall, he shrugs. Tell a guy you don't like so and so Peavey model. I'm so used to that, I don't notice anymore. Tell a guy his PRS is for Blues-Dentists, he smiles.

But Vox owners get angry. Look at yourselves. What difference could it possibly make whether you named the brand or not?

Oh. Something else.

If the info on the company is closely held and no-one knows, what is it in these numbers that were spat back at me? I would love to know how many guitars Fender has made, FMIC has made the last ten years. We don't know.

I don't know what is going on in Europe. All I know is, Amp sales are way off, much more so than guitars. Korg doesn't sell many guitars. They're in the greatest peril. The USA market dwarfs certain other markets; BMW lives or dies based on USA sales outcomes, so did Porsche.

I was just curious what your source of info was. That's all, just curious, not angry at all.

What strange posts.

In any event no, Korg doesn't sell many guitars. However they do sell boatloads of keyboards and effects tho.

I don't expect to see them withdraw from the US market or spin off VOX anytime soon, but who knows?

But coming way around the bend, oh look, it's the original topic!
I love my ACTV4H and cab!

Jimi Hendrix · November 12th, 2009, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Revelwood

What strange posts.

Hmm, that's what i thought.

Suthrn_BLU_Sman · November 12th, 2009, 11:57 AM

Think it would sound good through any old cab or should it be paired with the "custom" cab?

fenson · November 12th, 2009, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thaus

From what I have heard, read, and seen (on youtube), it's far from a toy and a very good practice amp or in the studio.

All gear is toys IMO so are motorcycles, mussell cars , cameras , etc. etc.

TexBiker · November 12th, 2009, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suthrn_BLU_Sman

Think it would sound good through any old cab or should it be paired with the "custom" cab?

I primarily play my TVH through a 2x12 cab that I built. I've also used with with other 1x12 and 2x10 cabs. Just be sure they are 16ohm cabinets. The AC4 series of amps only has 16ohm outputs...which is my biggest complaint with these otherwise fantastic little amps.

The "custom" Vox cab is nothing special. Just a cheap 1x12 cab with matching tolex.

Suthrn_BLU_Sman · November 12th, 2009, 01:35 PM

I dont care about the matching tolex, Im just wondering if I can lower my costs if I get the head and a different cab, or maybe build my own cab.

TexBiker · November 12th, 2009, 02:07 PM

Yep...building your own is always the best option, IMO.

Bangbang · November 12th, 2009, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fenson

All gear is toys IMO so are motorcycles, mussell cars , cameras , etc. etc.

I agree.

moullineaux · November 12th, 2009, 02:57 PM

I recently bought a VOX ACTV4 and love it for what it is and how it sounds. No, it doesn't sound like my Marshall, or my Fenders, is sounds like a Vox. It has wonderful tone just past the break up point on all but the 1/4 setting where it is just too compressed. It is great for practicing quietly, however. I have recorded with it and found it to be very versatile clean and driven. I hope Vox isn't going anywhere cause I would like to try an AC 15 with trem and verb. mY 2 cents.

Joe Rider · November 12th, 2009, 07:01 PM

[quote=The "custom" Vox cab is nothing special. Just a cheap 1x12 cab with matching tolex.[/QUOTE]

How do you think it would be with the V112HTV cabinet? Better quality and sound?

TexBiker · November 12th, 2009, 07:27 PM

Well, the HTV has a Celestion Alnico Blue speaker, which is decent if you like the tone of that particular speaker. I think the Weber Blue Dog and several other speakers sound better to me.

Mostly, you're just paying ~$650 for a pretty cabinet to match the head. The Celestion speaker can be found for ~$200 from a few dealers. The other $450 is purely cosmetic.

Bangbang · November 12th, 2009, 09:33 PM

My next purchase would be a 2x12 to go with it..but not in the mix right now. Must do my research. . Thanks for all the replies.

firesgt911 · November 12th, 2009, 10:14 PM

The Vox AC4TV is the coolest amp I have played in ages! Very versatile, great cleans and gets really dirty! Amazing sound right out of the box and only gets better with time.

PS
REVERB SUCKS!!! It is the most overrated thing in the guitarists world! HAHAHA! Just my opinion.

g fun baby · November 14th, 2009, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suthrn_BLU_Sman

I dont care about the matching tolex, Im just wondering if I can lower my costs if I get the head and a different cab, or maybe build my own cab.

I have the ac4tv head with the cheaper night train 1x12 cab. It has the celestion greenback speaker, but the cost was way less than the matching one. Sounds great. They just look a bit different together, but hey, it's all about great sound anyway.