Valvetronix VT100 Review

In short 100W 2x12 valve hybrid modelling amp with on board effects.

Features:	7
Sound:	9
Reliability:	9
Impression:	9
Overall rating:	8.5
Users rating:	8.4
Comments:	18

Reviewed by: unregistered, on july 31, 2009

Price paid: A$ 910

Purchased from: Ellaways Music

Features: You can check the Vox website for the full specs on the VT100. In short 100W 2x12 valve hybrid modelling amp with on board effects. I purchased this amp as a result of downsizing my Marshall all valve rig. I was looking for a 2x12 combo (preferrably all valve) with as much bang for my buck as I could find. I was looking at the Line 6 Spider Valve 212, a Peavey Vypyr and a Fender Frontman 212 or Cyber Twin. I've never owned a Vox amp before and initially wasn't a fan, given that the first one of these amps I bought and tried, the AD100VT-XL, completely died after 20 minutes of playing. The shop immediately exchanged it for the VT100 and they also threw in the optional VFS5 footswitch for my troubles.

I have to say I am now a huge fan of this amp. It's loaded with a truckoad of very useable amp models and 60 something amp presets and also lets you personalise and save 8 of your own. It does take some time to find your way around the models, presets and effects at first, but once you get the hang of it, it is an extremely versatile amp and great value.

On the downside it loses a few points in a couple areas. It should come with the VFS5 footswitch as standard, because that really increases the useability of the amp's features. What's the point of having the ability to save presets if you have to walk over to your amp every time to access one of them - stupid. Some of the presets have WAY too much volume. Very annoying if you're playing at a suitable level and then you switch to another preset that rattles the walls. No user manual provided. In fact there is no documentation at all. You have to download it from the Vox website and even then there is no manual specifically for the VT100. You have to download the manual for it's baby brother the VT30. When you're spending $900+ I think the manufacturer at least owes you a manual on their product.

All up, heaps of features for a great price. Top value! // 7

Sound: My main style of music are pop, country and rock. I have tried this amp with all of my guitars now and am very pleased with the amazing range of tones it can produce. Let me start by saying, if you want that classic valve tone - buy a valve amp it's that simple. But if you can accept a 90% valve like tone for a fraction of the cost, this is the amp for you. The amp has a power control on the back which is the same as a power sponge which is great for playing at home when the baby's sleeping, but it's when you crank this amp up that it really sings. I've played all tube Marshalls for the last 15 years and this amp is pretty damn close to that rich valve sound we all love. So wind it up, play with the settings and you will easily find YOUR sound.

The clean models are also pretty close to that gorgeous chimey bell sound you get from true valve amps. A great bonus is that they didn't clip or distort at louder volumes too. One of my pet hates. The effects are also good quality. We're not talking rack effects processor standard, but more than usefull and adjustable. I know it's not a valve amp, but for a fraction of the cost of an all valve amp, you get a pretty damn good "valve like" tone with a bucketfull of extras to help you find your dream tone. // 9

Reliability & Durability: Apart from my initial concerns with the faulty AD100VT-XL model, I get the impression that the Valvetronix range are soldily built amps. Having spent years of lugging amps, cabs and speaker bins up endless back stairs and loading them into the backs of vans, a good yard stick for me of the quality of something is it's weight. For me, with amps, light in weight = light on quality. The VT100 is heavy enough to be annoying to carry, so it looks like there's some quality there - time will tell. // 9

Impression: For me this is the perfect compromise. The VT100 gives me a more than acceptable valve like tone and heaps of other benefits, for a fraction of the cost of an all valve 2x12 combo. My band days are over now and I don't gig regulary any more, but still want a decent amp for recording and the occassional gig with mates and this fits the bill perfectly. The only things I would need to add to this amp for use in a gigging situation would be a volume/wah pedal and a tuner. Given how many amps there are out there now with these built in, I think if Vox had added those features the VT100 would be the ducks nuts in 2x12 combos.

For all the other bonuses that come with it, I can Live with it being a valve hybrid. I would easily recommend this amp and would definitely replace it. Bottom line - It's not all valve, but it's pretty bl**dy close. // 9

Comments

[A Rhino]

thanks for this review. I've been checking this one out myself too. played it in a store and it was really good.
However, I'm still stuck between this one and the all valve Marshall DSL which is also a combo, but more expensive because of brand and valves.
what would you say? Marshall DSL410 or Vox VT100?
I play rock and tend to lean out to metal now and then

[dorado91]

I own the VT50 (which shouldn't be all that different from the VT100 right?) and your review fits my impression of the amp pretty well good job

[slipknot_420]

The ad100vt-xl high gain amp is better in my opinion,
especially for metal.
I like my ad100vt-xl!!

[ProgFolk12]

^^ Of course it's better for metal. But not anything else, I mean it doesn't even have a proper clean sound, just the "glass" setting.

[slipknot_420]

^^^^^Of course ur a dork lol i dont need a good clean sound i play metal dude, and u can get some pretty sweet bluesy sounds from the amp, classic rock, although its not the greatest amp i will agree but i paid 299.00 on a closeout sale, so overall looks like im the winner here lol!!

[padgea7x]

slipknot_420 wrote:

^^^^^Of course ur a dork lol i dont need a good clean sound i play metal dude, and u can get some pretty sweet bluesy sounds from the amp, classic rock, although its not the greatest amp i will agree but i paid 299.00 on a closeout sale, so overall looks like im the winner here lol!!

alot of metal uses clean, but hey you don't have to use clean if you dont want to.
this amp seems cool, good review

[GuitarPlayer716]

My question: is it really worth paying $900+ for a 2x12? Most half stacks are less than that. I'm in the market for a new amp to replace my Fender 212r, mostly because it's not loud enough, and I have a hard time buying another 2x12 is the first one wasn't sufficient

[bla556]

I've only played through the VT30, which is 30 watts with 1x12 and it was VERY loud, even at lower settings, so I guess the vt100 is able to produce some high volumes

[quadrophenia92]

I bought the VT30 about 3 months ago and I am still loving it to death. Fantastic sound, especially for the low price. I'm usually a tube amp + several pedals kind of guy, and I can be pretty skeptic about modeling amps, but this one really screams. My styles are mainly heavy metal/hard rock (think Iron Maiden/Slayer/Metallica rhythm tones and AC/DC/ZZ Top/Rush solo tones when I'm feeling bluesy) and I play clean parts reminiscent of the "shimmery" Boston-esque tones (think of Scholz's acoustic parts in Peace of Mind, More Than a Feeling, etc...). Definitely a great addition to anyone's amp collection.

[sammo_boi]

haha. i wish i had a collection of amps

[ProgFolk12]

slipknot_420 wrote:

^^^^^Of course ur a dork lol i dont need a good clean sound i play metal dude, and u can get some pretty sweet bluesy sounds from the amp, classic rock, although its not the greatest amp i will agree but i paid 299.00 on a closeout sale, so overall looks like im the winner here lol!!

And your musical tastes will never change? I'm just saying I hardly think the XL is a 'better' amp given how it lacks versatility. And I have tried the normal VT and the XL, I'm not just saying that

[TheConjuration]

ProgFolk12 wrote:

slipknot_420 wrote:

^^^^^Of course ur a dork lol i dont need a good clean sound i play metal dude, and u can get some pretty sweet bluesy sounds from the amp, classic rock, although its not the greatest amp i will agree but i paid 299.00 on a closeout sale, so overall looks like im the winner here lol!!

And your musical tastes will never change? I'm just saying I hardly think the XL is a 'better' amp given how it lacks versatility. And I have tried the normal VT and the XL, I'm not just saying that

He's got Slipknot in his screenname. He probably just discovered a band with masks and got drawn by the radio-friendly choruses and such.

[SG-Burchett]

No manual? wtf? i got the 50 watt version of this (VT50) and it came with a manual....wierd. AWESOME byt the way-very flexible because there are so many overdrives to choose from. the valve preamp means this amp has a great clean sound when you're not using the digital overdrive.can go pretty loud too-you can easily use it to play smaller venues (pubs etc) because you can plug it into a cab to use as an extra speaker.-so if your on a budget you dont need to buy a head and a seperate practise amp as this amp can be both.

[The^Unforgiven]

$900 for this amp and a footswitch? Can't help but to think it's a ripoff! Just bought the amp today and it cost 480€, which I think is a bit under $600. And with it I received a manual. I'm very pleased with the amp. I've got an eq -pedal that I use with it, giving it a bit more highs when I need 'em. Overall it's one mighty fine amp!

[The^Unforgiven]

SG-Burchett wrote:

No manual? wtf? i got the 50 watt version of this (VT50) and it came with a manual....wierd. AWESOME byt the way-very flexible because there are so many overdrives to choose from. the valve preamp means this amp has a great clean sound when you're not using the digital overdrive.can go pretty loud too-you can easily use it to play smaller venues (pubs etc) because you can plug it into a cab to use as an extra speaker.-so if your on a budget you dont need to buy a head and a seperate practise amp as this amp can be both.

^ Oh, by the way, it's not a tube preamp, it says in the user manual that the 12ax7 is in fact in the power amp. Which seems strange, but sounds awesome.

[PRS1singlecut]

I just bought theValvetronix VT100 watt half stack(4 cab) it is very tight, when I am in the distortion channel, the only issue i am having is, no matter what i do, the clean channel is very hard to get a loud sound, when i switch to clean i loose a lot of power in the amp, but when i change to channel two for distortion its very loud, and when I try to turn up the clean to a nice level, the distortion channel become way too loud, I am pretty good at figuring things out, but this issue is making me mad lol, cause I want the clean channel at the same loudness, can anyone help me out on this issue.....

[PRS1singlecut]

lose * typo

[RockLock]

PRS1singlecut wrote:

I just bought theValvetronix VT100 watt half stack(4 cab) it is very tight, when I am in the distortion channel, the only issue i am having is, no matter what i do, the clean channel is very hard to get a loud sound, when i switch to clean i loose a lot of power in the amp, but when i change to channel two for distortion its very loud, and when I try to turn up the clean to a nice level, the distortion channel become way too loud, I am pretty good at figuring things out, but this issue is making me mad lol, cause I want the clean channel at the same loudness, can anyone help me out on this issue.....

Buy the VSF5 footswitch if you haven't already, it is a huge heIp on and off stage. Then I would suggest setting the programmable channels, doing one for your clean at a high volume and one for your distortion. That way you can have them the same volume when you switch