Specific Amps and Comparisons Archives - Page 5 of 5

Fender and Vox are well known for producing great quality amplifiers and have been around for decades in the industry, but which should you get? In this article, I'll compare the tones of Fender and Vox, the common settings, and the specifications and features of the ranges at all the different price points. The Quick Answer Fender amps are usually better for clean tones than Vox amps, because they have more headroom. Vox amps are best suited for rock as they distort at lower volumes and have a grittier and crunchier tone with plenty of mid-range. Both Fender and Vox offer a wide-variety of solid state and valve amps. Comparing the Tones Fender and Vox have pretty different tones due to two main reasons. Firstly, Fender valve amps have more headroom meaning that they don't distort at low volumes. Secondly, the EQ balance is different, as Fender amps have more treble and bass compared to Vox amps which have more mid-range instead. Of course, it's easier to hear the differences than just talk about them, so I've summarised the key tonal differences below, and included some videos to help demonstrate them. Fender has more low-end (bass) and high-end (treble) and less mid-range ("scooped-mids").Vox has more mid-range, less bass and treble, and more compression. Clean Tone Fender amps have more headroom so the volume can be increased more before the tone becomes saturated compared to Vox amps which sound gritty when the volume is increased.Vox amps have a more pronounced mid-range, whereas Fender amps sound brighter and more "sparkly" due to the increased focus on the treble. Here is a video which demonstrates this really well. It's time stamped so it will start at the relevant time in the video. https://youtu.be/X2PGG0tRHQc?t=204 Distorted Tone Vox amps have more mid-range leading to a fuller and richer tone when distorted. Fender amps have "scooped" mids by comparison, which means the treble and bass are boosted in comparison. Vox amps produce a crunchier and grittier tone whereas Fender amps sound more smoother due to the elevated bass. Here is a video demonstrating a variety of tones on the Vox AC15 and Fender Blues Junior back-to-back. https://youtu.be/Zw3eSruCViI Music Styles Both Fender and Vox amps can be used for many styles of music, however, Vox amps usually sound much better at rock due to their heavy and crunchy distorted tones. Fender amps sound great when played clean and suit blues, jazz and country more. Vox amps are more suitable for metal as they distort at lower volumes. In terms of solid state Fender and Vox amps, then both are fine for metal, the choice will depend on whether you want a "scooped" mids which is characteristic of the 80's and 90's or boosted mids which is more modern. Fender amps have more scooped mids compared to Vox amps. Check out my in-depth comparison between the Vox AC15 and Fender Blues Junior IV amps. Common Settings Here are the settings you will commonly see on Vox and Fender amps. Fender Amps Settings Here is a list of the most popular controls found on Fender Amps: GainBassMiddleTrebleReverb“Fat-switch” Vox Amp Settings Here is a list of the most popular controls found on Vox Amps: GainTrebleBassPresenceReverbSwitches e.g. Bright, fat, bias, hot and cool Fender and Vox amps have similar settings, the main difference is that a lot of Vox amps don't have a mids control, whereas most Fender amps have a 3 band EQ (bass, mids and treble). Check out these articles I've written to learn more about the controls on each amp brand: Fender Amp Settings GuideVox Amp Settings Guide Comparing Amplifier Models I also wanted to take a look at the specifications and features of specific models of amplifier so I compiled pretty much every currently available model from both brands in the tables below. The prices are based on Guitar Center's current prices at the time of writing this article. The list goes from least to most expensive in each of the following categories so you can choose the best option based on your requirements and budget. Guitar Center are always the first place I look at when I'm interested in a new amp because have a huge range of amplifiers for sale and always have some excellent deals on. Here's a link to take you directly to Guitar Center's amp range so you can see all the offers available at the moment. Contents: Starter Amps ($80-$180)Solid State Combo Amps ($220-$500)Valve Combo Amps Under $1000 ($400-$900)Valve Combo Amps $1000 and Over ($1000-$2500)Head Units: $600-$1300 Starter Amps ($80-$180) AmplifierWattagePriceSettingsFender Frontman 10G10W$802 channels, gain, treble, bassVOX Pathfinder10W$902 channels, gain, bass, trebleFender Champion 2020W$1302 channels, gain, treble, bass, reverb, delay, chorus, tremolo, flanger, phaser, vibratoFender Mustang LT2525W$15030 presets, gain, 3 band EQVox Valvetronix VT20X20W$18011 models, gain, treb, mids, bass, compression, chorus, OD, distortion, flanger, phaser, tremolo, delay, reverbEntry-level beginner Vox and Fender amps compared. Solid State Combo Amps ($220-$500) AmplifierWattagePriceSettingsFender Champion 4040W$2202 channels, gain, treble, bass, reverb, delay, chorus, tremolo, flanger, phaser, vibratoVox VX50 GTV50W$23011 models, gain, treb, bass, chorus, flanger, phaser, tremolo, reverb, delayFender Champion 50XL50W$2302 channels, gain, treble, bass, reverb, delay, chorus, tremolo, flanger, phaser, vibratoFender Mustang LT5050W$25030 presets, gain, 3 band EQVox Valvetronix VT40X40W$25011 models, gain, treb, mids, bass, compression, chorus, OD, distortion, flanger, phaser, tremolo, delay, reverbVox Cambridge5050W$30011 models, gain chorus, phaser, flanger, tremolo, delay, reverbFender Mustang GTX 5050W$38030 presets, gain, 3 band EQ, reverbVox Valvetronix VT100X100W$38011 models, gain, treb, mids, bass, compression, chorus, OD, distortion, flanger, phaser, tremolo, delay, reverbFender Champion 100100W$4002 channels, gain, 3 band EQ, reverb, delay, chorus, tremolo, flanger, phaser, vibratoFender Champion 100XL100W$4502 channels, gain, 3 band EQ, voice control, reverb, delay, chorus, tremolo, flanger, phaser, vibratoFender Mustang GTX 100100W$500200 presets, gain, 3 band EQ, reverbVox and Fender solid state combo amps compared. Valve Combo Amps (under $400-$1000) AmplifierWattagePriceSettingsVox AC4C1-124W$400Gain, bass, trebleFender Super-Champ X215W$4002 channels, gain, voice, treb, bassFender Bassbreaker 0077W$450Gain, 3 band EQ, treb boostVox AC10C110W$480Gain, bass, treble, reverbFender Pro Junior IV15W$600ToneFender Blues Junior IV15W$6503 band EQ, reverbFender Bassbreaker 15W15W$650Gain, structure, 3 band EQ, reverb Vox AC1515W$700Normal and top-boost channels, bass, treble, tremolo, reverbFender ’68 Custom Vibro Champ Reverb5W$7503 band EQ, tremolo, reverbFender Blues Deluxe Reissue40W$8002 channels, drive, 3 band EQ, reverb, presenceVox AC4HW Hand-Wired4W$840Normal and top-boost channels, bass, trebleFender George Benson Hot Rod Deluxe40W$9003 band EQ, reverb, presence, various switchesVox Custom AC15C215W$900Normal and top-boost channels, bass, treble, tremolo, reverbVox AC151X15W$900Normal and top-boost channels, bass, treble, tremolo, reverbVox AC30S130W$900Gain, bass, treble, reverbFender Bassbreaker 30R30W$9002 channels, 3 band EQ, gain, reverbVox and Fender valve combo amps under $1000 compared. Valve Combo Amps (Over $1000) AmplifierWattagePriceSettingsFender Super-Sonic 2222W$10502 channels, 3 band EQ, gain, reverbFender ’65 Princeton Reverb12W$1100Treble, bass, reverb, tremoloFender Tone Master Super Reverb45W$12002 channels, 3 band EQ, gain, reverb, tremoloFender 68 Custom Pro Reverb40W$13003 band EQ, tremolo, reverb, bright switchVox AC30C230W$1400Normal and top-boost channels, bass, treble, tremolo, reverbVox AC15HW1 Hand-Wired15W$1400Normal and top-boost channels, bass, trebleFender Vintage Reissue ’65 Deluxe Reverb22W$14003 band EQ, tremolo, reverbFender ’68 Custom Twin Reverb85W$15003 band EQ, tremolo, reverb, bright switchVox Custom AC30CX230W$1550Normal and top-boost channels, bass, treble, tremolo, reverbFender Vintage Reissue ’65 Twin Reverb85W$17003 band EQ, tremolo, reverb, bright switchFender Vintage Reissue ’65 Super Reverb45W$18003 band EQ, tremolo, reverb, bright switchVox AC30HW2 Hand-Wired30W$1900Normal and top-boost channels, bass, trebleFender ’64 Custom Deluxe Reverb20W$25003 band EQ, tremolo, reverb, bright switchVox vs Fender valve combo amps over $1000 compared. Head Units ($600-$1300) AmplifierWattageTypePriceSettingsFender Bassbreaker 15W15WTube$600Gain, 3 band EQ, structure, reverb, bright switchVox AC15CH Custom15WTube$700Normal and top boost channels, treb, bass, reverb, tremoloVox MVX150H150WSolid State$8002 channels, gain, tone, bass, mids, treb, reverb, presence, resonanceFender Super-Sonic 2222WTube$10002 channels, 3 band EQ, gain, reverbVox AC30CH Custom30WTube$1100Normal and top boost channels, treb, bass, reverb, tremoloVox Hand-Wired AC3030WTube$1300Normal and top boost channels, treb, bassVox vs Fender head unit amps compared. In the market for a new amplifier? Check out my complete amplifier buyer's guide to help narrow down your selection and find the perfect amp for you. Here are some more articles you might enjoy: Fender vs Orange AmpsMarshall vs Vox Amps