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.
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.
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:
- Gain
- Bass
- Middle
- Treble
- Reverb
- “Fat-switch”
Vox Amp Settings
Here is a list of the most popular controls found on Vox Amps:
- Gain
- Treble
- Bass
- Presence
- Reverb
- Switches 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:
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)
| Amplifier | Wattage | Price | Settings |
| Fender Frontman 10G | 10W | $80 | 2 channels, gain, treble, bass |
| VOX Pathfinder | 10W | $90 | 2 channels, gain, bass, treble |
| Fender Champion 20 | 20W | $130 | 2 channels, gain, treble, bass, reverb, delay, chorus, tremolo, flanger, phaser, vibrato |
| Fender Mustang LT25 | 25W | $150 | 30 presets, gain, 3 band EQ |
| Vox Valvetronix VT20X | 20W | $180 | 11 models, gain, treb, mids, bass, compression, chorus, OD, distortion, flanger, phaser, tremolo, delay, reverb |
Solid State Combo Amps ($220-$500)
| Amplifier | Wattage | Price | Settings |
| Fender Champion 40 | 40W | $220 | 2 channels, gain, treble, bass, reverb, delay, chorus, tremolo, flanger, phaser, vibrato |
| Vox VX50 GTV | 50W | $230 | 11 models, gain, treb, bass, chorus, flanger, phaser, tremolo, reverb, delay |
| Fender Champion 50XL | 50W | $230 | 2 channels, gain, treble, bass, reverb, delay, chorus, tremolo, flanger, phaser, vibrato |
| Fender Mustang LT50 | 50W | $250 | 30 presets, gain, 3 band EQ |
| Vox Valvetronix VT40X | 40W | $250 | 11 models, gain, treb, mids, bass, compression, chorus, OD, distortion, flanger, phaser, tremolo, delay, reverb |
| Vox Cambridge50 | 50W | $300 | 11 models, gain chorus, phaser, flanger, tremolo, delay, reverb |
| Fender Mustang GTX 50 | 50W | $380 | 30 presets, gain, 3 band EQ, reverb |
| Vox Valvetronix VT100X | 100W | $380 | 11 models, gain, treb, mids, bass, compression, chorus, OD, distortion, flanger, phaser, tremolo, delay, reverb |
| Fender Champion 100 | 100W | $400 | 2 channels, gain, 3 band EQ, reverb, delay, chorus, tremolo, flanger, phaser, vibrato |
| Fender Champion 100XL | 100W | $450 | 2 channels, gain, 3 band EQ, voice control, reverb, delay, chorus, tremolo, flanger, phaser, vibrato |
| Fender Mustang GTX 100 | 100W | $500 | 200 presets, gain, 3 band EQ, reverb |
Valve Combo Amps (under $400-$1000)
| Amplifier | Wattage | Price | Settings |
| Vox AC4C1-12 | 4W | $400 | Gain, bass, treble |
| Fender Super-Champ X2 | 15W | $400 | 2 channels, gain, voice, treb, bass |
| Fender Bassbreaker 007 | 7W | $450 | Gain, 3 band EQ, treb boost |
| Vox AC10C1 | 10W | $480 | Gain, bass, treble, reverb |
| Fender Pro Junior IV | 15W | $600 | Tone |
| Fender Blues Junior IV | 15W | $650 | 3 band EQ, reverb |
| Fender Bassbreaker 15W | 15W | $650 | Gain, structure, 3 band EQ, reverb |
| Vox AC15 | 15W | $700 | Normal and top-boost channels, bass, treble, tremolo, reverb |
| Fender ’68 Custom Vibro Champ Reverb | 5W | $750 | 3 band EQ, tremolo, reverb |
| Fender Blues Deluxe Reissue | 40W | $800 | 2 channels, drive, 3 band EQ, reverb, presence |
| Vox AC4HW Hand-Wired | 4W | $840 | Normal and top-boost channels, bass, treble |
| Fender George Benson Hot Rod Deluxe | 40W | $900 | 3 band EQ, reverb, presence, various switches |
| Vox Custom AC15C2 | 15W | $900 | Normal and top-boost channels, bass, treble, tremolo, reverb |
| Vox AC151X | 15W | $900 | Normal and top-boost channels, bass, treble, tremolo, reverb |
| Vox AC30S1 | 30W | $900 | Gain, bass, treble, reverb |
| Fender Bassbreaker 30R | 30W | $900 | 2 channels, 3 band EQ, gain, reverb |
Valve Combo Amps (Over $1000)
| Amplifier | Wattage | Price | Settings |
| Fender Super-Sonic 22 | 22W | $1050 | 2 channels, 3 band EQ, gain, reverb |
| Fender ’65 Princeton Reverb | 12W | $1100 | Treble, bass, reverb, tremolo |
| Fender Tone Master Super Reverb | 45W | $1200 | 2 channels, 3 band EQ, gain, reverb, tremolo |
| Fender 68 Custom Pro Reverb | 40W | $1300 | 3 band EQ, tremolo, reverb, bright switch |
| Vox AC30C2 | 30W | $1400 | Normal and top-boost channels, bass, treble, tremolo, reverb |
| Vox AC15HW1 Hand-Wired | 15W | $1400 | Normal and top-boost channels, bass, treble |
| Fender Vintage Reissue ’65 Deluxe Reverb | 22W | $1400 | 3 band EQ, tremolo, reverb |
| Fender ’68 Custom Twin Reverb | 85W | $1500 | 3 band EQ, tremolo, reverb, bright switch |
| Vox Custom AC30CX2 | 30W | $1550 | Normal and top-boost channels, bass, treble, tremolo, reverb |
| Fender Vintage Reissue ’65 Twin Reverb | 85W | $1700 | 3 band EQ, tremolo, reverb, bright switch |
| Fender Vintage Reissue ’65 Super Reverb | 45W | $1800 | 3 band EQ, tremolo, reverb, bright switch |
| Vox AC30HW2 Hand-Wired | 30W | $1900 | Normal and top-boost channels, bass, treble |
| Fender ’64 Custom Deluxe Reverb | 20W | $2500 | 3 band EQ, tremolo, reverb, bright switch |
Head Units ($600-$1300)
| Amplifier | Wattage | Type | Price | Settings |
| Fender Bassbreaker 15W | 15W | Tube | $600 | Gain, 3 band EQ, structure, reverb, bright switch |
| Vox AC15CH Custom | 15W | Tube | $700 | Normal and top boost channels, treb, bass, reverb, tremolo |
| Vox MVX150H | 150W | Solid State | $800 | 2 channels, gain, tone, bass, mids, treb, reverb, presence, resonance |
| Fender Super-Sonic 22 | 22W | Tube | $1000 | 2 channels, 3 band EQ, gain, reverb |
| Vox AC30CH Custom | 30W | Tube | $1100 | Normal and top boost channels, treb, bass, reverb, tremolo |
| Vox Hand-Wired AC30 | 30W | Tube | $1300 | Normal and top boost channels, treb, bass |
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.
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