Vox cleans?

Airmiles

So...when Lyle/Psionic demos a Vox, the cleans are (to my ears) glorious. Ditto a Morgan AC20 I once heard (but didn't play).

Everyone else's demos...not so much.

Does he have some secret sauce in either mods or recording that unduly flatter the amp, or is it just that most other demos of anything tend to go straight to crunch anyway ?

I'm trying to choose between building a Modulus Rox mini or Superior 8 or buying a used AC20. This is for home use and occasional rehearsals.

Obviously the Superior 8 is the "safe" clean choice, but if I could get those clean  tones from something Voxy I'd rather go that way.

I know there was a Rox mini build on here a while back, but the demo had a fair bit of modulation on it so didn't fully clarify things for me.

Modulus ' own demo goes straight to crunch, but it's not clear if that's the amp or the demonstrator..

Thanks 

Jonathangus

Airmiles said:

Modulus ' own demo goes straight to crunch, but it's not clear if that's the amp or the demonstrator..

I'm guessing the best person to answer that would be @Modulus_Amps ;

Supportact

When I listen to YouTube demos in general they often start with a 'clean' sound that is probably the most overdriven sound I'd use, and they're often therefore useless to me.

I'm not sure what the answer is but I've got a Vox AC15cc1 (not an expensive model at all), I've changed the speaker and the reverb pan and I have to say the cleans are great to my ears anyway. 

Modulus_Amps

Its me, I'm the problem its me!

Actually I don't like the Rox mini cranked up too much. I would not say that is its strong point. Edge of breakup or clean is fun and not too loud.

The superior 8 is a much cleaner amp and is my personal preference out of the two for clean sounds.

However the Morgan AC20 is nothing like those two kits. It has a push pull power sections which responds quite differently under the fingers. The closest I would offer as a kit is the Rox15 kit. and in my opinion is a much better amp than the mini kits and I would choose it over the Morgan too.
It will handle rehearsals and home practice as it has a good master volume. It will also do the chimey clean sounds or the darker sounds you would associate with some of the Morgan's that are based on the normal channel. 

Some of the Vox AC15 I have played have been great sounding amps too, So don't discount them. I would choose a VoxAC15 over a Morgan too.

ICBM

Vox AC10C1.

Airmiles

Thanks all - food for thought. 
As this is as much about the build as anything, it sounds like the Superior 8 is the way forward. Possibly backed up with a used AC10....

@modulus_amps, thanks & I'll be in touch, probably later in June 

monquixote

Modulus_Amps said:

Its me, I'm the problem its me!

Actually I don't like the Rox mini cranked up too much. I would not say that is its strong point. Edge of breakup or clean is fun and not too loud.

The superior 8 is a much cleaner amp and is my personal preference out of the two for clean sounds.

However the Morgan AC20 is nothing like those two kits. It has a push pull power sections which responds quite differently under the fingers. The closest I would offer as a kit is the Rox15 kit. and in my opinion is a much better amp than the mini kits and I would choose it over the Morgan too.
It will handle rehearsals and home practice as it has a good master volume. It will also do the chimey clean sounds or the darker sounds you would associate with some of the Morgan's that are based on the normal channel. 

Some of the Vox AC15 I have played have been great sounding amps too, So don't discount them. I would choose a VoxAC15 over a Morgan too.

What do you not like about the Morgans?

I thought they were basically an AC30 clone?

NorthernStomps

I have a Morgan AC20 Deluxe. It is absolutely wonderful and my favourite ever amp but you'll only get cleans from it up to a fairly modest volume, even with the master fully cranked.

Boromedic

In full agreement with @NorthernStomps , Morgan amps are great and are built well with some choice components like Mercury transformers. I have the Abbey 20 which is a slightly different circuit to the AC20. The Abbey 20 will get a loud clean/edge of break up tone quite easily as it's based on the brilliant channel of a Vox I think and doesn't utilise an EF86 in the pre amp. Paired with a blue, it's a lovely sounding amp, and one of my faves.

Doulin

I have a modulus rox 15 kit with a few mods that modulus helped me through. I thoroughly recommend that amp, can gladly send some demos if you like. Clean is bliss, cranked is ace. Edge of break up wonderful. I wax lyrical about it but i cant think i'll ever play anything else. The linked channels is magic

**edit: it also can go whisper quiet and sound great. Its really worth considering

rze99

The only cleans I like are the verge of break up - sweet spot. And pure clean is plinky and clinical. On an AC30 that’s pretty damn loud. Attenuation with get you there at modest levels.

p90fool

ICBM said:

Vox AC10C1.

Definitely this. It has that elusive bright but not harsh top end that allows you to really dig in without brittleness, or just relax and play like it's an acoustic guitar. 

I love mine, for really clean to just breaking up it's what I've been looking for on a budget for a long time. 

TheMarlin

Supportact said:

When I listen to YouTube demos in general they often start with a 'clean' sound that is probably the most overdriven sound I'd use, and they're often therefore useless to me.

I'm not sure what the answer is but I've got a Vox AC15cc1 (not an expensive model at all), I've changed the speaker and the reverb pan and I have to say the cleans are great to my ears anyway. 

I received one in trade years ago with an upgraded Blue Alnico and a better reverb tank. 

It actually surprised the hell out of me, sounded fabulous, with glorious cleans. 

I only sold it as my main amp at the time was a genuine 68 Vibrolux.

Gomers

p90fool said:

ICBM said:

Vox AC10C1.

Definitely this. It has that elusive bright but not harsh top end that allows you to really dig in without brittleness, or just relax and play like it's an acoustic guitar. 

I love mine, for really clean to just breaking up it's what I've been looking for on a budget for a long time. 

Agreed. 

Had my AC10C1 a couple of months now, chosen based on a lot of comments here.  Used as my home practice amp and for a maiden voyage of small-space rehearsal next weekend.  Cleans sound sparkly and cranking the gain can get some lovely crunch.  It takes pedals well and looks cute-as-a-button too and compliments my late 90s AC15TBX, which I know @ICBM isn't as much of a fan of.

Doulin

I might just add on to my previous comment a little.
I did also have an AC10, I would recommend that too. I cant think of a better amp for less money too be honest. I did swap the speaker in it for a cream back but to be honest I would just stick with the factory one. Has enough headroom clean to cleanish as a home amp. I found it kept up with a not crazy drummer when I put it on a table in a studio room cleanish too.

The Modulus Rox 15 kit though to my ears sounds better and so I sold the AC10. I miss its pretty box but it was just gathering dust. The modulus kit is a definite improvement to me in for 4 key areas.
The pots are better so you can weirdly play its 15 watts far quieter than the AC10 (not that I couldnt get a "good kids are sleeping quiet sound" out of it, the modulus kit just does it better)
The link switch allowing to mix the channels is wonderful and really beefs up and warmth to the top boost. I basically always have the two channels one, on all guitar types.
I have a completely hum free build, I had intended to mess around putting a trem and verb in it which could change that, but haven't ever felt the need (use a verb o trem now when I really want that sound).
After A and B-ing the two, I found the AC10 started to sound thinner? maybe, was just less warm and lovely. The modulus kit really has a lot great tones that come out of it. 

Modulus_Amps

@monquixote said:

Modulus_Amps said:

Its me, I'm the problem its me!

Actually I don't like the Rox mini cranked up too much. I would not say that is its strong point. Edge of breakup or clean is fun and not too loud.

The superior 8 is a much cleaner amp and is my personal preference out of the two for clean sounds.

However the Morgan AC20 is nothing like those two kits. It has a push pull power sections which responds quite differently under the fingers. The closest I would offer as a kit is the Rox15 kit. and in my opinion is a much better amp than the mini kits and I would choose it over the Morgan too.
It will handle rehearsals and home practice as it has a good master volume. It will also do the chimey clean sounds or the darker sounds you would associate with some of the Morgan's that are based on the normal channel. 

Some of the Vox AC15 I have played have been great sounding amps too, So don't discount them. I would choose a VoxAC15 over a Morgan too.

What do you not like about the Morgans?

I thought they were basically an AC30 clone?

My opinion, based on the few that have come through here for repair, is that they were dull and dark sounding and did not have the Voxy chime one would expect from the amp. The ones that came in were normal channel type pre amps, Which are dark and muddier when compared to the Top Boost Channel, which I prefer.

They probably do have brighter models too. I just haven't played one I liked yet. And the people that brought them in to me for repair no longer own them.

Clearly there are people that like them just the way they are. See above. So as with all amps - its horses for courses.

They look cool... 

Voxman

Laney amps are hugely under rated and if you like that chimey Vox clean, the Laney VC30s are really good and come in1x12, 2x10 and 2x12 flavours (I have the 2x10). 

monquixote

Modulus_Amps said:

@monquixote said:

Modulus_Amps said:

Its me, I'm the problem its me!

Actually I don't like the Rox mini cranked up too much. I would not say that is its strong point. Edge of breakup or clean is fun and not too loud.

The superior 8 is a much cleaner amp and is my personal preference out of the two for clean sounds.

However the Morgan AC20 is nothing like those two kits. It has a push pull power sections which responds quite differently under the fingers. The closest I would offer as a kit is the Rox15 kit. and in my opinion is a much better amp than the mini kits and I would choose it over the Morgan too.
It will handle rehearsals and home practice as it has a good master volume. It will also do the chimey clean sounds or the darker sounds you would associate with some of the Morgan's that are based on the normal channel. 

Some of the Vox AC15 I have played have been great sounding amps too, So don't discount them. I would choose a VoxAC15 over a Morgan too.

What do you not like about the Morgans?

I thought they were basically an AC30 clone?

My opinion, based on the few that have come through here for repair, is that they were dull and dark sounding and did not have the Voxy chime one would expect from the amp. The ones that came in were normal channel type pre amps, Which are dark and muddier when compared to the Top Boost Channel, which I prefer.

They probably do have brighter models too. I just haven't played one I liked yet. And the people that brought them in to me for repair no longer own them.

Clearly there are people that like them just the way they are. See above. So as with all amps - its horses for courses.

They look cool... 

Interesting you say that. 

I have the Morgan Amp Suite from Neural and thought the AC20 model sounded pretty good but as you say too dark. I'm always having to push it with a boost with lots of top to get it to sit right.

Modulus_Amps

The normal channel is famous for being boosted with a treble booster.

I also tend to favour humbucker guitars, So if I had a bright Tele or Strat-like guitar I may prefer the normal channel too.

My comments are not meant to be a slight on Morgan, just the sounds I have heard. I have amps here I don't like for the same reasons, they normally get modded into something else or sold on. 

exocet

Modulus_Amps said:

The normal channel is famous for being boosted with a treble booster.

I also tend to favour humbucker guitars, So if I had a bright Tele or Strat-like guitar I may prefer the normal channel too.

My comments are not meant to be a slight on Morgan, just the sounds I have heard. I have amps here I don't like for the same reasons, they normally get modded into something else or sold on. 

The AC20 in Fractal land has been my go-to for the past couple of months. They model the Deluxe model (Normal and Top Boost channels) with the 12AX7 and EF86 variants. With a Telecaster, I go for the Top Boost (dialing back a little using the cut control when driving it hard). Lovely sounding amp.

Dontgiveupyourdayjob

I'm not a massive expert on Vox tones, especially the clean tones. Is anyone able to post examples of these demo videos where the Vox cleans really shine? I'm normally a Fender guy when it comes to amp tones, but just interested to hear the alternative...