This is a great little amplifier for home use. It's been a while since I had a VOX amp on the channel and there's more on the way! I hope you dig the laid-back new jam track. :) Timestamps: 0:00 - About 0:14 - Jam Track 2:20 - Amp Overview 5:35 - Tele Tones 8:06 - Les Paul Tones 12:33 - Tremolo 13:35 - Final thoughts Check it out online here: ►Sweetwater - imp.i114863.net/N1VNP ►Thomann - bit.ly/3jM7T9A ►Sky Music - alnk.to/goUZoEm (affiliate links)
A video showing this amp plugged into a 12'' speaker would be awesome! and maybe include how it handles pedals in the same video too, because that'd be really interesting too
This has to be the best little bedroom amp I have come across. It sounds fantastic at low volume, and you can achieve so many great sounds. I don't know what the science is behind the Nano tubes is, but it does feel like my other tube amps somewhat in its reactions to volume and attack. Love the review mate, it was spot on. Awesome job like usual mate.
They look so so good in real life and a perfect size for a bedroom or even a living Room as it's so cool looking. And they are loud ( my mate has one) for such a small package! Plug into a 4 ohm cab and boy they get to small gig levels easy! Only downside is the bass can sound a little off but a fantastic little combo. I love them and would definitely get one if I change home amp! Great playing as usual
I no longer own it today, but it was really fun. I think it was the reverb that really made me enjoy it. I’ll also say I think it sounds better in person, than in most recordings I did. Great vid!
I got mine used last year (for a really good price) and I'm pretty happy with it. It does the Vox AC type sound and I can play it at a volume level that won't anger the neighbors. I have been thinking about getting a 1X12 cab later on down the line.
I've got this amp and it is remarkable, I love it. Definitely sounds better in person than on TH-cam. The gain on this little amp is impressive and i love that it has a headphone output. Perfect bedroom amp. I've taken it to small gigs and it still gets the job done. Although, not nearly as loud as the AC10 (which is actually too loud for home use). I like the mini's reverb better than the AC10 honestly. (Wish the AC10 had spring reverb.)
My first amp! It is never too late to get this one out. This amps super affordable and has enough features for hours of fun. Not saying it’s a AC but you can keep this in any room, plug in at any time. Really pleased with Shane’s review here, sounded great mic’d up. Thanks ITB’s, looking forward to the next one.
I've seen this amp on stage once. It was in a theater, about 800 people in the audience. Of course it was mic'd up, but it sounded amazing. I was supprised it held up so well.
Finally saw one the other day in my local independently owned music store. Looks wise it definitely caught my eye. Seemed fragile-like though as it was so light.. but wanted to give it a go..but didn't. It was bugging me to know..and voila the beauty of youtube.. here you are answering all my questions. Kudos again Shane. Very honest and informative!
Shane nailed it when he said The Superbeetle setup isn't loud enough for live work, but the head would be fine with a 2x12 cabinet. The Superbeetle head is the same circuit as the NuTube MV50 heads. I have an AC30, but for small venues I can disconnect the AC30 head and run the MV50 straight to the 2x12 Celestion speakers. It's loud enough to cut through everything and with the AC30 setup, doesn't blow your ears off and still has stage presence
My main gigging amp is a Vox Pathfinder 15R. Works like a charm. I modded the boost function so I can dial in the level of boost I need for soloing. I also replaced the pre-amp section's clipping diodes with larger value LEDs that give it more headroom, chime and dynamics. I turned mine into a head and run it into an Eminence Copperhead. Zero problem providing enough volume for a pretty darn loud live rock n roll gigs. And the Trem/Boost footswitch is perfect - who needs a footswitch for reverb, right? This little Superbeetle sounds very good and very similar. If only the Superbeetle had the VERY useful boost function of the Pathfinder... Looks like the NuTube is in the pre-amp, so it probably has a solid state power section. They need to use a NuTube in the pre-amp and use their Valve Reactor tube driven power section - I have the Vox VR30R with that power section and it's extremely good sounding, even with a solid state pre-amp. More people know that power section from their Valvetronics line. Vox does a great job at making use of tubes in new ways. All their tube pedals have been great as well - Cooltrons and Tone Garage series.
I have pathfinders and that VR30R amp as well. Both blow this mini beatle out of the water! Vox has a new range of these nutube drive pedals. Just get one of them and plug into the front of the pathfinder - it will make this mini totally redundant
I can’t believe they didn’t make this a stereo cabinet with stereo output from the head. Never the less, it’s pretty cool and happens to be half off at Musicians Friend on stupid deal of the day. I think I’ll get one. Oh, and I completely love the tremolo!
I got mine as soon as it came out. A great amp, very capable of being played at rehearsals/ gigs, as you can use the headphone as line out to the PA directly. And it sounds great, a typical VOX, compared to my AC15, there is hardly any difference. Maybe the AC15 does have some more bass and I tried it with this speaker as well. But this is nothing you would feel in a band context. And you won't miss it when practicing at home. And as any Vox, it works great with pedals.
Hey, I came up with a great name for our car. - Oh, yeah? Get this. You're Arcot Ramathorn--Ram-- and I'm Rod Farva--Rod; car Ramrod. Car Ramrod. You get it? Yeah, I got it. -
Thank you sir! I got mine yesterday and played it into the wee hours. That pretty much says it all. I like my modeling amp, but the touch response with this feels more instantaneous and I can get wolly sounds without agonizing the neighbors.
I love this amp. I actually have a pair of them, which you can use 2 cabinets with one head, and I've also used both heads and cabs for stereo. And yes the Reverb is ethereal, smooth, and sounds good even with stock squire tele pickups. Plenty of power and fairly light. No regrets, highly recommend.
Nice amp indeed! Yet, for its sound and simplicity at home, I still love the Bugera V5 u introduced me to. It just growls with superb sound, and works with ease.✨💎💎💎✨
Yep, thanks to Shane, I'm using a Joyo ACTone on my pedal board into a small PA. Cheap simple with in the livingroom volume. Very happy, so is my wallet.
@@wer2young2die My wee 5W Bugera is now just for visitors, since I got my Blackstar HT1 -- 1 W of REAL amp sound! It's magic. BTW, I wouldn't give houseroom to the Vox being reviewed, even though I used to love my AC30.
@@stephenhanlin2388 Of course it's got two real tubes! I was talking about my notion of the "real sound" of a good valve amp. I changed one of the tubes on the Bugera, and it got a little brighter, but is still too muddy. INHO.
I almost bought this a few months ago but got a price match deal on the Vox VT40X; new for $219. It's, the VT40X, is an incredible amp with a real tube, 12AX7, in the pre-amp. The Fender Deluxe Reverb setting alone is worth the cost. The AC30 Top Boost setting... Well, you know... Great amp. I play it almost every day.
This reminds me of my Vox MV50 AC with a Reverb and Tremolo added. Honestly all you need to do to make it gig worthy is add a 1x12 speaker and switch to 4 ohm so you get the full 50 watts. My MV50 AC is plenty loud enough for outdoor gigs using a Celestion 12 inch cabinet along with the Vox BC108. You really should have tested it on the Deep setting too.
Nice one Shane, it's not coping with your overdriven tokai so now know it won't suit my nineties epi LP special so I won't waste money on this. Thanks mate!
Cool amp, I'd love to hear it through a 12" higher wattage speaker, then I recon it'll give some much bigger and more expensive amps a run for their money!
I suppose with it being a head you can easily hook it up to your 12” cab in those occasions you are allowed to crank it when the kids and other half are out shopping! Majority of the time we have to resort to the small speaker quiet tones that being a responsible considerate neighbour annoyingly bestows upon us ROCK GODS😎🤘
Sometimes these amps with small speakers add extra-bass so they sound bigger. And when you plug them into a bigger speaker there's too much Bass. My Blackstar HT1 is like that. Sounds great with the 8-inch.
Hey did you ever see my message about TH-cam cheating you of views by setting your channel "*for children*" and therefore your subscribers (me included) don't get any notifications when you release a video even with the all videos notifications on it says Dr. Nerd is directed towards children only so notifications are disengaged so you need to change that some how so we can see your videos. I also believe that if your subscribers were getting notifications from you they would absolutely watch, you would have lots more success with your cheerful channel.
I got me one early this year. It looks really cool and most important I found a clean sound that I like a lot. I didn´t have it set up with a bigger cabinet yet but keeping in mind that the line out could be hooked up to my interface and then into my computer this little amp is kinda like a allrounder. The Nano Tube is as far as I know patented but it would be great if Fender, Marshall and Orange would bring some similar stuff just for the collector in me. Great review !!!
Great little amp. I wish it would have a footswitchable reverb/tremolo/drive to widden the capabilities of the amp. I use it with my Supro Ozark, it's a blast !
This will be my third Shane @intheblues recommended amp, I've had a Mustang III v2 (long live Mustang Mondays!), plus I currently have a Champion 50XL. Looking forward to my Mini Superbeetle in British Racing Green to land in about a week :) Thanks for the Review Shane :)
One thing I don't like is the power plug itself- its a right angle jack with no cutout on the amplifier where the power input it located, so you have to orient the plug sideways in order to plug it in, and it is slightly in-set so the cord length is always pulling on it at a wonky angle. Plus, with the cable oriented like that you run into it partially blocking either the Eco switch (on the left) or the EQ and/or Impedance (on the right) unless you push the cable length out of the way. Either way, over time either the manipulation of the cord to flip switches or the length pulling down on the connector at an angle gives me pause about the future reliability of the power connector.
Back in the early seventies I owned the original full size Super Beatle which I bought from a strung out guitarist in Chicago! It got stolen from me in '76 at a gig in Georgia! Really miss that amp! It was everything anybody could want in a player amp! Looking for another one but can't seem to find one that isn't blown, burnt or reworked into a mess!
I had one for years, recently sold it. Loved it. Was amazing. But it was NOT a players amp at ALL, more like the craziest toy I ever owned. It had addicting sound, but you could not rightfully play blues leads on it. Very unreactive to nuances of playing for lead. It was basically a terrible amp for playing lead guitar. Can’t imagine calling it a ‘player amp’. Unique Solid state amp with crazy bells and whistles, but nothing resembling a go-to amp.
I've had my AC15cc1 for about 15 years now. I traded a cheap Marshall head an a 1960 Slant A 4x12. I still have the stock speaker in it which holds back the amp's natural overdrive, but it has decent enough headroom to play bar shows through a PA and most of the time not to quite for drums. IDK if the dB reader on my phone is right, but it pick up only 95 or so dB with it nearly cranked full. I've played in a small venue with it as well. Even played a few outside shows. No issues.
Sounds pretty cool! I dig it baby! I had a cool vintage Vox bass amp that was an upright vibe like that! Miss my AC30TBX! That was one of the best amps I've ever had! Love some English made Vox!
There's a switch on the back of the head which you can set to flat. I think it's some sort of bottom end boost designed to make the small cab sound bigger. I find that I can find nicer tones with the EQ when I set the switch to be flat.
I think this is a good idea but i actually think that it doesn't need to be loud at all. This concept makes way more sense to fit the small room market near listening. Like a bedroom. Study or a small lounge room. Ive got a 50 watt boss katana just in my study and i have to atenuate down to room level. What I really want is a tube based beautiful rich wide soundstage LOW volume speaker/amp that looks like this one and is this size but I want superb quality sound no distortion for near listening. Like sell it as if im and Audiophile snob.
I had one really loved it but was too loud. To get a good sound you need to turn it up a little bit but was too loud for the room I have to play in. This thing will really crank for its size and the speaker is good but plug it into a bigger cab and it turns into a monster.
I find it to be too loud too, unfortunately. It sounds brilliant with the volume up as you say, but it feels a little flat at lowest volumes, as you would expect.
@@ryanteacher8134 I've heard and read contradicting view points on this but mostly about using to much power for the speaker not to little (putting it at 16 ohms makes it a 12.5 watt amp instead of a 25 watt amp). There are even combo amps that have a similar options for home practice, however I’m new to the game of amps so if you’ve got a good reason for it I would love to learn it
For the cost, there are some full tube amp combos like a Supro Blues King. That would be a good one to check out Shane. It’s been called a Blues Jr Killer.
It's actually a blues jr. Slayer ! I just got mine for $299 from guitar center( price match( ; because I knew they would sell out at sweetwater fast, and they did but I rushed up to guitar center while the deal was still on line so the manager could verify and price match and that is how you can get deals even after they sell out ! Oh btw this supro is way better sounding than farts jr. And way louder, like way way louder and toothy and tight with an almost fuzz like articulation and doesn't crap out at full volume ! IT'S JUST AWESOME !
Sounds lovely, would you say it sounds better then the vox ac10 for home use, looking for my first tube amp which will sound better then my boss katana MK2 50. Love you channel, Many thanks Peter
I think its a solid state amp maybe 1 preamp tube else a class D output stage < strongly suspected not proven ! Have you ever tried an old Selmer all tube top like treble and bass amp - with a Tele it will knock your socks off - we used thoose back in time and everybody and their mother forgot how good they are. However I tried one recently and it holds absolutely up - If you want overdrive use a pedal 😎
Take the head and try hooking it up to a larger cab, Oranges Micro Dark was just silly stupid how loud it was for a 20watt package, I wonder if the Vox would be the same way, actually there are quite afew Mini amps out there it would be interesting to see a shootout between them.
Great review! I've been interested in one of these ever since they came out. I'm a big fan of the (discontinued) VOX Pathfinder 15R, and the MSB functions a lot like that amp, but at 25 watts, with the potential for 50 watts. Oh, and I've gigged with the Pathfinder 15R in both duo and solo performer situations, no problem, so in those performance situations in small, quieter venues, I know I could gig with this as well. I don't *need* another amp, but now I sure do *WANT* one. I don't know whether to thank you or curse you, Shane! ;-)
@@voxpathfinder15r I own 3 Pathfinder 15Rs, and like I said, I gig with them, as well as play them at home. I've had a chance to test drive the MSB in the local GC, but since I didn't pull the trigger, I haven't actually done an A/B comparison. But I wouldn't say that the PF15R blows the MSB out of the water sound-wise. The Pathfinder does have both speed & depth controls on the trem, which is a plus. Like I said, I don't need an MSB, but if money were no object, I would have already pulled the trigger.
@@larryg.overton2951 I say blow out of the water because the recorded tone sucks compared to pathfinder amps. And I have seen enough videos from different channels of the MSB - and it’s the same tone in each video that’s crappy. Shane is using quality recording equipment, my videos filmed with an iPhone is superior in tone
Thanks to Shane, I like my Katana 50w mk2 for its simplicity and volume at home practice levels. Save the Marshall JVM for when I get serious and my neighbours are home ;)
Im currently looking for a small home use amp and im torn between this and the Marshall dsl5 purely for the reason of the fx loop ,ive only seen one vid where it did handle the pedals ok but reading the comments people saying its not such a good pedal platform.Great reveiw now im tortured :)
Shane you mentioned it being great for home use but do you think that it is possible to get a good sound out of this on clean channel with pedals without neighbors hating you? 😀 I'm looking to buy this but couldn't see anyone using it with pedals so your insight would really be appreciated as always. I'm looking for a 1 or 5 watt mid priced amp but nothing is available these days.
I'd buy one just for the grins, but here in the UK they're damn expensive compared to the US, like a used one here costs more than a new one in the US by a fair bit. Still - if one shows up at a fair price I might just bag it for a little living room fun :)
@@scottstetzer I have been looking into them and other than the NuTube thing, not quite so much. This one is much more amp-like, and it's on my list when I get around to filling out the rabbit herd. ymmv, but it can be useful.
How does this one compare to the Vox AC4C1-12? I'm about to buy my first tube-amp and these two are my two favorite choices. I know this one doesn't use classic tubes but a more modern variation, so is it comparable to a classic tube-amp like the AC4?
Pieter: I bought an AC4C1-12 last week. It's a great SMALL amp. Responds well to picking dynamics but... There is no clean headroom. Cranking it, the sound gets crunchy quickly. If you need loud AND clean, the AC4 isn't your amp. Also the AC4 doesn't sound that good without an external cabinet. The stock cab is way to small for that 12" speaker.
I seen those vox beetles amp are on sale$299 ! But then again so were the Supro blues king 12 tube amp's with 12 inch speaker and just far better amp so I purchased the supro blues king 12 !
I own a fantastic Vox Pathfinder 15R ( many gigs now in 6 years time now), BUT I just got a Supro Blues King 10 ( 5 watts tube + 10" Speaker), to add another small amp to the mix. 2 very good affordable amps, with practical features.
This is a great little amplifier for home use. It's been a while since I had a VOX amp on the channel and there's more on the way! I hope you dig the laid-back new jam track. :)
Timestamps:
0:00 - About
0:14 - Jam Track
2:20 - Amp Overview
5:35 - Tele Tones
8:06 - Les Paul Tones
12:33 - Tremolo
13:35 - Final thoughts
Check it out online here:
►Sweetwater - imp.i114863.net/N1VNP
►Thomann - bit.ly/3jM7T9A
►Sky Music - alnk.to/goUZoEm
(affiliate links)
A video showing this amp plugged into a 12'' speaker would be awesome! and maybe include how it handles pedals in the same video too, because that'd be really interesting too
This has to be the best little bedroom amp I have come across. It sounds fantastic at low volume, and you can achieve so many great sounds. I don't know what the science is behind the Nano tubes is, but it does feel like my other tube amps somewhat in its reactions to volume and attack. Love the review mate, it was spot on. Awesome job like usual mate.
They look so so good in real life and a perfect size for a bedroom or even a living Room as it's so cool looking. And they are loud ( my mate has one) for such a small package! Plug into a 4 ohm cab and boy they get to small gig levels easy! Only downside is the bass can sound a little off but a fantastic little combo. I love them and would definitely get one if I change home amp! Great playing as usual
I no longer own it today, but it was really fun. I think it was the reverb that really made me enjoy it. I’ll also say I think it sounds better in person, than in most recordings I did. Great vid!
thanks for all the Vox mini beetle videos Landon!
I got mine used last year (for a really good price) and I'm pretty happy with it. It does the Vox AC type sound and I can play it at a volume level that won't anger the neighbors. I have been thinking about getting a 1X12 cab later on down the line.
I've got this amp and it is remarkable, I love it. Definitely sounds better in person than on TH-cam. The gain on this little amp is impressive and i love that it has a headphone output. Perfect bedroom amp. I've taken it to small gigs and it still gets the job done. Although, not nearly as loud as the AC10 (which is actually too loud for home use). I like the mini's reverb better than the AC10 honestly. (Wish the AC10 had spring reverb.)
My first amp! It is never too late to get this one out. This amps super affordable and has enough features for hours of fun. Not saying it’s a AC but you can keep this in any room, plug in at any time. Really pleased with Shane’s review here, sounded great mic’d up.
Thanks ITB’s, looking forward to the next one.
I put in a 10" Celestion V-Type Junior in the cab, that changed the sound a lot in a good way. Cheap and easy mod.
Where did u find a so small celestion?
I've seen this amp on stage once. It was in a theater, about 800 people in the audience. Of course it was mic'd up, but it sounded amazing. I was supprised it held up so well.
I fired mine through a Marshall 4x12 and it sounded bloody amazing and well loud enough to gig with.
Finally saw one the other day in my local independently owned music store. Looks wise it definitely caught my eye. Seemed fragile-like though as it was so light.. but wanted to give it a go..but didn't. It was bugging me to know..and voila the beauty of youtube.. here you are answering all my questions. Kudos again Shane. Very honest and informative!
I'm a lifelong Fender Tweed man, but I'm quite impressed by this. Though I'm not sure about the old age pensioner's zimmer frame arrangement...
I love mine mate ,got it when it first came out and will never sell it. Nice demo and review ! 😎🎸👍
Shane nailed it when he said The Superbeetle setup isn't loud enough for live work, but the head would be fine with a 2x12 cabinet. The Superbeetle head is the same circuit as the NuTube MV50 heads. I have an AC30, but for small venues I can disconnect the AC30 head and run the MV50 straight to the 2x12 Celestion speakers. It's loud enough to cut through everything and with the AC30 setup, doesn't blow your ears off and still has stage presence
Super Beetles have also been made with a closed back cabinet, I want one of each. 🤘 Rock on!
My main gigging amp is a Vox Pathfinder 15R. Works like a charm. I modded the boost function so I can dial in the level of boost I need for soloing. I also replaced the pre-amp section's clipping diodes with larger value LEDs that give it more headroom, chime and dynamics. I turned mine into a head and run it into an Eminence Copperhead. Zero problem providing enough volume for a pretty darn loud live rock n roll gigs. And the Trem/Boost footswitch is perfect - who needs a footswitch for reverb, right?
This little Superbeetle sounds very good and very similar.
If only the Superbeetle had the VERY useful boost function of the Pathfinder...
Looks like the NuTube is in the pre-amp, so it probably has a solid state power section. They need to use a NuTube in the pre-amp and use their Valve Reactor tube driven power section - I have the Vox VR30R with that power section and it's extremely good sounding, even with a solid state pre-amp. More people know that power section from their Valvetronics line. Vox does a great job at making use of tubes in new ways. All their tube pedals have been great as well - Cooltrons and Tone Garage series.
I have pathfinders and that VR30R amp as well. Both blow this mini beatle out of the water! Vox has a new range of these nutube drive pedals. Just get one of them and plug into the front of the pathfinder - it will make this mini totally redundant
I can’t believe they didn’t make this a stereo cabinet with stereo output from the head.
Never the less, it’s pretty cool and happens to be half off at Musicians Friend on stupid deal of the day. I think I’ll get one.
Oh, and I completely love the tremolo!
Amazing Price
Good review. I’ll be back to see more of what y’all do.
I got mine as soon as it came out. A great amp, very capable of being played at rehearsals/ gigs, as you can use the headphone as line out to the PA directly. And it sounds great, a typical VOX, compared to my AC15, there is hardly any difference. Maybe the AC15 does have some more bass and I tried it with this speaker as well. But this is nothing you would feel in a band context. And you won't miss it when practicing at home.
And as any Vox, it works great with pedals.
One of my favorite Amps! I use him with a Eminence Ramrod 10" speaker...
is the ramrod 10' bassy in it, they sure are in my Deville 410
Hey, I came up with a great name for our car. - Oh, yeah?
Get this. You're Arcot Ramathorn--Ram--
and I'm Rod Farva--Rod; car Ramrod.
Car Ramrod. You get it?
Yeah, I got it. -
The VOX Pathfinder 15R was one of the the best solid state amp ever made....
And it still sounds better than this mini Beatle.
I’ve owned that one, very nice but I think the smaller 10 watter sounds even better.
Thank you sir! I got mine yesterday and played it into the wee hours. That pretty much says it all. I like my modeling amp, but the touch response with this feels more instantaneous and I can get wolly sounds without agonizing the neighbors.
Thanks Shane, I have been eyeing off this amp for a while.
Great review. Love your demos and Chamel. This vid in particular, as I just bought one of these. Looking forward to getting it. Thanks mate.
I love this amp. I actually have a pair of them, which you can use 2 cabinets with one head, and I've also used both heads and cabs for stereo. And yes the Reverb is ethereal, smooth, and sounds good even with stock squire tele pickups. Plenty of power and fairly light. No regrets, highly recommend.
Nice amp indeed! Yet, for its sound and simplicity at home, I still love the Bugera V5 u introduced me to. It just growls with superb sound, and works with ease.✨💎💎💎✨
Yep, thanks to Shane, I'm using a Joyo ACTone on my pedal board into a small PA. Cheap simple with in the livingroom volume. Very happy, so is my wallet.
Bugera V5 is a great little amp, but I've switched to Yamaha THR10C recently and I have no regrets.
@@wer2young2die My wee 5W Bugera is now just for visitors, since I got my Blackstar HT1 -- 1 W of REAL amp sound! It's magic. BTW, I wouldn't give houseroom to the Vox being reviewed, even though I used to love my AC30.
@@Ndlanding so..the Bugera isn’t “real” tube? I have yet to hear that
@@stephenhanlin2388 Of course it's got two real tubes! I was talking about my notion of the "real sound" of a good valve amp. I changed one of the tubes on the Bugera, and it got a little brighter, but is still too muddy. INHO.
But what does it sound like right handed?
I almost bought this a few months ago but got a price match deal on the Vox VT40X; new for $219.
It's, the VT40X, is an incredible amp with a real tube, 12AX7, in the pre-amp. The Fender Deluxe Reverb setting alone is worth the cost. The AC30 Top Boost setting... Well, you know...
Great amp. I play it almost every day.
This reminds me of my Vox MV50 AC with a Reverb and Tremolo added. Honestly all you need to do to make it gig worthy is add a 1x12 speaker and switch to 4 ohm so you get the full 50 watts. My MV50 AC is plenty loud enough for outdoor gigs using a Celestion 12 inch cabinet along with the Vox BC108. You really should have tested it on the Deep setting too.
I've had mine a few years now and I love it.I just wish a matching cab was available
Nice one Shane, it's not coping with your overdriven tokai so now know it won't suit my nineties epi LP special so I won't waste money on this. Thanks mate!
Cool amp, I'd love to hear it through a 12" higher wattage speaker, then I recon it'll give some much bigger and more expensive amps a run for their money!
I suppose with it being a head you can easily hook it up to your 12” cab in those occasions you are allowed to crank it when the kids and other half are out shopping! Majority of the time we have to resort to the small speaker quiet tones that being a responsible considerate neighbour annoyingly bestows upon us ROCK GODS😎🤘
Sometimes these amps with small speakers add extra-bass so they sound bigger. And when you plug them into a bigger speaker there's too much Bass. My Blackstar HT1 is like that. Sounds great with the 8-inch.
@@StringsOfCrossroads * whip crack *
Okay
Hey did you ever see my message about TH-cam cheating you of views by setting your channel "*for children*" and therefore your subscribers (me included) don't get any notifications when you release a video even with the all videos notifications on it says Dr. Nerd is directed towards children only so notifications are disengaged so you need to change that some how so we can see your videos.
I also believe that if your subscribers were getting notifications from you they would absolutely watch, you would have lots more success with your cheerful channel.
That amp is just cool looking.
I got me one early this year. It looks really cool and most important I found a clean sound that I like a lot.
I didn´t have it set up with a bigger cabinet yet but keeping in mind that the line out could be hooked up to my interface and then into my computer this little amp is kinda like a allrounder.
The Nano Tube is as far as I know patented but it would be great if Fender, Marshall and Orange would bring some similar stuff just for the collector in me. Great review !!!
Great little amp. I wish it would have a footswitchable reverb/tremolo/drive to widden the capabilities of the amp. I use it with my Supro Ozark, it's a blast !
This little amp rocks! I’ve got a 1x12 cab with a greenback and it is plenty loud for a reversal or gig.
I promise to never judge a Vox amp by it’s cover again...Thanks Shane! 🎸🎶🔊🤘
Vox make tremendous sounding amps, you just can't go wrong with them.
Tremendous sounds! How 'bout a shoot-out between this and the orange micro dark rig? Cheers!
....just had a thought..switching cabs (orange head into vox cab and vice versa) would also be very interesting thankyou
Was just looking at this, thanks for the vid!
Thanks - Vox make so many amps, it's hard working out which is good for what, so that was really useful!
REALLY CUTE!!! Sounds great too, nice jam man, thanks
This will be my third Shane @intheblues recommended amp, I've had a Mustang III v2 (long live Mustang Mondays!), plus I currently have a Champion 50XL. Looking forward to my Mini Superbeetle in British Racing Green to land in about a week :) Thanks for the Review Shane :)
$299.99 USD? Yes please. Shane do you realize how much your reviews are costing me?
On sale $175 guitar center and musician friend. Literally every other week
@@michaelslaughter6557 that’s just for the head though right?
Yeah, head and cab are $399, they've never been $299.99 as a combo, unless it's for Black Friday or Cyber Monday.
Cool retro look perfect for the living room! Sounds decent too!
Nice one, no long af video intro, straight to the review!
It is a cool looking little amp.
Sounds Dope
Got one, and i love it !!!
Had a Vox pf15r once! A great amp! Stupid me sold it!
One thing I don't like is the power plug itself- its a right angle jack with no cutout on the amplifier where the power input it located, so you have to orient the plug sideways in order to plug it in, and it is slightly in-set so the cord length is always pulling on it at a wonky angle. Plus, with the cable oriented like that you run into it partially blocking either the Eco switch (on the left) or the EQ and/or Impedance (on the right) unless you push the cable length out of the way. Either way, over time either the manipulation of the cord to flip switches or the length pulling down on the connector at an angle gives me pause about the future reliability of the power connector.
How loud can this amp go
I have a small Vox at work to use with my Steinberger travel guitar. It was cheap and the sound was usable. Couldn't ask for more.
Back in the early seventies I owned the original full size Super Beatle which I bought from a strung out guitarist in Chicago! It got stolen from me in '76 at a gig in Georgia! Really miss that amp! It was everything anybody could want in a player amp! Looking for another one but can't seem to find one that isn't blown, burnt or reworked into a mess!
I had one for years, recently sold it. Loved it. Was amazing. But it was NOT a players amp at ALL, more like the craziest toy I ever owned. It had addicting sound, but you could not rightfully play blues leads on it. Very unreactive to nuances of playing for lead. It was basically a terrible amp for playing lead guitar. Can’t imagine calling it a ‘player amp’. Unique Solid state amp with crazy bells and whistles, but nothing resembling a go-to amp.
I've had my AC15cc1 for about 15 years now. I traded a cheap Marshall head an a 1960 Slant A 4x12. I still have the stock speaker in it which holds back the amp's natural overdrive, but it has decent enough headroom to play bar shows through a PA and most of the time not to quite for drums. IDK if the dB reader on my phone is right, but it pick up only 95 or so dB with it nearly cranked full. I've played in a small venue with it as well. Even played a few outside shows. No issues.
She's a little ripper Shane! \m/
Sounds pretty cool! I dig it baby! I had a cool vintage Vox bass amp that was an upright vibe like that! Miss my AC30TBX! That was one of the best amps I've ever had! Love some English made Vox!
Looks great
There's a switch on the back of the head which you can set to flat. I think it's some sort of bottom end boost designed to make the small cab sound bigger. I find that I can find nicer tones with the EQ when I set the switch to be flat.
I was thinking about getting one, great timing. Does it have a headphone jack for late night practice? Thanks for the review.
yes it does. And you can use it also to record or go directly into the PA at a gig. Been there, done that.
This is one great amp!
That thing sounds great!
Shane will u pls showcase the reverb a bit more on not only this amp ,,,but all the amps that u review ,,,Thanks and great video as allways !!!
It's very versatile and I can hear the differences in my ear buds!
I think this is a good idea but i actually think that it doesn't need to be loud at all. This concept makes way more sense to fit the small room market near listening. Like a bedroom. Study or a small lounge room. Ive got a 50 watt boss katana just in my study and i have to atenuate down to room level. What I really want is a tube based beautiful rich wide soundstage LOW volume speaker/amp that looks like this one and is this size but I want superb quality sound no distortion for near listening. Like sell it as if im and Audiophile snob.
I had one really loved it but was too loud. To get a good sound you need to turn it up a little bit but was too loud for the room I have to play in. This thing will really crank for its size and the speaker is good but plug it into a bigger cab and it turns into a monster.
I find it to be too loud too, unfortunately. It sounds brilliant with the volume up as you say, but it feels a little flat at lowest volumes, as you would expect.
You can put the the switch on the back to 16 ohms and it’s not as loud
@@RobertSaxy 16 ohms output connected to an 8 ohms speaker is not good for your amp.
@@ryanteacher8134 I've heard and read contradicting view points on this but mostly about using to much power for the speaker not to little (putting it at 16 ohms makes it a 12.5 watt amp instead of a 25 watt amp). There are even combo amps that have a similar options for home practice, however I’m new to the game of amps so if you’ve got a good reason for it I would love to learn it
Alone, it is very very good...with a tubescreamer it is a "killing roaring machine" born for awesome bluesrocking...
Cool great Mark Knopfler vibe ..sweet
For the cost, there are some full tube amp combos like a Supro Blues King.
That would be a good one to check out Shane.
It’s been called a Blues Jr Killer.
It's actually a blues jr. Slayer !
I just got mine for $299 from guitar center( price match( ; because I knew they would sell out at sweetwater fast, and they did but I rushed up to guitar center while the deal was still on line so the manager could verify and price match and that is how you can get deals even after they sell out !
Oh btw this supro is way better sounding than farts jr. And way louder, like way way louder and toothy and tight with an almost fuzz like articulation and doesn't crap out at full volume ! IT'S JUST AWESOME !
Sounds lovely, would you say it sounds better then the vox ac10 for home use, looking for my first tube amp which will sound better then my boss katana MK2 50. Love you channel, Many thanks Peter
I think its a solid state amp maybe 1 preamp tube else a class D output stage < strongly suspected not proven !
Have you ever tried an old Selmer all tube top like treble and bass amp - with a Tele it will knock your socks off - we used thoose back in time and everybody and their mother forgot how good they are. However I tried one recently and it holds absolutely up - If you want overdrive use a pedal 😎
I'd love a treble and bass 50 like Syd Barrett used!!!
Nice little amp, I like it
Take the head and try hooking it up to a larger cab, Oranges Micro Dark was just silly stupid how loud it was for a 20watt package, I wonder if the Vox would be the same way, actually there are quite afew Mini amps out there it would be interesting to see a shootout between them.
I like this amp , but I prefer HOTONE BRITWIND , I do love VOX amps ✌
Hey man, just got my super beetle yesterday and loving it. Great video, another question where did you get all those sweet posters on your wall?
Great review! I've been interested in one of these ever since they came out. I'm a big fan of the (discontinued) VOX Pathfinder 15R, and the MSB functions a lot like that amp, but at 25 watts, with the potential for 50 watts. Oh, and I've gigged with the Pathfinder 15R in both duo and solo performer situations, no problem, so in those performance situations in small, quieter venues, I know I could gig with this as well. I don't *need* another amp, but now I sure do *WANT* one. I don't know whether to thank you or curse you, Shane! ;-)
You don’t need this over a Pathfinder, I have a video with a pathfinder plugged into a 212 cabinet - and it blows this mini beatle out of the water
@@voxpathfinder15r I own 3 Pathfinder 15Rs, and like I said, I gig with them, as well as play them at home. I've had a chance to test drive the MSB in the local GC, but since I didn't pull the trigger, I haven't actually done an A/B comparison. But I wouldn't say that the PF15R blows the MSB out of the water sound-wise. The Pathfinder does have both speed & depth controls on the trem, which is a plus. Like I said, I don't need an MSB, but if money were no object, I would have already pulled the trigger.
@@larryg.overton2951 I say blow out of the water because the recorded tone sucks compared to pathfinder amps. And I have seen enough videos from different channels of the MSB - and it’s the same tone in each video that’s crappy. Shane is using quality recording equipment, my videos filmed with an iPhone is superior in tone
Thanks to Shane, I like my Katana 50w mk2 for its simplicity and volume at home practice levels. Save the Marshall JVM for when I get serious and my neighbours are home ;)
what do you think on its ability to produce clean jazzy like tone? better ac10c1 or msb in this case?
Looks cool Shane, nice review. How’s the size Compared to a katana?
Im currently looking for a small home use amp and im torn between this and the Marshall dsl5 purely for the reason of the fx loop ,ive only seen one vid where it did handle the pedals ok but reading the comments people saying its not such a good pedal platform.Great reveiw now im tortured :)
Ive gone for it i have another creamback loaded cab so figured if the cab doesnt hold up i can try my other but hey i might be plesently suprised
I'd like to see how its sounds with a bigger speaker. My girlfriend loves vox
I was thinking of this little amp. Please do some pedals on it.
I got this for $400 and it's amazing
Shane you mentioned it being great for home use but do you think that it is possible to get a good sound out of this on clean channel with pedals without neighbors hating you? 😀 I'm looking to buy this but couldn't see anyone using it with pedals so your insight would really be appreciated as always. I'm looking for a 1 or 5 watt mid priced amp but nothing is available these days.
Hiya. Cold IT give a metal sound?
I'd buy one just for the grins, but here in the UK they're damn expensive compared to the US, like a used one here costs more than a new one in the US by a fair bit. Still - if one shows up at a fair price I might just bag it for a little living room fun :)
Lovely tones with tele! But LP and higher gain... there is something unpleasant in the grain, something usually associated with cheap transistor amps.
If you put it in the back of a Volkswagen Beetle and showed up to a gig wearing a Mod outfit...yeah.
'Nuff said.
Sounds great!
a Superbeetle of course, not just any Beetle.
I tried one out. Nothing bad to say. Just not the type of amp for me. A home use Vox for me might be AC10
Doesn't Vox make mini heads too?
Would love to see you review the Vox mv50 amps 👍
Thats what this is really ,in a different package.
Same. Especially the boutique one!
@@scottstetzer I have been looking into them and other than the NuTube thing, not quite so much. This one is much more amp-like, and it's on my list when I get around to filling out the rabbit herd. ymmv, but it can be useful.
@@hoboroadie I understand as Ive owned an MV50 fora while. After using all tube for nearly 40 years, its not tube, but the closest I've found.
Hey there, please can you advise the best cable to connect this to a speaker? Thanks.
How does this one compare to the Vox AC4C1-12? I'm about to buy my first tube-amp and these two are my two favorite choices. I know this one doesn't use classic tubes but a more modern variation, so is it comparable to a classic tube-amp like the AC4?
Pieter: I bought an AC4C1-12 last week.
It's a great SMALL amp.
Responds well to picking dynamics but...
There is no clean headroom. Cranking it, the sound gets crunchy quickly.
If you need loud AND clean, the AC4 isn't your amp.
Also the AC4 doesn't sound that good without an external cabinet. The stock cab is way to small for that 12" speaker.
How good is the speaker that comes with it? Will a Celestion 10in Ten Thirty speaker be better?
Is this a tube amp?
how’re clean tones? how well does it take pedals
Not my cup of tea but it still is a cool little amp!!
I seen those vox beetles amp are on sale$299 ! But then again so were the Supro blues king 12 tube amp's with 12 inch speaker and just far better amp so I purchased the supro blues king 12 !
I own a fantastic Vox Pathfinder 15R ( many gigs now in 6 years time now), BUT I just got a Supro Blues King 10 ( 5 watts tube + 10" Speaker), to add another small amp to the mix. 2 very good affordable amps, with practical features.
Cool little amp from Vox, but a little disappointing. The Vox Pathfinder 15/15R amps still sounds way better, despite being fully solid state.
As a Beatles fan I could not resist....