How do the Epiphone amps compare?

[Dave Boulden]

I've been considering getting a guitar amp for my studio.... mainly for the occasional use by myself, for our band's guitarist to use at rehearsals (saves lugging his rig out of the band's van) and for the occasional "client" to use if they haven't brought their own amp. Previously I had use of a little Marshall 30W combo, but that's now been reclaimed by the owner and so I'm in the market for a replacement.

Being a Variax owner I've hankered after a Vetta (specifically for the tight Variax integration when switching between Variax models), but I really can't warrant the cost, but do rather like the look of the Spider amps.

How do the Epiphones stack up it's rivals in the same price bracket? I'm considering something along the lines of the following:

Epiphone Firefly 30 DSP at DV247.COM
Epiphone Triggerman 60 DSP at DV247.COM
Line 6 Spider III 30 at DV247.COM
Line 6 Spider III 75 at DV247.COM
VOX AD30VT Valvetronix 30w Guitar Amp Combo, 1x10" at DV247.COM

Bare in mind that this is to be used as a studio amp, so it needn't be above 30W unless it's to gain any additional useful features (like the extra amp models on the Spider 75).

Any suggestions or advice? The price range would be strictly £100-£200.

[TrevCircleStudios]

Take a look at the Vox AD series. I have a 15 and a 30 (for reasons I won't go into). I've been very impressed with them (and I'm not easily impressed when it comes to music gear). This one is unbeliveable value and will do anything from death metal to Arctic Monkeys:

VOX AD30VT Valvetronix 30w Guitar Amp Combo, 1x10" at DV247.COM

[sphelan]

Originally Posted by TrevCircleStudios

Take a look at the Vox AD series. I have a 15 and a 30 (for reasons I won't go into). I've been very impressed with them (and I'm not easily impressed when it comes to music gear). This one is unbeliveable value and will do anything from death metal to Arctic Monkeys:

VOX AD30VT Valvetronix 30w Guitar Amp Combo, 1x10" at DV247.COM

Trev, do you use that as a practice amp or is it good enough to stick a mic on and record with? Or would you use something bigger to record?

[TrevCircleStudios]

I use it for recording. It's on pretty much every track I do. Sometimes in addition to what the band brings. Sometimes instead of.

[sphelan]

Originally Posted by TrevCircleStudios

I use it for recording. It's on pretty much every track I do. Sometimes in addition to what the band brings. Sometimes instead of.

Great...so a big expensive rig is not a necessity for studio recording then...unless it is specifically required for a particular sound or track.

And I presume you think that a small amp like this would be a welcome replacement to something like Guitar Rig or Amplitube etc.

[TrevCircleStudios]

Absolutely right. Listen to the tracks posted on my page. On the first track I used a randall mts rig; on the second it's all vox ad15, on the 3rd it's all ad15.

On your 2nd point, you got it. You can't substitute for a mic'd speaker moving air. The vox does all the tones your software malarkeys do but has real valves and a real speaker. At that price what isn't to like. The 30 also has a built in power soak... No brainer if you ask me!

Originally Posted by sphelan

Great...so a big expensive rig is not a necessity for studio recording then...unless it is specifically required for a particular sound or track.

And I presume you think that a small amp like this would be a welcome replacement to something like Guitar Rig or Amplitube etc.

[sphelan]

Originally Posted by TrevCircleStudios

Absolutely right. Listen to the tracks posted on my page. On the first track I used a randall mts rig; on the second it's all vox ad15, on the 3rd it's all ad15.

On your 2nd point, you got it. You can't substitute for a mic'd speaker moving air. The vox does all the tones your software malarkeys do but has real valves and a real speaker. At that price what isn't to like. The 30 also has a built in power soak... No brainer if you ask me!

I thought you'd say all that! I'm starting to think like you Trev!!!

[TrevCircleStudios]

Originally Posted by sphelan

I thought you'd say all that! I'm starting to think like you Trev!!!

scary eh...

[Dave Boulden]

It's looking like the Vox is the favourite at the moment... have pretty much decided against the Epiphones due to the seriously flawed DSP effects implementation.

[Dave Boulden]

Just a quick update. I have settled upon the Vox AD30VT (http://www.dv247.com/invt/25252/) along with a VFS5 pedal (http://www.dv247.com/invt/57456/)... it should be arriving here on Tuesday... just in time for a band rehearsal on Wednesday. I'll be intrigued to find out what our band's guitarist thinks of it. Of course, as soon as it arrives I'll be playing some wonky ham-fisted riffs through it myself

[TrevCircleStudios]

Originally Posted by Dave Boulden

Just a quick update. I have settled upon the Vox AD30VT (http://www.dv247.com/invt/25252/) along with a VFS5 pedal (http://www.dv247.com/invt/57456/)... it should be arriving here on Tuesday... just in time for a band rehearsal on Wednesday. I'll be intrigued to find out what our band's guitarist thinks of it. Of course, as soon as it arrives I'll be playing some wonky ham-fisted riffs through it myself

Congrats! Your gonna be amazed at what that little thing'll do.Tell me if I'm wrong!

[Dave Boulden]

Originally Posted by TrevCircleStudios

Congrats! Your gonna be amazed at what that little thing'll do.Tell me if I'm wrong!

If you are I will, but somehow I doubt it! I have researched this little amp a lot since you recommended it... and have listened to material on which it was used and in terms of features and sound (especially the power-soak), it's the best option I can find for studio and rehearsal use... and yes, your recommendation was a factor in choosing this amp.