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Vox’s VX50 series are useful solutions for players that want ultra-compact amplification for rehearsals, small venues, and practice.
I recently received three new Vox VX50 amps—the AG (acoustic guitar), KB (keyboard), and BA (bass) models, which were immediately put to use in band rehearsals. All performed above their weight class, and though the bass and keyboard versions were easily outgunned by the musicians’ standard stage gear, we all agreed that these new Voxes were impressive considering how small and inexpensive they are. Focusing on the AG for the balance of this review, this amp is equipped with everything found in pricier acoustic models, including dedicated Instrument and Mic channels (phantom power available on the latter), independent EQ controls, built-in effects (chorus and reverb on the Instrument channel, reverb only on the Mic channel), and a 50-watt output stage that provides good headroom and plenty of volume.
Upstream of all this Vox has deployed a NuTube 6P1 twin-triode vacuum tube, which, developed and produced by Japan’s Noritake Itron, is a small, directly heated glass tube that offers low power consumption and long service life, while still able to generate the rich harmonics that a standard 12AX7 tube and its close cousins are known for. All of the VX50 models feature NuTube technology.
Tested with a Martin D-28 equipped with a DiMarzio Black Angel soundhole magnetic pickup and a Taylor 12-string with Expression 2 electronics, the VX50 AG delivered good sounds with little effort. The complement of tone controls on the Instrument channel are effective and well voiced, and since the amp doesn’t sound boxy to begin with, getting natural acoustic tones does not require much knob twiddling at all.
The VX50 AG also sounds more tubelike than solid-state, and even though its closed-back cabinet is quite small, the 8” speaker working