VOX reveals their newest products at Winter NAMM
Anaheim, CA (January 21, 2009) -- VOX Amplification cranked up Winter NAMM 2009 with the unveiling of their newest guitar effects and more.
The Big Bad Wah and the Time Machine Delay
Following the release of the Satchurator analog distortion pedal, VOX Amplification expands the VOX & Joe Satriani guitar effects line with the introduction of the Big Bad Wah dual wah pedal and the Time Machine delay pedal. These pedals are part of an ongoing partnership between VOX and the legendary guitarist Joe Satriani who has been an active part of the R&D team for years.
The Big Bad Wah and the Time Machine feature a modern-day pedal design as do most pedals in the VOX and Satriani line. VOX says these pedals deliver the flexibility to express not only Satrianiās signature tones, but also the individual tones of all guitarists playing them.
The Big Bad Wah is a dual wah pedal that enables switchable access to two different onboard wahs. Wah 1 is classic VOX through and through, with a British tone hot-rodded to Satrianiās specifications. Wah 2 is designed to be customized to the player's desired wah tone with the pedalās controls: two selectable inductors (UK-style and U.S.-style), a Drive knob that's designed to provide a wide range of gain, mimick the Wah 1 gain at its lowest setting and deliver a 10 dB boost as the maximum setting for aggressive overtones and soloing. Wah 2 has a Voice switch that aims to provide traditional wah voicing, as well as a dark, resonant tone reminiscent of a vintage talk-box. The pedal pot itself is also designed to Satrianiās specifications.
The Time Machine delay, named after Satrianiās 1993 album Time Machine, offers a mix of tonal colors, wide delay range and musical dexterity that sets it apart from other delays, says VOX. It comes with two delay modes: Mode 1 is āModern" ā which aims to mirror the playerās original sound with full clarity and fidelity. Mode 2 is āVintageā ā which was designed to limit the frequency response by adding in soft distortion, along with subtle analog-accurate tape warble. Additionally, the pedal features both a wet and dry output.
The Big Bad Wah dual wah pedal and the Time Machine delay pedal will be available in February 2009, with pricing TBD.
For more info, visit voxamps.com
The NT15H Night Train
This time, VOX Amplification has teamed up with legendary amp designer Tony Bruno to introduce the NT15H āNight Train,ā a 15-Watt, all-tube guitar amplifier head that was created to offer both classic and new VOX tones in a compact, portable design. This all-tube head weighs less than 17 pounds and it comes complete with an armored-box design for an all-tube tone on the go. The 15 watts of power are delivered through a pair of EL84 tubes, and two 12AX7 tubes help deliver clarity and definition, from chime-like cleans to warm overdrives, says VOX. The toggle switch allows users to switch between Pentode (15 watts) or Triode (7.5 watts).
The Night Train has a mirrored chrome finish with a signature VOX diamond design that ventilates the amplifier and provides a clear view of the all-tube circuit within. VOX says the front panel controls are clear and simple, offering traditional chicken head pointer knobs for Gain, Volume, Treble, Middle and Bass. The preamp section features a mode switch, offering both Bright and Thick options. The Night Train is equipped with both 8-Ohm and 16-Ohm speaker jacks, and will be available in January 2009, with a U.S. MSRP of $800.00.
For more info, visit voxamps.com
The New AC4TV and AC4TVH Guitar Amplifiers
The AC4TV is a 4-Watt, Class A Tube Amplifier based on the popular VOX AC4 from the sixities. The AC4TV combo, as well as the AC4TVH head version (with matching V112TV 1 x 12" extension cabinet), is an all-tube practice amp that has been factory-modded with a premium transformer and select components for optimum tone.
The AC4TV retains the distinctive EL84 power tube of the original AC4, and features a 12AX7 powered pre-amp, which drives the AC4TVās custom-made Celestion 10-inch speaker and the extension cabinetās custom-made 12-inch speaker. Vox says these features enable both models to deliver clean, crunch or saturated overdrive for a range of sonic options.
With these amplifiers, VOX aimed to solved the problem of reating full tons at lower volumes by featuring a built-in power attenuator, with 4 Watt, 1 Watt and Ā¼ Watt output levels in both the AC4TV and the AC4TVH, which helps ensure that players don't lose that classic tube tone at the lowest of levels.
Other features include a 16-Ohm speaker output for connection to an additional cabinet, and both models feature simple, elegant cabinetry with the āTVā front design first used on the classic AC15 from 1958 as well as some of todayās VOX Heritage Series models.
The VOX AC4TV 4-Watt Class A Tube Amplifier will be available in February 2009 with a U.S. MSRP of $400. The AC4TVH pricing and availability is TBA.
For more info, visit voxamps.com
The Next Generation of the VT Series Amps
VOX is now shipping the latest expansion of its line of Valvetronix tube-powered modeling amplifiers: the 15-Watt VT15, 30-Watt VT30, 50-Watt VT50 and 100-Watt VT100 combos.
As with all Valvetronix models, these amps feature VOXās patented Valve Reactor technology. These models were designed with a unique 12AX7 tube circuit to create a 100% analog power-amp circuit that aims to deliver true tube amp sound and feel, unattainable with digital technology. Vox says these new models deliver even more advanced modeling and effects than the critically acclaimed AD Series and all at affordable price points.
New Features include: 22 ultra-authentic amp models, 12 high-quality effects ā including reverb with its own independent level control, 66 preset programs ā 22 famous song presets which simulate the signature tones of the worldās most famous guitarists, eight footswitchable user programs for creating and saving custom amp and effect combinations, built-in speaker-emulated headphone/line-out jack, and optional VFS5 footswitch, which helps provide hands-free program switching.
Vox says the ampsā new bold looks provide a modern twist on traditional VOX design, combining the striking metal grills of the previous Valvetronix AD Series with new cream chicken head/pointer knobs that pay homage to VOXās heritage. Each model features VOX custom-designed speakers as well as user selectable output power that allows the Valve Reactor to be saturated at even low volumes. In addition, external speaker output is provided on the VT50 and VT100, and an effects loop on the VT100.
All models are now available with MSRP pricing as follows: VT15 - $280.00, VT30 - $375.00, VT50 - $540.00, VT100 - $880.00, VT Footswitch - $84.00.
For more info, visit voxamps.com/valvetronix/vt-series
New AmPlug Pocket-Sized Headphone Amplifiers
VOX is now displaying the latest two additions to its amPlug range of palm-sized, battery powered, headphone guitar amplifiers: the amPlug Lead and amPlug Bass. The amPlug Lead and amPlug Bass can be plugged directly into you guitar via its built-in 1/4" plug, so you can enjoy professional-quality guitar or bass tones anywhere, anytime. In addition, the AUX input jack allows you to jam along with any MP3 player. The VOX amPlug Lead and amPlug Bass join three other existing amPlug models.
The The amPlug Lead is based on a U.S.-made, high-gain boutique amp that has been further modified specifically for lead guitar. It also contains a digital delay effect. amPlug Bass is modeled on VOXās AC100 bass amp, and it has been further expanded with a full-range tone that supports todayās bass sounds, says VOX. Visually, amPlug looks like a miniature VOX amplifier, complete with a simulation of the classic VOX diamond grill cloth.
Additional features include: up to 20 hours of battery life from two AAA batteries, a compressor/boost effect, a large amp stack, a high-a FET buffer circuit, and proprietary analog modeling technology, which helps accurately reproduce the complex and warm distortion that is distinctive of a vacuum tube.
The VOX amPlug Lead and Bass amplifiers are now available with an MSRP of $64.00. The amPlug AC30, amPlug Classic Rock and amPlug Metal are now available with an MSRP of $56.00.
For more info, visit voxamps.com/amplug
The JamVOX Softare's New OS V1.1
VOX is proud to introduce OS v1.1 for its first-ever software product, JamVOX. This new version keeps JamVOX current by adding support for 64-bit editions of Windows Vista. It also offers a new practice tool for quickly learning new guitar riffs. JamVOX Version 1.1 is available free to JamVOX users via either the auto update function or at www.JamVOX-Online.com.
Using JamVOXās recording capabilities, you can record your own guitar performances over your favorite tracks. JamVOXās GXT technology can extract or reduce vocal tracks, making the software/hardware product an incredibly powerful practice, jamming and recording tool, says VOX. Guitars and microphones can be directly plugged into the USB-powered hardware component for a complete practice solution. The WAV/AIFF recording capabilities enable you to overdub vocals as well as guitar.
The JamVOX is now available with an MSRP of $340.00.
For more info, visit voxamps.com.
Selenium, an alternative to silicon and germanium, helps make an overdrive of great nuance and delectable boost and low-gain overdrive tones.
Clever application of alternative materials that results in a simple, make-everything-sound-better boost and low-gain overdrive.
Might not have enough overdrive for some tastes (although thatās kind of the idea).
$240 street
Cusack Project 34 Selenium Rectifier Pre/Drive Pedal
cusackmusic.com
The term āselenium rectifierā might be Greek to most guitarists, but if it rings a bell with any vintage-amp enthusiasts thatās likely because you pulled one of these green, sugar-cube-sized components out of your ampās tube-biasing network to replace it with a silicon diode.
Thatās a long-winded way of saying that, just like silicon or germanium diodesāaka ārectifiersāāthe lesser-seen selenium can also be used for gain stages in a preamp or drive pedal. Enter the new Project 34 Selenium Rectifier Pre/Drive from Michigan-based boutique maker Cusack, named after the elementās atomic number, of course.
An Ounce of Pre-Vention
As quirky as the Project 34 might seem, itās not the first time that company founder Jon Cusack indulged his long-standing interest in the element. In 2021, he tested the waters with a small 20-unit run of the Screamer Fuzz Selenium pedal and has now tamed the stuff further to tap levels of gain running from pre-boost to light overdrive. Having used up his supply of selenium rectifiers on the fuzz run, however, Cusack had to search far and wide to find more before the Project 34 could launch.
āToday they are usually relegated to just a few larger industrial and military applications,ā Cusack reports, ābut after over a year of searching we finally located what we needed to make another pedal. While they are a very expensive component, they certainly do have a sound of their own.ā
The control interface comprises gain, level, and a traditional bright-to-bassy tone knob, the range of which is increased exponentially by the 3-position contour switch: Up summons medium bass response, middle is flat response with no bass boost, and down is maximum bass boost. The soft-touch, non-latching footswitch taps a true-bypass on/off state, and power requires a standard center-negative 9V supply rated at for least 5 mA of current draw, but you can run the Project 34 on up to 18V DC.
Going Nuclear
Tested with a Telecaster and an ES-355 into a tweed Deluxe-style 1x12 combo and a 65 Amps London head and 2x12 cab, the Project 34 is a very natural-sounding low-gain overdrive with a dynamic response and just enough compression that it doesnāt flatten the touchy-feely pick attack. The key adjectives here are juicy, sweet, rich, and full. Itās never harsh or grating.
āThe gain knob is pretty subtle from 10 oāclock up, which actually helps keep the Project 34 in character.ā
Thereās plenty of output available via the level control, but the gain knob is pretty subtle from 10 oāclock up, which actually helps keep the Project 34 in character. Settings below there remain relatively cleanāamp-setting dependent, of courseāand from that point on up the overdrive ramps up very gradually, which, in amp-like fashion, is heard as a slight increase in saturation and compression. The pedal was especially fantastic with the Telecaster and the tweed-style combo, but also interacted really well with humbuckers into EL84s, which certainly canāt be said for all overdrives.
The Verdict
Although I almost hate to use the term, the Project 34 is a very organic gain stage that just makes everything sound better, and does so with a selenium-driven voice thatās an interesting twist on the standard preamp/drive. For all the variations on boost and low/medium-gain overdrive out there itās still a very welcome addition to the market, and definitely worth checking outāparticularly if youāre looking for subtler shades of overdrive.
Some of us love drum machines and synths, and others donāt, but we all love Billy.
Billy Gibbons is an undisputable guitar force whose feel, tone, and all-around vibe make him the highest level of hero. But thatās not to say he hasnāt made some odd choices in his career, like when ZZ Top re-recorded parts of their classic albums for CD release. And fans will argue which era of the bandās career is best. Some of us love drum machines and synths and others donāt, but we all love Billy.
This episode is sponsored by Magnatone
An '80s-era cult favorite is back.
Originally released in the 1980s, the Victory has long been a cult favorite among guitarists for its distinctive double cutaway design and excellent upper-fret access. These new models feature flexible electronics, enhanced body contours, improved weight and balance, and an Explorer headstock shape.
A Cult Classic Made Modern
The new Victory features refined body contours, improved weight and balance, and an updated headstock shape based on the popular Gibson Explorer.
Effortless Playing
With a fast-playing SlimTaper neck profile and ebony fretboard with a compound radius, the Victory delivers low action without fret buzz everywhere on the fretboard.
Flexible Electronics
The two 80s Tribute humbucker pickups are wired to push/pull master volume and tone controls for coil splitting and inner/outer coil selection when the coils are split.
For more information, please visit gibson.com.
Gibson Victory Figured Top Electric Guitar - Iguana Burst
Victory Figured Top Iguana BurstThe SDE-3 fuses the vintage digital character of the legendary Roland SDE-3000 rackmount delay into a pedalboard-friendly stompbox with a host of modern features.
Released in 1983, the Roland SDE-3000 rackmount delay was a staple for pro players of the era and remains revered for its rich analog/digital hybrid sound and distinctive modulation. BOSS reimagined this retro classic in 2023 with the acclaimed SDE-3000D and SDE-3000EVH, two wide-format pedals with stereo sound, advanced features, and expanded connectivity. The SDE-3 brings the authentic SDE-3000 vibe to a streamlined BOSS compact, enhanced with innovative creative tools for every musical style. The SDE-3 delivers evocative delay sounds that drip with warmth and musicality. The efficient panel provides the primary controls of its vintage benchmarkāincluding delay time, feedback, and independent rate and depth knobs for the modulationāplus additional knobs for expanded sonic potential.
A wide range of tones are available, from basic mono delays and ā80s-style mod/delay combos to moody textures for ambient, chill, and lo-fi music. Along with reproducing the SDE-3000's original mono sound, the SDE-3 includes a powerful Offset knob to create interesting tones with two simultaneous delays. With one simple control, the user can instantly add a second delay to the primary delay. This provides a wealth of mono and stereo colors not available with other delay pedals, including unique doubled sounds and timed dual delays with tap tempo control. The versatile SDE-3 provides output configurations to suit any stage or studio scenario.
Two stereo modes include discrete left/right delays and a panning option for ultra-wide sounds that move across the stereo field. Dry and effect-only signals can be sent to two amps for wet/dry setups, and the direct sound can be muted for studio mixing and parallel effect rigs. The SDE-3 offers numerous control options to enhance live and studio performances. Tap tempo mode is available with a press and hold of the pedal switch, while the TRS MIDI input can be used to sync the delay time with clock signals from DAWs, pedals, and drum machines. Optional external footswitches provide on-demand access to tap tempo and a hold function for on-the-fly looping. Alternately, an expression pedal can be used to control the Level, Feedback, and Time knobs for delay mix adjustment, wild pitch effects, and dramatic self-oscillation.
The new BOSS SDE-3 Dual Delay Pedal will be available for purchase at authorized U.S. BOSS retailers in October for $219.99. To learn more, visit www.boss.info.