The Vox Pathfinder 10 - is it good? Other recommendations?

[Hans Henrik Rasmussen]

Hi all,

I want a cheap amplifier for a Recording King RG-32 lap steel guitar (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/folk-...p-steel-guitar) that I will be getting in about one month's time and I was looking at the Vox Pathfinder 10: http://elderly.com/new_instruments/items/PATH10.htm

Is it recommendable or are there others I should look at instead?

I will almost only use it for playing at very low volume and through the clean channel.


Thanks!
Hans

[James Kerr]

Hans,
I use Vox Amps and like them very much, have a look at the Vox Valvetronix 15 or 30 Watt Amps
They can be as clean or as dirty as you like.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C887hDEukm4

James.

[Len Amaral]

I use a Vox Pathfinder for lap steel with a fuzz box and it sounds very nice. These amps are small, light ,have a decent sound and price friendly. Depends what sound you are looking for but it's OK for my lap steel with fuzz.

[Ron Whitfield]

Hans, I doubt you'll find a better or more suitable amp for the needs you descibe than the new Yamaha THR5 @ $200, or the more extensive THR10 for $300. google for reviews and audio clips, pretty impressive.

[Robert Sands]

The Roland Cube 40XL is a great sounding amp and I believe you can buy it for $210. 40 watts. Very versatile, great clean sound on the JC setting, delay, reverb, other efx also and a looper built in. Plus a bunch of amp models for your more edgy adventures. No other amp comes close at the price these go for.

[Hans Henrik Rasmussen]

Thanks a lot for the suggestions!

Both the Vox Valvetronix 15 and the Yamaha THR5 look really interesting (the Roland too but it is starting to get a little expensive for me). How well would you say that each of them (including the Pathfinder 10) amplify an acoustic guitar? (if I'm going to spend more I would like to be able to use it for that as well).

And regarding the Vox. Does anyone know how the Vox Valvetronix 15 compares to the Vox Pathfinder 15R? - they are about the same price but I'm not sure if they have specific advantages over one another (the Valvetronix has a lot more effects which I don't need...).

Thanks again,
Hans

[Thomas Temple]

I see that the Vox you are considering is $69.99 most reasonable price seeing as how you intended purpose is low volume level practice. You all so stated that mostly a clean channel, however for about $30 more you could get a Fender Mustang 1 it is 20 watts and has a larger speaker and offers you a wide variety of various amp sounds, from clean to heavy and everything in between. You'll have a lot of fun experimenting and have a good chance of finding the "exact" sound that you want.

[James Kerr]

All my Lapsteel recordings are made using the Vox Valvetronix, whether you use the 15 Watt or the 30 Watt makes no difference, the result is the same.

http://www.youtube.com/user/kerrsteel

Maybe other posters can point you toward recordings made by the Amps they recommend so you can hear the sounds they make. In my experience they are all excellent performers, you pay your money, you take your choice.

James.

[Ron Whitfield]

Hans, the YAMAHA is designed to excel at low volume, and also has a setting specifically for accoustic, as well as bass. With most typical amps, to get the better sounds out of them you need to up the volume, which may defeat your current aims.
I just bought the THR10 for $275 and am awaiting delivery. It, or the 5, is probably best suited for what you're after, but 2nd to the YAMAHA I'd suggest this model VOX that get's rave reviews http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vox-Pathfinder- ... 3a731059d7

[Hans Henrik Rasmussen]

Ron, yes, the THR does indeed seem to be taylor made for my purpose. And I'm really liking it based on the description. I just found this thread, however, which made me a little worried (though apparently the problem should be fixed...): http://www.musicradar.com/forum/showthread.php?t=94602

Could you link me to the good reviews you mentioned?

Thomas, the Fender Mustang is a good suggestion as well but it seems to be pretty overpriced over here compared to the US.

Thanks,
Hans

[Thomas Temple]

Hans,

I guess because you are not in the USA that you have various import fees, taxes etc. I also know that while it is good to check as many sources as you can ( the SGF being the best source for this type of info) I did a bing search for this VOX and out of 25 reviews 19 were 5 out of 5 stars, the remaining 6 where 4 and three stars. Then add to this that that James Kerr says all of his videos are done on a small Vox, all I can say is if I was you I would just go for it. I doubt that you'll be disappointed and more than likely you'll be writing a rave review for it yourself.

Tom
PS: One review from Bing follows


Perfect practice amp. Great sound and price., February 18, 2012
By Jamal
This review is from: VOX V9106 Pathfinder 10 Guitar Combo Amplifier - 10 Watt (Electronics)
I can't say enough about this amp. Surprisingly great sound. Great, great, great build condition - very well made. Not just a great amp for the price, but a great 10W amp period. Don't sweat this purchase for even a second. If you're looking for a 10W or 15W practice amp, then this is the one. Full range sound, headphone/output jack, bass and trebel knobs (no mid), and great sounding gain and clean channels. I got it for Christmas, so I've been playing it nightly for 2 months now and I can't even nitpick anything. It's very nice.

[Ron Whitfield]

Hans, if you mean the buzz/noise problem that existed with the first issues, don't worry, that's been rectified 100%. Go to our electronics section for some links and in-house user reviews, I think you'll be happy with what you read. I posted again today, so the thread will be near the top.

[Hans Henrik Rasmussen]

Ron, yes that was what I was thinking of, so great to hear it's fixed. And great stuff in the thread in the electronics section. The Vox Pathfinder 15R that you recommended also looks very, very good indeed and I can get that at a good price over here, so that is very much in contention too. Thanks.

And thanks for the pointers Thomas. It certainly seems like people are happy with the Pathfinder.

I'll sleep on it for a night or two and then decide. The comments and suggestions from all of you have really been helpful and I feel much more ready to choose now, so thank you very much.

-Hans