I think I found my new amp

  • Thread starter Thread starter jonny deep
  • Start date Start date
J

jonny deep

Disappointing Member
Hi everybody.

So, I've been looking for a new amp recently (and guitar, but that's another thread, maybe). I've tried a good few and think I've finally settled on the Vox Night Train 15W head. In the process, I've also tried a Mesa Boogie Lonestar (too complicated), Cornford Carrera (not great cleans), Blackstar 5W combo (didn't like the sound at all), Orange Dual Terror (nice overdrive, lacking in the cleans), and a Vox AC15HW combo with Alnico Blues (amazing cleans, overdrive not so great at acceptable volume).

Once I'd tried the Dual Terror, I thought I'd found my amp, but the Vox cleans were still ringing round my mind. So I went out to my local shop yesterday with the purpose of finding a compromise providing the Vox cleans (or as near as possible) with a great overdrive at low volumes (for bedroom practice and recording). The Vox Night Train seems to fit this exactly, but, it's only one channel and there's no effect loop (neither are necessary for my recording purposes, but would be nice to play around with for home practice - I don't gig or have a band).

In the shop, I used the matching Vox Night Train 212 cab. I'm wondering if it might be a little loud and whether I should hold out for the matching 112 cab or try another.

I guess I'm after two pieces of advice - is there another amp I should look at before I pull the trigger; will the sound be so different with the 112 cab and are there any recommendations for a different brand cab?

Thanks in advance. You're the best :D!
 
Last edited:
It sounds to me like you found your amp.

A 2x12 is a bigger speaker enclosure and it moves more air, so obviously it's gonna sound bigger all around. How much bigger is gonna depend on how loud you play and what your room sounds like. I have a front entryway in my house that's tall and open. I can put my 2x12 in there and it sounds like a full stack trying to blow the house apart. For a small bedroom practice/recording amp, a 1x12 should do fine. Keep in mind that 15w of tube power will go pretty damn loud.

You don't have to buy the matching cab. Check this place out - Avatar Speakers. They can make you a 1x12, 2x12, or 4x12 cab with a wide variety of speakers, colors, grill cloths, etc. They do great work, and are fast, reasonably priced, and friendly. My 2x12 is from them and it's a really nice cab. The speaker makes a huge difference in the sound you get. If you like an amp through a certain speaker, make sure you get that speaker in whatever cab you buy. Now watch this...
 
Thanks Greg - that's pretty much what I wanted to hear!

I went to the shop just now and tried a couple of cabs - came back with the Night Train 15W head and an Egnater Tweaker 112 cab - which I think is pretty much the same speaker as the Vox.

Now I just need to go back and get a speaker cable so I can start breaking it in :facepalm:

Thanks again for your input!
 
That cab has a Celestion G12H-30 speaker in it. Good choice. Enjoy!

Post up some sound clips when you get a chance.
 
So I ordered a Fender USA '52 Reissue Telecaster that should arrive tomorrow. Can't wait - my crappy old Korean Epiphone Les Paul just doesn't cut it on the cleans.

I'll see about recording some example tones once I've got my new guitar going (no laughing at my rubbish technique, mind :guitar:).
 
jonny deep said:
So I ordered a Fender USA '52 Reissue Telecaster that should arrive tomorrow. Can't wait - my crappy old Korean Epiphone Les Paul just doesn't cut it on the cleans.

I'll see about recording some example tones once I've got my new guitar going (no laughing at my rubbish technique, mind :guitar:).
Click to expand...

My Epi SG with 57 Classics doesn't do worth a damn for cleans either.

We got a tone thread in the cave that's been going with lots of people posting up lots of sound clips. No judgement on playing. Go check it out. https://homerecording.com/bbs/caution-shaky-ground/cave/tone-die-338682/
 
My Night Train came with a speaker cable. You might want to check again before you pitch the packaging.
 
Milnoque said:
My Night Train came with a speaker cable. You might want to check again before you pitch the packaging.
Click to expand...

It was the one on display and the girl just put it in the box on its own! I had to phone up to get her to find the gig bag. She chucked in a power cable too, but I bought a speaker cable. Nevermind, was only a few pounds.

Thanks for the response!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top