If you’re thinking about getting the VOX VT20X combo and you’re not sure if it’s worth it or not, don’t worry – you’ve come to the right part of the Internet! In today’s in-depth review, I’m going to take a close look on that affordable modeling amp. It’s a really popular piece of gear, but is it actually that good?
The truth is that VOX Valvetronix VT20X is a really affordable and versatile guitar amp. It sounds really close to a classic tube amp and it’s packed with various different effects and amp voicings. Undoubtedly, this combo is definitely worth the money!
Let’s dive deeper with research to find out what exactly makes the VT20X model so good and efficient. Firstly, we’ll have a look at the detailed specs and the main advantages of that model. Additionally, we’ll investigate if it has any potential flaws. Hopefully, this guide will help you understand if this amp is a good fit for you.
Specs & Pricing
VOX Valvetronix VT20X is a small, yet powerful guitar combo suitable for the most demanding guitarists out there. In fact, it’s one of the most popular modeling amps that are currently available on the market!
What makes it so cool? Well, the amp features 20 Watts of power, a great sounding 8″ speaker, a multi-stage tube circuit, 33 presets, 11 amp voicings and 11 built-in effects. That’s a lot of cool features, right?
The manufacturer equipped this combo with the Valvetronix preamp, which means that this is a hybrid amp. For those who are not aware, that kind of technology significantly improves the overall tone and response of that combo. It gives you the tonal characteristics of a classic tube amp.
It is also worth mentioning that the VT20X is really easy to use and it can actually get pretty loud. Although it’s a compact-sized combo, it offers plenty of power and volume. But if you’d like to practice quietly without annoying your neighbors, you can also use the headphone output.
Overall, VOX VT20X is an excellent modeling combo. There’s not much to complain about – it sounds great and it’s not that expensive. Isn’t it all that really matters in the end?
Here’s the sound demo – feel free to check it out below.
Who Is It For?
VOX Valvetronix VT20X will be ideal for complete amateurs, intermediate players, guitarists who want to experiment with tones and everyone else who wants to efficiently practice or rehearse.
Since it’s a modeling combo which is equipped with various different effects and amp voicings, it’s an extremely versatile piece of gear. It doesn’t really matter what kind of music you’re into – you can play pretty much everything with that combo. Whether you’re into blues, rock, jazz, indie or metal – the VT20X will be an excellent fit.
It is also worth mentioning that this amplifier is not as expensive as some of the other amps available on the market. Of course, it’s not the cheapest model, but it’s a perfect choice for players who don’t want to spend thousands of dollars on new gear. It will be tough to find something better at this price level.
Overall, VOX Valvetronix VT20X is a fantastic guitar combo suitable for the vast majority of guitarists. No matter how advanced you are on the guitar, you will definitely enjoy the tone and overall versatility of that amplifier. That’s for sure!
Here’s an another sound demo.
Disadvantages of VOX Valvetronix VT20X
Although VOX Valvetronix VT20X is generally a really good modeling combo, it’s not the best amp in the world. There’s a few things that may be classified as disadvantages of that amp, but don’t worry – these things are not that serious and they’re mostly subjective.
Still, here’s a few potential issues that you should be aware of before you decide to get it.
Firstly, the VT20X comes without a footswitch. If you’re a beginner, you probably won’t even need it, but if you’re a more advanced player, you may find it really useful. That being said, you’ll have to get it separately.
Additionally, although hybrid combos do a great job at emulating the real tube-like guitar tone, it will never be as good and as responsive as a classic tube amp. So if you’re searching specifically for a sound of a tube amp, you should probably stick with a model that features the preamp and power tubes.
Also, bear in mind that this is not a huge, powerful amp. While it’s enough for home practice and really small, intimate gigs, it will never be good for band rehearsals (especially with a loud drummer) or live shows in crowded spaces.
Summing up, the main disadvantages of VOX VT20X are:
- the footswitch is not included
- it will never replace a classic tube amp
- it’s great for home practice, but it doesn’t have enough power for gigs and band rehearsals
As you can see, these cons are really subjective. If you don’t play in a band and you just want a versatile amp that you can practice with in your bedroom, the VT20X will be an excellent choice for you.
What About Other Valvetronix Amps?
Many guitarists may wonder whether the VT20X is the right fit for them, considering the fact that VOX manufactures other Valvetronix amps. For those who are not aware, this series consists of three amps:
- VOX Valvetronix VT20X
- VOX Valvetronix VT40X
- VOX Valvetronix VT100X
All of them are great and the main factor that differentiates them is their power. Obviously, the VT100X will be a much more powerful combo than the VT20X. At the same time, the VT20X will be a far better choice for home practice that any of these bigger amps.
So as you can see, choosing the right Valvetronix amp for you depends on your own personal preferences.
Here’s a really good video that highlights all of the Valvetronix combos – feel free to check it out below.
Are There Any Alternatives?
If you don’t want to get the VOX VT20X or you simply can’t afford it right now, that’s totally fine too! There’s still a lot of other really good amplifiers out there that also deserve a lot of recognition. Of course, it all depends on your own specific needs and how much are you willing to spend on a new piece of gear.
Here’s a few other amps that you can also check out instead of the VT20X.
Firstly, I highly encourage you to check out the Fender Mustang LT25. This is an another really popular and great sounding modeling combo that you can choose for home practice. In my opinion, it’s on the same level as the VT20X, but it’s a bit more powerful. Surely, a lot of you are going to love it.
Alternatively, you can also check out the Fender Champion 20. This particular model is not packed with dozens of presets, but it’s still really versatile. I had the pleasure to use that amp really frequently for home practice and I can totally confirm that it gets the job done.
If you’re on a really tight budget and you don’t want to spend too much on a new combo, check out VOX Pathfinder 10 or Marshall MG10. Both of these amps are pretty cheap and they sound really good. Of course, they will never sound as high-end tube amps, but they offer a great value for the money.
FAQ
Does VT20X combo work well with pedals?
Yes, the VT20X amp works really good with guitar pedals as well. Nevertheless, considering the fact that it’s packed with various presets, using pedals is not necessary.
Where can I find the manual to that amp?
The manual to VOX VT20X can be found here.
Where can I find more information about VOX amps?
If you want to learn more about VOX and their other amplifiers, check out their official website.
Summary
As you can see, VOX Valvetronix VT20X is a great sounding and versatile combo. Considering the fact that it’s not as expensive as some of the high-end tube amps, it’s a great choice for the vast majority of guitar players. I’m positive that if you decide to get it, you won’t be disappointed.
What do you think of the VT20X amp? Would you get it for yourself? Leave a comment down below and let me know what you think, I’m really interested to hear your thoughts on that.
Thanks for checking out today’s blog post, hopefully it was helpful. If you’re looking for more gear recommendations, you may also like:
