Fender 2x12 Twin Reverb Model on the AD120VT(VTX)

[Telegib]

I have both an AD120VT and VTX. I play in 2 different classic rock and blues bands and have for the most part used the Marshall Plexi (UK70's) for most of the stuff. I also use the VOX AC30 model and sometimes the Bassman 4x10...it just depends on what song were doing.

Recently I have been experimenting with the Fender 2x12 model and I like it for the material we do.
It's got a great sound and feel and it delivers a great clear tone for better defining chords. I currently have my patch for this set with the amps gain full on and I get a nice clean crunch for rythmn playing.

I am struggling to find a preset for this amp that gives me a good solid sustaining lead tone. When I dial in the TS OD, it's nice but it doesn't give me that feeling of "power" when I'm playing lead. It also seems to take away some of the "heft" of the tone and becomes kinda "thin". The Fat OD seems to give me a little more but it also sounds muffled in a small way. The Fuzz sounds like crap and I have never been happy with that effect on any model.

I have always read and heard that the fender twins are awesome amps and a staple amp in many studios and on stage and for the most part, it works for my rythmn parts and I like it.

I need suggestions on getting a good sustaining lead tone with this patch. Suggestions?

Thank you.


also: Do you folks experience this: As I find different amp models to work with and start playing with them / get used to them.....I find that when I go back to an already exsisting patch that I use, it sounds bad. Not because of anything do to with the amp....it's my ears.
Example: I love my Marshall Plexi patch and it sounds excellent but after using the fender 2x12 patch for a while, when I go back to the Plexi patch, the plexi patch doesn't sound that good anymore !...LOL.

Thanks again and any suggestions on the above would be appreciated.

Scott

[Telegib]

Part 2:

I'm using mainly my LP custom for now, but will also be using my strat.


S.

[Voxman]

Don't forget to up the gain and (for more valve saturation) crank the Master Volume of your AD120VTX up to 2-3pm.

Are you using anything in the FX loop? I use a 7-band EQ followed by a BBE Sonic Stomp Maximiser in the FX loop that add shimmer, punch & dynamic response that you can't get from the amp alone. You'll need a mono-Y cable to connect these (see FAQ section).

Alternatively (or even with the above) try adding a little compressor. Most of the country cleans (both pure and pushed) you hear on records are not using the 2x12 'Blackface' amp straight, but with some compressor added. On the AD120VTX, you can control depth & volume of the effect, so experiment with the settings.

And yes, our ears can get used to tones and its all highly subjective - weather & air-pressure affect what you hear too. Which is why you'll create a great patch one day that sounds pants the next - or viice-a-versa! Same with all amps!

Rich

[Telegib]

Hey Rich..thanks. Yes, As I said above my gain is up full and my master is on 2-3 oclock and I do run a Boss GE-7 through my effects loop. I have tried the compression and it seemed to give me a little more "feel" and ability to play lead with a sustain, but I want more...lol.

I just like a fast fix....

I'll keep experimenting.

I know you play classic rock too.....What models do you use for classic rock that work well for you?
Kinda like your "go to" model ?

thx.

S.

[Voxman]

Add a BBESSM after the EQ for a much bigger/fuller more 3D tone.

Re 'go to' classic rock, very much depends on what I'm playing. But I do like all the Marshalls. The Plexi (UK 70's) is one of my favourites and (also sometimes the JTM45 UK Blues) either on their own or with some tube OD or fat OD (The Who, Free, Bad Company, AC/DC etc), the UK 90's (great for when you want gritty, toppier crunch eg for Led Zep stuff) & the UK JCM2000 (UK Modern) great all-round rock tone for Gary Moore, ZZ Top tones (actually, the Mesa Boogie 'Recto' is great for ZZ). The JCM800 (either on its own or again with some tube OD/Fat OD) is perfect for general classic rock too (Bad Company, David Bowie 'Ziggy Stardust', 'Suffragette City' type stuff).

The Marshalls can be quite interchangeable to varying extents especially when the gain is eased off & used with the pedal distortions. If I had to pick my favourite Marshall model, although that's not necessarily the same as a 'go to', it would be the Plexi for its feel & crunch which gives in many ways a richer and more complex but 'restrained' crunch tone that also works so well with the tube/fat OD's too.

[Morty123]

I think I know what you mean about the OD on the Twin model. I used my 120VTX for a gig in a large club a few months ago and used the Twin amp with Tubescreamer and Chorus as and when needed. (Sounded immense by the way with the strat bridge and middle combo). The TS was kicked in for solos but I was struggling to get over the band ie achieve a great enough jump in volume when kicking in the OD. My answer was to have two patches, one clean and one with the TS. The second patch had more gain and level to give it a real kick. Bear in mind that the Tubescreamer loses some bottom end but it was designed this way to avoid flubbiness on Fender type amps when they are pushed. However Vox have not been able to allow the OD to wallop the front end of the amp for fear of digital distortion. Ironically a valve 1st stage pre-amp would be the answer. The compromise here is that the clean amp patch by necessity has to have a lower master setting so you lose a bit of body and compression. Also you use more patches up. Ho hum. Never the less I'll be sticking with this until someone brings out something better with all the same functionality.