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The Vox AC30 Guitar Headphone Mini Amp


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To practice in the same room as family and not disturb anyone.

 

 

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Don, thanks for posting this.  Very interesting.  I had seen this somewhere but didn't move on it.  I'm going to seriously look at it this time.

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I had one like these. It works well but it gets easily damaged. You need to be extra careful when you put your guitar in a stand to not hit the ground with the little amp sticking out. I broke the plug in this way.

I did not buy another one but replaced it with a Zoom G1 on.

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Studying this, it looks like there are different versions of it:

There is a Classic rock version and the Sweetwater description says, " Vox amPlug Classic Rock G2 headphone guitar amplifier, and enjoy some authentic rock 'n' roll guitar tone. "

There is a G2 versions which states, " Vox amPlug AC30 G2 headphone guitar amplifier, and enjoy some authentic British Invasion tone. "

And there is a Metal version, which states, " Vox amPlug Metal G2 headphone guitar amplifier, and enjoy some authentic metallic grind. "

There is also a Bass version.

Hmmmm.  I'm guessing I'm going with the British tone one.

(Maybe I should figure out my looper that I got for Chrsitmas and haven't plugged in yet before getting another toy.   Naaa.)

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1 hour ago, Wim VD said:

I had one like these. It works well but it gets easily damaged. You need to be extra careful when you put your guitar in a stand to not hit the ground with the little amp sticking out. I broke the plug in this way.

I did not buy another one but replaced it with a Zoom G1 on.

I use this method almost every day. It's really great not having to set up the amp, cables etc. Instead of the amPlug, I bought the Vox amPhones 

https://www.long-mcquade.com/19560/Guitars/Guitar_Effects/Vox/amPhones_Lead_Active_Guitar_Headphone.htm#add-to-wishlist    ($139.99 CDN  about 25% less in the USA)

These are good quality headphones with the amp built right into the headphones, with out having to use the bulky plug in unit on the guitar. They work great! I didn't have a set of headphones at the time so i got 2 units for the price of one. The lead from the phones has a 1/4" jack with an adapter to 1/8 " . so you can use it with all your music players, cell phone, or the small jack on your regular amp. 

There are several models, with different tones. I got the "Twin" model for the Fender clean tones. My only critique is that the volume, tone, gain and on/off switches are very small. It's powered by 1 AA battery which has a decent life.. just remember to turn it off. You dont need the phones on to use them with a music player.  And they're so portable... I take them with me to the cottage, travelling etc. 

PLUS... I bought a 1/8 male to male lead ($10) so I plug the amPhones (separate jack) into my computer or phone for Lessons, backing or jam tracks and the like.  I can practice late at night (as I am want to do ) for hours and not disturb my dear wife. :-)  I actually seldom use my "real " amp. (I've been thinking about a different amp, but with these, I don;t really "need" one.

Worth every penny.

Vox amPhones 1.jpg

Edited by NeilES335
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I have been using the VOX Bass Amplug for some years now to rehearse quietly as I live in a flat. I find it really useful.

If you sit to play then a short mono 1/4" extension cable will avoid risking damaging your Amplug.

Edited by Fretless
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I plug my guitar and headphones into my Boss DB-90 - it then serves as my amp (no effects of course) and metronome.

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Any number of small amps have a headphone jack and give you more versatility. The little plug in amps are not bad for practice, but they can't go any further.  

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I use mine exclusively with my Traveler Sportster when I fly or drive on trips away from home.  Packs well with a small footprint.  I own the British tone model.  I normally use headphones, but I'm trying my phone earbuds this trip to minimize luggage space.  We'll see in the morning when I practice.

Edited by Plantsman13
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I have an old first-version Vox AmPlug. It works pretty well. Batteries last forever. I wouldn't say the tone is great, but it has what I need - a headphone jack and an AUX IN for practice when I'm traveling, and it will fit in any case or gig bag. 

I think the new ones have some effects and sound better, and the plug can be rotated, but mine works fine for what it is. After 6 or 7 years I've gotten my $35 bucks worth and then some. 

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I have the new Vox mini in British.  It's great!  Batteries last a long time, but I keep spares handy.  There isn't a low battery warning.  BE CAREFUL WITH THE VOLUME,  the level can change significantly with little movement.   The batteries won't last as long when using the effects.  Fits in guitar case for ease of transport or storage.  I recommend it for anyone without an amp, and for anyone wanting electric practice in the quite times.

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This looks very interesting. I just checked the Vox amp 2 at L & M for $55. I see that it has effects & allows the input of backing tracks from iPhone. For the price I can’ t avoid trying this unit. Heading to the store today. Thanks to all for the heads up.

Henk

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I have only had a week to play with the VOX amp2 but I have a few initial impressions. I am impressed that such a physically small unit provides enough power and options to be a usable part of my routine. There are Fx options for Tremolo. Chorus, Delay and Reverb which are fine playing songs but for practice I prefer to play clean.

I am amazed at how much more clearly I can hear the notes and chords with headphones whereas with the amp the misses seem to blend in. This really helps me to improve my fretting technique.

The instructions are clear and easy to learn. The volume and gain settings do not require settings over 4. this little unit just booms. I have been leaving the gain and volume at 4, the tone set to 5. If I require any adjustments, I will use the knobs on the guitar

As for playing in the same room with others without disturbing them does not work as advertised. Imagine playing unamped and the strings still emit a muted ring with some pick noise. I have found that this noise will still disturb anyone nearby. Playing in the next room is perfect. The volume from the amp could easily be heard but the VOX amp2 was silent.

So far I am very pleased with this little unit.

Henk

 

 

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On 2/5/2018 at 6:07 PM, NeilES335 said:

I use this method almost every day. It's really great not having to set up the amp, cables etc. Instead of the amPlug, I bought the Vox amPhones 

https://www.long-mcquade.com/19560/Guitars/Guitar_Effects/Vox/amPhones_Lead_Active_Guitar_Headphone.htm#add-to-wishlist    ($139.99 CDN  about 25% less in the USA)

These are good quality headphones with the amp built right into the headphones, with out having to use the bulky plug in unit on the guitar. They work great! I didn't have a set of headphones at the time so i got 2 units for the price of one. The lead from the phones has a 1/4" jack with an adapter to 1/8 " . so you can use it with all your music players, cell phone, or the small jack on your regular amp. 

There are several models, with different tones. I got the "Twin" model for the Fender clean tones. My only critique is that the volume, tone, gain and on/off switches are very small. It's powered by 1 AA battery which has a decent life.. just remember to turn it off. You dont need the phones on to use them with a music player.  And they're so portable... I take them with me to the cottage, travelling etc. 

PLUS... I bought a 1/8 male to male lead ($10) so I plug the amPhones (separate jack) into my computer or phone for Lessons, backing or jam tracks and the like.  I can practice late at night (as I am want to do ) for hours and not disturb my dear wife. :-)  I actually seldom use my "real " amp. (I've been thinking about a different amp, but with these, I don;t really "need" one.

Worth every penny.

Vox amPhones 1.jpg

Ok, so after singing the praises  of these combo guitar amp/headphones, they are now in the drawer unused... Why?

They quit on me. :-(    Actually the very thin wire lead to the headphones developed a hit/miss connection just ahead of the plug. My music store (Long and McQuade) couldn't fix them, so I I contacted Vox (which is owned by Korg Instrument Products) who referred me to an authorized repair shop.. Estimated cost? $50.00. maybe more if they had to take the phones apart that really aren't meant to be fixed. Cut the wire and solder a new plug onto these tiny wires?  Not me...  Worth the cost... not really. 

Still a good idea, but in retrospec, the wires are pretty flimsy and the control knobs are really tiny.  Vox/Korg should redesign these imho.

So, no headphones... BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE!

A couple of weeks go by...Long and McQuade open a huge new store and have a Grand Opening. I go to it, and enter a number of draws for some cool stuff like a new Strat. 

End of the day I get a call....CONGRATS NEIL YOU WON SOME COOL HEADPHONES   ....LOL

Marshall Bluetooth Wireless Monitor 'Phones!  Retail Value $336.00 Cdn on Amazon  (Funny thing is the store doesn't sell them... huh?)

They dont act as a mini guitar amp, but I can listen to music wirelessly and they do sound very good. :-)  

Moral of the story... don't despair and always enter the draws!

20181014_152322.jpg

20181014_175551.jpg

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Drop the Vox's off at my place .

Now that you have a replacement,  there'd be no rush on me

I'll loan you my Amp Plug to use with the Marshall's, and I'll see if I can solder the thin awful wires they put in those things to a new 1/8 stereo plug

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Great! Thanks a lot Doug... Coffee is on me soon. .. ( Now there's a friend for you.)

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4 hours ago, Eracer_Team-DougH said:

Drop the Vox's off at my place .

Now that you have a replacement,  there'd be no rush on me

I'll loan you my Amp Plug to use with the Marshall's, and I'll see if I can solder the thin awful wires they put in those things to a new 1/8 stereo plug

Doug, I believe the secret to getting a good solder joint is to use the bare minimum amount of heat. One of those small soldering pencils should do the trick. Patience, patience.

Henk

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You folks may not know this but for Doug this should be a breeze... He has hand built / hand wired his own guitar amps in the past.

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(thread hi-jack) I'll start a new thread on this once I get going.

the problem with the wires found in headphones is they usually wrap some sort of silk strand cloth with the no so great braded wire.

it's hard to get those to 'tin' properly. 

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17 hours ago, NeilES335 said:

Great! Thanks a lot Doug... Coffee is on me soon. .. ( Now there's a friend for you.)

 

 

No a "true" friend would put new batteries in the AmpPlug

 

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Another option is the Korg Pandora. You plug the guitar into and listen with headphones. The beauty of this is that you can use your choice of headphones.

There are over 120 preset sounds. I think you can use it as an effects pedal if you put it into an amp rather than using headphones.

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3 hours ago, Shakey said:

Another option is the Korg Pandora.

 

Sweetwater and Musicians Friend both showing the Korg Pandora as ""No Longer Available".

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That’s a pity.

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I’ve used the VOX AC30 mini for sometime now.  I find it perfect for practicing and not disturbing anyone around.  Definitely worth a try.

Edited by Bob63047
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