Fender VS Vox - Ask Zac 79
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- Опубликовано: 25 авг 2024
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I set up an AB switch with my 1965 Fender Deluxe Reverb, and 1964 Vox AC10, and I had so much fun switching in-between the 2 amps, that I decided to do a video to show the tonal differences between these two great amps. Fender and Vox have created two of the most iconic amp tones, that besides having different sounds, they also make you play differently because of the way they interact with your guitar.
Gear for this video
1957 Fender Esquire with added Ron Ellis "New Tall" neck pickup. Restoration and aging on the body by Dan "Danocaster" Strain.
Strings:
D'Addario NYXL 10-46 amzn.to/3bWYb1M
Pick:
Danocaster Medium
Amp:
1964 Vox JMI AC10 with 12" Celestion Blue Alnico Speaker in a custom cab built by Kyle Bollendorf.
1965 Deluxe Reverb with Celestion Vintage 30 speaker, and bright cap clipped on the vibrato channel.
Effects used:
Boss RV-2 Reverb on the "Plate" setting with Vox only.
Live Wire passive ABY box
Axcess electronics Buffer with isolation transformer - with Deluxe only
9v power via Truetone CS6 amzn.to/3gnJQPW #askzac #guitartech #telecaster
"So what you need is a Vox AND a Fender...." I agree!
You've made the crucial point - different amps make us play differently. We as players are part of the feedback loop, we readjust and adapt to what we want to hear.
I love both amps. But, the extra midrange in the Vox makes it the winner for me. That being said, they do sound great together!
The neck pickup through the VOX is lovely. So warm.
This just goes to show people hear differently. I didn't find it warm at all but rather the exact opposite.
I’ve been waiting for this one. Saw it coming when the Vox project started.
Thanks for chiming in, like a nice 12-string.
" Vox is a Fender that smokes 2 packs a day ."
Both amps sound great but I prefer the Fender. It has more of a open vibe that I am looking for.
Zac, you make some of the most insightful guitar videos on YT. I HAD to hit the like button 70 seconds into this video. Keep up the good work man, we love it!
Wow, thanks!
My main setup is a Vox and Fender together. Love it.
I was just thinking that this would be a great idea!
@@jeffbriggs4268 either wet dry or stereo depending on what I need. But, it is an amazing sound.
I used an AC10 and a Deluxe Reverb together for a while. I wound up trading the Deluxe for an AC30 and I couldn't be happier. A Vox and a Tele is just brilliant.
@@SimpleManGuitars1973 I totally agree. But, I love my Strat with a Fender.
Yesssssss...VOX n TELE.
You have just confirmed my decision: I got an AC30 and a ‘65 reissue twin reverb. For what I do, this will be all I ever need.
They are sonically opposite. One is mid scooped and one is mid pushed. Keep it up man.
I've been toying with the idea of a Vox, but at heart I'm a Fender guy. This video just helped reinforce that thought for me. Nothing against the Vox, but I can just get "my" sound out of the Fender. Very cool, Zac. Thanks!
I love the sound of using a fender and a vox together.
...run them in stereo..good idea 👍
Word.
My version of this is done with 2 fenders. A BF Deluxe Reverb and a Brown Princeton, which fills in the upper mids and adds some snarl and compression. If I can use only one, it’s always the DR, but the real sound is using them in stereo, especially when feeding an Echoplex to the Princeton.
That’s Josh Smith’s formula. Hard to beat.
That's how I like to record with them. AC 30 panned left and Twin Reverb right. Sounds perfect in the middle.
Great comparison video! I have a 1963 Princeton Reverb and a 1963 JMI copper top Vox ac30 and what I love the best is how they each bring out their own special but different feel and touch which inspires me to play different styles of music and write different parts for songs. Great job Zac!
Very cool!
I'm a Fender fanboy but I love the fatness an old Vox. Your totally right about how playing is effected by the range of the amp.
Well, you taught me how to hurt real bad, and cry myself to sleep...
Great video, Zac. In my studio I’ve got a ‘68 Deluxe Reverb reissue and an AC15 with the Blue Alnico speaker. Love ‘em both, and I actually bought an AB/Y pedal mostly to play them both together at the same time. But - I now have a Mesa Boogie Fillmore 50 combo that beats them both. (Heresy, I know). It’s awesome on my Tele (and Strat). I’d love to have you do a show looking at the Fillmore. Thanks for another great video.
I don’t feel like boogies get their flowers for clean tones like they should.
@@RichRobinson kind of hard to find sound demos of good clean tones when all the metal guys are on the are playing nothing but distortion
I’m a vox guy but hearing them both together was pretty amazing
You're a lucky man having those amps, Zac! I'm a total Vox nerd, but I love Fender too. I have a conspiracy theory about how Leo Fender designed his amps. I think he designed the amps to sound their best with his guitars.
I agree don't think it was a conspiracy just think he wanted to express the voice of his instruments the best way possible and obviously succeeded in his efforts.
Started this, this morning then became “the guy with a truck” to move a PA.
JUST finished. As always, you seem to shine a light where it needs to be. You’re also a huge boon to my “confirmation bias”😜 (And your playing examples, while not terribly “flashy” are ALWAYS inspiring, as in “I should steal that and write a song”. But then, my brain kicks in and I can hear song I should’ve heard instantly.
You’re a treasure Zac!
This was super helpful! Thanks for making this comparison video. Love your guitar playing style, too!
My pleasure!
Excellent video Zac - loved that it was in true stereo on my iPhone … you’re right - the ultimate setup is to have both and play through them together. That sound was fantastic.
Thank you
I love how the classic Fender and Vox sounds fit together.
A band with two guitars usually sounds huge with that combo.
My take - the Vox is more vocal sounding and as such requires more judicious rhythm playing behind a singer, whereas the hi-fi sound of the Fender sits in the back really well.
I built a Deluxe Reverb because of you. I have a Tweed Bassman, Tweed Deluxe and a Brown Deluxe(all built by me) already. I use all of the best new parts money can buy and some NOS parts. Let me tell you, the Deluxe Reverb is now my favorite amp. The rest aren’t slouches one bit, but with the right speaker the DR came alive!
If anyone has a need for an upgrade for their Deluxe Reverb reissue, go with either the Weber 12A125 30 watt, light dope(NOT 150) or an Eminence GA12-SC64. The Weber sound more “vintagey” but the Eminence will knock your socks off. Both are higher efficiency with the Weber coming in just a bit quieter for earlier breakup.
Yes, they need a good speaker!
Your video has settled it for me. I’ve been considering both of these. Now that’s what I want to buy. Both of these.
Good choice!
Both amps together sounds awesome... Thanks again for being!
Awesome comparison! Thanks so much for all of the details of your setup. It's really hard to choose a favorite but the Vox definitely has a unique midrange chime to it that's cool
Thanks, Kyle!!
Love this! I have recently made this discovery and finally got to try it out live this last weekend - our first gig in well over a year. I'm running a '68 Fender Princeton re-issue and a Dr Z Maz 18 Jr 112 combo with a Radial amp switcher. Individually both great sounding amps but boy howdy...together even better. Keep up the great work Zac,
Wonderful!
Very cool. Both have their own flavor.
It's wild to listen to these side-by-side, what a great comparison, Zac.
Vox amps have always seemed unfinished to me and that's the best way I can describe them. Like, the sound engineers haven't finished the work yet and tweaked it. Always a little something missing. It's really evident when a skiulled guitarrist such as yourself plays identical licks through them how perfect the Fender sounds.
Different strokes for different folks and I'm sure some Vox folks don't care for Fender tones as well...
Well said!
Zac this is a great side-by-side comparison. Both sound fantastic. I have always been a Fender guy but I’m having some Vox envy !
Love it Zach! Play em's both together! You can't hide that grin at the end..lol thanks for the great demo!
thats two chords I've learned from you this week! keep those cool chords coming
Glad you like them!
Awesome video Zac! I've always been a fender amp guy, but since watching your Vox video I acquired an AC15. I now run that as a dry amp with a deluxe reverb or princeton reverb (12" speaker) as a wet amp. They sound amazing together.
Both together sounds great
I really like the mid scoop on the Fender. I play a 1965 Vibrolux Reverb because of that sound (and the fantastic reverb)
Great channel! Very entertaining content for us guitar geeks 👌
Thanks so much!
Can we expect an episode featuring Mr. Ron Ellis? That would be awesome!!!
Yes
@@AskZac You just made my RUclips life!!!!!!!!!!
You mean the mythical RON ELLIS??? Legend says he's real.......
@@filiricaninseattle7095 It will appear on the Truetone Lounge later this month.
@@AskZac Hey, where it go??? Not, cool.....
This could be a cool little series you have here Zac. Love both sounds equally.
now you've got me thinking how my Z Wreck and Bassman would sound ran together . . .
That's great, I have a vox ac15c1x arriving tomorrow to pair with my 65 Dr. I think they compliment each other very well !
It would be really cool if you did something on the Fender Deluxe 5e3 - I know there’s a lot of videos out there on RUclips but love to hear your take on it.
I love Vox and Fender amps. Own a Princeton and AC10. Both produce great sounds. Whether played individually or paired together. Thanks for the video.
as a Gigging Master Guitarist and Session Musician, I can wholeheartedly say that this is the best comparison Ive heard. Sadly I have been accused of being FOS more often than not.
After years of playing, I've come to really not liking how my playing sounds into a black panel fender amp, but really enjoy playing into a vox style amp or tweed style amp. Currently I gig with either a quilter super block us or uk into a fender rumble 40. Usually if I'm the only mid range instrument, I'm using the US with the 57 tweed setting, and when I'm working with another guitar player or piano or horn player, the vox ac normal setting on my super block UK works best.
The Vox sounds better 🤷🏻♂️
Good video Zac. It's worth noting that the preamp tubes for each amp and their power sections really contribute to their tonal differences and response. the dual 6V6 w 12AX7s in the DR give it the warm, full low end and the EF86 and EL84s of the Vox give it a snappy, percussive mid focused attack with the 84s yielding a clean with a bit of hair on the edges which sings when overdriven or played hard. Both amps are great at what they do and you covered a lot of ground in under 15 mins. Maybe you can use the Les Paul next time with these to show how humbuckers drive both amps into creamy smooth drive ;) Keep up the cool content!
These are both my favorite amps ever. I personally love to use my deluxe reverb with my les paul and i love to use my ac30 with my telecaster.
Amazing
One amp picks up, where the other one stops; gotcha Zac. Definitely gotta have both
Love that Vox, has some sweetness & bite to the tone ....awesome demo
Thank you kindly!
Beautiful amps! Both have their place. Can't go wrong either way.
Agreed!
The different playing conclusion is brilliant, we don't see that analyses in comparisons like this one.
Brilliant as usual!! The Vox reminds me of high Beatles sound while the Dluxe sounds like Memphis
I love them both! Like two kids, you love them both in different ways!
Great sounds out of those amps. You’ve got a great setup on that Vox amp! Superb analysis, too.
Thank you kindly!
Great video Zac!! Hope you're doing well!
I am! Meet me at Titos on Friday. I'll buy.
Thanks man . ..enjoyed it a lot !!
Finally a good comparison between a Fender and a Vox !
Glad you liked it!
I too love playing both my Vox and Fender amps. I'm primarily a Vox fan, but I love my Fenders too. My main pairing is my AC15C1 (Weber AlNiCo Blue Dog) with my recently completed 6G2 Brownface Princeton (Weber 12A125S). My most used combination is my Lil' Night Train (Homemade 1X10 w/ Weber AlNiCo Blue Pup) and my 5F1 Champ clone. I mostly play crunchy/dirty, so the lower wattage pairing is a little more home friendly.
Zac, that was really informative, I have been using My Music Man Albert Lee and Brent Mason Tele through my Vox AC15C2 and now want to try a Fender 65 Deluxe Reverb. J.R (UK)
I run a VoxAC30C2X a Fender 40watt Bassbreaker and cap it off with the Blues JR IV using a Morley 3 way. I keep the volumes down including the Guitar volume and at the volume I get an awesome sound to me always enjoy your vids and playing 👍🔥🎸🦅
Thanks for doing both!
You bet!
The man realy knows what he talk about...best video I ever see
When I bought my AC30C2 8 years ago I played it against a Hot Rod Deville and a couple other amps .Found the Vox to really suit my tastes and bought it.When I saw your video of Deluxe Reverb as best amp ever I tried it and bought one.(this year).I definitely play different thru each one but 100% love them both.I would recommend both if possible as they cover different sonic territory. To me the Fender tremolo sounds better on R&B and old Soul type music while the Vox trem sounds better on country .All in all love both and I'm glad I am fortunate enough to have both.At the end of the day get one of each.
Spot -on. I would love to have you compare my 60th Anniversary UK HW AC-15 to the Deluxe. I also have a vintage 1965 Deluxe Reverb, and right now I am using these 2 amps in a stereo rig, and is pretty magical.
It is!!!
I had played Fenders all my musical life (over 20 years) and when I bought a Kemper Profiler, I decided to try an AC30 HW profile and regretted not trying a Vox before. It suits my playing better.
Awesome 👏🏼, They both sound great! I love my old black and silver faced twins and pro reverbs. My Vox tone is done with my Matchless amps. Great video...
Great content as usual Zac. Both great sounds. I find myself in agreement with you on their applications. The fender was clearer and spankier with the neck pickup. And the mid-range of the Vox complimented the bridge pickup very nicely. I own a little solid state Vox Pathfinder 15r, and in my humble opinion, it has one of the best clean tones I've ever heard with my Strat and my Tele.
Great job 👏. Thanks for posting
Both amps sound amazing
Great video - have to say that while I own a Fender and a Vox (well technically a Vintage Sound deluxe style and a Bad Cat Cub) this really is helpful as I rarely play them sequentially like this. Best comparison I've heard on youtube - and now I'm inspired to play them together more cause it does sound terrific!
The "compression" on RUclips videos is _encoding_ compression and not _dynamic range_ compression. The second leads to a loss in dynamic range, the first to a loss in overall _quality._
Really nicely done. Thanks.
Fender headstrong is what I am but I could live with the Vox also ,both amps sound great.
Fantabulous comparison thank you for sharing.
Tone stacking and a good isolated transformer AB box is a great way to go.
Darn, I like them both!
The Vox is outstanding! I love Vox amps!
Looking at the comments and it seems I'm not the only one who uses both at the same time...
Definitely liked both together😊!
Great comparison, I can't pick a fav!
Me neither
Great video! I’m sure most guitar players will think I’m crazy but I owned a ‘66 Princeton Reverb and a ‘63 AC10 Twin and I thought that when played clean, using a $50 Boss EQ pedal I could cover almost all the Vox territory with my Fender. No, certainly not perfect, but it was close enough that I couldn’t justify having that much money wrapped up in gear so I sold the AC10. FWIW, I thought that the biggest difference between my two particular amps wasn’t ‘tone’ but feel, as you mention in your video, as well as what happens when overdriven. The Vox never really gets pristine clean to my ears (it sounds like there’s always something else going on), but that’s not necessarily a bad thing! Keep up the great work.
So... you gotta have both.☺️ Great demonstration of the differences.
Fun vid. Altho I dig Fender amps I prefer the sound of the Vox here. Had the Deluxe Reverb had NOS tubes and a Jensen spkr I think it would be hands down a different situ altogether.
Here's the thing we all now about DRs and Voxs, the DR is a California girl, and the Vox is Brit Invasion City. Both are great sounds, but if you could boost the upper mids of the DR at will, what do you think it would it sound like?
Well, I have what I heard is called a "Texas" modded '66 DR with reverb and trem on both channels and a small knob on the back behind the "Normal" channel that adds mids if you want it. I always want it.
The DR sounds nothing short of glorious with upper-mids kicked in, similar to Vox chime, but with that classic DR sound as a base, much like when both amps play together. I haven't come across any other DRs with this mod or any that sound as good as this one. A keeper fer sherr.
Cheers, Zac,
Well, I already have the '67 Deluxe.... just need the vintage Vox... man what a sound!
Done the Marshall and Fender together a lot. Never put these two amps together. Very nice, makes me want a Vox. The ones I’ve tried don’t sound as good as this amp. Hardwired AC 4 maybe?
Never thought I'd say this, but I prefer the VOX sound in this video!
Celestion blue vs Vintage 30 creates a different sound spectrum. They do not sound similar. However, i think the scooped Fender sound is coming through. Vox and the Celestion Blue=perfect match. When pushing the volume the Vox will break up much earlier than the Fender, in a glorious way. The DR really needs pushing before you get there hence pedals working so well. The Vox is already meeting you halfway. Liquid gold..
My general rule of thumb is Fender is more hi fi sounding across the board, regardless of the era. That’s kind the chassis of their sound-the baseline that they always work from when building an amp.
Vox and Marshall always seemed to have a fatter sound with less clarity to varying degrees. I’ve owned a bunch of Vox, Marshall and Fender amps (and others that were obviously based off them) and I’ve always come back to Fenders. Maybe it’s because that’s the sound I learned on (Blackface Princeton; wish I still had it) in the mid 80s, but to my ears, the Blackface Fender stuff is the pinnacle of guitar tone. Other stuff is cool for certain things and is fun to play around with, but I couldn’t live without my Deluxe.
I like them both .....a lot ! I really like the " edgy" sound the Vox on the back pickup of a Tele . The Fender has a wonderful spanky sound which is appealing too......fun video and licks !
Those two amps are definitely all you’d ever need
They compliment each other well
Incredibly useful thanks for sharing - keep doing the damn thing
Awesome video. I love both.
Immediately recognised Francis Rossi when the Vox was used!
Yep…Both for the win!!
No demo of both the pickups at the same time? Middle position?
Vox has a cool sound, but i feel like you run out of clean headroom a lot faster. If you kick on a big muff, it doesnt want to get any louder. A fender does that quiet/loud transition better imo
Edge of breakup and over is where the Vox shines, especially in a rock band setting. Less annoying bass frequencies. That's why Fender blackface users usually have some kind of EQ inline or use overdrives etc to kick ass. The Vox does it by itself..
I agree. If it's a rock n roll, punk rock or psychobilly show, I prefer vox tones or tweed tones. Even just doing solo arrangements finger style, it's still more enjoyable playing into a vox or tweed amp
You should play through a Carr Telstar in a shop sometime if you get a chance, Zac. It's like Fender and Vox mixed together. EL-84 and 6L6 combined. Very pleasing. I think you would dig it!
Back to the Source: much great commentary and playing on Vox in U.K.