Anyone got a VOX Tonelab?

[fitz]

Found a few mentions of it in passing in a few old threads, but not much in the way of details.
This has been floating around my local CL for a while, and the price has come down into the WTFN range of $50.

Looks to be in good shape...
I think it's the original 2003-2007 version.
Just looking for a gauge of what you might think of the effects, cab & amp sims.
I'm not into programming presets, and I've had a few bigger BOSS multi-gizmos in the past that I just think were too large and had way more options than I ever used.
For about the price of any one used pedal, is it worth a 15 minute drive?

 

[freefrog]

Sold mine a long time ago to a friend who has been happy with it for home recording.
So yes, there's something to dig IMHO in Vox modeling - whose core tone has not changed much in more recent units IME and anyway.
If Vox units had the same flexibility and the same efficience for 4CM than Boss ones, they could have been my MFX's of choice, compared to the Boss/Line6/Zoom things that I've used too among other brands of modelers...
FWIW (my two cents). Do what you want and be happy.

 

[dodona]

I had an Tonelab LE, the best pedal I ever owned. Unfortunately, it has gone broken. I'll buy another LE if I'll find one.

 

[PelliX]

At $50 and a 15 minute drive - I'd have it already.

 

[fitz]

At $50 and a 15 minute drive - I'd have it already.

I sent an email inquiry through the listing - haven't heard back yet.

 

[fitz]

Found a comp on Reverb - $200!

Vox ToneLab | Reverb

Introduced in 2003, the Vox Valvetronix Tonelab was a multi-effects processor for guitar based on the preamp circuitry of the Vox AD60VT and AD120VT. Like the "Blue" Valvetronix amps, the Tonelab included sixteen amp models, ten pedals, five modulation effects, three delay effects and three types...

reverb.com

Seems a bit high - recent solds are around $100-120.
If I don't like it, I could roll it easy.

 

[Rokinroller]

I've had the Tonelab LE . Must say , I should not have sold it . They actually are very good pedalboards . Sound quite decent . You get a lot for the money and they are built quite solid .

 

[fitz]

So yes, there's something to dig IMHO in Vox modeling - whose core tone has not changed much in more recent units IME and anyway.
If Vox units had the same flexibility and the same efficience for 4CM than Boss ones, they could have been my MFX's of choice, compared to the Boss/Line6/Zoom things that I've used too among other brands of modelers...

Not looking for 4CM, just something inexpensive to front end some of my junk amps.
I have a collection of Zoom G3 units - fantastic versatility for the price.

I had an Tonelab LE, the best pedal I ever owned. Unfortunately, it has gone broken. I'll buy another LE if I'll find one.

I've had the Tonelab LE . Must say , I should not have sold it . They actually are very good pedalboards . Sound quite decent . You get a lot for the money and they are built quite solid .

Thanks for the feedback!
I was curious if anyone would say they are a complete p.o.s. and don't waste your time.

Still waiting to here from the seller...

 

[fitz]

Just got a call from the seller - meeting this afternoon in the GC parking lot.
I have a $10 gear cred coupon, so I can pick up a patch cable or some strings while I'm there.

 

[fitz]

Well, I picked up the gizmo.
Nice old guy - said he used to play in a Beatles tribute band but doesn't play much anymore and is selling off some gear.
So, I shook him down for any vintage Marshalls, but came up empty...

Original box & packaging.

This thing is pristine.


Figured out how to set it to manual and plugged into the JTM30 for a test drive.

Sounds pretty nice - lots of options and everything seems to be functional and quiet.
Nothing scratchy or stiff.

Had to find out what tube was in there.
20+ year old EH, looks like new- probably worth the $50 I paid for the whole thing...


And now for the true test:
'68 plexi
4x12 of H30 greenbacks
Tube screamer
A bit of chorus and reverb



Through ...
The G10

Might be the best tone I've ever squeezed out of that little tin can on a string.

 

[PelliX]

Fitz, you have this uncanny way of not just getting a nice piece of equipment, but putting an entire colour matched rig to it. I think you might be the world's most style-conscious gear horder!

Looks like a fun piece of kit, glad you're getting on with it! I figured, worse case, spare valve and a cute toy.

 

[PelliX]

Figured out how to set it to manual and plugged into the JTM30 for a test drive.

I'm used to your dining plate sized picks by now, but... that guitar strap.... what are you, 9ft tall??

 

[fitz]

I'm used to your dining plate sized picks by now, but... that guitar strap.... what are you, 9ft tall??

6-3. I have long arms?

 

[Rokinroller]

Congrats . Nice little set up . Now try it out in stereo . You'll be hooked good . Pretty sure the chorus , Delays and reverbs are stereo in that one ? I had the bigger silver LE model with the Vox wah pedal built in . The 12ax7 isnt doing much in that circuit . It was more marketing than anythng else . Still sounds good anyway .

 

[Mitchell Pearrow]

Congrats on the score @fitz

I do have one. I have not used it in about 2 years now.[url=https://postimg.cc/CdZnxzxR] [/URL]

I had always used it before I got my amps in order, and I used it as a headphone amp for a couple of years, to not disturb anyone.

Mine will not function properly, but it does work as a pedal board quiet well, I like it to try and cop Robin Trower tones and other very cool features.

Cheers

 

[Central Scrutinizer]

What a score!

That thing is in pristine shape.

Have fun and congratulations.

 

[Derek S]

Had one back in the day, never truly bonded with but that was user error because I had a buddy that got some great tones out of his.

Congrats!!

 

[fitz]

Thanks all.
Great deal for $50, but not quite a vintage cab full of a quad of Pulsonics for $50.
I haven't had a chance yet to try it on some of my other amps yet.
Although I have no plans on replacing any of my pedalboards.

I have had multi effects boards in the past (ME-80, GT-8) with amp & cab sims.
Always wondered what's the point when I'm running it through an amp & cabs...
Is it really going to make my greenbacks sound like V30's?
Will it make my DSL sound like a Plexi?

Might try it through the CODE25 micro stack set to all clean.
Override the digital sims with some good old analog, tube driven... sims.
@PelliX should love how that rig matches.

 

[PelliX]

@PelliX should love how that rig matches.

Hehe, you know it makes me chuckle every time. Heck, I'm glad if my socks match in the morning...

If you ever want to unload the VOX, I'm right here

 

[giblesp]

I still have the same one, been meaning to sell it for a while. Have had two in fact, got the first in 2005. Great unit for the time, best in its class IMO.

Had many years of use out of it, until finally replacing with a POD HD and then a Kemper.