Laney Prism P35, or Roland Cube 20XL, or Vox Valvetronix VT20+?

[PDF105 Guy]

As a beginning electric-guitarist, I asked for advice on selecting my first (non-acoustic) amplifier at the PDF105 subforum:

• http://forums.parkerguitars.com/index.php/topic,14650.msg131798.html#msg131798

There, my post contains links to the Laney Prism and Roland Cube models, along with prices. I'm also considering used Vox VT (20,30,50) amps.

Thanks!

[jpleong]

I really liked the Vox VT when I auditioned them years ago. I thought the models were all very good sounding. The AC15/30 and Mesa sounds were particularly good. When I'm in a store auditioning some effect pedal or electric guitar, I make sure I plug into a Valvetronix as my point-of-reference. Will Ray of the Hellecasters recommended the Valvetronix for beginners in a workshop I attended and it was an unsolicited opinion -he had to whisper it as they were not a sponsor.

My friend really loves his Roland Cubes (he has two of them) but he only really uses them on one setting (the JC120 -heh) and plays through a POD X3 most of the time.

Both of these are very easy to use -which sets it apart from, say, the Fender XD which requires some menu navigation.

Never used or heard an opinion of the Laney but it looks snazzy.

JP

[Bill]

 I have the Vox AD30VT. I've had it for many years now. You can pick them up used for pretty cheap and they are not that much new. They are great for beginners and as a practice amp. It was cutting edge when I got it years ago but the technology is probably even better now so my opinion may be out dated. Roland makes good stuff too. I dont know anything about the Prism.

[PDF105 Guy]

Update

I ordered a Vox VT20.

Here are some YouTube reviews of the Vox VT20+:

• VT20+ Valtronix http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IdCfeq5gLQ
• The VT Valtronix series http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77RgcmkRCUU

"Total Guitar" magazine published a product comparison by Ed Mitchell, which preferred the Vox over both the Roland Cube and the Line 6 Spidey; the worst amplifier was the Laney.

• http://www.thomann.de/se/prod_review_21910_AR_253859.html
• http://www.thomann.de/se/prod_pdfreview_21910-tgr209gear_test.pdf

Here are descriptions and prices for the amplifiers I considered:

• the Laney Prism P35 (98 Euros http://www.thomann.de/gb/laney_prism_p35.htm),
• the Laney Prism P65 (145 Euros http://www.thomann.de/gb/laney_prism_p65.htm), and
• the Roland Cube 20-XL (155 Euros http://www.thomann.de/gb/roland_cube20xl.htm).
• the Vox VT20+ (175 Euros http://www.thomann.de/gb/vox_vt20.htm)