[scott58]

Thought i'd put out a few observations on the amps I tired this weekend. I was in the store about 5 hours so no where near the time needed to actually check out all the settings and functions.

Amps: Vox AD15VT-xl, 30VT and 30VT-xl
Vox DA 20
Roland Cube 30

The Vox AD30VT-xl is geared way towards the metal end and although I got some decent tones out of it, it was just to much for what I wanted (same with the 15 xl). The standard VT was better for most of the music I like to play (ZZ tops, Clapton, Pink Floyd etc) and there's more then enough settings to keep you busy for a long time, but they had the DA 20 sitting there and i offhandedly plugged into it (just to see). I really liked the tone for classic rock and blues (don't expect alot of volume though). No where near the settings of the vt. They aren't even in the same league, but the twin speakers in the DA sounded great (and kinda stereo like) for what I like to do and that's what I bought. The effects on it are minimal (at least compared to the vt), but i think that's the direction i'm going to start going. Pedals are usually better anyway. The DA 20 isn't as loud as even the 15 vt-xl so that maybe an issue for you. I have a PA so it doesn't matter. Now the Roland cube 30 is just a really nice amp. It came in number 2 for my purchase, but I gotta tell you it was a really close number 2. If my mood had been different I might have gotten it that's how close it was. To my ear i liked it better then the AD series. Still alot metal, but not as down and dirty as the Vox and more limited in the controls. The AD series has alot crammed into a small package. Just my 2 pennies and as always try before you buy. What sounds good to me may not be your cup of tea!

The guitars I used to test the amps were a Dean USA hardtail classic quilt ($2500), an american strat hotrod 57 ($1600) and a Dean Black Gold V ($700)

[knight46]

Thanks for the review Scott58.