Vox MV50 Clean

6P1 appeal
What’s in a number?
Korg’s new valve
explained
T
he 6P1 is a clever bit of
lateral thinking from Vox’s
parent company Korg.
Vacuum Fluorescent Displays
(VFDs) are the green displays
often found on microwaves.
They operate just like a valve –
they have a cathode that
streams electrons, an anode
and a control grid, to switch
display segments on/off . The
6P1, developed by Korg with
Noritake Itron (inventors of the
VFD) is the fi rst intended for
audio use. It’s a twin triode, so
it’s similar in function to the
popular 12AX7/ECC83, but uses
much less power and generates
almost no heat. Another side
benefi t of the low power
consumption is long life – Korg
quotes 10,000 hours. It performs
just like a real valve – it clips
and distorts in a pleasing way.
This Way to perfection, while you
can crank up that gain to get ZZ
Top and Van Halen with ease. The
most impressive thing about the
MV50s is that their sounds aren’t
fl at, digital copies; these are real
valve-driven amps that squawk,
squeal and sing with superb
touch-sensitive dynamic response.
The Class D power stage is just as
impressive as the preamp,
providing lots of guitar-friendly
volume. Plugged into the matching
BC108 cabinet (£79), all three
MV50s sound far bigger than they
should, while the headphones/
recording output is great for home
desktop use, with or without the
speaker connected.
The Vox MV50s are the real deal,
with a valve preamp and a clever
Class D power amp that produces
the same kind of springy response
you’d expect from a decent
all-valve design. Despite their
simplicity, all three amps are
deceptively versatile. The simple,
all-analogue front-end delivers
pure tone that responds
dynamically to player input, with
satisfying shifts in tone and gain.
Our favourite? Well, that’s
almost impossible to answer. The
open, spanky punch of the MV50
Clean will fl atter any pedal, while
the MV50 Rock’s superb harmonics
and excellent sustain make it a real
player’s weapon. Overall, the MV50
AC is probably the most versatile,
with the best blend of clean and
overdrive sound and it nails classic
Vox tone with eye-popping
authenticity. We can’t wait to see
Vox’s next 6P1 amp, but in the
meantime, whichever MV50 you
choose, you’re guaranteed great
tone and big fun.
Nick Guppy
ORANGE MICRO TERROR
Orange’s Micro Terror is
another potent
performer in a
pint-sized
package, with a
real 12AX7
preamp valve and
a powerful
20-watt output
stage.
BLACKSTAR
FLY 3
Blackstar’s Fly 3
combo is about as
small as it gets, but
it’s still a proper
amp with
surprising tone.
PEAVEY 6505 PIRANHA
Peavey’s Piranha is
a true 6505,
which
captures the
metal tone
that many
players
swear by. With dual
modes and an effects loop,
it’s serious stuff.
ALSO TRY...
FEATURES
SOUND QUALITY
VALUE FOR MONEY
BUILD QUALITY
USABILITY
OVERALL RATING
SuMMarY
FEATURES
SOUND QUALITY
VALUE FOR MONEY
BUILD QUALITY
USABILITY
OVERALL RATING
SuMMarY
FEATURES
SOUND QUALITY
VALUE FOR MONEY
BUILD QUALITY
USABILITY
OVERALL RATING
SuMMarY
Orange’s Micro Terror is
preamp valve and
Orange’s Micro Terror is
Orange’s Micro Terror is
£99
BLACKSTAR
combo is about as
small as it gets, but
PEAVEY 6505 PIRANHA
BLACKSTAR
combo is about as
small as it gets, but
PEAVEY 6505 PIRANHA
£59
Peavey’s Piranha is
swear by. With dual
modes and an effects loop,
Peavey’s Piranha is
Peavey’s Piranha is
swear by. With dual
£185
BEST BUY
AWARD
BEST BUY
AWARD
94
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ToTal GuiTar AUGUST 2017
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The VU output
– a feature on all
three models – is
backlit for easy reading
TGR295.gear_lead.indd 94 22/06/2017 13:24