I almost bought these tonight...

[Haze]

So yeah, i stopped by Guitar Center to buy some strings, which they didn't have, and played this combo for a good 45 minutes. Wow. I was absolutely blown away by both the amp and the guitar. The cleans were superb and the Gain channel was excellent with the boost switch kick in. Reverb wasn't too good on the higher settings but around 5 or so was a nice sounding spring reverb.
I kept [out of 12] the Bass on 8, Mid on 5 and Trebble on 7 and it was just perfect for both clean and distortion.

The Classic Vibe Telecaster is such a great guitar, the neck is soooo nice and glossy. I closely examined the guitar and saw zero flaws in the frets and everything else. The pickups were great, especially the neck pickup which has a very nice warm round tone to it while the bridge pickup is all tele. The Pine gives it a good weight and looks AMAZING under the transparent finish. One thing i had problems with was the B string going out of tune due to the string tree grabbing on to it. Some slight tweaking or just thicker strings would fix this though.

INCREDIBLE!

I really want to check out the v55 head now. I got to crank up the amp and the clean wasn't all that clean after 8 or so and didn't quite hit the clean volumes that i gig with my Bassman. The gain channel sounded great when it was cranked up though. You can tell it really wants to be played loud!

These two look perfect next to each other as well.

[CaptainGD]

Very glad to hear you dig that Bugera, I haven't seen many people commenting on the V22s around here.

I haven't gotten the chance to try one out, but I'm considering picking one up in a week or two. Though I've serious deliberations about whether or not I'd be better off with the V22 combo, or the V55 head with the 12" cab I've got. But that's a relatively off-topic question.

More due praise for the CVs. They're brilliant.

[Viljami]

I'm in love with my CV Tele Custom. Been thinking about getting a Vox AC4 to go with it (the cab+head version), since my 90's noname guitar amp is... a bit shitty. In a bad way.

[Haze]

Your question is completely on topic as far as i'm concerned, I have the same question myself as im seriously considering one of the two amps.

I prefer to go the route of the head and cab rather than a combo. With a head you have the choice of what speaker you want to run it through where as a combo you're stuck with it unless you want to do the work to swap it out. Having the two seperate pieces also isolates the tubes and other componets of the amplifier from the speaker vibrations, thus tends to prolong the life of the tubes a bit. Its also a bit lighter for me to carry two seperate lighter pieces, although two trips, than one heavy piece. I don't care much for a single 12" speaker personally, and 2x12 Combos are large, heavy and often don't have the handles that speaker cabinets have OR CASTERES!!!

Combos have their own pros of course. Its one single piece, just plug in and go. Most combo amps these days have an external speaker out so you can still use them with other cabinets if needed - very nice! You can tilt back a combo amp easier so you get a better projection of sound - something that i have trouble with and im not even going to try it with a head sitting on top of the cab. Its also usually cheaper to buy a combo version of an amp rather than buying the head version in addition to the cabinet.

[Haze]

I'm in love with my CV Tele Custom. Been thinking about getting a Vox AC4 to go with it (the cab+head version), since my 90's noname guitar amp is... a bit shitty. In a bad way.

I love the AC4s as a dirty amp, the 0.25 watts is just asking for it. Plus they look great! I'd get a night train or tiny terror if i was looking for a small tube amp for just crunch tones.

[CaptainGD]

Your question is completely on topic as far as i'm concerned, I have the same question myself as im seriously considering one of the two amps.

I prefer to go the route of the head and cab rather than a combo. With a head you have the choice of what speaker you want to run it through where as a combo you're stuck with it unless you want to do the work to swap it out. Having the two seperate pieces also isolates the tubes and other componets of the amplifier from the speaker vibrations, thus tends to prolong the life of the tubes a bit. Its also a bit lighter for me to carry two seperate lighter pieces, although two trips, than one heavy piece. I don't care much for a single 12" speaker personally, and 2x12 Combos are large, heavy and often don't have the handles that speaker cabinets have OR CASTERES!!!

Combos have their own pros of course. Its one single piece, just plug in and go. Most combo amps these days have an external speaker out so you can still use them with other cabinets if needed - very nice! You can tilt back a combo amp easier so you get a better projection of sound - something that i have trouble with and im not even going to try it with a head sitting on top of the cab. Its also usually cheaper to buy a combo version of an amp rather than buying the head version in addition to the cabinet.

Hm, I never really thought to figure in the positive aspects of a cabs variety. Considering, I think I'd be better off getting the V55 and using my 1x12 for now. More headroom, same price, and more versatility if I ever need it.

[Haze]

Im thinking I'll come to the same conclusion. I'd like to try out the 22 and the 55 side by side. If the v55 sounds anything like what i played tonight im in. I've played through them a few times before and was impressed but i never had the time to sit down and get to know it a bit until now and i'm thurroughly impressed with these amps.

[lorez]

Sounds like you are smitten Haze. The CV teles are a dream and need nothing more than a string change and they are good to go. If you can have a go at the custom, you might find you have more to consider. The pine on the 50s is quite nice sounding as well. Defintely gives the 50 a bit of resonance.

[CaptainGD]

So, I don't know how you guys take pointless bumps, but here goes:


I bought a V22. Decided on a V22 instead of a V55 'cause a combo with lower wattage will probably suit me better for now. Also, a V55 with a small Epiphone Cab looks like cock.
Pics later if there's any interest, I haven't even played the thing yet. It's a lot bigger than I imagined, which is certainly exciting.

[Haze]

I'd love to hear your review of it once you get to know it a little better. I thought the amp sounded great. I had thought that between the v22 and the v55 they both have their ups and downs that make them about equal for me. I'm used to LOUD cleans from my Bassman so the v55 could deliver that. But I've been pushing it with an lpb-1 lately so it breaks up easier which the v22 could deliver in that department. The portability of the 1x12 combo is great but so is the extra speaker i would get from the head

If i could throw a Greenback into a v22
I went cab/speaker shopping on my day off yesterday. Took the Bassman and tried out all kinda of speakers. Emenince, Celestian, some boutique fancy pants ones he recommended, jbl's ect

Mainly the Celestian Greenbacks stood out to me instantly and i just kept going back to them. Sounded great with the bassman boosted. Awesome crunch. I imagine one would sound pretty good in that EL84 v22

[Rayjaysonic]

I have the V55HD head going into a 2X12 cab loaded with Jenson CR12's. Sounds fab. For the money, I can't think of anything else that delivers on sound and features.

[Haze]

How has the footswitch held up? If I were to get one I'd probably look into rehousing the footswitch into something smaller and more robust but if it ain't broke don't fix it!

[Rayjaysonic]

Footswitch itself is fine. I had problems with a short on the pedal input jack on the back of the amp when the tubes warmed everything up and things expanded slightly. Luckily I discovered this on day 1 of owning the thing. Sent it back and the replacement has been trouble free (touch wood). Had it for six months now, use it every day. Love it.