School me on Voodoo Amps

[NaturalBornBoy]

The V-Rock in particular.

Any of you ever use or even own one?

[atrox]

I used to have a V-Rock. One of the early small heads. It was a V-plex converted to a V-Rock. It was unbelievably awesome for rhythms, but the lead sound was a bit odd for me. Was too mushy or something. Hard to explain. Not sure how the newer ones are.

[Jp77]

The single channel series like the v Plex and v rock seem fairly priced for what you get which is all hand wired in usa plexi based amps built with nice parts like mercury magnetics trannies. The v Plex is a copy of one of his favorite Marshall's which was a 68 plexi. The v rock is based on a Jose modded Marshall and can get a wide variety of gain levels and suits 80's hard rock/metal well. I would like to come across a v rock someday used.

[gb74]

just get a good Marshall, IMHO.

[drewiv]

V-Rock Dual Lead is my "dead cold hands" amp. By far my favorite amp in the arsenal. The above descriptions are pretty on the money, but I don't find anything odd about the lead tone. On top of this being a great amp, Trace is about the coolest guy to talk to. While tone is subjective, he just hears things the same way I do and provides exactly what I'm looking for in an amp. I also have a 1959RI with the HG-Jose mod, an ODS-60 and a CP-100. Trace is good people.

[ValveQueen]

I haven't played any VooDoo stuff yet but Trace is a super cool and very knowledgable guy.

[atrox]

V-Rock Dual Lead is my "dead cold hands" amp. By far my favorite amp in the arsenal. The above descriptions are pretty on the money, but I don't find anything odd about the lead tone. On top of this being a great amp, Trace is about the coolest guy to talk to. While tone is subjective, he just hears things the same way I do and provides exactly what I'm looking for in an amp. I also have a 1959RI with the HG-Jose mod, an ODS-60 and a CP-100. Trace is good people.

I think I'm just used to the Marshall Lead tone. Somewhat bright with a lot of attack. Like I said, the amp is amazing.

Trace is a fantastic guy and can probably mod it to do whatever you want really. I built him a guitar a few years ago for trade on some stuff and all his work and customer service is fantastic.

[drewiv]

V-Rock Dual Lead is my "dead cold hands" amp. By far my favorite amp in the arsenal. The above descriptions are pretty on the money, but I don't find anything odd about the lead tone. On top of this being a great amp, Trace is about the coolest guy to talk to. While tone is subjective, he just hears things the same way I do and provides exactly what I'm looking for in an amp. I also have a 1959RI with the HG-Jose mod, an ODS-60 and a CP-100. Trace is good people.

I think I'm just used to the Marshall Lead tone. Somewhat bright with a lot of attack. Like I said, the amp is amazing.

Trace is a fantastic guy and can probably mod it to do whatever you want really. I built him a guitar a few years ago for trade on some stuff and all his work and customer service is fantastic.

If you are used to or prefer that true Marshall tone the V-Rock isn't that. I think you nailed it, the Marshall has a brightness the V-Rock does not. I find the V-Rock to be more fluid or liquid in the leads than a Marshall, it's what I was looking for in an amp for many years.

[gary666]

I had a V rock. Sounded AWESOME on its own. Sold my JVM410h because if it. But then I played two gigs with it and was buried in the mix( not my first two gigs, BTW, I think I can dial in an amp). I sold it and went back to a Marshall.

[lespaul6]

I had a V rock. Sounded AWESOME on its own. Sold my JVM410h because if it. But then I played two gigs with it and was buried in the mix( not my first two gigs, BTW, I think I can dial in an amp). I sold it and went back to a Marshall.

this.... I never had the v rock. Unfortunately, I sent a 1959HW to voodoo for their high gain mod years ago and it came back sounding like bassy shit.. I mean terrible. I sold it as fast as I could.

[NaturalBornBoy]

just get a good Marshall, IMHO.

I'm with you on this one but as you may know, I don't have a good 2nd hand market where I am and I'm limited to buying amps from either the EU or direct from manufacturers like Voodoo, Splawn or Fortin who will ship to the customer direct.

The Marshall I want is a 800 2203 reissue but Thomann doesn't have it in stock and won't ever be getting them in again.

[redeyes]

My only amp is a 77 Marshall JMP with a HEX mod which I guess trace doesn't do anymore. Its gooped and it has the magic smoke. I will never sell it, its the best sounding Marshall I have ever heard.

[drewiv]

I had a V rock. Sounded AWESOME on its own. Sold my JVM410h because if it. But then I played two gigs with it and was buried in the mix( not my first two gigs, BTW, I think I can dial in an amp). I sold it and went back to a Marshall.

this.... I never had the v rock. Unfortunately, I sent a 1959HW to voodoo for their high gain mod years ago and it came back sounding like bassy shit.. I mean terrible. I sold it as fast as I could.

I've found exact opposite results with the V-Rock. The V-Rock cuts through a mix far better than a stock Marshall, IMO. The mids are much stronger/pronounced and doesn't have, what I would describe as, ear-piercing highs and flubby bottom.

The Voodoo modded 1959 HG-Jose I have is what I would consider the best take on a Jose Arredondo modification I have ever tried (I've had a bunch... and sold a bunch).

I guess this is why there are a ton of amp builders and modders, everyone hears things differently. Moral of the story; you never know until you try one for yourself.

[drewiv]

This is the best example out there of the V-Rock DL.
[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMD-6xZJSRk[/video]

[NaturalBornBoy]

I have yet to hear a clip of the V-Rock that sounds dark or overly bassy.

[atrox]

I have yet to hear a clip of the V-Rock that sounds dark or overly bassy.

I think there might have been some changes throughout the years. Dark and bassy is exactly how I would describe mine. Luckily they have a bass and treble knob. Easy stuff to EQ out. I would also describe it as HUGE sounding.

Mine also ad significantly less high mids than my 2203. I wouldn't say it got lost in he mix, but it surely dint cut like my 2203.

Again, mine was older and I thought it was awesome. Just not quite what I was looking for. Mostly because I already owned what I was looking for. The DL might be slightly different too. Plus, Trace can tweak till its what you like. Again... He rules. Amazing guy.

Sweet. I'm still on their artist and endorsers page.

[drewiv]

The V-Rock has been constantly "improved" through the years. In fact, Trace wants mine back for an upgrade. It will probably go back, but as I've told Trace - I don't see this amp getting any better for me. Also, as said, Trace will always tweak until your happy. My V-Rock is a little different, tailored to my taste per several phone conversations and emails. An older pic of my Voodoo collection below, I still have everything except the JCM2000 DSL w/ Rock Mod (found my V-Rock just did everything better). The Fender is now an ODS-60 (Voodoo Amps Dumble clone), the 1959RI has a HG-Jose Platinum mod, the JCM800 is now a CP-100 (a Voodoo Amps original and quite rare) and the V-Rock DL sits upon the 4x12. Yeah, I like Voodoo Amps.

[NaturalBornBoy]

What upgrade are you talkin' about here?

Cos' I'll be damned if I have to spend close to 600 bucks just to ship back the amp for upgrades that don't do much.

Yup. You read that right. 600 bucks. I'm not from the US.

[GuitarBilly]

just get a good Marshall, IMHO.

I'm with you on this one but as you may know, I don't have a good 2nd hand market where I am and I'm limited to buying amps from either the EU or direct from manufacturers like Voodoo, Splawn or Fortin who will ship to the customer direct.

The Marshall I want is a 800 2203 reissue but Thomann doesn't have it in stock and won't ever be getting them in again.

how hard would it be for me to buy gear here and ship it to you? I've done it for Fred in Russia in the past...

[drewiv]

What upgrade are you talkin' about here?

Cos' I'll be damned if I have to spend close to 600 bucks just to ship back the amp for upgrades that don't do much.

Yup. You read that right. 600 bucks. I'm not from the US.

I'm not sure exactly what the upgrade is, we touched upon it briefly in a phone conversation last summer. Since it's my #1 amp, I've been hesitant to change anything on it and, honestly, I'm considering leaving well enough alone. I do recall something about "increased playability" coming from Trace, but I can't be 100% sure as the phone conversation was 8 months ago. I would suggest emailing Trace directly for details; he is very accessible when not at NAMM or on the road with a customer. Today might not be a great day for a phone call to the office, I believe there are blizzard conditions that way. He may respond to emails? Sorry I couldn't be of more help on the topic.

[NaturalBornBoy]

how hard would it be for me to buy gear here and ship it to you? I've done it for Fred in Russia in the past...

I never considered this option with amps cos' of the different operating voltage.

[atrox]

What upgrade are you talkin' about here?

Cos' I'll be damned if I have to spend close to 600 bucks just to ship back the amp for upgrades that don't do much.

Yup. You read that right. 600 bucks. I'm not from the US.

I'm not sure exactly what the upgrade is, we touched upon it briefly in a phone conversation last summer. Since it's my #1 amp, I've been hesitant to change anything on it and, honestly, I'm considering leaving well enough alone. I do recall something about "increased playability" coming from Trace, but I can't be 100% sure as the phone conversation was 8 months ago. I would suggest emailing Trace directly for details; he is very accessible when not at NAMM or on the road with a customer. Today might not be a great day for a phone call to the office, I believe there are blizzard conditions that way. He may respond to emails? Sorry I couldn't be of more help on the topic.

One of my buddies just had his VROCK in for the upgrade. He hasn't stopped gushing about it since. And, like you, he was very happy with it before.

Do it!

And yes. Blizzard here, but not too bad right now. He's probably in.

I need to take a ride down there one day with my 2203. It's old and noisy. He said he can quiet it down for me.

[atrox]

Also. FWIW. I had Trace deluxe mod a JVM for me in exchange for that guitar I built him. That amp was amazing. Just liked my 2203 more

[drewiv]

What upgrade are you talkin' about here?

Cos' I'll be damned if I have to spend close to 600 bucks just to ship back the amp for upgrades that don't do much.

Yup. You read that right. 600 bucks. I'm not from the US.

I'm not sure exactly what the upgrade is, we touched upon it briefly in a phone conversation last summer. Since it's my #1 amp, I've been hesitant to change anything on it and, honestly, I'm considering leaving well enough alone. I do recall something about "increased playability" coming from Trace, but I can't be 100% sure as the phone conversation was 8 months ago. I would suggest emailing Trace directly for details; he is very accessible when not at NAMM or on the road with a customer. Today might not be a great day for a phone call to the office, I believe there are blizzard conditions that way. He may respond to emails? Sorry I couldn't be of more help on the topic.

One of my buddies just had his VROCK in for the upgrade. He hasn't stopped gushing about it since. And, like you, he was very happy with it before.

Do it!

And yes. Blizzard here, but not too bad right now. He's probably in.

I need to take a ride down there one day with my 2203. It's old and noisy. He said he can quiet it down for me.

Damn! Trace told me I would love it too. He also told me if we scheduled it, he would only have it in the shop for 2-3 days and get it right back to me. Changing my favorite amp makes me nervous.

Noise issue? Yeah, he'll whip that right outta that amp. One of my favorite things about the HG-Jose mod; silencio.

[atrox]

What upgrade are you talkin' about here?

Cos' I'll be damned if I have to spend close to 600 bucks just to ship back the amp for upgrades that don't do much.

Yup. You read that right. 600 bucks. I'm not from the US.

I'm not sure exactly what the upgrade is, we touched upon it briefly in a phone conversation last summer. Since it's my #1 amp, I've been hesitant to change anything on it and, honestly, I'm considering leaving well enough alone. I do recall something about "increased playability" coming from Trace, but I can't be 100% sure as the phone conversation was 8 months ago. I would suggest emailing Trace directly for details; he is very accessible when not at NAMM or on the road with a customer. Today might not be a great day for a phone call to the office, I believe there are blizzard conditions that way. He may respond to emails? Sorry I couldn't be of more help on the topic.

One of my buddies just had his VROCK in for the upgrade. He hasn't stopped gushing about it since. And, like you, he was very happy with it before.

Do it!

And yes. Blizzard here, but not too bad right now. He's probably in.

I need to take a ride down there one day with my 2203. It's old and noisy. He said he can quiet it down for me.

Damn! Trace told me I would love it too. He also told me if we scheduled it, he would only have it in the shop for 2-3 days and get it right back to me. Changing my favorite amp makes me nervous.

Noise issue? Yeah, he'll whip that right outta that amp. One of my favorite things about the HG-Jose mod; silencio.

If yo want i can put you in contact with my buddy to get an accurate description of what the changes are. His name is Jason Rowland. I can steer you towards his facebook