[DISCONTINUED] Vox APJS amPlug Joe Satriani Guitar Headphone Amp

It's better than nothing I suppose but not much.I have always played a vintage Marshall with a Tubescreamer, so I am used to what the feel and gain level should be with an early 70s Marshall amp and TS-9.Of course I did not expect to clone that tone with this device, but something similar in gain and feel is what I was hoping for to quietly practice.Nowhere close.It have a very "dead" feel to the touch and the gain is not much more than an old late 60's Marshall with no overdrive pedals.Just a mild blues crunch .... Even with Gain on 10, Tone on 6, Effects ON and Volume at 2 (much louder is too loud in headphones) ... it is lnot going to give you that sustain, feel and gain you might desire for sweeping arpeggios or playing stuff like Yngwie Malmsteen or Paul Gilbert style riffs.I would say it has more of a fuzzface + 68 Marshall Hendrix gain level at most.Fine if that is what you need, but I guess with the idea of Satriani I was expecting a bit more of a sweet, sustaining lead kind of tone.I felt like I had to FIGHT with the thing to play and finally decided I would rather just practice unplugged to get a better feel of what I was playing.Perhaps to suit all tastes the technology is not there to offer a suitable solution at quite this small yet ....... so maybe a small simulator like the Digitech Rp155 or something is about the smallest you can get and have a wider arrange of more realistic tones and feels for about $90 (and it includes effects, cabinet sims and a drum machine )This unit would also randomly cut out.Tried different headphones but the same thing happened.So if I just wanted something to hear myself play some blues or Black Sabbath or slow scale patterns it might be OK - but it differs too much from a TS-9+ Real Amp feel and gain level to play more intricate stuff comfortably.

This is my 3rd VOX Amplug I have purchased through Amazon. They are all awesome in thier own way. The Satriani Amplug has very nice effects similar to a flanger and delay with reverb. Without the effects on it is similar to the Lead plug with much lighter distortion - still has nice crunch to it though. If you are a Satch fan you will find this amplug endlessly entertaining! If you could only buy just one, this one may not be for you depending on what style music you like to play. I love metal, rock, classic rock etc.The first song I played through this plug was 'The Star Spangled Banner' (ala Jimmi Hendrix) and wow, the Satch effects just make it sound amazing! The Top Gun anthem sounds wicked with this plug as well.If you are looking for a pure distorted metal sound go for the Metal Amplug - it rocks your face off(I LOVE MINE). The AC30 Amplug is real nice for classic rock and country (it is nice and clean but can go into AC/DC tones) - very versatile Amplug.The Satch Amplug is a welcome addition to my collection...I would tell you to buy it, and if I lost mine I would replace it immediately. Same with the Metal Amplug. If I lost my AC30 Amplug I would wait for it to go on sale or something and pick up another - as versatile as it is, I don't play enough classic rock or country as I do metal.

I've been playing guitar for 40 years and have probably used every box,gizmo, and effect that exists. Heck, I own an original Univibe that still works. I am quite critical of everything I plug my guitars into. My style usually requires a heavy, sustained, screaming sound. This AmPlug delivers. I have many amps so I needed something for when I am just hanging out in the backyard chilling, working on riffs for my next recorded piece or just shredding away from my amps. I was really pleased with this and the amount of distortion, sustain and "satch"uration I could get out of it. Plus the variation in tone you could get was really nice using the tone nob. With my Jackson Dinky XL it had no limits. Switching to my 73 strat also gave some incredible,classic ripping strat sounds. It's not for clean playing. Even with the gain dialed down you will get warm distortion. As far as ergonomics, if you're "chillin" on a lounge chair out back or probably sitting in any chair you'll do better with a front loaded input (strat)instead of a bottom loaded input. Plugging this into the bottom of a guitar while sitting will lead to much squirming in the chair to avoid hitting the plug with whatever you are sitting on. It does get in the way. By the way, the setting with the delay is so "Joe-like" you won't believe it. I gotta give this 5 stars!!!

I had been interested in a headphone amp for some time. I had my sights set on the original Tom Schultz "rockman". But the cost was more than I could justify. After reading reviews of the newer rockman's, I really didn't like what I was reading. My search continued and I found the VOX! It took some reading and research, but I'm gld I chose this one. The JS model is great! easy to use, compact and fits in my gig bag. The sound is way more than expected too. The delay is awesome! Makes your playing sound like your playing thru a very expensive amp. But it only costs 50 dollars. Totally worth the money! A descent set of headphones, gets the most out of the amp. I went and got a set of Bose QE2's, 100 bucks. Trust me, you'll love'em!

Maybe it was my anticipation and expectation that let me down on this but I found it to be too noisy and guilty of trying too hard to sound like a big stack of amps. I know Joe's sound pretty well and this unit has it but only at one setting on the dials. Unfortunately there is no way to get Joe's clean tone out of it which makes it a one trick pony. If your just looking for a balls out screaming headphone amp get it but if you don't want to swap it out every time you want to go from grunge to clean opt for another unit like the Twin or the AC30.

I own this, and the Lead amplug. Both surprised me pleasantly, I consider the amplugs the only real portable amp solution with decent sound, even great sound when using pc speakers. While I use the Lead amplug more (for 80s metal and hard rock sounds) the Satriani amplug is more versatile, the most versatile of the series probably, together with the AC30. Playing with the guitar volume does wonders, and you can produce from semi-clean sounds with great articulation, to AC30 distortion levels. Articulation and picking dynamics shine through almost to the maximum gain level (some inevitable compression occurs at max gain). The Satriani amplug is mid-sounding, great for solos, great for crunchy and clean rhythm sounds, but not full-gain rhythm sounds (it will get somewhat muddy). The delay is a nice addition, although not always usable (since it's set in a specific delay interval). Now onto the Satriani bit: yes, the sound you'll get will truly be Satch-like (at least with a DiMarzio PAF pickup wearing guitar) but don't expect immediate wonders (you'll have to play with the volume and tone pot on your guitar, and well, on how you use your fingers!).

I will be kicking myself if they release a mark II of this that is less noisy. I also own the Acoustic Amplug which is much quieter. There is noticeable if not painful hiss whatever setting you use. For £30 though it's still pretty great. This will be a very convenient thing to have as in my extra responsible early middle aged years and in this cardboard-walled council bedsit I don't feel able to strum my acoustics that often or own an actual amplifier. I bought this model specifically for the delay effect as I think it'd get no use with just a dry sound. I play a Squier Classic Vibe telecaster through it, often with the gain right down, and it gets a good sound, one I'm comfortable will only be heard by the dustmites and silverfish in my home, who will have to grin and bare it. I would say the hiss is about 15% of the sound of what you're playing, so if this would bug you, get the Nux headphone amp which is the same price if slightly less convenient size-wise - the Amplug at least doesn't need a guitar lead.

I had been wondering if a product like this existed. To play through headphones I had to have my amplifier, so also require power. After searching on the internet I found the Vox Amplug. I purchased it through amazon for £29. I am really impressed with it. The unit plugs straight into the jack socket on your guitar. There are three dials, one for volume, one tone, and the third for gain. One the side there is a three way switch - Off, on and on with delay. There are many variations of amplug available for different playing styles, but I chose the Joe Satriani version (the red one) because it incorporates delay and has the distinctive Satriani sound. The delay is good, but not adjustable its on or off. For those who like to play along with their favourite tracks, you can plug your mp3 player or ipod into the Aux socket and hear both your music, and what you are playing. You can also use the unit with your amplifier if you want to, but you will need the appropriate cables/adapters from small jack to large. I recommend this product, ideal for camping or playing at 3am.

Bought this as a small/cheap alternative to an amp. Not really used it off the echo setting. Gain function is pretty basic, gets a bit too mucky if you have it on full, get some good variance in the tone. lasted about 2 months of casual use before batteries ran out. Currently using in a fender, fits the jack fine.

this is a fantastic piece of kit it is well worth the price, it is a mini amplifier about as big as a harmonica that has a great sound. Now you can play electric guitar etc. & listen using headphones or using a small set of speakers brilliant - 11/10