Vox Mini Go 3 Portable Modeling Amp

Overall Rating: 4.6/5

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Vox Mini Go 3 Review: Warning! This Portable Package Packs a Punch!..

Mini Go 3 Overview

While Orange and Marshall have defined the high gain “British Invasion” sounds that we know and love, Vox Amplification is arguably the king of English tone.

Known for their distinct “chime” and treble-rich sounds, Vox is the go-to amp for many guitar legends. Brian May, The Edge, and even punk icon Tom DeLonge have all used Vox amps throughout their career.

Providing a distinct guitar tone that has been copied by many, Vox now distills their legacy into an affordable practice amp.

However, this is more than just a Vox mini amp, with several classic amp voicings to choose from. It’s an impressive spec sheet for a battery powered, 3 watt amplifier! Let’s dig a deeper into the Vox Mini Go 3.

Vox Mini Go 3 Finer Points

Vox has taken a 3 watt, battery powered amp and essentially loaded it with options. Built-in amp voicings to choose from, limited EQ controls, and even some modulation and reverb effects to top it off.

The latest take on a modeling amp for the long time tube amp icon, Vox has quickly made a lasting impression.

Loaded with some of the latest creative must-haves such as a looper and no less than 33 built-in rhythm tracks, this Mini Go 3 is built to be a versatile, budget friendly practice amp for the modern player.

Perfect for playing at your desk during the day, or late into the night, the Mini Go 3 is an all-in-one amplifier solution.

Who Is This Amp Best Suited For?

Vox’s Mini Go 3 is a great amplifier option for very specific players. Whether you are a beginner or pro, it is a practice amplifier through and through.

If you want to practice in a small space, be it a desk or dorm room, this is the amp for you. With headphone outs, auxiliary in, and low wattage it is great for jamming along to your favorite songs.

Vox Mini Go 3 Watt Portable Modeling Amp

Likewise, it is ultra portable thanks to the small frame and battery powered construction. It isn’t a gig ready amp, and probably won’t suit your studio needs either.

It may not feel the same as some of the better small tube amps, but for pure practicing purposes, the Vox Mini Go 3 is hard to beat.

What’s In The Box?

Contrary to the loaded spec sheet of amp features, the unboxing process is fairly straightforward.

There aren’t a lot of extra cables, cabs, or accessories needed or added in the box. It comes with an included DC power supply cable to let you plug into a wall power supply.

When you want to take it on the road, you will simply need to grab some batters (that aren’t included) and you can get playing your new amp!

Vox MINI Go 3 Features

Vox’s MINI Go 3 can be powered by 6 AA batteries or by the included power supply.

This supplies 3 watts of guitar amp output that can be played through headphones or the built-in speaker.

You can choose between 9 amp voicings ranging from Vox AC15 chime to US-inspired high gain from the 1980s. Plus there’s 8 studio quality VET model effects including a vocoder for extra sonic fun.

You can then tweak each voice with gain, tone, and master volume EQ controls. A built-in tuner adds a beginner-friendly feature to the spec sheet as well.

Next, there are 8 studio quality VET model effects banks which can be used simultaneously – one for reverb/delay, one for modulation such as chorus etc.

Among the classic effects are tremolo, spring reverb, chorus, and many other classic tone shaping effects.

Auxiliary-in ports let you jam along to your favorite tracks, and a headphone in helps you play at low volumes into ear buds.

Lastly, a “mic in” port lets you add a vocal mic and use the amplifier as a small PA system for singing or speaking.

Highlights:

• 3 watts of power through a 1×5” speaker
• 9 built-in amplifier voicings to choose from
• Modulation, reverb, and delay effects built-in
• 40 second Looper
• Can connect microphone for vocal use

Getting The Most Out Of Your MINI Go 3

The Vox Mini Go 3 is incredibly user friendly, with such a wide variety of tones for you to mess around with. To get the most out of it, simply use it as a versatile practice tool.

Take it on the go to practice, play late at night through headphones, that’s what this amp wants you to do with it!

You don’t need any accessories to get playing, just plug it in or grab some batteries, and you are off.

Check out this demo below for more on how to use the Mini Go 3 from Vox.

Vox Mini Go 3 Review: Key Points

Check Out Some Alternatives

Final Thoughts On The Vox Mini Go 3

The Vox Mini Go 3 may have put together the most feature laden battery powered amplifier we have ever seen. However, it does come at a bit of a cost increase compared to other battery powered amps.

3 watts of output with incredibly tonal versatility from the built-in amp voicings, guitar effects, looper and rhythm sections is a pretty good value at the end of the day.

In fact, both beginners and pros should be interested in how many sounds are in this little box.

It remains one of the best options on the battery powered market if you’re willing to invest a bit more than the competition charges.

Check Today’s Vox Mini Go 3 Price! >>

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Marshall Origin 20W Combo Review: Classic English Tube Tone – Without The Half Stack!

Marshall ORI20C Origin 1×10″ 20-watt Tube Combo Amp

Origin 20W Combo at a glance:

Marshall Continues to Make Killer Combo Amps

For most guitar players, the company Marshall is only known for creating half stack or full monstrosities.

We’ve all seen the armada of amp cabs behind Lemmy, Jimi Hendrix, and Billie Joe Armstrong.

But did you know they actually make combo amps as well? Not just that, but they make iconic combo amplifiers like the famed Bluesbreaker with 2×12 speakers.

This Origin combo amp isn’t packing quite that much muscle into its frame, but is still impressive nonetheless.

Marshall has put together an affordable, compact all-valve amplifier that will get many players the Marshall tone they dreamed of at a cheaper price.

Not to mention it is much easier to fit one of these in a bed room than a half stack! With 20 watts of classic tones and looks, it is hard to beat the Marshall Origin 20W.

Digging Deeper Into This Marshall Origin

What Marshall has created here is a wonderfully versatile little tube amp that can take external effects pedals. It is not a modelling amplifier as it has no built-in effects.

Instead, it prioritizes tone shaping through an EQ section with a unique “tilt” control. Better yet, the switchable power options make it easier to crank this combo amp into overdriven territory without breaking any glass windows around you.

It’s a modern take on the classic Marshall sound for sure, built with effects pedals and tone junkies in mind.

Origin 1×10″ 20-watt Tube Combo Key Points:

What are Marshall Origin Owners Saying? >>

Who’s The Marshall Origin 20W Combo Meant For?

This amplifier would suit any beginner or pro player equally well, thanks to the high quality tube tone.

For beginners, it would be affordable enough to consider while still being loud enough to potentially use in your first few gigs.

Likewise, the ability to lower the power makes it an appealing practice amplifier too, meaning you can lower the wattage when practicing inside.

On the other hand, the FX loop and dedicated EQ controls make this a fun option for pedal happy guitar veterans.

Run your effects in, dial in the right flavor of British Invasion for you, and you are off to the races with a really fun amp.

You can record with it, practice with it, or mic it up for bigger gigs.

While it may lack built-in effects that attract some beginners, this is a do-it-all amp in a lot of senses.

What Comes In The Marshall Box?

Unlike many of the amps in this price point, the Marshall Origin 20W Combo is light on extras.

There is no digital interface for downloading patches, or recording your first attempts at song writing. It’s a straightforward all tube combo amplifier that provides quality over quantity.

In other words, when you unbox your new Marshall Origin 20W Combo Amp, that should be all that is in the box!

Marshall Origin Combo Amp Features

There are a lot of fun features to unpack here, especially when you consider the price.

First off, this Marshall really sticks out to me because of the switchable power options.

You can toggle between low, mid, and high power outputs, meaning your amp can get quieter for practicing without losing any tone quality.

f you want to crank some warm tube overdrive, just toggle down to low power and dime the master volume and gain knobs.

The built-in FX loop is incredibly useful for more experienced players with a full pedal board as well.

Last but not least, there is a fairly diverse EQ panel for a small combo amp, with their unique tilt control.

This tilt control lets you blend bright amp tones with more traditional Marshall amp tones.

In addition to the middle, bass, treble, presence, and master volume controls, you can even roll on more chime than expected.

• FX loop built-in
• Diverse EQ controls with tilt knob
• 20 watts is small gig ready
• Power controls to lower volume
• All tube combo amp
• Affordable price for the quality

How To Get The Most Out Of Your Origin 20W Guitar Amp

The Marshall Origin 20W Combo Amp is very easy to understand and use out of the box.

With no extras, accessories, or digital patches to download you can just plug in and play.

For beginners, they may be upset that there aren’t built-in effects, but you will get a premium guitar tone that most of your peers won’t have.

Consider saving up, adding some pedals, then you’ll really be enjoy this tube combo to the full extent! Check out this killer demo below for more.

Alternatives to the Marshall Origin Amp

Final Thoughts: Is The Origin Amp The Most Underrated Marshall Combo?

The Marshall Origin 20W Combo is a phenomenal little amplifier that brings a legacy sound down to an accessible price.

It may be a bit plain for beginners in the sense that there aren’t any effects or amp voicings built in. But on the other hand, it will give beginners a much better guitar tone than any of the competition listed above.

For long time players this is a great value, letting you add a Marshall to your quiver that will take effect pedals really well. It’s loud enough to play small gigs but can be mic’d up for bigger shows.

At the end of the day, this amp grades out significantly higher than others because of that British tube tone.

You can’t fake it, and Marshall captured it wonderfully here.

Check Marshall Origin 20-watt Tube Amp Availability! >>

The post Marshall Origin 20W Combo Tube Amplifier Review first appeared on GuitarNiche.

We hope you find this article helpful and unbiased. By using links on this page we may receive compensation at no extra cost. If you do, thank you so much!

Blackstar FLY 3 Review: Is it the Best Battery Powered Practice Amp On The Market?

Blackstar FLY3 Mini Amplifier

Blackstar FLY3 Mini Amp ratings at a glance:

Meet The Blackstar Mini Amp FLY3

Not long ago, the only practice amps available were low quality and strictly marketed towards beginners. Recently, players and builders have embraced the idea of low wattage amps, but high function practice amps.

Whether you are warming up backstage before a show, or playing quietly in a bed room at night, there have never been more options.

The Blackstar company is well known for its loud, tube driven combo amps and half stacks. Favored for their full, overdriven tones at high volumes, they have distilled those sounds down to just 3 watts.

Featuring a plethora of amp voicings, a portable construction, and diverse listening options, the FLY3 Mini Amp is well worth a look.

Digging Deeper Into the FLY3 Amp

Blackstar’s FLY3 is a 3 watt modelling amplifier meant for practicing and jamming along to your favorite songs. Modern specs like a MP3-in line and Infinite Shape Featuring give it a distinctly advanced feel for such a small, practice amp.

Even better, you get all that in a portable package that is battery powered. If you want to take your guitar practicing on the go, the FLY3 may be your best bet. Oh, and did we mention it costs less than half as much as some competitors?

The Good and The Bad

Who Is The Blackstar FLY3 For?

Blackstar’s FLY3 mini amp is purely a practice amplifier through and through.

That makes it a great option for both beginners and veteran players, based on what you are looking for.

If you want to play your guitar late into the night, this is the amp for you.

With the emulated output jack, you can play your amp into headphones, without waking any neighbors or roommates.

If you’re a beginner, this is certainly a very budget friendly option for you to learn on, but it will surely never be a gig-able amp for you. So if live gigging is in your future, perhaps look elsewhere.

What’s In The FLY3 Box?

One of the coolest features of the compact Blackstar FLY3 amplifier is one of the included accessories.

With your 3 watt practice amp you get an additional 3” speaker that perfectly matches your amp in size and finish.

This lets you get the full stereo sound experience whether you are playing MP3 music through the amp or jamming on your guitar.

Along with the necessary wire to connect the amp to the speaker, those are pretty much the only accessories you’ll unbox with your new Blackstar FLY3!

Blackstar Mini Amplifier Features

Blackstar’s FLY3 has quite a few features packed into its small enclosure. This 3 watt amplifier is paired to a 3” speaker, giving you a decent amount of sound compared to the size.

Built-in digital tape delay lets you add some thickness to your sound while experimenting with a classic guitar effect.

This 3-watt amp also has two channels, clean and overdrive, providing even more tonal flexibility. The amplifier can be powered via an included power cable or by batteries.

What Do Blackstar FLY3 Mini Amp Owners Think? >>

The Infinite Shape Function, or ISF, gives you incredible versatility when it comes to guitar tone as well. Even better, you can plug in MP3 devices to play along with your favorite music.

For those late night practices, there is also an emulated output headphone jack so you can crank your amp without waking anyone around you!

Highlights

• Emulated output jack for playing through headphones
• Infinite Shaping Function to dial in various amp voicings
• Battery powered
• Built-in tape delay effect
• Available with an external speaker option

How To Get The Most Out Of Your FLY3 Mini Amp

For such a small amp, you can get so many big sounds if you use the FLY3 correctly! Fortunately, there is a simple user interface designed to get you playing within minutes of unboxing your new amp.

Plug your guitar in, connect the external speaker via one wire, and dial in your favorite tone! It’s that simple, just see the helpful demo below and you’ll be convinced.

Mini Amp Alternatives

Final Thoughts On The Blackstar Mini Amp

For the price, the Blackstar FLY3 may be the most versatile practice amplifier on the market. With an ultra-portable build that is lightweight and powered by batteries, it packs a ton of big amp sound into a tiny package.

Most battery powered amps don’t pack this much tone, it’s really quite an impressive feat. If live gigging or starting a band are not on your radar, this may be one of the best ways to start playing and practicing fast.

Perfect for dorm rooms, shared bedrooms, or guitar players on the go, you get a lot of amplifier for not a lot of money with the FLY3.

Check Blackstar FLY3 Mini Amplifier Availability >>

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