The Vox Cambridge 50 is a digital modeling amplifier. It’s equipped with Nutube technology in the preamp. Nutube is a new type of vacuum tube. It provides all the tube-like characteristics in terms of tone, sag, and feel that you would expect.
Vox’s own Virtual Element Technology (VET) provides players with an amazing experience. It’s as close to vintage classics as you can get.
Features
Let’s have a look at some key features of the Vox Cambridge 50!
- 11 amp voicing from American to British.
- Combo with one 12″ Celestion speaker.
- 8 effect models.
- Variable power control.
- Headphone and aux connections.
- Light weight.
- Plenty of output power at 50 watts.
- Direct recording capable.
Who Is This For?
The Cambridge 50 is a great amplifier for beginners, students, and intermediate players. It offers good low-gain crunch sounds and a wide range of presets that are great for newer players. The entry-level price is perfect for anyone who wants to get into Vox tones.
PROS
- Solid build quality.
- Enjoyable sounds.
- Great crunch and distortion tones.
- Good effects on board.
- Sounds performance at higher volumes.
- Tube like tone.
CONS
- No FX loop.
- Looper and effects cannot be used at the same time.
Build Quality
The Cambridge is a very light little amp, weighing in at 20 pounds. It’s a nice size for a combo with a 12″ Celestion speaker and is a pretty standard design. Height: 16.15″ Depth: 9.5″ Width:17.8″
The enclosure is a wood assembly with black Tolex and vintage grill cloth. There is nothing that would create concerns, as the amp itself is pretty basic. All connectors and controls feel good and are of decent quality.
The primary focus of this amp is the Nutube technology, which is designed by Korg. These new tubes are a modern representation which are only a few years old.
Channels and Controls
The Vox Cambridge 50 has the same type of control scheme that their other digital amps come with. If you have any experience, you will find it easy to jump into this one.
The EQ is pretty basic with a treble and bass control, standard gain, and volume. The amp simulations are selected with a rotary switch like other modelers. A couple of controls for effects like modulation and delays or reverb.
This amp has a power level control, which is pretty handy as it reacts like a master volume control overall. You can turn it right off if you like or find a setting you like right up to the full 50-watt output.
The amp also allows for preset functions as well as a tuner, and tap tempo and is pretty easy to use.
Output Power
The Cambridge is a 50-watt amplifier at max power level setting. The amplifier is loud and will keep up with a drummer.
We found that it’s a decent output level and didn’t really struggle to keep up. Adjusting the Power Level control will also give you some great volume settings. This is a great guitar amp for both gigging and home practice.
Tone Room Software
The tone room studio software comes free with the amplifier. This lets you connect to your computer and link up to the software.
Once inside the software, there are many options that can be changed or selected. Some that are not found on the front panel of the amp itself.
There is plenty that this software offers, so make sure to take advantage of it should you buy this amp.
Sound Performance
Vox has been making some pretty good modelers and the sound is quite good. This Cambridge 50 is no different. Their VET technology with the use of the Nutube preamp comes pretty close to a tube sound.
There are some great clean sounds available from the amp that really have a vintage feel. I also found that some overdrive sounds clean up quite nicely when the volume is rolled down. While using a Fender Telecaster, I was able to get that old-school Vox tone quite easily.
Distortion and crunch sounds do have that Vintage Vox feel. The AC30 sound is what I would come to expect the real tube amp to sound and feel like. Vox has claimed that there are American and British sounds in the amp. But I found the British flavors to be the best sounds.
The sounds are good in this amplifier. I do appreciate the Vox digital amplifiers, they have a good sound and feel to them and are appealing. The effects built in are good and the price of the amp is quite impressive.
Final Verdict
Looking to get into a vintage amplifier? Old-school Vox and the Cambridge 50 will get you most of the way there. The sounds and amp models sound and feel good and don’t break the bank.
The EQ is pretty basic and so there is no mid-control. But it responds nicely and, for the sounds, fits quite well. For a modeling amplifier with a hybrid design, this amp does it quite well.
Yes, there are other modelers on the market that offer more. But if you’re looking for a great Vox tone, this will be your best bet. It’s a simple, vintage-sounding amplifier at a great price! I give it a 7 out of 10 for this price point!
FAQs
Is the Vox Cambridge 50 loud enough to gig with?
While the amplifier is rated for 50 watts, it seems a lot louder! Yes, this amp is loud enough to gig with and has a lot of power. Even if you have a heavy-hitting drummer, it will keep up.
Is the Vox Cambridge 50 a solid state amp?
The Vox Cambridge is a bit of a hybrid amplifier. It uses a tube technology that is called Nutube. But it has a solid-state power section and digital circuitry.
