Vox Pathfinder 15Rchat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

Many players say the Pathfinder 15R fools listeners into thinking it's a tube amp, delivering Vox-style character and depth rarely found in budget solid-state combos. It's frequently compared favorably to pricier tube amps like AC15s, AC30s, and Princeton Reverbs.

@LennySugiono

GREAT VIDEO! \n\nI got this recently. As a player of 15 years with lots of gear… wow, I mean it. (Wow)\n\nIt gives you the vox tone. It’s loud. It has a foot switch for tremelo and decent boost and it has a subtle spring reverb on board. It does very few things but, it does them successfully. You can also use headphones (bit shrill) or plug into a cab like this amazing video.\n\nI know it’s not meant to be an emulation of an ac10 or 15 but my goodness it really nails the tone and has all the features on it that make this so versatile. It puts the tone master series and its price point to question in my opinion. How could a company make this much amp for so little money?launch

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December 4, 2025

@silverslusis

PF15R and the regular PF15 are actually pretty different.\nI have had multiple and still own one of each. PF15 is more VOX, PF15R is like a VOX, but with Fender-ish tone. British princeton reverb is a good description.\n\nThe most VOXy sound of these amps comes from Cambridge 15. The Pathfinder R and non R have the fuzzy gain as you mention around 5 minute mark in the video.\nCambridge 15 sounds just right and if you plug it into a decent 12 inch speaker - heaven.launch

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November 4, 2025

@lionscircle4700

Picked up a vox pathfinder 15 minus the reverb locally at a low price. Removed the baffle and made a cut out for a 10\" speaker. Had a ragin cajun I picked cheap awhile ago and used that. Needed to cut the chassis but was able to get it to fit afterwards. I played it for the first time tonight and must say I'm impressed that a small solid state combo can offer such a pleasant sound. Nice breakup with alittle volume. WOw, I had more expensive solid states amps that never sound so nice.launch

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December 18, 2024

@3fast5you

My prev roommate and friend (turned junkie and petty criminal, still owes me a bunch of money, fuck you) left one of these behind when he disappeared, didn't realize what a gem it was until I started jamming on it recently. I've had it for 12 years, and it was already probably used heavily for 5 years + before that. Had to look it up because I was so surprised how great it was compared to my other, quite expensive amp with a bunch of fancy stuff. So good clean tone and distortion, no pedals, but maybe I will try pedals in the future. Not experienced with that stuff. With my great grandfathers old Hagström Ultra Swede it really sounds amazing.launch

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May 2, 2024

Numerous buyers picked these up for $40-$150 and consider them a steal, often calling them the best money they've ever spent on gear, especially given how well they've held up over a decade or more.

@amosmontessori

I grabbed mine back in 2004 brand new from a friend who got it first, he didn't like anything about this GREAT BABY. \n\nHE OFFERED IT TO ME FOR 50 BUCKS and a distortion pedal. The best 50 bucks ever spent. \n\n21 years now, I still have and everything works perfectly, the boost, the tremolo and the reverb are intact.\n\nI got Peavey, Fender, Ampeg, Hiwatt, Orange, Engel and THIS MONSTER IS JUST UNBELIEVABLE AMAZING. \n\nI would never sell it, it's a keeper.launch

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February 1, 2025

@BruceGriffith-i8w

All true, greatest 15watt solid state amp ever!!! Another great thing is u can buy a pathfinder without reverb for real cheap! Run out of 15R into input of the plain 15 without reverb and both have reverb!!! , plus 30 watts. I have this exact combination & this is nice 🎶 I'm old now and don't play much anymore, but if I do , I don't like loud & this amp by itself is plenty. If u find one under 200 dollars it's worth it! Oh, didn't mention great recording amp too.🎶🎵🎶🎵😎launch

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June 4, 2024

@larryg.overton2951

Just saw this tonight, and I'm staying up late just to comment. I may be late to this video of yours, but I'm not late to the party when it comes to VOX Pathfinder 15Rs. It is my main amp for electric guitar, whether for bedroom use or gigging.\nYou were indeed fortunate to find one. I would have guessed that 15Rs up for sale are as rare as moon rocks on earth by now. The 15R model was introduced in the year 2000 as an upgrade of the Pathfinder 15 (no reverb).\nYours is an older version of the PF15R. The black grill cloth ones were Made in Korea up until 2008. At some point early in that year, the were Manufactured in Vietnam, sporting the brown grill cloth. I have both iterations, and in fact own three of these gems, one MiK, the other two MiV.\nI bought my first 15R 13 years ago in February, at a pawn shop for $40. I very quickly realized that I was always going to want at least one of these amps in my guitarsenal, so I went shopping for a second one and found an open box sale on one in perfect condition for $74. BTW, they sold new at the time (while still in production) for $119, so I had scored two of them for less than the price of one.\nThen in January of 2013, VOX/Korg decided to discontinue the Pathfinder 15R. At that point, I decided to buy one more, and paid full price for it. I got the last one the store had.\nSo yes, I have three. And no, I won't sell any one of them. I also have two of the VOX VFS2 footswitches.\nI haven't owned a set of headphones in decades, so I've never tried the headphone out. And with only one short-lived exception, my amps have always been combo units, not head + cab, so I've never run an extension speaker with the 15R.\nBut as for the Line Out, all I can say is try it once. I've run from the Line Out on the rear panel to two different powered mixers over the years, and into a powered speaker. The sound is nothing less than Pathfinder 15R tones at gig volumes. Much easier than putting a mic in front of the amp (although I've done that, too).launch

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April 15, 2024

@brysimm404

This amp also came with the typical brown grille cloth. Mine is exactly like this one - the black grille cloth does give it a \"special version\" look. Bought it from a Music-Go-Round for $95 [in lightly used condition] around 2018. Best find ever :Dlaunch

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August 22, 2023

Users successfully gigged the Pathfinder using extension cabinets, powered PA speakers, or the rear line out, praising its portability and surprisingly big, musical sound when paired with larger cabs.

@airamarrocha29

Hello, I have use the vox pathfinder 15r for a long time now, was one of my first amp long ago and I still have it, like wise I also use it on live gigs with 12\" extension cabinet and I tell you it delivers a very nice tone and more than enough volume for a middle size venue, the band I play on is kind of punk-gunge style and I love the sound that comes out of it. I have other amps (boss katana, fender bassbreaker) but the path finder gets more use than the others, to me It has more character, oh! and it takes pedals like a charm. One of the best budget amps ever made.launch

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September 23, 2025

@larryg.overton2951

Just saw this tonight, and I'm staying up late just to comment. I may be late to this video of yours, but I'm not late to the party when it comes to VOX Pathfinder 15Rs. It is my main amp for electric guitar, whether for bedroom use or gigging.\nYou were indeed fortunate to find one. I would have guessed that 15Rs up for sale are as rare as moon rocks on earth by now. The 15R model was introduced in the year 2000 as an upgrade of the Pathfinder 15 (no reverb).\nYours is an older version of the PF15R. The black grill cloth ones were Made in Korea up until 2008. At some point early in that year, the were Manufactured in Vietnam, sporting the brown grill cloth. I have both iterations, and in fact own three of these gems, one MiK, the other two MiV.\nI bought my first 15R 13 years ago in February, at a pawn shop for $40. I very quickly realized that I was always going to want at least one of these amps in my guitarsenal, so I went shopping for a second one and found an open box sale on one in perfect condition for $74. BTW, they sold new at the time (while still in production) for $119, so I had scored two of them for less than the price of one.\nThen in January of 2013, VOX/Korg decided to discontinue the Pathfinder 15R. At that point, I decided to buy one more, and paid full price for it. I got the last one the store had.\nSo yes, I have three. And no, I won't sell any one of them. I also have two of the VOX VFS2 footswitches.\nI haven't owned a set of headphones in decades, so I've never tried the headphone out. And with only one short-lived exception, my amps have always been combo units, not head + cab, so I've never run an extension speaker with the 15R.\nBut as for the Line Out, all I can say is try it once. I've run from the Line Out on the rear panel to two different powered mixers over the years, and into a powered speaker. The sound is nothing less than Pathfinder 15R tones at gig volumes. Much easier than putting a mic in front of the amp (although I've done that, too).launch

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April 15, 2024

@erlowther

Love these amps. Easy to transport. Got that great Vox look and sounds great. I own a total of three of them. One for practice at home and the other two for stage. Run two in stereo on the floor left and right of me facing front and send the line out of one of them to a JBL powered PA 15” speaker cab shooting sideways towards the band. Volume boost (if needed) comes from the sideways JBL. The line out jack is awesome (ps: forget sending the headphone out.. it sucks). Line out sounds so musical and mimics the Pathfinder’s tonality. Not canned sounding at all. Thanks Ernest in Lexington KYlaunch

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February 17, 2024

@jimmy5634

I have one I bought about 12 years ago, still have it and gig with it. I have the foot switch too.\nLater, I found another one for $120 used. That’s what they cost new.\nI bought it as a backup but later sold it. Should have kept it.\nThis thing is amazing. It has reverb, tremolo, master volume and gain and wait for it…a line out for connecting to a board and one for an extension cab.\nIt’s a loud 15 watts with a very tube like voicing. Love it!\nIf you can find one these days they go for $250 and up. Still worth it.launch

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August 3, 2023

Commenters consistently highlight the amp's clean channel as one of its strongest features, calling it among the best cleans they've heard. This makes it a favorite for recording and low-volume practice.

@koneking2569

For practice I play a Vibro Champ XD, Pathfinder 15R & a Vox Super Beatle, surprised to learn all three are now discontinued. The Pathfinder 15R is the best solid state amp I've ever played, gets a little muddy at higher levels but most amps do and the cleans are pretty close to traditional Vox tube territory, it's a shame they discontinue so many quality cheap amps when amps like the Fender Frontman or poor sounding tacky digital effects amps are still getting around.launch

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August 27, 2025

@carlosa.sencion6516

Believe the hype gentlemen, this amp sounds absolutely amazing. I don't know what formula VOX used, but the tone is tremendous, it has one of the best cleans out there. I use it with a 4x12 EVM 12L cab for a bigger sound... try that. I haven't played my AC-30 after using that combination :). It is that good.launch

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March 1, 2022

@brittwin

I own one of the Pathfinder 15R’s as well. Great grab and go amp with amazing tones inside. It does amazing clean and light crunch on its own, but takes pedals amazingly. I wouldn’t suggest the high gain tones myself, but hey! That’s me.launch

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November 7, 2020

@rafaelzengo5534

In what comes to the tonal quality itself, this amp has a much better tone than my Fender Blues Deluxe. I solely use the Pathfinder at home, and need the BD when I eventually play out, because it can keep up with drummer etc. Wish I could have the Pathfinder tone onstage.launch

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November 4, 2020

The built-in spring reverb and tremolo are praised as valuable extras rarely found together in an amp this cheap, with the tremolo especially singled out as strong.

@LennySugiono

GREAT VIDEO! \n\nI got this recently. As a player of 15 years with lots of gear… wow, I mean it. (Wow)\n\nIt gives you the vox tone. It’s loud. It has a foot switch for tremelo and decent boost and it has a subtle spring reverb on board. It does very few things but, it does them successfully. You can also use headphones (bit shrill) or plug into a cab like this amazing video.\n\nI know it’s not meant to be an emulation of an ac10 or 15 but my goodness it really nails the tone and has all the features on it that make this so versatile. It puts the tone master series and its price point to question in my opinion. How could a company make this much amp for so little money?launch

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December 4, 2025

@zedasiscas3830

Fantastic amp! Norah Jones uses two in stereo live performing…!!! I changed the speaker for a 10” Celestion - the amp grew up so much!! The tremolo is sick good!!! Now I have 2 - one of them I keep it original. They are very hard to find now… Nice demo! Cheers and thanks for postinglaunch

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February 22, 2024

@SuperShecky

Basic tone is decent. Boost is a little disappointing, gets farty fast. Reverb is a little weak. Yeah it has to be cranked, but cranked runs the risk of feeding back. Tremolo kicks it to above average. Seriously, why did tremolo go almost extinct in modern amps?\n\nIt's a pity it was replaced with a model that has no reverb or tremolo.launch

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September 11, 2023

@SmithWesson90

My Xmas present was a 1999 Vox Pathfinder 15 Tremolo. Wow just wow! What an amazing little Vox amp sounds so Tube like and the All-Blue Celestion Bulldog in it is so punchy and crisp.launch

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December 27, 2020

Several owners note the amp responds excellently to external pedals like tubescreamers, compression, and boost pedals, and its built-in boost circuit is described as unique and enjoyable, even Rat-like.

@airamarrocha29

Hello, I have use the vox pathfinder 15r for a long time now, was one of my first amp long ago and I still have it, like wise I also use it on live gigs with 12\" extension cabinet and I tell you it delivers a very nice tone and more than enough volume for a middle size venue, the band I play on is kind of punk-gunge style and I love the sound that comes out of it. I have other amps (boss katana, fender bassbreaker) but the path finder gets more use than the others, to me It has more character, oh! and it takes pedals like a charm. One of the best budget amps ever made.launch

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September 23, 2025

@patrickvanvlooten

My parents bought the Pathfinder 15 non reverb V9158 version, with 8\" blue bulldog speaker, as my first amp ages ago. I was clearing some stuff from my studio and put it up for sale end of 2023. I almost sold it to someone offering me an amount well over what it costed back in the day. To be sure I was selling a proper working amp I tried it for the first time in nearly 20 years, that's when I decided to keep it! Back in the day I didn't get what it was all about, I really enjoy this amp nowadays. For a solid state amp, this thing has an amazing feel to it and sounds much bigger than you would expect an 8\" speaker to sound. It takes pedals really well and you can certainly gig this tiny thing if the drummer isn't constantly hitting cymbals. The size and lack off weight is also a huge plus, I take mine to work every now and then. It's such a great amp...launch

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August 28, 2025

@Mr.Steve-O

Best $60 on an amp have ever spent and it's my main practice amp. When the gain boost is engaged it does get pretty buzzy, but with my BD-2 on clean, it sounds amazing. I bought an AC-15VR for $200 in mint condition shortly after and it also is another great VOX amp that is way underratedlaunch

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December 25, 2022

@frantisca

Hi Johan: I play one of these through a 2x12 with Celestions. It’s a little boxy with its internal 8”. Very nice cleans, awesome tube-like crunch tones. Reverb and tremolo included, so all-in-one solution. Typical Vox tone, takes pedals well too. The only cons: can be a bit hissy with some pickups due to Electric Frequency Interference (other amps less sensitive to that when A-B’d) and a good pedal will overrule the internal boost which is a bit noisy. Other than that, it is a phenomenal amp that I use everyday.launch

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October 29, 2020

Many owners report using the same amp reliably for 10-20+ years with everything still functioning perfectly, underscoring solid build quality.

@amosmontessori

I grabbed mine back in 2004 brand new from a friend who got it first, he didn't like anything about this GREAT BABY. \n\nHE OFFERED IT TO ME FOR 50 BUCKS and a distortion pedal. The best 50 bucks ever spent. \n\n21 years now, I still have and everything works perfectly, the boost, the tremolo and the reverb are intact.\n\nI got Peavey, Fender, Ampeg, Hiwatt, Orange, Engel and THIS MONSTER IS JUST UNBELIEVABLE AMAZING. \n\nI would never sell it, it's a keeper.launch

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February 1, 2025

@3fast5you

My prev roommate and friend (turned junkie and petty criminal, still owes me a bunch of money, fuck you) left one of these behind when he disappeared, didn't realize what a gem it was until I started jamming on it recently. I've had it for 12 years, and it was already probably used heavily for 5 years + before that. Had to look it up because I was so surprised how great it was compared to my other, quite expensive amp with a bunch of fancy stuff. So good clean tone and distortion, no pedals, but maybe I will try pedals in the future. Not experienced with that stuff. With my great grandfathers old Hagström Ultra Swede it really sounds amazing.launch

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May 2, 2024

@jimmy5634

I have one I bought about 12 years ago, still have it and gig with it. I have the foot switch too.\nLater, I found another one for $120 used. That’s what they cost new.\nI bought it as a backup but later sold it. Should have kept it.\nThis thing is amazing. It has reverb, tremolo, master volume and gain and wait for it…a line out for connecting to a board and one for an extension cab.\nIt’s a loud 15 watts with a very tube like voicing. Love it!\nIf you can find one these days they go for $250 and up. Still worth it.launch

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August 3, 2023

@paulthurstonaviation

I bought mine new in 2011. It sat in its box, unopened till last week when I went to sell it. Hmm, No way could I part with this amp. I am now using it full time as my main home amp. So cool.launch

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June 28, 2023