Vox Pathfinder 15r LED Mod Comparison

[@Okay-time]

I’ve got 3 love these amps, I did the mod to one and I didn’t like it much better keeping them original

[@cobowe]

The Led only affects the dirty channel. The led removal mod does nothing to the crunch off sounds. It only affects the Crunch on, giving more Headroom and making it more usable for “ on the edge clean ups with the Guitar volume ala Brian May and Jeff Beck

[@frantisca]

I was considering the modification, but at the end I kept the amp as it is, driving the distortion lower when the boost is on and using a pedal with the boost off. I use it with a 2x12 that gives it quite an oomph. Regarding the treble booster, I thought that the unmodded sounded better. Thanks for uploading

[@mytoobusr]

I agree. it takes pedals so well that the mod is not needed really.

[@Okay-time]

The mod is not needed

[@RasCuban33]

Consider replacing the LEDs with green or blue which have more forward voltage than the red ones. More organic tube like distortion unlike the red which is really harsh.

[@g.sferrazza10-13]

here is a video about removing a capacitor as well, but may not apply to this model since this is for the 10 watt version kzbin.info/www/bejne/qIOkp2psrtF0mas&ab_channel=SERGIONIGRELLI

[@SmithWesson90]

I have a 1999 Vox Pathfinder 15T With the Blue Bulldog in it. It sounds amazing.

[@mikemoffatt6610]

I think unmodded sounds better actually....

[@Okay-time]

I agree, and you can’t tell really, because KZbin puts compression on all their videos

[@craigoog]

not enough difference for the hassle.

[@stevebrown4346]

Modded sounds warmer but quieter.

[@voxpathfinder15r]

Personally, I don’t get why folks like this mod? I will have to do it myself and listen in my room. But I think red led’s offer fantastic distortion. Removing them usually yields ugly opamp distortion

[@albertooha]

Good comprassion thanks

[@victornow5221]

0:41 vs 0:59 1:17 vs 1:29 1:43 vs 1:53 2:05 vs 2:16 2:24 vs 2:38 2:50 vs 2:57 3:08 vs 3:28 3:47 vs 3:56 4:06 vs 4:18

[@joseartur3215]

is it possible to make this mod switchable?

[@makhayatalbot-hogg7761]

I'm not really an electronics type of guy, but I wouldn't think so. Once the LEDs come out, I certainly couldn't put them back in, or install a switch of sorts.

[@mytoobusr]

Yes it is, I read about the switchable mod a while back...google around, its there.

[@emulgatorx]

Judging from the schematics of the Pathfinder 10, it seems that the overdrive switch is a double switch. One side switches a resistor out of the circuit and the other one engages the LEDs which causes the current to drain to ground once the clipping voltage is reached. The switch toggles in between a "clean" setting and the LED setting. The LED mod basically replaces the latter by the switch not being connected to anything as breaking the LEDs interrupts the circuit. If you desoldered the connection going to the LEDs and added a simple on/off switch there, you'd be able to switch the mod on and off (with off being with the mod). So the answer is a clear yes, if you are comfortable soldering and of course you don't break the LEDs in the first place.

[@KarlSheridan]

Great demo definitely an improvement in the modded amplifier at high gain

[@Okay-time]

I disagree

[@KarlSheridan]

@@Okay-time why ?

[@Okay-time]

@@KarlSheridan I have three Pathfinders, one with the mod and the modded one is the worst sounding one the other two have a fantastic little sound, and don’t forget when you’re watching videos on KZbin KZbin compressors the sound on all its videos

[@KarlSheridan]

@@Okay-time yes, I’m fully aware of the KZbin scenario. I also I own 2 of these Amps myself, one modded one stock and I can 110% fully hear the difference in the mod version, which sounds a hell of a lot better at high gain than the stock amp which gets fizzy and it’s unusable at high gain

[@Firedancer100]

The mod Doesn’t sound better to me, it sounds worse

[@richietalbot5395]

👍

[@fallingfwd_]

Cool man! I'm about to do the LED mod too after watch your video.

[@makhayatalbot-hogg7761]

Nice!

[@Okay-time]

Don’t do the mod, it’s really is no better and you cannot get a proper angle on it due to the compression that KZbin puts on all their videos

[@msgn8i11s2]

I'm gonna mod my 2 PF15Rs but I will add a switch so I can turn the LEDs on or off. (Best of both worlds).

[@martynrandall7652]

Well its fair to say dont use an boost pedal.

[@royrijpma]

hi Great video. owing a PF15R as well. and it are amazing little amplifiers. I'm definitely surprised when you started playing "one vision" it's stunning that this small amplifier recreate the same tone I remember from the queen album. and that's played through a AC15. small question. in your clean tones I hear some small distorted sound. wondering if your sound interface clipped slightly. or something in your audio editor. also I share you video in a Facebook pathfinder group. so expect a lot of views and comments. 👍

[@makhayatalbot-hogg7761]

Thank you very much Roy! In answer to your question, the distorted sounds you hear is the audio, not the amplifier. I had the gain set far too high on the interface, so that is why it did sound a bit off. Very sorry. I can assure you that while I was recording both those amplifiers were totally clean.

[@royrijpma]

@@makhayatalbot-hogg7761 thx for the explanation. like I said. was already assume that it was the input gain for your audio interface.

[@cobowe]

Great Demo Do your Tone pot settings stay the same through the whole demo?

[@makhayatalbot-hogg7761]

Thank you! Yes, the tone pot is at max the whole time.

[@davidcozar8171]

What treble booster do you use

[@makhayatalbot-hogg7761]

Hey David, I used a KAT Treble Booster Classic, which is meant to replicate the tone of the main 3 Treble Boosters Brian May used in the 70's, 80's and 90's. If you want more information you can check it out here: shop.brianmayguitars.co.uk/bmg-electronics/bmg-tb-classic.html

[@クロトゼンヤ]

赤色の２つのLEDを青色と緑色の非対称クリップに換えて、オペアンプを072に換えても良い音しますよ👍

[@ReverendHellbilly]

Great job. I sub'd. Cheers

[@christiantaylor4027]

Led mod sounds better.

[@BD-me4nk]

Modded sounds better.

[@Okay-time]

How do you know KZbin puts compression on all the videos so unless you are there you don’t really know

[@Firedancer100]

Don’t do the LED mod

[@kyronnewbury]

Why not? I'm thinking about it