switch to tube amp

Well I posted in this forum about making a switch to a tube amp from a hybrid. Best move I have made I think. I had a Vox Valvetronix ad30vt-xl, really liked the amp. I do think the modeling amps have too many gadgets for a newbie though, never could seem to get a sound I liked, either way too clean or just nasty, although i know they where in there somewhere lol. Any ways I now play with Peavey valveking 112, just seems so much easier. The day I brought it home had my Ibanez hooked up and stopped to do some adjustments on amp and axe fell and headstock when CRACK, After a little research, decided to try and use wood glue like they use to put on set necks, thought i have nothing to lose. Well it is working so far and i have my Ibanez Art100 back,,, yiiiippppeeeeee, Also my modded Squeir strat sounds so much better with tubes. Well time to practice practice practice now,, later.

A while back when I was in the market for a new amp I kind of went the same route you did... steering away from "modeling" amps, I went with a Laney Lionheart... sounds great!

Their newer VT+ amps are alot better quality in terms of tone now (in my humble opinion). its easier to settle on a tone that works for you now. My only grumble is that the VFS5 footswitch is quite an expensive add-on, though it is well built. They should do a cheaper bedroom practice option for about £25 for guitar players on a lower budget.

My problem was not with the quality of the vt30ad-xl, so much that as a true beginner, I had no clue what the amp models were or all the extra effects. The modeling amps kind of overwhelmed me as a newbie. More of a lack of knowledge of the models and effects. I think that they would work for a player with a little more experience and was on a budget, since you have several models and effects built into them. Guess I am just old school also and like the idea of KISS (keep it simple stupid)