Behringer AC112 Vintager 112 Combo

I placed a review about a year and a half ago stating that you really can't get a metal sound out of this amp (as did a lot of people)...I was wrong. I don't personally play metal. The other day a more experienced guitarist I know told me that I was using the volumes (preamp and master) incorrectly. According to what I understood from the manual, I put the preamp volumes for each channel around 10 (8 for OD channel) and adujusted overall volume with the master...this is wrong. Instead you should have the preamp and master (poweramp) volumes pretty even (the preamp should be a little lower actually).
So for bedroom volume:
Clean: preamp volume = 4
master volume = 6
OD: preamp volume = 3
master volume = 4 (I think)

For a metal sound:

Lows: 9
Mids: 3 (or lower)
Highs: 9

preamp volume: low (1-3)
master volume: higher (5-10)
-Adjust the volumes to accomodate overall volume level and desired distortion.
gain: 10

Just mess around with this. You'll get a much warmer cleaner sound on the clean channel if you have a higher master than preamp. With this you can get a great warm clean sound on the clean channel at low volumes and a raunchy, crunchy distortion on the OD channel at low volumes.

The other reviewers have them listed. You can download the manual at the Behringer website and get everything in detail.

Dislikes:
(1) Plastic knob shafts---definitely the Achilles' heel of this amp. I cut a plywood plate with a carry-handle cut-out and I lay that on the top of the amp before I put the (Peavey) amp cover over it.

(2) Behringer doesn't sell covers for its amps.

(3) The two-piece amp chassis---probably the only one in Behringer guitar amps (I own 3 other Behringer models). THIS IS A SOURCE OF BUZZ AT LOUD VOLUMES. Easily remedied: Remove the chassis (remove the power cord, remove top screws first, trun the amp upside-down, remove the side screws, slide it out). Then, run a strip of electrical tape along the mating edges of the two parts of the chassis and the outside edges of the whole chassis. I wrote to Behringer about this. Time involved: 15-30 for the first time. You'll learn what you need to do to eventually change the pre-amp tube.

(4) Chassis has to be removed to change preamp tube but no more difficult than on my old Marshall valvestates. Someone else wrote that you have to remove knobs, etc. to change the tube---not so.

(5) The top panel controls give the amp a cool look but, on a titled amp stand, are definitely not as convenient as front panel knobs---but this is something that you choose up front when you buy this type of amp.

(6) No patch-change table for the effects section---coordinating your POD/GNX/V-AMP settings with the internal settings won't happen easily. Effect ettings and changes can be stored (and even changed on-the-fly) via a Behringer FCB1010 MIDI foot controller (an amazing bargain in its own right).

(7) No Ext. Speaker jack. No big deal---it's an open-back cabinet. I cut the speaker wire and spliced in 1/4-in connectors.

(8) MIDI implementation includes effects/patches/controllers, channel switching, effects on/off, but does not include preamp/EQ settings (not unusual).

(9) No contour/morphing knob on the overdrive channel (Marshalls, other Behringers have this).


Likes:

(1) Rear-panel connections---Behringer is hard to beat. Routing options are outrageous---how about serial or parallel effects loops to start with. I run a modeling pedal (usually GNX2, but also tried POD and V-AMP) into the stereo aux inputs and use a Whirlwind active A/B/A+B box. I can run modeler only, Vinager only, or modeler+vintager blended.

(2) Aux level control. Presence control works realy well and is in the master section, not just on one channel.

(3) Channel controls work well and are flexible. For electrics, I usually use a Fender Power Strat, Gibson LP Custom with Dual-Sounds, and a Line6 Variax. All sound really sweet through this amp. EQ is really easy to adjust for each guitar (even the Variax).

(4) Sweet bluesy sound with great speaker overload at loud volumes. At high volumes, you would swear this is an all tube amp, even if you bypass the front panel and just use the aux circuit with a modeler.

(5) Does decent duty as an acoustic amp with EQ tweaking. It does great duty as an acoustic amp if you couple it the rear panel inputs with a small mixer. The Drive control and all volume controls work well in tandem to let you tweak clean/overdrive volume settings.

(6) The effects are definitely usable. Adjustable as you play ("Learn Mode") with a Behringer FCB1010 foot controller. The amp modeling patches give the amp a whole new voicing---like having a GM110 built into the Vinager (these patches are also in all of my other Behringer amps).

(7) Not overweight, like other Behringer units.

(8) Using the aux inputs: A great, inexpensive amp to use with GNX2/POD/V-AMP without tweaking from your PA/recording settings/patches.

(9) The stailess steel part of the chassis does look sharp!

For electrics, I usually use a Fender Power Strat, Gibson LP Custom with DiMarzio Dual-Sounds, and a Line6 Variax. When I work with a MIDI trio, anything could get called (sure, all that Kareoke keyboard player does is locate the disk and off HE goes . . .). Stage volume is not at the Marshall stack level but is usually visceral. The amp has great-sounding (stereo) line-outs (normalized) for the PA. The amp sounds really tubey when cranked. The separate EQ for each channel will definitely let you get a favorite clean and distortion pair of settings. Not a Creed amp at Creed levels---Jeez, it's a 1-12 combo. It's worked well on stage, it's versatile, but it's never made me breakfast.

No problems so far (4 months with this unit).

I have received parts/repair info from Behringer in the past. They never acknowledged suggestions/criticisms that I sent them but they did answer questions.

Been playing electric over 40 years.

I'd buy another to replace it (and if I decide to sell my Blue Devil, might end up owning two Vintagers).

Compared to a Marshal "valvestate", this amp gets the old-timey amp sound, effects, MIDI, versatility and connectivity at an unbelievably low price. It's not perfect but I do enjoy playing through it every time. I don't want the maintenance expense and hassle of an all-tube amp. This thing is what I thought a Marshall valvestate was supposed to do, only better, more flexible, and less expensive.

Just a few random gripes and comments...
1. The chassis is an IC board with all the pots soldered into the board. The pots shafts are plastic, and one of mine broke, I don't know how, but this amp literally has not left the bedroom and has been well protected. Since the amp is under warranty, I called Behringer and was told I had to talk to the RMA guy. He was not easy to reach. I was told I had to ship the amp to their repair facility in Minnesota and they would repair the pot. I decided the shipping and time wasn't worth it and expoxied the shaft back on. Plastic pot shafts...?
2. To me, the overdrive is harsh, they use a Sovtek 12AX7. I was told if I substituted another tube I would void the warranty. But the worst part is that the tube is INSIDE the chassis. The entire amp has to be removed from the cabinet, all the knobs must be removed (you'll probably break a pot shaft), and the chrome cover removed all just to get at the tube. This is bad engineering.
3. There is no external speaker provision.
4. The line outputs are stereo only, 2 separate left and right channels. Normally, the left channel is mono, but not the Behringer, you'll have to "Y" the outputs together for mono.
5. As others have mentioned, you can only modify existing presets, not create new ones.

You get what you pay for; this is an O.K. sounding amp, I like the styling, it's a nice heavy cabinet, and it has a decent speaker, but the weaknesses as noted above rule it out to me as a professional-quality amp. I would not gig it. It's O.K. for home or studio, but be careful. I would not buy another one.

Manufactured 08/2002
60 watts RMS w/ Jensen speaker
2 channels - clean & OD, switchable via included footswitch
3 band full range EQ on both
All the usual ins and outs
FX section can be toggled via footswitch
99 presets, all the usuals - chorus, reverb, delay, flange, wah, trem, pith shift, phase...

Using a standard Strat, variety of styles.
I've only had it for a few days, so I'm still getting to know it, but seems to be a good all around combo.
Not noisy, epsecially compared to some amps, good noise floor.
The clean channel seems pretty..well - clean. But I haven't had it cranked much as I don't need to get kicked out of my apartment.
They say that the headphone out is frequency compensated, and I'd have to agree, good definition throughout all notes, and that's through a pair of $2 cheapo headphones.
As for the distortion.. well it's either your thing or it isn't. I'm not a big metal head anyway, so I typically have the gain turned down to 1 or 2 just to introduce some with heavier attacks. It sounds workable, but some may find it a bit muddy and lacking crunch. One of the other posts here mentioned adding a tube screamer or something and not worrying about it's onboard distortion, I'm inclined to agree.
The FX sound pretty good for the most part, nice reverb.

Well the first one I brought home started doing that thing on the OD channel that someone else mentioned where it'd cut out and make a fartin noise and the display would flutter. I figured out that it'd do it after being on for about an hour and a half and even with nothing plugged into it, so maybe heat related, component out of spec. And the only way to get it back would be to cycle the channels or the power. So I took it back to the store and got it exchanged, took the new one and left it plugged in and on for 10 hours, no problems. So maybe a quality control issue.
Would I use it on a gig without a backup? Ask me again in a year when it's had a chance to re-earn my trust.

Haven't dealt with 'em, just my store.

If it were stolen or lost, and I had the same amount of money to spend, I'd probably get it again. Slap in a good distortion pedal and you've got a pretty good basic setup.
I was actually in the market for something a bit better than a 15 watt practice amp, and if you compare the AC112 to the other big names (Fender, Crate, Peavey, etc..)from a price/feature standpoint, you're really getting a lot for your money. Just be sure that whomever you get it from has a good exchange policy in case you get a flaky one.
I do wish the controls were on the front, as opposed to the top, but a minor annoyance.

Features as described by many others. Absolutely saddisfying for me.
My wish is: Could the knobs be on the front side? This would be
more comfortable I think.

I-m playing a tex mex strat, & some fender strat copies of good
quality. The AC112 is not noisy, definitly not. I compared it with
The Zoom 30, which is very noisy. The Zoom has a noise reduction
Electronic, but it never works well enough. I sold my Zoom because
of that. The behringer is wonderful in comparison to the Zoom.
The variety is Great, it has a own character, this amp can sing
and swing & rock. Sounds best with my Fender Original Strat. I would
definitly buy it again. The price ist very very low for such a good
and strong amp. I mostly use the clean sounds, the distorted ones
have a very good tuby characteristique. Its MY Amp.

Its built like a tank.

Seems to be good.

A Topp Amp. A Topp Price. Worth every Cent. Would buy it again, if
it was lost.

Had a variety of effects built in. Could not select more than one preset at once. Slight delay when changing channels which I found annoying. If I was to use it for a gig I would have to buy a separate distortion pedal as the delay is noticable, even if it is less than half a second. Same goes with the effects. There is a slight delay also. However, to fully utilise the effects you would have to get a midi pedal. Effects like WAH are really bad and only chorus, flanger and reverb are worth using. It has a tube in it but is not a full tube amp.

Yamaha Pacifica with DiMarzio dual-single-dual pickup config. Generally nice sounding at lower volumes. Especially on clean. Anything above 6 (overdrive channel) and it sounded awful. There seemed to be some sort of buzzing in the cabinet. Took it back to shop and they said it was a problem with that model as there were others back at the shop too. Rang up Behringer after getting a refund and they seemed to be unaware of this problem.

Seemed pretty solid but the buzzing in the cab was unbearable. It cut out once and I thought the tube blew. However, I turned it off and back on and was fine.

Behringer said they would swap the amp over, but I had already returned it to the shop. They seemed helpful which is more than I can say for the shop I purchased it from.

Still in the market for another amp and would not consider getting another even though the price seemed good. I don't think I could have got a worse sounding amp (the whole buzzing thing). I'm assuming that it is not the case with all of these amps as they have had reasonable reviews. But buyers beware, don't be afraid to crank the amp ABOVE 6 ON THE DISTORTED CHANNEL and try it before you buy it.

I think a second hand full tube amp will be my next path to take.

Bought for my niece brand new; suppose it's a 2002 or 2003. 60watts, tube pre-amp, solid state rest of the way. 12" Jensen speaker; open back design. 2 channels. Has something like 90 or so effects; unfortunately they can't be combined which is a bit of a bummer. :( Overall, has pretty good features, comes with a footswitch which is cool.

It's ok. The gain channel actually sounds good, but I wish it had a 3rd channel that was more high-gain. Granted, it's called a "vintager" so maybe the concept is just good overdriven tube emulation, but an over-the-top Mesa or high-gain Marshall style channel would have been cool. One major beef I have is that the clean channel is SIGNIFICANTLY less powerful than the gain channel! Weak! If you max both channels out and switch between, the gain channel is probably 2 to 3 times louder; not good. Overall the effects sound good and for Rolling Stones type sounds, the amp itself is not bad especially considering it's not a "real" tube amp. Gets pretty loud on the gain channel, not sure if it could hang with a drummer though. I ran a distortion pedal in front of it, and it doesn't sound particularly good with it.

Dunno.

Never had to deal with; hope I never do!

Overall, it's a cheap pretty cool "jam-along-with-the-stereo" type amp. My niece is pretty happy, but wishes it would nail the "modern rock" high gain thing; it doesn't. Not sure this guy could hang with a band situation, but I guess I should say it wouldn't, cuz I don't know. Disappointed in how drastically different the volume is between the clean and gain channels. Overall, not bad.

You won't beleave me iff i tell you that it let me down the day after i posted my last revieuw.
The third evening i was playing with it, there was a strong scratching sound like thunders distortion in a MW radio. When i adjusted the master volume the scratching sound differed. So it may be only a potentio meter. But the scratch was there all the time constandly, so the combo was not useble anymore.

I did a telephone call to my dealer, and they told me to bring it back, i did so and they replaced it for anotherone. I hope this one keeps it up for a much longer time.

I like the basic warm sound, the effects and the looks.
I compared it with a Fender Champion 30dsp.

Built in 2002 but bought it in may 2003.
It's versatile enough for me, i play Lou Reed, Velvet, Cowboy Junkies, Stones, Leonard Cohen etc.
2 footswitchable chanels, Effects and Headphone.
I wish it had an easy way to swich effects, with a knob like Fender champion 30dsp. So you can chance in the dark or without staring on a display and struggle with 2 tiny buttons. You can chance 10 effects thisway, the others you can fine tune on the display.
Use it at home to practice. I don't no weather it has power enough, did not try max yet.

Use it with a Fender US special Highway 1 strat (3 single coil) and sometimes with an Ibanez AS73 (semihollow 2 humbuckers).
It can make all the sounds i want, it has a pure Fender sound in it but also lots off effects.De base sound is very nice and warm, the tube and de Jensen 12" are doing there work very well.

I hope i can use it for a very long time because i love it but own it too short to say something about reliability so i will give it a fair chance with an 8. I hope it wont let me down for this.

I bougt it in a good shop so i can bring it there if there is a problem.
As Behringer says in the manual, they will give new software on there Internetside for the E-prom in it to upgrade when there is a reason for, i think this is a very costumer friendly action. So they can get a good score for this.

I play acoustic for years, but did not practice enough. I just play electric for one year, but are very fanatic now, so there is hope i get somewere in a few years.

2002
Power Pop
2 channels. Head phone jack
Stereo Line out for recording which is a bonus

Vantage avenger ( Great Pick - ups )
Power Pop suits the style very well
Noise is no problem
The clean channel is sweet The Overdrive channel is perfect for what I use it for sounds a lot like a Marshall Tube Amp

I not too sure as yet haven't had that long, but I own some other Behringer gear and that seems to keep working!

No Comment

Playing 20 years
I would buy another
Love the tube Preamp compression
Nothing compares at the price
I wish it had a Ext. speaker out
One thing I have found is if you don't really need the EFX make sure you put the same setting on both channels and the channel switching delay almost disappears ( you don't have to use the EFX for this to work but you can )