Behringer LX1200H V-Ampire Head

Features are covered pretty well in previous reviews so far. It's pretty versatile and actually sounds surprisingly good -- basically it's a V-Amp 2 but integrated into its own amp and w/ some extra jacks on the back. As has previously been mentioned, it's not a loud amp -- at least especially when not running it mono into a speaker or cab that's 4 ohms or stereo at 8 ohms. Even then it's nothing like a 100 watt tube head, but it has better volume running 4-ohm or 8-ohm if running stereo.

I've found that a graphic eq helps out the chunk factor when running it through the loop on the back, though it seems to have less affect than doing the same w/ a good tube amp, but I LOVE running the line out jack from the V-Ampire into a Boss GE-7 eq pedal, then into the fx return of my Peavey Ultra Plus head. It gets all kinds of great sounds~! I also sometimes put another eq pedal (Danelectro Fish&Chips) in front of the V-AMpire and use it as a boost. I did the exact same thing w/ the V-Amp 2 I had before this, and it worked about identically the same.

I can get some fat sounds out of it that are about as close to tube as digital can get IMO, admitting the resonance switch on the Ultra Plus amp and the eq pedal between the V-Ampire and Ultra Plus helps that out~! :D

The amp alone is pretty good but could use some fattening up on some models, but sounds pretty decent w/ how I've got it set up. I don't use the fx at all on any of the drives due to it cutting into the volume and "spreading out" the sound (whimp-erizing it IMO). On clean settings the fx are ok, though. I use a Samick Torino 2 SG copy w/ EMG 81/85 pickups, and that works great.

For what it is -- a digital sim-head, I think it's as close to being on par w/ the old Tech 21 Sansamp PSA-1 preamp as I could find without trying some of the $1k or above range digital stuff or the original amps this thing models

I bought it used and it's still working fine -- I didn't have any prob's w/ the V-Amp 2 I had, either.

No experience/contact w/ them.

I'd say 9 since I'd prefer a little more volume and fatter tone w/ the head alone but still the ability to get all that running into another (tube) head~!

Well, after using it for 3-6months it is collecting dust...
Far too much to tweak to achieve a simply good tone, too much to bother about (drive function, live settings or not, and so on for days).
Very weak, 2x20 watts is more accurate whatever the cab. And power output expands in a bad way, can't explain but you never get a simple strong sound with pressure in it as does my tiny marshall MG15dfx.
And 14,5 kgs is far too heavy for a simple modeler since its poweramp is useless.

You can get pretty smooth sounds, weak clean tones unless you go the other way (e.g. backing off the drive on overdriven amp models), the compressor is way good and the noise reduction effective.
I bought this because of how good the xv-amp (mind you, 68euros) sounded, big mistake since the aforementioned sounds 1000times better hooked to a basic behringer gx210, aka ultratwin, in the aux in...And louder. Plus you get combinations(comp-delay-reverb-mod) and octaver.
Vampire not that good in every aspect, live a line 6 spider2 210 is the way to go and at home there are better units at the price.
Still, I found some very enjoyable after some time

Have or have had a lot of their stuff, always reliable except a Mic200 crapping one.
Well done, in general you don't have better built gizmos unless you pay a lot more (think tc electronics and up).
But what good it does for the vampire? Useless unless as home entertaining only

I wish it had the same strong sound as my tiny mg series marshall.
I wish it had far less options, like the spider2 210, so you play your guitar instead of tweaking knobs with both hands.
I wisn it weights 10 kgs less.
I also wish I bought the rack version plus a proper power amp instead, no I wish I stuck with my xv-amp hooked to my ultratwin fantastic 210 2x30 watter. But I didn't knew by then...
Folks, it is not an amp, only a modeling-effects unit.

This is an update to my review from 1/31/05. I have since used this thing in my home studio and live with the matching cab in places up to 1000 seats and spent over a thousand hours with it. Only mic'd the cab twice for the largest place - volume was fine but needed a wider throw. I spent hours in my home studio tweaking this thing but that's the way it should be. In live settings it worked flawlessly. IMO, someone committed to his craft won't be put off by learning the features. It's no more difficult than my car stereo. Most of us use FX that are more complicated. If this amp seems too complex, you should keep playing alone in your bedroom or retire. Compared to the average pro set-up this thing is a piece of cake.

The sounds I can create with it continue to make me smile. Initially, I was overwhelmed by all the simulations (who really needs 32 amps at once?) but it inspired me to re-invent my sound which, unless you're a legend already, is a good thing.

The effects continue to be a little weak but that's what pedals are for and most of us use pedals with any amp at any price.

I bought the matching 4X12 cab and the volume, even in stereo, is very, very good. I'll concede that solid state watts don't seem as loud as tube watts (never have, specially Line 6 amps) but even cranked wide open, I still get good tone. It definately sounds more substantial than the Line 6 Spider. (I have a friend who is shelving the Spider in favor of this amp.)

Many of those having trouble with the sound and volume of this amp are using mis-matched equipment that they haven't bothered to learn to use. In computers, we call it an ID10T error. A guitar player really needs to understand things like line level, impedance and ohms. In 20 years as a working musician, I've learned that every piece of equipment needs tweaking from one gig to the next - and if you tweak one piece, all the other pieces will be affected and need tweaking, too. Making music is art, not science.

I'm a working musician who was tired of laying down $1000's for my amps and then a few hundred more each year for new tubes and general repair. So, I took chance and I'm glad I did. Even if this thing only lasts another year, it will have paid for itself but I think it will last several years. If and when it fails, I'll buy another one without missing a beat. Unlike tubes, which change their sound as they age, the software driving this thing will always be the same until it crashes completely. Then I can buy another one that will sound exactly the same as before. No one can say that about changing tubes.

If you break this thing, you would break something more expensive, too - which would you rather lose, $200 or $2000?

Haven't had to deal with the company - which says good things about their products. I have some of their sound equipment but this is the first piece like this I've bought from them. I expect no problems.

If you're conservative about your sound and prefer to stay with tried and true eqipment, or if you're insecure and want expensive stuff to impress people, don't buy this amp. On the other hand, if you want a versatile amp that will help you to both expand and hone your craft, it's well worth the money. I have pedals that cost as much.In price, it beats the Line 6 Spider HD175. In sound and features, it rivals the $400 Spider HD.

I've collected some great vintage amps (check my other reviews). I've used them to tweak the Vampire and I really like the results.

I can use (and, if I want, abuse) this amp and save my vintage gear for when nothing else will do.

Features are pretty well documented in other reviews. I've had it for a few weeks, and haven't scratched the surface of what this can do. I bought this to replace a Peavey 2x12 amp from 1985, tube and transistor, which was a sweet rig. I've been playing since 1984.

The actual amp models seem pretty accurate. Granted, I haven't played any of the botique tube amps to compare. But the head does a good job of replicating actual tube tone.

The effects are decent. But I don't like the fact that you're limited to one effect, with a seperate reverb. (Though a few of the choices are two effects combined.

People have complained it isn't loud enough. I use it in my practice room, so its more than loud enough for my needs. (The Peavey was louder!) But it should be sufficient for a small club.

I've had a few amps in my day. A crappy Fender practice amp, the Peavey, a Line 6 Guitar Port for practice. I bought the V-Amp 2 when it came out - and was impressed enough to want an actual head based on that modeling. I also got the BG412H cabinet, nice.

I play a varitey of guitars. Steinberger, Kramer, Fender Strat. The nuance is pretty amazing with some of the amp models.

Because the amp is digital, you don't have complete control - there are a limited number of stops on the various dials. But the control you do have is sufficient. You want a tone, it's basically there. Clean amps are clean at high volume. You can crank the gain and turn down the master - and you've got some nice distortion - at bedroom volumes.

It really responds to how hard you pluck the strings. You can pick softly and then dig in - and you'll really hear the difference.

I play about an hour a day or so. It works. It's built like a tank, in terms of the chasis, MDF with dovetail joints. The knobs are pretty cheap, but don't hit them with your guitar, and they'll be fine. All in all it weighs 50 + lbs. If you're planning on schlepping this about, consider that - as well as the fact that the cabinet is more than 100!

I expect it'll last. My V-Amp2 has held up, and that is fully plastic. It's electronic equipment - get a surge protector, treat it like a computer.

Can't say I've had to talk to the company.

Bought it at Guitar Center - which was a mistake. Took almost two months to get it to me. The sales rep kept giving me crap about the delivery. When I ordered it - it was going to be 10 days, which became three weeks, which was then a few days, then a few more days. I pitched a fit about the delivery - and got $40 for my troubles.

Overall I'm happy with the amp. I've got about five sounds I've dialed in - that are impressive. It's fun to play with.

If it were stolen - I'd buy another. It's not a Line 6 Vetta, but then it's 1/8th the cost!

Like all things guitar... Tone is in your fingers. If you suck - I don't care if you have the best of everything - it'll sound like crap! But keep practicing, feel it, live it, love it. This amp makes me practice more - and isn't that what it's all about!

I may not be Jimmy Page, but I can pretend!

Just a comment on some of the reviews. If you hook this amp up to the older Behringer 4x12" cabs, or other speakers which have higher impedance(8ohms mono or 16ohms per channel stereo) you are only going to get half the amp's rated wattage, which means you'll only have about 30 watts per channel stereo or 60 watts mono. You need, for example, the new Bugera-loaded BG412V cabinet (4ohms mono or 8ohms per channel stereo and cheaper too)to get the full output power.It doesn't matter how many watts the cabinet says on it, look at the ohms. Read the spec sheet for the amp. If you don't understand what I'm talking about stop posting gear reviews because you're confusing people. And if you want a damn good lead sound, press the "TAP/2nd Par" button and select the ENGL "Savage Beast" simulation, with just some delay or verb. Oh yes-you ARE using the "L2" configuration aren't you? Don't forget ,when in configure mode, to set the input gain to suit your pickups and the 3-band global EQ to suit your speakers before exiting and programming your patches. If you've done all that, and still don't like the amp, perhaps you need to get a day job.

Bought it from Zzounds in 2005. It can handle just about anything, from classical to metal. I play blues and metal on it mainly. Features are endless, they definitly didn't get stingy on features. I use it in my bedroom only and its playing guitar is a hobby only for me. Therefore, I feel its plenty loud. Of course if you're gigging you'll need a mic.

I'm using a fender strat and a schecter c1 classic. Both sound superb on this head. I use the BG412S cab with it and use stereo mode. In my opinion, this head can get just about any sound pretty damn close. Considering the price, thats impressive!

Seems reliable to me.

Had a question for them and they answered it within 24 hours. They were very friendly and professional as well.

I've been playing for three years. IMO, this thing is awesome. I'd buy it again if it were lost/stolen.

some of the effects are cool. i really like the sound i got out of it. with this amp, all you have to do is mess around with it and find the right sound. theres alot of different options you can take with the amp. its a cool idea, but still not powerful enough.

not very loud. super heavy and seems study. but my channel light randomly blinks. weird but i can deal with it.

the vampire. exciting. i bought this because i am cheap and needed a more powerful guitar amp than a 15 watter and an amp that i could connect to my recorder (XLR outputs, neat). it has 125 or so presets. which, in my opinion, really suck. so i mess around with it and make my own. it sounds good. cool. i mainly use this just to practice on with headphones since i have nothing going on now and it sounds alot better than practicing on that 15 watter. but the main problem lies when you actually want to start playing this with a band. it states right on the face place 120 watts! you would think that would be enough power to blast away the other guitarist with a 65 watter crate. nope. i hooked it up mono to an old cab i have. both volumes at max and nothing. i might as well pick up an acoustic and play along. the drummer couldnt hear anything i played. so the vampire was a bit disapointing. but now it just sits in my room where i have headphones plugged into it. i also use it to record on my fostex mr-8. its sounds alot better connecting the amp through the XLR to the recorder instead of plugging your guitar directly in. its fine for what im doing, but playing a show or even practicing with a band? i dont think its going to cut it...

It's a multi-effects pedal built into a guitar head. You get 10 original guitar effects (Tremelo, Rotary, Chorus, Flanger, Phaser, Compressor, AutoWah, Echo, Delay, PingPong Delay), 6 combined effects (Chorus+Compressor, Chorus+Delay1, Chorus+Delay2, Flanger+Delay1, Flanger+Delay2, Phaser+Delay), 32 amp models, 15 guitar cab simulations, and 125 memory locations. Has tons of outputs on the back for recording purposes and 5 different amp modes for switching between live/studio use. Definitely have to check out the manual to figure some of the settings out but overall it isn't hard to just plug in and play. Comes with a 2 pedal footswitch. Switches between the 5 banks. There's a noticeable delay between the banks but only if you switch from one amp/cab model to a different one. If you keep them all in the same type then the delay is gone.

I've played everything from blues to rock to metal to death metal on this amp. It doesn't deliver in the distortion department. It's lacking serious "nuts" to be a stage amp. With the right EQ it could be good for recording direct but I would never gig with it. The cab simulator will make distortion settings come through muddy on a 4x12 until you turn the cab sim off. And even then the distortion is lacking. The volume is also a turn off, it's really quiet compared to my last tube amp. You need a 4 OHM cab just to get the full 120 watts. Overall if you're just looking to jam out by yourself then this is a great buy but if you want to play live keep looking. This amp won't deliver. People who say the amp sounds amazing are either trying to find the bright side in why they paid $200+ or never plugged into a classic Marshall or Mesa before. It's funny how some of the people say they have all these expensive and classic guitars and then settle for the cheapest guitar head on the market. ;p

I don't trust anything digital. The outside of this thing may be a tank but the slightest bit of water or moisture inside the unit would most likely kill everything. And their warranty basically tells you that if the problem isn't their fault you get to pay for the shipping there, the cost of repair, and the shipping back. It'd be cheaper to just buy another one.

Havent had to use customer support but I'm sure they're ok.

2x60 or 120 watts means absolutely nothing when it comes to how loud this head is. It's way too quiet to play live and once you get over the inital effects it starts to become boring. I've played it with a 400 watt LG412V the equivalent of the Behringer BG412V and it still wasn't loud. If you already have a guitar head then go buy a Digitech GNX or even a RP100-300. If you don't then save up a couple hundred bucks and get yourself a tube amp. You get what you pay for with this one.

ton of features. dont forget to go to behringer.com and download the v-amp editing software! that way you can hook it up to your computer and edit anyway you want. i have a j-station and once owned a pod. sold the pod because it sounded like crap. kept the j-station (not so bad) but this is way better. you can print out your patches in the software. easy editing. sounds great

sounds kick ass. watch out marshall and boogie and any of those high priced tube amps, this thing sounds awsome. downloaded some eddie patches,i could not believe the sound!!!! you can get what ever sound you want for $200.00 lol, could be a little louder but so what. you can still hear when practicing and when playing out you will be miking anyway. as a matter of fact engineers were crying because my marshall tsl 100 was to loud. the kicker is that it doesnt sound good unless you have it way up. im going to sell my marshall so check out ebay if your interested!! also i usually run this amp through kustom full range speakers with the speaker simulation on, but if you want you can shut the speaker simulation off and run it through regular guitar speakers.

have not had a problem yet.

i emailed behringer because they dont give yout the editing software when you buy the amp. they responded very quickly letting me know that it is downloadable on there sight for free!!!! thought that was very cool.

going with a 10 on this one. get it. its only $200.00 but worth $2000.00 i would suggest buying this amp on price alone but the sound and overall value kicks ass!!!!!

You all know the feautures of this amp. And, since this amp DOES have a lots of features, i would give it an 10, but since it IS so damned hard to use and soo not loud i will give it a 5.

Then again, refer to other reviews to see an extensive list of the use.

This is a technology friendly unit, so if you are one of those guitarrists who love to tweak and play with your amps and effects units this IS FOR you (yes, it have midi conectors, edit softwares, and all that unecesary yada etc etc). If you plan to gig with this (which im sure you are planning) well, look somewhere else.

This unit IS weak. Does not have power or loudness in anyway. This unit IS NOT loud (not in mono, even less in stereo). And it should be since its a guitar HEAD. (and i used it with a 412 300 watts cab)

ALSO, this unit is hard to impossible to use. This is not a "right of the box" item. If you have used the V-amp, you will get right to it, but anyways... This requieres SOME NASTY tweaking, EVEN to crank UP the volume.

I think that technology is a GREAT GREAT thing... I love iit in TVS, music, coomputers and videogames... but the technology should make life easier and (in this guitar scenario) prettier, and not a pain in the neck to use and set. This unit will make you cry and want to trash it right away.

I rather have a normal, loud head (Crate Excalibur) with a GNX2; better results and LOUDER, CLEARER sound.

If behringer did a more reliable, easier 200 watts version of this Head, it would be MUCH MUCH BETTER; but since they dont, well...

I use a Schecter tshb1 and an sg les paul customized guit.

So... the unit starts to crumbles right away. This is NOT a joke. This unit might sound good, but is NOT loud. (And it does not sound that good either)

When i cranked the volume AT maximun, the unit WAS NOT loud, and also were very noisy. I though it were the cab, but then i used my other crate excalibur and i was VERY REALLY dissapointed at this Head.

The presets sucked. Once you tweak the thing, you can get very likely any sound you want; but for a price. And the price, my friend, is time. (and should i stress out that YOU WILL NOT get ANY louder even if you got the sound you want after one hour tweaking the soundss you need?)

ok, this is as simple as it GETS...

THIS UNIT IS NOT REALIABLE! and THATS FINAL.

This broke down FOR NO REASON @ the THIRD day (after less than 3 hours of use)
AMS send another one, i used it for about a month or two, when I realized this sucks for gigs (and i needed to gig)

So, i sold it, and the one unlucky guy who bought this to me...
Well, the damned thing broke 4 days after i sold it. This amp is reaaally cheap. I would NOT MIND PAYING $200-300 more for something MORE reliable with 200 watts

About customer service? WTF are these people (reviwers in this site) talking about?

The SITE SUCKS. I emailed someone @ behringer, and explained that my amp was not sounding as loud and as good as it should (i used to have a 100 watts combo that was thrice louder than this)
And they told me TO READ THE MANUAL! So, they treated me like a moron; I KNOW how to USE this UNIT (i used to own a V-amp; its essentialy the same). I just wanted to get MORE VOLUME and MORE quality!

So, they insult your intelligence... at his last email the guy told me "well, i think u R expecting too much of a 120 watts unit @ $200"

So, he admited behringer sells crappy, uncapable amps and that i should be happy because this was cheap? What gives?
I dont know if YOU agree, but... i think that a guitar HEAD should sound like a guitar HEAD; and the guitar heads should be loud, solid, reliable and ready-to-gig amps. If not, whats the case of carrying a Head and a Cab?

I belive in versatibility. And i AM one versatile guitarrist. But i dont think a gigging guitarrist, nor a pro guitarrist needs 10 kinds of distortion in one gig (or CD), or 7 different flangers and modulations per song. So, this unit is basically an anti-guitarrist device; because this is NOT loud and "forces" you shitty effects that you will not PROBABLY need

So, as with any effects settings, MOST guitarrists, even radiohead wanabes, will end up using less than 10 effects overall. And since this unit is so damned hard to use, and very weak, i recommend getting something ELSE. as a matter of facts, i dont see why should ANYONE get this.

Well, now i learned something. A Guitar HEAD COSTS like a guitar HEAD, so dont be fooled by the price of this.

But, i should add, one of th best cabs i have ever used is the 300 watts behringer with the jensens. (i have used celestion cabs, and they are just a bit better in my opinion) So, i dont SEE that this guitar head is BAD because of its price. ITs just a bad, unreliable product.

They should use a more simpler, eficcient interface, improve about a 100% the reliability of this, and make it louder and clearer.

I truly thin the concept IS NICE, but it is very poorly performed.
They should try to upgrade this for the best.