Photo of Vox Pathfinder 15R and more gear in a guitar, amplifier, and signal chain

Photo of Vox Pathfinder 15R and more gear in a studio, guitar, and amplifier

Vox Pathfinder 15R

$323.81 Price Tier: Standard

4.5 (46)

1 Critic Review

14 Reviews

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

Find out who is using Vox Pathfinder 15R

4 community setups

5 wishlisted

97 saved

Page last updated Jun 09, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated June 9, 2026.

Store

Reviews

Price

5.0 (3)

$323.81 2 available Used

View Deal

Average Price: $324

Standard/Professional

$300

$701+

Price Tier

In the Combo Guitar Amplifiers category, Vox Pathfinder 15R is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

Budget

Standard

High-end

^* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

Edit description

Unleash your inner rockstar with the Vox Pathfinder 15R, a compact yet mighty combo amplifier that delivers 15 watts of pure VOX tone. With its iconic design, this amp nods to the legacy of its legendary siblings, featuring the classic basket-weave vinyl, diamond grille cloth, and distinctive 'chicken head' knobs. Engineered for versatility, the Pathfinder 15R is equipped with a built-in Spring Reverb system and a vintage Tremolo effect, both of which can be controlled to enhance your soundscape.

Perfect for practice sessions and live performances alike, this amp's specially voiced 8" VOX Bulldog speaker ensures every note is crisp and clear. The Pathfinder 15R also includes practical features like a Headphone output for silent jamming, a filtered Line Out jack for seamless recording or live work, and an External Speaker output for when you need that extra push. With a Gain Boost switch and footswitch capabilities, this amp gives you the flexibility to craft your sound with precision.

Whether you're a seasoned guitarist or a burgeoning musician, the Vox Pathfinder 15R is a reliable companion that promises to deliver vintage vibes and modern performance.

Key Features:

15 watts of output power
1 x 8" VOX Bulldog speaker
Built-in Spring Reverb and vintage Tremolo effects
Gain Boost switch for added versatility
Footswitch jack for optional VOX VFS2 dual footswitch
Headphone output for silent practice
Line Out and External Speaker outputs
Classic VOX styling with basket-weave vinyl and diamond grille cloth

Product specs

Brand	Vox
Model	Pathfinder 15R 15-Watt 1x8" Guitar Combo
Finish	Black
Year	2002 - 2013
Made In	Vietnam
Categories	Guitar Combo Amps
Built-In Effects	Built-In Effects
Color Family	Black
Direct Output	No Direct Output
Effects Loop	No Effects Loop
Electronics	Solid State
Number of Channels	1 Channel
Number of Inputs	1 Input
Output Power (Watts)	15
Power Tube Type	None
Reverb	Spring Reverb
Speaker Configuration	1x8"

FAQs

What kind of tones can I expect from the Vox Pathfinder 15R for rock music?: The Vox Pathfinder 15R is known for its classic British tone, offering a warm, chimey clean sound and a gritty overdrive that's well-suited for rock music. Its solid-state design provides a reliable performance with a vintage vibe.
Is the Vox Pathfinder 15R loud enough for small gigs?: With 15 watts of power and an 8" VOX Bulldog speaker, the Pathfinder 15R is ideal for practice and small gigs. It delivers enough volume for intimate settings, though it may need additional amplification for larger venues.
Does the Vox Pathfinder 15R have built-in reverb?: Yes, the Vox Pathfinder 15R features a spring reverb, allowing you to add depth and ambiance to your sound directly from the amp without needing external effects.
Can the Vox Pathfinder 15R be used with an external speaker?: The Pathfinder 15R includes an External Speaker output, allowing you to connect it to a larger cabinet for expanded sound options, making it versatile for various performance settings.
Is the Vox Pathfinder 15R suitable for beginners?: The Vox Pathfinder 15R is a great choice for beginners due to its straightforward controls, classic tone, and built-in reverb. Its compact size and versatile sound make it an excellent practice amp for new guitarists.

Videos

Add video

jAMMAN798

GUITAR TONE - VOX PATHFINDER 15R SOUND DEMO

jAMMAN798

The World’s Greatest $100 Guitar Amp - Vox Pathfinder 15R!

Johan Segeborn

Vox Pathfinder 15r (speaker upgrade Celestion Greenback 10")

Jhguitar

Vox Pathfinder 15R (Wow!)

Lucas Arredondo

Birdman Guitar / Amp Reviews: Vox Pathfinder 15R

6L6wear

Vox Pathfinder 15R Demo

Stefán Freyr Baldursson

SRV Tone with a $50 amp? Vox Pathfinder 15R

Matthew Mikkelsen

Reviews

Add review

PROS

Exceptional tone quality, rivals tube amps
Built-in tremolo and spring reverb enhance sound dynamics
Portable and lightweight, suitable for small gigs and travel
Loud enough for live performances in small venues
Affordable, offers great value for its features
Good clean sound with minimal crackle at high volumes
Boost switch dramatically increases gain and overdrive
Aesthetic appeal with a classic look

CONS

Discontinued, can be hard to find
Sound may get too fuzzy at high volumes
Spring reverb not as echo-y as some may prefer
Vox foot-switch nearly worthless

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Vox Pathfinder 15R.

Comparisons

0 0

The Monoprice 15w (Laney Cub 15) offers onboard reverb, 3-band tone controls, and a 1w setting, making it more versatile than the Pro Junior IV.
Source
0 0

The Fender Bassbreaker 15, with its hybrid channel design, is recommended for classic and harder rock genres, contrasting with the Pro Junior IV's American rock focus.
Source

Use cases and applications

0 0

The Monoprice 15w is preferred for British tones and can handle genres like shoegaze, while the Pro Junior IV excels in American rock and raunch.
Source
0 0

Some owners have transitioned from direct interface recording to micing the amp, discovering improved clean sound quality in recordings.
Source

Mods and upgrades

0 0

Upgrading the Monoprice 15w with a Blue Dog style Celestion speaker significantly enhances sound quality, offering a British tone alternative to the Pro Junior IV.
Source
0 0

Owners recommend using an external cab with a preferred speaker for significant tonal improvement.
Source
0 0

A luthier-modified boost switch transformed the channel into an OD switch, altering the amp's clean channel sound, though the change was not universally appreciated.
Source

Features and functionality

0 0

The Monoprice 15w includes an effects loop, a feature that enhances its versatility for home playing with good tones at low volume.
Source
0 0

Early versions lack reverb but include tremolo; later versions added a reverb feature.
Source
0 0

The boost channel is notably loud and difficult to control, prompting users to seek alternatives like overdrive pedals for better sound management.
Source

User experience

0 0

Although designed as a practice amp, it's noted for surprising volume and quality sound even at low levels.
Source
0 0

Despite its small 8" speaker, the Pathfinder 15R's sound quality is frequently compared favorably to tube amps.
Source
0 0

Users report that the 8" speaker lacks bottom end, affecting the overall tone when using certain overdrive pedals, but EQ adjustments can improve this.
Source
0 0

For rhythm and occasional solo playing, the Pathfinder 15R offers more volume compared to the Pathfinder 10, making it suitable for such applications.
Source

Value and pricing

0 0

Discontinued status has driven up secondhand prices, making it a sought-after amplifier model.
Source

Critic Reviews

Practice Amp, My Ass! - Premier Guitar

premierguitar.com

Full Review

Add review

4.5 out of 5

Based on 14 Reviews and 46 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

solusash

1787

over 6 years ago

I'm on my 3rd...

I've blown out two of already. Yes, blown out. Because gigs. Because I ran them hard. These are the best small gig amps in the world. Even Feist has used them (pretty sure she's got two of right now her own self).

Look, I'm not saying you have to buy a Vox Pathfinder 15R. I'm just saying if you DON'T, I'm going to be really, REALLY frustrated, OK? I mean, seriously, I know it's discontinued. I know they're hard to track down. But check Reverb or something. They should be less than $150. They're great for practice, bedrooms, garage bands, and small venue/coffeehouse gigging.

They sound good, they look good, and the built in tremolo sounds GREAT.

Just do it. OK? Just do it. I'm only trying to help you!

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist Drummer

Genres:

Electronic Folk rock Progressive rock

moogbadger

3982

6 years ago over 6 years ago

Yes, it's a great amp: rivals valve amps, I think.

solusash

1787

6 years ago over 6 years ago

@moogbadger you're not the first to say that, actually. The Pathfinder series of amps really is the best solid state amps Vox ever put out, I think. Well, those, and the Buckingham. My Giddy Aunt, the Buckingham is just... Transcendent.

gb1138

148

almost 10 years ago

Great Solid-State Amp with Reverb

A few years ago I had a Vox Pathfinder without reverb. I loved the tone, but really wanted that reverb, as I played a lot of lap steel at my church. I played out of a Peavey Classic 50, and still love that amp above all others, but it's incredibly heavy. So I needed something that was small and light, but still had good tone and that reverb (gotta want that reverb).

Unfortunately they don't make these anymore, so when you find one on Craigslist or in a music shop, do yourself a favor and pick it up. Its tone is nice and full. The spring reverb isn't exactly "Surf's Up" echo-y, but it's good enough to add a nice dynamic to your playing. It also has a nice tremolo feature as well.

These can be had for around $100-120, and it's worth every penny.

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Bassist

Genres:

Rock Folk, World, & Country Funk / Soul

crabcrib

362

over 10 years ago

Awesome small amp

Sadly out of production now. I bought this to carry on the London Underground to small shows, use it all the time. Loud enough to play live with, small enough to carry everywhere. The sound is really quite good too, gets a bit too fuzzy if you're blasting it loud, but that's fine by me. Perfect for the lo-fi powerpop sound I want. Sound guys often ask if it has valves (it doesn't).

viniciusmoll

193

over 7 years ago

Great sound

This is like a nice amp and a good sound.

Although solid state, this amp had an amazing tube like tone. In addition to Gain, Volume, Treble, and Bass Controls, the P15R even includes Tremolo and spring based Reverb. A Boost switch dramatically increases gain and overdrive.

steve_messenger

237

about 7 years ago

it's a little thing, but ...

My brown Vox Pathfinder 15r puts out 15 watts through a little 8" speaker ... it's solid-state with a great tremolo and a spring reverb ... and it'll curl your toes, bro! (don't bother getting the nearly worthless Vox foot-switch)