The Vox MV50 Brian May is a Vox amplifier, currently around $224.14. Close alternatives include the Strymon Iridium and the Blackstar HT-5R Series HT-5R 5W 1x12. It pairs well with the Audiocade 1974 Colorsound Tremolo Clone and the Greer Royal Velvet.
Vox MV50 Brian May
Vox · amplifier
The Vox MV50 Brian May is a signature version of the Nutube-powered 50-watt micro head, developed with the Queen guitarist. May's sound is built on Vox AC30s driven by a treble booster into a distinctive layered lead tone, and signature versions of this kind voice the amp toward that specific target rather than offering a general-purpose Vox sound. Nutube provides genuine valve behaviour in a package small enough to hold in one hand. It suits players chasing May's specific lead voice in a portable format.
- treble
- rich
- direct recording
- stage
- full
- recording
- valve
- driven
Good for
- Live
- Practice
- Studio
Price updated Aug 28, 2026
Pedals that stack with the Vox MV50 Brian May
Audiocade 1974 Colorsound Tremolo Clone
Audiocade
21% matchAudiocade 1974 Colorsound Tremolo Clone's smooth voice goes after Vox MV50 Brian May in the signal chain — it's not there to compete with Vox MV50 Brian May's own bright character
Greer Royal Velvet
Greer
20% matchRun Greer Royal Velvet after it and the bright edge settles into something more smooth
Greer Mizuki blue
Greer
20% matchRun Greer Mizuki blue after it and the bright edge settles into something more warm
Catalinbread Galileo
Catalinbread
19% matchVox MV50 Brian May's bright character and Catalinbread Galileo's bright voice sit in the same lane rather than fighting each other
Donner Lax Comp
Donner
14% matchDonner Lax Comp's own transparent character is the real reason this is worth trying
JAM Pedals Delay-Llama
Jam Pedals
10% matchKeep Vox MV50 Brian May's bright voice out front: JAM Pedals Delay-Llama goes in Vox MV50 Brian May's effects loop so its analog warmth voice doesn't muddy it — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Suhr Discovery
Suhr
10% matchPut Suhr Discovery in Vox MV50 Brian May's effects loop, clear of Vox MV50 Brian May's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Orange - Vintage Distortion
Orange
tonal matchWhere this leans bright, Orange - Vintage Distortion answers back warm
Cheaper alternatives
Mooer Micro Preamp 004 Day Tripper
Mooer
72% similarityMooer Micro Preamp 004 Day Tripper recreates this amp's tone in pedal form
Vox Valvenergy Mystic Edge
Vox
72% similarityVox Valvenergy Mystic Edge recreates this amp's tone in pedal form
Audiocade Royal British Velvet AC30 Overdrive/Preamp Clone
Audiocade
72% similarityAudiocade Royal British Velvet AC30 Overdrive/Preamp Clone recreates this amp's tone in pedal form
Vox MV50-CE Rock
Vox
61% similarityShared character: gig, need, full
Boutique & premium upgrades
Peavey 6505 MH 20W Mini Head
Peavey
93% similaritysimilar tone character
Blackstar Dept. 10 Amped 2
Blackstar
92% similaritysimilar tone character
Laney Ironheart IRT-SLS 3-Channel 300W Head
Laney
92% similaritysimilar tone character
ENGL E725 Ravager IR
Engl
92% similaritysimilar tone character
Blackstar HT-1R MkIII
Blackstar
92% similaritysimilar tone character
Blackstar HT Stage 60 112 MkII
Blackstar
92% similaritysimilar tone character
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Strymon Iridium
Strymon
72% similarityStrymon Iridium recreates this amp's tone in pedal form
Blackstar HT-5R Series HT-5R 5W 1x12
Blackstar
92% similaritysimilar tone character
Blackstar Studio 10 KT88 Limited Edition
Blackstar
92% similaritysimilar tone character
Blackstar HT-5C
Blackstar
91% similaritysimilar tone character
Peavey ValveKing II
Peavey
91% similaritysimilar tone character
Marshall DSL1H 1W Head
Marshall
91% similaritysimilar tone character
See all alternatives to the Vox MV50 Brian May (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Vox MV50 Brian May?+
The closest matches in character are the Strymon Iridium, the Blackstar HT-5R Series HT-5R 5W 1x12, the Blackstar Studio 10 KT88 Limited Edition. Budget picks: Mooer Micro Preamp 004 Day Tripper, Vox Valvenergy Mystic Edge, Audiocade Royal British Velvet AC30 Overdrive/Preamp Clone. Boutique upgrades: Peavey 6505 MH 20W Mini Head, Blackstar Dept. 10 Amped 2, Laney Ironheart IRT-SLS 3-Channel 300W Head.
What pairs well with the Vox MV50 Brian May?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Audiocade 1974 Colorsound Tremolo Clone, Greer Royal Velvet, Greer Mizuki blue — Audiocade 1974 Colorsound Tremolo Clone's smooth voice goes after Vox MV50 Brian May in the signal chain — it's not there to compete with Vox MV50 Brian May's own bright character.
How much does the Vox MV50 Brian May cost?+
Around $224.14 (live listing price, updated Aug 28, 2026).
Compare
- vs Peavey 6505 MH 20W Mini Head
- vs Blackstar Dept. 10 Amped 2
- vs Laney Ironheart IRT-SLS 3-Channel 300W Head