I agree Iago! I wanted to buy the AC10 for home use (room level) but you know what, this little bastard is all I need! Great demo Mike! I realized that not being able to crank a tube amp is a waste of money.
Hi Mike, I cannot believe this was eight years ago! The information remains as relevant in 2020 - I’ve just bought an AC4TV and waiting for it to arrive. I’ve enjoyed watching your channel over the years, and my playing has improved, thanks to your content. Can never have enough amps! My old Laney TF50, works alongside my many pedals, including my Rat, Okko GH, and Colorsound Overdriver. I like to embrace old and new, so recently added a Headrush Gigboard, that I think I shall add an frfr to at some point. In the meantime, I’m looking forward to a 1/4 watt of beautiful tone. Great Review, and if I hadn’t purchased one already, would definitely do so after watching you vid.
Hi Tommy, sorry just replying back to you! You can certainly use any effect pedals with this amp. what I was talking about is if you wanted to put your delay or chorus or any modulation pedals through an effects loop instead of going through the front of the amp like many people do, you wont be able to as this amp doesnt have an effects loop. But you can still obviously go through the front of the amp the normal way. Hope this makes sense and helps!
Vox do owe you, you know. I was looking for a different sounding low-watt valve to go along with my Cub 10 when I happened on your vid. Your enthusiasm for it sold it as much as the sound. I've replaced the 12AX7 with a 12AY7 and my EL84 is now a JJ. Still dirts up, but stays a little cleaner for longer.
Hey! On the quarter what setting it would break up just over talking level, saying that though it depends if your using single coils or humbuckers. And yes if you have it on 4 watts with the volume low it cleans up very nicely. Hope that helps! :)
Hey Buddy, on the 4 watt setting you will get a nice clean sound with the guitar volume on 2, guitar on max it will be very loud. your be able to get a clean sound on 1 and 1/4 as well. but yes on 4 watt pure warm clean.
Cheers for the quick response on this and I think I'm sold. It was between the vox, orange micro terror, fender vibro champ XE and the Bugera V5. Whilst I play a lot of blues with a bit of gain, I play a lot of clean stuff too so wanted to make sure it sounded nice clean and also loud without having to turn the guitar volume up resulting in more gain and less of that clean tone. I wonder if you could see what guitar/amp volume combo on the 4 watt setting produces the loudest and cleanest tone?
Yesterday i was at guitar center trying to find the best guitar an amp for my ears, and after trying like 20 differents guitars and amps i got the conclusion that the american tele and this vox amp were the best together. happy to see someone rocking it out too. The only upgrade i'd like is a whammy bar maybe.
Im not sure buddy, If you run it through a cab either a 2x12 or 4x12 maybe. obviously it would have to be on the 4 watt setting. I haven't done it yet myself, when its on 4 watts it is pretty loud, I would def try it in a rehearsal room first before the gig.
if your volume is at max and you have the amp maxed out it will distort. Im not sure this amp would really cut it at gigging levels. at 4 watts on full it is loud, ive played with a drummer using and it just cut it but I couldnt clean up very well to be heard. could try putting it through a 4x4 that might help.
Very nice demo, thanks for that. You've just convinced me to trade my little-used Mustang III for one! I use a 2002 US Standard Tele, usually with a JCM900 50W combo, so the little Vox will be a perfect alternative for home and quiet rehearsal. Nice playing, BTW. Cheers again.
just change the 12ax7 in the preamp with a lower gain compatible tube (12au7 /12at7). that's the easiest and safest way to decrease the gain and still have a great tone.
I believe that TV actually has to do with the color, i.e. "TV Yellow", and has to do with the early days of B&W television. White instruments would appear overexposed, so in order to correct for the exposure problem companies, like Gibson, began offering instruments in a yellowish, off-white, named "TV Yellow". The darker color would appear to be white when viewed on television.
Thanks mate for the kind words, really means alot. Yeah 4 watts is, to be honest I pretty much always leave it on 1/4 watt setting. ive been playing now for 16 years. I recently did a video Q&A check it out on my channel :)
Thanks. Also, wondering if the clean tones distorts when you have the volume turned up? ... Ultimately, I am looking for an amp that will be good for blues, classic rocks, and alternative. I figure I would need to use a pedal for alternative music.
From 1/4 watt to 1 watt is only 6db so I wouldn't expect too much difference. From 1/4 watt to 4 watts is 12 db which is more than "twice as loud." Of course the specs are not necessarily accurate. Great demo and playing btw!!
Awesome review, cleared some questions up alot. Also great playing! Totally nailed some improvisations, nice! For how long you've been playing? Cheers!
Great Demo. One of the best I've seen. I think I'm going to have to get one of those amps. I'm a beginner but loved that sound, and your style of playing. It's given me even more motivation now to persue it. How long you been playing? and any tips for beginners? I'd love to be able to play like that.
Thanks buddy, means a lot. ive been playing nearly 18 years now, just love it and your see the rewards. I do private and skype lessons if your interested.
Great video! I I'm seriously considering getting this amp for the same reasons as you but wanted to ask how good this sounds clean and it is loud enough clean on the 4 watt mode? I use a Strat with single coil pickups and wanted to make sure the amp is loud enough when clean with the guitar volume at 2ish and the amp volume at 11? Appreciate any help and I will try before I buy but wanted your opinion on how to get the loudest and best typical rich/warm tube amp clean tone out of the AC4TV
Hey Mike you are one heck of a player mate. I just bought the next one up from this called the AC4 C1, could you advise me on how to set the amp to get a bluesy tone, thx mate and subscribed.
Crackin vid, pretty good sound given YT limitations. Good explanation of where you're at on the guitar to with your controls too. I'm fairly new player and been umming over a B Jnr or Pro Jnr, but 4w on the Vox is already insane at home. Your playing is far to good though, and you shouldn't be allowed to review cheap, good gear. How many years you been playing? gigging (semi)pro too?
Sounds friggin sweet. I want to get more into blues because it's a lot more expressive (and difficult) to play. I need to challenge my damn fingers and broaden their horizons. Also need to get a tele. I've heard the 10" and the 8" version of the AC4TV back to back and to my ears at least the 8" actually sounds a little better, but it's more difficult to find. I may just settle for the 10". BTW, can you recommend a good tele with a decent sound and quality? Preferably NOT the expensive American Fender tele.
Beery I guess to clarify, I'd like to get a tele with a traditional twang sound, probably higher output, with hum-cancelling that doesn't sacrifice the tone. I'd prefer not to spend more than around $700 on it, but I might go higher. Any suggestions?
why is it called ac4 "TV" because it resembles an early television SERIOUSLY lol thats all it means ! I just read that in the past few days while researching this amp so now you know Ps I love mine also and great playing cheers from the USA
Hey man i have a few questions. The amp seems to break up really well, But how loud does it have to be to break up since it has no gain control? would it break up at talking/tv volumes. Also, can it get really clean, say if i put the amp on the 4watt setting, and turned the volume right down?
I have this amp. It’s best in the 4 watt mode. With the 12ax7 preamp tube, it broke up at about 3 or 9 o’clock pretty hard, Brian May territory. I swapped the preamp tube with a 12at7, lower gain allowed it to get that territory at 3/4 way up and it was more gradual as the volume was increased. Really brought the VOX sound out of it. Depends on what you want out of it.
Hi, I´ve got this amp and really like distort sound it makes. Do you happen know if there´s any guitar effect pedal that provides similar sound like this?
Alright, Mike Bradley? What model Tele are you using- US or Mex? Stock pickups or something fancy? I'm wondering how my Mex 50's Tele would sound compared to yours through his amp?
It's a good deal at $249 USD and possibly a better sound than the new AC4 BL which has a gain control. While I like the Vox sound it does bother me a little that they make every guitar sound Voxy. Like this Tele - I wouldn't guess it's a Tele.
One of the very few decent/accurate demos of this amp on the web. Congrats, Mike.
Cheers buddy, this is one of my early videos as well, so I appreciate it.
I agree Iago! I wanted to buy the AC10 for home use (room level) but you know what, this little bastard is all I need! Great demo Mike! I realized that not being able to crank a tube amp is a waste of money.
Hi Mike, I cannot believe this was eight years ago! The information remains as relevant in 2020 - I’ve just bought an AC4TV and waiting for it to arrive. I’ve enjoyed watching your channel over the years, and my playing has improved, thanks to your content. Can never have enough amps! My old Laney TF50, works alongside my many pedals, including my Rat, Okko GH, and Colorsound Overdriver. I like to embrace old and new, so recently added a Headrush Gigboard, that I think I shall add an frfr to at some point. In the meantime, I’m looking forward to a 1/4 watt of beautiful tone. Great Review, and if I hadn’t purchased one already, would definitely do so after watching you vid.
Vox produces the absolute best tone (imo). And this is the absolute best demo of this amp.. SOLD.
Just bought this online a few days ago and waiting for it to arrive. Hat’s off to a great demo. Definitely made me happy about the purchase. Subbed.
Hi Tommy, sorry just replying back to you! You can certainly use any effect pedals with this amp. what I was talking about is if you wanted to put your delay or chorus or any modulation pedals through an effects loop instead of going through the front of the amp like many people do, you wont be able to as this amp doesnt have an effects loop. But you can still obviously go through the front of the amp the normal way. Hope this makes sense and helps!
Vox do owe you, you know. I was looking for a different sounding low-watt valve to go along with my Cub 10 when I happened on your vid. Your enthusiasm for it sold it as much as the sound.
I've replaced the 12AX7 with a 12AY7 and my EL84 is now a JJ. Still dirts up, but stays a little cleaner for longer.
VintageSG Please let them know! :)
Your playing honestly just made my day. So much soul, feeling, and tone in your playing. Good video dude...
Won't be getting any of these full room filling tones or feedback out of any Kemper or Fractal units lol. Great job with this video
I just wanted to say Mike all your videos are so helpful! Keep up the good work man.
Thank you Josh
Hey! On the quarter what setting it would break up just over talking level, saying that though it depends if your using single coils or humbuckers. And yes if you have it on 4 watts with the volume low it cleans up very nicely. Hope that helps! :)
Fully sick... I want one of these Vox things... I never thought that much shred could come outta a vox and a telecaster. You're a beast!
ahh thanks Jeff appreciate it. glad you enjoyed it.
This clip sold me on the AC4TV, bought one 3 weeks ago and I adore the little monster. Splendid playing man!!!
Its not a super gain amp, so it can be loud but have a nice warm overdriven clean tone.
Hey Buddy, on the 4 watt setting you will get a nice clean sound with the guitar volume on 2, guitar on max it will be very loud. your be able to get a clean sound on 1 and 1/4 as well. but yes on 4 watt pure warm clean.
I came to hear the amp and I stayed to listen to you play
Great vid!
Cheers for the quick response on this and I think I'm sold. It was between the vox, orange micro terror, fender vibro champ XE and the Bugera V5. Whilst I play a lot of blues with a bit of gain, I play a lot of clean stuff too so wanted to make sure it sounded nice clean and also loud without having to turn the guitar volume up resulting in more gain and less of that clean tone. I wonder if you could see what guitar/amp volume combo on the 4 watt setting produces the loudest and cleanest tone?
Yesterday i was at guitar center trying to find the best guitar an amp for my ears, and after trying like 20 differents guitars and amps i got the conclusion that the american tele and this vox amp were the best together. happy to see someone rocking it out too. The only upgrade i'd like is a whammy bar maybe.
mike that kicked arse !!!, and you looked you were having a blast mate
I've had one of those for a few years, and it's killer. Sounds great with my Heritage 555. The switchable wattage is great.
Hi Nicola, Thanks so much for your lovely comment, really does mean alot.
Im not sure buddy, If you run it through a cab either a 2x12 or 4x12 maybe. obviously it would have to be on the 4 watt setting. I haven't done it yet myself, when its on 4 watts it is pretty loud, I would def try it in a rehearsal room first before the gig.
Hi Nick, if you wanted more of a Gary Moore tone with this amp you would have to put some form of distortion pedal in for more gain.
Great review...been interested in these and this might've put it over the top for me
great demo and amazing playing.
This dudes way too cool, excellent demo too! You're making me think about buying another one
+Dave Normandin Cheers Dave!
Thanks for the kind words. Ive been playing for 16 years now. Mike
I was thinking of buying the vox amp and after watching you I ordered one. Thanks. great guitar playing
Its a Boss SD-1 It handles it great, i cant praise this little amp enough!
This sold me on the amp! Great review and great playing, thanks man!
Thanks Mike, you're a very inspiring guitarist and person, and you convinced me: I'm going to get me this foxy Vox!
if your volume is at max and you have the amp maxed out it will distort. Im not sure this amp would really cut it at gigging levels. at 4 watts on full it is loud, ive played with a drummer using and it just cut it but I couldnt clean up very well to be heard. could try putting it through a 4x4 that might help.
Glad to hear it buddy, let me know how you get on with it when you get it! :)
Thanks for the kind words, glad to of helped. :)
Great playing by the way... Lightning speed!
Very nice demo, thanks for that. You've just convinced me to trade my little-used Mustang III for one! I use a 2002 US Standard Tele, usually with a JCM900 50W combo, so the little Vox will be a perfect alternative for home and quiet rehearsal. Nice playing, BTW. Cheers again.
just change the 12ax7 in the preamp with a lower gain compatible tube (12au7 /12at7). that's the easiest and safest way to decrease the gain and still have a great tone.
Awesome sound man! Fantastic playing as always!!
The TV stands for television. The amp looks like an old time television! Seriously!
Glad to hear you enjoyed it! :)
I've got this amp head and cab its brilliant great demo mikey
I believe that TV actually has to do with the color, i.e. "TV Yellow", and has to do with the early days of B&W television. White instruments would appear overexposed, so in order to correct for the exposure problem companies, like Gibson, began offering instruments in a yellowish, off-white, named "TV Yellow". The darker color would appear to be white when viewed on television.
Not only will I buy this amp, I'll also be practicing a lot! Great great playing!
Ahhh thanks Garret, means alot.
Excellent demonstration of this amp! Does it have a 10 inch speaker....very nice man, thank you!
Thanks Gerald, Yes I believe it is.
Highly informative and entertaining. You missed the 2nd bleep but that only added to the entertainment value :)
haha thanks Tom, glad to hear you enjoyed it
Thanks buddy!, means alot.
Thanks mate for the kind words, really means alot. Yeah 4 watts is, to be honest I pretty much always leave it on 1/4 watt setting. ive been playing now for 16 years. I recently did a video Q&A check it out on my channel :)
why are you so good?
seriously, you're good.
ahh cheers mate, appreciate it
Thanks buddy, appreciate that, glad to of helped out your decision :)
Very very nice!! Great playing!!!
Thanks Bren!
cheers buddy, im doing some double stop rhythmic ideas I always end up falling into :)
Thanks. Also, wondering if the clean tones distorts when you have the volume turned up? ... Ultimately, I am looking for an amp that will be good for blues, classic rocks, and alternative. I figure I would need to use a pedal for alternative music.
Thanks buddy, very much appreciated
Awesome video, awesome playing!!!
Ahhh that buddy, your comment just made my day! hope your good!
Got one yesterday amazing amp.
From 1/4 watt to 1 watt is only 6db so I wouldn't expect too much difference. From 1/4 watt to 4 watts is 12 db which is more than "twice as loud." Of course the specs are not necessarily accurate. Great demo and playing btw!!
Yeah buddy, keep me posted!
Cheers man, appreciate it!
Ahhh Cheers man, appreciate it.
Thanks Julian :)
damn man really like your playing. cheers
Tell VOX they owe you commission for the amp you just sold me...
hahaha, you might be right there! :)
Cheers buddy! yes it sure is :)
Cheers Buddy!
TV stands for "television." Something to do with the shape of the amp.
Awesome review, cleared some questions up alot. Also great playing! Totally nailed some improvisations, nice! For how long you've been playing?
Cheers!
Nice amp, nice playing!
Great video. Did you say you were using a Boss DS-1? How does the amp handle distortion pedals?
Great Demo. One of the best I've seen. I think I'm going to have to get one of those amps. I'm a beginner but loved that sound, and your style of playing. It's given me even more motivation now to persue it. How long you been playing? and any tips for beginners? I'd love to be able to play like that.
Thanks buddy, means a lot. ive been playing nearly 18 years now, just love it and your see the rewards. I do private and skype lessons if your interested.
great demo
Great video! I I'm seriously considering getting this amp for the same reasons as you but wanted to ask how good this sounds clean and it is loud enough clean on the 4 watt mode? I use a Strat with single coil pickups and wanted to make sure the amp is loud enough when clean with the guitar volume at 2ish and the amp volume at 11? Appreciate any help and I will try before I buy but wanted your opinion on how to get the loudest and best typical rich/warm tube amp clean tone out of the AC4TV
Cheers Dude!
Hey Mike you are one heck of a player mate. I just bought the next one up from this called the AC4 C1, could you advise me on how to set the amp to get a bluesy tone, thx mate and subscribed.
+tenodogblu Cheers buddy, Crank it up as much as you can and you will get that great natural overdrive.
Trying it now!! Thank you.
Crackin vid, pretty good sound given YT limitations. Good explanation of where you're at on the guitar to with your controls too. I'm fairly new player and been umming over a B Jnr or Pro Jnr, but 4w on the Vox is already insane at home. Your playing is far to good though, and you shouldn't be allowed to review cheap, good gear. How many years you been playing? gigging (semi)pro too?
Ok, Thanks for the reply.
Dude, you’re fucking incredible!!!!
Aww that’s very kind of you to say! Means a lot.
Vox AC4BL or AC4TV or VOX VT20+ ?
Hi will this amp do Gary Moore type tones? I know he was a Marshall user but i think the class 5 is very over priced.
Sounds friggin sweet. I want to get more into blues because it's a lot more expressive (and difficult) to play. I need to challenge my damn fingers and broaden their horizons. Also need to get a tele. I've heard the 10" and the 8" version of the AC4TV back to back and to my ears at least the 8" actually sounds a little better, but it's more difficult to find. I may just settle for the 10".
BTW, can you recommend a good tele with a decent sound and quality? Preferably NOT the expensive American Fender tele.
Beery I guess to clarify, I'd like to get a tele with a traditional twang sound, probably higher output, with hum-cancelling that doesn't sacrifice the tone. I'd prefer not to spend more than around $700 on it, but I might go higher. Any suggestions?
Beery Hi Beery, glad you like the video, check out the yamaha pacifica tele, or the Jap Fender's are always really good.
Thanks, I'll give em a look. I was also looking at the Fender Ash tele, I guess it's Japanese.
there just as good as the USA
A funny guy,nice play~
Does anyone know how the amp sounds for jazz and bossa nova?
why is it called ac4 "TV" because it resembles an early television SERIOUSLY lol thats all it means ! I just read that in the past few days while researching this amp so now you know Ps I love mine also and great playing cheers from the USA
fullmoonfool yep
Its the colour: light colours created high contrast on b&w TV's before colour. Same as why the Les Paul Jnr was called 'TV Yellow'.
Hi,how can you get out of it clean sound and still pretty loud?
how long to tubes last before they need replacing?
***** there the same as light bulbs Dave, can last years or randomly go just like that.
I think they call it 'TV' because it looks like an old TV. Seriously, I think that's the origin.
hahaha, I guess if I get enough people asking about it I could do a video lesson! :)
Haha. Postman Pat, awesome
its not, I was just making it up! haha :)
hey, what song is the one that you play at 03:08 minute?
Thanks!
Hey man i have a few questions.
The amp seems to break up really well, But how loud does it have to be to break up since it has no gain control? would it break up at talking/tv volumes.
Also, can it get really clean, say if i put the amp on the 4watt setting, and turned the volume right down?
I have this amp. It’s best in the 4 watt mode. With the 12ax7 preamp tube, it broke up at about 3 or 9 o’clock pretty hard, Brian May territory.
I swapped the preamp tube with a 12at7, lower gain allowed it to get that territory at 3/4 way up and it was more gradual as the volume was increased. Really brought the VOX sound out of it. Depends on what you want out of it.
would an mxr micro amp work good with this amp?
TV stands for tone/volume
Hi, I´ve got this amp and really like distort sound it makes. Do you happen know if there´s any guitar effect pedal that provides similar sound like this?
+Scummy man tbh nothing beats a good cranked amp. tube screamer though maybe?
I have got Ibanez TS808 too :D but this amp sounds different :/ Now I´m watching videos of Vox ic9, probably this one will sound like I want
But there is rather few videos on YT.
Alright, Mike Bradley? What model Tele are you using- US or Mex? Stock pickups or something fancy? I'm wondering how my Mex 50's Tele would sound compared to yours through his amp?
60th anniversary USA standard.
Cheers, thanks Mike!
Excellent!!
This sounds bloody amazing. Completely sold me on it, and there's one on eBay for £120. Steal!
good man!
It's a good deal at $249 USD and possibly a better sound than the new AC4 BL which has a gain control. While I like the Vox sound it does bother me a little that they make every guitar sound Voxy. Like this Tele - I wouldn't guess it's a Tele.