Vox AC15C1 - A Sceptic's Review
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- Опубликовано: 10 сен 2024
- I always thought I didn't like Vox amps, until I actually tried some last year. Turns out they're pretty awesome. So in my search for an afforable tube combo, I wanted to try the Vox AC15C1, and as a sceptic of Vox amps I thought it would be fair to share my experience. Let's see if this amp is a recommendation from me!
This video was not sponsored, I bought this amp myself with a reasonable return window, so all opinions are honest in my own. If you want to try out this amp for yourself, this is what I've used and where I got is:
Vox AC15C1
www.musicstore...
Ramble FX Twin Bender
www.haarguitar...
Fender Vintera 50's Telecaster Modified
www.session.de...
Catalinbread Belle Epoch
www.musicstore...
I own the Vox AC-15c1 as well and it is my work horse. Best amp for the price point.🎸🇺🇸
Totally agree!
Same here. I gig with it and it sounds amazing.
According to my amp tech who repairs around a hundred and fifty amps a year, he says the Vox AC15C1 and AC30C2 are currently two of the best built amps under $1500. He also says Mesa and Blackstar are generally two of the worst...
Your "tech" has no clue or is extremely prejudiced. Just *look* inside and you will see FIVE integrated circuit Op Amps, half a dozen transistors and computer type flatwire and connectors crisscrossing from PCB to PCB. Also non too kosher PCB mounted tubes (hint, taking all the heat). Very Blackstar build and much less solid than any Mesa. Just-look-inside.
I own one for the past 13 years, maybe more?
Never had anything goes bad in it except the stock tubes.
@@fahey5719 Dunno dude, look up Psionic Audio channel, that dude slates Mesa's and digs this amp. I had a Mesa and it pretty much had all the issues Psionic mentioned. I love the sound of Mesa but I ain't buying another one in a hurry. After I got it fixed a bit I was glad to finally sell it on after all the frustration with it.
@@fahey5719 Maybe the Mesa is build solid . no serious amp tech will repair them, they in really very bad build amps not worth half the money they ask for. all in all mesas are crappy amps no one want own one of those. And here some evidence to support my claim ruclips.net/video/yh_zIilO2uI/видео.html
Regardless of build quality, blackstars suck lol
I've had my Vox AC15C1 for about 4 years. It was new, for a good deal, and it had a Celestion Greenback in it so I said why not. I've played Fenders, Gibson, others, and an assortment of acoustics (mainly Taylor) through it and I love it. I'll admit it took awhile to break it in and dial in the different tones from the different pickups I threw at it but it's been my workhorse amp. It's the first amp I plug into when I feel the itch. Thx for the video!
Thanks for watching and commenting! 🙂
Literally picking my AC15C1 up this week and this makes me excited for what this amp can do!
You made a great choice! The amp can do so much. In this video it just does my thing, and as long as you don't play the heaviest of metal, I'm sure it can do your thing to. Let me know how you like your AC15!
Steven, great tones/sound/and playing. I’m in the process of buying a Vox and this is my first time seeing your videos. I appreciate the honesty and you helped me decide! Thanks for the video & I subscribed!
Thanks for your kind words and for subscribing! And I'm glad I could help you out, this Vox is great.
It's an absolute bargain of an amp. Has its annoying quirks but has more character than pretty much any amp under £1000. When you play one you realise how many times you've heard that tone on your favourite recordings.
Totally agree! The biggest downside I have experienced is the weigth. Other than that I think it's great for the money. Currently nothing better I've tried at that price point, and there's isn't much I haven't tried by now ;)
I agree.. 22 kg with a greenback for a 15 watt tube amp is heavy..
If they could shave of 3-4 kg and get it down to 18-19kg it would be more nicer to travel around when gigging.
It has rather large transformers and a big steel chassis ,, but it is also the use of heavy MDF..
We have a first generation VOX valvetronix 1x12 combo which has typical 50W Class A/B power stage.. that is also heavy with thick MDF construction.
Would be nice to see something like a 16mm birch plywood construction with a larger open back to save a little weight.
@@StevenAnthonyGuitar
@@andersbarfodsvaneskolan9378 yeah I think different wood would be a good choice and I wouldn't mind if the back was more open. The bigger transformer is usually good for the sound. My wife uses this amp now and for her it's pretty heavy to lug around to bar gigs where her Dr. Z Remedy with 2x12" cabinet is overkill.
I spent a fortune on an AC 50 classic plus some years back because I just had to have a Vox!
All I did was stand in front of it in my living room, playing with the knobs to try to get that simple sound with too many knobs …
I have already bought the 2 x 12 extension cabinet for the 15 or 30 …
These AC15C1’s seem to be just what the doctor ordered! I appreciate this review very much
I'm glad I could help! 🙂
Love the Rory Gallagher lick you played there. Production Vox nowadays are not as good and don’t sound like the vintage ones but they do have their own sound, and it’s pretty good.
Yes these are really good, especially considering the price.
Laundromat!
Change speakers And tubes
You are almost there
I swapped the Greenback for a Creamback, in my AC15. Sounds great, opened up the sound. And Creamback is way cheaper, than an Alnico Blue.
I really like these with Greenbacks, but the Blue is just a different sound that great in its own right. Hadn't tried Creambacks since last week, when I got a pair to use with my Marshall head and I like them too so far.
The ac15c1 is great for rock tones. I bought mine used 4 years ago and I love it but it's surprisingly loud. I just bought a used torpedo captor and can now record with the vox silently, so if anyone has a problem with it being too loud, plug the captor 8 ohm into the external sp and switch the amp to 8 ohm. It works surprisingly well.
It's great for sure! Although I think it can go pretty quiet on the master while retaining a good sound. But of course the best sounds require a higher volume.
Great review man, you had all the touch points I was looking for. Keep up the great work.
Thanks for the video, Steven. I agree. I sold one a few years back, and regretted it, but just got one back in a gear trade, and love it all over again.
My wife took mine and I even regret not keeping it for myself, even though it's still in the same room. That's how much I like that amp 😜
Your tone is great. Great demo!
Thanks! I honestly think that this is simply a great amp, so then it's easy.
I have one too. It's the best choice in this price point. Like you said. Owned a Marshall Origin 50 head with a 212 with greenbacks but I couldn't get a sound pleasend like the ac 15
I also head a Origin 50H with a 2x12" with Greenbacks. Also not bad for the price, but not as great as this AC15C1. Simply awesome for the price!
@@StevenAnthonyGuitar yeah, the thing with the origin is, they sound good when they are loud. The Vox sounds good on every level
@@CellarGuitarist yeah in my last video the difference in lowest volume with good sound between the Origin and AC15 was pretty big. And though I play loud a lot of the time, it's nice if you don't always have to.
Scored one for 360 locally and its the best amp ive ever personally owned
That's a great score, enjoy it!
So far i been hearing good things about vox amps especially 15
Ended up with an ac15ch (head unit) during a tube amp tech fiasco(Never front money to a amp tech no matter how well known). Pickup up an older vox cabinet made from birch plywood instead of the newer cabs made from mdf. They weight about the same but prefer the plywood cab. Those stock speakers were something cheap. Replaced out with two 12" scumnico ($500+) to get back into VOx territory.
Here is the deal, the bias is set a bit hot and needs a 150 ohm bias resistor instead of the big white cement 120ohm resistor. Needs bigger grid blockers (2w or 3w) spaced off(not touching) the pcb as well. And I put the 3 bright caps on mini-toggle switches(spst) ( (the diaz mod) instead of removing them from the board. Turn them off when using pedals or if the treble gets overwhelming. My used head came with an aftermarket reverb tank already. Replace the stock one.
There is more that can be done but as I mentioned the renown amp tech fiasco happened and I was left holding the bag(amp head) in stock form (and less money in my wallet than before fronting the capital). Those were the mods I could pull off in the garage.
(never front money to renown amp techs, did I mention that one?)
edited : I originally had written the bias resistor was 130 ohm instead of 120 ohm 5w cement resistor. Amp now has 150 ohm 5 w cement resistor to cool down the power tubes to spec.
@@lionscircle4700 I wouldn't advice paying up front for work not yet done anyway, but I'm sorry that you got got this way! I think these AC15s are great stock already, especially for the price.
Just checked my work and wanted to note here that I did modify the grid blockers with 2 watt and screen resistors with 3 watt resistors, both 1k values . The fluid gain mod (to reduce muddiness in gain) C7 and C14 are 22uf but I'll be removing them and installing 22uf c100v caps with 2.2 uf soldered parallel to the 22uf cap. Will be the last mod before it goes back in the enclosure.
Note: the head version doesn't seat well on the vox cab because the handle sits a bit high. I bought longer screws and used fender washers above the feet to increase the room between the head and the cab. All 4 feet seat well on the cab now(3 fender washer each foot). Not sure why vox didn't design it to allow for the head to seat well on the cab. No more mods, just playing from now on...
It's crazy to me that the AC15C1 isn't more popular. Throw in an Alnico Blue and it competes with any amp at any price.
True, these amps are crazy good for the money, even without an Alnico Blue. Speaker is might be more up to taste, but the circuit is great!
Excellent review, man. I just bought one for a song. (Pun intended.).
Great tone and even cooler double cut special.
Thanks! 😊
i currently own a silver sky se and was thinking about getting a new amp do you guys think this amp would pair well and if not what would?
That personal taste of course. My wife plays strats and uses the Vox AC15, sounds great. So I have no idea why it wouldn't sound great with a Silver Sky 🙃
@@StevenAnthonyGuitarthanks i really appreciate the feedback 🙏
You have just got to love a Vox
Yeah took me way too long, but Vox is just really awesome.
Rory Gallagher’s Laundromat!
Your credentials are set in gold!
That ‘60s Standard in Bourbon Burst and Vox AC15C1 Greenback are my exact main setup.
Then I'm sure you must be enjoying yourself, because I think both are great! 🙂
work horse of an amp. Own an AC30. easily loud enough, all it needs is an overdrive for a lead boost.
the Reverb in amp is fantastic
The AC15 can also get loud enough if you don't need a totally clean sound. I can imagine the AC30 must be awesome, just pretty heavy.
Plus it sounds great when I play it while being stoned out of my mind... ;- )
That's something that I haven't tried yet. But if it sounds good sober, it should sound good stoned as well 😜
I totally agree with you! Except I upgraded the speaker to an Alnico Blue in mine. :) Thanks for the review!
Alnico Blues are great ofcourse! 🙂
So ... I've had my AC15C1 for a bit over a month now and I honestly cannot see me wanting to play through anything else.
Most mornings when I feel my reactive depression biting hard, I go into my kitchen ... and I play for 20 - 30 minutes. And the sound makes me so happy that I'm set up for at least the rest of the morning and the afternoon. Who knew, eh?!
Queen from the Iron Eagle soundtrack riff
Which one? The Queen riff?
Probably the best guitar and amp combo would be a Tele and a Vox
Great for sure! But I liked this Vox with all my guitars, which is a testament to the amp, since that rarely happens for me.
There are some videos out there with AC30's and American Tele's. Incredible tones!
hi!!really good demo which matches well with my presnt project!!recenly got a Marshall origin 50 c which i used in several concerts and found it lacks of consistence and strength in sound, and I recently tried a VOX AC 15 and found it quite good with an incredible tone with my c tele
and a prs !!so i 've decided to sell if possible rapidly the marshall to use this vox!!
Thanks! That Vox keeps amazing me. It's the cheapest tube amp we've got in our household, but it keeps up with the more expensive stuff. Great amp, even better value for money. Glad you like yours too!
Hi very good demo as usual!!!what will be the best pedals to go with a vox ac 15 c1 for soloing??
Thanks! You been as a solo boost? Because that can be very subjective. A treble booster is popular with this amp, I think a Klon-style pedal does a good job as well. But I prefer to use a TC Electronic Spark Boost, because it has some good EQ settings and pots for volume and gain, which makes it easy to find a sweet spot. Especially if you're using the amp's gain. But it takes pedals very well, so whatever you like has a big chance to succeed 😉
C1’s are great. Stick some decent tubes in it and it’ll be good to go. Doesn’t really sound like a classic ac15 but it’s a good amp. Especially for the price. You can get close to the real ac15 with it. Alnico blue will definitely help. I like the normal channel better than top boost on these.
As long as it sounds great in its own right, I'm not really bothered by how much like a vintage one it sounds. It has that Vox-thing, is affordable, seems sturdy and most of all: it sounds great, even stock! 😊
@@StevenAnthonyGuitar Yeah, I build my own amps and I wish I still had my ac15c1. I kinda miss it.
It’s not a huge undertaking to mod it for a more authentic sound if you decide you wanted to do that. Not going to hurt the value either.
True…..except for the “easy to carry around” part!
Did I say the AC15 is? It's not, but must be better than an AC30 😜
@StevenAnthonyGuitar you just said it was part of what you were looking for. Don't think you said it was.
Wonder your opinion on how this AC15C1 compares to a Marshall DSL40C I own both and play in a band thinking about possibly trying to daisy chain them together some how, I currently just use the Marshall but its a very directional sounding amp to me, hence the problem, opinions ? Also may just try the Vox by itself or like I said a daisy chain type situation, I do think maybe adding masking tape in a cross type patterm over the center of the speaker will help disburse the sound better ala SRV and maybe help solve some of my current problem but hey, imo two are better than one lol so why not try it right?
I've never tried a DSL, so I can't really comment on that part. But you can always try using both, just make sure you do it well and don't get any phase issues. Some ABY boxes have a switch to flip the phase.
Does it have enough headroom for cleans at a band volume before it starts breaking up ?
I'm not sure, I prefer this kind of amp on the edge of breakup, so I haven't tried. It's for sure loud enough, but I'm not sure this is the kind of amp for loud cleans.
I got one and I’m surprised by how great it sounds.
So was I back then.
Do you find the normal channel too dark with a Les Paul? My Les Paul sounds great through the top boost, but is pure mud through the normal channel.
I think the normal channel works better with pedals, for example when you use an amp-in-a-box pedal. But for regular use I'd prefer the top boost with whatever kind of guitar.
that´s the way VOX sound.
I've had one for about 4 years now, I've tried to like it but just don't find any use for it ' it's heavy compared to my ac10, I have 6 tube amps in total ' the ac15 gets less playing time than the rest
Probably gonna get rid of it and get another ac10 and run them in stereo.
They're damn heavy for sure! And the rest of it is in the end ofcourse subjective. I'm surprised how good it sounds each time and it's the go to model of amp I use to try out guitars in stores. But with all things tone, it all boiles down to taste and personal preference.
Should I keep the stand by on when playing or off? And what’s the difference?
With one you get sound, with the other you don't. So if you want sound while playing, make sure to flick the standby switch a minute after you've flicked the power switch and given the tubes time to warm up 😉
I have a Vox AC-15 Night train combo I love as much as the Vox AC -15 combo, I still can't understand why nobody mentions that amp.
I've heard about them, but never encountered one in the wild myself. If I'll ever get the chance I'll give it a go, thanks for the heads up! :)
I called my amp tech after reading your question. I had the same question because I found a local Night Train for a very low price. His advice was "stay away from the night train it's a repair nightmare". The night train is very different in build design and expensive to repair. The AC15c1 Classic he recommends highly and if it does ever need work, its way easier to work on according to him.
I have a ac10 and ac15 and they are both awesome.
I still want to try an AC10 some day!
Hey Steven, your band sounds great! Thank you for the demo. So..does this amp still sound good at low volume? Considering for my basement
I for sure think it does, but if you want some drive tones at low volume I think an overdrive gets you a lot further. Still love this amp, especially for the price, but I don't own it anymore... because my wife wanted to have it 😜
@@StevenAnthonyGuitar Ok cool my tube screamer should work for that right? Thank you for the reply !
@@stephenhanlin2388 should work fine. Just keep in mind that a Vox had a lot of mids and not lot of bass, and a Tubescreamer pushes mids and cuts bass. But at low volume, thaf shouldn't be as much of an issue.
@@StevenAnthonyGuitar Cool thanks for the tip!
Hi again Steven, finally I purchase an AC15C1 in purple. I read that this amp need sometime to learn, do you mind to share your settings when use this amp as pedalplatform for home use? Thank you!
I use the top boost channel. Bass at around 10 to 11 o'clock, treble at 1 to 2 o'clock with the volume also at around 2 o'clock, and the rest to taste. Where I put the cut depends a lot on how loud you're playing and I usually put the reverb around 8 o'clock.
@@StevenAnthonyGuitar I use your setting this morning, sounds pretty decent with my setup but my tonebender sounds really weird and lifeless thru top boost channel. Do you experience the same thing with your ramble twin?
@@matimoksa which Tonebender do you have? The Twin Bender has some extra options to tweak. To me it sounds and works the same through the AC15 as through my Marshall plexis.
What would you spend on a well used one with no issues?
At this moment, between €300 and 400.
I think you would have to compare the ac15 to the Fender Deluxe and the ac30 to the Twin Reverb. The Vox has the gain the other amps don’t but it depends on tonal preference and needs.
Yeah between those it's a matter of taste. Fender and Vox have their own thing going on, but both are classics.
@@StevenAnthonyGuitar I’d prefer the Vox but like you I never bought one and I’m in the market now. Ted from the Killers uses a mic’d ac15 for his live performances with them. I was blown away when he told me that. Compared to other guitarists rigs.
@@Romanesquire I used to be a Fender guy for years, but I'm all about Marshall and Vox these days. I still think the AC15 is great and would take it to the studio or stage without any hesitation. Especially for the price, just an awesome amp. Just heavy.
@@StevenAnthonyGuitar I have a modded black face Fender Showman and a Modded 1976 Marshall 50 watt JMP. I want a combo like everyone else for convenience. Lugging my rig is a pain. I’m not playing shows that much anymore tho but who knows what the future is in store for me. Lol. Thank you for your kind response.
@@Romanesquire I still lug around my Marshall plexi with 4x12" cab whenever I can, but that will someday end when either my back or the sound engineers can't take it no more. Having a combo or small head and cab is pretty convenient these days. And no problem, glad to chat and maybe offer some help 🙂
Best with creambacks
Others would say Alnico Blues. Luckily we can all pick our own poison 😉
My AC15C1 sounds NOTHING like this, to the extent I think there's something wrong with it. My treble is uncontrollable, I never get a warm breakup sound, just icicles in my ears.
Crank the top boost bass while playing on the normal channel. Weird that makes a difference but it does. ruclips.net/video/XC_4etXjb-c/видео.html
Positioning might be a thing. When you're sitting right in the beam of the speaker it might sound harsher than the sound actually is. How low you volume is might also have an impact. Try recording it at the edge of the cone if you can to see if a different sound appears. But it could also be bad tubes or something else that's wrong.
VOX is always the sound. From the Beatles to Queen and the Foo Fighters via Deep Purple (yes, Smoke on the Water is a strat played through an AC30). Love my AC15; I can't carry an AC30 any more so the AC15 sits here doing its job nicely.
Just started to feed it with the line out from another amp with an AC30 emulator. VOX sound * VOX sound = pure filth.
Yep, Vox amps are great. Took me too long to figure out though.
What could you tell us about that record behind you? :)
That's my band's debut album 'From Wither To Bloom', available on streaming services 😉 The band is called Nighthawker.
@Steven Anthony Did you keep it?
Yes and no. My wife liked it really much as well, so she has it now. But if she didn't take it, I would've kept it. She had more need for it though.
@@StevenAnthonyGuitar I think I really like Vox despite never having one. I have a hrd and blues jr fender... And now I am considering to buy this Vox you just showed. I dont have how to test before buying though. I will think a little bit write down pros and cons because it is not so cheap (to me). Thanx for your review and answering. And I really appreciate if you have some more advice, some other point I should really take it into consideration.
@@ricardorochadias I have played a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe for years and owned a Blues Jr and Hot Rod Deville for a while. Always thought Vox would be too bright and jangly for me. These days I'd pick the Vox over any of those Fenders every day of the week. The Vox has way more character, breaks up nicely and is way more harmonic and easier to dial in.
@@StevenAnthonyGuitar I am also concerned about headroom. I heard Vox breaks up earlier than fenders. Blues jr would give me louder clean tone for dealing with pedals than this one vox? What would you say having tried this two amps?
@@ricardorochadias the Fenders for sure have more clean headroom. They're basically all clean headroom. But the Vox breaks up really nice, so I would use the Vox on the edge of breakup with pedals, which I would actually prefer. Hell, you could play the Vox without pedals and be happy!
There it is: the muddy tone when using humbucker guitars. A no go for me.
I don't think this amp is by definition too muddy with humbuckers, and I'm the kind of guy that prefers to play Les Pauls through a plexi with the bass on 2. You can always turn the bass down.
After checking the video again, I notice that I only used humbuckers in combination with a Big Muff. That's the mud your hearing and that's on me... and a bit on the Muff ;)
I have one, so it's a good thing that you like it!! 😡 😡 😡 🙂
Imagine that you'd have to be mad at anyone who doesn't like a piece of gear you own 😉
@@StevenAnthonyGuitar
You know what a joke is, right?! 🥲
@@danbaron2561 of course, wo was mine! 🤣 All good dude 👌😉
@@StevenAnthonyGuitar
👍 👍 👍 🙂
I've been gigging with my AC15C1 for 6 years. It's better than my Mesa Lonestar that cost almost $2K.
Yeah the Vox AC15 holds his own against more expensive amps in our household as well!
Why do people spend eyewatering money on some amp that's 'voiced' like a Vox? Just buy a Vox, and the job is done. I swapped the Greenback for a Creamback, and it's a new amp. I couldn't justify the cost of an Alnico Blue.
@@kellyswoodyard well, you can get different takes on the Vox with some boutique models, many of which are handwired, easier to repair and less prone to problems. But if you want something to gig with without spending too much, a regular production vox is great and affordable.
Oh to purchase an amp that has been made properly in the first place with not having to mod this and mod that, an amp that is built with proper components rather than the cheap corner cutting rubbish that they build them with these days, well ? Im still waiting for a properly built new amp that doesnt require the expensive attention of an electrical engineer.
This amp hasn't been in need of any mods, repairs or any other expensive attention so far. I think it's great value for money. Next to the Marshalls and Dr. Z's that my wife and I own, this is great to have too and might be all someone else needs. But Vox is coming with a new handwired series, maybe that's more up your alley.
I don't see the point in buying amps or guitars to mod. Buy what sounds and feels good to start with
Origin is trash
@@justinbryson9053 trash is a big word, you can get good sounds out of it, but for my money's worth a Vox is a whole lot better.
I hate the sound of that amp. Far too bright and ear-piercing. Terrible amp.
Some guy on You tube recommended it for Jazz. I bought it and only used it for an hour since. I really hate the thin sound of that amp.
Other here commented that it's too bassy. It's all in the ear of the beholder. Though I would not recommend it for jazz. For blues, classic rock, country and roots it's awesome, especially for the price. But that's a different sound ofcourse.
Spend some time dialling it in. And remember to use the tone cut. There really shouldn’t be a thin sound if you don’t want it. And the speaker breaks in and tames it as well.
I would totally agree with you. But I'm trying to sell mine. ❤