Vox Custom AC15C1

[SDB_12]

Hey guys,

I currently play a Fender Hot Rod DeVille 2x12 amp. I like it ok, but have been interested in the newer Vox amps such as the AC15C1 combo tube 1x12.

Vox Custom AC15C1 15W 1x12 Tube Guitar Combo Amp: Shop Guitars & Other Musical Instruments | Musician's Friend

I'm looking for something versatile, for blues, rock, pop, and worship music. Any comments on this amp? How will it compare to the DeVille?

I haven't had the chance to play on one yet, but will eventually. Looking for your suggestions first. It will be used mainly for studio work, but also gigging.

Thanks!

[cortisol]

I compared a Vox AC15 with a Fender Blues JR a couple of days ago. As for your Hot Rod Deville as I remember it, it has lots more bass extension and boom than the Blues Jr.

The Vox AC15 is a gorgeous amp. The bass end is warm and less defined than with a Fender tube amp and the warmth in the Vox tone extends up into the low mids whereas the Fenders sound scooped, zingy and lively. The Vox has elements in common with the Fender sound in the upper mids and treble but has more chime. Thanks to the master volume on the Vox it can saturate and overdrive more than the Fender almost as much as an overdriven Marshall. It's the right volume level for worship music scenarios and is ideal for the styles you've mentioned.

[AnthonyRochester]

I just got a new AC15c1. I'm really happy with it. One strange thiing I just noticed - when plugged into the top boost channel, the normal channel volume affects the sound. Turn it up, and there's more low end, turn it down and it sounds thinner. The channels are supposed to be separate, I don't think this is supposed to happen. I'm not complaining though, it doesn't sound bad, it just adds another way to control the tone..

[Ron Vogel]

Vox won't have a similar sound with the EL84's whatsoever. The Hot rod series is so-so or a little lowish on the Fender totem pole. I had the original Deville...it was an OK amp, but just too loud for most venues...and rediculous to record with.

If you want to try a Fender that's more comperable to the AC, look at the blackface reissues. I personally would choose a Princeton over the vox any day of the week...ymmv. El84's don't really get that clean sound like the 6v6's...but balls out high gain stuff is richer on the el84's...pick your poison!

[cinealta]

I've owned the Hot Rod Deluxe in the past, as well as have played the NOS Blues Junior (with Jensen speaker) and the Vox AC15C1 blows them both away. The AC15C1 really has a great tone for that price range (sub $1000).

The previous AC15's ("CC") needed several mods to sound good, but Vox really got the AC15C1 sounding good straight out of the box. Although I prefer Divided By 13 and Matchless amps, I want an AC15 and am trying to decided whether the extra $500 for the hand-wired AC15HW1 is worth it for me (has tube rectifier and 7.5w option, but no reverb or tremolo).

[BLUElightCory]

I LOVE my AC15C1.

I've owned a British AC15 and a British handwired AC30 (on top of the Voxes I've recorded through the years) and this is easily my favorite Vox of the ones I've used.

It's versatile too - on the record I just finished we had a studio full of Marshalls, Bogners, Fenders, Diezel, etc. and we ended up using the AC15C1 for about 90% of the guitar tones. Running it into different speaker cabs really opens up all of the tonal possibilities of the amp.

The only thing it won't really do is heavy tones and maybe REALLY clean tones - it sounds best with just a hint of breakup to get the harmonics and chime-y Vox thing happening (amps that are TOO clean always sound sterile to me).

[FFTT]

If you are thinking upgrade, I'd look at the Magic Amps Brit MKII TB86
a Hot Cat 15 or Cub series and take a look at Morgan Amplification as well.

[eyeball_kid]

Originally Posted by cinealta

The previous AC15's ("CC") needed several mods to sound good, but Vox really got the AC15C1 sounding good straight out of the box. Although I prefer Divided By 13 and Matchless amps, I want an AC15 and am trying to decided whether the extra $500 for the hand-wired AC15HW1 is worth it for me (has tube rectifier and 7.5w option, but no reverb or tremolo).

Totally disagree with you about the previous AC-15 needing mods to sound good. Mine sounds great, stock. Maybe it was your speaker choice.

IMO I'd for the hand-wired. The C1 is made in China now, all PCB crap. As far as I'm aware the hand-wireds are made in the UK, though Korg might've moved those to China as well. It is strange that it doesn't have reverb or trem, probably to hit a certain price point.

[BradD]

Originally Posted by FFTT

If you are thinking upgrade, I'd look at the Magic Amps Brit MKII TB86
a Hot Cat 15 or Cub series and take a look at Morgan Amplification as well.

I'm salivating for the Magic Brit MKII.

[Jules]

I am in the market for a small amp.

[nedorama]

How small?
I just finished recording demos with our band with a Dr. Z Mini Z; instead of using the Dr. Z 1x12 closed cab, ran it through a 2x12 Bandmaster loaded with Warehouse Speakers G12C's and hung a e906 on the grille. Not a lot of clean, but 5 watts gets crunchy fast and got what I felt were great tones to tape. Minor bump at 4.8k but otherwise no EQ needed to sit in the mix.

PM me if you want to hear the mixes.