Ac15 vs AC30

[gregm1989]

I have an AC15 and I love it. I don't think I'd use it for jazz though, not really its sound. Personally, I no longer look for "versatility" in anything I buy. When an amp or pedal can do a lot of things, it almost always means it's not the BEST at anything...

[patheticus]

Originally Posted by gregm1989

I have an AC15 and I love it. I don't think I'd use it for jazz though, not really its sound. Personally, I no longer look for "versatility" in anything I buy. When an amp or pedal can do a lot of things, it almost always means it's not the BEST at anything...

We're not talking about a Line 6 here or even a triple rectifier or something. Saying that an AC30 suffers from its versatility seems silly.

[elan]

Originally Posted by patheticus

I consider the AC30 to be a better studio amp than an AC15 because...

1. It has an actual EQ section.
2. It has way more beautiful sounding low end because its and a much fuller sounding overdrive because of larger transformers, 4 el84's instead of two and preamp tubes utilized in a more stable way.
3. It can power a 4x12 which is a great tone option in the studio.
4. It has better cleans and more tone variations between clean and fully distorted tones because its higher power.
5. It handles pedals way better than the AC15 because it has more headroom.
6. It has vibrato.
7. The top boost circuit is just a better sounding circuit in my opinion.

Thank you

That's an answer :D

[elan]

Actually the ac15 has vibrato

BTW My studio isn't too well isolated from the outside so... how would you compare it with a Twin, I mean, now I have a Twin and I can use it at 3 but it is already too much.. If I have to do a recording at higher level it is ok, but if we are producing and trying stuff out... I'd prefer keeping levels lower, much lower, a Twin is WAY TOO MUCH even thought I like it SO MUCH sometimes

At the same time I like the Twin because it doesn't get muddy, so I don't want to get an AC15 if it gets muddy...

Do you think the AC30 is more manageable? I hope the Master volume will help pushing more the input... I'm looking for an alternative to the Twin and actually I'm liking the Vox a lot!

Or do you think I will have the same too-freaking-loud problems I have with the Twin?

Thanks

[doorknocker]

Originally Posted by cinealta

Vox has just released (Oct '12) a hand-wired 4-watt called the AC4HW1.

VOX | Hand-Wired Series AC4HW1

Hand-wired? It still sounds like cardbox judging by the demo and it has a Celestion that definitely won't give you the classic Vox chime.

If you want to go that route I'd consider the Vox AC 30 Amplug. 40 bucks.

Vox Amplug AC30 Headphone Amp | GuitarCenter

I'm NOT kidding, I've gotten some really good sounds out of that thing. It really has the AC 30 flavour and fits beautifully in context of some arrangements.

But my opinion is that rather than buying a scaled-down, bluffy in a 'Don't I look like the real thing?'-way but still overpriced piece of junk you'd better save your cash for the real thing. If you want the classic AC 30 sound then get a good AC 30 and be prepared to change some tubes and spend a few months burning in the amp and speakers before any of the Jingle-Jangle Gods might make a fleeting appearance.

[doorknocker]

Originally Posted by FFTT

I can hardly believe people are making such a fuss over 30 watts RMS.

Even so, I understand todays small venues and improved PA systems have changed
the need for big block amps, but gee wiz 30 watts is tame compared to everything
I knew when I was still playing full time through a professional 24 channel PA system, even in smaller 200 seat venues.

No one in 3 years of touring & clubbing ever asked us to turn down, not once.

Right on. Preach it, brother!

So what's the speed limit in the US? 70 or 80 mph or something? Now when you get a new car, do you worry about it 'going too fast'. Do you prefer a car that has such a weak engine that it couldn't possibly go faster that 75 mph?

Well, maybe like the sound that car makes when it's on the verge of blowing up.

I want an amp that has HEADROOM. Like anybody else I like the half-distorted 'use you volume pot to ride the magic threshold of saturation' sound if appropriate but I'd like to be able to control it and using somewhat bigger amps works much better for me most of the time.

And unlike what most 'pedals are bad' purists may say, there is a big difference in say a Fender Twin and a Marshall Super lead being driven by a good distortion or overdrive pedal so that using a more powerful amp can actually result in a much more 'natural' sound in some cases.

Truth be told some years ago I had more problems with being told to turn down when using one or two wide-open Blues Jr. than with my current Blues DeVille or Vibrolux Custom setup. It's not so much about the actual volume or wattage but rather the frequency focus. A small amp that's really shrill and lacking bottom end usually hurts your or the lsiteners way more than say a great Marshall that's very loud but also balanced and warm sounding.

Remember that the classical Marshall stack was invented because players like Townshend, Beck and Page, etc wanted more power and headroom as opposed to the AC 30s the mostly were using in the mid 60s.

So 50 years down the line we complain about AC 30s being too loud. Rock and roll is truly dead I'd say!

[gregm1989]

Originally Posted by patheticus

We're not talking about a Line 6 here or even a triple rectifier or something. Saying that an AC30 suffers from its versatility seems silly.

I didn't say that stuff about versatility as a response to your post. Just some general amp-buying food for thought. I've got no problems with AC30s. In fact, I love them.

[patheticus]

Originally Posted by gregm1989

I didn't say that stuff about versatility as a response to your post. Just some general amp-buying food for thought. I've got no problems with AC30s. In fact, I love them.

Oh I see. Well in that case I completely agree with you.

[litepipe]

Originally Posted by FFTT

I apologize, for being a bit too blunt.

When I joined my old band, they were in the same situation.

It had nothing to do with musicianship or ability, it was all related to
choosing the wrong material.

It's silly to make comments like this when you know nothing about the situation. Sometimes it has nothing to do with material. Some people just get hired to provide entertainment in small venues. I've played with some well known and ridiculously talented musicians in 50-75 seat rooms.

As for volume. 30watts is a lot if the amp has higher headroom. Not all 30watts are the same. Vox happen to have a pretty high ceiling. AC30's are great but they will rip people's faces off if you open it up in a small room.

Venues have gotten smaller then 25 years ago. I can really only open up an amp like that in 400 plus venues. Above 1000 I can basically do what I want but anything over 35watts is still loud on theater or festival stage.

[youngfreak]

Originally Posted by patheticus

I consider the AC30 to be a better studio amp than an AC15 because...

1. It has an actual EQ section.
2. It has way more beautiful sounding low end because its and a much fuller sounding overdrive because of larger transformers, 4 el84's instead of two and preamp tubes utilized in a more stable way.
3. It can power a 4x12 which is a great tone option in the studio.
4. It has better cleans and more tone variations between clean and fully distorted tones because its higher power.
5. It handles pedals way better than the AC15 because it has more headroom.
6. It has vibrato.
7. The top boost circuit is just a better sounding circuit in my opinion.

The OP is asking about new AC15s and AC30s:

1. All new AC15s and AC30s have the same EQ section.
2. Subjective.
3. All new AC15s and AC30s can power external cabinets such as a 4x12.
4 & 5. Again, subjective.
6. The AC15C1 and AC30C2 both have tremolo controls, the AC15HW1 and AC30HW2 both lack any such circuit.
7. All new AC15s and AC30s include the top boost circuit.

[patheticus]

Originally Posted by youngfreak

The OP is asking about new AC15s and AC30s:

1. All new AC15s and AC30s have the same EQ section.
2. Subjective.
3. All new AC15s and AC30s can power external cabinets such as a 4x12.
4 & 5. Again, subjective.
6. The AC15C1 and AC30C2 both have tremolo controls, the AC15HW1 and AC30HW2 both lack any such circuit.
7. All new AC15s and AC30s include the top boost circuit.

You're reading the ads right? Or you work at Vox? All of those answers are completely wrong.

Everything labeled "AC30" and "AC15" made by the company who now owns the name Vox since the 6/TB model is a completely different circuit inside and sounds nothing like a real AC30 or AC15.

To make a statement like that you either have to be def, inexperienced or you work for the company that owns the name Vox.

[youngfreak]

Originally Posted by patheticus

You're reading the ads right? Or you work at Vox? All of those answers are completely wrong.

Everything labeled "AC30" and "AC15" made by the company who now owns the name Vox since the 6/TB model is a completely different circuit inside and sounds nothing like a real AC30 or AC15.

To make a statement like that you either have to be def, inexperienced or you work for the company that owns the name Vox.

Originally Posted by aroman

Im looking forward to buy a new amp. I've come to two options, AC15C1 or the AC30C2.

No, they're not "completely wrong" because the OP is looking for opinions on new production "Vox" amps despite whatever you may think about their authenticity in comparison to the originals; I'd just hate to see him base his decision off the false information provided in your post.

[patheticus]

Originally Posted by youngfreak

No, they're not "completely wrong" because the OP is looking for opinions on new production "Vox" amps despite whatever you may think about their authenticity in comparison to the originals; I'd just hate to see him base his decision off the false information provided in your post.

Okay, I understand your point on the OP's question. I apologize for continuing to take things off topic. But nothing I said was false. In fact the point of my post was to spread the truth.

[elan]

Originally Posted by patheticus

Okay, I understand your point on the OP's question. I apologize for continuing to take things off topic. But nothing I said was false. In fact the point of my post was to spread the truth.

Ok then, can you motivate the point you wrote? Because to me seems they have the same EQ and they both have Vibrato, for example

[patheticus]

Originally Posted by elan

Ok then, can you motivate the point you wrote? Because to me seems they have the same EQ and they both have Vibrato, for example

But they don't have the same EQ or even the same circuit. Yes they both have a knob that says treble and a knob that says bass. But they're not the same amp inside. And to me that's all that matters.

All I'm trying to say is that the original AC15 circuit and most versions of the AC30 with 6 inputs sound worlds better than any "custom classic" or "hand wired" version available currently because they are completely different amps underneath that vox tolex and faceplate. And between the true AC15 and a true AC30 circuit, the AC30 is a much more useable and flexible option.