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Topic: VOX AC-15 |
Larry Robbins
From:
Fort Edward, New York
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Posted 14 Aug 2007 1:39 pm |
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http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Vox-AC15CC1-Custom-Classic-1x12-Tube-Amp?sku=482625
Got a chance to pick up one of these, cheap! I am kind of looking for a practice amp for Tele and an amp to take to smaller gigs just for six string, not steel... I usually bring my twin but sometimes its just too much amp. Anyone have any experince with these??
I played through one a while back for a few minutes and I thought it sounded good but I really dont know much about them.
_________________
Twang to the bone! |
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Bill Terry
From:
Bastrop, TX
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Posted 14 Aug 2007 5:08 pm
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I had one of the earlier pre-CC reissues, mid-90's I think, and I liked it a lot for guitar. Very thick, and fat, great with my Tele, but surprisingly loud for 15W. I gigged mine with a fairly loud band and didn't have a lot of problems being loud enough. Mine had the Blue Vox speaker which I'm told was the one to have. I dunno, but I liked it. I probably would have kept it, but a nice Stringmaster came along, and I've got LOTs of amps.. 
I'm not sure if the new CC (China version in your link) is anything like that or not, and I've heard of some reliability issues with the AC30-CC, but they've probably got most of that sorta thing behind them now. The CC amps have been shipping a good while.
_________________
Lost Pines Studio
"I'm nuts about bolts" |
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Stephen Gambrell
From:
Over there
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Posted 14 Aug 2007 5:14 pm
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| I've got an AC30CC, AND an AC15CC. That AC15 is a little beast! You'll find that is has MORE than enough volume for nearly any gig. It's not a steel amp, and it wasn't designed to be a steel amp. Plug a Tele into it, and you'll break some Fender amp owners' hearts! Don't buy from Musician's Friend, though... |
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Eric West
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 14 Aug 2007 6:11 pm
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I was going to say. It's purportedly the equal to even tube amps twice it's "wattage", with a LOT of treble.
Maybe a practice amp for steel, but for guitar, a lot of guys find the 30 watt (70lbs) AC30 too much power. Steve's got it right. As usual lately..
I'm completely rethinking my amp "thing", and now my mikes are going to get used a lot more for PSG, and my Solid State Armory here in the basement is going to house a few more insects and varmints.
EJL |
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Chris LeDrew
From:
Canada
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Posted 14 Aug 2007 7:13 pm
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A guy in one of my bands just bought one about two months ago. It sounds great, but not as mind-blowing as the British ones. I didn't find the mid-range as sweet as in the original Vox AC15. You know that really nice, throaty Vox tone? It's there, but not in spades like the British model. Also, the features are different, such as the on/off switch being a plastic button as opposed to a chrome switch. They definitely cut corners when they went to China. I guess that's why the prices are cut almost in half. Having said all that, it does sound great, and I'd be more than happy with a CC AC15 as a rock player. It's plenty loud for any stage, and retains most of the classic Vox sound through its transition to Chinese manufacturing.
As an aside, I always liked the AC15 better than the AC30 because it has a master volume and a reverb, something I always missed on my AC30. (I had mine modded so the Cut was a Master volume). Also, the tremelo is a variable sweep on an AC15, whereas the AC30 only has three choices. (I had that modded too. ) And I also agree about the AC30 having too much power. There is no real way to dial down an AC30, but the AC15 has just the right amount of power, and you can dial down a dirty sound with the master volume. Don't know why I even owned an AC30. Should've gotten an AC15 all along. The perfect rock guitar amp, really. Those Chinese prices are making a lot of guys' dreams come true now. If I didn't just buy a Deluxe Reissue, I probably would have went for one of these.
_________________
Jackson Steel Guitars
Web: www.chrisledrew.com |
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Stephen Gambrell
From:
Over there
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Posted 14 Aug 2007 9:41 pm
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Chris, the AC30CC's have a master volume, as well as trem speed. It also has reverb (but it doesn't sound like Fender reverb). The first Chinese Voxes had some terrible tubes in the preamp, but Vox/Korg has some of the BEST customer support anywhere! I was sent new preamp tubes from Vox, and when I got inside the amp, I got to look at the build quality. Sure, it's on a PC board. So is almost everything else in my house! But the solder runs look a LOT heftier than the majority of "American" amps, and the wire runs are neat as a pin.
As far as weight goes, the AC30 IS heavy. But the AC15 goes at close to 50 lbs., I'd guess. Big, nice, warm, chimey Vox tone---And with a Telecaster?? It can't get no better.
BTW, Eric, I've got an SSH Squier Tele arriving tomorrow. Look for "dobrodoc" on the Tele forum. |
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Eric West
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 15 Aug 2007 4:44 am
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I think you'll like it. Mind, however, the middle pickup wiring. Mine and another one in the store was backerds and thinned out instead of "stratting". It was one of the first runs, so they might have fixed it and executed the people that screwed it up on the first run. Also the popping 5 way that I haven't got around to swapping out yet.
EJL |
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Chris LeDrew
From:
Canada
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Posted 15 Aug 2007 5:02 am
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Great to know, Stephen. I was thinking of the British AC30's, and I assumed they were reproducing them in China as true replicas.
_________________
Jackson Steel Guitars
Web: www.chrisledrew.com |
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Larry Robbins
From:
Fort Edward, New York
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Posted 15 Aug 2007 1:02 pm
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Well, the fella brought the amp over this afternoon for me to check out. I pluged in my Tele with the STK-T1n and STK-T3b
Vintage stacks and I like it. Hit the Blues Driver W/ keeley mod and WOW!!
The guy is going through the big "D" and needs to get $250. for it. I just called him and siad, come over and get your money!!  Thanks for all the advice.
....now if I can just keep the wife out of the music room for a few weeks..... 
_________________
Twang to the bone! |
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Chris LeDrew
From:
Canada
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Posted 15 Aug 2007 1:54 pm
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$250? Holy $#%^! Congrats on hooking that deal.
_________________
Jackson Steel Guitars
Web: www.chrisledrew.com |
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Larry Robbins
From:
Fort Edward, New York
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Posted 15 Aug 2007 3:13 pm
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Thanks! It does not have the "Blue"speaker
it has the Wharfedale but, for that price and not a mark or scratch on it I had to say, YES ! He bought it just this past year as I recall...hey, whats one more?? 
_________________
Twang to the bone! |
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Stephen Gambrell
From:
Over there
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Posted 15 Aug 2007 4:52 pm
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The Wharfedales are good speakers, don't let anybody tell you different. I had to replace the speaker in my AC-15, and ordered one from Warehouse Speakers, an eBay store. It's their "clone" of a Celestion Vintage 30---Great speaker, for about 40 bucks. I want a lot more of 'em!
250 bucks?? And I thought I got a deal... |
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Bill Leff
From:
Santa Cruz, CA, USA
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Posted 16 Aug 2007 6:09 am
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| I played a 90's AC-15 with a Gibson 335. Rock and roll guitar heaven! |
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