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View Full Version : Vox AC100CPH** = AWESOME!!!


bilbal
02-10-2010, 10:59 PM
From what began as the worst night I have had in days (LOL), I am overjoyed at the moment...

Tonight at rehearsal I decided to change things a bit. Actually I had no choice. You see, I recently built a new pedal board. Because the weather is so friggin horrible, I wasn't able to fit the board in my truck with my SG and I didn't want it to get wet in the back. Once I got to the studio I realized that my channel switcher is now attached to my board (at home).

I wasn't having a good time with the clean channel for some reason so I decided to put it on the second channel and put the drive down to about 2. Holy Cow!!!! I was in Heaven. Backing the SG off (around 4) provided HUGE crystal cleans (a bit of hair), rolling up to about 6 or 7 gave me even BIGGER crunch, and full on with a borrowed Boss Blues Driver gave me biting, punchy leads oozing with sustain. Playing with the dynamics was such a treat that I doubt I will ever use the clean channel on this amp again.

These amps don't get a lot of face time here or anywhere for that matter. But as I have said a thousand times, it is a killer, killer head. Especially considering that it cost me $599 from AMS. I bought it because my main amp crapped out and is being repaired by the master - Mike Whitney of Whitney Amplification. I can say without hesitation that it will be really hard to not use this amp when the big boy returns. I will most likely go back to a stereo rig. The last time I left the studio this excited about my tone was back in the SLO days. Though I miss the Hell out of my Soldano and will be replacing it soon, my cheap little Vox is doing me as good as I can ask. What a wonderful piece. Next I plan to futz around with swapping tubes. I have some Blue Glass EL34s I want to try in her.

...of course my Mystik 1x12 EVM12L helps a bunch as well.

RocksOff
02-11-2010, 01:23 AM
RAWK!!!!!

Cirrus
02-11-2010, 03:17 AM
Is this the cph? I was blown away the time I heard one through a marshall greenback loaded cab. breathtaking tone.

marchhare
02-11-2010, 03:45 AM
I've had the 50 watter for a few months now. Really great sounding
head. Love the rhythm channel, wonderful low end and cleans up
really nicely when you roll the volume down on the guitar. Haven't
bonded with the lead channel yet, but that could be due to the fact
that the mid range pot was sheared off before I got it, and may be
permanently on ten. Great amp, weird that more people don't rave
about them.

bilbal
02-11-2010, 04:25 AM
Is this the cph? I was blown away the time I heard one through a marshall greenback loaded cab. breathtaking tone.

Yup the CPH. They are amazing amps.

Cirrus
02-11-2010, 05:16 AM
Cool, yeah when I got my ac30 I was trying out ac50cp's as well. I think they didn't catch on so well because they're a bit different tonally, and the combo version came with the wharfdale speaker that a lot of people don't like much.

bilbal
02-11-2010, 06:02 AM
Prior to getting the 100watt head I had the 50watt 2x12 combo. I actually liked that amp too but it was ridiculously heavy - 77lbs. My head isn't light by any means but it's a lot easier to move around for sure.

There is very little to dislike about this amp. The reverb is totally cool and the control panel is extremely interactive. I especially like the tone stack. As mentioned the drive channel (for leads) is a bit difficult to dial in I have found. However, as of last night, I think setting it the way I have it and using my Creation Audio MK4.23 to kick it in the pants is the way to go for me from now on. I will easily be able to get away with the second channel only but it's nice to know I do have the clean channel if needed. I honestly see no reason to want it though. The second channel is able to be dialed back for the "clean" tones I use.

blackba
02-11-2010, 09:53 AM
I've had the 50 watter for a few months now. Really great sounding
head. Love the rhythm channel, wonderful low end and cleans up
really nicely when you roll the volume down on the guitar. Haven't
bonded with the lead channel yet, but that could be due to the fact
that the mid range pot was sheared off before I got it, and may be
permanently on ten. Great amp, weird that more people don't rave
about them.

There have been a few threads about them on TGP, but they never really caught on and the reviews have been pretty mixed. I had an AC50CPH, nice amp, but never blew me away and I preferred the AC30CC1 I had at the time. I also bought mine when they first came out and were over $1000USD.

I wish Vox wouldn't name everything AC15__, AC30__, AC50__, AC100__. They have some many AC30__ amps out now it will make your head spin. I clicked on this thread expecting to hear about a vintage AC100.

bilbal
02-11-2010, 01:29 PM
Oops sorry for the confusion. I always do this when talking about the amp and people often think Im talking about a vintage piece.

** title changed.
b