Vox AC15 (current)....opinions/reviews?

[Caretaker]

Anyone play one, have one? I`m looking for another amp(so I have 2) for home use. These are fairly cheap($500-$600 range) and I am just looking for some reviews.

[welcometoashley]

i owned one of the import AC15s. i thought they sounded decent but didn't like that they switched to a SS rectifier which, to me, makes a pretty significant difference. i also couldn't bond with the stock wharfedale speaker - it sounded a bit boxy and harsh. if you can swing the extra cash, i'd recommend getting one with the blue speaker. or, it would probably be cheaper to buy one with the stock wharfedale, find a used blue speaker and install it.

i also felt the plastic jacks and on/off/standby switches seemed flimsy. bottom line is i thought the amp sounded alright - it didn't blow me away from a tone/price perspective. if you're looking specifically for the vox sound, it does it fairly well but again, i think a celestion blue is the key to getting closer to that tone. i've seen the newer AC15s go for $450 on craigslist...

if you're looking for an amp in the $500-$600 price range, i'd personally go with a used Fender DRRI but i'm not sure how set your are on getting an AC15 sound...

[Caretaker]

I really don`t know what I`m looking for. I have a Carvin Vintage 33 that does pretty much everything I want/need, but I should have another amp. Not really a Fender guy, done Marshalls to death so maybe something a little different but inexpensive. Always liked Vox sounds so I thought I`d do some research. No stores by me have one in stock at the moment.

[Flying Panda]

I bought the AC15 with the Wharfedale about a year and a half ago, and it's been a great little amp. I did upgrade to the Blue, which made a big difference once it started to break in a bit. Plus, it was cheaper than buying the AC15ccX, and I get a spare speaker...go figure. I also clipped the bright cap, changed the 'verb tank and re-tubed it with JJs. The plastic jacks and switches don't bother me in the least; I've played out consistently with this amp for over a year with not even a hint of a problem. I've seen recently in the emporium where guys have posted "WTB: AC15cc" and gotten LOTS of quick responses. I think it's a very good sounding amp with lots of potential that gets downgraded or underrated due to it's origin and construction methods. But hey, it gets me my "Voxy" tone...and that's all I care about.

[tremster]

The AC15CC1 is a great little amp. Very good tones for the short money. Reverb's a little washy but the trem is great. Fact is, I was sold on the amp by the trem.

[michael.e]

Save the money and pick up an AC15HW. That amp can keep up with the botiques easily.

Killer tones and pretty much the only current production amp that inspired me.

[revgsmall]

Used mine quite a bit over the last 3 years. The pre-amp volume sure comes in handy for those gigs where volume has to be watched yet its nice to have a little grit. Yeah the reverb is poo-pooish. I use a reverb pedal or the Boss Space Echo. I've had 3 or 4 speakers in it now. Tonight at rehearsal I tried it with a Warehouse greenback and it sounded fantastic. I've had at least a hundred gigs and rehearsals on it and not one failure. Its a toughy to beat in that price range.

[smallcrap]

One of the best bang for bucks out there IMO - especially used. I personally liked the wharfdale just fine. I do have a 2x12 with blues too though, which is great but I don't think the wharfdale is bad at all.

[Flying Panda]

Originally Posted by michael.e

Save the money and pick up an AC15HW. That amp can keep up with the botiques easily.

Killer tones and pretty much the only current production amp that inspired me.

Hard to argue with Michael here...I've played the HW and it is truly stellar.

But, it also lists at $1399, and that's a sizable jump from the CC, even if you can find one used. But oh, that EF86 channel....