Vox AC-15 or Peavey Classic 30 or ??

[Jack Dotson]

I'm just about ready to pull the trigger on the AC-15CC, but wanted to get some opinions before I leap. I've played the Vox several times at a local store and really love this amp. I play at home and like that I can dial in some really nice overdrive and crunch at fairly low levels. However, the Peavey seems to be well respected as well, but I can't find one locally to try. I don't really need the extra power, but wanted to see what you guys thought was the better amp?

Also, considering I only play at home is there any alternatives to these two that I should consider. Would like to stay around they're $600 price range and I play primarily classic rock, but also like to dibble in everything else as well.

BTW, I'll be picking up another SCXD from a friend and I know what I'm getting there, but IMO all the modelers just seem to be missing something that the tubes have. Just not the same.

Thanks.

[scottlaned]

AC15. The Peavey is a great cheapie workhorse amp for clubs, but leaves a lot to be desired at home if you're trying to get overdrive. The OD channel is terrible.

[megatonic]

Might look at the laney VC30 or 15(?). Or a Traynor YCS50.

[3-Dolla'-Bill]

Tone-wise, the Vox kills the Peavey, but the Peavey is probably more versatile due to the channel switching. Have you considered buying used? For slightly more, you could pick up a used Genz Benz BP30, or even a Bogner Alchemist. Also in that price range used would be Fender HR Deluxe, Crate Palomino V32 and Ampeg Reverberocket. The Crate and Ampeg are both discontinued, but are great--and under-appreciated--rock combo amps.

[Scott Auld]

You're not interested in the AC30CC?

[Jack Dotson]

Originally Posted by 3-Dolla'-Bill

Tone-wise, the Vox kills the Peavey, but the Peavey is probably more versatile due to the channel switching. Have you considered buying used? For slightly more, you could pick up a used Genz Benz BP30, or even a Bogner Alchemist. Also in that price range used would be Fender HR Deluxe, Crate Palomino V32 and Ampeg Reverberocket. The Crate and Ampeg are both discontinued, but are great--and under-appreciated--rock combo amps.

Actually, I owned the Alchemist and sold it. It was really good, but I don't think the OD was nearly as sweet as the Vox at lower levels. I'll have to look into the BP30 as I'm unfamiliar with that unit. I don't care for the distortion of the HRD or the Ampeg. I've tried both and they just didn't do it for me. I tried the Palomino's when GC was blowing them out a year of so ago and really liked them, but didn't buy one because I was afraid of their reliability. I think these have been closed out.

I'll research the BP30. Thanks.

[theraygun]

Get a used AC30CC, you'll be much happier in the long run.

[megatonic]

[the russ]

IMO the AC15CC is a terrible, terrible amp. It sounds like a very cheap caricature of "the Vox sound". Always harsh. I had it through both the wharfdale and the greenback at various points. I swapped tubes. I couldn't make it sound good. Also, the build quality is crap.

The Peavey classic series is a much better sounding and better built amp. Go with that.

-Russ

[SG-GUY 92']

The Peavey Classic 30 is an awesome amp, and its fairly loud, but still sounds good at lower volumes. It only took me a minute or two to dial in a great tone because of the boost switch (didn't realize that it was engaged). That being said, the only things that I didn't like about it were the boost switch, and the fact that it is a combo. The boost switch made the overdrive channel sound like crap, it was very muddy, but when the boost switch was used with the normal (clean) channel at relatively low volumes it sounded nice. My only gripe about the amp being a combo is the fact that it rattles and buzzes like crazy when you turn the volume up past 3 or 4. Other than that, like I said it is a very nice amp, especially for the money.

[bluesking55]

unless u wanna spend 250.00 for a upgraded speaker for the vox, get the peavey, I had both and the peavey sounded awesome with a silver bell ceramic and I had the stock vox speaker in my 15

[the russ]

i mean, open up one of those Custom Classics. tiny toy components wired together with dental floss. plastic jacks, everything. does not inspire confidence, and they sound like crud too.

whew. ok, vent over.

[harryjmic]

If you can buy used get a Mesa DC5 or something like it. I was thinking your route and after listening to a Peavey at lunch I decided that a Peavey would not be happening any time soon.

Why make channel switchers that only sound good on one channel.

[3-Dolla'-Bill]

Originally Posted by Jack Dotson

Actually, I owned the Alchemist and sold it. It was really good, but I don't think the OD was nearly as sweet as the Vox at lower levels. I'll have to look into the BP30 as I'm unfamiliar with that unit. I don't care for the distortion of the HRD or the Ampeg. I've tried both and they just didn't do it for me. I tried the Palomino's when GC was blowing them out a year of so ago and really liked them, but didn't buy one because I was afraid of their reliability. I think these have been closed out.

I'll research the BP30. Thanks.

IMHO, the build quality of the Genz Benz is on another level than just about anything in the price range. They're built like tanks and sound fantastic. The only downside--if it can even be considered a downside--is that it's not channel switching.

[FenderBigot]

Oh god, the Vox blows the Peavey away even with stock speaker. I'm buying an AC15CC tomorrow... used for only $399! It's a great sounding amp for only have 15 watts and being a "smallish" combo. It takes pedals well too.