Vox AC15C1 vs Fender Blues Jr. III

[zkelly05]

I'm still not sure which one would be the best to get. Played through both and really like them, I just don't know which would be the best for long term. It would definitely be gigged. Probably not in huge venues, mostly in church sizes of about 1000 people or so. I would love some opinion on what you guys think or your experience with either or both. I could't find a thread out there about it, if you guys have links that would be just as good.

[GregWV]

I currently use a Vox AC15C1 at my church. I really like it for modern worship songs, it takes pedals well despite not having an fx loop, and provides a great paltform for crunch and distortion.

The only thing I miss about my Fender HRDlx is the cleans. While the Vox does give you that nice unique Vox clean tone, it doesn't quite give you that Fender clean sound with punch and bottom end.

We cover some songs that require that Fender clean sound, and I always feel like my tone doesnt quite fit. Overall, I love the Vox AC15C1. For the money, you cant go wrong.

Although, I got my eye on a Margan AC20....

[FenderBigot]

I love the C1 and I don't care for the BJr. I think the C1 retains more of the "voxiness" in its sound versus the "fenderness" in the BJr. Both are good sounding budget tubes amps, but I'm a big fan of what the C1 can deliver at such a small price. Its one downside is it's very heavy, the BJr is very much a "grab-n-go" option.

A couple of tube upgrades and the C1 just sings. It's also a very versatile amp that can cover many styles. They did a great job in upgrading the CC when they put out the C1.

[LOGANTEXASBLUES]

just chiming in the vox AC15 is probably one of the best cleans for the money and it really depends on what your using the amp for i find the vox is better for crunchy rhythm and bright cut through the mix cleans and the blues jr good for thicker more low end overdrive tones

[Git-fiddle guy]

Both are good amps. I own both and they are very different. I would be inclined towards the AC15C1 for live use. It has more sounds available than the Blues Jr. Good luck. Russ

[Berto]

Opinion are like buttholes, we all have 'em... I'm a Blues Jr guy, I gig mine, I play blues rock inspired covers and we play small venues, 200 people on a good day.

This is not a job, it's a hobby for me, so we don't need to bring bigger crowds than that. With that said, I also have a Two Rock SP 30 for larger crowds and a HRDX for when I REALLY need to be loud. Have not needed more than that. I've tried the Vox thing, it's not for me. Not saying they are bad, just saying not for me.

My BJ is modified, FYI, so I'd say you have to test and learn like we all do. I think I'm on my 7th amp and finally getting satisfaction when I hear the notes I'm trying to produce.

[hooch1]

I have an AC15C1 but I may have chose the Humboldt instead if those had been around.

[Guitarbrett]

I recently bought a BJ III as a backup to my Dr. z Maz Jr NR. I have used it twice in a fairly big room (mic'd a little) and was totally happy. It is a fantastic amp that is very touch sensitive. The sparkle mod and new speaker have really opened up this amp. Some of the comments thus far might have been from people who have owned or played the older versions.

Though I love my Z, I would have no problem using the BJ III as my main amp. Great tone in a small package. Perfect amp for small-med venues and larger venues with a mic. Oh and it takes all of my pedals really well, too.

[magilla]

AC15, no contest, IMO. Warmer tone (BJ is thin and sterile by comparsion), cuts through the mix well, good verb and trem, master volume is very usable, better speaker, etc etc etc

[johnh]

I played a pair of Blues Jnr's live for years, and then changed to a handwired AC30 for my main gigging amp. I love my AC30, so I thought that an AC15 woudl replace my Blues Jnr for smaller gigs. My friend owns a music store, so I took my Blues Jnr (with a Celestion G12H100 speaker) and my pedalboard and was allowed to take the AC15 back into the recording studio at the back of the store for an hour.

I really wanted to like the AC15, but for me that Blues Jnr was by far the better amp. Much warmer, fuller sound. Just a much, much better sounding amp to my ears. Obviously YMMV.

[zkelly05]

Thanks guys, this is helping a lot. Now would you also reccomend modding/upgrading better tubes, speaker, ect... or is stock pretty good?

[XmasTree]

the speaker is fine
JJ power tubes will cost $20
..then stick a decent 12Ax7 in the 1st valve stage - that's about it, but even stock is fine too.

on the other hand, im posting because you should also consider a Bugera V22
it's just straight up BETTER

but the AC15 is nice, ive always liked vox

[FenderBigot]

I only upgraded the tubes... like Xmas says above, get a set of JJ EL84s in there. I went with a set from Eurotubes and asked for the "max headroom" rating. They are amazing for the small $20 investment. Also, I put a JAN 5751 in V1 and a good Sovtek 12AX7 in V2. Both channels sound very nice. Still looking for a V3 tube though.

[zkelly05]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the input!

[Guitarbrett]

Just put JJ pre and power tubes in and it made the BJnr III much better. I also a/b'd the internal speaker with a Reverend Alltone (Eminence made) which used to be pretty well regarded (discontinued). I liked the stock lightning bolt (Eminence) speaker better. It has good low end and the highs are definitely not subdued, but not too ice picky. It is a touch sensitive speaker. I feel the speaker is a perfect fit for this amp.