Vox AC-15 or Peavey Classic 30 or ??

[the russ]

I am talking about the AC15CC. I put a spare broken-in Greenback in it to try and make it sound "not bad". I wish I could say I was successful.

I even checked to make sure my guitar was in tune and I was shredding correctly.

 

[Jack Dotson]

I got a chance to play both amps, but not at the same time. I couldn't stand the distortion channel on the Peavey so it's out. The AC15CC sound pretty good, but I was in a room full of bangers and couldn't check it out that well. Anyhow, it's now the AC15CC Vs. ??

Thanks for all the recommendations so far. Any others for a good combo tube amp for home use?

 

[rockon1]

I got a chance to play both amps, but not at the same time. I couldn't stand the distortion channel on the Peavey so it's out. The AC15CC sound pretty good, but I was in a room full of bangers and couldn't check it out that well. Anyhow, it's now the AC15CC Vs. Palomino V32??

Thanks for all the recommendations so far. Any others for a good combo tube amp for home use?

..........

 

[coldfingaz]

There's a Winfield Cyclone in the Emporium at a very good price. No affiliation with the seller, but if I was in your situation that's what I'd do

 

[Ocelot]

There's a Winfield Cyclone in the Emporium at a very good price. No affiliation with the seller, but if I was in your situation that's what I'd do

Lol. I was just about to post something to the same effect. Winfield Cyclone: great, hand-built amp based on Vox AC-15. The one for sale in the emporium is a steal. And I have zero affiliation with the seller.

 

[Aj_rocker]

what about a lancy VC-15?? I have one and used it at a gig the other night. 15 watts, really loud drumer i had the amp on 4 1/2 for the WHOLE night. 15 watt is where its at! That said i know someone who tours on very big tours who is currently using two AC15cc in stereo and it sounds killer.

AJ

 

[blueblazes]

You must try the brand new Vox Night Train head. I have owned, repaired and modded Peavey classic 30s. They can be made to sound great with mods and a differenct speaker. However, they are very fragile and hard to work on and the circuit board is ****.

The Night Train has a myriad of sounds. I won't attempt comparisons except that there is a killer Marshall 18 watt on steriods setting. It supposedly does the Vox thing too (which you would expect). I got stuck on that Marshall setting and did not play with the other ones much! It has a very good master volume that actually does what you expect - preserve the tone at lower volume.

I got a peak inside of one of these just yesterday. I build my own amps and can tell you the Night Train is the most well designed, and constructed production amp I have been into in a while. It has bigger transformers than most 18 watt amps (The Vox is a loud 15 watts). The chassis and metal shroud is solid. In short, Vox did this amp right and it is built like a tank. It is easy to work on for a printed circuit board design and has really beefy mechanical parts (connectors, switches, pots, etc) It is worth more than its $499 price tag. I tried it with a THD cab with dual Hellatone (Celestion G12H30) speakers. Not sure if they make it in a combo version, but if not, they should. I would like to see a 30-36 watt version of this amp.

If I was dependent on building amps for a living, I would be worried. This amp has the caviar tone for a sardine budget. Someone else will need to review this amp as to whether it has the Vox classic sounds. The friend who loaned me this amp says it does. He had an AC-30 for years and bought this to replace it.

 

[mikeller]

I have no experience with the PV, but I did buy the Vox AC15CC once and kept it for about 30 minutes. Its not that it sounded bad, but it had absolutely NO clean headroom whatsoever.

Have you thought about a Fender Blues Jr - same price range?

 

[Cornbread]

You must try the brand new Vox Night Train head. I have owned, repaired and modded Peavey classic 30s. They can be made to sound great with mods and a differenct speaker. However, they are very fragile and hard to work on and the circuit board is ****.

The Night Train has a myriad of sounds. I won't attempt comparisons except that there is a killer Marshall 18 watt on steriods setting. It supposedly does the Vox thing too (which you would expect). I got stuck on that Marshall setting and did not play with the other ones much! It has a very good master volume that actually does what you expect - preserve the tone at lower volume.

I got a peak inside of one of these just yesterday. I build my own amps and can tell you the Night Train is the most well designed, and constructed production amp I have been into in a while. It has bigger transformers than most 18 watt amps (The Vox is a loud 15 watts). The chassis and metal shroud is solid. In short, Vox did this amp right and it is built like a tank. It is easy to work on for a printed circuit board design and has really beefy mechanical parts (connectors, switches, pots, etc) It is worth more than its $499 price tag. I tried it with a THD cab with dual Hellatone (Celestion G12H30) speakers. Not sure if they make it in a combo version, but if not, they should. I would like to see a 30-36 watt version of this amp.

If I was dependent on building amps for a living, I would be worried. This amp has the caviar tone for a sardine budget. Someone else will need to review this amp as to whether it has the Vox classic sounds. The friend who loaned me this amp says it does. He had an AC-30 for years and bought this to replace it.

+1
(great review btw)


For the ffolks suggesting AC30s....the OP said he plays at home. An AC30 is waaaay too much for home use.

The NT can be 15 or 7.5 watts - perfect for home use, jamming or small clubs.

 

[Jack Dotson]

You must try the brand new Vox Night Train head. I have owned, repaired and modded Peavey classic 30s. They can be made to sound great with mods and a differenct speaker. However, they are very fragile and hard to work on and the circuit board is ****.

The Night Train has a myriad of sounds. I won't attempt comparisons except that there is a killer Marshall 18 watt on steriods setting. It supposedly does the Vox thing too (which you would expect). I got stuck on that Marshall setting and did not play with the other ones much! It has a very good master volume that actually does what you expect - preserve the tone at lower volume.

I got a peak inside of one of these just yesterday. I build my own amps and can tell you the Night Train is the most well designed, and constructed production amp I have been into in a while. It has bigger transformers than most 18 watt amps (The Vox is a loud 15 watts). The chassis and metal shroud is solid. In short, Vox did this amp right and it is built like a tank. It is easy to work on for a printed circuit board design and has really beefy mechanical parts (connectors, switches, pots, etc) It is worth more than its $499 price tag. I tried it with a THD cab with dual Hellatone (Celestion G12H30) speakers. Not sure if they make it in a combo version, but if not, they should. I would like to see a 30-36 watt version of this amp.

If I was dependent on building amps for a living, I would be worried. This amp has the caviar tone for a sardine budget. Someone else will need to review this amp as to whether it has the Vox classic sounds. The friend who loaned me this amp says it does. He had an AC-30 for years and bought this to replace it.

I've looked hard at these, but from what I can tell they only come in the head version. I really want a combo, but...

I need to do some research to see if they made a cab to match the amp. A single 12 or 2 X 10 would work for my needs.

Hmm? BTW, while still on Vox, how about the little 4 watter combo they have out? Anyone try it? I bought the little hand wired Marshall GA-5 some time back and really like it, but it only had an 8" speaker and I wanted more bass. This one has a 10??

 

[Jack Dotson]

There's a Winfield Cyclone in the Emporium at a very good price. No affiliation with the seller, but if I was in your situation that's what I'd do

I saw that one and it does look interesting, but it's not a combo. I'm still considering it though. Thanks for the lead.

 

[Ramblin Hymns]

I would rather have a Delta Blues.I've had both and the Delta I think is better.The distortion channels on both are mushy and terrible IMO.The new vox I haven't heard.I own an old AC-15 with a bluedog speaker and it is awsome.Kept it and got rid of my AC-30.You can always put pedals in front of the amps for overdrive channel.Also like the 15 inch speaker in the Delta.

 

[Cornbread]

I've looked hard at these, but from what I can tell they only come in the head version. I really want a combo, but...

I need to do some research to see if they made a cab to match the amp. A single 12 or 2 X 10 would work for my needs.

Hmm? BTW, while still on Vox, how about the little 4 watter combo they have out? Anyone try it? I bought the little hand wired Marshall GA-5 some time back and really like it, but it only had an 8" speaker and I wanted more bass. This one has a 10??

It is a head only (at this time).

There is a 1x12 cab and from what I understand it is going to be released in August

I was really looking at the AC4 but for $150 more I got the NT on sale...couldn't pass it up.

 

[Jack Dotson]

I ordered a Vox AC15CC1. Seems to have everything I need for home use. Some didn't like it at higher volumes, but most agreed it sounds great at lower levels. The only effects I normally use are tremolo, re-verb, delay and chorus so all I'll need to add are nice chorus and delay pedals and I should be set. I figure the OD/crunch of the amp will be enough for my needs.

Then of course I'll have to sale some stuff and save up for a nice Casino Elitist. Can't have a Vox without a Casino; right? :0)

Thanks so much for the help guys, I really appreciate it. I'll check back and let you know how I like it.

 

[theraygun]

You're going to want to change out that reverb tank right quick if it something that you use alot.

 

[Jack Dotson]

You're going to want to change out that reverb tank right quick if it something that you use alot.

I always use a reverb. I was using it when I tried it out at the GC and didn't think it was that bad, but it was busy that day and had to tell.

I hope it isn't that bad, but just in case, I'm open to suggestion for replacment tanks. Of course a nice Fender reverb sound is always nice.

Thanks

 

[rsm]

I want to try the AC4 as well. I had serious GAS for an AC15 hand wired, but I picked up a Tech 21 Character Series Liverpool pedal, and I can get the vintage Vox tones with the jangle and chime I want. AC15 GAS has lessened considerably.

Be great to hear your experience with the AC15CC1 after you have a chance to get to know it.

You mentioned the Elitist Casino. FWIW, I have the Epiphone Casino John Lennon 1965. If you have a chance, you may want to investigate these. I considered the Elitist Casino, but the Lennon is about as close as you can get to a vintage reissue of the original '65 Casino, and I think it was worth it.

 

[Jack Dotson]

I want to try the AC4 as well. I had serious GAS for an AC15 hand wired, but I picked up a Tech 21 Character Series Liverpool pedal, and I can get the vintage Vox tones with the jangle and chime I want. AC15 GAS has lessened considerably.

Be great to hear your experience with the AC15CC1 after you have a chance to get to know it.

You mentioned the Elitist Casino. FWIW, I have the Epiphone Casino John Lennon 1965. If you have a chance, you may want to investigate these. I considered the Elitist Casino, but the Lennon is about as close as you can get to a vintage reissue of the original '65 Casino, and I think it was worth it.

Oh yes! I'd love to have the John Lennon. Only one thing standing in the way; money.

I'll check back once I've had some time with the amp.

 

[Tubebender]

peavey's are made here. maybe not organic, but feedin the crew.
Peavey Classic 50...teh shiet

 

[radcliff]

AC15

Change the speaker, and the reverb, and clip the treble cap.
Accutronics tank and a Weber Blue Dog here.

Killer little value amp.

Here is some info I received here:

"All you have to do is open up the bag that your reverb tank sits in (requires you to unscrew a few things)...then pull out the RCA cables. The Beltron unit is screwed into a block of wood which should be removed and then attached to your new Accutronics 8EB2C1B unit (the holes match up perfectly. Re-attach the RCA cables then put the tank back in the bag. You can get the new reverb at tubesandmore.com or ebay."

Anyway. Go to tubesandmore and find the accutronics reverb tanks. The number you need is in the paragraph above. The stock verb tank has a killer as in bad tank that has a delay of like 10 seconds. The new one has like 2. much tighter and natural sounding. Way worth the 30 bucks total.