Vox AC15C1 tube replacements and hiss?

[sjlee89]

My first post in TGP
I've got a new Vox AC15c1.. And I think its the tubes but I get a bit of white noise from the amp. Its probably the preamp section of the tube.
It might be my ears since Im somewhat sensitive to sound in terms of noise and hiss.
I dont get a low frequency hum but I hear something like white noise. something like hishhhhhhh.
currently I play at home so I have no way raising the master to 12 o clock. The hishhhh gets a bit more when it gets to 12 o clock on the master.

Im running in top boost channel,
bass-3 o'clock
treble- 11 o'clock
gain - 11 o'clock
master 9 o clock.

I cant hear the noise when I jam out with some music but its noticeable when everything is silent .
Maybe its my over assumption because of my ears or maybe a faulty tube or since its my first tube amp, maybe Im not used to it since I've been playing solid states for quite a while.
Im thinking of replacing the preamp tubes to Svetlana 12ax7 and JJ EL84's
Im reckoning the noise is from the cheap chinese tubes that comes with the amp,
What do you think?
Thanks

 

[Stratobuc]

I bought an AC30 earlier this year, and the first thing I did was change ALL the tubes to JJ's - I would recommend them for the preamp section until you can afford some NOS.

 

[Flying Panda]

I've got an AC15CCx, so not exactly the same, but swapping to JJs did quiet it down a good bit. Bob at Eurotubes can help and may will have a specific recommendation for the C1.

 

[PatrickE_FenderADV]

I replaced my pre's with all JJ's and the amp sounds awesome. Is there some noise, yeah... but at last night's gig I didn't hear it at all. The amp just kicked major butt last night, sounded awesome. I got some great sounds with my C1 last night using my OCD and BD2, as well as some really good U2 sounds using my DD7 and CC. I don't think there's a better sounding "low-budget" amp out there right now than the C1.

 

[RackCrew]

First thing first. Move the tubes around to see if that makes a difference.

Almost all tube amps are noisier than solid state amps. That's part of how tube amps get their mojo.

I'd have to know more about what type of guitars your are using and the type of music you play before I can recommend what tubes to try.

 

[sjlee89]

First thing first. Move the tubes around to see if that makes a difference.

Almost all tube amps are noisier than solid state amps. That's part of how tube amps get their mojo.

I'd have to know more about what type of guitars your are using and the type of music you play before I can recommend what tubes to try.

I play a 1986 Fender USA 57 Reissue with a couple of effects
(Custom compressor -> Danelectro Coolcat Trans OD-> MI Audio Blue Boy Deluxe-> Maxon ROD880->Rocktron Deep Blue Chorus-> TC Nova Delay)
all running into the AC15C1. I usually play in church . my tone is somewhat like a marshall like drive with vox type cleans...if you know what I mean
I love the cleans for the ac15c1 ! Not like a fender but really special .
I would like to get a clean and warm sounding tube to tame the brightness of the AC15C1. Maybe some Svetlana tubes or maybe JJ's?
And any pedals to achieve some marshall plexy like tones that goes well with the AC15C1?
Cheers!

 

[RackCrew]

I'd suggest the TAD EL84s and the JJ 12AX7s. The TADs will give a warm sound with solid low/mids and the JJs will still give you plenty of chimmy highs without being over the top.

 

[sjlee89]

I'd suggest the TAD EL84s and the JJ 12AX7s. The TADs will give a warm sound with solid low/mids and the JJs will still give you plenty of chimmy highs without being over the top.

I hear that the TAD EL84 have different sizes which doesnt fit on combo Vox AC15's .?the TAD sounds good anyway but if the size would be the issue I think I'll have to think over..What about Svetlana 12ax7 and JJ EL84's? thanks

 

[Stratobuc]

JJ EL84's work great in my AC30H2.

 

[RackCrew]

Then I would suggest the Mesa EL84s.

The Svetlana 12AX7s are very good and I never understood why they are not more popular. They are a real quality product.

I find the JJ El84 only so so. It does the job well but it really doesn't do much to create a distinct sound. I think it's kind of vanilla sounding. My 2 cents.

 

[sjlee89]

Then I would suggest the Mesa EL84s.

The Svetlana 12AX7s are very good and I never understood why they are not more popular. They are a real quality product.

I find the JJ El84 only so so. It does the job well but it really doesn't do much to create a distinct sound. I think it's kind of vanilla sounding. My 2 cents.

Thats great! I'll look for some mesa tubes :!!