Just got an AC15c1

[Tyler12]

Well, I am now the proud owner of a Vox AC15c1. I went to Grayson's Tune Town in Glendale CA. I've never been there before, it has to be one of the best music stores I've gone to in a long time! If you are in the LA area it is definitely worth checking out.

The amp is flippin awesome!! I've played a ton of amps in the last 3 months or so to see what was out there now a days and I think that the new Vox AC15c1s and c30s are the best value around. I have worked in the guitar and amp manufacturing biz for the last 6 years and I have no idea how they are able to make such a good sounding and rugged amp for under 600 bucks.

I never thought I would own an amp with a master volume again. I had acouple in the past and have worked with manufacturers that make amps with them and I always thought that it killed the tone of that amp. To me unless you get a very well thought out preamp design the gain stage sounds very compressed and grainy. Not that beautiful open drive with good definition that most folks are looking for. Vox has been able to do that with this amp. The gain compresses the sound (because thats what Voxes do) But it still sounds big and open with the note to note definition in chords not getting muddy, even with darker humbucking guitars. The other great thing is that even when you are not driving the amp with the Master Volume it stays super clean. You have to crank the amp to full power and hit the guitar hard to get it to break up a bit and for me that was only with humbuckers again, I had a hard time doing it with single coils. The reverb is great as others said a big improvement over the cc1s and I really like the trem too, a very nice Fendery style trem.

I will be posting more about what I find as time goes on. I'm gonna pull it apart this week to see what makes it tick. Does anyone know how this responds with pedals?? I'm having so much fun with the amp straight up that I've not really put pedals infront of it.

Thanks for all your help with this it's gonna be an amp I play alot!!

[musicmatty]

Congrats on your new purchase...that amp is getting a lot of positive feedback on this forum

[Jakedog]

Congrats, and welcome to the club!

In answer to your question mine is GREAT with my pedals. I use a Boosta Grande clean boost, which I leave on pretty much all the time. I just like the way it makes the notes "pop" a little more. For dirt, I'm using an FDII Mosfet, and an OCD. I've gigged this amp four times since I got it 10 days ago. I flat out love it.

I've only gigged it so far with humbuckers. My les Paul sounds amazing through it. Like you said, the definition is incredible. Even running my dirt pedals, I can hear every note in an open chord, the seperation is killer. My Marshall won't do that.

If you want a little more natural breakup, try a clean boost. Keeps the amp dynamic and touch sensitive, just hits it a little harder. Works well.

I still don't think the reverb is all that good, but I'm getting used to it. When I first got the amp, I wasn't sold on the 'verb at all, but loved the rest of it so much i was able to see past it. Now I'm starting to like the 'verb. It's VERY different from a Fender style 'verb, but nice in it's own way. Now that I'm figuring it out, I think it's kind of cool.

[Teleglide]

Congrats! I have one coming this week (got it in a trade) and I'm pretty excited, especially after hearing all the raves about it. I've always been a BF Fender guy (PR, DR, or a Bassman head and a 2x10 open back cab), but I've also always liked the Vox sound.

I'm really looking forward to checking it out! I'm thinking it will probably be somewhere between the PR and DR volume-wise.

[telex76]

Enjoy it.

[hooch1]

Congratz!

Its my current favorite amp. Seems like its becoming the recommended budget amp over here.

I didn't like mine with pedals until I really spent some time with settings. In my experience, it worked best for me with the tone cut way back. This amp sounds so good just straight in with no coloring.

[jeremypodom]

how much did you pay for it? just curious.

[Teleglide]

Do you guys use the Top Boost channel primarily?

[Televised]

Congrats! Everything I have heard and read about the new Vox AC15C1s with the greeenbacks has all been good and this apparently is one of th best bang for the buck amps you can get.

[Jakedog]

Originally Posted by Teleglide

Do you guys use the Top Boost channel primarily?

I use the TB channel with my humbucker guitars. I use the Normal channel with my single coil guitars. The TB channel seems a little too bright and clangy with singles. For my tastes anyway. YMMV.

[jeremypodom]

Originally Posted by Jakedog

I use the TB channel with my humbucker guitars. I use the Normal channel with my single coil guitars. The TB channel seems a little too bright and clangy with singles. For my tastes anyway. YMMV.

I don't own a hum bucker guitar but I totally agree with the other half of the statement that applies. I spent forever trying to find the proper EQ setting but eventually just went to normal. If you do put single in the TB, turn the treble way down and the tone cut very high.

[Leep Dog]

Originally Posted by Jakedog

I use the TB channel with my humbucker guitars. I use the Normal channel with my single coil guitars. The TB channel seems a little too bright and clangy with singles. For my tastes anyway. YMMV.

I agree with this in general but the tone cut control works very well to tame the brightness. I usually crank the tone cut almost to the max on the top boost channel when I use single coils; sounds good to me.

[Dan The Man]

I'm really interested in this amp. Is there any way you can switch between the two channels by purchasing a footswitch or A/B pedal?

[stevehyphen]

A lot of people don't quite dig the reverb on these things, but I love crankin it so it gets all washed out. Makes for some nice Cramps tones. Swapping the reverb tank isn't too expensive or hard to do either so some people have done that. It takes most pedals well. I like fuzz and distortions through it, but overdrive maybe not. The amp's natural overdrive was the selling point to me and OD pedals mostly ruin that sound. Personally I would recommend an EQ pedal, clean boost, or playing loud and hard if you want overdrive. FWIW I've heard a danelectro fish and chips set up to be a top boost humiliate a tube screamer clone with this amp. I would wager that a good EQ pedal would do that to most overdrives with this amp.

[colchar]

Originally Posted by Tyler12

I have no idea how they are able to make such a good sounding and rugged amp for under 600 bucks.

They design them in Britain but make them in China.

Does anyone know how this responds with pedals??

I haven't used any with mine but I hear they take pedals quite well.

Congrats on the purchase. As a new owner myself (I picked up one of the limited edition blue ones two weeks ago) I can relate to your experience.

[colchar]

Originally Posted by Jakedog

I still don't think the reverb is all that good, but I'm getting used to it. When I first got the amp, I wasn't sold on the 'verb at all, but loved the rest of it so much i was able to see past it. Now I'm starting to like the 'verb. It's VERY different from a Fender style 'verb, but nice in it's own way. Now that I'm figuring it out, I think it's kind of cool.

I like the reverb in mine but have no experience with Fender reverb so perhaps that is why I liked the Vox reverb right from the start.

[colchar]

Originally Posted by Dan The Man

I'm really interested in this amp. Is there any way you can switch between the two channels by purchasing a footswitch or A/B pedal?

Yes. A lot of people do that with these. Just grab a Morley because you can switch between them or use both at the same time which, from all accounts, sounds divine.

[stevehyphen]

Originally Posted by colchar

I like the reverb in mine but have no experience with Fender reverb so perhaps that is why I liked the Vox reverb right from the start.

I believe there's a demo or two on youtube comparing a couple of reverb tanks for the thing.

Off topic now: colchar I've just been offered an opportunity to move up to Brampton and I must ask: which music stores should I check out in the GTA? Specifically if you know of any with decent left-handed stock?

[StephaninMelb]

You can tell from the sample of members on TDPRI that have purchased Vox AC15C1 amps over the last two weeks that Vox has a hot moving product and a real winner. Vox are going to have to crank up their factory, because TDPRI would be just a drop in the bucket what surely is transpiring across the North American market.

All you guys that have bought amps recently should be commended - that keeps new money following into the market and ensures future products. You've gone beyond just messing around with 40+ years old amps. You are all getting me excited about the Vox AC15C1 and Vox AC30C2 Limited Editions in Blue Tolex. Hot dang............

Check out this AC30CBC "Blackcomet," which will be a limited International production run of 350 amp units. A simply stunning look. As far feasting the eye these Voxes are the Mercedes and Rolls Royce of guitar amps.

[Tyler12]

Thanks for all the comments this is great!

I payed 569 ou the door. Hell of a price for brand new.

I have been using both channels with great success and yes you can use an A/B box to switch channels.

I also love the speaker out options. I'm going to have to try that after I'm done playing all my guitars through it.

I just read a glowing review in Guitar Player that sums up my thoughts on the amp and it's abilities very well. Check that out when you get a chance. They reviewed the 2x12 ac15c1, but the curcuit is the same and with the external out you can make this a 2x12 in no time!