Input on amp choice?

2twang · March 26th, 2006, 04:31 PM

I've had a Hot Rod Deluxe for about 4 years now, never been happy with it, too loud and only one channel worth using, etc. I'm pretty limited on funds, so after I sell or trade the Hot Rod I've only a few hundred to put toward something different. In the price range I've narrowed it down to either a 65 Deluxe Reverb (new one) or a Vox AC-15. Both will sound better than the Snot Rod, but I'm torn. I use a Tele and a Guild hollow body.

franchelB · March 26th, 2006, 06:51 PM

I'd go with the Vox AC-15.

tazzboy · March 26th, 2006, 06:56 PM

If it were me I would take both my guitars down to store that has both amps and a/b to see which one I like the most. that will help in making your decisions.

sidneystreet · March 26th, 2006, 07:27 PM

If I bought the DRRI, I know I would immediately change the speaker, remove the bright cap, change tubes, change the bias etc. in an attempt to make it sound like the old ones.

With the AC-15, I like it enough to where I think I could be happy with it the way it is stock. For a while anyway, laughs. I just think the AC-15 gets more things right in its stock form, and at only $599 it is priced way cheaper too with the DRRI at $799.

Tremo · March 26th, 2006, 09:33 PM

I agree with the suggestion to take your own axe down to the shop, try both, and then buy the one that sounds best to your ears.

You like the AC15 stock, that's great, but just consider how much better it would sound with a better speaker and better tubes! Throw in a Weber silver bell and a set of JJs!

2twang · March 26th, 2006, 10:37 PM

but was sure the Deluxe Reverb would be the preferrred choice with so many Fender advocates here. And you're right about taking my instruments into the store to try them out. However, I always need a week or two to tell if I like an amp anyway and in the store I feel kind of on the spot (?)

2twang · March 29th, 2006, 12:54 PM

Tried them both and to my ears and style, the Vox is the hands down winner for tone. I like the simplicity also, so for the price, this amp is worth it. The store did'nt have the upgraded blue Alnico speaker model, but for three hundred more, I don't understand the big price increase. There is an external speaker jack to run another cabinate, so improvements can be an option. Nice amp.

tazzboy · March 29th, 2006, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2twang

Tried them both and to my ears and style, the Vox is the hands down winner for tone. I like the simplicity also, so for the price, this amp is worth it. The store did'nt have the upgraded blue Alnico speaker model, but for three hundred more, I don't understand the big price increase. There is an external speaker jack to run another cabinate, so improvements can be an option. Nice amp.

Glad you settle on the Vox AC 15. I've been say that saying about taking your ax down and trying both amps to decided for along time. I fell for the hype of amp once and learned my lesson the hard way, but I decided for then on forward that I was going to take my guitar down and to the store that had it and try it out myself for a plunk down so more money and find again that I didn't like.

Tremo · March 30th, 2006, 02:56 AM

Wow, $300 more for the Celestion Blue? You can get a Weber Blue Dog for less than $200, and it sounds as good.

bluetele54 · March 30th, 2006, 03:57 AM

...a buddy got the AC-15,paid for the Blue-bell,roughly $170 ( so haggle ),and then changed the value of the cap (or is it the resistor,I'm so confused )on the treble control to back off the shrill top end to make it a bit more controllable,and he says it ROCKS!!!...if you can find one, the Vox VR-15 with the 8 " speaker is a handy little unit as well...

March 26th, 2006, 04:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
2twang TDPRI Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: West Chester, PA Posts: 24	Input on amp choice? I've had a Hot Rod Deluxe for about 4 years now, never been happy with it, too loud and only one channel worth using, etc. I'm pretty limited on funds, so after I sell or trade the Hot Rod I've only a few hundred to put toward something different. In the price range I've narrowed it down to either a 65 Deluxe Reverb (new one) or a Vox AC-15. Both will sound better than the Snot Rod, but I'm torn. I use a Tele and a Guild hollow body.

March 26th, 2006, 06:51 PM	#2 (permalink)
franchelB Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Irving, United States of Texas! Age: 43 Posts: 1,897	Personally, I'd go with the Vox AC-15.

March 26th, 2006, 06:56 PM	#3 (permalink)
tazzboy Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2005 Location: Eugene, Oregon Age: 31 Posts: 3,293	If it were me I would take both my guitars down to store that has both amps and a/b to see which one I like the most. that will help in making your decisions. __________________ tazzboy

March 26th, 2006, 10:37 PM	#6 (permalink)
2twang TDPRI Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: West Chester, PA Posts: 24	Thanks! I was leaning towards the Vox, but was sure the Deluxe Reverb would be the preferrred choice with so many Fender advocates here. And you're right about taking my instruments into the store to try them out. However, I always need a week or two to tell if I like an amp anyway and in the store I feel kind of on the spot (?)

March 29th, 2006, 12:54 PM	#7 (permalink)
2twang TDPRI Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: West Chester, PA Posts: 24	Welp, got the Vox. Tried them both and to my ears and style, the Vox is the hands down winner for tone. I like the simplicity also, so for the price, this amp is worth it. The store did'nt have the upgraded blue Alnico speaker model, but for three hundred more, I don't understand the big price increase. There is an external speaker jack to run another cabinate, so improvements can be an option. Nice amp.

March 26th, 2006, 07:27 PM	#4 (permalink)
sidneystreet Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,240	If I bought the DRRI, I know I would immediately change the speaker, remove the bright cap, change tubes, change the bias etc. in an attempt to make it sound like the old ones. With the AC-15, I like it enough to where I think I could be happy with it the way it is stock. For a while anyway, laughs. I just think the AC-15 gets more things right in its stock form, and at only $599 it is priced way cheaper too with the DRRI at $799.

March 26th, 2006, 09:33 PM	#5 (permalink)
Tremo Banned Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Silicon Valley, CA, USA Posts: 3,803	I agree with the suggestion to take your own axe down to the shop, try both, and then buy the one that sounds best to your ears. You like the AC15 stock, that's great, but just consider how much better it would sound with a better speaker and better tubes! Throw in a Weber silver bell and a set of JJs!

March 30th, 2006, 02:56 AM	#9 (permalink)
Tremo Banned Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Silicon Valley, CA, USA Posts: 3,803	Wow, $300 more for the Celestion Blue? You can get a Weber Blue Dog for less than $200, and it sounds as good.

March 30th, 2006, 03:57 AM	#10 (permalink)
bluetele54 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: valley village Age: 55 Posts: 1,549	...AC-15!!! ...a buddy got the AC-15,paid for the Blue-bell,roughly $170 ( so haggle ),and then changed the value of the cap (or is it the resistor,I'm so confused )on the treble control to back off the shrill top end to make it a bit more controllable,and he says it ROCKS!!!...if you can find one, the Vox VR-15 with the 8 " speaker is a handy little unit as well...