Survey: Vox Top boost settings

angelcoon · January 17th, 2008, 08:22 AM

Hi All,

Having lots of fun with the new Ac15 handwired!
My question is for a sounding on Top Boost settings from Vox owners, especially any who have this NEW amp (or the AC30 version).

The AC15 Handwired has a lot of bass response to my ears compared to an AC15CC. I also like a lot of treble, even with a Tele (maybe my ears are getting shot). The EF86 channel is good and gainy, but I seem to go for the Top Boost channel.

VOX recommends starting with both controls at Noon and going from there, setting Top Cut to taste. Mine right now is a little heavier to the treble side to get some sparkle. (about 1 o'clock)
I also have the cut control running at about 2 O'Clock.

BTW my MayFly has a TB tone stack, but it reacts differently from this--the tone settings don't have as radical of an effect.
Thanks
'coon

Wayne Alexander · January 17th, 2008, 12:30 PM

I've got the AC15 Handwired and a bunch of other Vox amps. The top boost channel on these reacts about the same as it does in any Vox topboost amp. Everything depends on what guitar(s) you're using, how loud you're playing, how bright or dark you want to be. I usually play between cleanish and semidirty at gig volumes, with an SG with PAF type pickups (RS Fralins currently ) and either a Tele or Strat with Kinman pickups. Usually I'll have the bass control below halfway and the treble control above halfway, though it depends on the room. I tend to be able to use the same amp setting for both guitars if I'm careful, though I have to turn it up more if I need to get dirtier (I don't use stompboxes for distortion too often). I always run the cut control "off" (as in, no treble reduction) unless the room is too bright, the main point of that control is to adjust to the brightness/bounciness of the room after you've got the core EQ set with the bass and treble controls. I like to have a fairly bright core tone usually.

teledano · January 17th, 2008, 02:48 PM

On my AC30 I usually put the tone controls at about 12 o'clock for both bass and treble and then boost the treble a bit above that depending on the room. Cut control is usually set to 12 o'clock as well with just a touch of dirt from the master volume. This seems to bring the amp to life for me even at lower volumes. very balanced tone.

Rumble · January 18th, 2008, 12:54 AM

I've got an AC15CC1. I pulled out the Wharfdale and put in a 20-watt Heritage Greenback. I keep the top boost bass at a little higher than 12 o'clock (or a little more than halfway up). The treble is at about 10 o'clock (or a bit higher than a quarter of the way up). The boost volume is completely dimed. I've found that if the treble goes past 12, it overwhelms the bass and the sound becomes thinner while at the same time actually decreasing the overall volume, even if the bass is dimed. I find the setup I mentioned to produce the smoothest distortion.

January 17th, 2008, 08:22 AM	#1 (permalink)
angelcoon TDPRI Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: East Prospect, PA Age: 51 Posts: 57	Survey: Vox Top boost settings Hi All, Having lots of fun with the new Ac15 handwired! My question is for a sounding on Top Boost settings from Vox owners, especially any who have this NEW amp (or the AC30 version). The AC15 Handwired has a lot of bass response to my ears compared to an AC15CC. I also like a lot of treble, even with a Tele (maybe my ears are getting shot). The EF86 channel is good and gainy, but I seem to go for the Top Boost channel. VOX recommends starting with both controls at Noon and going from there, setting Top Cut to taste. Mine right now is a little heavier to the treble side to get some sparkle. (about 1 o'clock) I also have the cut control running at about 2 O'Clock. BTW my MayFly has a TB tone stack, but it reacts differently from this--the tone settings don't have as radical of an effect. Thanks 'coon

January 17th, 2008, 12:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
Wayne Alexander Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA Posts: 1,052	I've got the AC15 Handwired and a bunch of other Vox amps. The top boost channel on these reacts about the same as it does in any Vox topboost amp. Everything depends on what guitar(s) you're using, how loud you're playing, how bright or dark you want to be. I usually play between cleanish and semidirty at gig volumes, with an SG with PAF type pickups (RS Fralins currently ) and either a Tele or Strat with Kinman pickups. Usually I'll have the bass control below halfway and the treble control above halfway, though it depends on the room. I tend to be able to use the same amp setting for both guitars if I'm careful, though I have to turn it up more if I need to get dirtier (I don't use stompboxes for distortion too often). I always run the cut control "off" (as in, no treble reduction) unless the room is too bright, the main point of that control is to adjust to the brightness/bounciness of the room after you've got the core EQ set with the bass and treble controls. I like to have a fairly bright core tone usually.

January 17th, 2008, 02:48 PM	#3 (permalink)
teledano TDPRI Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Philly Area Posts: 48	On my AC30 I usually put the tone controls at about 12 o'clock for both bass and treble and then boost the treble a bit above that depending on the room. Cut control is usually set to 12 o'clock as well with just a touch of dirt from the master volume. This seems to bring the amp to life for me even at lower volumes. very balanced tone.

January 18th, 2008, 12:54 AM	#4 (permalink)
Rumble Tele-Holic Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Georgia Age: 37 Posts: 936	I've got an AC15CC1. I pulled out the Wharfdale and put in a 20-watt Heritage Greenback. I keep the top boost bass at a little higher than 12 o'clock (or a little more than halfway up). The treble is at about 10 o'clock (or a bit higher than a quarter of the way up). The boost volume is completely dimed. I've found that if the treble goes past 12, it overwhelms the bass and the sound becomes thinner while at the same time actually decreasing the overall volume, even if the bass is dimed. I find the setup I mentioned to produce the smoothest distortion.