AC15c1 or Wait for a TB/X

[Lowspeid]

I recently bought a Vox AC15c1 loaded with the G12m-65 creamback. It sounds great. Really great. I played it at church last week and everyone liked the way it sounded.

BUT… the “what if” bug has bitten and I’m starting to think that I should return the c1 and look/wait for a late ‘90s/early ‘00s UK built AC15TB/X. Why? Because the UK-built ones are “better” (According to the internet). Because the cabinet is “reall” wood, not MDF. Because they are easier to work on if needed. Because they are considered “real” Vox amps. Because I’m a snob (in all honestly).

My wife says she doesn't care what I decide, but if I keep the c1 my Vox search needs to be over.

Any thoughts/advice on which to go with is much appreciated.

 

[Dismalhead]

I've got an AC15C1 with a Greenback that I picked up new about a decade ago. The stock tubes were crappy, but other than that it's easily one of the best sounding amps I've ever owned regardless of price. I've heard nothing but great things about the Creamback too. I'd enjoy what you've got for a while first.

 

[Les H]

If you are happy with what you already have I would stick with it. I have never played a TB/X but who is to say it will absolutely sound better with your current gear.

I have been trying to look at gear as a tool rather than a decorative piece, so I get it. If it says "Vox" I am satisfied it's a "Vox", if it says "Morgan" I am not satisfied it's a "Vox" no matter how spot on it sounds.

I don't hear many horror stories about the current AC15s regarding reliability so there is a chance you may never have any issues in the time you own it. A used amp from the 90s may have some issues that will need addressed immediately following the purchase.

 

[tery]

Wait and see.

 

[VintageSG]

Keep the C1.
Get a cab custom made in 18mm void-free Birch ply.
You now have a fine sounding amp, in a box made of real wood rather than dust'n'glue.
Be happy for many years.

You could have a custom cab made, and have it tweed covered to confuse others. Beard D'Neques up and down the land will froth in confusion.

 

[backporchmusic]

Keep an eye out for a TB. Buy one with a return policy. Compare it directly to your C1. Then either return the TB, or sell the C1.

 

[KC]

I have not seen an AC15TB/X in the wild -- might be a long wait. And I'm not sure you'd be getting that much more out of it than you can get out of the AC15c1. I've had a stock c1 for several years now and it's been trouble free. And it's just a great sounding amp, best cheap amp on the planet. Far be it from me to suggest that you should be satisfied with what you got -- I'm guilty, guilty, guilty -- but your time might be better spent just learning to groove with the c1.

 

[ZackyDog]

I haven't heard a C1 but I have a TBX and like/love it. It does have some hand-wiring, but I don't know if its easier to work than a C1.

I do like having a real wood cabinet, tube rectifier, as well as tube-driven reverb and tremolo.

 

[68goldtop]

Hi!

I recently bought a Vox AC15c1 loaded with the G12m-65 creamback. It sounds great. ...
BUT… the “what if” bug has bitten and I’m starting to think that I should return the c1 and look/wait for a late ‘90s/early ‘00s UK built AC15TB/X...

That's what I would do.
Enjoy the amp you have (and like) and take the chance when a TB-model comes your way

cheers - 68.

 

[Lowspeid]

All good advice, and much appreciated. I’ll likely keep the C1, and IF a TB/x shows up I’ll compare. If it’s THAT much better I’ll pick it up. If not, I have an amp I enjoy.

 

[7171551]

I'm another very happy owner of a C1 with Greenback- it's just a great amp!

I wondered about sourcing an alnico Blue (just because the internet says I should- not because I find the greenback lacking!) but currently I have the following setup...

I scored a very cheap AC15VR on Gumtree, removed the amp chassis and filled the vacant slot. This gives me a half- stack with an identical matching cab and the option to use either or both speakers. I love the look and they of course take up the same footprint, with the amp on top of the cab. Different speakers can easily be compared- but I still haven't found a Blue at the "right" price...

Incidentally, I planned to just sacrifice the VR chassis, but ended up knocking together a basic cab. So, now it's a spare head- and truthfully, it's not a bad sounding amp...

All in all, one of my better ideas!

 

[ZackyDog]

It's a very nice amp, but I think that this one (for example) is priced too high. If you scroll to the very bottom, you can get an idea what this amp sells for.

Vox AC15TB 15-Watt 1x12" Guitar Combo 1996 - 2004 | Reverb

Reverb is a marketplace bringing together a wide-spanning community to buy, sell, and discuss all things music gear.

reverb.com

@7171551

If you want the original/classic/essential/etc. VOX sound, the alnico Blue is a must.

 

[Lowspeid]

It's a very nice amp, but I think that this one (for example) is priced too high. If you scroll to the very bottom, you can get an idea what this amp sells for.

Vox AC15TB 15-Watt 1x12" Guitar Combo 1996 - 2004 | Reverb

Reverb is a marketplace bringing together a wide-spanning community to buy, sell, and discuss all things music gear.

reverb.com

@7171551

If you want the original/classic/essential/etc. VOX sound, the alnico Blue is a must.

View attachment 1130685

I saw that one, and the answer is a solid “that’s a joke, right??”

 

[ZackyDog]

There's always the VOX AC15HW1/1X (used prices look pretty reasonable). I had one and it's completely hand-wired (in Vietnam)
with a tube rectifier. It doesn't have tube reverb or tube tremolo, but it has a top boost and normal channel with hi and low inputs. It also has a tone cut as well as a hot (I think that bypasses the tone stack) and cool switches. You also get a bright switch for the normal channel, master volume and bypass as well as 1/2 power (7.5 watts) option. The cabinet is made of birch plywood.

The VOX AC15 Hand-Wired guitar amplifier - Vox Amps

The all valve VOX AC15 Hand-Wired. There may never have been an amp boasting such a lofty and pure sound in the entire history of VOX.

voxamps.com

 

[Lowspeid]

There's always the VOX AC15HW1/1X (used prices look pretty reasonable). I had one and it's completely hand-wired (in Vietnam)
with a tube rectifier. It doesn't have tube reverb or tube tremolo, but it has a top boost and normal channel with hi and low inputs. It also has a tone cut as well as a hot (I think that bypasses the tone stack) and cool switches. You also get a bright switch for the normal channel, master volume and bypass as well as 1/2 power (7.5 watts) option.

The VOX AC15 Hand-Wired guitar amplifier - Vox Amps

The all valve VOX AC15 Hand-Wired. There may never have been an amp boasting such a lofty and pure sound in the entire history of VOX.

voxamps.com

View attachment 1130734

I had one with the Blue. Sounded great, but was HEAVY, and no onboard reverb was a deal killer for me.

 

[ZackyDog]

I had one with the Blue. Sounded great, but was HEAVY, and no onboard reverb was a deal killer for me.

The VOX AC15TBX is about 49.5 lbs.,the AC15HW1X is 50.3 lbs..

 

[Nightclub Dwight]

Keep the one you have. Its is decent amp and a pretty good bargain as far as price. If you can find a TB/X, but that and A/B them. Sell the loser.

 

[Shango66]

I had a korg era AC30 that the internet now proclaim as a holy grail. I found it very unreliable. Sounded great when it worked tho. Might be got for a studio amp. But lugging big iron around that u can't dime anyway is pointless imo.

 

[Lowspeid]

I had a korg era AC30 that the internet now proclaim as a holy grail. I found it very unreliable. Sounded great when it worked tho. Might be got for a studio amp. But lugging big iron around that u can't dime anyway is pointless imo.

I hear you on that. I can barely turn any of my amps past 2 anymore without someone complaining (not least of which are my own eardrums).

 

[Mike Eskimo]

I had one with the Blue. Sounded great, but was HEAVY, and no onboard reverb was a deal killer for me.

They’re ALL heavy and none of them have real reverb . Sure there’s a pan but it’s not tube driven.

And, there are loads of reverb pedals out there that are better than the onboard Vox one.

Vox AC15 with a master volume - in any iteration - is one of the best home amps of all time. Because it’s too heavy to move !

Sold my C1 when I was still gigging and a month later it was over and then I wished I still had it to park it permanently in the music room.