Vox AC10C1 Owners Club

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TC 57

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I have an AC10 with a creamback- G10 45 watt 16 ohm.
Unsure if I am totally happy with it as is.
I have 2 EH EL84 in now and a EH12AX& in the PI and a sovtek 5751 in the preamp. very chimey, clean...
However once I get to 1 o'clock... there is no more increase in volume. its plenty loud at that point... just no more.

I am considering a Weber DT10P.

I want less brightness and a bit more bottom... A greenback is more $$.
I will sell one of the speakers onceit is settled.

Any experience with the DT10P? reviews or opinions appreciated.
take the 5751 out and put back the 12AX7..
 

TC 57

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I completely


I completely agree. I can’t use my fuzz phrase (germanium) on it... too fizzy, like a bee noises especially with lower notes.

I would love to know if clipping the cap can help...
do you still have the amp? The first gain stage in the pre amp is a chip-a MOSFET. I've had mine 5 years and I never liked the EQ, it needed a midrange knob. It does not like some overdrives..I think it has sold because it's a relatively cheap tube amp
 

Ljislink24

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do you still have the amp? The first gain stage in the pre amp is a chip-a MOSFET. I've had mine 5 years and I never liked the EQ, it needed a midrange knob. It does not like some overdrives..I think it has sold because it's a relatively cheap tube amp
IMO it sells well because it sounds really really good. My benchmark for tone is my hand wired custom built 40W tube amp based on the old Fender Bassman tweed circuit. I don't want to take the time to list all specs on the amp but everyone who's played it are very impressed. I chased tone for few years and went through a lot of amps. Anyway I needed a smaller amp & still wanted that "tone" but the budget was 600 bucks max. I tried out quite a few small amps & bought 3 different small amps & returned them all. Than I tried the VOX AC10 & for the money there was no other amp that sounded that good. Tone is subjective for sure but how an amp delivers it I could care less if it's a chip or tube, in my world results are what counts. The AC10 is well priced and punches above it's weight in the amp comparisons I did. You can't stack this amp up against something like a Milkman 15 that costs 3.5K that just ain't fair. If someone is on the fence about buying an AC10 head down to your local guitar shop and play all the amps under 600 bucks & see what you get.
 

TC 57

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In
IMO it sells well because it sounds really really good. My benchmark for tone is my hand wired custom built 40W tube amp based on the old Fender Bassman tweed circuit. I don't want to take the time to list all specs on the amp but everyone who's played it are very impressed. I chased tone for few years and went through a lot of amps. Anyway I needed a smaller amp & still wanted that "tone" but the budget was 600 bucks max. I tried out quite a few small amps & bought 3 different small amps & returned them all. Than I tried the VOX AC10 & for the money there was no other amp that sounded that good. Tone is subjective for sure but how an amp delivers it I could care less if it's a chip or tube, in my world results are what counts. The AC10 is well priced and punches above it's weight in the amp comparisons I did. You can't stack this amp up against something like a Milkman 15 that costs 3.5K that just ain't fair. If someone is on the fence about buying an AC10 head down to your local guitar shop and play all the amps under 600 bucks & see what you get.
by comparison Vox modelling amps don't sell as well. The Valvetronix series from 15 years ago apparently gave very good AC15 and 30 tones-and Marshall too. There was something called the AV30 & AV 60 combos. They've recently been discontinued too. The fact that it's an all tube amp plays a part in why people have bought it. I've had mine 5 years. The tone is good , as is the Reverb but I've never liked the EQ on the thing, it doesn't take pedals too well, and the circuit design makes it generally too loud for indoor use ..
 

NewTimerJH

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Hey folks. I have an AC10C1, guess I should join the club! For starters, I absolutely love this amp. It holds up with another guitarist and a drummer in a full size finished basement. I love the stock tone. Mine came with JJ tubes if I remember right from a few years ago, I took it apart before I had even played it.

I have one main question. Can I beef up the volume by building a 2x12 cab to run out to? I don’t really understand speaker impedance. I could build a cabinet, but would need help in choosing compatible speakers and how to wire it. A 2x12 cab by itself is very expensive, I suspect I could build one for more cheaper.

I wish I had more headroom with the amp but it mostly fits my style as is. I enjoy the natural overdrive I get from the amp and don’t use many pedals with it. If I need significantly more headroom I’ll look at a fender amp.

I would appreciate any wisdom or advice on if I can run this as a head out to a cab, and if I do can I gain more volume or from this amp or no?
thanks!
 

Ljislink24

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If you read through this the thread you'll get some info. on external speaker use from guys that did it. IMO opinion your best bet would be selling it & buying an AC15 you can get em used for 350-450 bucks. It would be a much simpler solution.
 

TC 57

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If I can upload a file this is my AC10 mod..carried out over several days of trial and error. It allows more airflow in the casing, the heat from the power valves is dissipated, the chassis does not get as hot as before. The plate / heart sink protects the speaker. basically the case for this amp needed to be taller
and deeper, like the original. there is more you cant see. I shielded the pre amp valves I'm not casting doubt on Vox's experience but I had to do this... View attachment 656943 View attachment 656944
Five years on, I want to add a WARNING regarding tis. With that back exposed, be certain that you or someone else, do not put your fingers in that exposed back as you could get a shock. Ideally it needs a grille covering that open section...I still have the amp
 

randym

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Papa Dafoe

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I just picked up one of these today to use as a harmonica amp. I am pretty impressed with it so far. My current sweet spot is the Gain at 9 o’clock and the Volume at 3 o’clock. Perfect edge-of-breakup at practice volumes.

Here it is next to my Princeton Reverb.
 

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Ljislink24

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I just picked up one of these today to use as a harmonica amp. I am pretty impressed with it so far. My current sweet spot is the Gain at 9 o’clock and the Volume at 3 o’clock. Perfect edge-of-breakup at practice volumes.

Here it is next to my Princeton Reverb.
I went through a lot amps playing harp including a PR. I actually had a custom harp amp built for me solved a lot. Anyway haven't played a harp in about 8 years maybe it's time to try it out on my AC10 ! What mic are you using ?
 

Ljislink24

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Only had the AC10 for a few months & still really digging the tone ! But playing with the band (no pedals) takes a bit of adjusting between songs & using the VC on guitar a bit more than I like. Not a big deal but defiantly not gig ready. I read here where the AC10 doesn't take pedals real well. Well It must be the pedal and not the amp. I just got a T-Rex Muller and with about 30 minutes of trying it out it's really nice. This pedal does not mess with the tone you just get more of it. A ton of possibility with this pedal. Anyway I just thought I'd post this up for anyone looking for a very nice addition to the AC10 if your playing out or with a band it's what I felt was missing on the AC10.
 

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Papa Dafoe

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Last night I changed the speaker to a Celestion Greenback. I also changed the preamp tubes to JJ 5751.

Sounds absolutely fantastic now. Totally noticeable change, much better low end and the shrillness at higher volumes is gone.
 
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Papa Dafoe

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Last night I changed the speaker to a Celestion Greenback. I also changed the preamp tubes to JJ 5751.

Sounds absolutely fantastic now. Totally noticeable change, much better low end and the shrillness at higher volumes is gone.
I should probably have added that I bought this amp primarily for blues harmonica. The difference for amplified harp is huge. The original Vox speaker probably would have been OK for guitar, though the Greenback is still nicer sounding.
 

TC 57

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Starting an Owners Club for a new Vox product that is a "reissue" in name only - the AC10C1. Some quick background: Vox actually made an AC10 from 1959 to 1967. It was more of a square "TV"-style cabinet with a 10" speaker, though it was also offered in a 2x10" "Twin".

Here is a photo of the new AC10C1, which was announced around early April 2015:

Vox-AC10C.jpg


Here's a shot of the top, with controls for gain, bass, treble, reverb, and volume:

image removed

And here's a shot of the back, noting the 16-ohm extension speaker jack, but no effects loop:

xl_36948-AC103.JPG


I just received mine and it had no quality issues out of the box (thus far). But the amp is Chinese manufactured, it's a new product, and there's some pictures floating around of the internals of the amp that are a little suspect. Not because anything is "wrong" with it necessarily, but the tubes and circuit boards are arranged in an "unorthodox" manner to say the least. Things are pretty tight in there with respect to replacing the speaker, also, but the "compactness" of the amp is part of its appeal - it weighs 27 pounds compared to the AC15's 47 pounds.

I think the amp sounds great, but I'm more interested in what other people have to say. I also welcome prospective buyers with any questions they want to ask before they make the purchase - I always appreciate that opportunity when I'm shopping.

Anybody got one? Or looking at one?

When playing indoors, this is where I set my Volume & Gain. very low. Many feel tube amps don't sound their best at low settings but the tone is still good. I can raise the gain to 3/4 and dip the volume a bit further, that sounds good, or plug in an SD1 ..
 

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TC 57

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take the 5751 out and put back the 12AX7..
the Weber has a ceramic magnet just like the factory speaker or a Greenback 30...but the Weber is more costly. Best option is an extension cab. Try Alnico magnet speaker.
 
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Ljislink24

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When playing indoors, this is where I set my Volume & Gain. very low. Many feel tube amps don't sound their best at low settings but the tone is still good. I can raise the gain to 3/4 and dip the volume a bit further, that sounds good, or plug in an SD1 ..
Damm, that's a lot reverb ! What guitar are using ! With single a coil tele I got the volume at about 11 o'clock gain 9 or 10 with humbuckers a bit less. With the band & keeping up with drummer I use a Muller T-rex pedal.
One cool thing about the AC10 is it sounds great at home low volume or with a full band it will keep up without being mic'ed
 

TC 57

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Damm, that's a lot reverb ! What guitar are using ! With single a coil tele I got the volume at about 11 o'clock gain 9 or 10 with humbuckers a bit less. With the band & keeping up with drummer I use a Muller T-rex pedal.
One cool thing about the AC10 is it sounds great at home low volume or with a full band it will keep up without being mic'ed
that reverb setting is still not fully drenched. the thing about these is that the pre amp circuit is wired hotter than it should be so as to achieve good distortion / overdrive at lower volumes. That's why even at 10 watts it's loud - too loud IMO. The good thing at low volumes, you don't hear the hiss or hum you get as you go higher. I dont think the tone is any better at higher volumes than low. Vox have been promising a hand wired AC10 with effects loop, high & low inputs and 12" speaker. Should have been out May/June. Has not happened ..
 
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TC 57

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Last night I changed the speaker to a Celestion Greenback. I also changed the preamp tubes to JJ 5751.

Sounds absolutely fantastic now. Totally noticeable change, much better low end and the shrillness at higher volumes is gone.
the only thing is you lose most of the gain and an overdrive pedal wont work as well as with 12AX7/ ECC83 tubes. A good thing to try with these is an extention cab. An alnico magnet speaker is worth trying. gives a softer attack. The Greenback is ceramic.
 

Ljislink24

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that reverb setting is still not fully drenched. the thing about these is that the pre amp circuit is wired hotter than it should be so as to achieve good distortion / overdrive at lower volumes. That's why even at 10 watts it's loud - too loud IMO. The good thing at low volumes, you don't hear the hiss or hum you get as you go higher. I dont think the tone is any better at higher volumes than low. Vox have been promising a hand wired AC10 with effects loop, high & low inputs and 12" speaker. Should have been out May/June. Has not happened ..
My amp & guitars are different than yours. I get absolutely no hum or hiss at full volume or anywhere in between it's a very quite amp & IMO the amp sound better when turned up, but dimed the amp is to loud even with a band. I've got the limited edition with the creamback speaker so maybe that's why it sounds better when turned up, the creamback may not be as efficient as your speaker. I'm playing with Fender noiseless pickups and double humbucker guitar. Not sure on "hand wired" version that is coming out due it's most likely high price, but I'll defaintly play one back to back with mine & see what an extra 2K gets you in tone !
 
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