Vox Amps Big vs. Small

Folkie · Post by **Folkie** » Fri Oct 28, 2011 10:28 pm

Thanks for the correction, Paul. I adopted the name "Blue Dog" from a very knowledgeable member of the Plexi Palace Vintage Amps Forum. Can "Weber Blue Dog" and "Blue Pup" be used interchangeably?

Robert

paologregorio · Post by **paologregorio** » Fri Oct 28, 2011 11:09 pm

Folkie wrote:Thanks for the correction, Paul. I adopted the name "Blue Dog" from a very knowledgeable member of the Plexi Palace Vintage Amps Forum. Can "Weber Blue Dog" and "Blue Pup" be used interchangeably?

Robert

Call them whatever; just trying to help out if you order some and the person you're dealing with gets confused. All puppies are dogs, but not all dogs are puppies; I suppose it's a-okay to call them Blue Dogs, but some folks might think you're talking politics if you do.

If you're buying one or a pair, go with the Webers; made in CA, available in different wattages, and cheaper, IIRC.

jps · Post by **jps** » Sat Oct 29, 2011 12:49 am

Robert, I think I am due for a trip to Sam Ash, been a while since I have been there.

8mileshigher · Post by **8mileshigher** » Sat Oct 29, 2011 2:03 am

jps wrote:
Folkie wrote:It turns out my salesman at Sam Ash was incorrect. The Vox AC30CC1 does not have a "Blue Bulldog" speaker, as there is no such thing.
Big surprise!

paologregorio wrote:During the 1960s, Celestion made a "Bulldog" speaker for Vox.
Currently the Vox speaker is called an "Alnico Blue."
Weber makes a "Blue Pup."

No wonder the Sam Ash salesman was in the dog-house with his wrong info !

Folkie · Post by **Folkie** » Sat Oct 29, 2011 6:56 am

jps wrote:Robert, I think I am due for a trip to Sam Ash, been a while since I have been there.

Jeff,

You have absolutely got to see those 6 Ricks and 3 Vox amps!

How about this: Fire me a PM and I'll meet you there.

Robert

jps · Post by **jps** » Sat Oct 29, 2011 12:19 pm

I sent a PM to you Robert, but I think I will go up there about 1PM, instead.

BuddyDog · Post by **BuddyDog** » Sat Oct 29, 2011 1:09 pm

Folkie wrote:
I also just got a call from Guitar Center, telling me that one of their stores has a used hand-wired AC15 with an Alnico Blue speaker, for the selling price of $899 (the same price I'd pay for a new Chinese model fitted with an Alnico Blue). Personally, I'm a little wary of buying used amps, because I don't know much about tubes, and there are any number of things that can go wrong. If I did order the amp, I would have to have it checked out by an expert to make sure it had a clean bill of health. Of course the 30 day return policy would allow me ample time to do that.

That makes for three Vox amps and six Rickenbackers at our local Sam Ash. My favorite of the guitars is the 360/12C63. By all means, Jeff, stop by and look at all of them!

Robert

If the amp in question is an AC 15 Heritage, it is a great amp. Doesn't have verb or trem, but 2 channels; one the old EF86 pre amp tube circuit (nice grunge!), the other a top boost channel. Should have a Celestion Blue in it and it's a TV style cabinet. I recently sold mine after finding an AC30 HW2X at an obscenely low price. The AC15 Heritage (AC15H1TV) is a tone monster!

If GC will take $800 out the door, it's a good deal

Folkie · Post by **Folkie** » Sat Oct 29, 2011 10:24 pm

Thanks for all the information, Steve. I'll have to check with the people at Guitar Center to find out the exact model number. Do you think that the low price suggests there could be some problems with the amp?

jps · Post by **jps** » Sat Oct 29, 2011 10:42 pm

I met up with Robert this afternoon to check out the Vox amps, and played a 360/12C63.

Whle there I met and got to know a guy who has a '64 460, can't wait to get together with Frank and check that out.

Folkie · Post by **Folkie** » Sat Oct 29, 2011 10:54 pm

Despite the fact that one of the salespeople at Sam Ash was very rude, I had a good time playing Jeff's 1967 330/6 through a Vox AC30 with Weber Blue Pups. That 360/12C63 was set up nicely and sounded great through the AC30, especially with a boost from my Janglebox. But I would never even consider buying any gear from a place with such poor customer service.

greg_feo · Post by **greg_feo** » Sun Oct 30, 2011 12:31 am

jps wrote:.... While there I met and got to know a guy who has a '64 460, can't wait to get together with Frank and check that out.

>that might sound pretty good through this '62 AC-15

jps · Post by **jps** » Sun Oct 30, 2011 1:10 am

I bet it would, too.

Time travel does really exist.

BuddyDog · Post by **BuddyDog** » Sun Oct 30, 2011 1:09 pm

Folkie wrote:Thanks for all the information, Steve. I'll have to check with the people at Guitar Center to find out the exact model number. Do you think that the low price suggests there could be some problems with the amp?

Nope, that's a good to very good price for an AC15 Heritage.

fiveightandten · Post by **fiveightandten** » Sun Oct 30, 2011 8:59 pm

Folkie wrote: Jeff,

Sam Ash has yet another used Vox amp on the floor, and I would urge you to check it out. It's tagged simply as an "AC30." It has Normal and Brilliant channels, six inputs, tremolo, and no reverb. But here's the clincher: it has two Weber Blue Dog speakers which sound absolutely lovely. Unfortunately, the 330/12 I tuned up and plugged in had major intonation problems which created sour notes all over the neck. Still those Blue Dogs really sparkled and chimed. I'll have to bring in one of my 12'ers, both of which are free of intonation problems, to see what the amp can really do. I think I like the controls better on some of the other Vox amps, and this is one of the heaviest amps I've ever tried to lift, although I think it might be a tad lighter than the AC30's with Greenbacks.

I also just got a call from Guitar Center, telling me that one of their stores has a used hand-wired AC15 with an Alnico Blue speaker, for the selling price of $899 (the same price I'd pay for a new Chinese model fitted with an Alnico Blue). Personally, I'm a little wary of buying used amps, because I don't know much about tubes, and there are any number of things that can go wrong. If I did order the amp, I would have to have it checked out by an expert to make sure it had a clean bill of health. Of course the 30 day return policy would allow me ample time to do that.

That makes for three Vox amps and six Rickenbackers at our local Sam Ash. My favorite of the guitars is the 360/12C63. By all means, Jeff, stop by and look at all of them!

Robert

Robert,

That sounds like an AC-30TB or TBX reissue from the 90's. I have one, they're great amps. But the traditional circuit without a master volume requires quite a bit of volume to get the amp to overdrive. Still, it's got classic AC-30 tone and sounds fantastic.

If neither of you are interested in the amp, would you mind PM'ing me with the store's location? I have a friend that loves my AC-30TBX and has been searching for one in decent condition.

-Nick

8mileshigher · Post by **8mileshigher** » Fri Feb 03, 2012 9:47 pm

Robert ---- which Vox amp did you end up with ??

I remember you were going back and forth ... possibly an AC-15; then a Heritage Handwired came into the picture; then some other used Vox amps at Sam Ash .....

Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum