VOX AC15CC or AC15H1TV?

[robinje]

I am going to buy a new AC15, but I just don't know which one to get. The AC15CC1 is the least expensive option and I would get it over the AC15CC1X because I can score a deal on a Celestion Blue (or maybe a Weber Blue Dog alnico) and swap in in myself, effectively creating an AC15CC1X for less money. The much more expensive option is to get the AC15H1TV. This amp costs more, of course, but has the EF86 preamp and the "Cut" control, but lacks reverb/trem and a master volume. How similar does the Top Boost preamp on the AC15H1TV sound compared to the AC15CC with Celestion Blue speaker? I assume they would be pretty darn alike. Both amps are probably built good enough for my needs (will use only at home). I don't care too much about the PCB versus "hand wired" issue. I think the master volume on the AC15CC would be quite useful to me, but the AC15H1TV has a half-power (Triode Mode) switch, so maybe that's good enough. I'm not interested in balls-to-the-wall tube saturation, but a clean tone with some "grit" when digging in. I'm leaning toward the AC15CC as the practical choice (much less expensive, master volume, reverb/trem). But, the AC15H1TV sure looks cool and I wonder about whether the EF86 preamp and "Cut" control go a long way toward justifying it's higher price. Any ideas on which way to go???

[still]

Those amps are so different, it's night and day.

What justifies the higher price on the TV, to me, is that it sounds about 2000% better, all round. More "alive."

Curiously, I didn't like the new handwired AC30. Played that side by side, against the AC15H1TV, and the bigger amp just did nothing. Maybe you have to really crank the 30; I was getting great sounds out of the 15, at any volume.

FWIW, I own an AC30CC, which I like just fine. The handwired AC15 doesn't really sound like my AC30 -- similar, yes, but the 15 definitely has its own vibe.

[robinje]

Interesting observations. Hmmm. I wonder if the tube rectifier in the AC15H1TV has much to do with it sounding better, or if it's just better constructed overall.

[1965]

Heritage series by a mile. Sounds so much better and is more versatile. It's worth the cash.

[whojamfan]

If possible, the best way to go is to A/B the two amps. What sounds good to one may not be ideal to another. Master volumes, IMHO, are always better than half power options, as I find you can really dial in the volume you need while cranking up the pre to get your desired level of grit. If you don't have a store near you that has both, order both(if possible)from one of the "big box"online stores and send back the one you don't want. I believe this to be the best way to make an educated decision in your own environment with all of the guitars you plan putting through it.

Keep us posted

[buchrob]

The Vox vintage amps can be something of a one-trick pony. I talked myself into spending big bucks on an amp (can't play a $1500 guitar thru a $250 amp, right?).

Went to the local VOX dealer. It was OK, but nothing special. Tried the Traynor YCS50 which works at 15 or 50 watts, and has completely different controls for each channel as well as a bullet-proof 2-year warranty and I was sold. Separete loop and pre-amp out and amp in jacks make this a very versatile set-up. And you don't have to pay for a service call to just change the tubes, since they auto-bias automatically.

Now, my preference is for CLEAN sound and this is MR. CLEAN as far as I'm concerned.

I now own three of these in various locations.

BUT... your ears have to be the judge.

[robinje]

I have been doing some research and stumbled across the Genz Benz Black Pearl 30. Now, this amp looks interesting as an AC15/AC30 alternative. It's got 4xEL84 power tubes and 12AX7's in the preamp and phase inverter, plus a 5AR4 rectifier. It can switch to running only 2xEL84 for half power (15 watts) and it can switch the power tubes to triode for further power reduction (8 watts). There's a 3-band EQ section in addition to a "Top" control similar to a VOX "Top Cut". There's also a master volume control and a "Voice" control that changes the EQ/gain characteristics. Additional features include an effects loop, Accutronics reverb, cooling fan for the power tubes (switchable on/off), a footswitchable preamp gain boost, and an Eminence Red Fang alnico speaker. Man, on paper this looks like the ticket! Apparently, the Genz Benz build quality is robust, but there's a 3-year warranty (compared to VOX's 1 year). I fired off an email to the company, and the owner (Jeff Genzler) replied back personally within a couple of hours. During design, he tested the Black Pearl along side an AC30 and assured me that the Black Pearl can sound "like" an AC30 and more (given the voicing knob options, etc.). Does anyone here have experience with this amp? It's pretty tempting, and the price is right around what an AC15H1TV costs brand new. I know... it ain't a VOX, but if it can sound pretty close, gaining the added flexibility might be worth it. Customer service is important to me, too, and Genz Benz seems to be great in that regard. Please let me know if you have any experience with this amp with a Ric running through it. Thanks!

[whojamfan]

One thing you have to keep in mind when reading specs and features is how does that really relate to the sound that you want to get. Not having personally played one, I can't to begin to comment on their sound and tonal variety. A very common complaint about Mesa Boogie amps is that they had so many bells and whistles it was a nightmare trying to get the sound you wanted, and if a knob got moved a little you were up the creek. Too many options can sometimes turn in to a "jack of all trades, master of none" situation. Having said that, Mesa enjoys a loyal following of customers that are quite happy with their amps.

Genz has a good name in the industry, and you have already experienced what their customer service is like, and hopefully, would continue if you purchased one of their products. Vox has only 1 year warranty, and are a pain in the butt to work on, but they have a look and sound most of us have come to love, and for what they do, they do it well.

It's really just going to boil down to what your ears tell you, and what sounds "pretty close" to a Vox to one, may sound completely unlike a Vox to another. Play and listen to as many as possible, and you'll know when you hit it

[octagon]

I've had my AC15CC1 for 2 years and I love it.I just play at home in my bedroom or living room and it is perfect for that.I think the stock Wharfdale speaker is fine too.

[RonLovesRic12strings]

Jim,

I recently purchased the Vox AC-15 CC1 (stock Wharfdale speaker) and I can tell you that the overall sound is much too shrill....extremely trebley and harsh on clean setting.......too many ringing overtones.

I then purchased the Celestion Alnico blue 12" speaker and swapped it for the Wharfdale.

This made a world of difference in the overall tone....very warm sounding with just the right balance through the overall frequency spectrum.
I now experienced very clear, jangly treble tones and tight bass response. I primarily play my Rick 12-strings through this amp, and they sound fabulous, especially with a compressor in the effects chain. I also only play at home so I can't comment how this set-up sounds in a larger venue. Incidently, the amp also sounds great with my RIC 360 six-string and Epiphone Elitist Casino.

Hope this helps...Ron

[octagon]

Jim,

I recently purchased the Vox AC-15 CC1 (stock Wharfdale speaker) and I can tell you that the overall sound is much too shrill....extremely trebley and harsh on clean setting.......too many ringing overtones.

I then purchased the Celestion Alnico blue 12" speaker and swapped it for the Wharfdale.

This made a world of difference in the overall tone....very warm sounding with just the right balance through the overall frequency spectrum.
I now experienced very clear, jangly treble tones and tight bass response. I primarily play my Rick 12-strings through this amp, and they sound fabulous, especially with a compressor in the effects chain. I also only play at home so I can't comment how this set-up sounds in a larger venue. Incidently, the amp also sounds great with my RIC 360 six-string and Epiphone Elitist Casino.

Hope this helps...Ron

Hey Ron,where did you get the Celestion Alnico Blue and how much did it cost? Thanks.