Similar to VoxAC15

[Sleeping Martyr]

So i'm looking at getting a new amp for my band (we sound along the lines of Wilco, Black Crowes, Beatles with a ton of covers) as my Mesa Half Stack is TOO loud and powerful and I don't want to keep changing all the settings, its set to Hard rock/Metal heaven for my other band =) So I rented a VoxAC30 for our shows last weekend and LOVED it but was dismayed that I couldn't quite turn it up to get it more saturated (leads didn't quite have the sustain I wanted, may get a Maxon 808), enter the AC15. Totally what I'm looking for, just curious if you guys can reccomend me anything with a similar sound/price ($600) for me to investigate. I also play a strat with Antiquity surfers for the record. Thoughts??

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: Similar to VoxAC15

Do you have anything against the AC15C1?

You're not going to find anything that does that sound anywhere close to the price of the legit AC15C1.

I know, I've looked.

 

[beggar_guitar]

Re: Similar to VoxAC15

Do you have anything against the AC15CC1?

You're not going to find anything that does that sound anywhere close to the price of the legit AC15CC1.

I know, I've looked.

+1

I've got an AC15C1 and I love it. I use some pedals to push it into other territory.... but it nails that Vox tone. Nothing else really will do it for you in that price range.

 

[Sleeping Martyr]

Re: Similar to VoxAC15

Absolutely nothing against it, love it! Just wanted to see what the options are

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: Similar to VoxAC15

Absolutely nothing against it, love it! Just wanted to see what the options are

I gotcha.

I had the same type of search.

The only other amp that could hang with delivering the sound and the price (that I found) was the Egnater Tweaker.

I heard some bad things about their reliability, so I was timid. I ended up not buying either and simply converting my Fender Hot Rod DeVille to EL84 / Class A using handy dandy tube socket converters. It was the cheapest option for me because I got the converters for $75, and I already have the amp.


Anyways, Look at the Egnater Tweaker. I could not find a dealer locally, so I had to go 100% off demos, so I really know nothing about it.

 

[Sleeping Martyr]

Re: Similar to VoxAC15

That being said, does anyone ELSE prefer the ac15 over the ac30??

 

[lareplus]

Re: Similar to VoxAC15

I do. . .The AC15 just sings to me. It's not just a little sister to the AC30, it has a strong identity of its own. Sisters yes, they both have that great Vox sound. Which one resonates with you, well that's the search and the joy.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Similar to VoxAC15

I'm not much of a fan of the AC30 (I have nothing against it at all, just not my amp, I guess, for me, the AC30 is too clean), but I love the AC15. Like has been said, it's not just a smaller version of the AC30. When pushed, it has a wonderful rich thick sound, but still chimey.

 

[beggar_guitar]

Re: Similar to VoxAC15

I do. . .The AC15 just sings to me. It's not just a little sister to the AC30, it has a strong identity of its own. Sisters yes, they both have that great Vox sound. Which one resonates with you, well that's the search and the joy.

I'm not much of a fan of the AC30 (I have nothing against it at all, just not my amp, I guess, for me, the AC30 is too clean), but I love the AC15. Like has been said, it's not just a smaller version of the AC30. When pushed, it has a wonderful rich thick sound, but still chimey.

So very true... I thought I wanted an AC30. Played them everytime I went into a GC. I never even payed attention to it's little sister.

lareplus nailed it with his description. They are both very much Vox amps. But they have different personalities.

The AC15 is plenty loud for me but still break up at just the right time. Beautiful Vox sparkle and chime but not afraid to get dirty.

 

[kevlar3000]

Re: Similar to VoxAC15

An El84 driven Traynor Bassmate driving alnico speakers would do the trick. Beautiful sounding 20 watt heads, among the sturdiest amp builds ever.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Similar to VoxAC15

the ac15 with the pentode channel is just awesome! love what i can get from those things

 

[Woundtight]

Re: Similar to VoxAC15

Check out Morgan Amps and the AC20 Deluxe. More available headroom than an AC15. Very portable, with combo or separate head and speaker cab. Not a back breaker like the AC30.
Selectable EF86 or 12axa7 front end. Should take pedals exceptionally well!

 

[Hoss]

Re: Similar to VoxAC15

Check out Morgan Amps and the AC20 Deluxe. More available headroom than an AC15. Very portable, with combo or separate head and speaker cab. Not a back breaker like the AC30.
Selectable EF86 or 12axa7 front end. Should take pedals exceptionally well!

i see a LOT of people getting these...especially for P&W music!

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: Similar to VoxAC15

Don't make things too difficult for yourself. If you like the Vox sound, just get a Vox. That's not to say some boutique stuff can't do those sounds well, it's just that you'll a) pay an arm and a leg for it and b) the original will sound arguably as good or better.

 

[drpietrzak]

Re: Similar to VoxAC15

AC15C1 here. Enough headroom for me.

 

[Robert S.]

Re: Similar to VoxAC15

An El84 driven Traynor Bassmate driving alnico speakers would do the trick. Beautiful sounding 20 watt heads, among the sturdiest amp builds ever.

Not to change the subject but what did you think about Scott Fs Celtic Wallace?

 

[MetalManiac]

Re: Similar to VoxAC15

An El84 driven Traynor Bassmate driving alnico speakers would do the trick. Beautiful sounding 20 watt heads, among the sturdiest amp builds ever.

Wow. I have one of those awaiting a recap , that i got for about 275.00. I figuredit'd be a great practice rig.

 

[Sleeping Martyr]

Re: Similar to VoxAC15

Thanks guys, may pick one up soon. Now what about the handwired version? I know its twice the price but I was checking out demos online and it sounds amazing, possibly better, but it doesn't have reverb or tremolo and it IS twice the price. Thoughts/experience?

 

[beggar_guitar]

Re: Similar to VoxAC15

I do not have the handwired but if I had the cash I'd ditch mine and get a handwired.

Reverb and tremolo are nice but they aren't the best.

To my ear the handwired does sound better. But it's up to you if you think it sounds that much better.

 

[glassman]

Re: Similar to VoxAC15

Have you considered looking into an older (70's) Gibson GA20RTV or a Epiphone EA19RTV? Both have a lot of AC15 qualities and prices are pretty reasonable.

Some are better sounding than others. I've had quite a few of these in over the years and NONE of them have ever matched the published schematic. Every one of them was different (same configuration, different component values).

Single 12", two channels, reverb, tremolo. EL84 output tubes.

Might be worth a look.