So I got this Vox AC15CC1....anyone else had one?
- Thread starter blakejcan
- Start date
VinceT
New member
Re: So I got this Vox AC15CC1....anyone else had one?
Well, it depends what you mean by “real deal”? Are you talking AC15 Hand-wired? Vintage? AC30?
As a Brit based in the US, I can tell you that the AC (whatever) is the most under appreciated amp family state-side. It generally gets written off as a “Beatles thing” (much like Rickenbacker guitars) which totally ignores the impact it has had on the history of recorded music.
It’s definitely it’s own “food group” alongside Fender and Marshall.
In terms of tone, keep it simple with the CC1 - use it as a pedal platform through the normal channel, or dial in some hair on the top boost. On TB channel, reduce Bass and Treble together to let some mids through (Vox is mid-scooped similar to Fender, but at a different frequency - understanding that is part of “getting” this amp).
The CC1 has Wharfdale speaker (I think?) - if so, do consider trying a Celestion Alnico Blue or similar - not essential, but to my ears it’s THE speaker for the AC range.
Finally, look up “bright cap mod” for Top Boost channel - on my AC30CC2X, I snipped that and it made the TB channel much more usable/pleasant.
Have fun!
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Well, it depends what you mean by “real deal”? Are you talking AC15 Hand-wired? Vintage? AC30?
As a Brit based in the US, I can tell you that the AC (whatever) is the most under appreciated amp family state-side. It generally gets written off as a “Beatles thing” (much like Rickenbacker guitars) which totally ignores the impact it has had on the history of recorded music.
It’s definitely it’s own “food group” alongside Fender and Marshall.
In terms of tone, keep it simple with the CC1 - use it as a pedal platform through the normal channel, or dial in some hair on the top boost. On TB channel, reduce Bass and Treble together to let some mids through (Vox is mid-scooped similar to Fender, but at a different frequency - understanding that is part of “getting” this amp).
The CC1 has Wharfdale speaker (I think?) - if so, do consider trying a Celestion Alnico Blue or similar - not essential, but to my ears it’s THE speaker for the AC range.
Finally, look up “bright cap mod” for Top Boost channel - on my AC30CC2X, I snipped that and it made the TB channel much more usable/pleasant.
Have fun!
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
NegativeEase
New member
Re: So I got this Vox AC15CC1....anyone else had one?
I had a VOX AC15.
I got more compliments after shows for my tone with that amp than any other.
I sold it only because I'm going to be living in an RV in a couple of years and have to get down to the smallest and most versatile of amps -and the VOX really does a few things incredibly, but others not at all.
I had a VOX AC15.
I got more compliments after shows for my tone with that amp than any other.
I sold it only because I'm going to be living in an RV in a couple of years and have to get down to the smallest and most versatile of amps -and the VOX really does a few things incredibly, but others not at all.
VinceT
New member
Re: So I got this Vox AC15CC1....anyone else had one?
Yes, they do - I have both (the Red Fang in both 10” and 12” options) - but then I’m have Alnico speaker tone in my DNA!
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Yes, they do - I have both (the Red Fang in both 10” and 12” options) - but then I’m have Alnico speaker tone in my DNA!
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Empty Pockets
BadHairDayologist
Re: So I got this Vox AC15CC1....anyone else had one?
They're not 'under-appreciated' in the US, they're just almost exclusively used by church bands.
Cool amps though. Every guitarist needs a vintage-style amp with reverb and trem, and the Vox line gets that natural overdrive a bit easier than Fenders.
They're not 'under-appreciated' in the US, they're just almost exclusively used by church bands.
Cool amps though. Every guitarist needs a vintage-style amp with reverb and trem, and the Vox line gets that natural overdrive a bit easier than Fenders.
Re: So I got this Vox AC15CC1....anyone else had one?
I wouldn't describe the VOX as strictly "mid-scooped"... not at all.
"Overall, think swirling, earthy, 3D sound with great note separation, and a bouncy yet taut and percussive feel to the low end, without the amp ever feeling flubby. The mids and top end have a velvety sparkling overtone and the speakers feel as if they are tied to your guitars strings, but with the perfect amount of give.
Treble set near 12:00 is a pretty neutral voicing for the amp. Go a little above 12:00 and it brings in a quacky upper midrange prominence that's very distinctive. Around 2:00 or so it starts to scoop the mids out and get very glassy and bright. Some people love that sound, as you can tame it with the cut control if you need to.
Back the treble off below 12:00 and the TB will enter semi-normal channel territory. The mids take over even more and the overdrive takes on a voicing that's even slightly Marshall-esque, while still retaining a Voxy feel. The bass knob affects the mids as well, but acts on the lower register in extreme settings.
This is all relative, as there are now many different AC-30 iterations. But in my case, i'm describing the classic early 60's 6-input top boost, which is mirrored in many clones, and Vox's own AC-30TB and AC-30TBX models from the 90's and early 2000's.
Great amp. My favorite. I will never not own an AC-30. There's just not a bad sound anywhere in the amp. It lets every guitar shine through while still adding its own unique sonic signature, and is so useful in so many styles of music. Not many other amps are so at home in a range as wide as (for example) The Beatles, The Byrds, Tom Petty, The Foo Fighters, Jimmy Eat World, Finch, U2, etc. The amp can do pop, rock, hard rock, country, blues, and more, and pull them all off extremely well. It works with nearly any guitar and any style."
-Nick
I wouldn't describe the VOX as strictly "mid-scooped"... not at all.
"Overall, think swirling, earthy, 3D sound with great note separation, and a bouncy yet taut and percussive feel to the low end, without the amp ever feeling flubby. The mids and top end have a velvety sparkling overtone and the speakers feel as if they are tied to your guitars strings, but with the perfect amount of give.
Treble set near 12:00 is a pretty neutral voicing for the amp. Go a little above 12:00 and it brings in a quacky upper midrange prominence that's very distinctive. Around 2:00 or so it starts to scoop the mids out and get very glassy and bright. Some people love that sound, as you can tame it with the cut control if you need to.
Back the treble off below 12:00 and the TB will enter semi-normal channel territory. The mids take over even more and the overdrive takes on a voicing that's even slightly Marshall-esque, while still retaining a Voxy feel. The bass knob affects the mids as well, but acts on the lower register in extreme settings.
This is all relative, as there are now many different AC-30 iterations. But in my case, i'm describing the classic early 60's 6-input top boost, which is mirrored in many clones, and Vox's own AC-30TB and AC-30TBX models from the 90's and early 2000's.
Great amp. My favorite. I will never not own an AC-30. There's just not a bad sound anywhere in the amp. It lets every guitar shine through while still adding its own unique sonic signature, and is so useful in so many styles of music. Not many other amps are so at home in a range as wide as (for example) The Beatles, The Byrds, Tom Petty, The Foo Fighters, Jimmy Eat World, Finch, U2, etc. The amp can do pop, rock, hard rock, country, blues, and more, and pull them all off extremely well. It works with nearly any guitar and any style."
-Nick
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Re: So I got this Vox AC15CC1....anyone else had one?
the handwired stuff is great once you get used to the controls. the cc stuff is good too but not really the same. the ac15cc1 is the top boost channel with a mv but still sounds like a vox. fun amp though and if you like the cc, youd like the others
the handwired stuff is great once you get used to the controls. the cc stuff is good too but not really the same. the ac15cc1 is the top boost channel with a mv but still sounds like a vox. fun amp though and if you like the cc, youd like the others
blakejcan
Well-known member
Re: So I got this Vox AC15CC1....anyone else had one?
this was what i was hoping for. I didn't really get the difference between the CC and a standard AC15.
this was what i was hoping for. I didn't really get the difference between the CC and a standard AC15.
