guitarSQUIRELL
New member
I have a VOX AC-15 that after a while it starts whistling. I think the tubes are going out on it. What set of tubes would you recommend to replace the ones that are in here now.
Tubes for VOX AC-15
- Thread starter guitarSQUIRELL
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Myaccount876
Amira-Maker
Re: Tubes for VOX AC-15
Mullard, Sovtek, and Tung-Sol EL84's won't fit in a reissue AC15, so that really leaves you with either JJ or Electro-Harmonix unless you want to get into NOS and more expensive brands. I'd personally lean towards the JJ EL84's over the Electro-Harmonix.
For 12AX7's, I'd go with Tung-Sol, JJ, Mullard, or the Sovtek 12AX7LPS.
Mullard, Sovtek, and Tung-Sol EL84's won't fit in a reissue AC15, so that really leaves you with either JJ or Electro-Harmonix unless you want to get into NOS and more expensive brands. I'd personally lean towards the JJ EL84's over the Electro-Harmonix.
For 12AX7's, I'd go with Tung-Sol, JJ, Mullard, or the Sovtek 12AX7LPS.
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Nostalgic Distortion
New member
Re: Tubes for VOX AC-15
View attachment 65170
Mullard's for the power section are pretty much a given when we're talking AC's I think? Personally I like E-H gold pin 12AX7's for preamp tubes in my AC-15 Twin, they give it a tiny bit more headroom & help the amp take pedals better but I can still get that classic VOX breakup without too much effort. If you are a plug & play kinda guy & don't use pedals, aside from maybe a Treble Booster for dirt @ lower volumes then you might want some softer preamp tubes? Maybe some Tung-sol's, Mullard's or Telefunken's if you got the cash for them? Tung-Sol's & Mullard's only cost a few bucks more than JJ's & are well worth it! I had Telefunken's in her last go round, because if they cost a lot of money they have to be the best, right? Lol, they did sound a bit more period correct, but so do Tung-Sol's & at a fraction of the cost? Basically, Telefunken's sound better in a AC than JJ's but not $100+ better???
View attachment 65171
Long live the VOX AC's & Fender Telecasters, what would the hell would the world do without them????
View attachment 65170
Mullard's for the power section are pretty much a given when we're talking AC's I think? Personally I like E-H gold pin 12AX7's for preamp tubes in my AC-15 Twin, they give it a tiny bit more headroom & help the amp take pedals better but I can still get that classic VOX breakup without too much effort. If you are a plug & play kinda guy & don't use pedals, aside from maybe a Treble Booster for dirt @ lower volumes then you might want some softer preamp tubes? Maybe some Tung-sol's, Mullard's or Telefunken's if you got the cash for them? Tung-Sol's & Mullard's only cost a few bucks more than JJ's & are well worth it! I had Telefunken's in her last go round, because if they cost a lot of money they have to be the best, right? Lol, they did sound a bit more period correct, but so do Tung-Sol's & at a fraction of the cost? Basically, Telefunken's sound better in a AC than JJ's but not $100+ better???
View attachment 65171
Long live the VOX AC's & Fender Telecasters, what would the hell would the world do without them????
Nostalgic Distortion
New member
Re: Tubes for VOX AC-15
My Mullard EL84's fit in my AC-15CC2 reissue just fine??? The Sovtek 12AX7LPS preamp tubes are a good call though!!!
My Mullard EL84's fit in my AC-15CC2 reissue just fine??? The Sovtek 12AX7LPS preamp tubes are a good call though!!!
Myaccount876
Amira-Maker
Re: Tubes for VOX AC-15
guitarSQUIRELL what type of AC15 do you have? I haven't had personal experience trying to fit Mullards into a reissue for an AC15, so I don't know if it is possible to "make it work", but hopefully someone can help more on the issue of certain brands not fitting in AC15 reissues (tubedepot says a few brands won't fit).
guitarSQUIRELL what type of AC15 do you have? I haven't had personal experience trying to fit Mullards into a reissue for an AC15, so I don't know if it is possible to "make it work", but hopefully someone can help more on the issue of certain brands not fitting in AC15 reissues (tubedepot says a few brands won't fit).
guitarSQUIRELL
New member
Re: Tubes for VOX AC-15
Im not sure. I just know that its an AC15. I can look when I get home at lunch and let you know.
Im not sure. I just know that its an AC15. I can look when I get home at lunch and let you know.
Progbusters
New member
Re: Tubes for VOX AC-15
i have JJ's in the power tubes and a Tung Sol in the V1 slot of preamp tube set, the others are JJ's
i have JJ's in the power tubes and a Tung Sol in the V1 slot of preamp tube set, the others are JJ's
guitarSQUIRELL
New member
Re: Tubes for VOX AC-15
Reason Im wondering, is im REALLY new to tube amps. All I have ever had was solid state....I borrowed this one from the church i play at and its tubes are going out....I THINK......I forgot to look on lunch when I was at home....
Reason Im wondering, is im REALLY new to tube amps. All I have ever had was solid state....I borrowed this one from the church i play at and its tubes are going out....I THINK......I forgot to look on lunch when I was at home....
guitarSQUIRELL
New member
Re: Tubes for VOX AC-15
Ok, I looked at the back of the amp and its a AC-15C1 if that makes sense.
Ok, I looked at the back of the amp and its a AC-15C1 if that makes sense.
Nostalgic Distortion
New member
Re: Tubes for VOX AC-15
It's a reissued AC-15, no frills but a very nice amp nonetheless! The only difference between yours and mine is I have a extra speaker and larger reverb tank. It's a AC-15 chassis in a AC-30 cabinet... As far as tubes go if the amp isn't yours but you're going to be using it just get some J.J.'s, they are fairly cheap & they sound great in most amps! You can buy tube replacement kits on eBay. They usually save you money, all the tubes will be matched & you know they'll work for your amp, no confusion like with the Mullard's?
If you don't have any real experience changing tubes you might want to just take it to a tech if that's even a possibility for you? This way you'll really know your going to get tubes that will fit & work, plus you can have him check the bias, give it a tune up, exe? Personally I'd take cheaper tubes and a trip to the tech over expensive tubes that sound awful anyway because it's not set up to run properly, valve amps can be fickle beast & they can also be very dangerous! Some hold on to current for hours after they've been unplugged. A tech can suggest tubes, if you think he's jacking up the price just buy your own, & any decent one will stand by their work so if something happens & it's on them they'll make it right ...
It's a reissued AC-15, no frills but a very nice amp nonetheless! The only difference between yours and mine is I have a extra speaker and larger reverb tank. It's a AC-15 chassis in a AC-30 cabinet... As far as tubes go if the amp isn't yours but you're going to be using it just get some J.J.'s, they are fairly cheap & they sound great in most amps! You can buy tube replacement kits on eBay. They usually save you money, all the tubes will be matched & you know they'll work for your amp, no confusion like with the Mullard's?
If you don't have any real experience changing tubes you might want to just take it to a tech if that's even a possibility for you? This way you'll really know your going to get tubes that will fit & work, plus you can have him check the bias, give it a tune up, exe? Personally I'd take cheaper tubes and a trip to the tech over expensive tubes that sound awful anyway because it's not set up to run properly, valve amps can be fickle beast & they can also be very dangerous! Some hold on to current for hours after they've been unplugged. A tech can suggest tubes, if you think he's jacking up the price just buy your own, & any decent one will stand by their work so if something happens & it's on them they'll make it right ...
