Vox AC15 V. AC30

beggar_guitar

beggar_guitar

New member
I love the Vox tone. I played an AC15 the other day and fell head over heels in love. It was so warm and clean. I tried driving it a bit and getting it to break up and was very impressed. I was playing instore so I didn't really get to crank it. How much headroom do these have (The AC30 as well)? When I get to a place where I can actually Buy then I will seriously put the amp through its paces, but since I was just trying a guitar out through it and not looking to buy the amp I didn't.

How does it compare to the AC30? What can I expect tonally from one to the other? I didn't have a chance to play the AC30, but I intend to go give it a test drive.

I'm usually a high-gain player, but this amp just speaks to me. What would be my option for high gain if I bought one? Some pedals or would I be better off to A/B it with a higher gain amp?

Also if you are going to A/B to amps should I go with combos or heads? Can the heads share the same cabinet?

Thanks,
Al
 
Re: Vox AC15 V. AC30

i can't answer all your questions, but i recently bought an AC15cc with the celestion alnico speaker. If you keep the preamp lowish and crank the master, it stays cleanish. But i've noticed on another vox-geek forum, that when headroom is a request, most guys get sent to the 2x12 AC30, which will give you tons of headroom, but will destroy your back, so your head will be lower by a few inches anyway. ;-)
 
Re: Vox AC15 V. AC30

I've got an AC30 with top boost and blue alnicos, and I can tell you that beast is LOUD! I run a THD Hot Plate between the amp and the speakers, because I love the grind I get when it's dimed and played with a Rangemaster-style treble boost.

The amp starts breaking up around 1:00, but the cleans before that are to die for. I use my Vox for either sparkle or full-on crunch.

- Keith
 
Re: Vox AC15 V. AC30

Very different amps i think.To my ears ,the AC30 is a killer amp with lots of balls and a perfect clean tone.Pure Rock'n Roll!Riffing makes extreme fun.OTOH ,the ac15 is more focused ,is more tame and had a "gentelmen" falre in it.If you want some "hard" tones ,go for the 30.If you like to stay a gentelman ,go with the 15
 
Re: Vox AC15 V. AC30

Thanks for the info so far.

From what you guys are saying it's drawing me more to the AC30. I will have to make sure and put some time in with it to be certain though.
I want plenty of head room as well I want some nice crunch to it. So I believe I want the "harder" tones.
 
Re: Vox AC15 V. AC30

Oh, you should definitely put in some time with the two amps before making a decision. I don't know a lot about the AC15, but the AC30 is capable of performing some amazing tricks.

- Keith
 
Re: Vox AC15 V. AC30

Ac30 has much more clean headroom, and probably needs some kind of pedal to get a high gain tone, but it does crunch well well turned up. Keep in mind its a very loud amp despite its wattage rating.

the ac15 is more focused sounding to me, crunches easier than the Ac30, but obviously doesnt have the headroom as well. Ac30 has a more open ballsy tone, but the ac15 would be a more managable amp if you were looking for crunched out lead tones. Still, if you have the capability to run the Ac30 at high volumes, it will sound better than the Ac15.
 
Re: Vox AC15 V. AC30

While I am not near as into crazy high gain tones anymore will that be possible with either amp? Not straight outta the box persay, but with some sort of pedal? Or would my best bet be to A/B it with a higher gain amp?

Initially I would go the pedal route, but I consider this a step towards my "dream amp(s)" if I needed a 2nd amp I would get one. Of course I guess that question goes with personal taste. Do I want a lot of pedals in the signal or do I want more readily available tones "out of the box"
 
Re: Vox AC15 V. AC30

KGMESSIER said:
The AC30 is a heluva heavy amp to tote around, too, but to me the tone is worth it.
Click to expand...


It's what 80lbs? I'd probably invest in a rolling case or something of the sort. Well.. no probably. Definitely! That would be an investment I seriously want to protect. My tastes may change by the time I have the funds anyway.
 
Re: Vox AC15 V. AC30

I strongly recommend a rolling case of some sort.

If you want gain, check this out. It's my '94 Les Paul Standard (Seymour Duncan JB bridge) into a Rangemaster treble boost clone, then into the normal channel of my AC30. The volume on the AC30 is dimed.

I recorded this with a Shure SM57 mic into an M-Audio FireWire 410 audio interface, then into my Mac laptop.

I always have to add this apology: I double-tracked the guitar, and my timing is off in a couple places. However, you get the idea with the tone.

- Keith
 
Re: Vox AC15 V. AC30

Cool! Thanks for the clip. So it's capable of getting some heavy tones. I guess it will just take time and tweaking to see if I like it or if I would A/B.

Heck I am just theorizing right now, but I am talking like I am gonna go buy it tomorrow. lol

I can't remember. Does the footswitch just contol tremelo/reverb or is there any kind of boost on the amp?
 
Re: Vox AC15 V. AC30

KGMESSIER said:
I have an AC30TBX reissue, not a Custom Classic. I'm not sure if mine has a footswitch jack. With mine, I just plug in and play.

- Keith
Click to expand...


Alright. I had noticed there seemed to be a couple dif models of the AC30. I need to do some homework about whether or not one will suit my needs better than another.

Any other amps that are a similiar ball park tonally?
 
Re: Vox AC15 V. AC30

Lol I have an AC-15 clone head...and with a good cab it is way sweeter than any AC-30 I have heard( and that is alot )
Headroom in AC-30's??
Must be a new phenomonem!
The old ones where clipping at even normal levels??
Well not going into pure od before cranked hard though.
The old AC-15's where killer recording amps, one of my friends had an old one with an extra outlet for a external cab, we used to stick it to an old marshall cab with Greenbacks...awesome tone!
 
Re: Vox AC15 V. AC30

^^
Thanks for the differing opinion.

Could you explain the difference you found in tone? What kind of cab do you run into?

I've seen a head version of the AC30. Do they make one of the AC15?
 
Re: Vox AC15 V. AC30

I played an AC15CC a while back and loved it, thought it had a great clean and crunch, not super clean but good for rock/blues but have not been back since. Lately I have been on a Peter Green kick, do you all think the AC15 would provide that kind of tone? Just asking before taking the time to go down and test poorly copied Greeny licks thru it while the whole store watches :smack:

Dano
 
Re: Vox AC15 V. AC30

Dan-ola said:
I played an AC15CC a while back and loved it, thought it had a great clean and crunch, not super clean but good for rock/blues but have not been back since. Lately I have been on a Peter Green kick, do you all think the AC15 would provide that kind of tone? Just asking before taking the time to go down and test poorly copied Greeny licks thru it while the whole store watches :smack:

Dano
Click to expand...

Test drive it anyway. You know you're not going to be satisfied no matter what any of us say, so check it out and let us know how you liked it.

- Keith
 
Re: Vox AC15 V. AC30

Dan-ola said:
and test poorly copied Greeny licks thru it while the whole store watches :smack:

Dano
Click to expand...

My first music teacher gave the school concert band some good advice on that.. if your going to make a mistake or do a part poorly, do it loudly and proudly and don't let anyone think you are making a mistake.

Loud being a dimed AC30 in this case.
 
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