Vox AC15CC (speaker and tubes)

[Fluffypants]

Hey, everyone. I'm wondering if you guys could help me out with a few questions...

I bought a Vox AC15CC from a friend of mine this past weekend. It seems pretty awesome so far; I'm really happy with it. I mean, I love that warm, shimmering Vox tone, and despite the absence of an effects loop, it responds fairly well to my DD-3 and ShredMaster.

Anyway, it's the regular AC15CC with the stock 12" Wharfdale. I'm wondering if it's worth the money and effort to install a Celestion Alnico Blue (like the AC15CCX). What do you guys think? I've noticed that the low end becomes slightly muddled at higher volumes, which bothers me a little. Would a higher quality speaker help in that regard?

Also, should I re-tube? If I do, will I need to have the amp re-biased? Are the stock tubes pretty decent?

Thanks in advance!

 

[jeremy]

Re: Vox AC15CC (speaker and tubes)

i just played a new vox ac15h1tv with an alnico blues and it was really nice. granted the amp is different but the voicing of the speaker works really well with that style amp

 

[James Rock]

Re: Vox AC15CC (speaker and tubes)

Yeh I would look into blues if you don't wanna fork out the cash for celestions you can look at Weber Blue Dog's but the celestions are probably better.

 

[Kostas]

Re: Vox AC15CC (speaker and tubes)

... Anyway, it's the regular AC15CC with the stock 12" Wharfdale. I'm wondering if it's worth the money and effort to install a Celestion Alnico Blue (like the AC15CCX)...

Yes the Blue speakers are awesome and they define the Vox sound. I think these and the Golds are the most expensive speakers.

 

[Fluffypants]

Re: Vox AC15CC (speaker and tubes)

Cool, I'll go with the Blue then. Thanks, everyone!

 

[jerryjg]

Re: Vox AC15CC (speaker and tubes)

yes, most people swear by the Red fangs in a lot of amps-even tweed clones.I dont see whats so wrong with the Celestion V30's? They give me a nice clean pink floyd type "lunatic is on the grass" sound and also get plenty dirty in my 30 watt class a birtish amp.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Vox AC15CC (speaker and tubes)

the red fang is a great speaker, i have one in my celtic 6L6 aislin and its very nice. it does sound a little different than the celestion blue or gold. the blue is brighter than the other two and maybe a little more crisp. the fang has less top end and more bottom than the blue but is still pretty bright. for the money its hard to go wrong

 

[Fluffypants]

Re: Vox AC15CC (speaker and tubes)

WAIT! before you do anything... I use an AC30CC so this is coming from experience.

http://www.vintageamps.com/plexiboard/

Go to the vox amps page. There's TONS of information there on the new custom classic line of amps. This is where I got all the information I'm about to tell you from.

A) Flubby/muddy bass end is a common complaint. Only resolution I've heard is a new output transformer from Mercury Magnetics or Heyboer. I have a Heyboer here waiting to be installed, but I dont have a small enough screwdriver to get in there and do it yet.

B) if you're looking to retube, www.thetubestore.com has shootouts of the best 12AX7s and EL84's, and they specifically mention how they function in Vox amps as well in some of their shootouts. they compare and contrast different tubes, definately a good informative read

C) I havent played a Celestion Blue or Weber Blue Dog, but I replaced my speakers with Eminence Red Fangs. AWESOME sound. Best part is you can get them CHEAP used either on ebay or on places like thegearpage.net. I think I paid around $185 SHIPPED for two of them (bought them individually). Find me ONE Celestion blue for that price! And the tone is superb, nails that Vox Chime and alnico spank. Honestly, any differences between the Blue and Red Fang may be so subtle, you're really splitting hairs and have to ask yourself "will I be able to tell blind? will an audience be able to tell?" but most importantly: "will my WALLET be able to tell?" Go with the Fangs. Oh, and they're made in the USA.

D) There are a few mods for the amp that make it absolutely amazing. I did all of them to my vox and it sounds absolutely awesome. I'm not sure if the AC15 has the same mods available for it or not, but I probably wouldn't give up my Custom classic even for a vintage vox now.

So check around on the vox page on those forums, there's a lot of info there specifically for vox amps.

Welcome to the vox club.

Joe

Wow! Thanks so much for the detailed info! I'll let you know what I end up going with and how it sounds...

Again, thanks!

 

[Fluffypants]

Re: Vox AC15CC (speaker and tubes)

I drove down to my local guitar shop yesterday and picked up a Celestion Alnico Blue (8 ohm). He doesn't sell Weber or Eminence speakers, but I like this guy and I want to support him, so I bought the Celestion. Anyway, WOW! I am totally sold. The Blue sounds better than the stock Wharfdale by an order of magnitude. The low-end is nice and tight and the highs are shimmering and sparkly, just the way I like them. Also, it doesn't get flabby at higher volumes, which is nice.

I also replaced the preamp tubes while I had the chassis out. The stock EL84s are Electro Harmonix, which I like, so I didn't bother with them. The two 12AX7s, however, were mismatched. One of them was a Tung-Sol and the other was a Sovtek (WTF?). Why would Vox install a mismatched pair of preamp tubes? Anyway, I threw a pair of Groove Tubes in there (ECC83s).

The bottom line is that my AC15CC sounds absolutely gorgeous now. I couldn't be happier with it! I reckon there are a few value-added mods that I could try out, but if it ain't broke...

 

[James Rock]

Re: Vox AC15CC (speaker and tubes)

If it were me I'd replace the Sovtek and keep the Tung Sol in there or at least try it in there. Preamp tubes aren't meant to be matched. I even heard somewhere the Zakk Wylde uses three different 12AX7's in his marshall (all groove tubes though just different models).

 

[Smilemon]

Re: Vox AC15CC (speaker and tubes)

Those GT ECC83 preamps tubes are great, I run two of those in my Pro Junior, which is sorta like a Vox AC15, Two El84, two 12AX7. Those ECC83 give a really smooth breakup.

 

[James Rock]

Re: Vox AC15CC (speaker and tubes)

GT ECC83 preamps tubes are great

That depends on which model some of them are just relabelled Sovtek 12AX7WA's