alathIN
New member
I've got a Vox AC 4 - there are tons of AC 4's; this is the one with a 12" speaker. Bought it used, but I think it's no more than 2 years old if that.
If you're not familiar, this is Vox's small tube combo amp with two 12AX7 preamp tubes and one EL84 power tube. The speaker is a Celestion VX12.
I'm overall very pleased with the amp so it's probably stupid to even talk about mods, I should just leave it alone.
But that's not the kind of guy I am.
I like projects. If I can't find a sensible project, I'll get into something ill-advised.
Some of the mods I've heard/read about people trying and liking:
1) replace the power transformer - one guy recommended this http://www.classictone.net/40-18031.html - supposed to improve the bass tones, also allows using multiple speaker configurations
2) replace the tubes - preamp - https://tubedepot.com/products/electro-harmonix-el84-eh-power-vacuum-tube
3) speaker upgrade - everyone seems to like the Celestion blue and/or greenback in this amp, but it's hard to see dropping that kind of $ into a mod for an amp at this price point. Would be more tempted to sell this one and get one of the "special editions" that already has the speaker upgrade.
Every one of these mods has fans, and also people who made the change and didn't notice much difference.
I play mostly clean, or "clean at the edge of breakup."
I like the classic Vox treble boost / chimey sound, which is what I get with this amp.
The thing that makes all this really stupid is I really like the tones I'm getting now.
If I had to dig deep for things to whine about, it would be:
1) whether it's my house wiring, the amp, or my vintage unpotted Seth Lover pickups, I get a good deal of hum/buzz/noise. My multi effects doohickey has a nice noise reduction option that quiets the noise completely when I'm not playing, and doesn't mess up the tone when I am playing. so not sure if this is really a "problem."
2) I have to play a smidge louder than I'd really like to get the tones I like. Playing in the daytime (rare) I can turn it up from 3.5 to 4.5 and my inner tone seeker goes from very happy to deliriously happy. But I can't do that when the kids are sleeping (mostly when I play).
If any of these mods sound like a good idea, please let me know.
What I probably really need is for someone to talk me out of all this foolishness and just play my dang guitar.
If you're not familiar, this is Vox's small tube combo amp with two 12AX7 preamp tubes and one EL84 power tube. The speaker is a Celestion VX12.
I'm overall very pleased with the amp so it's probably stupid to even talk about mods, I should just leave it alone.
But that's not the kind of guy I am.
I like projects. If I can't find a sensible project, I'll get into something ill-advised.
Some of the mods I've heard/read about people trying and liking:
1) replace the power transformer - one guy recommended this http://www.classictone.net/40-18031.html - supposed to improve the bass tones, also allows using multiple speaker configurations
2) replace the tubes - preamp - https://tubedepot.com/products/electro-harmonix-el84-eh-power-vacuum-tube
3) speaker upgrade - everyone seems to like the Celestion blue and/or greenback in this amp, but it's hard to see dropping that kind of $ into a mod for an amp at this price point. Would be more tempted to sell this one and get one of the "special editions" that already has the speaker upgrade.
Every one of these mods has fans, and also people who made the change and didn't notice much difference.
I play mostly clean, or "clean at the edge of breakup."
I like the classic Vox treble boost / chimey sound, which is what I get with this amp.
The thing that makes all this really stupid is I really like the tones I'm getting now.
If I had to dig deep for things to whine about, it would be:
1) whether it's my house wiring, the amp, or my vintage unpotted Seth Lover pickups, I get a good deal of hum/buzz/noise. My multi effects doohickey has a nice noise reduction option that quiets the noise completely when I'm not playing, and doesn't mess up the tone when I am playing. so not sure if this is really a "problem."
2) I have to play a smidge louder than I'd really like to get the tones I like. Playing in the daytime (rare) I can turn it up from 3.5 to 4.5 and my inner tone seeker goes from very happy to deliriously happy. But I can't do that when the kids are sleeping (mostly when I play).
If any of these mods sound like a good idea, please let me know.
What I probably really need is for someone to talk me out of all this foolishness and just play my dang guitar.
