I forgot to mention. The VOX AC15 I owned had a Greenback speaker in there, which I prefer over the Alnico Blue, but it's all subjective. Thanks for watching. Check it out using the affiliate links below. Rock on! 🛒 Sweetwater - sweetwater.sjv.io/anOEOj 🛒 Thomann - bit.ly/3Iz5P0L 🛒 Sky Music - bit.ly/44lwKJt 🛒 Guitar Center - guitar-center.pxf.io/oq4r4g
great quick demo, thank you for actually running a VOX with a little bit of hair on the notes; VOX lives on that edge of breakup but so many demos start out with a flat lifeless clean tone, giving a bad representation of the true VOX experience. blessing
I gigged with a Vox AC15C1X around 12 years back, and darned if I know why I sold it- they're great. I recently bought another one and love it. Just jumper the two channels with a Y-split and dial in your sound. Using a Tele or a Gretsch, I have to cut back the top end on the EQ a bit, but the magic is there.
Hi Shane, I own a Vox AC15HW with the greenback speaker and live in Melbourne’s east. If you still have that AC15 and you’d like to do a comparison video between it and mine, I’d be happy to lend you mine. Cheers, Michael
I use an AC15C1 with the greenback most of the time. I think it sounds great, personally. I agree with all Shane's points about it as a gigging amp; you can't go wrong with one of these. The only problem I had was the reverb breaking but I upgraded the reverb tank and that solved that problem
I have never owned a tube amp but I'd like to get one. Been looking at the VoxAC15 and the Fender Deluxe Reverb. I need something that sounds good at lower volumes, something that I can play dirty or clean without blowing out the windows in my house. Recommendations?
I can hear the distinct sounds of this Vox that sets it apart from Fender or Marshall amplifiers. I’m not in love with the tones, however I probably need to try one out to be sure. I never want to stop trying new things so perhaps I’ll get one the future!🎸🎸🎸😎😎😎😎
This Alnico blue one has a sizzle, while the Greenback can be dialed in to be a bit smoother and more open sounding. It was fun trying one of these again after so long.
My AC15C1 with Greenback is my go-to gigging amp for indoors. I recently retubed it and it sounds great. I use pedals with the top boost channel on the edge of breakup for lush dirty cleans, but hit it with distortion and wow. I replaced the reverb tank. I wish I had the AC30 head for outdoor festivals. My Mesa Lonestar can't touch the sound I get out of the AC15. The Mesa is way too clean, heavy.
I always thought some amps just 'worked' better with certain pickup types, and this one sounds like it would be killer with humbuckers. Imagine a 70s SG through that thing playing some ACDC or Sabbath.
@Vanq Voxes have a very particular midrange frequency that works well in some cases and not well in others. When I had my AC30 and tried plugging in overdrive pedals, I discovered it sounded really horrible with typical mids-boosting overdrives, so it might not sound good with a mids heavy SG.
@@jurassicrock1950 I was gonna say the AlNiCo Blue doesn't have the ~3kHz dip of other classic Celestions that sweetens the tone. The Weber Blue Dog and equivalent WGS speakers do have the sweeter tone.
My Vox AC15C1, from around 2010, has always sounded boomy but with ice pick treble. The gain sounds messy... never been a big fan and I'm not sure why I've not sold it!
That was my experience too. Added the blue speaker, NOS tubes, even clipped the bright cap but the high end was harsh and piercing and the overdrive sounded ratty and loose. I guess it just wasn’t for me.
I prefer knobs on the front side of the amp, like my Deluxe Reverb and California Tweed. Still, on top is not so bad when I can read the knob descriptions from the front. I have the AC15C1, knobs on top, knob description facing front side. I rarely play it. I also have a Friedman Runt 20 Combo. Knobs on top but the descriptions are facing toward the back. Unless I want to read them upside down, I have to stand behind the amp to read them. Not practical because it's against a wall, which is the only space available for it in my music room so I never play it. Great sounds, but I can't stand the Friedman for that one simple reason.
Haven’t seen that Tele with the Bardens in a while. Love that ax! Nice video, Shane. Vox is certainly on my list of amps to add to the arsenal. I noticed you haven’t been using the CaptorX lately. Any reason?
@@SpookyApparition no kidding! Hey I saw your other comment too about your Vox being boomy & ice picky. Have you tried new tubes? I put in Mullard preamp & JJ power as soon as I brought the amp home. Huge difference, much smoother
Had my hands on one once - borrowed, was for sale, played a gig at a record store with it. They sold it the next day. This modern version sounds great!
Very Cool, Thankyou. Love Vox Amps, I have a Vox VT40+ and it is amazing. Dream of an AC15 or AC10 one day (as only home use), but love the sounds from the Vox VT40+ for now. Cheers
Great review once again Shane. :) I will definitely stick to my Fender and Marshall. I like the Breakup of the Marshall better, and; the Clean of the Fender. jmho though.
I finally bought an amp/cabinet switcher that allows me to mix/match several amps and cabs. Now I can do Alnico/GB and others! Nice video. Really like this amp.
No distortion pedal needed. Awesome tones; blues, heavy rock and head banger. Great amp, great video. I've owned a few vox amps, they've always been reliable and carry with that sound only vox can do.
Thanks for the vid. Very heavey tones, but the amp seemed to cope with it. 2 years debating what amp i want. Got it down to this vox or an egnater tweaker 40.sorry i can't stand telecasters 😂 sorry had to say it 🙈 most overated guitars ever. Good for one bluesy tone. Sold mine after 4 months. Going from that to my les paul just made me never wanna pick it back up.
The reason is that the Beatles' manager struck a deal that massively increased the visibility of Vox amps. If he'd struck a deal with another manufacturer, Vox might not have achieved the same status. That said, Vox would already be known to The Beatles, because The Shadows, who achieved success a few years earlier, used them.
That’s not an amp that sounds good by itself, imo. Great player and always able to get some sweet tones but this is too “peaky” I just like the Fender Blackface cleans and just off clean sounds better. Maybe this Vox would sound good in a band setting to my ears.
I personally can't stand the Vox sound. A couple of years ago i even purchased a 10 watt Vox amp that i had a great deal on, hoping that it might change my mind but sold it a week later 😀 Great video as usual Shane, just wanted to share my feelings about Vox 😀
@@intheblues For me that sound is way too harsh, thin, icy, earpiecing. So I never bought a VOX AC type. But I own two VOX amps too. A VOX channel switching 50W amp, build by Marshall (EL34) and a VOX Tony Bruno with 6V6's and switchable master volume. Many greetings from Germany.
I forgot to mention. The VOX AC15 I owned had a Greenback speaker in there, which I prefer over the Alnico Blue, but it's all subjective. Thanks for watching. Check it out using the affiliate links below. Rock on!
🛒 Sweetwater - sweetwater.sjv.io/anOEOj
🛒 Thomann - bit.ly/3Iz5P0L
🛒 Sky Music - bit.ly/44lwKJt
🛒 Guitar Center - guitar-center.pxf.io/oq4r4g
that is what I own ,the one with the Greenback.Great amp!
I agree, those alnico speakers have a lot of spiky top end!
I love it cranked with the bridge pu of the tele! Great sound Shane!
It’s a great amp , I have one 👍Thanks Shane, and those guitar faces are priceless
The AC15 is a great value in the tube amp market for an iconic amp.
Thanks Shane now I want another amp ! 😆
You couldn't tell by my user name but this is my favorite amp. Lol
This is my favourite amp of all time and space! Mine has the Greenback, which is my personal preference :)
The Greenback is the way to go for sure. The Alnico is more expensive, heavier, and not quite as nice to the ear.
great quick demo, thank you for actually running a VOX with a little bit of hair on the notes; VOX lives on that edge of breakup but so many demos start out with a flat lifeless clean tone, giving a bad representation of the true VOX experience. blessing
I gigged with a Vox AC15C1X around 12 years back, and darned if I know why I sold it- they're great. I recently bought another one and love it. Just jumper the two channels with a Y-split and dial in your sound. Using a Tele or a Gretsch, I have to cut back the top end on the EQ a bit, but the magic is there.
Hey Shane! Your videos are improving a lot in quality! Love them! Great job man!
Thanks, Daniel. :)
i have a VOX VR30r its a 30 watts, with a 12ax7 preamp tube only. I still love it.
Hi Shane, I own a Vox AC15HW with the greenback speaker and live in Melbourne’s east. If you still have that AC15 and you’d like to do a comparison video between it and mine, I’d be happy to lend you mine. Cheers, Michael
That's ROCK'N'ROLL right there! \m/
I use an AC15C1 with the greenback most of the time. I think it sounds great, personally. I agree with all Shane's points about it as a gigging amp; you can't go wrong with one of these. The only problem I had was the reverb breaking but I upgraded the reverb tank and that solved that problem
Reverb breaking seems common with amps. I've had a blues Jr the reverb broke in as well as a peavey classic 30
One of my favorite combo amos ever.
I have never owned a tube amp but I'd like to get one. Been looking at the VoxAC15 and the Fender Deluxe Reverb. I need something that sounds good at lower volumes, something that I can play dirty or clean without blowing out the windows in my house. Recommendations?
I can hear the distinct sounds of this Vox that sets it apart from Fender or Marshall amplifiers. I’m not in love with the tones, however I probably need to try one out to be sure. I never want to stop trying new things so perhaps I’ll get one the future!🎸🎸🎸😎😎😎😎
This Alnico blue one has a sizzle, while the Greenback can be dialed in to be a bit smoother and more open sounding. It was fun trying one of these again after so long.
Great job ,, with the tones you were getting I'm sure you sold a few, thinking I might need to grab one myself .........
Thanks Shane
Cheers!
My AC15C1 with Greenback is my go-to gigging amp for indoors. I recently retubed it and it sounds great. I use pedals with the top boost channel on the edge of breakup for lush dirty cleans, but hit it with distortion and wow. I replaced the reverb tank. I wish I had the AC30 head for outdoor festivals. My Mesa Lonestar can't touch the sound I get out of the AC15. The Mesa is way too clean, heavy.
I still like the Fender Blues Deluxe more but really like hearing you play on either of them.
Just saying.
I always thought some amps just 'worked' better with certain pickup types, and this one sounds like it would be killer with humbuckers. Imagine a 70s SG through that thing playing some ACDC or Sabbath.
100%. They are also used a lot for Telecasters. It's a bit of a classic combination. :)
@Vanq Voxes have a very particular midrange frequency that works well in some cases and not well in others. When I had my AC30 and tried plugging in overdrive pedals, I discovered it sounded really horrible with typical mids-boosting overdrives, so it might not sound good with a mids heavy SG.
I don't think an AC15 amp is good for Sabbath at all.
I have one and my 1974 Guild S100 sounds fkn amazing. I put a Weber blue dog in it and the green back in a closed back extension cab, OMG!!!!!
@@jurassicrock1950 I was gonna say the AlNiCo Blue doesn't have the ~3kHz dip of other classic Celestions that sweetens the tone. The Weber Blue Dog and equivalent WGS speakers do have the sweeter tone.
My Vox AC15C1, from around 2010, has always sounded boomy but with ice pick treble. The gain sounds messy... never been a big fan and I'm not sure why I've not sold it!
That was my experience too. Added the blue speaker, NOS tubes, even clipped the bright cap but the high end was harsh and piercing and the overdrive sounded ratty and loose. I guess it just wasn’t for me.
@gibsondcxpl85 I did the bright cap mod too, I thought it helped a tiny bit. Not enough to make me love the amp unfortunately.
I prefer knobs on the front side of the amp, like my Deluxe Reverb and California Tweed. Still, on top is not so bad when I can read the knob descriptions from the front. I have the AC15C1, knobs on top, knob description facing front side. I rarely play it.
I also have a Friedman Runt 20 Combo. Knobs on top but the descriptions are facing toward the back. Unless I want to read them upside down, I have to stand behind the amp to read them. Not practical because it's against a wall, which is the only space available for it in my music room so I never play it. Great sounds, but I can't stand the Friedman for that one simple reason.
I was going to buy one used but when I saw that it weighed almost 50 lbs, I changed my mind.
Haven’t seen that Tele with the Bardens in a while. Love that ax! Nice video, Shane. Vox is certainly on my list of amps to add to the arsenal. I noticed you haven’t been using the CaptorX lately. Any reason?
How are your ears not bleeding?! Cranked master & top boost channel? That’s serious commitment to your review
That would make me go deaf in 10 minutes. The high end is insane with on the top boost channel.
@@SpookyApparition no kidding! Hey I saw your other comment too about your Vox being boomy & ice picky. Have you tried new tubes? I put in Mullard preamp & JJ power as soon as I brought the amp home. Huge difference, much smoother
Shane may have used his Captor X to attenuate some volume. Without one my Boogie would be almost unusable in an apartment.
Nope. Not on amp videos - never.
I have the ac30c2 and love it
Wow sounds beautiful... ❤
Thanks mate!
Had my hands on one once - borrowed, was for sale, played a gig at a record store with it. They sold it the next day. This modern version sounds great!
Very Cool, Thankyou. Love Vox Amps, I have a Vox VT40+ and it is amazing. Dream of an AC15 or AC10 one day (as only home use), but love the sounds from the Vox VT40+ for now. Cheers
Yep! I play a VOX AC15 with teles and I love the sound. Only distortion and blues pedals to make the amp work a bit harder.
Great review once again Shane. :) I will definitely stick to my Fender and Marshall. I like the Breakup of the Marshall better, and; the Clean of the Fender. jmho though.
Can you get good overdriven tones at bedroom volumes?
Not really, no.
I finally bought an amp/cabinet switcher that allows me to mix/match several amps and cabs. Now I can do Alnico/GB and others!
Nice video. Really like this amp.
That cranked top boost was like almost Queen.. The cleanish, is dirty blues.. Well I’m buying another amp..
No distortion pedal needed. Awesome tones; blues, heavy rock and head banger. Great amp, great video. I've owned a few vox amps, they've always been reliable and carry with that sound only vox can do.
So to get clean tones I would need to roll off the volume knob on the guitar?
cheers
Love to see a comparison between this amp and the hand wired version of the AC15 that Vox makes.
A good demo, Shane. I can see/hear how this would be a great live amp to give a guitar prescience.
Don't know if I like it but i just scored a 2015 C1 for 130$. Should be here in a few days. I couldn't miss the deal.
Get some good Tom Petty/Mike Campbell tones with that.
JANGLY! There. I said it.
I mean, he’s playing a tele as well
Dare I say it? Chimey
Really enjoyed the review. Would have bought one of these years ago except the weight is just nuts by todays standards.
Thanks for the vid. Very heavey tones, but the amp seemed to cope with it. 2 years debating what amp i want. Got it down to this vox or an egnater tweaker 40.sorry i can't stand telecasters 😂 sorry had to say it 🙈 most overated guitars ever. Good for one bluesy tone. Sold mine after 4 months. Going from that to my les paul just made me never wanna pick it back up.
I prefer Fender and Marshall amps but I have to admit that there is a reason why Vox sound plays a big part in Rock n Roll history.
The reason is that the Beatles' manager struck a deal that massively increased the visibility of Vox amps. If he'd struck a deal with another manufacturer, Vox might not have achieved the same status. That said, Vox would already be known to The Beatles, because The Shadows, who achieved success a few years earlier, used them.
That’s not an amp that sounds good by itself, imo. Great player and always able to get some sweet tones but this is too “peaky” I just like the Fender Blackface cleans and just off clean sounds better. Maybe this Vox would sound good in a band setting to my ears.
I prefer the Vox Night Train 15 Combo. It's everything you need.
I personally can't stand the Vox sound. A couple of years ago i even purchased a 10 watt Vox amp that i had a great deal on, hoping that it might change my mind but sold it a week later 😀 Great video as usual Shane, just wanted to share my feelings about Vox 😀
it has to be forbidden by law: a thin guitar aka Telecaster on a thin harsh sounding VOX. Ba, ear shuttering.
Nearly all of the country players use a Vox or Vox Clone with a Telecaster. You're in the minority with that thought process.
@@intheblues For me that sound is way too harsh, thin, icy, earpiecing. So I never bought a VOX AC type. But I own two VOX amps too. A VOX channel switching 50W amp, build by Marshall (EL34) and a VOX Tony Bruno with 6V6's and switchable master volume. Many greetings from Germany.
The Blue is a heavy speaker, adds noticeable weight