rockabilly69 Posted October 10, 2013 Posted October 10, 2013 About a month back I bought an Vox AC15C1 for a fly-in gig, and I really liked it. But, I read so many reviews saying that the hardwired version was even better, so I returned that amp and bought the hardwired version. Well the reviewers were right, the HW version is one of the best amps I have ever plugged into. And mine is the lower cost Celestion Greenback version. Here it is... If you're the kind of tone hound that likesthe Vox sound, you owe it to yourself to check one of these out. Two things that I really like are; the hot switch for a gainier preamp setting, and the Master Volume bypass which really makes the amp feel like a vintage model. Also there is a 7.5 watt/15 watt switch that allows a little lower volume grind, and a much better built slightly bigger cab which is plywood as opposed to the MDF!
HANGAR18 Posted October 10, 2013 Posted October 10, 2013 What is the price difference? My AC15 Custom with a Greenback seems to sound really good as it is so I'm not sure that my ears would be able to hear the difference with the wiring you described. I see a lot of fuss on the Web about hand wired amps so I'm wondering how do different wires make an amp sound better?
DetroitBlues Posted October 10, 2013 Posted October 10, 2013 Huge price difference, nearly 3x more, but I tried a used one and the tone is fantastic! Must have amp in my opinion.
slider313 Posted October 10, 2013 Posted October 10, 2013 What is the price difference? My AC15 Custom with a Greenback seems to sound really good as it is so I'm not sure that my ears would be able to hear the difference with the wiring you described. I see a lot of fuss on the Web about hand wired amps so I'm wondering how do different wires make an amp sound better? Nice amp! Is that an original ES330? I would say any amp that's hand wired, (terminal strips) or turret board construction, is going to sound better than its pcb counterpart. Trace wire on a pc board is very thin and usually the resistors and capacitors are smaller. Wire passes signal in much of the circuit, so the thinner wire and shorter lengths will have an affect "tonally". Like a thinner hose will only allow so much water to pass through it; the wire is the hose and the signal is the water. Electronic "geeks" will argue wire is wire and a 470 ohm resistor is still 470 ohms at 1/4 watt or 1/2 watt. It may all look right on paper but let your ears be the judge.
fxdx99 Posted October 10, 2013 Posted October 10, 2013 Nice. The amp's cool. But that guitar - wowzer!
rockabilly69 Posted October 10, 2013 Author Posted October 10, 2013 Questions answered... Price: I paid exactly double of what I did for the AC15C1. Sound: There is a HUGE difference between the amps. The PCB version is a very good sounding amp, and both the reverb and trem are excellent. But, the handwired version sounds GREAT, harmonics just gush out of it, and it really has a vintage Vox sound. Also the cabinet is bigger and made out of plywood instead of MDF, so the amps sounds bigger. If you've got the extra cash, it is worth it. If you don't, the AC15C1 is an excellent alternative. The Guitar: My ES330 is a reissue, and perhaps the best reissue guitar Gibson has made in years. This reissue sounds as good or better than the vintage original that I used to play. Plugged in to AC15HW1, sublime:)
bolero Posted October 11, 2013 Posted October 11, 2013 wow, that is a great looking amp!! congratulations....I'm sure you'll put it to good use!! if it were mine I'd swap in brass top vents, to dress it up a bit...they came stock on some of the handwired models I think can't wait for the clips
rockabilly69 Posted October 11, 2013 Author Posted October 11, 2013 wow, that is a great looking amp!! congratulations....I'm sure you'll put it to good use!! if it were mine I'd swap in brass top vents, to dress it up a bit...they came stock on some of the handwired models I think can't wait for the clips. What models have brass vents?
bolero Posted October 11, 2013 Posted October 11, 2013 the vintage ones had those really thin brass vents ( marshall used them too ), but I'm sure I've seen new reissues with the modern style brass vents. they look like this, although this is a '90's era AC30
rockabilly69 Posted October 11, 2013 Author Posted October 11, 2013 I wonder if they are they are interchangeable?
Guest HRB853370 Posted October 11, 2013 Posted October 11, 2013 Nice job Daniel! Do these run over $2k in price if I may inquire?
rockabilly69 Posted October 11, 2013 Author Posted October 11, 2013 Nice job Daniel! Do these run over $2k in price if I may inquire? They cost $1199 Will. I think they are one of the best deals in ampland:) Plug in a Tele, and instant Tom Petty!
Kuz Posted October 11, 2013 Posted October 11, 2013 They cost $1199 Will. I think they are one of the best deals in ampland:) Plug in a Tele, and instant Tom Petty! Man, that is EXTREMELY reasonable if it is a complete point to point wired amp!!! Wow, I might even look at these.... hmmmm.....
DetroitBlues Posted October 11, 2013 Posted October 11, 2013 Vox recently stretched out with a AC15 2x12. Wish the hand wired was like that.
rockabilly69 Posted October 11, 2013 Author Posted October 11, 2013 Check this ou Kuz, this is this the AC30 version but it looks just like this... http://www.voxshowroom.com/ct/amp/uk/ac30hw-2010/inside_CP3.jpg Man, that is EXTREMELY reasonable if it is a complete point to point wired amp!!! Wow, I might even look at these.... hmmmm.....
rockabilly69 Posted October 11, 2013 Author Posted October 11, 2013 Vox recently stretched out with a AC15 2x12. Wish the hand wired was like that. DB, trust me this thing sounds huge as a 1x12 and a 2x12 would be way too heavy! The cab is 4 inches taller than the regular ac15.
rockabilly69 Posted October 11, 2013 Author Posted October 11, 2013 Vox recently stretched out with a AC15 2x12. Wish the hand wired was like that. It weighs close to 50lbs as is!!!
Kuz Posted October 11, 2013 Posted October 11, 2013 Vox recently stretched out with a AC15 2x12. Wish the hand wired was like that. I prefer one speaker amps. I have two of the best (in my opinion) Fender amps made; 1967 Deluxe Reverb (1x12) and a 1967 Vibrolux Reverb (2x10). Mike (Slider13) and I have talked about one vs two speakers and I agree with Mike, one speaker is the way to go. Everything is concentrated into one speaker. The two speaker amps give you better spread of sound, but the single speaker has better tone.
koula901 Posted October 12, 2013 Posted October 12, 2013 Happy new amp day Rockabilly. Looks like a good one!
rockabilly69 Posted October 12, 2013 Author Posted October 12, 2013 That sounds exactly like my amp does with a Tele. Very good demo!!! With humbuckers it's more creamy though. Jerry Donahue's amp...
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