Vox AC15 C1

293

This item runs exclusively on an operating voltage of 230 V and therefore requires a voltage transformer to run in your country of United States.

Electric Guitar Combo

  • All-tube
  • Power: 15 Watt
  • 12" Celestion G12M Greenback Speaker
  • 3x 12AX7 (ECC83) Preamp, 2 x EL84 Power amp
  • Inputs: Input Normal, Top Boost, Volume, Treble, Bass, Reverb, Tremolo (Speed and Depth), Standby, Power switch, Tone Cut Regulator
  • Back: 2x Speaker outputs
  • Impedance Switch (8 or 16 Ohm)
  • Dimensions (W x D x H): 602 x 265 x 456 mm
  • Weight: 22 kg
  • Optional footswitch: Art.198735 (not included)
  • Optional suitable case: Art.317592 (not included)
Available since December 2005
Item number 185686
Sales Unit 1 piece(s)
Power 15 W
Speaker size 1x 12"
Power Amp Tubes EL84
Channels 1
Reverb Yes
External FX Loop No
Recording Output No
MIDI Interface No
Connection for External Speaker Yes
Headphone connection No
Footswitch connection Yes
Incl. Footswitch No
Weight in kg 21,7 kg
$688
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No-one's little brother

The Vox AC15, often called the little brother of the iconic Vox AC30 due to its lower watt output and 1x12" speaker configuration, doesn't live up to this name, as the original model first saw the light of day in 1958. The AC15 can therefore be described instead as the first generation of the AC30. This new edition, the Vox AC15 C1, also retains the essence of the classic. 15 watts of all-tube power are combined with a 12" Celestion Greenback speaker - and together they create a sound typical for Vox. By the way, the volume reserves should not be underestimated, not even with the 15-watt version, because it is perfectly adequate for most purposes. In terms of sound, the range goes from headroom-rich clean sounds coming from the Normal channel to the dynamic overdrive sounds from the Top Boost channel. Spring reverb and tremolo are also available for three-dimensional sound effects.

Plug and play

From a technical point of view, the AC15 C1 has two channels: The Normal channel and the Top Boost channel. When connecting the guitar, however, you have to choose one of the two channels and its input jack. The Normal channel is rather simple and features only a volume control, which determines both the volume and the distortion level - you can't get more plug-and-play than that! In terms of sound, the Normal channel offers plenty of clean headroom. Only when it's fully cranked up does it deliver a bit of crunch. The Top Boost channel, on the other hand, produces a very dynamic vintage distortion via its volume control, which can also be adjusted with the volume potentiometer on the guitar. In addition, the channel offers an EQ section made up of treble and bass. Finally, the Tone Cut control of the power amp can be used to dampen the treble of both channels a little. The spring reverb and tremolo effects are both continuously adjustable and can also be activated via an external foot switch.

The amp for all Rock & Roll purists

With its tight bass, warm, punchy midrange, and radiant highs, the AC15 C1 is ideal for anyone who likes a pure and honest vintage Rock sound, but doesn't necessarily need the high output of the AC30. The 15-watt version is not only lighter, but can also be driven into power amp saturation more quickly at relatively moderate volume levels. Nevertheless, it still has enough power on tap for every gig. And if, despite all the odds, the internal speaker isn't quite up to the task, there are two additional speaker outputs on the rear panel. The Vox AC15 C1 is an amp for professionals who know exactly what they want, but it's also interesting for ambitious beginners considering the relatively low price for an all-tube amp of this quality.

About VOX Amplification

VOX Amplification is a world-renowned manufacturer of music equipment. The company was founded in 1957 in the British town of Dartford by Thomas Walter Jennings. Probably the most famous product of this long-standing name is the VOX AC30 guitar amplifier, an enhancement of the earlier and smaller AC15. The AC30 can be heard on countless classic albums that made Rock history. The Beatles, for example, had an exclusive contract with VOX and used their amplifiers throughout their career. Countless offshoots of the AC30 followed over the years, and other amp models, effects units, organs, and even electric guitars and drums were added. Today, VOX's product range includes almost everything you need to make music, and the company also offers a lot of useful digital tools for the original VOX sound, including a range of virtual amps, multi-effects, and software.

From the rehearsal room to the studio, all the way to the stage

The Vox AC15 C1 has the classic Rock sounds associated with Queen guitarist Brian May, for example. Especially boost pedals, which May also uses frequently, harmonise perfectly with the amp to tease out vocal leads in addition to the warm clean sounds and the dirty crunch. In general, the amp is a popular pedal platform and can be seen on stage with numerous British Indie bands and also in various recording studios. With its size, the AC15 C1 still fits into every rehearsal room as well as on every club stage. With its astonishing all-tube power, however, it can also be used for much larger gigs. By the way, if you want more sonic diversity when performing with your AC15, you can also use an AB switch to route the guitar signal alternately to one of the two amp inputs and thus use the channels according to your current needs.

293 Customer ratings

4.7 / 5

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148 Reviews

H
Profitable amp if you know what you want!
Hebb 26.04.2021
This Amp-series might be one of the more famous ones in the world, and the "status" that it has is understandable. I've it stationed in my bedroom beside my little "studio" corner and of course, it's a good looking amp and also a sort of decoration. The features may be limited but that's almost what to expect, if you're looking to buy an amp from the AC-series you know what you're searching for. As in my case i'm a huge U2 fan and that's is actually the main reason why i bought it.
Basically you have two options, either the Top Boost or the Normal channel.
I'll summarize it quickly from my point of view.

Top Boost - No additional pedal is needed to create a crunchy/overdrive sound.
Normal - Might need something between the guitar and amp to crunch it up a little...

A really good additional pedal to the Top Boost option is a simple Compressor pedal, my main order is basically: Guitar - Dyna comp - Delay - Vox Ac15. And for solos i usually add a Boss Sd1. It's quite simple when comparing to the tones you can get.

Then should you buy it? It depends...
1. Do you want to imitate specific bands, for example U2, Queen etc?
2. Do you have access to a place where you can really crank an amp to it's max?
3. Do you have a few different guitar pedals? (Probably yes..)
If you can tick these 3 then you might be the one to buy a Vox AC-15.
Now comes the 3 opposite questions..
1. Do you play at home, ex in an aparmtment/townhouse?
2. Do you have a really expensive guitar and almost no pedals?
3. Do you want a Vox AC-15 but with the Alnico blue speaker instead of the Greenback stock version?
If you can tick these 3 then might not be the one to buy a Vox AC-15..
I'm living in a house with neighbours in almost every direction and it's not very often when i can even crank it up to 50% without worrying about getting complains, i've solved this sort of by having compressor with relative low volume on. But i'm not fully satisfied with that solution.
Then as i said it's features are limited. Tremolo and Reverb is the only effects you can mod around with so i'd recommend having a few pedals just to spread the capabilities.
And the speaker... i underrated the Alnico blue speaker and planning on ordering it to get it replaced with the Greenback speaker. I'm not saying the Greenback is bad (which it isn't) but it's not the tones i'm searching for. So dig into the two options just to be sure you're choosing the right one.

Summarized it's a great amp and of course a really good option if the AC-30 is too big for you. I'm only 17 and i do not have all the money in the world but i still find this amp "cheap" compared to its capability. And especially to U2 fans wondering if it's any good for "U2" purposes - It doesn't requires more than this amp and ex a Korg SDD 3000 to give me shiver =)
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K
Classic Looks & Sound
KMickP 18.04.2020
After much research I chose the AC15, the other main contender was the Fender Blues Junior but the Vox won on looks, sound and features. I also considered the AC30 but in real world use it was too loud and had too much headroom in that as I don’t play stadiums, I rarely would be able to get the amp cranked to the sweet spot & would risk a mutiny with the other players. The AC15 is loud enough in a band situation and you can get the power tubes cooking enough to get the true Vox sound.
The first impression as I took it out the box was the look of quality, the amp, it looks fantastic & well put together. In terms of sound, it just oozes classic tone which is effortless to achieve. There isn’t an effects loop but takes pedals great just going direct into the front end of the amp. In terms of genres I play mostly rock so with or without pedals it works great and Jazz & funk tones are easy to dial in. Nothing not to like so far.
In summary, it’s a fantastic buy, I’ve owned pretty much every major brand of amp and this is up there with the best and certainly at this price point, probably is the best!

Thanks to the guys at Thomann, flawless service as usual!
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JF
Love it!!!
John F. K. 26.11.2019
I have the amp for a while now and i love it. I play it with a player series Telecaster and it just sings on both clean and dirty tones. I haven't had
the chance to listen to it before i bought it and i took a risk. It's way better sounding than any review on youtube. I thought Fenders were the cleans champion in my ears but the Vox is right next to them. That chime is awsome!

So,t to answer some usual questions: Tried it with a loud drummer and had no problem at all. I play mostly RnR with overdrive or distortion. For clean sounds you might need to mic it in a big gig situation. For home use is great as soon as you don't want to play too quietly. You can play it at low volumes and it will sound ok , but it shines more when it's loud(....and trust me this thing is loud). Master volume helps a lot in. I play it home at low volumes and i'm happy with how it sounds. I'm realistic, no loud valve amp will be great at low volumes.
I don't use many pedals but it took anything i threw at it great. No problems there.

So , is there anything i don't like? The amp is on the heavier side. I work out and i'm in good shape but still is not easy to move. More handles like the ac30 would help to carry it with a friend. I really don't think i should deduct any stars from my rating for it.

Thomann packaging and service was great. I really hope their aftersales policy is as great as i've read in many forums i follow.

Overall i recommend it. As i've already said...i love it!!
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A
Classic British tube tone in a durable, solid and attractive package.
Anonymous 04.01.2017
When the time came for a decent amplifier upgrade, the main options I was looking for were mainly Fender and Vox. With a budget of roughly 1000E to spend, the main amps in my mind were the Fender Blues Junior, Fender Hot Rod Deluxe, and the Vox AC15c1 and AC30c2 models. Playing in a 60s rock'n'roll. rhythm and blues band. I always loved the tones coming out of the Vox AC30s and AC15s of The Beatles, Rory Gallagher and Brian May - and while the chiming rhythm sounds and soaring, overdriven solos of some of their iconic songs always resonated with me, the appearance of their Vox amplifiers (with their iconic tolex grilles), always appealed to me, too. It was for these main reasons that I gravitated towards the Vox amplifiers over the Fender ones.

Why did I go for the AC15 over the AC30 though? The Vox AC15 does the chime and jangle that are perfect for the 'Hard Days Night" early Beatles tones and jangle of Tom Petty, as does it the crunchy, overdriven tones synonymous with Brian May, Rory Gallagher and Oasis. It's smaller frame is also more suitable for my home environment, though it retains much of the tonal qualities of it's larger brother (but it houses a single Greenback speaker instead of two and a lower output of 15 watts). The amp is built to be durable and mine has seen no signs of damage or detrimental wear (or tonal / speaker degradation) in it's extensive use since it's purchase in May. Furthermore, the smaller body won't break your back in comparison with the lumbering AC30!

Overall, the amp is pure Vox tone - sounds terrific with my Rickenbacker and Fender guitars, and does both chiming, jangling rhythms and scorching, gritty leads perfectly. If I had to find a fault in it, it would be that in comparison to the AC30, the AC15 has slightly less 'headroom', with not much in the way of mid-range tonal control. This may be nit-picking though, as I genuinely believe the AC15 does both clean and overdriven tones justice, and handles a multitude of pedals very well. The amp also excels in studio and the tones recorded from it are crisp and colourful. Lastly, for around the 500E mark, you're absolutely getting bang for the buck and won't break the bank! I'm delighted with mine.
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