AC15C1 AC30C1 Question

[asimmd]

Hi All

Is there any difference in the tonal qualities between these 2 Amps,or
are they the same except for the power.

I am aware that one answer could be yes because the AC30 is a 2X12
so it has a bigger cab,but the AC15 can be put through a 2X12 as well.

Thanks

Alan

[didier]

The main reason for two speakers in an AC30 is power handling. When it was designed the speakers used couldn't handle more than 15W, so two were needed. Early AC30 prototypes had only one speaker, but this was quickly dropped, obviously because the speaker didn't last long !
Now there are speaker which can handle over 30W, this was the case for the AC30 C1 (now discontinued) which used a single Celestion NeoDog speaker.
Tone isn't much different, an AC15 is perfectly suitable for Shadows' sound, and it's easier to carry !
The AC30s were designed at the request of the Shadows who needed more powerful amplifiers to cope with larger venues and screaming audiences, but at this time, amps were not miked to the PA.
Guitar Express, the best known french Shadows' tribute band, has dropped using AC30s on stage, they now only use AC15s.

Didier

[asimmd]

Thank you Didier,AC15 it is.

Alan

[peterbower]

Absolutely right Didier, Hank had also mentioned to Dick Denny that he liked the Fender Twin which he had seen and allegedly used at Abbey Road Studios on couple of occasions, but I have no info on what tracks he used the Fender on if any. This gave Dick Denny even more incentive to keep Hank on board with the new AC-30.

I saw a band using AC-15 amps and they were being pushed to the limit as you could hear the distortion creeping in, they were starting to break up on some numbers, so watch your volume or mike up.

Peter

[localhero]

For me the AC15 is a waste of money, I had the Heritage and sold it - Why ? because it's great for recording but useless for live gigs because it doesn't cut through before distortion.
I found the AC-4 does just as good a job for indoors and recording and it's smaller and a lot cheaper. Do the maths, it makes sense.

[bor64]

Well Localhero, It all depend on the gig isn't it?
Small room.... less (sitting)crowd I like to use my AC15 or my DC30 on half power.
Bigger venue and/or dancing crowd my Matchless DC30 or my Vox AC30 on power...or anyone named miked up to the PA.
Mind you a DC goes louder then a run of the mill AC30....my AC30 (a 6 vents "CBS" Vox with grey speakers)goes more then 10 watts more then the average 33 watt AC30 because of the design they used back then....
Downside is they run hotter..

Cheers Rob

[bor64]

Alan, if you can use a AC15...
Like Didier wrote +1

Cheers Rob

[didier]

Dec 22, 2014 17:08:20 GMT peterbower said:

Absolutely right Didier, Hank had also mentioned to Dick Denny that he liked the Fender Twin which he had seen and allegedly used at Abbey Road Studios on couple of occasions, but I have no info on what tracks he used the Fender on if any. This gave Dick Denny even more incentive to keep Hank on board with the new AC-30.

I remember Hank saying in an interview that he tried Fender Twin amps, but that he preferred the Vox sound...

I saw a band using AC-15 amps and they were being pushed to the limit as you could hear the distortion creeping in, they were starting to break up on some numbers, so watch your volume or mike up.

For club playing, AC15s are loud enough. For large venues, guitar amps are now almost always miked, so you don't need more powerful amps.

Guitar Express with their AC15 H1TV :



The bass player uses a Fender Bassman TV 12.

Didier

[asimmd]

It will be an AC15 now I know there's no tonal difference.

Alan