The temptation of a Vox

[noelford]

(Also posted on the Shadowmusic forum, so please ignore if you've already seen it there.)


I have this dilemma with regard to my amp.

I currently use a Pod XTL, usually modelng a Vox AC15, a Quadraverb GT with EFTP and an Atomic 112/50 Full Range Flat Response amp (basically a power amp). For the sort of material I play (mainly Shads and similar instrumentals), I get a fabulous sound and am more than happy with it.

The dilemma is, I would really like to simplify my set up and am really tempted to buy a Vox AC15 Heritage. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to get to hear one live, so I wondered if any of you who have, or who perhaps actually own one, could advise.

Apart from the tone, which I understand is exceptional, I would like to know about the volume. Is this amp loud enough for playing to backing tracks in a smallish club room? If I did go for an AC15, would I later regret not paying the extra for an AC30?

Or should I just be happy to be getting a great sound from my present set-up?!

Any help, much appreciated.

[Charlie Hall]

Hi Noel,
If you are currently using your system to play the backing tracks as well, I'd leave it as it is.
If not, then I think the AC15 Heritage would be powerful enough for your needs, and even in a full band situatiuon it could be miked.
Regards,
Charlie

[noelford]

Thanks Charlie. Just to clarify, my set-up, as described, is for guitar only. My backing tracks are played through a Peavey Escort PA.

[Charlie Hall]

Hi Noel,
I did try an AC15 Heritage that a customer brought to show me and found it sounded brighter than I was expecting, but very good. Apparently the Vox Blues fitted to these are Chinese made so that could be the reason for the added brightness.
Regards,
Charlie

[sheendigs]

Hi There
Ask Roberto his nickname is betowelch..he has been using an AC15 for three years now..if I am not wrong.
He must know his sound very well by now and If I am not wrong again..his clips on youtube has this famous 'VOX' sound.
I was also astounded by the power of 15 pure watts! ;D
Sheendigs

[noelford]

Thanks, Sheendigs, very helpful.

[peterbower]

Hi
We had a guy in my Shads club bring one to our club meeting and it sounded very nice but using it with our live band, i noticed it was starting to over drive, only slightly, at higher volumes.

As Charlie said, it can always be miked up.

Peter

[betowelch]

Aug 17, 2009 1:16:01 GMT sheendigs said:

Hi There
Ask Roberto his nickname is betowelch..he has been using an AC15 for three years now..if I am not wrong.
He must know his sound very well by now and If I am not wrong again..his clips on youtube has this famous 'VOX' sound.
I was also astounded by the power of 15 pure watts! ;D
Sheendigs

Hi Noel and All:

Well I can tell that has a very great volume for a 15 watts...I use it in a small home-studio and I set its volume on 15% of total range.....and my wife complains with me that it's too high and that the neighboors could will complain.........
And I think that it could also done the work (without miking) also in a small club room.....
Great amp...but probably it could be improvement with additional upgrading in tubes. I'm thinking now to replace all tubes....And after that ......I'll never think in another amp for Shadows music...

Cheers from Brazil
Roberto

[cleggy]

Hi Noel, I am new to this site.

I also had the same dilemma regarding the ac15.
I bought the ac15 cc1 & it is powerful enough for pubs & clubs. There are a few advantages of owning this amp in comparison to an ac30. First of all an ac15 is quieter in operation when practicing at home (less line noise.)It is also easier to carry around (you may soon get fed up with lumping around an ac30) I don't know about the Heritage, but the ac15 cc1 has an external cabinet output jack where you can plug in an extra cabinet for more volume if you have to play in a bigger venue & don't want to or can't mic your amp up. You could store away the ext. cab & just use it when reqd.
I have not heard a Heritage, but my amp sounds great, so the Heritage should be even better as it is a more expensive model.

cleggy

[noelford]

Peter, Roberto, Cleggy, thanks to all for the thoughts and info. I think I'm going to find a club where there's a Vox or two and I can make the comparison against my present set-up.