Vox AC15 or Vox AC4C1-BL

[selfdestroyer]

Worth the money? Best bang for my buck?

I know there are a few that have one, if not both of these and might be able to give me some suggestions.

I have some money to spend at Sweetwater and was looking for a smaller/portable amp but loaded with tone to take around with me. I have a Fender Reverb Twin RI and its just too damn heavy to take everywhere and also way too loud for living room playing.

For the most part I will use this amp for jazzy stuff with my Epiphone Riviera but also some classic rock/low gain stuff. No doom or destruction with this guy.

Thoughts?

Cody

[Guitarmageddon]

I had an AC4TV, which I loved, but sold eventually.
Just recently I wanted something like it, so picked up the AC4C1-BL and was very disappointed with it. I manly play jazz, and it was unusably bright, with no power, headroom or low end. There are some mods which I tried, but didn't help enough. I can't recommend it at all, unless you want a chimey Beatles type sound.
AC15 I haven't played, but it would have to be better.

In the end I grabbed a Blues Jnr III, did some simple mods, and am extremely happy with it.

[Cortexturizer]

I've played an AC15 a couple of times but found it to be a bit dark for my taste when cranked. But also, on a gig, my friend had his, and he used a pretty average sounding Epiphone LP Custom at the time, and it sounded glorius, exceptional clean tone and very nice blues tone when used with a muff-style fuzz (a Pharaoh I made for him). So I am a bit undecided on this one personally but considering what you've described you would use it for, I'd say go for it.

[playpunk]

I have the ac4-bl and I like it.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[timbo_93631]

Is the AC15 at the top of your price range?  I'd take a long hard look at a Princeton Reverb reissue first...

[selfdestroyer]

Some good info guys, thanks

Is the AC15 at the top of your price range?  I'd take a long hard look at a Princeton Reverb reissue first...

You talking about the '64 or the '68? Looks like sweetwater carries both and they they also qualify for the 24 months no interest which is good. Any experience with either of the reissues? I was trying to keep it under/around $600 but I will definitely consider it.

Cody

Cody

[GermanCdn]

I've got an AC15 handwired head with the normal and EF86 channel, picked it up used for a little less than your target budget.  Enjoy it quite a bit, especially the EF86 channel for cleans, but it's taught me that I'm really a master volume type guy (until the sound proofed man cave gets finished next summer, then I'll be a deaf non master type guy).

[playpunk]

To elaborate: I have a ac4-BL that I mic when I play (at a church). I run it mostly clean and use pedals for dirt. I find that this setup gives me the best range of toanz. We have a silent stage with an electronic drum kit, so the low wattage works well in that situation. If you weren't all the way on the other side of the country I'd say you could check mine out, but that would be inconvenient.

[Bret608]

Like Ben I also did mods on my Blues Jr. and am really happy with it. I think Tim's suggestion about the Princeton is also really good. If you do want to keep it under $600, you could grab a Blues Jr. from Sweetwater and get Bill M's basic mod kit. The improved values in the tone stack and the adjustable bias will easily get you into jazz territory if that's what you're after. The mods aren't too much of a pain as long as you're careful.

[jtn191]

The AC15 is supposed to be fairly comparable to the Blues Jr. but without reverb. imo, I'd rank them
1. Princeton Reverb ri- portable, great sound, expensive, reverb
2. AC15- portable, higher headroom, no reverb
3. AC4- cheapest, most portable, lowest wattage/headroom

They're also pretty much ranked in order of price. For jazz with a Riviera you'll want something with enough headroom, I'd go with 1 or 2.

[selfdestroyer]

The AC15 is supposed to be fairly comparable to the Blues Jr. but without reverb. imo, I'd rank them
1. Princeton Reverb ri- portable, great sound, expensive, reverb
2. AC15- portable, higher headroom, no reverb
3. AC4- cheapest, most portable, lowest wattage/headroom

They're also pretty much ranked in order of price. For jazz with a Riviera you'll want something with enough headroom, I'd go with 1 or 2.

The AC15 has Tremolo and reverb.
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/AC15C1

I would love to go with the Princeton since I am a Fender whore as it is but I am thinking that may be out of my price range right now. Man I hate decisions like these.. lol

Cody

[selfdestroyer]

I got a little more ammunition tonight. I forgot to mention that today err.. its after midnight now.. the 11th was my 15th wedding anniversary. The wife said she would kick in a few hundred and I think I can now get the '68 Princeton custom reverb. I have watched a grip of videos and some of them show the amp really breaking up a lot very early on like 3 or 5 on the volume. I am concerned that will not be enough clean headroom for living room playing. Am I crazy for thinking that? I am in an apartment and do not want to anger the neighbors. I did watch the JustNick video and he loves it... I don't take everything he says to be "the truth" but he does seem to hit some good points for me on most reviews.

Should I make the jump and do it? I know its like asking junkies if they want another hit but I really value your guys opinions.

Cody

[timbo_93631]

Cody, I haven't been inside the '68 RI yet (yours could be the first!), but they did some changes to the original circuit to get it to break up sooner.  From what I have read I think they decreased the amount of negative feedback, and I'd imagine they are hitting the output section a little harder too.  You could try using a 5751 in V1 and V4 (preamp and PI) for a really low cost way of moving that breakup point later.  As for the neighbors etc, all the amps you are looking at are capable of angering the neighbors. 

[kothoma]

As for the neighbors etc, all the amps you are looking at are capable of angering the neighbors. 

In an apartment even a 5 W tube amp (clean/to the edge of breakup) could be too much for neighbors unless there are thick walls.

[selfdestroyer]

Thanks everyone for your help. '68 Custom ordered. It's been a long time since I bought an amp. Got that excited/nurvous feeling. I'll pop the good on it when I get it and do a review.

Cody