Vox AC15C1 1x12 inch 15-watt Guitar Tube Combo Amplifier w/ 2 Channels, Tremolo, and Reverb

I needed an amp that had character to go along with my Hot Rod Deluxe which I consider a clean pedal platform and the AC15 did not disappoint. That Vox shimmer is all there and it's wonderful. I love the high end and I love this amp's distortion. It has a character to it that makes you play a certain way. It sounds like a Vox but doesn't force you to sound like anything. It has a character of its own without taking over your own sound. I use this amp as one of two that I use for practice and recording. Being able to switch the transformer output to 8ohms from 16 is great because you can hook this up to a load box or an 8ohm external cabinet without having to buy any extra gear. I already had an 8ohm load box and did not want to have to buy a 16ohm variant. The amp sounds the same regardless of whether you've set it to 8ohms or 16 when using the external speaker input. Playing live in the room sounds amazing as well. It has a great sound that gets plenty loud but you're still able to play at bedroom levels thanks to the master volume knob. Both the top boost and normal channels are nice, it just depends on the sound you're going for. Personally, I tend to only use the top boost channel but there are times when the normal channel is needed for maybe more mellow, jazzy tones.I'd say this is a pretty versatile amp but it's not a pedal platform. It takes pedals well but it's not a blank slate. I wouldn't recommend this as a first tube amp for someone who really wants to color their tone with pedals. I'd say this would be the second amp for that person. For the person who is into getting most of their tone from the amp and not pedals, this would make a perfect first tube amp (or second, third, or final one at that).The reverb is decent. Not amazing but not bad either. I like it but some people get snobby about it. The original AC15 didn't have reverb or tremolo so I think that somehow has been translated into "the reverb and tremolo aren't good because they're not historically accurate". Use your ears, don't convince yourself that something doesn't sound good because you put the thing on some weird pedestal. The tremolo is actually very nice. I like the tremolo a lot and wish I had more use for it. I don't use it often and I've never recorded it but when I do use it it's a lot of fun and sounds great. I have to make it a point to record the AC15's tremolo because it's nice.Overall it's definitely a different sound than the Fenders I'm used to and I like it a lot more than most Fender amps. That said, amps are an extension of your instrument. Each amp will turn your guitar into a unique instrument and just how people have different guitars for different sounds, so it is with this amp. It's my favorite but I could never choose just one.This is perfect for recording and for being an at-home or studio amp. You could even perform with it. It is loud enough. If your purpose is performing live more than using it at home or the studio then maybe an AC30 is better. Having played both I can say the difference between the two (besides the obvious specs and loudness) isn't that great. They both have basically the same tone and it really comes down to portability and loudness. Sound quality is perfectly equal between the two. And I just have to say there's something magical about Vox amps that keep me coming back to them. I'm not sure what it is but I'd recommend this one any day to anyone.

After 3 years of using a Fender Super Champ X2, I needed an upgrade for recording purposes. I passed on a Blues Jr for the AC15. One week later and I can't quit playing it. It's great. So I had one issue, and I'll run through that real quick, maybe it will help someone who reads this.The amp developed an annoying high end rattle while playing. This started occurring a few days after I got it, or maybe I just then noticed. So, I decided it could be the tubes, and I had a few 12AX7's laying around. Before dealing with a return, I pulled the back off (some 20 screws!) and replaced the two 12AX7s closest to the speaker. The rattle went away. I guess this was my first encounter with a microphonic tube? The sad thing is: I liked the tone, sans the rattle, from the cheap Chinese ones they had in there slightly better. But that rattle had to go.Now, I guess I should be more ticked. I had to fork out an additional $20 and some time on a $600 purchase less than a week after it's arrival but... well I've heard of this with Fenders before too and it appears to be the norm in the < $1k tube amps (aka. Chinese tube amps). The reality is, you now own a tube amp and you're officially in the business of replacing tubes, so they don't care if they break you in early.Having said that, this amp is superb. If you're wanting to be another Kenny Wayne Sheppard or Joe Bonamanamasa, I would stick with the Blues Jr. If you're doing rock, alternative, art rock etc., I would go with this amp. The Beatles and Deep Purple are the most notable users but I associate the sound with bands like Radiohead, REM, The Cure etc.

I started playing guitar in 1963... as a "kid" as I was learning to play guitar with some friends in Kansas City, including Pat Metheny and Butch Soto. I have played on everything, Fender, Peavy, Marshall, (Bogen, say what?) why you name it, but I never had the money for VOX. And I just bought this AC15C1 and a two twelve cabinet, and now I am pumping my Player Telecaster thru 15 VOX TUBE amps and three 12" Greenback Celestions.... 3- 12's - and I am in HOG Heaven! This sounds so good. Well, heck - go buy it if you think your family will stick around. :-)

Had this amp for a little over three weeks now, and I'm really happy with the purchase. The amp gets WAY louder than I thought it would, and easily goes over a drummer in a rehearsal setting. The tone of the amp is pretty good through crappy guitars- I'm currently saving money for an American Fender strat or tele.The only issue I've had with the amp is the sound of distortion pedals through it. I bought this amp for the Vox tone though, so it's not that big of a deal. The amp's dirty sound is great, but sometimes you want a little different sound(fuzz or regular distortion), and the distortion pedals I've run through the amp are overdriving the tubes and muddying the tone of the pedals(even in the clean channel). I've also only had it for a short time, and probably just need a little time to mess with everything to find the sweet spot. I may switch the tubes for a little more headroom on the clean channel. I also need to try out an overdrive pedal to see if that will get the effect I want.I had owned a Fender Blues Jr and a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe, and I like the tone from this amp much more.