Vox AC15-TB

Korg/Marshall reissue made in the mid-90's. Basically has the preamp section of the reissue AC30 top boost (originally designed by Bedrock and acquired by Korg) with a 15-watt output section. In order of controls from behind amp, left to right: 1 channel with 2 inputs, the first of which has a 3db boost; 3 input controls -- volume, treble, and bass; 3 effects controls -- reverb blend, tremolo speed, and tremolo depth;1 master volume knob; and power mains section -- standby switch, on/off switch, and red pilot light. One 8-ohm twelve-inch Celestion G12M-70-watt speaker (not original, put in by previous owner for more headroom). Five ECC83 preamp tubes (stock Chinese), two EL84 output tubes (stock NOS JAN Philips), and one 5Y3 rectifier tube (stock NOS JAN Philips) -- 15 watts RMS in Class A (probably comes out of pure Class A and goes into Class AB when pushed hard just like all Vox amps -- sorry, but it's true). Tubes are facing the front of the amp on side of chassis and are difficult to reach without removing the chassis. One long detachable three-prong power cord. Three jacks on the under side of the chassis -- white-colored line out, white-colored footswitch jack, and red-colored speaker jack. Includes black Vox footswitch pedal with two on/off footswitches for tremolo and reverb, respectively. The amp is about 40 pounds and bigger than other 15-watt style amps like Princetons, etc. The amp uses Printed Circuit Boards (PCB). Black-tolexed cabinet is not as tall as original AC15's but is about 12 inches deep and open-backed, which is nice for a little better bass response. Exposed (unbagged) reverb unit attached to the bottom of the cabinet. Nice brown Vox-diamond grill cloth rounds out the amp. Overall, a nice mix of old and new technology but a little too modern for Vox purists or vintage amp junkies and me.

The amp is a very loud 15-watts but still quiet enough to crank in a bigger bedroom. I use the boosted first input jack exclusively and I don't use or need the master volume. Most people don't like the sound of preamp distortion anyway, but the preamp master volume distortion on the Vox is quieter and nowhere near as dirty at peak as a master volume Marshall. With the master volume on full (effectively turned "off"), the amp starts to distort at about six or seven (keep in mind that my speaker is a replacement 70-watter with more headroom) and maxes out volume wise at about the same. The reverb in the amp is not as lush or deep as Fender reverb -- no surf here. The reverb in these amps have been known to have problems, particularly loose posts that tend to cause buzzing in the key of F#. My amp has this problem if reverb is cranked, but I don't use amp reverb anyway so it's not a problem. A quick fix is a dab of glue on the posts or a Fender reverb bag. The tremolo is very deep and nice and some of the better tremolo I've heard in a small amp. The depth needs to be turned up past four or five to make it noticeable, but it still gets plenty deep after that. The tremolo speed is also has a big range. Tonally, the amp is very bright. The bass needs to be cranked for any real bass response. The treble and bass controls are interactive -- turning up the treble actually boosts the treble AND cuts out the bass. I set my bass on full and treble on about six or seven in order to keep some bass response. Treble after seven to eight and the amp becomes way too trebly, thin and quiet. Definitely can get some Vox jangle out of the amp, esp. if you try a reissue Celestion/Vox Blue 12" speaker or an aftermarket Weber Blue Dog (I've heard both in the same amp. Yugo Ei preamp tubes also add more jangle to the sound for the stock NOS JAN Philips are a bit too warm. The amp also uses printed circuit boards (PCB) which may make it a problem for do-it-yourself amp fixers who want to tinker. Also, the six fuses for the amp are mounted on the PCB, so replaces fuses or tubes requires you take the chassis out, making fuse or tube changes on stage a pain or impossibility. In sum, for what I payed ($650 US), it's a nice compact Vox-sounding amp; I would not pay the $1100 US price tag for a new one.

The amp seems very solid construction-wise and was well taken care of. It hasn't broken down in the few weeks I've had it, but I haven't been cranking it one a daily basis yet (although I have been playing it a few hours every day). The reverb problem mentioned in the Sounds section above is pretty common from what I've heard, but it doesn't take a lot to fix it. Fuse or tube repairs are going to be impossible if they die during a gig just because of their poor placement (again, see Sounds section above). I would use it without a backup now while I know it's still new, but I'll probably bring another amp along as it ages and gets used more regularly under club/misuse conditions. The PCB construction and tube and fuse location will require you to have a qualified technician look at the amp for some simple maintenance if you're not comfortable with electronics. I have heard that the PC boards in these amps are still better than PC boards used by other brands, but I have no proof of that. For what I payed, however, I'm happy with it and trust it for the next few years.

I have not dealt with Korg/Marshall, and the one-year warranty has already run on the amp. There is no schematic with this amp, so I will have to find a qualified tech that is familiar with this reissue amp if problems arise.

I've been playing for 14 years out of my 25 now and I've played/owned a variety of equipment. I've tried this amp with a Rickenbacker, my Epiphone Casino and my beater Kramer Aerostar. Other amps I've owned include a 1976 Fender Super Twin, 1972 Traynor Bassmaster Mark II, Laney Linebacker, etc. This Vox gives me a nice fairly authentic Vox sound in a nice smaller package. I think changing the tubes and the speakers as mentioned above can make it sound more Vox-y. I am happy with the amp and would buy it again at the price I got it ($650 US). However, I do not think this amp is worth the new price of $1100 US. You'd be better off looking at alternative Vox-sounding amps such as Tophat amps. The reissue Vox AC15 does not sound as beautifully Vox-like as the 15-watt Matchless Lightning, but it's much less expensive and a much better deal -- the difference in sound isn't worth THAT much money. I'm concerned about the PC board, fuses and tubes on my Vox, but the amp is new enough that I'm not going to worry about it for awhile. If you can get a good deal on a used one, buy it. Do not buy it brand new unless you've looked at Tophat amps but would rather spend extra bucks for the "Vox" emblem.

1 channel, 2 inputs, input volume, treble, bass, blend (reverb), tremolo speed and depth, master volume, reverb and tremolo on footswitch, line out...all an amp really needs...

I use a Gibson Les Paul Standard and a Gibson Chet Atkins Tennessean (main guitar)..through a tube screamer and mxr distortion+ and delay unit...both guitars, especially the Tennessean sound AMAZING through this amp...much more than I expected from a Korg Reissue...the amp really sings once you crank the preamp (it doesn't get very loud until you do either)...even with the input volume (preamp) all the way up, the distortion isn't brutal or harsh, (you can't play metal here)...clean sounds are brilliant and ring like a bell but you can't get it very loud before it starts breaking up

I have only had the amp for a day or two so I can't say as far as reliability...I always gig more than one amp so I'm usually set (unless my marshall 100 watt super lead breaks down and i'm only left with a vox ac15...would make for an interesting show)

Never delt with Korg so I don't know?

As far as amps go, my main amp is a Marshall 100 watt Plexi (super lead)...I had been A/Bing it with a Fender Twin Reverb (it was mainly there for a backup)...I wanted a different smaller combo to round out the sound...the AC15 compliments the Marshall very nicely...keep in mind you'll have to mic the hell out of the AC15 for it to operate as more than just a small monitor for you next to a Plexi...but this is an excellent studio/practice amp and if you have the opporunity to mic an amp, go ahead and use it live...I doubt I could handle it as my main gigging amp even with it cranked through the PA, but I might find out soon enough if the Marshall ever breaks down mid-set...If it were stolen or lost I'd most definitely buy another...Tremolo is a welcomed addition and works great in the studio for cool throbbing effects...It beats anything in its class (15 watt, portable, small club/practice amp) and is a great all around amp for many styles of music...

Two inputs (one is higher gain); volume; treble; bass; reverb; tremolo speed; tremolo depth; master vol; on/off; standby; line out; speaker out; footswitch (trem and reverb).The tremolo is great, good range of speed and depth; reverb is fine; master volume setup doesn't produce as much gain/distortion as I thought it would, but that's OK with me; The tone controls are sort of odd: Though I tend to use a treblier setting on most amps, on this amp I have the bass on full and the treble at about 2:30. Past 3:00, the treble really thins the bass out and gets quite tinny. Not a one-trick pony, but maybe a three trick pony.

Use it mainly with a Fender MIJ Telecaster with Duncan vintage broadcaster pickups (STL-1b and STR-1) and an Epiphone Casino (great Beatle-y tones), I'm looking for a Rickebacker 330 to play through it. Even when fully cranked with some effects in front of it with single coils it's really quiet. Has that great chimey Vox tone that you know and love from R.E.M. Tom Petty/Mike Campbell, U2, the Beatles (and most other 60s Brit Invasion). NOT LOUD, at all. I can crank it wide open in my apartment and not disturb my neighbors too much. MUCH quieter than a Fender Blues Jr. (but sounds 1000% better) or a Matchless Lightning 112 (doesn't sound quite as good, but is less than 1/2 the price). I've been told you can put a GZ34 rectifier tube in it and push the output to 23-24 watts without damaging it. I plan to do this, to get it closer to output of a Fender Deluxe Reverb, which is a great practice/home/small to medium club output level. The overdrive is wonderfully clear and tight, even when cranked all the way, and will clean up by backing off the guitar volume. Higher output pickups would probably drive it much harder (mine are pretty low output single coils). The reverb is OK, not full and lush like an older Fender (recent Fender reverb sounds like crap to me), but very usable throughout its entire range. The Tremolo ROCKS; it goes from subtle wavering to stuttering chop. One of the best tremolos I've ever heard, especially built in to an amplifier. Only the Matchless Hurricane (and their VibroBox preamp/effect pedal) comes close. I didn't get the version with the Celestion Reissue Vox Blue speaker, as I got a great deal on this one and I didn't hear $250 worth of difference. The 12" Eminence that's in it is OK, but I plan to replace it with a WeberVST P12B Alnico Blue Dog, to bring out more of the upper mids and that true Voxy character. However, the Eminance sounds perfectly acceptable.

From all reports, they're pretty reliable. Getting to the tubes is tough, as you have to take the chassis out of the cab. Corners are plastic, and they don't look real tough. I may replace mine with black metal corners. I'd gig it (and will) without a backup (though I'll carry spare tubes).

I haven't dealt with them personally, but have heard good stories about Korg (Vox's parent company) customer support. One of their reps (Mitch) is a frequent poster to the Vox Showroom BBS, and seems genuinely concerned and helpful. Warranty is 5 years (I think) on everything except speakers (1 year?) and tubes (90 days).

I've been playing for 15 years, but this is my first Vox product, even though my favorite guitar players are Vox players. Not a true reissue of the AC15, but a great update that's affordable and useful, as the AC30 is much more expensive, MUCH louder, and MUCH MUCH heavier. I'd buy another one without hesitation. My only complaints are that I'd like the tone controls to be a little more predictable, and I'd like it be louder (though not as loud as the AC30).

Single channel with few bells and whistles. This model varies significantly from a vintage AC15, but all of the changes are definite improvements in my opinion. I love the sound of many vintage amps, but I don't worship at the alter of authentic vintage. The industry has learned a few things over the past 30-40 years about how to make amps more useable. The features of this amp which are not vintage (master volume, reverb, standby switch, direct out) are all nice improvements. In my opinion, this is the best of both worlds--classic Vox sound with useful new features.

The only reason I didn't give it a 10 is the fact that another amp of similar size and design, the Matchless Lightning Reverb, (in my opinion) sounds even better. This amp has sweet mild distortion and clean chime with loads of character. I have the AC15TBX model which has the Vox "blue" speaker (an alnico magnet speaker which I feel adds to the warmth). I use a PRS Custom (which sounds great through many amps) and a Rickenbacker 360/12 (which needs the right amp to sound great). Sound is highly subjective--if you want to play metal there are better (and less expensive) choices. This may not be the best amp for country or Jazz. I love the Class-A EL-84 Vox sound, and to get the sound I want, I have to pay.

We'll see. One problem I had right away is that the "tremolo" foot switch controls the reverb and the "reverb" foot switch controls the tremolo.

I have never dealt with the company.

As I stated before, sound is a matter of taste. This amps suits my tastes exactly. I love the sound, and at 15 watts, I can get a great sound at a volume level that doesn't harm my hearing or the foundation of my house. I've been playing for about 25 years and have owned many brands of amps (Matchless, Fender, Ampeg, Marshall, and others). This Probably won't be the last amp I'll ever own, but I'm very happy for now.

A single Channel "pure class A" amp only 15 watts RMS. I'm not sure what that means, but the amp is heavy and has all valve parts (even the rectifier). It Features Volume,Bass,Treble,Blend(for a 3 spring reverb tank)speed and depth (for all tube tremelo) and a master volume. There are two inputs(high and low level) and a line out (to go into a board or drive another amp.) The unit also comes with a footswitch which will turn tremelo and reverb on and off. With all these features you may be wondering why I would only rate the features a 6. The amp is not very versatile, which I will get into...

The amp sounds great, but with the volume turned max and using the Master volume to controll the overall loudness, I discovered that the amp does not truley distort unless at very loud levels. It has a very warm sound that seems to cut through without any harshness. I use primarily a Rickenbacker 360 jg direct into the Vox. It is very easy to nail the sounds of U2,R.E.M.(older albums) and the new STONES sounds. The reverb is excellent and very usable and definable with different settings of the blend knob. I would say this is a plus compared to a Marshall (you don't notice the reverb until knob cranked to 10) or a FENDER (the reverb is unusable with the knob turned over 3).
I really love the tremolo tube circut. Man it is warm and echo's into a fade away. Just like R.E.M.'s What's the Frequency Kenneth. I threw my Boss Tremolo footpedal into the bottom of my closet.
The amp does not do a lot of sounds. Just clean to overdriven, but it does it so well that I have to give it a 10.

I have been playing for the past 22 years. I usually run the Vox along side a Fender Deluxe and a Marshall JCM 30. I use stereo guitars like the Rick mentioned above a Gibson Lucille and a Les Paul rewired stereo. I also use an array of AB boxes and a Boss Compressor,Flanger and Chorus pedals. I can get a variety of sounds this way. (I also own a 52 Tele, 56 Strat, and a 59 ES-175). I play everything from Jazz, Rock, Classical, Baroque, but deep down I play the Blues. This Vox is good for Rock. If I had to limit myself to one simple setup I would stick with the Lucille and Fender Deluxe. If you have the Bucks to spend, I think the Vox would make a great second amp, it is just not going to get a lot of sounds like the other Amps do on the market. I have to say though that used in conjuction with my other Amps, this Vox adds so much warmth that I am able to use the bridge pickups on my guitars (yes even the Tele) and get a very listenable tone that won't tire the ears after a song or two.