Vox AC15-TBR

This is a 2002 model, all valve class A AC-15 with the Vox/Bulldog speaker 2x10".1 Channel, with 2 input sockets normal channel - tone, input volume, reverb, vibrato depth, speed (+ f/switch turns on vibrato& reverb), + master volume .....

this amp sounds excellent with my '52 tele, so warm and full!With master on ten amp is fairly clean , Then it starts to break up in a very natural way. If the pre-gain is up around 7-8, the amp sounds like a smoothly overdriven !!!!I mainly use a 1966 fender mustang and a fender reissue '52 tele.
I play blues rock, country, and classic rock and is great for my music.
love it!!!!!

ok!!!

ok!!!

i've been playng my guitars in many amps ( orange ad15, fender '59 bassman, fender super 60) but nothing give me this ....( also the bassman !!!!). Tremolo is a welcomed addition and works great in the studio for cool throbbing effects.These are no longer made so they will get harder to track.

Made in 99, had it about 2 months now. Play mainly rock and for that I think its perfect. Replaced tubes in it as they were the originals. Replaced them with JJ's and instantly noticed a difference, figures seeing as they were 6 years old or so. The only drawback i feel is that in larger venues volume wise it struggles a little. Front of house it makes no difference because it is always miked but in hearing the amp on stage it can be a little hard at times. I blame this mainly on crap foldback from sound guys around the place who never seem to turn the foldback on.

This is as good as it gets. Have a Gibson Les Paul custom and 57 reissue strat and both sound fantastic. I think the strat shimmers especially. Hardly any hum at all which I found suprising. I crank the master all the way up and have the pre around 6-7. I know alot of people keep it at 4 but the breakup is fantastic when you crank it a bit. Use a Dod bi-fet to boost the strat and TS9 for overdrive. Memory man for delay and vox wah 846. Sounds great with all effects however i find the TS9 takes on more of a fuzz face sound with this amp which hasnt really grown on me so im swapping it for a Menatone Fish Factory.

Havent had a problem yet, the only pain in the ass is the position of the tubes. You have to take the whole chasis out to change them over. My only fear is blowing a tube mid set, because it would take ages to swap over.

At 1500 it was a steal, im on the lookout for another one so i can run 2 in stereo. These are no longer made so they will get harder and harder to track down so heres hoping.

The previous review has prompted me to write an update. Please refer to the review by CS-that's me, hello.

Features stay the same.

Since the last review I have upgraded my guitar and pedals to a 57 ri Strat and a Fuzz Factory, Fulldrive II and a DD3.

This amp sounds much better with a Fulldrive 2 in comp cut working as a 'clean boost'. The Fuzz Factory seems to work best with EL84 amps (or this one).

IMHO this amp needs a high gain preamp tube to get the best from it.

Here we go...

3 or 4 sets of EL84's, 2 or 3 sets of ECC83's and a total melt down later (needed valves iincluding rectifier, output tranny and just about everything soldered back in). My tech confirmed it was a 97 model and asked me to contact korg/vox as he thought that it had been put together badly. I did so and they wanted to look at it but I just wanted rid so I declined the offer. I saved up some money to trade this for a more reliable amp and the *#$% thing developed a loud hum. Just finished isolating the problem (having sulked for a week or two) and it was the lead (wheres the blushing icon? shame on me and shame on George L). I've just finished an inspiring 30 mins of playing and the amp works really well (for now). It's worked more than once so 2.

I give Korg UK an 8 because they didnt tell me to f.. go away when I complained about a 6 year amp (under duress from my tech).

I'm going to give this amp a 4 and steal a line from another review on the AC15. Would I buy it again? yes no yes no yes no

Features, where to begin...There aren't too many features on REAL Vox amplifiers, Class A constituting real. However, the two that are present, Reverb and Tremelo, both offer great sounds. For those of us who know quality amplifiers features are not an issue.

Sound, wow, what can I say? It's a Vox, it's awesome. In my opinion there is NOTHING that matches the sound of a Vox amplifier for an undistorted tone. I've played countless guitars through my AC-15 and it will make anything sound amazing. I play a Les Paul almost exclusively and the sound is unreal. I've also used many Strats through the thing and the sound is sick...Deep smooth bass and treble that Fenders and Marshalls could only dream about. Interestingly, my old Yamaha, one from their glory days of the early 90's sounds unbelievable through this thing. I've tried just about every amp on the market and nothing, I mean nothing, will beat the sound of a Vox. If you think I'm exagerating take this into consideration. I bought this amp when I was 13 years old and spent every dime I had on it. I went to Dave's guitar shop in LaCrosse WI at 9:30 a.m. on a Saturday. They had just recieved this amp the night before on a trade in for, you guessed it, an AC-30. I plugged in and fell in love. I had been trying vintage Marshalls, Fenders, and Matchless amps but this one took the cake. This thing was so hot they didn't even have a price tag on it! I just told I wanted it and they said okay. I got it for $650, a steal in my opinion. Really, how do you put a price on perfection?

Realibility, please, this thing is quality. I've never once had a problem with it. I've played it for 7 years without it ever once having a problem. To boot, I've only replaced the tubes once and I push this thing. Although I've never had to deal with Vox about a problem I can only imagine that they would offer top notch service. I almost forgot, I used to teach guitar lessons and occasionally I'd leave this thing on for a day or two in a row. It almost made me cry each time I did it. However, I'd plug right in and there was ZERO effect! How many amps have you heard of that can stay on for 72 hours straight without destroying themselves or burning down your house?

Has one of these every broken?

Like everything I've said before about this thing, it's AWESOME. I will never ever ever get rid of it. I recently went into Dave's and took my baby with me, the Vox. My buddy who works there who also is a Vox fanatic thought I was trading it in. When I told him it was to check out some new gear through it we shared a good laugh. If this thing were to be stolen I would hunt down the person who took it and steal the breath from their lungs. No other amp will ever challenge, let alone match this thing for tone. After all, tone is what it's all about, isn't it? My only issue with this is that I don't have 10 of them to create a wall of sound alla Brian May. If you've never played one of these you're missing out. I reccomend this product to every single guitarist I meet.

This is a 2001 model, all valve class A AC-15 with the Vox/Eminence Bulldog speaker (1x12"). Single channel, no effects loop. It has a preamp gain control so you can push it up to an AC/DC like crunch even at low volumes. I prefer to run the preamp volume at about 6 (just on the edge of breakup) and crank up the master vol. Love that class A output valve saturation. This amp has a line out (post reverb, before power amp) which I run into a Boss VF-1 for delay/ chorus etc into another amp. But it's the Vox's tone driving my sound.

This is a LOUD 15w. I'm gigging with 2 bands - in the two guitar format I use it at near full volume, and the 1 guitar + keyboards format solos cut through the band nicely on about three quarter vol. I should add that at larger venues I'll use the Marshall to boost my solo volume.

I have other amps with more features and lots of knobs to tweak, but I use this one for gigs. Can't beat that Vox class A tone. Maybe a switchable extra gain stage would be handy, as long as it didn't compromise the clean sound.

Mostly I'm playing classic rock/pop. My usual setup is PRS custom 22 >CryBaby >Ulbrick 12Axe (the world's best TS808 replacement!) >AC-15 >VF-1 >Marshall combo. Forget about those incredibly expensive boutique amps; with the Vox and the 12axe (with its true bypass) I have all the sounds I want, and the clean sound beats any Marshall I've owned. Really smooth natural valve compression, just the right subtle breakup when pushed. Not at all unforgiving like Fender clean can be.
The only change I've made is to swap the Bulldog speaker for a Celestion Greenback. It's a fairly subtle difference, but I've always liked the warmth of the greenback. I've also tried this amp through a 2x12" marshall box with Vintage 30's. You won't believe it's only 15w! [take care if you do this - the Vox speaker load is 8 ohms - 2x 8ohm speakers in parallel will probably damage the amp - I used 2x16ohm vintage 30's].

I've only had it for 2 months (no probs though). It's class A, so I expect to be changing output valves every year or so. Changing valves will be a pain - you have to take the amp out of the box to do it (same as changing the speaker). I don't really know how to rate reliability, but because I don't expect a Class A amp to be as bullet proof as a Class A/B I'm taking a point off. ANother point off because of difficult valve access.

I can't really rate this. I've emailed the distributor for some technical info a few days ago, and no response yet...

I've been playing about 25 years, and I've owned a lot of stuff, amps, pedals, guitars and even a few keyboards. THIS is my gigging AND play at home amp. It's light & portable enough that I don't mind carrying it around. With this amp and my simple pedal board I can go from Creedence to Hendrix, with some Santana and Matchbox 20 in between.
If it was stolen I would probably kill the person who stole it and then buy another one.

This amp is a 2001 model single channel, 15W amplifier with class A circuitry. I play moderate to heavy rock and this amp suits me fine. You will love this amp if you are into bands like Zepplin, U2, Radiohead, etc. I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS AMP TO THE "DIGITAL" GUITARIST. PLEASE DON'T DESTROY THE BEAUTY OF ITS SOUND WITH CRAPPY DIGITAL SIMULATION PEDALS!!!
Two inputs (1 and 2, the first of which is hotter), input volume, treble, bass, reverb, tremolo depth, trem. rate, and master volume. 8 tubes total (12ax7's, el84's,5y3) Very touch sensitive amp. What it lacks in features it more than makes up for in sound. If I had to complain about something, I would say that the amp isn't loud enough (on stage with a drummer, bass player and second guitarist) and it is kind of hard (impossible) to get loud clean tones.

I play a PRS CE22 with dragon pickups (bass and treble). Like I mentioned, I use no digital effects. The one pedal I do use is a Wah Wah (dunlop crybaby) and it complements the amp very well. The group I play with does many alternative music covers, as well as original music and this amp competes strongly with other, more popular brands of guitar amps although it does take a little getting used to.
I feel that this amp correctly suits the guitarist who is looking for a real, original guitar tone from an amp with a lot of heritage.
Distortion on maximum - I would describe it as thick and smooth. No real fuzziness - REAL overdrive. EXAMPLE--The solo from Queen's We will Rock You can be simulated pretty damn closely, also many Led Zepplin riffs (if you listen to their live stuff)

Been having the amp for about 4 months. I play regularly (twice a week if that's regular)and I always have the amp cranked. No problems yet.

NA

Been playing for about 10 years and have owned a few other amps. Ampeg reverbrocket (great amp), marshall jmp 2x12 combo, fender twin, peavey amps, --- this amp definately defines the sound that Ive been looking for. Great amp for studio or live performance (just wish it was a little louder

One channel, master volume, valve reverb, tremolo. Thats it really. Just the way it shoould be in my opinion.

I will be critical of this amp, but later. I use it for one thing and one thing only. The clean channel. I play jangly Rickenbacker type Bluetones and Indie stuff and the clean is just great. I use the lower input because I thought the higher was to harsh on harder hit notes. But the tone is so warm and full of character. My mates all own valvesstates and laney, which I've tried and it all sounds too processed for me. The vox is so natural. It will get any sixties sound you want, plus REM and much more. As I said, I play Bluetones, indie, charlatans and roses stuuf and it nails everything. When I get a Ricky 360, which I hope will be soon, I will be in cloud nine. Onto the master volume. I get all my over drive, with two Boss Bluesdrivers, which cover everything I need. I did this because, for my tastes the master volume is a little to basis and has not chracter, especially for crunch/jangly stuff. As for lead, it has got enough, but you have to turn it right up and then it sounds harsh. My advise would be use the clean and add stompboxes, I use all Boss.

Well, this is the thing. I have a line selector which takes one line to the vox and the other the bluedrivers. Because I think the gain on the pedals effects the tone and volume of the amp. I also had dust in the inputs, which meant it kept dieing on me. So I put some WD40 IN there (cautiously). No valves gone yet, but it is going to happen.

Gareth from Korg is helpful, but blames everything on the tradition of vox, which I think is a little lame for a new amp, even though it is a reissue.

This thing is gorgeous to look at and lighter than the AC 30.

this is an update

I have been able to crank this amp and it comes alive.

Apart from the hiccup in the previous review I have had no problem. Reliability is a problem with this amp which is why I have posted an update.

I have used this in my home studio rehearsal and the odd gig and its been fine. THe tone is excellent. I have played around with the valves and use GT Sovtek and Mullard.

I bought this sh so I don't know the age. This is a single channel class A 1x12 combo. Valves are 5xECE83 and 2xEL84. Facia contains the following-2 inputs norm and TB, knobs for vol Treble Bass Reverb Trem speed and depth and master. Rear(bottom) panel has outs for speaker (connected to Vox Bulldog) pre out and footswitch. Said switch has stomps for reverb and Trem. I give features a 6 for 15w single channel.

I spent a year playing my Tex Mex Strat through every low power valve amp I could find. I bought this amp 5 mins after plugging in. It beat Boogie 22,Peavey classics 20 30 ,laney VC 15 30 and Fender deluxe. This amp will only give cleanish sounds but what sounds. It was bought to make my Strat sound great and it did. If you wind up the volume you can get clean sounds when attacking strings softly. Dig in and you get an edgy break up. Wonderful. A DS1 on full gain will give enough raaargh when needed but I prefer the straight sounds.There have been and will be many discussions about valve and circuit types and what rectifiers to use. They are probably right. I bought this amp because I liked the sound.

I would use it without backup if i gigged it. It broke down 3 days after purchase but the vendor fixed it foc straight away.

N/A but vendor was good

This amp makes an average strat sound amazing. I have not played anything else through it. I would buy something simular if stolen. I have scored it a ten cos I like it.

Mine is the 2x10 version of the Vox reissue AC15TB. That is to say, it's not a reissue of anything like the original AC15. It *IS* the "top boost" section of a modern AC30 but at 15 Watts and has some modern features the original AC15 didn't - features which are very nice! This one was made in '98. I got it "showroom used".
All tube, including 12AX7 preamp, 5Y3GT rectifier and EL84 (class A) power tube sections. Speakers are 2x 10" Eminance green backs. The amp is offered with a 12" green, 12" blue vintage (worth the extra $250? - not hardly) and the 2x 10". The 2x10 seemed livelier to me. A single channel unit with 2 inputs (#2 is about 6dB down), pre-amp volume, trebble, bass, blend (reverb), speed (tremolo), depth (tremolo), master volume. Has on/off AND a standby switch (nifty). Footswitch for Trem/Verb on/off and an external speaker jack. Also has a removable 3-prong cord like a computer: no more winding the cord up and trying to make it stick behind the speakers or under the handle. No effects loop, no headphone jack. Brown "chicken head" knobs with no numbers. Brown grill cloth with that old Vox plaid. Cool. Black tolex cabinet with excellent construction and workmanship. Very beautiful to look at AND to listen to.
The tubes are mounted sideways on the back of the PC board: what a hassle it's going to be to replace tubes! I'll have to remove the entire "head" to get to the tubes!

Different guitars sound VERY different and unique through this amp. I play it with a Rickenbacker 330 (with vintage "toaster tops"), Fender Strat and Fender California Tele. The Ric sounds "just right". Perfect. The Strat is very pleasant and warm. But the Tele - as another AC15 reviewer remarked, "plug a Telecaster into this and weep" - it sounds THAT good! I play guitar for my own amusement - blues and classic rock (lotsa' Beatles). No effects - just plug right into the amp. It sounds so good both my girlfriend AND the dog stop what they're doing to listen! Never had THAT happen playing guitar before!
This amp breathes very well and is dripping with "cream" - but you have to dial it in. It's not a Fender '65 DR reissue - it doesn't sound great at just any setting. Quite the opposite: it sounds pretty dull at most settings but when you find THE SOUND you KNOW you're there! Imagine numbers for the numberless chicken head dials from 1 to 10: Set the trebble to about "2 1/2 - 3" and the bass to "6-8", set the pre-amp volume to about 4 (below that is clean clean) or 6 (getting a bit of blues break-up) or 8 (rock) and the master volume to about 4+ and be amazed. The louder the better, to a point. This amp needs plenty of pre-amp to have any tone at all and then more master the better tone - below 4 on the master volume is pretty lame but very tame. This amp never gets truly "nasty" but it can HONK. It's a loud 15 Watts (if you crank both pre- and post-amp volumes) but not obnoxious like a Fender is at anything above "8". My favorite is pre- at "6", master at "4 1/2". That will give you 99% all the tone without bothering anyone else in the house or next door if you're in an apartment. This is a great little practice amp for that reason, but if I *were* to gig it would handle a small pub/club very well. And the tone of the Vox cuts through the mix - it sounds different than a Fender or Marshall and is very complimentary to either. The Matchless Lightning has a little better sound, for twice as much $$.
The tremolo is cool and very musical. VERY nice and rich. Prepare to be amazed if you listen to it - then consider that it's a little 15 Watt 1-channel combo! The reverb is MUCH more usable than Fender (above 3 on a Fender sounds like trash). I don't use the footswitch - I just leave 'em "on" and turn the little chicken heads to "all the way left" until I want those effects.
This amp jangles like nobody's business, and has a VERY warm creamy blues lead tone unlike anything else. But that's about it. It sounds GREAT for what it does but it is not very versatile. It is very transportable, for those of you who have attempted to move an AC30!

The unit is built VERY solidly. Everything, inside and out, is laid out thoughtfully and finished and constructed meticulously. I don't man-handle it, but I think it could take abuse. But it's so pretty I don't want to ding it! I've played it for about 6 months now and have had NO problems. It did notify me of a grounding problem with my old apartment! The grouding is good on my new home - no clicking buzz and whine! I was told to expect the class A circuitry to eat up tubes but this has not been the case. The standby switch allows the tubes to heat up before running anything through them and this leads to longer tube life. But when I DO have to replace tubes - UGH!!
I don't gig it, but I've offered to bring it on the road as a back-up for our guitarist(s), I'm that sure of its performance and ability to take a licking and keep on ticking. And it sounds exponentially better than the lead guitarist's Peavey (no accounting for taste). I *want* them to take me up on my offer so that they can really listen to the AC15 LIVE and with the master cranked up beyond "4 1/2" - I think it'll change their lives.
But it gets an 8 in this category because a) it's PC board - try to fix something yourself, and b) it's British (no offense, but have you ever owned a British car??) - I'll post again in a year and see how it goes, and c) I can SEE the tubes, but I can't get to them!

Never dealt with Vox or Korg (parent company). Plus I bought it "used" off the showroom floor from a friend of a friend in Ohio. The only Vox authorized sales/service around Portland, OR (who's name I won't mention but the initials are Showcase Music) are assholes. If their repairs are as good and professional as their customer service anything brought there will be returned in flames (and blamed on the customer). Let's just hope my education and profession as an electrical engineer do not have to be called upon...

I've been toying with guitar for too many years. I'm a bass player at heart and in practice. I own FAR too much gear!! But I've never heard tone like comes oozing out of this AC15 before! Well, I have - from an AC30. And I think the 210 AC15 comes closer to the tone of the AC30 than either 112 does. If it were lost or stolen I would buy another 210 AC15TB if I could find it. I heard that Vox stopped producing the 210 - !!? I want to A/B it with a CLEAN Fender, like a '65 DR reissue modified to have a master volume... or (better yet) a Vibrolux reissue with some power tubes removed... sigh. The AC15 just has THAT sweet of a lead tone, and if you want your Ric to jangle, well, this IS *THE* sound! Hey, I can even listen to my Tele's bridge pickup for hours without stress - that's a sweet tone. And I think that this will be a "classic" in 30 years, just like its ancestors.
This is a nice little amp for practice (at home and with others if they and the drummer aren't already deaf) and small gigs. It is well built and the cabinetry and fit/finish work show a real eye for detail. It has a WONDERFUL tone that cuts through and makes even the dog say "That sounds beautiful!" and want to sit in front of it and just listen. If you want distortion, better get a pedal. If you want metal/thrash, better get a different amp. Please do. The AC15's tone is too sweet to drown out in all that distortion.