Vox AC15CC1 112 Combo

this amplifier is fairly limited in it's features - sure it's got reverb and a nice tremolo, but in terms of tone sculpting, you may have to resort to an eq pedal to milk what you want out of it. It is simple simple simple... in fact, fiddling with the gain and volume knobs produced almost as much tonal differences as fiddling with the two (bass and treble) knobs that it's got.

(disclosure: i play a telecaster) It is very tube-ey sounding - and you can definitely drive the tubes into some nice natural distortion... but I have noticed that the way that the tone behaves varies wildly from use to use - even after the tubes have fully warmed up... I was constantly wondering if someone had knocked one of the knobs...but no, it's just that it was incredibly inconsistent. I toured with a borrowed vintage AC-30 and I thought that the top boost channel from the ac30 was supposed to have been translated into this amplifier, but i was disappointed with the sound from use one... I ended up returning this amp because it just didn't sound good to me on a consistent basis. cheap cheap construction is what i blame.

super inconsistent... i didn't even trust it even after only a couple of weeks... the amp didn't break down on me... but at the club the buzz coming from the amp via my telecaster was so noisy that it almost drowned out the sound of the guitar... beware single coil users...

I've been playing for 10+ years. I use an American Telecaster with stock pickups (not noiseless). This amplifier was my first foray into tube amplifiers... i was looking for The Edge vibe with the ac-15, but did not get anything close to that... It seemed to sound better with humbuckers... but I think that these CC1 made in china amps are just kind of cheaply constructed. It was incredibly difficult to get the tone I wanted out of this amp... I'm going to keep looking...

Pretty basic amp which I like. On/off, Standby, Master, Trem., Rev., Bass, Treble, & Volume. Single input, single channel. Footswitchable reverb and trem. Cool amp.

I play on a Standard American Strat (single coils)>Fulldrive 2>ProCo Rat2>Keeley Katana Clean Boost>True Bypass box>Boss Chromatic Tuner>Boss DD-6 Delay. You can get just about any sound that you want out of this amp except for metal. It has pretty good headroom for a low wattage amp but can get really dirty. The factory speaker is definately not the best speaker that I've ever heard but it is descent. I replaced the factory speaker with broken in Celestion Seventy-Eighty that a buddy of mine had and that helped out a little bit. I also added a Weber Beam Blocker which I suggest everybody get if you play on a cranked amp. Takes those center cone highs and evens them out with the mids/lows. Before I bought the amp I hooked up a friends Weber Alnico Blue Dog speaker to it and this thing was incredibly smooth with that speaker. My friend is the manager of a music store and peoples heads were turning to see what was making all those great sounds they were hearing. The speaker was undoped, 16 ohm, 50 watt model and it sounded fantastic. I am currently saving for one. The reverb on it is pretty trashy sounding but I'm not a big fan of reverb so that doesn't bother me any. The tremolo is definately one of the better features on this amp. It it one of the better sounding trems I have heard. I play mainly contemporary christian music and I use this at my church of about 500-600 people and it suits the situation pretty well. It is probably one of the loudest 15 watt amps you will ever hear though. Pretty quiet for a tube amp.

So far so good. Haven't had it very long so I can't really rate this part of the review but I don't anticipate any problems coming from it. Seems pretty well built. I did take the back panel off and looked at the inside and the quality of the build looked to be very very good.

I like simplicity when it comes to amps. I looked at a Dr.Z Carmen Ghia for a while just because it has two knobs. One volume and one tone knob and that is it (of course a power switch). Z's are little bit out of my price range but this amp is definately a keeper. If it were stolen or lost I would probably buy another one or look into buying the new handwired model. The only thing that I might would add is maybe an fx loop and a pentode/triode switch like the handwired has but that stuff is no big deal.

Before I start. Let me say in my opinion I think I am qualified to clearly state the virtues of this amp...... A little full of myself maybe.. I know everyones got an opinion just like everyones got an armpit and some stink.... Anyway This in my opinion is the best bang for your hard earned buck you will find. That is if you like the three dimensional chime laden sound it produces. If you want to shred look elsewhere this tone is old school. I back up my comments about this amp buy stateing I am on my third Matchless amplifier touted by many including myself as the best amplifier money can buy. I have spent hours paying Victoria's , Black face deluxes, Hiwatts, blues juniors, Bassmans, Marshalls, etc etc etc. and I have had the privilage to own at lots of them as well. Now all these amps have different atributes and wont suit everyone. But all are good. I currently own a Matchless Lightning loosely based on this amp. Also had a Dc30 and Phoenix nearly $20000 worth of testing here, I love the lightning and all the Matchlesses but must say these are very close pure organic tone. I love my Vox ac15 I bought as back up for $850 as much but in its own way as my Matchless. Take time to get to know it it will be the most versatile amp you ever own.

10...... beatuiful the Celestion blue is nicer but dont drive it past 12.30 and it will sing.

there is a know fuse issue. Pete Renold well known amp tech in OZ looked it over and said wow dont touch it just replace the wrong rated fuse.

dont know

playing professionally 20 years supported some of the bigest name acts in OZ, tour the us, recorded an albulm at Sony stuios Syd. blah blah blah who cares .... We are here to talk about this amp notr really toss off about Ive got this guitars etc etc etc etc The only reason i said what I have had is to help people from spending their cash on the wrong bit of gear

Tremolo! To my knowledge, there are only 2 15-watt tube amps with built-in tremolo readily available these days, at least in Europe. I had the Ampeg J12T, which sounded great, but lacked a footswitch for the tremolo, and a few other needed features. And then there's the Vox AC15 CC1...well, I do believe I've finally found my amp. It has tremolo, an 'interesting' reverb, both foot-switchable (and the footswitch has a detachable cable, which I consider a big plus), a nice-sounding 12" speaker, has a master volume and a gain/top boost knob, and it's 'only' 15 watts (which puts out nearly the same real volume as a 30 watter). I don't like high-watt amps because I like to overdrive the power tubes and that's more difficult to do with a high-watt amp. When I gig, the guitar is always miked anyway, but it's definitely loud enough for a small club--as long as you're looking for an overdriven sound. I don't miss an effects loop, since I prefer things to go straight in. A second channel or at least a footswitchable gain boost would have been nice, but I have other pedals for that.

I love it...it's 'the' sound I wanted. Two days after I bought it I brought it to a gig...played four sets...and by the end of the evening, the amp was just transformed. That is, if it sounded a little sterile at the beginning of the night, but the end of it, the amp just sang...the sound developed a true bloom to it, a shimmer, a brillance... hard to describe. Except that it changed the way I played that night (not that I'm all that good though), for the first time I had the feeling that I was playing the guitar AND amp together. I suppose it's possible that changing the speaker could make it even better, but I probably won't ever both, I really like it as is, and I'm not much of an amp modder.

Here's the thing: the day after I bought I went to turn it on and...nothing. The fuse blew. I ran it back to the shop--since I'd read some of the reviews here--ready to just return the amp. But the tech calmed me down, tried out a new fuse. His explanation was that the stock fuse was specc'ed too close to the amp's upper limit, and that and the fact that it either a defective or cheap fuse, or both, made it blow. He replaced it with a slightly higher-rated, slower fuse(the original was 125 and he put in a 180, I believe, I'm relying on memory). And since then I've had no problems. So maybe this info will help others. Hard to give a rating on this though, I've only had it a month. I'll get back to you next year.

Haven't tried yet. The amp appears solidly built, well-finished. It's also a lot bigger than I thought, so it looks like a 'real' amp.

I really like this amp. It's the amp I've been looking for, I've wanted a Vox for years, couldn't afford the price of the older models, and I'm really grateful the CC line came out. It has all the features I want, and the sound I wanted, so I'm quite pleased. I haven't had it long enough to discover things I don't like about it. Right now I use either my strat (MIJ, never goes out of tune) and my hand-built telecaster through it, both sound great.

No effects loop and only one amp but it is a budget valave amp so you to an extent you are getting what you pay for. It is, however, a vox and it sounds like a vox. It is pretty loud and it was perfect for practice and could be used for smallish gigs or recorded.

I liked the sound. I wasn't particularly fond of the reverb and I have a separate pedal for that anyway. It sounded a bit thin and splashy for me. The tremolo was ok but it isn't really part of my style. The amp is great for those British sounds of the 60s but you can also dial up those great trashy alternative sounds like REM. With dealy you can also nail some of that edge stuff. This amp really does sing. It really is a great sounding amp for the price but I gave it a 7 because of the reverb and the tremolo.

Here is the big problem. Had it about two months and the fuse blew. Sent it back and after I had had it back for a few weeks it started making some very nasty crackling noises. Sent it back again and as soon as I took it out of the box it was still making crackling noises and within ten minutes the fuse blew again. Sent it again and got a NEW amp. The first thing the new amp did was blow a fuse. Within two weeks it had blown three fuses and it started to make those dreaded crackling noises again. I gave up and swapped it for a Fender Blues Junior after that.

Customer support were actually quite helpful and sent me UPS labels to send it back directly to them so I didn't have to deal with the shop I bought it with. They never actually ultimately solved the problem though and sometimes they never returned my calls.

Been playing for about five years and have a highway tele, gibson 335 and a ricky 360. Maybe I was just really unlucky with these two amps but I just ran out of patience in the end. I loved its sound and really wanted it to work out but I guess it wasn't to be. It can be the best sounding amp in the world but if it doesn't work it doesn't work. I obviously would not buy another one because I went for the Blues Junior in the end.

This is a 2005 VOX AC15CC with the Wharfdale speaker. Single channel, no effects loop, reverb, tremolo, and master volume. I've only been using this amp at home and at low volumes, so please keep that in mind. I needed a low powered amp that i could rock on and still have it sound good. I love vintage style tube amps and this really leaped out at me as a good choice. As far as versitility is concerned, i gave it a 6 due to the fact that you could probably only use it in the studio or at home because of its size and lack of a two channel configuration. But let me assure you; it is LOUD! Most tone freaks would say that the presence of a master volume inhibits that overall tone. Well let me tell you that the master volume is just just what this amp needed; by twiddling with the preamp and master volumes i can get a nice warm yet chimy clean (at a low volume) and a nice crunchy overdrive by spinning the master all the way up. This is not a hard rock or metal amp mind you but it does respond to picking dynamics rather well. Pick closer to the bridge and pick harder and you're looking at some rock and roll!

I will admit it initally that i am a tone freak! I played a 70's Fender Twin for the longest time and from what i've heard that isn't even the pinnacle of fabulous tube tone! But when i went to purchase a new gear setup; having sold all my old equipment, i settled on VOX as an interesting alternative due to their current affordability. Well i wasn't disappointed! In fact, i'll say it: I am a VOX only player now! That is how great this amp sounds. It just has a little magic that i can't put my finger on. It is chimy yet warm, and can rock with the best. I've never played a older VOX but it doesn't matter to me because this amp just sounds GOOD! MAny other reviews commented on the reverb as being very thick and rather unbecoming. I agree. It is a little over the top, and i keep it on a very low setting. The tremolo is fabulous, not always useful or wanted but it is easily switched off by the included footswitch. If you just want something great sounding to play in your apartment or house or for home recording this would be a great little amp. I can't express how much i love it! I have been playing a Tele through it an it sounds yes very twangy but i have also played an SG classic with P-90's and a standard Strat through it both sound great. Especially the SG! The p-90's simply rock through this amp! I have not run effects through it and probably won't because it really shines as a "plug-and-play" amp. Any power/bar/open chords sound amazing and while i don't get a "hot" lead sound through my Tele, i can only imagine this thing wailing with a good lead guitar like a Paul or Strat.

I, to date, have had no problems as others have mentioned. No blown fuses of tubes and very little noise. It seems to be well built but coming from owning used, vintage amps, anything new is wonderful to me. If you worry about it failing i would suggest keeping fuses around, which i believe will need to be ordered through your VOX dealer and keep an eye on the tubes, otherwise, it should do it's job well! Since i have not gigged with it i can't provided adequate details on how it may perform in such a situation.

Have not needed to contact VOX/Korg for anything...

For tone freaks on a budget, who need a good recording amp or a nice jamming amp; i would highly recommend the AC15CC. I am currently considering trading it in for it's bigger brother the AC30CC having learned that the AC30 has a low power switch. Go to your local dealer and just play one! I guarantee you'll smile!

Bought brand new Dec. 2006

you know the rest. Not a lot of features, but features not needed!!
Reverb and Tremolo.
Just roll back the volume!!!!

WOW!!!!!!
Now this is a "Guitar AMP"
Great Clean tone.
Great distorted tone....and cleans up when you turn your guitar volume down!!!!

Reverb is superb!!!! just dont use much of it!!!! keep it to a min.
Tremolo just another great EXTRA...

I have the model with the stock Wharfedale speaker, I love this tone.

At real high volume this speaker does break up and is not the best sounding...but this is at HIGH volume.
If i need high volume i have a marshall cab with 1x12 heritage speaker....this amp sounds great with this set up...at high volume

i give it a 10

I have had it for about 4 weeks, have not taken it out of the house yet.,need to get a cover for it.

I have read bad reports on reliability....But i think it will be better than most people think.........we will see, give it a 6, i will do a follow up in 1 year

I have a good dealer

TONE....TONE.....TONE!!!!!! THATS ALL I CAN SAY

I have played for 30 years, (holy crap) i have owned many tube amps, and WITHOUT A DOUBT this is the best sounding amp i have owned.
I consider the reverb and tremolo a great bonus's

I cant believe i can get this sound for under $600.00

I WOULD BUY THIS AMP AGAIN!!!!!!

this amp was made in2006.i can play blues ,rock,funk,punk reggae,etc..through it,very well.this is a one channel amp, and it has a reverb and trem.i am running it with an old marshall 1 by 12 extension cab.i switched the ohm switch to accomodate this addition.this amp has all the features i need.i play clubs with it. it has enough power for the rooms we play.it is a tube amp of course.i like the wharfdale speaker.the marshall cab i use with it has a similar sounding speaker in it.

i have found i can get a good selection of tones from it using my board.it is very good for clean sounds and it will rock.i set the amp wih the master and channel volume at half,the treble i set at one clock,and the bass i set at 11 o clock. this gives a good usable clean sound which will drive when i use my tubedriver or my comp.they each cause a differrent type of overdrive,very pleasing.for some reason this amp has a very nice reverb,i have seen some which did not.i have played a 64 strat a 94 strat and dean hollowbody jazz type guitar that has humbucks through this amp.they all worked very well with it.it s not to noisey and works within the styles i play in.

i do not know if this amp will hold up,but my other vox is doing very well.

my dealer is super,i have no doubt i will be taken care of.but i have not dealt with vox directly

i have played for over 30 years.i have had fender marshall peavey sunn ampeg etc.. i would get another of these if somthing happened to it.i love its simplicity.i like the stock wharfdale speaker,i tried out one with the blue speaker,it was wonderfull for clean stuff but sounded brittle when driven.i dont like the short cuts it materials like pots and knobs.but as long as it works i will live with it.i have not seen a problem with the tolex covering others have spoken of.but then again i invested in covers for my vox amps

Everyone else has already stated the controls. The stock tubes are Tung Sol 12ax7s and El84s, very nice.

This amp sounds great. The clean sound/headroom is short lived but very musical. Fantastic Light break up sound once you hit the Master and Pre-gain volume at half each. This amp won't do a rockin' Marshall or Orange style overdrive on it's own, even with the Pre-gain/Master Volume cranked it just gets messy.

Like most tube amps, the Master does little but add mud once you've cleared half-way. I also find the pre-gain gets too unmusical when it's completely pinned.

Lately I've been using a TS 808 for my overdrive needs. It compliments the VOX sound very well, classic overdrive/distortion. I use the 808 for gigs and usually run the amp wide open, towards the second song the amp is warm and in its prime condition.

The Tremolo is lovely on clean or gritty settings.. Not a big fan of Distorted Trem. The Reverb is very touchy, I wish it was more faint/ambient. I find the decay is darastically too long.

Mine has held up well. I've run it wide open (Master and Pre totally cranked) for several shows and it hasn't crapped out yet, although I never doubt the death of a transformer.

N/A.

If you're looking for lot's of volume, look elsewhere. This amp can handle most clubs no problem but it is only 15 watts, so a microphone is usually needed.

I've yet to run it through a 4x12, but that time will come. This one's a keeper.

12" Wharfedale speaker, providing 15 Watts through an all-valve preamp, power valves and a solid-state rectifier. Considered class AB, this amp is also fit for Class A classification, apparently. On-board Trem and Reverb, which are controllable through the bundled 2-way footswitch. You buy the AC15 for its vintage tone and faithfulness to its heritage, if you want zany multi-effects, invest in a Valvetronix or the like.

The trick to this little baby, like most valve amps but especially so in this case, is to allow around 5 - 6 minutes for the tubes to heat to full temperature. After doing so, crank up the volume over the master to hear some of the finest, genuine overdrive you've ever heard, complete with subtle harmonics and just total creamy, but punchy tone. Alternatively, lower the master and you will hear the warmest sounding clean sound you could ask for, with a dynamic response i've not heard on anything short of a Fender Hot Rod series.
Reverb is extremely subtle, but the Trem is totally there and totally worth having. A simple, traditional top boost EQ with bass and treble controls are all you need, and that's all you get - you'll have no trouble finding your sound on this amp.

Vox generally gets a bad rap, ESPECIALLY its valve amps. But then so do Marshall, and Hughes and Kettner, and hundreds of others, so don't let bad raps sway your affections when you go to buy this amp. Valves are valves - you'll need to replace them the same way you would any other amp. Build quality is excellent - serioulsy, the stigma of Chinese construction becomes a myth in this particular instance, the tolex and cloth and just general he solid feel of the amp is really satisfying. Without a doubt, the finest looking amp i'll ever own, as beautiful as furniture as it is as an amp, this is what i imagine when i think boutique.

Vox are quality controlled and owned by Korg, although my warranty runs through One Man Band music shop in Banbury and those guys are yet to let me down, so i'm happy just dealing with them.

I have been playing for roughly a decade, and i have been through a lot of gear in that time, and then some. I needed to settle on an amplifier that i knew would give me superb tone, totally vintage style and faith that all i'd have to do now is find as good a guitar to match. This is the loudest little amp i've ever heard, so it's ideal for intimate gigs, yet you don't have to thrash it to get a great sound, so its equally useful at home. At 3, it'd happily drown out my old Laney 65 watt at near max, without a second through, but it wouldn't have to sound cack in the process. Buy this amp because you know you want the total vintage experience, and that an original AC15 will be ten times the price. It was the first amp to inspire a whole genereation of music in the UK, so buy it because you owe it!
It's important, if you can, to square this up to a Blues Junior, not only because of the price similarity but because that'll be the clinch as to whether the Vox sound is right for you.