Vox AC15C1X Amplifier Review & Best Settings Guide

It would be ideal if you could do this review with different guitar pickups so people like me understand the tones might be different from others

Appreciate the video. I fell in love with Celestion alnico speakers a while back when I did some testing connecting my Fender amp to several cabs with a variety of them. I did not want to spend over 300 bucks on a speaker, but I did on an Alnico Gold.
I have an AC 15 that I don’t play often, but I decided to get an Alnico Blue for it. I installed it tonight, but it didn’t blow me away like the Gold. It’s definitely due to needing a little knowledge on dialing in the two channels. I definitely know what I can do to improve it. It still sounded better than the greenback. Thanks again!

I purchased a new Vox AC15C1-VB in September 2020. I have never gotten a sound I like out of it in several years. I have about 20 different electric guitars and still I am unable to enjoy my VoxAC15C1-VB. I understand the "Normal and Top Boost" channel but even using Top Boost The EQ section is weak and the Tone Cut which effects the power tubes is also weak. It's only saving grace is that it has both reverb and a true tube powered tremolo section with a speed and depth control. I prefer a lot of Bass and no matter what the settings on any guitar when using my AC15C1-VB I can not get enough Bass. That is precisely the reason why I don not like my Vox AC15C1-VB-. Now, the Marshall JTM45 has for my ears the built in natural Bass tone and that is why it's my favorite guitar amp. Peter age 73

Brilliant video, thanks Shane. I have the AC15 C2 and have been experimenting with the sound. Got some new tips from this video that I look forward to trying out tomorrow. Cheers!

Is it too loud for home use? Or can the master volume bring it down to bedroom level with the gain cranked a bit?

Assuming you no longer play Vox, I’m curious as to why? I’m considering purchasing one because I love the sound. Love your videos and honesty!! Thank You!

Shane I enjoy watching your reviews because they're honest and well done. I once took one of your recommendations on a guitar you demoed and was very pleased with the result. Good job!

Hello Shane. Thanks for posting the tips above. AC15's are super tricky to get sounding their best. They are super reactive, often changing their character depending on pickups, pedals, attack, etc.

I'm curious if you (or anyone here) have a preferred tube brand/configuration for this circuit? 3 years of playing it and it still gives me ear fatigue. I'm rolling through JJ's and Sov-tek's right now - some 5751's, 12AX's and even trying a 12AT in V3. Swapping PT's as well. All this to find something that tames the spikey high frequencies just a bit, without using tone-cut as much to roll off the high-end altogether. Some success, but any further tips in this regard would be appreciated.

(PS, mine sports the Greenback)

If I can ever stop buying guitars and get another amp,it's going to be this for sure.

Hi Shane, great video! I just wanted to share my thoughts on the AC15C1X, I have strived for years to get the Hank Marvin sound and the best I could get was through a Laney VC amp. That was until I got the AC15 with the blue Alnico! It is an awesome amp it totally blew the others away, men vs boys! I play a 50’s Strat through the fantastic Hall & Collins Signature Echo box and I have the sound of The Shadows!
That said it was a fiddle to get the right tone, I use the top boost with the master volume high and the tone cut at mid point, but it’s worth playing around with, the tone is loud, clean and bright, nothing like any amp I have used before, it just seems to have effortless power. If you’re thinking a bout it, my advice is go get one, you won’t regret it.

Snip the Bright Cap...first thing.

What distortion pedal you’ve been using along with ac15 for ‘this presentation?

Thanks for the great demo Shane. Can you gig with the ac15 in small to medium (e.g. 150 people) venues without miking it to a PA and with keeping enough clean headroom on the clean channel? In other words, when should you go for an AC30 (s1) to avoid PA connection?
Cheers. Gus

Love your channel! Cheers mate

That tele neck pickup tone was very bluesy & sweet.

Hi Shane, how would you compare this AC15 to the AC 10 you demo’s? Thanks!

Vox + Les Paul P90s is heaven - the AC15C1 will even do the trick! I imagine it's great with a Tele aswell, for Blues to Rock you mite also want a Hotcake.

Crank the EQ on the vox turn down the tone cut all the way then roll you tone down all the way with a les paul and you will get a really cool responsive fuzz

As a blues/rock guitarist wanting to start my own trio would the Vox AC15 be loud enough to gig with?

Hmm. I have one and don’t find it mid scooped, more like strong in the midrange and lacking a bit in bass, almost boxy sounding. I also happen to have a Marshall DSL40C which is stronger in bass and has a sweeter treble. Whenever I gig I tend towards the Marshall, it’s just so much more versatile and more consistent than the Vox. Also Vox committed the unforgivable sin of making a two channel amp that’s not foot switchable, so I’m forced into using a OD pedal and I find it hard to balance the lead tone with the clean tones. You can’t beat a Marshall for lead tones, that’s where the Vox just doesn’t cut it

Hi, Shane

Would you mind answering a question about tube amps. I'm no tech, but anything I'm uncertain about I'm willing to learn.. It has do with hiss and hum. Is it normal to hear this sort of white noise? The higher the volume the louder it gets. There is no noise with volume down. Research on Google suggests tube amps are inheritly not quiet when in use. I know you are the man to ask.

Perfect timing! Been looking into these and I’m sold

Like the AC15 but would it be far to much for just bedroom practice? I have no intention of gigging. Going 2nd hand, would you be worried about an amp that has scratchy pots, and is over 10yr old?

Hey Shane I have been thinking about swapping out my green back for a AlNiCo blue for a while.
In your opinion do you notice any head room loss with the blue? I have a AC15. 2nt question. Do you personally notice much of a difference in sound? Could I get the same affect with EQ? I played a AC30 with the blues in it and I did like it but that was a 30 and not a 15 and I wasn't able to A/B it. It was in store so I wasn't using any of my gear ya know what I mean?
Thanks for any input you could help me with. @ over $250 usd it's not a cheep speaker so I'm trying to get as much info as possible before pulling the trigger. Thank man. 🤙👍

How come Vox has scooped mids? Aren't Fenders like that, so Tubescreamers are a perfect match for them? TS's just don't sound good with my Ac15c2, too much oomph, all mids...

that blue speaker , is a big part of the vox sound , and the midrange sits just right in a band mix

Hey Shane, do you still prefer the Swamp Thang as your main speaker or have you moved on from that? I have a swamp thang that I am thinking about changing out with a celestion blue or gold. I would love to hear your 2 cents.

Hot damn! Shane you sounded like a million bucks. The old school mic'ing was superb.

Who else wants Shane and Dr. Ric to demo the new Boss Space Echo?

garate demo shane 👍🏼

I loved this Shane, great overview. My issue with the AC15 is the crazy weight. I get why fix what works but times have moved on and Vox have not.

Awesome playing Shane. Kick ass sound ! Blues On....💙
How does it compare to the VOX : AC30S1 ? (Signal 12)
Thanks for all you do for us try to be Blues Guitarist.

👍🏻👍🏻

Vox is special. I love that Vox crunch at the beginning of Frank Black's "Ten Percenter". "Aww, that's nice." Yes, indeed.

Great video Shane, top boost channel and the tremolo sound great. Honestly this makes me wanna go buy a Vox amp but Vox amps are just too bright for me 😀

Sounds great. I'm happy with my VOx

I have a Marshall and a Fender, so it looks like I might need one of these!!!! Thanks Shane! Great format for the video! Lots of useful information!!!

I have a UK made Vox AC15HW60. The closest sound I can get to it on a Solid State amp is a Roland Blues Cube Artist with a New York Blues Tone Capsule.

I have never loved Voxes for lead playing (even though they can absolutely cut through the mix), but as amps for rhythm, especially any kind of indie/alt rock, they're umatched. So many of the classic alternative sounds (REM, Pixies, U2, the Clash, basically all of the Britpop movement) came from Voxes, it's an iconic sound. And of course older British pop/rock groups like the Beatles and Queen were Vox players.

I got my AC15 (with greenbacks) for $500. Best money I've ever spent on an amp. It's loud enough, has enough bass response to fill a room with sound while being bright enough to cut through a mix. Love my AC15, will probably get an AC30 at some point

I have been using VOX amps for 12 years now since a co-worker lent me his AC30 head/cabs when is mother-in-law came to stay for a month. Soon after I returned it, I went out and bought a AC15CC1. I keep it relatively clean and put an old DOD TR3 through it for gain. Love the sound, especially once the tubes warm up.

Hey Shane, have you ever thought about having a DB meter overlayed when doing these kind of amp reviews? It'd be interesting to see how the volume in the room changes as you are adjusting the guitar volumes. As always, an informative and entertaining review!

Have you tried the new Tone King Neural Plug in?

I have never even considered using or owning a Vox amp for no particular reason however it always was intrigued. This is a great guide to getting the most out of these amps! I need another amp like I need a hole in my head but I could give Vox a try! Cheers!😎😎🎸🎸🎸🤙🏾

A telecaster bridge pickup into a driven Vox is the tone of Rock N Roll.

Hey Shane. Can a Alnico Blue be used on a Fender Blues Junior 4?

Great sounding amp ...well done shane ..I dont want to sound redundant ,because I know you have said many times about this?...I was going to upgrade a speaker in my peavey studio 112 silver stripe amp ,I went to your channel an found a video of your friend putting a speaker in it ?..an you in the video couldn't say for sure what speaker he put in it?...but you went on to say that it transformed amp an sounded amazing ,full an louder...so what was the speaker he used or what speaker would you recommend...I know you have a web page on speaker swapping for the Bandit ,?

Sounds good, but its not mean like you can make a Fender or Marshall

I've always had a love/hate rel with Vox ACs! They sound GREAT as a clean amp: So clear and sparkly! Get them grunting and it's like boxy, scooped & RATTY sounding type of O/D!
The SPEAKER(S) are a big part of this tho. The alnico powered speakers have a very ringy, treble output that CAN get over powering, but THAT is a part of the 'VOX' sound!

Putting a more commonly used ceramic powered speaker from Celestion or others, like a V type or a GB, will make it sound somewhat smoother!
GREAT used as a CLEAN pedal platform!
Cheers!