Vox AC15 TBX

Price Paid: US $1325 used

Features: 9
I just got a '97 British made reissue with the blue alnico (April 2005). Versatility is just fine---depending on your attack and master volume settings, you can go from crystal clean to Who/Summertime Blues roar in no time with no need for a second channel. I do use a Chandler tube drive, however, when I want to take the gain to monster levels for soloing, harmonics,and feedback, but the warmth and sustain of the amp allows for great solo tone without using any pedals at all. So, in my view, no need for effects loop or headphone jack. The stand by switch is nice, the tremolo kills (I use just a taste most of the time, it can be very subtle), and the reverb is just fine.
I retubed it with JJ tubes from Eurotubes.com out of Portland Oregon (contact Bob, he's great!), and find that the clean and semi-clean tone is the best I've heard (better than my '64 Blackface twin, my Rivera fifty-five twelve, and my Marshall 800 series 50 watt channel switcher. Of course a Fender has its own sound, the Vox does something different, and the Marshall isn't really a clean machine, but to my ears the amp is the most detailed in the midrange, and with the new tubes, very powerful.
Like other reviewers, I wrestled with getting an AC 30, and was concerned that you'd really have to crank it to get the best tones, vs. the AC 15 which I feared wouldn't have enough clean headroom for unmiked bar gigs. Not to worry, it is a very sweet, but rockin' monster, easily controlled with the master volume.
Haven't used the line out yet, and it looks like there's an output for an extension speaker, but it's not marked and I haven't tried it. All in all, the features that you might have wanted on the original amps are on the reissue, and it's all you need.

Sound Quality: 10
I use a reissue "blackie" Clapton strat with single coils, a big apple strat with humbuckers with coil splitting, a vintage ES335, a 30th anniversary gold top Les Paul, and am a blues based rock player, with a touch of Van Halen, and Yngwie Malmsteen. The band I'm in covers everything though, so I have to go from blues to rock to funk to jazz to motown, not to mention early Beatles, etc. So far, for every style I've played, this amp has delivered the goods.
I find it to be a quiet amp, particularly compared to the fender and marshall. Of course, when you dial in some tremolo and/or reverb, that will up the backround hum/hiss, but it's still in the very acceptable range. I count its relative lack of noisiness as a plus.
Soundwise, when I first jangled with it, I heard sounds from Beatles records that I never was able to produce before, prompting me to spontaneously play "We can work it out." So, it nails early Beatles, and does the Who sound very nicely. Although not a brutal crunch tone, it's definitely classic rock, with individual strings still sounding distinct, rather than mushy or fuzzy. That is a big plus for me, as lots of pedals and amps deliver brutal, but not musical. This amp always delivers musical sounds, and I have yet to lack headroom for loud clean tones--though I've only had one band practice with it, where my comfort zone is to go for a semi-clean tone with preamp up to about 7, and the master on 3--gives me clean when I apply a gentle touch and rockin' when I don't.

Reliability: 7
I had a problem getting the amp through the UPS process--may have been poor packing by my ebay seller, or rough treatment by the shippers: amp was low volume, loud rattle. One EL 84 was halfway bent over, cracked, with wire missing. Retubed the amp, thinking that would solve the rattle--it didn't. I had the same problem I've read about, namely the reverb tank has two pins in the top, which sympathetically rattle with certain frequencies. Two drops of superglue fixed that problem, and now I'm a happy camper. I suspect reliability won't be an issue henceforth as the tubes are nicely isolated from speaker, and cabinet construction looks solid. Since it's only been working for a week, I'll have to guess as to future reliabilty, and give it a 7.

Customer Support: N/A
no idea yet.

Overall Rating: 10
I've been playing for 35 years, mostly acoustic for the first 20 years, and have the gear described above plus a Guild D25, Taylor acoustic, Larrivee acoustic/electric, and a Gibson J15. Played the Larrivee through the amp last night, and like the electric axes, it sounded beautiful too.
I would definitely get another of these puppies, particularly since they are not being made at the Marshall factory in Britain anymore, and finding a clean AC15 with the blue alnico speaker is hard right now...I got into a bit of a bidding war to get this amp, but have absolutely no regrets. It is the amp that sounds like no other, and delivers the tones you've heard for years on the records and in your head.

Submitted by plankspanker at 04/27/2005 14:26

Price Paid: 750 (euro)

Features: N/A
Korg AC-15 from 1999 with one bulldog 12 inch, 1 channel, 2 inputs, pre amp and master volume, bas, treble, hall and trem, rest of the features read below

Sound Quality: 9
First of all, I am a Fender player who likes it growling, hot and bluesy and I never liked the big bottom Marshall stacks or the razor solid Boogie thing. Tell you the truth, it took some time to get comfortable with the vox because it is nothing like a small vibrolux or tweed. Not as twangy on the bass side, not as open in the middle and not the high end (wich I dind't like anyway so I always had Fenders that sounded relativly warm) Now I am playing a lot on the AC-15, it's hard to get used to that Fender sound again. The Vox gives any guitar a lot of personality, lets the charachter of the guitar shine more through. My 1980 Ibanez AS-50 sounds very woody, the '72 tele has lots of chunk, my strat is big and authoritive (try that on Fender) and the Dearmonds on my Duo Jet never rocked better before. Of course, its not so airy en open as a Fender but it adds a beatifull midrange, bit like a old rangemaster pedal kind of sound.
One thing that really surprised me is the volume, though is has only 2 el84, it is pretty loud in real live. The first few times I took it on the road I took also my trusty '92 vibroverb r.i. with me (40 watt) for just in case, but both full open, the vox was exactly as loud as the Vib. So much for figures.
At home I alway play on Huges and Kettner Cream and Crunch machines (3 watt tube amps) and connected to the vox speaker I got a lot of that vox sound in return so I think the cabinet has a lot to do with that full blizzard of nails signature.

Reliability: 7
There seems to be a lot of issues with this amp but Korg did some revision I think and the later amps should be more reliable. The only issue I have is some volume drops in input 2. Also, it is not a very quiet amp in terms of hiss and background noise. Rock'n roll I guess.

Customer Support: N/A
No expericende in this

Overall Rating: N/A
Other amps: Vibrolux, Bassman, Hughes & Kettner, old Dynacord Rex, Guitars: strat and teles, LP junior, Duo Jet, Danelectro and Ibanez 335. Pedals: Matchless hotbox, Chandler tubedriver, Ibanez Toneking, boss delay.

Submitted by C at 04/23/2005 05:09

Price Paid: US $800.00

Features: 8
1998ish. Simple amp to use. Clean. Nice tremelo and reverb. Not a bad line out signal. I use that instead of a mic through my bands PA.

Sound Quality: 10
I use a Les Paul Special (with Ceramic Humbuckers). About five stomp boxes. I have to be very versatile. We play everything from CCR to 3 Doors Down to Eagles and Dwight Yoakam. The best sounding amp I've ever had. Not too bright like some I've owned. Just the right tone (at least for me). I alway have the volume setting at about 1 o'clock and the treble about2 o'clock. Other than that everything is at 12 o'clock unless I mess with the tremelo. One thing interesting is that it has very MINIMAL overdrive when trying to make it do so. I use a stomp box for overdrive and distortion anyway so it's better for me have the amp clean. Great for your average bar gig.

Reliability: 9
I've only had two problems with this amp. 1) the circuitry inside where the chord is plug into came loose from the pull of the chord after about a year of gigging every weekend and had to be re soldered. No problem but it cost $75 to get fixed. 2) The outer (fake) material is very sensitive. It rips really easy. I patch it up simply with some super glue. Over wise it's built like a tank.

Customer Support: N/A
N/A

Overall Rating: 10
I've been playing live since 1980 in various bands and every weekend since 1996 in the band I am now. I couldn't imagine playing without this amp. It's about 45 lbs... which is heavy at 2am but not too heavy to carry a short distance. Dependable and most importantly it's got the tone I need.

Submitted by Anonymous at 10/06/2004 12:44

Price Paid: $2699 ($Australian )

Features: 7
I believe the amp was made in 2003 or late 2002. It is a one channel two input (1 high 1 low gain) amp with adjustable depth and speed tremolo and spring reverb. It has a direct out jack, a footswitch for the tremolo and reverb. Bass and treble tone controls, It is powered by 2 (I think, I'm not a valve expert) EL 34 valves. It features a celestion blue alnico speaker. It also has a master volume control. The only features I hanker for are a volume switch (I believe this is not possible in a single channel amp) and a phones jack so I can play without driving the neighbours crazy (I'm not a tweakhead but have a feeling this aint possible with a vintage style valve amp, the speaker must be plugged in or its bad for the valves.) Having delicious valve tone makes up for this inadequacy.

Sound Quality: 10
This amp sounds bloody great I mainly play a '74 Guild Starfire IV and find it well matched to the amp. My Strat copy also sounds great, as does a friends Japanese Les Paul clone. Whoever thinks the AC 15TBX is a one trick pony must be out of their tiny minds. I have a schooled jazz guitarist friend who gets beautiful, full, warm jazz tones out of this box. I play rock and blues, and have a considerable palette of sounds to choose from. It's slightly overdriven sound is great, as is the full overdrive, which is quite biting and aggressive. Not quite a metal sound, but close, think Led Zep, hard rock/hard blues. The adjustable tremolo sounds great and can be used in a variety of ways. It has one problem; it rumbles (sounds like an idling motorbike) when tremolo and reverb are past about half. This is only a significant problem when the trem/'verb footswitch is not plugged in....weird! A bit annoying in a brand new amp. It only rumbles when quiet (i.e. guitar jacked in but not being played.) If anybody has any tips on how to fix this minor irritation, please contact me.

Reliability: 7
Apart from the abovementioned problem, its been fine for the 1st 6 months. I've been rehearsing with it (i.e.taking it for trips in the car to friends house) regularly and using it for practise almost every day. As the speaker breaks in it just sounds better and better. I dig this little amp so much I'm reluctant to gig with it. I want no harm to come to it, as it records superbly. I take good care of it, and would hate to ruin its good looks. I do get the feeling its delicate though, and would invest in a hard road case if gigging regularly, or buy a more robust, or more beaten up amp. (I've got my eye on an old Vox AC 50 head and speaker box.)

Customer Support: N/A
It has a years warranty. The shop I bought it from has a good tech. I've heard OK things about Vox/Marshall/Korg so I'll give 'em 6

Overall Rating: 9
I've been playing for 20 years. I've played guitar in afew bands. Up to this point I've used solid state amps...cheap, reliable, and most punters know nothing about amps, they're there for the songs, the performance, not to gawk at your gear. I'm not one to disparage SS amps. Most people can't hear the difference. Having said that, this little amp makes me feel good. I love its tone, and it brings out the best in me as a player. I've yet to gig with it, but can't wait to crank it up in a roomfull of people and hear the lovely warm tones it makes. I like both valve and distortion and fuzz, and its good to have access to both.

Submitted by Andy at 09/24/2004 20:40

Price Paid: US $999.00

Features: 9
Heard it all before, if not see below.

Sound Quality: 10
Let me just say I love this amp. As much as I wanted an AC30, I was not sure if it would be my thing. Have been a Marshall (and one time Mesa player) forever but never really happy or inspired. While not overly versatile, the tone this little sucker puts out is glorious, nice & round, with great shimmer. Does that not clean/not dirty thing really well which is exactually how I play. It does sound "loaded" when using more than a couple of pedals so I try to limit the number I use with it but with either a Tube Screamer or Dredge Tone (John rocks by the way!!!!), a chorus, and a delay I am more than happy. The trem is KILLER, go ahead & start playing "How Soon Is Now" and you'll get the idea. Reverb could be better but if that's your thing go Fender.

Reliability: 10
Would gig forever with this. Is a tad underpowered is certain situations but that's what soundguys are for. Had to jimmy a make shift reverb tank pad by ziptying a wash rag around the tank to stop the "rumbling" but it has yet to fail me even after it took a 3-4' drop while a certain bass player was moving it (never again Todd).

Customer Support: N/A

Overall Rating: 10
I love this thing so much that I have recently sold my Marshall, and decided on either the AC30 (or better yet an AC30HW) or a Dr Z MAZ Sr. Will always keep this though & would die if it were stolen since they are OOP. At lager gigs I use a PS Power Tool which does the speaker faker/eq thing plus has a 50 watt SS power amp & a Marshall 2x12 cab with Greenbacks, so it helps out alot & keeps the general tone the same. Tried a Mesa 20/20 power amp once but was too aggressive sounding.

Submitted by MICHAEL at 03/12/2004 10:53

Price Paid: 2950 (AU dollars new)

Features: N/A

Sound Quality: N/A

Reliability: N/A

Customer Support: N/A
Only had it afew days.

Overall Rating: 9
Just got the mother and love it. Mine has the "Blue Bulldog" 12 inch speaker. I wanted to invest in a good guitar amp for blues/hard rock/pop, for recording, mainly, and small gigs (will consider slaving it to a bigger amp if room size becomes an issue.)Being an indecisive character I tried out a lot of amps and this had the best tone (for the style of music I'm into) of the 40 odd amps and combos I plugged into over two frustrating weekends; including the new twin speaker Trace-Elliot valve amps (they come close) and the Matchless single channel 30 watt. I thought this amp sounded the best.

The vendor of Jackson Guitars Sydney tells me that Vox will no longer be manufacturing this line of amps in the UK so he has hiked the price of all VOX amps correspondingly. He was asking $3250. I searched all over Sydney (and on EBAY Austwide) and could not find another for sale, let alone find one cheaper. He reduced the price to $2950AU COD. Still a lot to pay. He had a secondhand AC 30 1990/1960 RI in excellent condition in the store and let me compare the two, as I was considering buying it instead. I found that the AC 15 had a much better overdriven sound and produced comparable volume. The AC 30 broke up excessively and became growly when cranked over 3/4 (though it had a beautiful clean sound and looked fantastic.) The AC 15 had a great overdriven sound even at max volume. I like bands like Sonic Youth, Pixies, Pavement and wanted an aggressive but NOT metal oriented sound. I also like to keep it simple and not have to lug around heaps of leads and accessories. That settled it. I took the AC 15.

Am I happy with it? I've always thought that you cant pay too much for quality. If its worth it to you personally and makes you feel good then the you can't translate those feelings into dollar value. I am very very satisfied with this amp. I cant see myself ever wanting to sell it. Whenever I plug into this amp I have to restrain myself from weeping (OK I'm exaggerating slightly.) I've written a number of new compositions using this amp, and I've had it under one week. I give it 9 out of ten for value because it WAS expensive. I payed more for this unit than anyone else on this page. It gets 10 for everything else.

Submitted by Anonymous at 02/29/2004 21:59

Price Paid: US $850, used

Features: 10
1996 TBX...From clean to scream. New EI EL84's and EH 12AX7's. Celestion Blue of course.
Has everything you need, 'nuff said.
Used for recording and gigging and goes well with my AC30 for bridging and A/B shuffling.

Sound Quality: 10
okay, anyone who thinks or posts this amp is "underpowered" or "farts out" will always be a "bedroom" player. Get real. This amp rocks and if you know how to play your instrument, you will appreciate the glorious tones this amp can produce...given you have a decent guitar. First of all, know what this amp is..its not a Marshall stack or some headcheese amp modeler with uber-overdrive effects built in, It's a purest's amp with tone you or your Daddy was raised on, respect it.
While not a complete faithful repro of the JMI AC15, it hold its on and has that Vox chime, growl and umph.

Reliability: N/A
NO Problems.

Customer Support: N/A
No need, will knock on wood.

Overall Rating: 10
What do you expect, God? No...its not God but it is Vox and it is small and it does have character very few amps can equal, although they want to. It's 15 watts of class A sparkle to grunt. Who's your Daddy? Ask him who made his world rock...then tak a look at their gear.

Submitted by Jason at 01/08/2004 18:54

Price Paid: US $710.00

Features: 6
I'm strictly a bedroom/front room player and this amp was way underpowered. Of course, like all Vox amps, it's aesthetically charming with the argile grill cloth but it really ended there. The vibrato was loud and kinda hissy. It's been a few years but i don't think it had reverb at all.

Sound Quality: 2
I played it clean with a '66 ES-345 and it always farted-out when i played through the bass/rhythm pickup. To be honest, i got much cleaner, clearer, stronger tones in a 90's Fender Princeton Reverb Chorus (solid state).

Reliability: N/A
Don't gig, don't know.

Customer Support: N/A

Overall Rating: 4
I suppose if you're gonna buy Vox, don't go half-way. The AC-30 must tower over this thing. Again, pretty but that doesn't keep my $700.

Submitted by Anonymous at 10/12/2003 16:12

Price Paid: $2100 (AUS)

Features: 5
Amp is 2003 version. Not very versatile, but it does what it does well - see below. Used this amp in rehearsals with band. 15 watts single 12 inch speaker (not blue)

Sound Quality: 6
Used it with 1973 strat / hot cake / big muff.
I found this amp underpowered. Beyond half volume the sound broke up to easy. I needed to run this amp past half to hear it over the drummer, so I could not get a nice chiming AC30 sound at a good volume. I didnt like the single speaker, not enough spread to the sound in my opinion. Because of the above I was dissapointed with the overall sound, great for very low volume playing, but it does not have the clarity of an AC30. However it does have that rich class A tone (just muddy with a shrill upper mid beyond half). I have owned 3 AC30's and was looking for smaller version, but it was to small ! I don't believe the amp is as versatile as the AC30.....

Reliability: N/A
Unsure, I returned amp after one rehearsal with it.

Customer Support: N/A
Unsure

Overall Rating: 6
Great for one thing, and that one thing it does well. Good rich tone at low volume, but not worth the money to be honest. I would suggest going with an AC30 reissue and good drive pedal if you must have a Vox valve amp. As I said I sent the amp back to the store. I know a lot of valve purists will hate what I have to say now, but I am using a PODxt and short board for rehearsals and gigs and its excellent. I love the sound of class A amps, having used AC30's for 10 years, but the practicality of the POD and the sound through the house system is great, and at the end of the day the audience is more interested in the songs than my amp !

Submitted by Anonymous at 10/01/2003 20:29

Price Paid: US $850 used

Features: 9
not sure of the year
It is great for small to mid size venues play it in a 300 member church and also to a large indoor venue and worked great in all things It is single chanels so run it fairly clean with a TS9 to give a little more crunch the tremolo is very nice reverb is kind of shallow but sounds real nice cranked also works good for blues and love it becaue it is a real dynamic amp. It works good and responds well to variations in your pick attack. it also has a nice bright tone for some of that classic contry stuff and with the TS9 sound great for that good old rock and roll.

Sound Quality: 10
I play a old Framus tele copy though it with gold lace sensors, and a les paul studio and both sound good. It works well need something that sounded good and wouldn't blow out the back wall of the church and this dose the job nicely. Play contempory worship and some good old rock and blues and this hasn't let me down yet. this thing can go from a nice clean fender like chime to a nice warm overdrive to a great rock tone with a good overdrive pedal.

Reliability: 10
This is my only amp for giging right now. Sold my peavey ultra 2-12 and this kicks but. Not as dark as the peavey but works good and will keep up with it in most venues.
The amp as never broken down on me.

Customer Support: N/A
can't answer haven't had a problem with it the only thing was to order a foot switch for it from a local dealer and that was quick

Overall Rating: 9
overall rating would give it a 9 I am looking to buy another one so I can run it stereo.
I do wish it was two channels but hey with a couple good pedals that is dealt with Love the tone and the chime this thing has. also love how dynamic the amp is. Was thinking of a Mesa studio 22 or subways series amp but when i found my buddy was selling this to buy a vibrolux reverb i jumped on it hes as offerd to buy it back and tell him it is not for sale. the only thing i wish it had was a little better reverb to it but other then that I love it and it made me a vox fan

Submitted by Chuck McKeighan at 08/23/2003 20:00