Vox

The new handwired AC15 from Vox has exceeded our expectations in every regard.

Internal construction quality, as well as component quality, is excellent and the tone is as it should be...100% Vox. The perfect blend of clean shimmer at lower volumes or with a lighter attack combined with that amazingly woody mid-range that Classic Vox amps are known for. The amp achieves gloriously rich, thick and chewy overdrive at even modest volume levels yet would definitely hand with any drummer I've ever played with.

The amps have a wonderful feel and some very nice new features such as a Pentode/triode switch for both the power section *and* the EF86 preamp tube.

With a Celestion Blue the price is unbeatable.

Channel 1 is the EF86 Preamp channel and features two inputs wired the tradional way providing 6dB gain difference between them. A new two position Bass switch is included, with position 1 voiced to the original vintage-correct bass response and reduced muddiness at higher volujes. The three position Brilliance switch provides flat response when in the OFF position. Position 1 is a new setting that is voiced like the early AC30 "Treble" amps, while position 2 is the original brilliance circuit which acts as a dramatic bass cut.
The EF86 Mode switch re-configures the EF86 valve from Pentode mode to triode mode. triode mode will give a lower gain tone with higher headroom. Pentode mode is teh famed original mode and has a very sweet high gain tone with less headroom.

Channel 2 is the Top Boost Preamp channel. Like Channel 1, this channel includes two inputs wired with a 6dB gain difference between them. The Treble and Bass controls are from the 1963 Top Boost circuit and are extremely interactive. Very minor adjustments of these controls can yield dramatic changes in tone color. And true to VOX form is the Top Cut control, which cuts high from either channel end as it’s turned up.

Flexible power:
The O/P Switch adds even more flexibility to the AC15. This switch changes the power output valves from Pentode Mode, which is the normal operating mode of the power amplifier, to Triode Mode which halves the power output to 7.5 watts and at the same time offering smoother tonal characteristics.

The finishing touches:
Great care and research went into the cosmetics for this special amplifier which perfectly blends authentic vintage styling with contemporary attributes. These touches include vintage “TV Front” cabinetry, pre-1960 logo placement, and vintage-inspired cream vinyl covering

One of the most incredible amps I have plugged in to and ultra portable at 12"(W) x 6.5"(D) x 7"(H) Vox calls it an "Armored Lunchbox" ;-)

The greatest thing about my job is when I discover a new product that is a true game changer; an item that is so cool and so inspirational that I get lost for hours just playing guitar without ever thinking about turning a knob or tweaking a setting.

In April 2009 my Vox rep stopped by with what at first I was ready to dismiss as a gimmick. It was an ultra diminutive, brushed chrome amplifier head that reminded me of a half sized THD Univalve.....a unit which was wildly popular for a few months several years ago, but that I never personally cared for.

I was plugged in to the new Vox Night Train for about 5 minutes before quickly coming to the conclusion that this $500.00 gem was a complete game changer in the amp world. It sounds as good as many amps I've played that cost four times as much and actually sounds better than a ton of amps I've played that sell in the $2,000 price range. Plus......it's tiny!

We sold two of these in 20 minutes while I was checking it out during the rep' demo. Both customers who were in the shop during the demo placed deposits on one.

This little guy is rated at 17 watts when run in Pentode mode and roughly half that when run in Triode. despite its small size it can be plenty loud for any club I can imagine myself ever playing, yet is also capable of superb lower volume tones.

With the amp set to Pentode, Bright switch engaged and with Gain at 9:00 and Master at 12:00 the cleans are huge, sweet and lush with zero nasty crossover distortion. Just big, bold cleans. As you increase the Gain knob the true clean morphs gradually to a beautiful, dynamic, pushed clean and then ultimately in to a wonderfully rich, thick crunch.

Throw the Bright/Thick switch to Thick and place the Gain control at 1:00 or above and you begin to get in to a range of moderate, uncompressed distortion to smooth, creamy, slightly compressed high-gain that sustains infinitely, yet still cleans up with a roll off of the guitar's volume knob.

We tried this amp through three cabs:

Bogner Cube 112 with a G12H30, Port City OS Wave 112 with Vintage 30 and a Dr Z Z Best 212 with Vintage 30 and G12H30. Through all three cabs it was equally great, but simply gained in volume and "size as we went up in cabinet size and speaker count.

Oh.....and Triode mode reduces volume beautifully and when combined with higher Gain settings and lower volume setting creates perfect tones for low volume situations.

It's truly incredible and something I will personally be buying as soon as they begin shipping in June.

It's a dual EL84, twin 12AX7 powered amp built in some country in Asia, but before the forum pundits start to yak about country of origin let me tell you that this things weighs in at a whopping 17 pounds, feels built like a brick, was voiced by Tony Bruno and sounds as good as any American made, hand-wired, boutique amp I have ever played.

I strongly encourage you to place your reservation now. Based on the response of my entire staff, the clients who heard and reserved this unit as soon as they heard it and myself I predict a serious backlog once word gets out.

A very nice nylon cordura carrying case is included.

Oh.....this thing is so cool.....you Have To Have One!