Vox is a renowned British manufacturer of musical equipment, including guitars, drums, keyboards, and most highly regarded of all, amplifiers. Founded by Thomas Walter Jennings in the late 1950s, Vox quickly became an iconic name in the world of music due to its innovative amplifier designs and associations with influential artists of the time. One of their all-time classics is the evocative Vox AC30 combo amp, reputed for its chime-like cleans as well as its overdriven sounds. It’s considered one of the best British-flavored amps ever produced. In this review, we’ll be breaking down the Vox AC15C1 — a take on the iconic AC30 and one of the most popular British amps ever made.
Overview of the Vox AC15C1 Combo Amp
The Vox AC15C1 is a 1×12, 15-watt, single-channel tube combo amplifier. The amp offers two separate inputs depending on the tone you’re trying to achieve — Normal and Top Boost. Controls for the Normal channel are limited to Volume, with a Master section offering an additional gain stage and a Tone Cut.
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Plugging into the Top Boost input gives user additional access to Bass and Treble EQ, as well as Volume. Users can also make use of Reverb and Tremolo for a timeless sonic quality. The “C1” designation denotes that this particularly AC15 utilizes a Celestion G12M Greenback speaker.
Vox Makes Premier Home Practice Amps
The relatively small size of the AC15C1 could potentially make it a nice home practice amp. Don’t be fooled, though — 15 tube watts are plenty loud for rehearsal and medium gigs. The plug-and-play simplicity of the AC15 might be attractive to some guitar players who want hassle-free practice. Just grab your guitar and get going.
In any case, the AC15C1 is equally viable as a home practice amp as it is for rehearsals and gigging.
Vox AC15C1 Review
Specs & Size
- 15-watt EL34 tube power
- 1×12″ Celestion G12M Greenback speaker
- Normal and Top Boost 1/4″ inputs
- Built-in Reverb and Tremolo
- Iconic British tone in one of the world’s most-used amplifiers
- 48.5 pounds
How Does It Sound?
One of the biggest draws to the AC15 Custom is the choice of speaker — in the C1, that’s the Greenback. This 25-watt speaker tames some of the harsher top-end frequencies for a smoother, midrange-focused tone that lots of guitarists love. Apart from that, you can expect every bit of Vox heritage from this amp. The inimitable, chime-y clean sounds and the grit and grind of its overdrive.
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It truly is an iconic guitar amp with plenty of documentation and usage. If you’re unsure of its sound qualities, you can easily source demos or even timeless recordings that used it to get a proper idea of its tone.
What Features Are Included?
The primary features in the AC15C1 are reverb and tremolo. Otherwise, this is a straightforward amp that you know what you’re getting yourself into when you buy it. There are definitely far more versatile and “modern” amps on the market, if that’s what you’re after. However, if you want a classic, the AC15 is wildly popular for a reason.
What We Love About the AC15C1 Combo Amp
What’s not to love about vintage Vox sonics? The clean sounds from the Normal input are amongst the most favored from any amplifier ever produced. The Top Boost channel provides just enough overdrive on its own for lead or rhythm playing in rock, indie, or blues styles.
We also love the simplicity. With so many amplifiers to choose from, and so many legendary names joining the modern pursuit how versatile and feature-rich an amp can be, the Vox AC15C1 is refreshingly mundane. Plug it in, and it sounds good — endless tinkering and relentless “versatility” be damned.
Are There Any Downsides?
Arguably one of the biggest downsides is cost. Tube amps are never cheap, but for one without the extensive features you may find elsewhere, some buyers have cause to look the other way. The Vox AC is more or less a one-trick pony, saving you use it as a pedal platform to diversify your sound (although the absence of an effects loop complicates this slightly). Other amps truly are versatile, covering everything from sparkly cleans to high-gain metal tones. You won’t get that from the Vox AC15C1, though that’s part of its charm in our review.
Who Is This Amp Great For?
The Vox AC15C1 is great for anyone who wants vintage-style British sound in a noncomplex package. 15 watts make it reasonable enough for home practice and also loud enough for rehearsals and small- to medium-sized gigs. The clean channel is how it built its legacy, and the Top Boost provides a pushed, slightly overdriven sound that will vary depending on the guitar you’re playing.
This amp is also good for anyone looking to build out more elaborate tones with pedals. Despite its lack of an effects loop, you could still manage to take advantage of its Normal input to work from as a pedal platform.
Closing Thoughts If You Are Considering the Vox AC15C1
The Vox AC15C1 amplifier stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of Vox Amplification. With its rich history dating back to the British Invasion and its continued relevance in the modern music landscape, the AC15C1 captures the essence of classic British tube amplification while incorporating contemporary features that cater to today’s discerning musicians.
