Vox AC15C1 and AC15HW1 comparison

http://www.planetz.com/?p=1056 . In this video, I review and compare these two excellent Vox AC15 amps: the AC15C1 custom, and the AC15HW1 hand-wired.
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Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Vox
• custom
• hand-wired
• handwired
• GUITAR
• amplifier
• turret-board
• ac15
• ac15c1
• ac15hw1
• celestion
• greenback
• g12m
• vacuum
• tube
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• 12ax7
• ez81
• silicon
• 1N4007
• rectifier
• high
• frequency
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• birch
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• tremolo
• reverb
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[kidgloves2]

where are they made?

[johnplanetz]

@kidgloves2 - the handwired models are made in Vietnam while the custom is made in China

[DSilvergun]

I've been running my C1 thru an Avatar 2x12 closed back cab with Vintage 30s. Honestly for a big rock sound it really doesn't get much better. The C1 I would say has more of a modern sound vs. a traditional Vox sound. (not in a bad way though).

[johnplanetz]

@DSilvergun - those Avatar cabs are nice. My bandmate is thinking about buying one, and I'm thinking about building something like it :)  I haven't had a chance to hear the Celestion Vintage 30's yet...

[leonkennedy74]

Well I'll tell ya, that HW1 definitely has more treble prominence than the C1. For whatever reason, I find the solid state rectifiers to be the downfall of the C series as compared to the TB reissues and CC2 line - the latter of which is the Vox that I own. With the treble turned down a bit, and the mids boosted more, I could see owning that HW1.

[johnplanetz]

@leonkennedy74 - i don't see the rectifier as being a total deal breaker with the C1- it's just a very slightly different sound.  In any case, I think you'd like the handwired! :)

[butterscotchtele]

"hiss" introduced - corrections for previous posting

[butterscotchtele]

"cleans"

[butterscotchtele]

Sold my c1. Found the leans sterile and lifeless. And as you raise volume, intolerable has is introduced. I hear the HW s nosy as well. I'd like to try for myself, but not buying without a demo.

[DuskY1991]

A C1 would do for gigging but since I'll be in the studio and I'm getting more and more picky about tone... definitely the HW. Excellent demo.

[danieloliveiraog]

lol at the pedal moving due to the vibrations at 9:40 great demo man! :)

[glassbottleblues]

I had the c1 and don't think the verb is a bonus, it is pretty unusable, get a strymon pedal for verb and the handwired,done. The hw definitely has a more open sound and more clarity, i thought the distortion was muddy on both, could of been settings on amps or just that guitars singlecoil pup's not having enough to drive the amps. Cleans were great.

The guy took his time and did a great video,props for your work

[depto1]

Awesome demo....is it just me or does the HW sound MUCH better in this video? Not saying the C1 sounds bad..but the HW just seems to have more clarity and warmth. Lack of reverb/tremolo does give the C1 some nice positives though.

[brandon5pennies]

The AC15HW1 definitely had more note definition and clarity.

[MaggaraMarine]

Oh, and have to add that I kind of preferred the C1. It was better when overdriven. But at the beginning the Handwired was better.