BTW, I did back off the tone controls on both guitars to get there, so there is at least ONE difference. Still get the fizzy noise at the top that I'm unfond of, but if that's normal to the amp, I'll have to live with it.
No sir. The amp has two inputs, but the do the same thing. No different markings to designate and they both sound the same. Top boost and Normal both work all the time on this amp. It is an AC15C1.
Yes. Been using the Normal channel. But possibly not all the time. Could be why things were sounding different and bad at times and better at others (like this morning) There's part of that operator error... Couldn't read those labels till I just looked up a picture online and saw it there and then looked at my amp again. Have stared at that a couple dozen times looking for what they were talking about two inputs. Don't have a clue why I couldn't see it until just now.
ANYway, moving forward. I'm using the Normal for the tones I pushed this morning. Mine does have the tone cut (no tone controls beside that.)
Okay, so recap: normal channel (which I'd been using all along) is hard to get dirt on, but really tears up when you do. Better for clean tones (especially bright ones). Top boost (found it!) gives me the dirt. I'll start working with all the guitars now and see what's good at what.