Vox AC15 vs. Fender Blues Jr

[jonnyc]

Please name one. I made suggestions that I recall to try as to using two inputs at once on the AC30CC work, but I never made a statement. But if you are refering to the AC30CC being two channels, it is not a normal 2 channel amp. It is one channel with a seperate circuit that can be inserted into the channel by using the other input.

The original AC30 was also multiple channels, but it wasn't. It was one channel with a vibrato "channel". But that channel merely used the previous channel and introducted the vibrato into the circuit. Its not the same.

OK maybe they were just assumptions or even educated guesses but either way the a/b footswitch worked. Yes it's definately not your normal 2 channel amp although there are 2 seperate sets of controls for each channel plus a master volume and with a 30 dollar footswitch and a couple extra cables it works just like anyone would expect a 2 channel amp to work. All that bullshit aside it really is a very nice amp despite it's Chinese heritage. It may not be an original british AC30 but it is a flavor and a damn good one at that. BTW there are a few people over at Gearslutz that swear this amp is better than some of the early '90's Brit models which I believe were Korg also.

 

[Outlaws]

All that bullshit aside it really is a very nice amp despite it's Chinese heritage. It may not be an original british AC30 but it is a flavor and a damn good one at that. BTW there are a few people over at Gearslutz that swear this amp is better than some of the early '90's Brit models which I believe were Korg also.

I don't care where it was made or who owns Vox name now. My point is that is a completely different amp with a completely different circuit. The only thing it has in common with the original is the name and the outside look.

 

[jonnyc]

My fault. My question referred to the AC15, and what I really meant was the new AC15CC.

Y'all quit pissing at each other, OK?

Ah pissing at each other is fun, Outlaws knows his stuff and I honest to God enjoy arguing amplifiers with him although I don't think he likes the Chinese very much. BTW if you're considering a CC get the 30 and get either the Blue's or better yet find a cabinet that matches it well, as said before my amp through a marshall 1960a just makes me wanna cream my pants.

 

[jonnyc]

I don't care where it was made or who owns Vox name now. My point is that is a completely different amp with a completely different circuit. The only thing it has in common with the original is the name and the outside look.

I hear ya, although they have to be somewhere in the same ballpark as far as tone goes, I mean maybe not but either way it sounds great, much meaner than I figured it would ever get. The thing I honestly dislike about the amp is the clean, somewhat muddy not glassy at all, I really like my Mesa's clean tone over the AC30CC. BTW can I stop putting CC on the end of the name or are you going to call me out on it everytime.

 

[Outlaws]

somewhat muddy not glassy at all

Excuse me, but thats called "warmth", not mud. But I guess the CC has that in common too.

The original was designed break up in a smooth way and not sound harsh...but IMO its what gives the "vox sound" its "bite". Plus when played clean, the clean generally fills up the tonal spectrum more fully with that "muddy" sound. But they fixed all that (still never reached the Fender "shimmer" or "glassy" sound) with the Top Boost model. Just gave its overdrive even more "bite".

 

[jonnyc]

Excuse me, but thats called "warmth", not mud. I guess it has that in common too. It because the original was designed break up in a smooth way and not sound harsh...but IMO its what gives the "vox sound" its "bite". Plus the clean generally fills up the tonal spectrum more fully with that "muddy" sound.

Well when I think of the AC30 clean sound I think of the Edge. I remember seeing pictures of his live rig a few years back and he had an arsenal of AC30's mic'd up back stage. Anyway his clean doesn't sound like mine however the people I've let use it to record with all love that clean sound. I'm probably too used to the clean on a Jazz Chorus, I don't know. Also could be a micing error on my part I tend to mic the speaker closer to the edge then most would recommend but that spot gives me a great distorted sound and I never move the mic from that point when I switch over to doing clean tracks. If you get a chance listen to that link I gave you and tell me what you think of the clean sound on the Popcorn song, that's te "mud" I'm refering to.

 

[Zaphod B]

Ah pissing at each other is fun, Outlaws knows his stuff and I honest to God enjoy arguing amplifiers with him although I don't think he likes the Chinese very much. BTW if you're considering a CC get the 30 and get either the Blue's or better yet find a cabinet that matches it well, as said before my amp through a marshall 1960a just makes me wanna cream my pants.

Yep, that was my thought, too, to get the head and match it with a cab.

I have a 2 X 12 closed-back homemade loaded with Celestions - Vintage 30s if I recall - that might work well.

 

[jonnyc]

Yep, that was my thought, too, to get the head and match it with a cab.

I have a 2 X 12 closed-back homemade loaded with Celestions - Vintage 30s if I recall - that might work well.

That would probably work really nice, do you think it'd still have the balls a 4x12 would. I know the 1x12's don't seem to get a meaty as a 4x12's but I've never really worked with a 2x12 cab before. IMO though the standard Marshall cabs just this sound, can't really explain it, but I love it.

 

[Outlaws]

If you get a chance listen to that link I gave you and tell me what you think of the clean sound on the Popcorn song, that's te "mud" I'm refering to.

Are you refering to the part that starts about 2:20? That is the only "clean" i hear in the song.

Since you want me to compare, I will. But i have to warn you, I am going to use a word that might not like but I don't mean it in a bad way. But I really can't describe it any other way that I can think of.

The clean actually sounds thinner than the few AC15's I have played. Those were thick. Lots of it. High end was almost non existant. The clean in that sounded more thin than the original AC15, but that could easily be nothing more than any variation/combination of room, guitar, mic, pre, EQ, etc.

It sounded good. I wouldn't have said, "oh thats a Vox." But the bite in the overdriven parts has some of that character though. A little more sustain than I recall most AC's having. But it is a modern amp so its hard to not supply that.

 

[Zaphod B]

That would probably work really nice, do you think it'd still have the balls a 4x12 would. I know the 1x12's don't seem to get a meaty as a 4x12's but I've never really worked with a 2x12 cab before. IMO though the standard Marshall cabs just this sound, can't really explain it, but I love it.

It's the same cab I used with the Matamp, and it seemed plenty ballsy.

Come to think of it, though, I may have used the G12T-75 speakers in that thing due to the wattage of the Matamp.

I guess I need to take a look!

But, yeah, you're right about the Marshall cabs. They have a very gutsy sound.

I guitarist I used to play with always loaded his full stack with Fane speakers because they were known for the voice coils running hot, and adding a very smooth, noticeable distortion to the cab. Very sweet.

 

[jonnyc]

Are you refering to the part that starts about 2:20? That is the only "clean" i hear in the song.

Since you want me to compare, I will. But i have to warn you, I am going to use a word that might not like but I don't mean it in a bad way. But I really can't describe it any other way that I can think of.

The clean actually sounds thinner than the few AC15's I have played. Those were thick. Lots of it. High end was almost non existant. The clean in that sounded more thin than the original AC15, but that could easily be nothing more than any variation/combination of room, guitar, mic, pre, EQ, etc.

It sounded good. I wouldn't have said, "oh thats a Vox." But the bite in the overdriven parts has some of that character though. A little more sustain than I recall most AC's having. But it is a modern amp so its hard to not supply that.

Maybe thin is what I don't like about it. I mean I flat out told the band that I didn't like that clean sound and wanted to redo it and they all said NO. They all claimed it's the best clean tone they've had yet and to me it was just yuck. Also the kid playing guitar really isn't a guitar player, he's a bass player/singer posing now as a lead singer that also plays guitar. He comes up with some really nice riffs but I'm betting his technique isn't the greatest. BTW besides the amp I dont eq guitars really, I try to get what I want right from the source. Thanks for your honest opinion.

 

[Outlaws]

Maybe thin is what I don't like about it. I mean I flat out told the band that I didn't like that clean sound and wanted to redo it and they all said NO. They all claimed it's the best clean tone they've had yet and to me it was just yuck. Also the kid playing guitar really isn't a guitar player, he's a bass player/singer posing now as a lead singer that also plays guitar. He comes up with some really nice riffs but I'm betting his technique isn't the greatest. BTW besides the amp I dont eq guitars really, I try to get what I want right from the source. Thanks for your honest opinion.

If you haven't played an original AC15 or AC30, I think I can already imagine what you would say. "There's mud everywhere. No matter what I turn I get more mud."

If you ever want a "glassy" shimmer, I highly suggest the Deluxe Reverb.

 

[soundchaser59]

I know I need glasses, but I could not find anything on that page linking to a Popcorn song.....???

What I liked about the AC30 was the overdriven blues lead sound it gave me.

For cleans, nothing beats a vintage Fender!!

 

[jonnyc]

I know I need glasses, but I could not find anything on that page linking to a Popcorn song.....???

What I liked about the AC30 was the overdriven blues lead sound it gave me.

For cleans, nothing beats a vintage Fender!!

Should be the first song of the four listed to listen to.

 

[RezN8]

A while back I passd on a Vox AC15 and purchased a Blues Jr. ltd. edition for a blues jam I hosted downtown. Everyone loved it - it was perfect for blues as well as bluesy/southern rock tones. It's also great with a green bullet and a harmonica. It doesn't really do much else, but then that's what I bought it for in the first place.

Other small amp options to consider are the Rivera Pubster/Clubster series

http://www.rivera.com/pubclub.php

and DEFINITELY check out Dr. Z's Mini-Z

http://www.drzamps.com/miniz.html

Happy hunting. -Rez

 

[Zaphod B]

Thanks, RezN8!

 

[soundchaser59]

What about the BJ did you like more than the Vox? Just curious, I'd like to add a Fender to my collection.

If I were really intent on specifically adding a Fender to my collection, I'd shoot for something a few steps up from a Blues Junior....something more versatile than a BJ.....The reissue BJ was running about $450-500 bucks?? I got a 1987 Twin with new tubes and new Jensen's for $500 bucks.

 

[jonnyc]

If I were really intent on specifically adding a Fender to my collection, I'd shoot for something a few steps up from a Blues Junior....something more versatile than a BJ.....The reissue BJ was running about $450-500 bucks?? I got a 1987 Twin with new tubes and new Jensen's for $500 bucks.

Well it probably wouldn't be the only Fender that I would purchase. The Supersonic actually really has me intrigued, if I srape the cash together soon I'll probably pick that up next.

 

[soundchaser59]

Yeah, I think the SuperSonic is very tempting also.......I was equally tempted by the SuperSonic and the Traynor YCS100 three channel for $750. I've had great luck with Traynor's tube amps! I figure if my local Fender dealer here admits to not liking Traynor, then they must have a pretty good product! The YCV20WR I had was a fantastic introduction to tube amps. It got me ready for the Mesa and the Twin.

But ya know, dont get me wrong, I still have a small magic genie in the back of my head telling me I cant live without one of those reissue Blues Jr amps!! For blues and gritty rock sounds, it was very sweet. If I won the Pick 5 or something, I wouldn't hesitate to go buy one tomorrow!

 

[Outlaws]

Yeah, I think the SuperSonic is very tempting also.......I was equally tempted by the SuperSonic and the Traynor YCS100 three channel for $750. I've had great luck with Traynor's tube amps! I figure if my local Fender dealer here admits to not liking Traynor, then they must have a pretty good product! The YCV20WR I had was a fantastic introduction to tube amps. It got me ready for the Mesa and the Twin.

But ya know, dont get me wrong, I still have a small magic genie in the back of my head telling me I cant live without one of those reissue Blues Jr amps!! For blues and gritty rock sounds, it was very sweet. If I won the Pick 5 or something, I wouldn't hesitate to go buy one tomorrow!

Why is everyone calling the Blues Junior a "reissue"? When has it ever gone out of out of production?