Vox AC15C1
Gearank High Notes
- 2022.08: Equal Highest Rated Guitar Combo Tube Amp Under $1000
Tied With:Vox AC30S1 - 2022.02: Highest Rated Combo Tube Guitar Amp Up To 15 Watts
- 2021.07: Equal Highest Rated Guitar Combo Tube Amp Under $1000
Tied With:Vox AC15C1X
Vox AC30S1 - 2020.09: Equal Highest Rated Guitar Combo Tube Amp Under $1000
Tied With:Peavey Classic 50 212 II
Vox AC30S1 - 2020.07: Equal Highest Rated Combo Tube Guitar Amp Up To 15 Watts
Tied With:Fender ’57 Custom Champ
Vox AC4HW1
Vox AC15C1X - 2017.12: Equal Highest Rated Combo Tube Guitar Amp Up To 15 Watts
Tied With:Fender ’57 Custom Champ
Vox AC4HW1
Vox AC15C1X
Fender Blues Junior III Lacquered Tweed
On October 18 2021 we announced the results of our annual analysis of guitar amp brands – Vox ranked #5.
Gearank Recommended
The AC15C1 appeared on our recommended list for Combo Tube Amps when we published our first edition of that guide in May 2017. Then in December that year it also rated high enough to appear in the first edition of our guide to Low Watt Tube Amps as the equal highest rated option.
It has remained on at least one of those recommended lists ever since and is currently ranking at the top in both categories.
Cons
- Not for purists who prefer Jensen speakers
- Not loud enough for use on stage or in big venues
Pros
- Harmonically rich Vox chime
- Tighter bottom end courtesy of Greenback speaker
- Good sounding reverb and tremolo
- Pedal friendly
The Vox AC15 is arguably the most important amp in the rise of the Britpop sound of the ’60s. And despite being 15 watts, the humble AC15 was loud enough to keep up with a drummer and was a staple in many bands of the time.
Today the AC15C1 continues this legacy with a modern twist, courtesy of the use of Celestion Greenback speaker – which is commonly associated with Marshall guitar amplifiers. This speaker gives the amp tighter low-end response compared to old AC15s. And with proper Guitar Micing, this amp gives you the classic sound that you’d expect from Vox.
This tighter response makes the amp better suited for today’s indie and alternative rock styles. It also makes the amp pedal friendly, especially for overdrives.
This shift to a Greenback speaker won’t make this the best tube amp under 1000 for purists who prefer original’s Jensen speakers. But it helps expand the tones and use of the amp, which will appeal to today’s guitar players who play multiple styles.
It is quite loud for a 15W amp but not enough to take the place of bigger stage amps.
Everything else is designed to reproduce the classic Vox chime, with chimey cleans and fat grit when pushed. Including its vintage style appearance and amp section, which is equipped with three 12AX7 preamp tubes and two x EL84 for the power tubes.
It even comes with the iconic Top Boost channel and its dedicated control knobs. The built-in reverb and tremolo are also quite good and deserving of special mention.
Thanks to its modern voicing, you don’t have to be a fan of the Beatles to appreciate the AC15C1’s harmonically rich tone. Definitely check it out if you are a fan of the Vox chime tone but want extra sonic legroom.
Specifications
- Power Rating:15 Watts
- Preamp Tube: 3 x12AX7
- Poweramp Tube: 2 x EL84
- Speaker: 1 x 12” Celestion G12M Greenback
- Inputs:2 x 1/4″ (Normal, Top Boost)
- Output: 1 x 1/4″ (16 ohms), 2 x 1/4″ (single 8 ohm, 2 x 16 ohm), 1 x XLR (DI out), USB
- Cabinet: Open Back
- Control Knobs: Master Volume, Master Tone, Tremolo Depth, Tremolo Speed, Reverb Level, Top Boost Bass, Top Boost Treble, Top Boost Volume, Normal Volume
- Weight: 48.5 lbs
| Website | Source | *Rating Value |
| YouTube | Jack Fossett | 96/100 |
| The Gear Page | guitkrazy | 98/100 |
