New Vox Handwired series

[metropolis_4]

I know most of them are preorder, but I think the AC10 and maybe the AC30 with greenbacks have been out for a few months.

Has anyone tried one? Anyone had a chance to compare to the previous handwired series?

I’m really interested. My AC30hw2 might be my favorite amp I ever owned back in the day.

Hand-Wired Archives - Vox Amps

VOX AC-HWR: the new AC Hand-Wired Series The VOX AC Hand-Wired amplifiers were designed to honor some of the most iconic sounds in rock history. Meticulously crafted to recreate the tone, feel, and aesthetic of the legendary amplifiers from 1963, these amplifiers set a new standard. Read more

voxamps.com

 

[FuzzyAce]

Vox amps always look so dang cool. I'm kind of surprised they don't do an AC15hw head though?
Anyways, I'd be down with getting an AC30 head at some point.

 

[metropolis_4]

Vox amps always look so dang cool. I'm kind of surprised they don't do an AC15hw head though?
Anyways, I'd be down with getting an AC30 head at some point.

I agree - AC15hw head and a 1x12 extension cab would be very cool.

I know it’s crazy, but I’ve really been wanting the full AC30 combo lately. I’d probably kick myself when I’m hauling it to gigs, but now that I’ve got a cart I’m feeling free to be more adventurous with amp size/weight.

 

[FuzzyAce]

I agree - AC15hw head and a 1x12 extension cab would be very cool.

I know it’s crazy, but I’ve really been wanting the full AC30 combo lately. I’d probably kick myself when I’m hauling it to gigs, but now that I’ve got a cart I’m feeling free to be more adventurous with amp size/weight.

A combo makes sense in a lot a cases though. Don't blame you for wanting one. No pain no gain.

 

[metropolis_4]

One thing that does worry me a little about these is that they went with the tiny top vents. I’m guessing they did that because it looks more vintage correct, but these amps seriously need the ventilation.

Vox has been known to make design decisions based on aesthetics instead of functionality. Anyone else remember the circuit board fiasco with the first HW2 amps?

 

[laxu]

Psionic Audio seems to feel the fx loop sucks:

 

[Blix]

Psionic Audio seems to feel the fx loop sucks:

The loop seems to add 200db of noise when activated, so yeah pretty bad

 

[newholland]

man the old ac15hw combo with a greenback was an absolute screamer. i recorded one three separate times for three day sessions and that damn thing needed nothing. pretty close to the perfect amp.

 

[FuzzyAce]

Psionic Audio seems to feel the fx loop sucks:

It's the kind of amp that doesn't really need a loop imo. I'd take it out.

 

[newholland]

It's the kind of amp that doesn't really need a loop imo. I'd take it out.

seriously. why on earth would you use a loop on a 15 watt amp? its meant to turn way up and it sounds glorious.

 

[laxu]

seriously. why on earth would you use a loop on a 15 watt amp? its meant to turn way up and it sounds glorious.

Most people aren't cranking those. So fx loop can be useful.

I don't think "doesn't need an fx loop" excuses having a bad fx loop.

 

[FuzzyAce]

Most people aren't cranking those. So fx loop can be useful.

I don't think "doesn't need an fx loop" excuses having a bad fx loop.

No, I think it's just extra fluff that's not necessary. Yes, one should work properly and not add extra noise, but I know I'd never use it in an AC.

 

[JiveTurkey]

I always thought the AC15 were the cheaply made, terrible sounding Voxes. Was I wrong?

 

[metropolis_4]

I always thought the AC15 were the cheaply made, terrible sounding Voxes. Was I wrong?

Yes

The C1 I don’t think is a very good amp, but in general the AC15 is to the AC30 what the Deluxe Reverb is to the Twin. Just another model with a different power and config.

The AC15 is a little more raw and gnarly while the AC30 is more smooth and refined in comparison. I love both

 

[FuzzyAce]

I always thought the AC15 were the cheaply made, terrible sounding Voxes. Was I wrong?

Yes.

Actually, I don't know if there were some versions of the AC15 that were dramatically changed and cheaply made. Might have been.
I did some minor fixes on an AC15CC1 for an old bandmate years back, put a 12" Scorpion speaker in it too and it sounded great.

 

[metropolis_4]

Most people aren't cranking those. So fx loop can be useful.

I don't think "doesn't need an fx loop" excuses having a bad fx loop.

I’ve never known anyone who used an fx loop in a Vox. Everyone runs everything in front of it. It’s the kind of amp where you run an analog delay in front of it overdriven and it sounds great.

I didn’t even realize this one had a loop. I agree that if it is there it should work, but I doubt it’s a feature many people care about in these amps

 

[FuzzyAce]

Yes

The C1 I don’t think is a very good amp, but in general the AC15 is to the AC30 what the Deluxe Reverb is to the Twin. Just another model with a different power and config.

The AC15 is a little more raw and gnarly while the AC30 is more smooth and refined in comparison. I love both

The C1 had a really nice clean tone, maybe the stock speaker sucked because the Scorpion I put in my friend's really sounded great. Just a nice all-around pedal platform tone. I never cranked it fully though so may not have had any magic in that department?

 

[metropolis_4]

The C1 had a really nice clean tone, maybe the stock speaker sucked because the Scorpion I put in my friend's really sounded great. Just a nice all-around pedal platform tone. I never cranked it fully though so may not have had any magic in that department?

It might be the speaker. I liked the cc1, but the newer C1 I’ve tried a few times in shops and thought they were very boxy. They didn’t… “breath” if that makes sense. I wondered if it could be because of how small and closed the cab is.

I’m not as crazy about the way the new C series push into overdrive compared to the old CC or the HW. There’s a slightly harder edge to them. I don’t know if it’s the SS rectifier, or a change in the circuit.

 

[newholland]

JT. dime one out into a greenie. waaaaaaaay fun and absolutely a blast!

 

[newholland]

Most people aren't cranking those. So fx loop can be useful.

I don't think "doesn't need an fx loop" excuses having a bad fx loop.

haha.. im not sure people where you are are doin it right, laxu.
i tease. but they should!