*recommend me* AC4 or AC15

[faizal_rocks]

I agree with Ized...I myself own a AC4 amp since Nov 2009 and still using it..why? I normally look for amps with a good clean sound while getting my gain/distortion needs from pedals..and the AC4 does just that... I changed the stock tubes to Tungsol 12AX7 (gold pin version) and a Ei EL84..sounds great!

 

[dudelove]

I changed the stock tubes to Tungsol 12AX7 (gold pin version) and a Ei EL84..sounds great!

I'm interested to know what are the changes before and after. There's something about the AC4's clean tone that I'm not really digging. There's just something in the mids and a certain boxiness I don't like.

 

[faizal_rocks]

I'm interested to know what are the changes before and after. There's something about the AC4's clean tone that I'm not really digging. There's just something in the mids and a certain boxiness I don't like.

All I can say is there's an improvement in the clarity..neither too dark nor too bright..thats all

 

[Ized]

The gain on the AC4 is mud though. Plus with my problem for speaker size, I couldn't take home the AC4.

On the week these 2 amps came out, I tried to AC4 and was impressed. Then I tried the NT and the AC just sounded small in comparison. Took home the NT, now a year later I miss having an effects loop.

Hardly anyone plays the ac4 with its own gain...cos it dosent have a master volume...unless you'r talking about cranking it all the way up? *facepalm*

Don't think its fair to compare a master volume amp with a non master volume one, especially when the variables are not constant. One is a push/pull and the other other is a class A amp. Been there done that on Faizal's review in the amp section.

 

[Ized]

I'm interested to know what are the changes before and after. There's something about the AC4's clean tone that I'm not really digging. There's just something in the mids and a certain boxiness I don't like.

Its probably the cheap chinese celestion speaker and stock tubes. Come and try mine out someday, you'd be surprised. I find the stock AC4 highs rather brittle and tightness of the low end was almost non existent before I did a tube swap. Might send it to Goose for more mods if he's free, and maybe change the speaker to an Eminence Red Fang

 

[Godspeed64]

Hardly anyone plays the ac4 with its own gain...cos it dosent have a master volume...unless you'r talking about cranking it all the way up? *facepalm*

Don't think its fair to compare a master volume amp with a non master volume one, especially when the variables are not constant. One is a push/pull and the other other is a class A amp. Been there done that on Faizal's review in the amp section.

Vox is all about being dynamic man. Crank it up, use the volume knob on you can get several different tones. But the AC4 didn't show this ability to clean-up well. Plus I'd rather look at tube amps for gain then clean, so the AC4 doesn't have a nice breakup tone.

 

[Ized]

That's just your perceived attitude towards the brand. But the AC4 can get nice breakup tones with a tube change. You cant really compare the NT and the AC4 after all, they are totally different animals. Plus when I tried the seventheaven through the NT, i think the gain pwned the NT's own gain....so.... haha

 

[dudelove]

Its probably the cheap chinese celestion speaker and stock tubes. Come and try mine out someday, you'd be surprised. I find the stock AC4 highs rather brittle and tightness of the low end was almost non existent before I did a tube swap. Might send it to Goose for more mods if he's free, and maybe change the speaker to an Eminence Red Fang

I think it's something to do with the shitty cab as well. It's a particle board cabinent, if the speakers change to better ones it's still not gonna do much. It's like changing the pickups in a plywood body guitar. And I think the cab and the combo sound different, due to speaker size.

I have nothing wrong with the highs or the lows actually. It just sounds boxy to me. But then again, it's because of personal preference. I really love Blackface type cleans you see..

 

[dudelove]

Plus I'd rather look at tube amps for gain then clean, so the AC4 doesn't have a nice breakup tone.

No wonder you really need an effects loop. Makes sense to me.

 

[Godspeed64]

That's just your perceived attitude towards the brand. But the AC4 can get nice breakup tones with a tube change. You cant really compare the NT and the AC4 after all, they are totally different animals. Plus when I tried the seventheaven through the NT, i think the gain pwned the NT's own gain....so.... haha

Whatever rocks your boat mate....

No wonder you really need an effects loop. Makes sense to me.

Yeah. Mistake on my part as I never thought I'd end up using my Vox for gain. Kinda regret the NT now.

 

[justheretolook]

just get the pathfinder. if feist and norah jones can use it live on national american TV, it means it doesnt suck. if you want high gain, forget about vox altogether.

 

[Godspeed64]

I'm honestly tempted to getting 2 Pathfinders and running them in Stereo.

 

[dudelove]

I'm honestly tempted to getting 2 Pathfinders and running them in Stereo.

I found out from experience, running a stereo setup in a small room like a bedroom is pretty stupid and doesn't have the space for everything to bloom nicely. It may sound like cork sniffing but how high the ceiling is, where each amp is placed and many more factors affect how nice the overall sound will be.

 

[eric123]

nonono! hahaha! I not a HIGH GAIN METAL GUY! LOLOLOLOL but it might just my biased against pathfinder!

 

[Godspeed64]

I found out from experience, running a stereo setup in a small room like a bedroom is pretty stupid and doesn't have the space for everything to bloom nicely. It may sound like cork sniffing but how high the ceiling is, where each amp is placed and many more factors affect how nice the overall sound will be.

Nobody said I'll place them in the bedroom!

 

[justheretolook]

Nobody said I'll place them in the bedroom!

I like how you think bro. been planning it for years but im gonna save up for a Wildkat first though

 

[Ized]

deleted post

 

[Ized]

I think it's something to do with the shitty cab as well. It's a particle board cabinent, if the speakers change to better ones it's still not gonna do much. It's like changing the pickups in a plywood body guitar. And I think the cab and the combo sound different, due to speaker size.

I have nothing wrong with the highs or the lows actually. It just sounds boxy to me. But then again, it's because of personal preference. I really love Blackface type cleans you see..

I'll have to to disagree with you on that one. I've personally experienced Faizal's modded Epi Valve JR combo with a eminence red fang speaker swap as recommeneded by Goose, with stellar results. Speakers make or break the amp imo...which is why a 1k plus amp starting with the letter G with an eminence tonker speaker can sound crappy for high gain.

The red fang is one of the most versatile speakers i've ever tried...much better than the v30s or even the greenbacks.

 

[Hercules]

First time I heard that particle board cabinet is bad for tone. So amp makers should use good tonewood for cabs? Brazilian Rosewood cabs anyone?

Yes particle boards suck in terms of durability and they have that cheapo factor, but no way does it impede the speaker's tone. It's just a housing for goodness sake.

 

[dudelove]

First time I heard that particle board cabinet is bad for tone. So amp makers should use good tonewood for cabs? Brazilian Rosewood cabs anyone?

Yes particle boards suck in terms of durability and they have that cheapo factor, but no way does it impede the speaker's tone. It's just a housing for goodness sake.

You'll be surprised. I've seen so many cabs and amps made out of funny woods and using dovetail joints claiming they are better for this and that reason, whether it's a marketing ploy by these amp builders, I don't know, but I'm pretty sure material does matter.

Take a read:
http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=657986