*recommend me* AC4 or AC15

[dudelove]

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.

I never said that speakers don't make a big difference. I've played an AC30CC2 with Wharfdales and when it was fitted with proper Celestion Blues and it made a world of a difference. And I mean a HUGE difference, absolutely delicious. And I've played an Orange I can't remember what and I could instantly hear why some people dislike the V30s.

My point is the cabinet material. Epi Valve junior uses birch plywood which is fine.. The AC4s 12" speaker cab uses particle board: http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/squawk-box/73051-vox-ac4tv-gut-shot.html. There's a difference between plywood and particle board. Particle board is really just sawdust and glue.

Well then, that's my so called "theory" on why the Vox AC4 sounds boxy to me. I'm trying to draw a conclusion from what other people say on forums, but I will not make a legitimate decision until I hear an improvement myself from a speaker swap on an AC4. For all you know that might not even be the culprit

 

[Ized]

^Thanks for the link and the informative read, I see your point about the cab material making a difference....which is why open back and close back cabs also affect how speakers push the air and the way the sound is projected. Good findings there, thanks for sharing dude.....

I guess tone is also subjective la, cos the AC4TV did not sound boxy to me, in fact i remembered being rather impressed with it (along with my co-guitarist Faizal) when we tried it out together at City Music. It also took pedals well, the seventheaven in particular as a certain famous guitarist by the name of dhalif is able to attest. The amp was also pretty loud and did not break up easily in the 4W mode - had quite a bit of headroom which was impressive. Despite what the MLP forums ppl are saying- it is a 300 dollar amp after all - and despite Vox cutting corners its still not a sub par by any means - in fact i find that it outshone many similar amps in its class.

Of course, Blackface cleans are in a totally different ballpark la if thats what you prefer....I've tried the pro junior and the blues junior. The AC4 cant compete with these amps - and it isnt designed to. A more suitable competitor from Fender in the same class would be the champion 600- and I've tried it. It dosent have much clean headroom (starts breaking up at volume 2) and its designed more of a guitar straight into amp kind of thing if that floats your boat.

 

[dudelove]

Of course, Blackface cleans are in a totally different ballpark la if thats what you prefer....I've tried the pro junior and the blues junior. The AC4 cant compete with these amps - and it isnt designed to. A more suitable competitor from Fender in the same class would be the champion 600- and I've tried it. It dosent have much clean headroom (starts breaking up at volume 2) and its designed more of a guitar straight into amp kind of thing if that floats your boat.

Yeah for the money the Ac4 is a pretty damn good amp. And Greg got his during the sale, bloody hell I missed it. I totally agree about this:

and despite Vox cutting corners its still not a sub par by any means - in fact i find that it outshone many similar amps in its class.

I brought up the issue about the cab material because I'm trying to figure out why I don't particular dig the amp.

I'll be looking at the AC15C1 when I seriously consider purchasing an amp, and yes, I think it'll sound much better with a Celestion blue rather than the Greenback in it. My friend's AC30 with the Blues sounds fantastic, both clean and driven. But budget wise that amp sits just perfectly.

I probably wouldn't splash out money on like a DRRI or something even though that's my sort of tone (Mike Bloomfield hehe).