Does the Vox AC4TV hold up? | A sub-$300 tube amp with some charm

[@avalley91]

Ordered this amp because of this video! Sounds so good.

[@AmbientEndeavors]

Awesome! Hope you enjoy it - they're really fun little amps.

[@LP-123]

I've heard so much of your demoing that you always sound like you to me - which is always good. A good artist can make art, regardless of the quality of their tools. :)

[@AmbientEndeavors]

Oh thank you! I do often think that despite all the different gear I play I end up arriving at the same end sounds. I guess I’ve refined what my ears want to hear at least ha

[@AntonStratocaster]

I bought this amp a little over a year ago second-hand. I bought it without many expectations and it has surprised me so pleasantly that I wouldn't part with it for anything. I have it as standard and haven't changed anything. I think it's excellent just the way it is. It sounds spectacular.

[@AmbientEndeavors]

Glad you’re digging yours!

[@mokachin0]

same here my man

[@killifish]

Came for an AC4TV demo and stayed for your playing! Your playing breathed life into this tiny amp. Now I'm seriouslyy considering buying one for my '78 strat. Thanks so much.

[@AmbientEndeavors]

Thanks, I really appreciate that! They're fun little amps , especially with a couple easy upgrades.

[@fullofbritt]

Fantastic playing! I went a little crazy over the past couple months and picked a few variations of the AC4 -- the 10" AC4TV, the 10" AC4C1-Blue, the 12" AC4C1, and the 12" AC4HW handwired. Given those obsessive options, I like the thing you didn't like about the TV -- I enjoy the quick-to-crunch sound of the amp, just crank the volume and go. Having the AC4C1-12" (and the HW) on hand gives me more standard 4w Vox-y options, so the unique character of the TV is a nice choice to have. The interesting thing to me with these was the noticeable difference going from a 10" speaker to a 12", especially comparing the C1-BL to the 12" C1. (Not necessarily unexpected, but I've never had essentially the same circuit to compare in two combo amps.) What's great with the AC4s is they all have speaker out jacks -- I ended up putting together a cab with a Celestion Blue to pair with these, and it sounds great. Now with a "complete" set, I think my final deluded goal is to get a 4-way splitter and play out with a 4-amp AC4 stack!

[@AmbientEndeavors]

hey thanks! yeah, it is interesting to hear how a 12" speaker can really open up an amp. And yes - totally forgot to mention the speaker out, but it's a great feature, and because they're so small and portable you can almost treat them like heads if desired and run through a nice big cab. I'll have to revisit the overdriven tones; I don't generally love the over-saturated Vox sound, much prefer that slightly boosted chime, but these are definitely great candidates to get the saturation at manageable volumes.

[@JasonTMays]

I had one of these wayyyy back in the day. Killer little amp.

[@AmbientEndeavors]

Hell yea, AC4TV CREW

[@JasonTMays]

@@AmbientEndeavors Squad up!!!!!

[@ryanmccutcheon4298]

Awesome! I haven't seen anyone do a video of that amp since they were new! You have it sounding great! I have one too, but mine has been re cabineted and runs a 10 inch Weber alnico blue pup. It sounds pretty good in stereo with my 74 Fender Vibro Champ!

[@AmbientEndeavors]

YES! I might just have to do another video with that stereo pairing; I'm a HUGE champ / vibro Champ fan and the AC4TV makes a great pairing.

[@mongchacha]

i've had a very similar re-discovery/appreciation for my AC4TV (8"), as well! I have the head+cab, as well. Great amp!

[@AmbientEndeavors]

that's so cool. they're really fun and approachable , and man the head+cab is such a cool vibe. I might need to track another one down. With a speaker upgrade it's a fantastic little setup.

[@wheresallthezombies]

I’m not crazy about the combo version of the ac4. The head into an orange 2x12 is unbelievable. It really opens up.

[@AmbientEndeavors]

Yeah the head into a good cab is really fun. I liked the 112 “mini stack” when I had it, again with a nice speaker and that lower gain preamp tube

[@richardleveille3254]

Great sounds! I have the AC4C1-BL (blue one) and never really fell in love with it. Maybe I need a Jazzmaster!! Will play around with it some more for some different tones than the standard Fender clean (also have a Blues Deluxe RI).

[@noveltycrusade]

Sounds great 👍

[@AmbientEndeavors]

Thank ya!

[@jeffs6114]

Fun I have the 10” combo and the head and 12” cab. They are fun amps, and look good in the living room 😊

[@AmbientEndeavors]

Agreed! I’ve bought and sold the head and cab a few times ha. It’s a really cool piece, and with a speaker upgrade it sounds amazing!

[@stpierreorama]

Beginning a sentence with "fun" is amusingly feminine

[@TerrenceLP]

Put a greenback ❤ in it, more amazing. Tubes are easily upgraded as well. I've had mine for over 10 years 🎉

[@AmbientEndeavors]

yeah I bet a greenback would sound great. Tubes def help , as I noted in the vid.

[@DavideRuggerini]

please post the tube replacment, thanks

[@AmbientEndeavors]

yeah it's an ecc81 , JJ I believe

[@300687p]

Are we listening all the time to the modversion ?

[@AmbientEndeavors]

Yes! Same amp the entire time - with upgraded tube and speaker.

[@Grant_Ferstat]

I've used mine a lot over the years. I had a Celestion Greenback 10" lying aound which I put in mine but I'm curious about the Weber model you used. Alnico? They seem to have a bunch of different signature models.

[@AmbientEndeavors]

The Weber is a ceramic. I bet the greenback would be cool in this amp if it fits! An alnico would be sweet, but not 100% sure the larger bell would fit inside the amp.

[@kwyatt261]

You ever use a Pignose? Those little things are so much fun, and I think they sound great too, but I'm a big fuzz guy.

[@AmbientEndeavors]

Oh man, YEARS ago. Those are classics

[@christophervincent8420]

Actually, I am very interested in the new VOX handwired 2024 coming out tomorrow. I really want to hear that one bad.

[@AmbientEndeavors]

Agreed! Hoping to get one of those in the studio this fall/winter. Stay tuned…

[@macsarcule]

Cool video and nice demo! What’s the brand with the m logo and a red 4 pointed star above it? Update: Oh duh, I had a hunch and checked, I didn’t know the Twins had a new logo, that’s cool! And cool there’s another Minnesota guitar channel! ✌️😌🎸

[@AmbientEndeavors]

Thanks! Uh…another MN gear channel!? Who’s the other ? (Haha jk I’m sure there’s gotta be a few.)

[@macsarcule]

@@AmbientEndeavors if I remember properly, Ryan from Demos in the Dark is based in the twin cities.

[@MattVoyageOfSound]

Kevin Cadogan uses 2 Vox AC4 combos into a open back 4x10 cab

[@AmbientEndeavors]

that's so cool - these sound rad into a nice big cab too!

[@garycrant4511]

I've got one that's not been switched on for at least 5 or 6 years. Is it safe to power it up and use it again, or would it need to be inspected by an [expensive] amp service tech first ? I ask because I've been advised by 'experts' that some components in valve amps can deteriorate becoming unsafe if not powered for several years. Then cause other components to fail in chain reaction next time the amp is switched back on.

[@AmbientEndeavors]

I wouldn’t worry about powering it up personally. There’s truth in that some components can deteriorate. I’ve had amps that sit a few years though and are fine on power up, and this particular amp had sat for quite some time before this video shoot. Don’t consider this expert advice , as you’ll have to decide for yourself what you wanna do.

[@clothescircuit]

heres a crazy question, would you characterize this amp as being a good candidate for playing with musicians using more acoustic instruments, oboe, clarinet, singing bowls, vibraslap, dulcimer, etc

[@MattVoyageOfSound]

Cadogan records with that