Champions of Chime - Vox AC15 Hand-Wired AC15HW1X

[@learnerlearns]

Very good demonstrations by talented players in a variety of valid styles. This is the best way to present any amp or preamp.

[@guitarnut1000]

Have this amp. It is incredible with my PRS or my Strat. Does everything I need or want. It makes me play more and helps me to get better. Amp for life!

[@thinweasel1]

that first guy was spectacular. beautiful guitar too

[@Ky_fan]

I'm an owner of the ac30c2 and it can get some really good clean tones. This is the most versatile amp I've played.

[@superflea72]

I have the Greenback-loaded version of this amp. it kills with my Strat, and I'm always getting tone compliments and/or questions about it. it can go from Albert Collins to Red Hot Chili Peppers to AC/DC (and even more with an overdrive pedal). my mates Gibson 345 sounds absolutely killer through it as well - really fat and crunchy. oh, and it looks awesome! great amp :)

[@daviddivad15]

I have a Vox Pathfinder 15 watt, and a washburn WI15 sj, and my guitar has dimazario bridge pickups, and a humbucker neck pickup, and i absolutely love my set up, Vox amps always deliver.

[@davekuhn4831]

For those who don't know what "chimey" means or sounds like.. Listen to the Edge's guitar at the intro of Where the Streets have no name. That is a Vox sound.

[@bobsbigboy_]

U2 sucks tho

[@martinskanal]

Wow an opinion in a KZbin comments field. That's a novelty!

[@howieloader]

Not a great advertisement for Vox lol... Edge is a trash guitarist...

[@Zappappappappa]

Another tip for those who are looking for an example in addition to the original comment to see how uniquely versatile the AC15 is with the monster blues tone one can achieve is to listen to the Irish Tour '74 version of Rory Gallagher playing the song "I Wonder Who." The only pedal used by Rory in the song is a Dallas Rangemaster treble-booster he used as an always on type pedal but any tube screamer style (recommend my favorite TS style pedal JHS Bonsai 9-way screamer) or a clean boost/pre-amp pedal with mid-range EQ control. I would recommend yet another JHS pedal called the Clover pre-amp which happens to be my always on pedal that I use for all six guitars and five amps I own whether it's my go-to AC15 for any situation or my second favorite amp which is a '65 reissue twin reverb but it even sounds great through my Mustang GT200 modeling amp as well. The tone he gets from his Vox when combined with his strat he used for the entirety of his career is unbelievably powerful and in addition to the other legendary players who used an AC15/30 it is likely the most versatile of any of the vintage style tube amps and also in my opinion the best amp for use as a pedal platform as I have owned close to if not over 100 different effects in my seventeen years of playing (I'm twenty-six now and got my first guitar on my ninth birthday) as Dave stated above the Edge who is known for using a plethora of different effects has strictly used a Vox during his career.

[@josephd7267]

@@bobsbigboy_you must’ve never heard anything from 80-94

[@1madaxeman]

you're correct!! I've got the AC30HW2X...and as you said these new Vox handwired are made in Vietnam.

[@CR0SSJ]

tat gibson on the demo was a killer!!!! hope to see all the other champs of chime series on the youtube! great vid :)

[@mariodriessen9740]

Something's really wrong here. I know these amps and I know how beautiful they sound. But I haven't heard a single beautiful sound in this whole video. This is annoying. I've played Voxes all my life, old ones and new ones, AC30's and AC15's, they all sounded glorious. And now I see three pro's, all playing a great amp and they all sound like shit. Something's really terribly wrong!

[@nanofree01]

fully agree !!

[@danielkelleyhoward]

Maybe one of the tubes was going out. Kinda does sound like that

[@gutbucket260]

Think it might be poor micing or video compressing or some such bullshittery. I've owned Voxs and they sounded better.

[@Nazzz65]

I completely agree!

[@CriticsConfession]

Sounds like they tried to compress the amps in post to make them sound "bigger, better". Real tip: never compress any kind of distorted guitar unless you're going for a really specific mix. The entire concept of guitar distortion is that it's already compressed, that's what distortion is. It's meeting a ceiling and trying to exceed it.

[@gordontubbs]

When guitar players say "clean tone", there's really three different types of clean you need to judge: True Clean (which in some cases can be a solid state amp like a Roland Jazz Chorus that it is technically cleaner than a tube amp), Fender Clean (which has more to do with getting maximum headroom at the loudest volume possible while minimizing tube overdrive), and Jazz Clean (which is achieved by rolling back the volume and tone knobs for less input gain and treble). Even Surfer Rock clean tones were just a little bit overdriven, so at the end of the day, I find it hard to judge which amp is "cleaner" than another when people might be using different definitions of clean tone.

[@marsattacks7071]

In Vox case, we talk about an amp based on EL84 working in class A with NO feedback loop. Also, the 12" Celestion Alnico Blue. That's the point concerning the Vox models. Paired with Rickenbacker, it was very chimey. There is no equivalent !

[@supermel9]

Jazz players dont roll their volume and tone off, they do it on the amp.

[@Zappappappappa]

@@supermel9 wow I didn't realize that every single jazz guitarist in the past, present and future never touches their guitars volume/tone controls. I think that I have revolutionized the instrument for other "jazz" guitarists.

[@tiki_trash]

@@marsattacks7071 I don't think Vox ever made a push-pull class A amp. The AC4 is class A single-ended. AC30s and AC15s are not class A amps they are class AB. I don't know how this piece of misinformation got started so long ago, maybe because they're cathode biased? idk

[@moes_film]

great segment. looking forward to future episodes and players. .

[@AidenBradley95]

The funniest thing about this is I actually sold my Princeton Reverb for a Handwired AC15... Still, I like clean tones, but I like the smoother breakup of smaller Fender amps (80% of the reason I had my Princeton) at breaking point. Loving every minute of the Vox though, wish a few more videos would demo it a touch cleaner. I love it's cleans so much.

[@VeryCommonName]

Hi we're going to play chime amps with crunch because you know that's exactly what people talk about chimey amps for, not "chimey cleans" or the like.

[@mountainman8775]

Sounds good to my ears despite the negative comments.... they‘re definitely the crunch tones from the amp, but this amp would sound beautiful in a band context

[@blerkh]

WTF? Like others have commented, there's something defective here. It's as if this amp doesn't do clean. I mean, even with a Tele and the amp volume at 1 (@8:12) you can't get a sound without breakup!? And the example @3:55, with the amp volume at 3, sounds like a Fender cranked way up.

[@louderthangod]

Very cool feature. I'd like to see more like this.

[@Eric_DiRisio]

Justin, those Nash guitars are incredible!

[@saintlotus93]

I need this amp, and an ES330.

[@stratguy823]

I know dude... Neil Young used a Tweed Deluxe with the 5E3 circuit, which typically ran 6V6s, not 6L6s.

[@znagle22]

great demo ...using various players and a wide range of guitars! great demo!!!

[@danielgalanti2166]

I was expecting to love this but I'm not sure I would use it alone on stage. I tried a vox pcb ac15 with an Alnico blue at GC and was blown away. It seemed to have more headroom plus reverb and Trem. I live for stereo amps so I could easily see using both. I try not to use pcb board amps even tough they csn have a lower noise floor. Repairs can be a nightmare. Steve is right about reverb it's a bummer they're not including reverb and Trem. It's cool to see him using Saticoy guitars. Steve was at GIT in 88 when I was there. He's a monster player. His band Pedro and the Chinamen were amazing. He did a country version of somewhere over the 🌈 that would make you question your abilities........and after crushing you, motivate you. Cool amp for sure but the be all end all?!

[@lilsponge777]

Ahhhh is it just me or is that SM57 microphone not plugged in for JD's recording?

[@achcautli]

You are not too old, man... go and learn to play! I started learning when I was 30 and after 7 years and a shit load of practice I have been writing my own material with my band mates... we are #5 in our local Indie chart in Edmonton, AB. It is NEVER too late to learn... Our band is Atomik Alice... check us out. It is just one guitar playing... it is NEVER TOO LATE and you are NEVER TOO OLD.

[@gitarkatili]

bravo mr songwriter!

[@drewg3087]

Guy shits on a Dad about talent and then wants a trophy for being a guitar player! Lmao.

[@EzyoMusic]

I was actually thinking of getting a dynamic to record my Vox with. Makes me wonder if I should. I have a few condensers already.

[@adambrown8867]

Weird that a big Gibson hollow body sounds noticeably brighter than that first Strat clone. Now the 3rd guys "T" Model sounds like it should, or as I would expect.

[@KyleCarrington]

I agree. A hand wired tube amp is not like SMD soldering or something... any trained technician can pull it off. The design and component quality, configuration, etc is the main thing.

[@marshallgibson3932]

00:25 ...he said 'hand wired in the UK' but I think it's actually from Korea.

[@EzyoMusic]

My AC30CCH (first Chinese-made line for Vox) is fine. They have some quirks but they don't have to do with the build quality at all. It's a solid amp.

[@WhiteWolf--]

Wheres the chime?

[@leomanl]

5:55 bit of 'Get Back' chucked in there?

[@eddyrox5150]

Justin just rips -period 😍

[@ryan__nz]

What is that song at 1:50?? I've heard it so many times, never had a name. Cheers

[@Kozmo260]

Will this beat my Peavey Falcon Scorpio Destroyer? :)

[@homeagent]

If you want this beautiful tube tone w/ a beautiful reverb , check out the Mesa Boogie Trans Atlantic TA30 Plug streight into it & it's like vintage magic on vinal , seriously.

[@BobCorey]

Something sounds really wrong....or I am used more to other brands? It was the same on another video for this amp

[@napnap609]

I have one and it sounds better than videos I've seen too you're right. It's like the settings and guitars all yielded this tinny transistor-ish tone like it was a solid state amp with a distortion pedal. Sounds best with humbucking or p90's if looking ballsy smooth distortion.

[@sanchogatecrash]

I really want to have Vox ac15, add to my 1x12 collections, but.. no build in REVERB and no MID control..

[@captainamerica9353]

But you get a great variety of sound between the Top Boost, Hot/Cool and Gain.

[@scottmatheson2390]

By "a loud 15 watts" can I assume there is enough power to hang with a band and cut through okay?

[@NuclearDeathWalk]

As long as you're not expecting clean sounds with a full band.

[@TheAndyroid]

I use a 15 watt amp live, I can pretty much drown the drummer out with a fairly clean sound. Loundess is all down to the speakers, not the watts. Through a sensitive 4x12", one and a half watts can keep up with a loud drummer.

[@orlandomorales5423]

If you're mic'ing up the amp you can get away with almost low wattage amp.

[@exzaviorw]

Scott Matheson yes with this amp yes, voxes can be vreat at loe volume but can get very loud compared to its competitiors, and any blueback speakers will be very signifigantly louder(and better sounding imo) than the normal greenbacks

[@joshrdealmusic]

True. I went to record and the engineer stuck a Royer R-121 in front of my Vox. Sonic bliss...

[@50broadcaster]

what song is he playing at 1.46? ive been looking for this song for a long time.

[@Benarnott-c2x]

Massive fan the invented is a hero of mine

[@timothyemery1026]

I own and love this amp. Being made in China isn't a big deal for quality at all here. I will say though, its not driving the price down. Look at Yorkville products- they're all moving back to being made in US and Canada because its not saving them anything anymore.

[@captainamerica9353]

These are made in Vietnam and used prices are pretty low. Great amps.

[@rovertogz3074]

if they built them in the UK, it would be even more expensive. Back in the past they could do it because there were much less demand so it was possible to produce them in the UK, nowadays the gear demand is much bigger so they have to go cheaper overseas labor or hit the prices skyhigh.

[@conspiracypraticlelist3370]

How do they take pedals anyone got to have reverb

[@matty_kimes]

I would like to see Justin Derrico play all that on a tele.. serious chops there.

[@Fkepler2]

5E3 is a circuit dude.

[@AidenBradley95]

How about Kings of Clean?

[@marsattacks7071]

They weren't playing with Epiphone Casinos and Vox (except on stage in '66) but rather Gretsche, Rickenbacker and Fender, possibly a Gibson SG.

[@mbruns59]

I just tried this amp and it sounded way better than this demo. All of these sounds are bright and overly crispy to my ears. The one I heard was warm and crazy responsive.

[@UrbanZo]

Hand wired in UK? I'm pretty sure it is hand wired in Vietnam...

[@iagobroxado]

Nice demo(s)!

[@rovertogz3074]

Also, chinese labor is not necessarily bad quality. If you gave them the same quality control as they would in the UK I am pretty sure they would come out with pretty much the same amp. And that is what is going on nowadays, with computers and more advanced machines enhancements the QC is much better than years ago.

[@mccraejeremy]

Wow... I hope these amps sound better in person. That sounds like a toy radio speaker.

[@NuclearDeathWalk]

Yep they do. Have one with a Blue, and this video doesn't not do it justice

[@blanewheeler1467]

gillan64 oh see I was the other way around, tried to do the Fender thing for a while and was never satisfied and got this amp and it was everything I wanted, to each his own I guess

[@gillesgenete9598]

The Vox watts are very very loud especially when bypassing the master volume, so do I suspect the mics did not stand that power resulting in that really trash sound heard through YT. You may listen to Nstuff music YT demoing this AC15HW1 for a far better sound. Also new Celestion speakers need time to break in and deliver their best: 2 days fully cranked will do it. On my side, I have this AC15HW1 which satisfies me so much, the sound I like, the versatility I need from clean to top boost, switchable. I sold a Marshall 2525, prefering this Vox.

[@0Heavy0Metal0]

The difference between all three (well four) guitars was amazing. A Strat, a vintage Gibson, and a Tele. Each one had a very different effect on the amp. I would have to say my fave was the Tele with the Tube Screamer. That was a sexy, tone dripping example of what a Vox can do. All three players wer great in their own way. I have never been a P90 fan. Too much noise and too much feedback, it sounds very thin and hollow. I wish that Gibson had PAF 'buckers. THen it's a new ballgame. Good video

[@Zappappappappa]

You and I both! I've been visiting every obscure corner of the internet trying to find someone demoing this specific amp using a Les Paul standard or at the very least anything with PAF style pickups installed. I made the worst mistake of selling my AC15 (first tube amp I ever owned) a little over five years ago and as I predicted then I eventually started shopping for a new one due to having recently purchased my first LP style guitar, an Epiphone '59 LP Standard honey lemon burst finish which is a sweetwater exclusive (without question the best LP Epiphone has ever released and that's the general consensus from even the most snobbish Gibson purists) even though I will forever be a fender guy overall. That line from Epiphone is considered to be superior to most low-end priced Gibson LPs and even some of the mid-priced ones, (I consider a mid-priced Gibson $2k or higher) as it uses all Gibson USA electronics and hardware most notably custom shop Burstbucker 3's in the neck and 2's at the bridge both using Alnico 2 magnets (nearly all of the legends who popularized the '59 happened to have alnico 2 pickups despite Gibson using four different types of alnico magnets during its original run) the only difference being that it's assembled in China. I'll put you out of your misery now and wrap this up by getting to my unnecessary point of stating the obvious of how the standard printed circuit AC15 is absolute butter in combination with an LP equipped with PAF styled pickups but the handwired version likely has a bit more flexibility with tone shaping for those who are looking for that ability.

[@Nazzz65]

I'm trying to decide on a Vox AC15 or Matchless Spitfire clone for a custom build! Something like my JMI AC30 but housebroken. This HW Korg product sounds just...broken!

[@thegimpsometimes5937]

Damn that guy can play

[@TimAvenMusic]

Taylor Locke made me feel good about MY playing

[@rom661]

Can't believe Premier did a video this bad. I heard nothing remotely like a Vox clean, nasty stuff. And some horrible playing, especially towards the end.

[@mouloudo]

got my 72 Hiwatt, can smoke any new amp both on cleans of course and distortion, loosing my teeth everytime I use it though

[@jeffmclowry]

I really don’t care for Vox amps. But the guy with the Casino sounded pretty good.

[@30smsuperstrat]

A classic vox circuit without 1 single filtertron pickup?

[@davecostello560]

I don't think you did this amp any favours with this review. It was like being stuck in a guitar shop on a Saturday afternoon.

[@tommytourette2007]

What scale is Justin playing at the start?

[@CampfireHedphaz]

Vox's newer amps are getting hard to keep up with, some many name variances. As always the AC15 sounds great. Only incarnation I wasn't too thrilled with was the CC run.

[@ArseLoad0fMetal666]

i liked the tone alot acc, its meant to thin and slightly fuzzy for this style. tbh i think most metal and rock tones are far too over saturated these days

[@TheOldOakSyndicate]

at 1:30.."I BELIEVE the pickups are lawler pickups..." the phrase "I believe" or "I think" should never be muttered by a guitarist referring to his/her own guitar...

[@jonathanmiller8365]

I take it you don't swap your pickups in your guitars much. It's pretty easy to forget which guitar has Lollars or which one has Fralins or something when you have several similar guitars with aftermarket pickups, especially if you have a guitar tech who handles your gear for you.

[@andycrocco3587]

Maybe he's too busy playing and making money to care what pickups are in his guitar.

[@utooberblooper]

***** when i had a tech i didn't know much about my guitars pickups either,as long as they sounded great and stayed in tune i was happy.the specifics aren't important to certain individuals.your a bit hipster i take it.

[@JonahCBR]

***** Nash guitars come with Jason Lollar pickups. They don't don't advertise it...you buy a nash because it's has the relic look and all the goodies of a top quality instruments...including the best damn pickups in the biz.

[@jessehampton3725]

You don't even know how to spell the company's name.....

[@entrepreneurhomeboy]

THANK YOU. The Matchless kicks it ass in every way. They call this amp "hand wired" and that is a half truth, so I'm told. The Matchless is TRUE hand wired w/ point to point. I can't get over how greedy Vox is, considering where this amp is made. While the Matchless still costs way more, at least it's 100% authentic, under 1 roof & in the USA. Well, that's my story & I'm stickin' to it.

[@TheNoncritical1]

I own the AC15 version prior to this one. I took the alnico out of it and substituted a greenback. Every Vox I've ever owned sounded better with a greenback in it. Less fizz and buzzy artifacts.

[@Craziiiiiieh]

You got bad information, dude. The handwired series are not made in China like the non handwired ones. All Vox Handwired Amps are made in Vietname, what provides a better build quality, imho.

[@incubism]

I hot rodded my $500 AC15cc and it sounds just as good...no better :-P Great job Chinese amp making dudes.

[@brianwooden823]

Derrico is rad

[@ledzeppelin174]

Nice

[@TheOldOakSyndicate]

I thought the amp itself sounded good...not so much the last two guitarist...everybody has their own preferences in what sounds good or not. It seemed like it can easily be coaxed into overdrive, which I always like. I lover Fender amps, but some of them just will not overdrive & have all the headroom, but they have stellar clean sounds, and Marshall overdrives easier but has too many mids...I hate mids personally...I think the Vox was a nice compromise of the two qualities I like in an amp.

[@utooberblooper]

***** you play guitar and hate mids,wee bit confused ? that's the primary focus and tone of guitar. then you say you like breakup but hate marshalls? unless your going for that scooped mid,deth metal/djent shit,your confused and don't know what the hell you like,i guess your female then.

[@juanquedding6062]

+trillriff-axegrinder lol (:

[@exzaviorw]

TheOldOakSyndicate dufuk! This made no sense, nada! Guy above has some good words

[@AdrianGuitarPlayer]

Justin Derrico should have used a Telecaster. He's playing some tasty country-licks in there!

[@Alfgunnarp]

uncle Neil!

[@atrumluminarium]

These amps always remind me of brian may. Hard not to 3

[@KidGloves2112]

Steve Trovato held back.

[@jkim519]

he turned on the bright switch on a tele? really?

[@TakamineLTD]

Sorry Roverto, it stil 1500$ for this Vox and I don't call that a very good affordable product. It's only good for the stockholders. What do you think they pay the chinese workers?

[@MuscleDad420]

Nice try but 90% of Neil's tone comes from his tweed Fender Deluxe which was originally designed to use 6V6's and not 6L6's. Besides, we're talking about 6L6 clean tones here, although I also think Blackface Fender tones are equally as dull. Give me glassy, trebly chime any day.

[@dtworzguitar5775]

I noticed how every player used the bright switch I do too Great ass, i mean Amp!!!!

[@nipseysparkles]

They are made in Vietnam, not China.

[@entrepreneurhomeboy]

So far, I've only listened to this review with the vox and the matchless. Sorry folks, but this vox ain't got shit on that matchless. The matchless just really came through. The distortion was so much warmer & less fuzzy. The individual notes and tones were just too muddy & fuzzy for my tastes on the vox. Opinions are like...... What do you folks think? ( No, I don't own a matchless, sure wish I did!!! )

[@willnova1234]

entrepreneurhomeboy

[@DudeManSharp]

sounds like drew shirley from switchfoot speaking.

[@monkeyxx]

9:21 super cringey commentary that I loved

[@CRANKYONE100]

awww cmon guys , why didn't jordan wagner do a demo!!! :-( :-p

[@mauipalmandtreecare]

hahahah celesti-on anico blue? must be a new speaker. i hope its better then the celestion blue alnico. ;)

[@peterschaefer1665]

Not much clean headroom though

[@CampfireHedphaz]

If only my AC15 could drop to 7.5 and have the bypass =/

[@MrUltraworld]

That amp loved Taylor Locke's ES 330, he sounded great. Justin played with no dynamics, he just beat the shit out of it. The Tele went nowhere.

[@Almogmonn]

Are Voxes always this fizzy or is that the camera quality? How much clarity really comes out of this amp?

[@cowsongs]

Good observation. I own one of these HWX amps (with the nice AlNiCo Blue speaker) and no, it is not like this at all. The sound is sparkley clean and bright with splended, smooth, crisp bass and lots of sustain. I don't know what these guys are doing, but nothing coming out of that amp in this demo sounds like what the amp was really designed to do. I *can* drive it hard to make it break up more, but it never sounds, well, "cheap and buzzy" like the one in this video. Trying to judge amps from KZbin comparisons is ridiculous anyway. You are listening to it through a computer. If you've got really good speakers or headphones on your computer, then maybe you have a chance, but even then, it won't sound anything like being in the room with that amp.

[@NuclearDeathWalk]

No. I have an AC15HWx and it sound nothing like this video. It's the way its been mic'd. I get a full body sound without fizz. It takes a Timmy and Zen Drive pedal very nicely. Cleans are crisp, breakup is "grunty" with an edge. If you record it with an SM57 off access at the edge of the cone, well, it sounds crappy. The amps like to breath, and have a mic like an Audix i5 positioned back a little to get a good recording.

[@micky1477245]

almog pines a LOT of clarity from these amps. You just have to mess around with the tone cut

[@exzaviorw]

almog pines i know its been a few years but to clarify, no not at all whatsoever, it has alot to do with the mic's settings and frequency settings and where it is and ehat editing its gone through, and youtube aleays compresses the crap out of audio, and use some decent headephones Best bet is play one yourself, but i hope you have the money because you will fall in love

[@daniyarsitak]

классно! четко! чисто! есть чему учиться)

[@musicislife5425]

way better then "the monsters of high gain"

[@TheTrollMastah]

Could’ve done with the BRIGHT SWITCH OFF

[@Avalanche1368]

Nice amp, but I really liked the guitars......

[@Benarnott-c2x]

❤

[@mcblahflooper94]

Damn, first guy justin ripped!

[@nanofree01]

based on that video i would never buy this amp !!! fortunately i know how good rhey are under other hands... reqlly poor video

[@zordakAU]

When I think of Vox I think of Hank Marvin, early Beatles & the Stones, beautiful tones! But this demo sounds awful! Not doing the Vox company any favors!!

[@cantyouhearmeknocking1961]

U2 as well !!

[@NuclearDeathWalk]

A better representation of this amp is the Sweetwater Minute - Vol. 65