Is the AC10C1 worth it?

[@mellowfred8935]

I looked at the Fender Champion, 100 , Line-6 Spyder and the Vox AC10C1. Honestly, I would’ve liked to of had one of each lol. I brought home The Vox after going back-and-forth several times. I don’t know anything about a tube amps and was worried about the dependability. Also headroom lower range is a big thing for me as well. I’m loving it and learning a lot about the amp through great continent providers. Example you can do a lot of EQ with your tone knobs on the guitar. Also, you can take everything out bass trimble reverb. And get a really clean sound. Gain up volume down for crunch. Volume up gain down for Jazz/clean. Great video. Thank you for sharing. 🤙

[@spencer6104]

i played this with a jag at a local shop and fell in love. gotta have it.

[@haleypowersmusic]

It's honestly such a great amp for the price!!

[@lucianoponzano]

Great review! Wonderful playing, nice warm tones, clear to the point but very explanatory. Thanks a lot!

[@haleypowersmusic]

Aw thanks so much!! Really appreciate it!

[@madcap47764]

I have the two-tone version. I looked up vids on the big name brands and VOX just sounded the best to me. I'm a metal head but I love jazz and the ac10 is so clean.

[@petegdula4749]

My first Vox was a 2x12 cab with Celestion Green Backs. I cranks so good I wound up with a Valvetronic 40, and also the small 10 Watt Bass practice amp. Love all of them!

[@gregjohnston1482]

I just got an AC15c1 amp after doing extensive research on both amps. I was able to get one on sale for not that much more than a AC10c1. The AC15c1 has 2 channels and is much more versatile plus it has a master volume. You can turn up the preamp gain and turn down the master for quieter bedroom volumes and still get breakup sounds. I do agree the AC15c1 is heavier but will have much better resale value and is overall better made and sounds better with the bigger cab and speaker. Also the tubes in a AC10c1 are too close to the speaker and the whole circuit board is attached to the back panel (weird). Finally, its easier to swap speakers and you have more speaker options with an AC15c1. They do both sound good but in my opinion the AC10c1 should cost half what a AC15c1 costs not 3/4's.

[@pauldsheppard126]

Thanks for that. You helped me make my mind up. I'm getting an ac 15 .. (as soon as I've got £649 to spare) !

[@AllTheCoolNamesAreTaken84]

I’m really liking mine and recently plugged it into my 2x12 cabinet with Celestion V30’s. It’s even better now!

[@hog7203]

I've been playing for nearly fifty years. Bought me an AC 10 a couple of years ago. I like the price, the weight and I love the sound. It sounds great on its own, with no effects/pedals, but it also works well with effects. I've never had any problems with it and everything is stock on it. I mike my amps at practice or at gigs, so I don't know if it is powerful enough to hold its own in a live setting without running it through the PA. Enjoyed your demo.

[@haleypowersmusic]

Oh awesome- I totally agree! I’ve never played a gig where my amp wasn’t mic’d anyway. Thanks for watching/commenting!

[@PedalPoopers]

Also, be careful not to rely on forum members' opinions. They often are less helpful and more bent on forcing their opinions unto newer members (all of them are like that)

[@telecasterman18]

Oh man, I’ve been playing guitar since 12, 33 now, collecting guitars and amps since 14ish (when I started mowing lawns to make money) and your comment is exactly what I’ve experienced every single time. Couldn’t agree more. I think there are some good tid bits in fan groups of certain gear, but the over all consensus is what you said, pushing their opinions as hard facts.

[@haleypowersmusic]

Haha yeah you definitely have to take it with a grain of salt!

[@christopherguzzi1316]

Also, be careful of commenters who try to force their opinion on others by saying all of them are like that regarding other commentors. 😉🤗😘🤔

[@christianboddum8783]

Love mine, I find no need to change the speaker, and I have played a real 2x10" early 60's one! Weight is great, and surprisingly loud too. I dialed the gain down with a 12AU7 in V1 and like that a lot!

[@haleypowersmusic]

Love that and that's good to know!! Thanks!!

[@vincentl.9469]

@@haleypowersmusic the greenback 10 is a good alternative. One thing you will not see, because of the closed back , is that that the magnetic pull of the standard factory speaker on the 2 power valves..

[@hog7203]

I did that with a Tiny Terror head a few years ago, swapped out the preamp tube with a 12AU7. Gave it a sweeter tone Imo. Not as nasty as the original. Of course that's what most people like about the TT, the gain/distortion. But I needed more clean headroom for what we played. It was my favorite amp but someone stole it.

[@riklionheart23]

Thank you Haley, that was a really helpful review!

[@haleypowersmusic]

oh you are so welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@thelastnic]

love the review; you didn't just rehash what is already out there but made it more relatable plus adding the one caveat about the speaker, which you hear alot about. Loved the simplicity and your delivery. Will be checking out other stuff by you. BTW, love the Thinline

[@haleypowersmusic]

Aw thank you so incredibly much for the kind comment- really appreciate it! And thanks- I love that guitar so much!

[@BrewerShettles]

Love your playing!!! Try amp off the floor on a stand away from the wall. Add Ext Cab w/ 12" 16 ohm Alnico BLue speaker is good too!! Ur Pretty smile melts my universe!

[@paulcope834]

Thanks Haley. I've had mine a couple of years and I loved the sound. A B'd it next to a few amps like the Blues Junior and a supro of similar price. It just sounded beautiful crisp and open. Have had no issues with it and it'll definitely handle playing next to drums it's very loud cranked.

[@trigliderider]

Had mine since the AC10c1 came out. Kept it stock Love it. Enjoy.

[@haleypowersmusic]

That's awesome and good to know! Thanks!

[@trigliderider]

No tube rattle in my experience.

[@plantagenant]

Vox are pretty versatile going all the way from Beatles jangle to super saturated rock sound of Brian May. If you want to hear a Vox AC 30 being pummelled to death , look up Taste at the Isle of Wight festival 1970 with Rory Gallagher on guitar. Very raw and dynamic.

[@haleypowersmusic]

Totally agree and that sounds amazing- will do! Thanks!

[@FuriousMess]

I bought my AC10 with a Greenback pre-installed new. LOVE this little amp, it pairs really well with any other amp in stereo. With a Fender Excelsior it's a loud easy set up painting.

[@haleypowersmusic]

Oh what a great find! That sounds like an awesome set up!

[@jimmythefish]

I’ve had mine for a few years, put JJ tubes in it and recently a Weber DT10 speaker. I find the drive tone much more to my liking with some light TS-808. Plenty of people like the stock speaker, there’s nothing wrong with it.

[@haleypowersmusic]

Oh interesting! I could see that- totally agree though! Really just a matter of taste!

[@sailingkokopelli6165]

Im a fan of Weber,wish i could hear it.I think it might be my new rig,also thinking EV12l. ?

[@jimmythefish]

@@sailingkokopelli6165 the DT10 to my ears is a bit cleaner, more sparkle, more body. Generally a bit more traditional Vox. I don’t find the stock AC10 to have much of a classic Vox sound.

[@ro307805]

I bought the Sweetwater edition with the greenback and love it. I’ve never liked the top boost channel of the ac15 and ac30 but I love the AC10. Best amp for the money out there

[@giantessmaria]

thanks, great review! I got mine used during the covid days for $395 and all i'll say is; ALOT of amp for the money! I've got a bunch of other amps too and they're all unique in what they do best. But i've always gravitated to the crisp clean sounds of Fender and Music Man, and wanted to see how VOX compared. Really crisp and chimy, and sweet tones, and the pre amp gives me the 'dirt' if i want it as well. Surprisingly loud for a small compact amp which maintains the balls when you crank it. I give it an A+ for the money! thanks again🥰

[@therealgeorgeweerakoon]

Very helpful! Just got myself one yesterday ✌🏻

[@VesselForHonor]

thanks for the review, your playing is very nice :) also, liked the anecdote, if you think it sounds good, then it IS good!

[@haleypowersmusic]

Thank you so much!!

[@darrenclinch]

I had my VoxAC10C1 upgraded with the Celestion G10N-40 speaker and won’t use another amp if I can avoid it. Great little amps.

[@u2acrobata]

Well thank GOD ... finnaly .... you got me straight away ... when you said "this video is like you asking a friend that has this amp" ... Loved to hear that !!!! ;) there are many demo videos ... but they lack personal opinion ... and this video ... its all that ... personal opinon ... i admire youre vids ... and musical taste ... so i trust your opinion ... ... and i have an AC10 in mind ... and this vid really helped me ... glad you have a posite opnion about it ... thank you so so so much Greetings from Portugal FILIPE

[@landonbailey]

Vox rox!

[@Foray-sq9ir]

You have leave the gain up, ALWAYS!!!!!!!

[@itchyvinyl]

I have a friend who "upgraded" the speaker on his AC10. I like the way my stock one sounds WAY more.

[@yyzca6126]

Good even opinion review. I liked your analogy of the wine tasting vs buying gear. Very true. Nice review.

[@haleypowersmusic]

Thanks so much- I really appreciate it!

[@lazvt8469]

picked up a minty one last year locally for $300...very nice lil amp for sure. Good review, Haley.

[@haleypowersmusic]

Oooh nice! 👌🏼that’s the best! And thank you!

[@TeleCS]

I had one when they first came out and unfortunately got a microphonic tube, so I took it back and exchanged for something else. I’m now looking at getting another as I still love the sound. I guess at the time I was put off with the tube being faulty but it was probably just unlucky.

[@compucorder64]

They're great amps. I have an AC15C1 and I love it. But I'm about to buy an AC10C1, to use for Wet/Dry or stereo pedals. At home, I might use it with a more similar 1x12" to the AC15. But I also want it for similar reasons of being so much easier to lug around. And also easier to get good dirty sounds without cranking it way too loud. I prefer the clean sound of the AC15 when played on it's own. Though EQd and fitted into a band/mix both are nice. But, I prefer the dirty sound of the AC10, if not playing at ear-bleed volumes. If you can sometimes feel it's a small, bright and bass light in the cleans. Another great variation that kind of fits between the two in convenience is the AC15H1. The Head version. Because it's only about 3 kilos (6 pounds) heavier than the AC10. But because it's less awkward to carry, it doesn't feel heavier. But you get a bigger sound and volume. And with the spring reverb, more control, power scaling for home use. So you can get a more AC10-like dirty breaking up tone on low wattage settings without excessive loudness. But because it's not so bulky, it's a lot easier to carry and move. And then you can either carry a light pine 1x12" cab (like the Mojotone Lite or Lopo's), loaded with a light driver, in your other arm. Vox own cabs aren't very big or heavy. Or if it's too heavy or far to manage, can move the amp and cab seperately.

[@aliwalkeraudio]

Really helpful, thanks! You're great too.

[@haleypowersmusic]

Oh so glad! Thanks so much for watching!

[@larskoster5098]

Good review. This amp really would be killer with a 12" speaker. I tried to get one in there, but there is not enough space. And because there are no 10" Alnico Blues I tried a 10" Alnico Gold. But - again - not enough space. So I use a 10" Greenback and that's definitely an good upgrade!

[@haleypowersmusic]

Oh that’s good to know!! I keep thinking maybe I’ll do that too- nice to know it was worth it!

[@larskoster5098]

@@haleypowersmusic .... and of course there are tons of 10" speakers out there. Maybe there is a better one than a Greenback. But I havent't got the money to test them all. ;-)

[@Margarinethebutterlover]

Yes. It is a great amp! Even better get two to run in stereo!

[@haleypowersmusic]

Ooh love that idea!

[@MrBossei]

Great comparison with the wine! If it sounds good it’s good. 🥂👏

[@haleypowersmusic]

Thank you!!

[@olivehillstudios]

Sounds awesome!

[@haleypowersmusic]

Thank you!

[@brandonpowley4165]

I love the vox clean tone

[@haleypowersmusic]

Me too- so classic!

[@rodzamm]

Great video & sound!!!

[@haleypowersmusic]

Thanks a ton!

[@PedalPoopers]

Didn't include what would be my favorite, the Creamback. I have tried many speakers, have yet to hear one I like better than the Creamback.

[@USAinPhillipineProvince]

I have the custom version which came with a Creamback speaker and JJ tubes and I can get good sounds out of it but any sound I get I can improve upon in a larger more versatile amp like the Peavey Classic 30 and Peavey Valve King II 50. I guess I am not a Vox guy! The Valve King is the most underrated amp that ever came out. Better than Fenders!

[@trrzzl]

I LOVE YOU!! AND VOX!!!

[@matthewwilson3673]

fun video, love the vox sound and look, that lauten mic is nice

[@haleypowersmusic]

Thank you!!

[@iammattwilhelm]

I love my AC10!

[@haleypowersmusic]

It’s such a great little amp!

[@stefanogiannotti7801]

Very helpful video, thenks. I have a question: I only play fir fun in my apartment, do you think this amp could provide nice bedroom volume tones?

[@haleypowersmusic]

Thank you! Yes actually I think this would be the perfect amp for that!!

[@stefanogiannotti7801]

@haleypowersmusic thanks for your answer. Cheers from Italy 🍻🎸

[@Baci302]

I sold my AC15 because of the weight. It wasn't worth it. But I'll consider the AC10C1 when I got shopping for my next amp.

[@BryanClark-gk6ie]

I had the ac-15' sold it and don't regret it' I ended up buying another ac10 and run them in stereo.

[@Baci302]

@@BryanClark-gk6ie Oh nice! Good idea.

[@Tanglangfa]

Questions: Is the AC10 loud enough to hear over drums? That’s always the big question to me with amps in this range. Nice review!

[@haleypowersmusic]

Oh good question- I haven’t tried it yet with a full band so maybe someone else can speak on that. But it did get really loud so I could see it being a good option! Might depend too how loud the drummer is playing

[@DougMaloney]

I've used it with a full band in rehearsal and never had the master above 50%. Needs a mic in front of it if it's behind a PA

[@Tanglangfa]

@@DougMaloney I have since gotten an AC10 and I’m so in love with the sound coupled with my G&L ASAT! It’s definitely loud enough for practice with our 8 piece band! I think I haven’t even turned it above 40%.

[@Souldoubtrocks]

It’s a class A power amp. It’s plenty loud but it really depends if you have another guitarist cranking a 100 watt something. I use both a 15 and 30 on stage. In my opinion the Vox amps are the telecaster of the amp world. Teles usually cut through a mix tonally. Same with Vox amps. Their frequency just cuts through everything. I really don’t care for the Vox sound on its own which I know sounds crazy since I use them exclusively. But I use them because in a band format they sound great. The best part is they are a classy looking amp dressed in a tuxedo. L.

[@Tanglangfa]

@@Souldoubtrocks I get a lot of compliments on the looks alone. It sounds so beautiful! And you’re right it cuts through amazingly well, especially with a tele. The other guitarist plays a strat through a fender and it loud but my setup cuts though much better. It’s been a struggle to get them balanced actually.

[@darkestfugue]

i have a late 60s vox ac30 top boost, cant use it anywhere its too big and loud, but i kept it and everyone wants it lol, id use that ac10 though it sounds great but to be honest i havent taken a guitar amp to gigs in years, just programme my boss gt1000 and plug it straight into the mixer, if its good enough for nita strauss, its good enough for me

[@blekdzek1641]

Hi Haley Have you tried the vox pathfinder 15R? How does it compare to vox ac10? By the way I like ur playing.

[@haleypowersmusic]

I haven’t! Have you? And thank you!!

[@martijn_yt]

Why does Vox hate effect loops ? ;)

[@tomfoolery2082]

Iv had the cheapest ac10 for 5yr about . Iv replaced the tubes and only use an extension speaker . Use it every day an hr or more . The only regret is i dont have two .

[@haleypowersmusic]

Haha that’s awesome!

[@RUSTY-A-L]

Awesome video Haley! How about a review on a solid state amp as a comparison? Maybe the Catalyst or Positive Grid. Do you miss your wino days, lol?🤣

[@haleypowersmusic]

Thanks a ton Rusty and love that idea! I actually have the Positive Grid but it broke!! I was loving it while it was working though haha 🤣and I do- interacting with tipsy tourists really sets you up for a music career in a nashville! 😜

[@russlgtr]

Nice , what is your fav settings?

[@haleypowersmusic]

Thanks! So far it's depended on what I'm playing but when I've played straight through I've liked turning the treble down and bass up a little!

[@kenichi407]

is she a singer/songwriter?

[@majortrading2810]

how old are you now and at what age you started playing guitar

[@andreaberteotti5999]

How so u do without send e retirn

[@7171jay]

@Andrea Guitar players have managed to have survived with amps from the 50s, 60s, and even 70s without effects sends. For those who are focused on more pristine sounding reverb tails and delays getting an amp with an effects loop might be important but many will be just fine with all their pedals going into the front of the amp.

[@valueofnothing2487]

I would say it doesn't have that bright fender tone, but at least you get separate bass, treble, gain controls - unlike the cheaper Fender or Blackstar. The 10-in speaker is a real drawback. Most of the competition is 12-in speakers. The real question is why don't you go cheaper with a stage right tube amp? Or if you're playing out somewhere, why don't you go louder? And if you're not playing out then a 10 watt tube amp is going to be too loud to practice if you want any kind of distortion or sustain. And so people use pedals with it. Why would you spend $579 on an amp that you're just going to use pedals with anyway? So to me the amp makes no sense.

[@compucorder64]

The Vox AC15 head is a good compromise if you find the 10-inch speaker a problem. Not that much heaver or more expensive; and it has power scaling and a better / bigger / sparklier clean tone. Especially if you have a decent not too heavy 1x12" cab knocking around. Other thing to bear in mind is that Vox amps are a lot more expensive in the US than in Europe, where you can pick one up for about $350 second-hand. It's similar with Marshall Origin 20s and DSL20s, pretty cheap over here for around the same for the DSL, and a bit less for the Origin. And loads of barely used second-hand ones on the market, post-pandemic guitar rush. Whereas with Fender are expensive in the US, and mad expensive in Europe. Vox and Marshall amps are one of the few things that US guitarists are paying a premium for. We get hammered with prices on US made guitars, pedals and even imports from Asia too. So Vox and Marshall make a lot of sound sense over here. There's other great options in the US like Blues Juniors, Hot Rod / Blues Deluxes, especially for clean sounds. A Blues Junior over here new costs talmost as much as the new Marshall Studio JTM ST20H head. For $100 more, I'd take the Marshall. Or like you said, the Stage Right / Monoprice / Harley Benton Tube 15 is a bargain, at 1/3 the price of the Blues Junior over here.

[@vapidwind1014]

The truth is it’s not worth it It simply won’t last and can already be improved Great for a short time Not a band

[@tylerdurden5122]

I liked and subscribed based solely on the zeppelin shirt…

[@haleypowersmusic]

Haha that’s fair 😝

[@tylerdurden5122]

@@haleypowersmusic then stayed for the content. Which was equally as good. Rock on young lady!!🤘🇦🇺

[@BenState]

Garbage build though. Its designed like a guitar pedal with unservacible surface mount components and underated components. Not worth the price.

[@7171jay]

@BenState It's the same garbage build as most tube amps these days though so for the price it makes sense for many people. The handwired version of the Vox AC15 isn't all that much bigger an amp than the AC10 but it costs $1700 vs the far kinder $600 price tag of the AC10C1. For many people a tube amp with a proper build quality is simply out of their price range so the compromised but common amps like the AC10C1, the Fender Blues Junior and probably more than 90% of modern tube amps are made with tube sockets directly on the board rather than on the chassis, pots on the PCB, crappy PCBs, digital reverbs that have crappy little SMT parts, and many design choices to cut costs. A truly proper built tube amp is a tool that can last for a lifetime but many will settle for a budget amp and probably replace it in a few years anyway.

[@BenState]

@@7171jay That's simply not true. You can still get a second hand, better built amp. There's a nuisance to the crappiness, and this one is a 2 year disposable item. Once it goes its unfixable. That's a pretty poor financial decision.

[@7171jay]

​@@BenState Looking at used amps with a $600 budget (the price of a new AC10C1) you will be looking at mostly amps with similar low budget build quality. You might find an off brand small old vintage tube amp but that's a bit of a rabbit hole that many people don't necessarily want to pursue. Even 70s Fender Champs are generally over $600 now and with shipping and maybe a trip to tech for some basic maintenance you would be well over budget. So what small used tube amp would you propose buying for $600 over the AC10 ???

[@BenState]

@@7171jay check out psionic audio's amp under 1000 and you'll see plenty of better options

[@Lone_Wolf79]

Good video

[@haleypowersmusic]

Thank you!