why I should/shouldn't ditch my AC4 for an AC15

[ifeellikeatourist]

So my local music shop has this used AC15CC1 for $379. I've heard good and bad things about this amp. Nothing but good things about AC15's in general, but I know some people don't like the new Chinese stuff. I currently have an AC4 that I love, but feel like the AC15 has more to offer in terms of built in reverb, tremolo, and a lot more headroom/wattage/bigger speaker. And I've always wanted one. But truthfully, I'm perfectly happy with the AC4. I think the AC4 is the perfect size for jamming at home, but figure I can get the same thing out of the AC15 if I use an attenuator. I also read somewhere that the reverb on the AC15 is worthless. Also, I just have a hard time passing up good deals when I see them.

Discuss. And it's one or the other, people, I can't have both amps at this time.

[lizardville]

If its just for home use. Keep the ac4.

15 watts is way much for a bedrom.

[ifeellikeatourist]

ATM it's for home jamming & recording use, and I've even used it in a band setting before with drums and the ac4 has been ok. I just didn't know if the extra 11 watts would be nice to have around in case I ever do play live anywhere, but I guess even in that setting, the AC4 could easily be mic'd...

[Gunner Recall]

The cc1 is garbage...if you keep your eyes peeled you might find one of the new c1's in the 400 range, which is a greatly improved amp.

They improved the design a bit, making the tubes easier to get to/giving them better airflow and improving the switch hardware.
The c1 also has the tone cut knob (really useful in taming highs!) and a greenback stock (not the junk wharfdale the cc1 has).
The verb might be a step up from the cc1 but still nothing compared to a decent pedal like the spring chicken/chicklet. The tremolo is still kinda so-so, once again, better off with a pedal.

No need for any bright cap mod, something which was pretty much necessary for the cc1.
There are also two inputs for the normal and top boost channels instead of only the single channel top boost like the cc1.

As for ac4 vs ac15...my ac4 stack went up for sale as soon as I played the ac15c1.
It still sounds fine at bedroom levels.

[Communarchy]

Is this an AC15 in a music store in Mansfield?? I think I remember you mentioned you are from Ohio?? I can't remember.

If so, I saw that AC15 when I picked up my AC30 from someone I was trading. Don't get that AC15. I think it's the one with only the top boost, an earlier model. I hear the new models are greatly improved.

[ifeellikeatourist]

Lol, yeah, Metronome Music in Mansfield, that's the one! Guess I won't get it then. I just couldn't believe how cheap it was for being $599 new. It's good to know that the new C1's are improved and went back to using Celestions. Also, what's the deal with these new AC15VR models Musicians Friend has? why are they so cheap? Just less features? How do they compare to the C1?

At the moment, I'm stalking an AC4 head and cabinet on Craigslist...I at least want to make the switch from the 10" to 12" if I'm sticking with the AC4.

[Gunner Recall]

The VR's are cheaper because they are solid state.
I haven't heard them in person yet though I'm interested in how close they can get.

[Noise...]

Out of curiosity, what kind of clean headroom does the AC4 get? I've been looking into some small tube amps for demos and messing around on, but I absolutely need clean headroom.

[devnulljp]

The cc1 is garbage...i

I always thought the CC part stood for Chinese Crap.
Although I have it on good authority that the new handwired HW2X ones are very good.



(I think this is the AC30):


The amps are an early 1960's Vox AC30 with rear Top-Boost (also re-tolex'd and re-grilled) on the left
and and the new AC30-HW2X on the right.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNktNC37AmE[/youtube]

[ifeellikeatourist]

1. Jealous as usual, Devnull!

2. I had no idea the VR's were solid state, that's retarded!

3. In response to the question about clean headroom, I think the AC4 gets plenty of it on the 4 watt setting, at least for at-home jamming/recording levels.

4. I pulled the trigger on the AC4 half stack on Craigslist. $240!!! I'm gonna try the half stack and the combo back-to-back, then try the combo plugged into the extension speaker and see what I like best. At least for the time being, it looks like I'll be sticking with some incarnation of the AC4.