NAD - Special Run Vox AC10C1

[Larsongs]

I've been playing big loud, heavy Amps for years. I finally decided they aren't necessary for most applications. They were mostly for Show. So about 5 years ago decided I wanted a smaller version of my already smaller Vox AC15CC1X Amp (Still about 50 lbs). Like an AC10 or something. Vox wasn't making them at the time.

I'd already done it with my Fender Amps. Going from my Twin to a 65 DRRI & then a 65 Princeton Reverb RI which is great. I seldom use the bigger Fenders anymore & should probably sell them. The Princeton iis my go to Amp.

A couple years ago Vox reintroduces a Vox AC10C1. It's not a spot on reissue of the originals. I decided to try one anyway. I didn't care for the way it sounded. The Speaker sounded very harsh &Ice Picky to me. So I forgot about it.

About a year ago a well known Online Retailer started offering a Special Run of the Vox AC10C1 with a Celestion Greenback upgrade. I became curious. No one else carried them so they were impossible to try out. About 6 months ago I decided to order one & give it a try as they have an excellent return policy if it didn't work out. So my name goes on a List!?!?

Flash forward. 6 months later it finally arrived today. I plugged it in & gave it work out. It sounds great!!! It can get plenty loud for most applications. It's slightly smaller, for easy travel, than my Princeton but weighs about the same. About 27 lbs. It was also inexpensive. I've heard that the Tubes weren't that great so I ordered a Set of JJ Tubes. Which with these Amps only requires 4 Tubes. 2 EL84's & 2 12AX7's. Replacing Tubes doesn't break the Bank. I don't know that it needs the Tube upgrade as it sounds really good now. But will put the new ones in & see. If they're better leave them in. if not I can put them in my AC15 as it only requires the same 4 Tubes.

The Photobucket problem probably won't permit me to Post Pics. But I'll try.

I'm diggin' this new Amp!!!

Lars

[Larsongs]

So I did the Tube upgrade. No hassle. It took about 15-20 minutes.

There is a noticeably improved Sound the JJ Tubes over the stock Chinese Tubes.

I played my J-160E & my Casino without Pedals. The Sound is full, rich & all freq's are detailed excellently. I'll start running my other Guitars thru it in coming days but I have a feeling it will yield similar results. It ain't even broke in yet!

I didn't really notice I wasn't playing thru my Pedal Board. Cleans & Top Gain are xlnt. The Reverb is even pretty darn good.

The way it's setup right now is the way it should come from the factory IMO. Now it's a great little Amp!

This is the smallest & least expensive Amp I own. I have a feeling this is going to be my go to Amp for Practice, Studio & small/medium Gigs.

Lucky

[wproffitt]

Lars,
I'm glad this amp has worked out for you so far. It seems like a great combination of size, features, and sounds especially at this price point. I was at a guitar shop that had the regular version of this amp just the other day but didn't have chance to check it out. I'm hardly in the market for a new amp (see my 5e9 thread) but always like hearing new things. Let us know if you'll be doing a demo!

[julius2790]

Is yours white? I'd love to hear it. Haven't seen any in my area.

[Larsongs]

It's the traditional black with gold trim. It's a great looking Amp. Looks like a smaller version of an AC15. It would look great in White or Tan though.

I've played a variety of Guitars thru it & they all sound great! Fender AV65 Jag & JM. Phantom Teardrop 6 string, Phantom 12 string, Epi Casino, Gibson J-160E, Firebird V & LP Jr. Special P90's.

I've got a few others to test out. So far it's a versatile little Amp that sounds great.

I'm really surprised as I really didn't have very high expectations. It was only supposed to be a practice Amp that I could travel with.

Thanks,

Lars

[Larsongs]

I played my AV65 Jazzmaster thru it today. Sounds friggin' awesome. This is one sweet little Amp!!

After watching the YouTubes of those FSR Vox AC15's & AC30's I'm not hearing 10 times what this little Amp costs. I'm not saying they're bad because they're not. They're great! I'm saying this one sounds just as great!

I love my 65 Princeton Reverb. But, I gotta say this Vox AC10C1 with Greenback & JJ's is it's equal at half the Cost.

Can't wait to run both Amps Stereo!!!! Next Session.

Thanks,

Lars

[Nevets]

I sometimes run my Princeton Reverb and AC10 together in stereo and it's glorious! Enjoy your new amp!

[Larsongs]

I sometimes run my Princeton Reverb and AC10 together in stereo and it's glorious! Enjoy your new amp!

It really is isn't it? Does your AC10 have the Greenback Spkr?

I wonder, if playing the 12 Watt Princeton & the 10 Watt AC10 in Stereo is equivalent to a 22 Watt Amp? Both Amps together sound at least as loud as my 22 Watt '65 DRRI! Is it my imagination?

[jdr1014]

Congrats Lars!

I was intrigued by this model too and bought one earlier this year. Mine is the regular model and at first I wasn't super impressed. Part of that was because I have been a "Fender guy" for almost 50 years and it didn't sound the same nor did it eq the same way. Silly as it may, sound I had to "learn" how the Vox TB circuit works and interactivity with gain, master etc. That, combined with a good amount of break-in on the original speaker made a huge difference and I really like this little amp now. I play Fender SC guitars of all flavors + Gretsch HSFT and every one sounds great thru this little amp. Not crystalline clean like my BF/SF fenders but so expressive and dynamic once I figured out how to dial it in.

I have a variety of ANOS and new manufacture preamp tubes and got a set of new TungSol EL84's to try but it just sounds so good and dead quiet that I haven't bothered to change them yet. I know there are critics of the amp's MIC construction and layout, but it seems well built to me. AC10C1 is a great little amp!

[Larsongs]

Going from Fender to Vox with Master Vol. & Gain or Top Boost takes a little getting used to. But it's very cool.

I do like being able to dial in some Dirt at any volume with the Vox. Combine the Fender clean sound & it is a great combination.

I did notice a difference in the sound quality when I changed the Tubes. I'm not a Guitar/Amp repair guy but it was very easy to do. I just watched a You Tube. You could try it & if you don't like it swap them back to originals. The whole process for a beginner like me to 15-20 minutes & my De Walt cordless drill w/Phillips head.

Same with the Speaker. After opening the back I could see how easy it would be to swap another speaker. If you should ever want to.

I'd love to get another on of these Amps & put a Celestion Creamback in it. They don't make a 10" Alnico Blue but Creambacks come close.

Anyhow, I agree it is a glorious combo! Enjoy!

Lars

[Larsongs]

It's now October & after a few months with this Amp it's pretty much my go to Amp now.

Seems the more I play it the better it sounds. Guess it's the break in period but I'm liking it a lot.

I'll be playing it with a live Band in couple weeks & see if it's loud enough with Drums. Although I can always Mic it.

[jdr1014]

I actually liked mine a lot better after a few months of break-in and getting familiar with it. Will be interested in how you feel about it in another 6 mos., etc.

[Larsongs]

Yeah, me too. But if it's like my Princeton Reverb & my 65 DRRI the more I played them, the more they broke in & the better they sound.

I'm still thinking about getting a 2nd one if I an figure out a way to put a Creamback or some kind of Blue in it.

Thanks,

Lars