VOX | Discussion Forums » VOX Amplifiers » AC30 AC15, Custom Series & Custom Classic
Hi everyone,
Just got a great deal on an AC15CC1 with the Wharfdale Speaker and... I hate to say at this point it sounds like my $70 solid-state Fender 25R *facepalm.* I'm using a Japanese made Epiphone Les Paul Custom.
I'm a complete newbie to tube amps and need time to break in the speaker, but the tones
sound too "spongy" and boring, and I'm getting hiss when really driving the top boost.
Anybody have some advice/settings to guide a new AC15 owner achieve tonal liftoff? I hope I don't have to upgrade the tubes and speakers at this point, otherwise I should have spent the extra money on a C1...
(and I've searched these forums for good tips, but could use more specific advice - thanks!)
Tubes = a little spongyness; not a word; to your sound. That is the reason a lot of people only play tube amps. As for the hiss when cranking it. That is the nature of whatever tubes you are using in your amp. Some have a lot of noise some have very little, but they all have some noise. That comes with a tube amp.
You mentioned not wanting to change the valves but I suggest you do, as I would even if you'd bought the C1 instead. The stock chinese ones are very harsh. JJ's in all positions.
Give the wharfdale a chance to break in, it's not as bad as you will read, just give it a little time.
Room positioning is often overlooked, I found getting it off the floor and out of a corner seemed to open the sound up and take some boxiness out of it and of course if you can, play it loud as all valve amps should sound better when the tubes driven.
I hope that helps out.
cheers
Yup, get that master as loud as you can. That's the balls of the amp.
Thanks everyone for taking the time out with their great suggestions! It's already sounding pretty good after its first week and yeah, I will probably change valves sooner or later. Thanks again.
Sounding better after a week will be the result of the speaker freeing up I suspect, don't be frightened to experiment with the tone controls, both of the amp and your guitar, a subtle tweak of a knob could be all it takes.
cheers
Try replacing the tubes after you get the speaker broken in. I use Groove Tubes in my ac15 and the tone is amazing.
Cheers
Check out tube depot. http://www.tubedepot.com/?gclid=CKPrlpLVx6cCFQTNKgod7W5YFw if the link won't work just google tube depot. I have order more than a hundred from them and they are great.
www.eurotubes.com Is another great tube supplier.
