Vox AC-15 Tube Amplifier (1964)
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Vox AC-15 Model Tube Amplifier (1964), made in Dartford, Kent, England, serial # 5522N, Black Basketweave Rexine covering finish.
One of the most revered of all amplifiers, the early Vox AC-15 and its larger sibling the AC-30 were literally THE sound of the UK Beat Era and both remain among the most popular amps in the world, at least among those who prize tone above all. While the AC-30 became the popular standard of the day, the earlier (and eventually rarer) AC-15 has become ever more sought after in recent decades as stage and recording volumes have come down.
The AC-15 was VOX's initial flagship amp and the design saw a number of changes during the early 60's. The early AC-15's had been subject to a lot of professional use and this roadwork exposed many frailties in the design. A major overhaul resulted in a completely redesigned "Contempo" chassis, abandoning the old top-and-bottom format that had been proven fairy detrimental to the longevity of the amplifiers as touring musicians threw cables and pedals in the back of the amp where all the fragile tubes were mounted upright! The new version was of part-aluminum, part-steel construction containing everything at the top of the cabinet including the tubes much like Fender amps of the day. Unlike Leo's creations, these are mounted front-ward in the chassis with accompanying vents at the top-front of the cabinet.
By Summer of 1963, the AC-15 featured same split-front styling as the rest of the Vox line-up of the day, covered in "basketweave" black covering with brown-backed diamond grille cloth. A single handle fitted at the top alongside two brass vent louvers. By this point, the third AC-15 circuit was still going strong, forgoing the earlier-used ECF82 tube. In its place were two 12AX7s, and most significantly, the EF86 was moved from the second vibrato channel to the first channel, where it fed directly into the phase inverter.
The AC-15 retained two EL84 power tubes, an EZ81 rectifier tube and single 12" speaker, yielding roughly 15 watts of output, true to its name. Dick Denny's brainchild 4-input/2-channel design featured independent volumes for both channels, vib/trem and speed controls for channel 1, as well as a tone control and a top cut control for channel 2. This particular 13th documented version of the AC-15 was in production between July 1963 and May 1964 and was the last revision to feature brass vent louvers, as well as one of the last to feature a copper anodized panel.
Many AC-15s from the early-mid 1960s have generations of heavy use behind them, and the wear to prove it. This one appears to have survived the Beat Boom and beyond relatively unscathed, though with fair signs of use over its lifetime. Sonically, it offers the early glimmering shadows sounds at lower volume and superbly and inspiringly touch sensitive if you have opportunity to crank it up!
Height is 21 in. (53.3 cm.), 20 3/4 in. (52.7 cm.) width, and 10 1/2 in. (26.7 cm.) deep.
Overall this particular AC-15 is a well preserved example. The black basketweave covering shows moderate scuffing, mostly around corners and edges as well as some very mild discoloration. The fairly fragile grille original cloth is decently intact save for a few tears; a few in the middle areas and a bigger one at the bottom as well as some lighter staining. The original plastic Vox logo is nicely intact also. The serial number plate on the back shows some scratches; it bears the number 5522N. The copper escutcheon top panel is VERY clean with minimal disturbance. The handle appears to be original as well. The amp retains the original Vox footswitch for the tremolo/vibrato as well.
Internally, this AC-15 is nicely original; the 12" Celestion "Vox blue" Oyster T.530 speaker is original and both tests and sounds great. The Haddon/Radio Spares-made transformers are all original to the amp. All Pots all appear original as well. The amp has received our typical servicing and maintenance, including replacement of electrolytic caps, cleaning of all jacks, pots and sockets and a new grounded 3-prong power cord installed.
This is simply one of the coolest AC-15 we have ever had, a classic from the golden era of English combos and a spectacular sounding amplifier by any standard. Overall Excellent - Condition.
One of the most revered of all amplifiers, the early Vox AC-15 and its larger sibling the AC-30 were literally THE sound of the UK Beat Era and both remain among the most popular amps in the world, at least among those who prize tone above all. While the AC-30 became the popular standard of the day, the earlier (and eventually rarer) AC-15 has become ever more sought after in recent decades as stage and recording volumes have come down.
The AC-15 was VOX's initial flagship amp and the design saw a number of changes during the early 60's. The early AC-15's had been subject to a lot of professional use and this roadwork exposed many frailties in the design. A major overhaul resulted in a completely redesigned "Contempo" chassis, abandoning the old top-and-bottom format that had been proven fairy detrimental to the longevity of the amplifiers as touring musicians threw cables and pedals in the back of the amp where all the fragile tubes were mounted upright! The new version was of part-aluminum, part-steel construction containing everything at the top of the cabinet including the tubes much like Fender amps of the day. Unlike Leo's creations, these are mounted front-ward in the chassis with accompanying vents at the top-front of the cabinet.
By Summer of 1963, the AC-15 featured same split-front styling as the rest of the Vox line-up of the day, covered in "basketweave" black covering with brown-backed diamond grille cloth. A single handle fitted at the top alongside two brass vent louvers. By this point, the third AC-15 circuit was still going strong, forgoing the earlier-used ECF82 tube. In its place were two 12AX7s, and most significantly, the EF86 was moved from the second vibrato channel to the first channel, where it fed directly into the phase inverter.
The AC-15 retained two EL84 power tubes, an EZ81 rectifier tube and single 12" speaker, yielding roughly 15 watts of output, true to its name. Dick Denny's brainchild 4-input/2-channel design featured independent volumes for both channels, vib/trem and speed controls for channel 1, as well as a tone control and a top cut control for channel 2. This particular 13th documented version of the AC-15 was in production between July 1963 and May 1964 and was the last revision to feature brass vent louvers, as well as one of the last to feature a copper anodized panel.
Many AC-15s from the early-mid 1960s have generations of heavy use behind them, and the wear to prove it. This one appears to have survived the Beat Boom and beyond relatively unscathed, though with fair signs of use over its lifetime. Sonically, it offers the early glimmering shadows sounds at lower volume and superbly and inspiringly touch sensitive if you have opportunity to crank it up!
Height is 21 in. (53.3 cm.), 20 3/4 in. (52.7 cm.) width, and 10 1/2 in. (26.7 cm.) deep.
Overall this particular AC-15 is a well preserved example. The black basketweave covering shows moderate scuffing, mostly around corners and edges as well as some very mild discoloration. The fairly fragile grille original cloth is decently intact save for a few tears; a few in the middle areas and a bigger one at the bottom as well as some lighter staining. The original plastic Vox logo is nicely intact also. The serial number plate on the back shows some scratches; it bears the number 5522N. The copper escutcheon top panel is VERY clean with minimal disturbance. The handle appears to be original as well. The amp retains the original Vox footswitch for the tremolo/vibrato as well.
Internally, this AC-15 is nicely original; the 12" Celestion "Vox blue" Oyster T.530 speaker is original and both tests and sounds great. The Haddon/Radio Spares-made transformers are all original to the amp. All Pots all appear original as well. The amp has received our typical servicing and maintenance, including replacement of electrolytic caps, cleaning of all jacks, pots and sockets and a new grounded 3-prong power cord installed.
This is simply one of the coolest AC-15 we have ever had, a classic from the golden era of English combos and a spectacular sounding amplifier by any standard. Overall Excellent - Condition.