Bedroom tube amp for AC30 vibes

slowpilgrim

I normally practice at home with my vibro champ that sounds great at low volume with a p8r fitted. I've just tried an AC30 for the first time and was blown away by it. Sounds gorgeous clean and loved the top boost channel too. Is there anything that gets close that is suitable for practice at home? AC10? Badcat cub?

pedalo

Morgan AC20!

JCA2550

AC10c1 is a brilliant, great sounding small VOX combo with tons of proper Voxy chime and decent reverb, but it's a loud 10 watts.

I've even gigged one, albeit with a "polite" drummer. 

TheMarlin

I have an AC30 visiting at the moment, it’s plays beautifully at home practice levels, even at night time levels 

slowpilgrim

yeah i was shocked at how good it sounds even with the MV down low and the TB cranked. Maybe that's the way to go.

Dodge

TheMarlin said:

I have an AC30 visiting at the moment, it’s plays beautifully at home practice levels, even at night time levels 

I was going to say the same thing. An AC15 isn't much quieter than an AC30 when played loud, and an AC30 sounds SO much better.

djspecialist

I recently bought a BadCat Cub III 15R, and have been super impressed by the tones available at home volumes using the K-master. As yet I haven't had chance to try it at band volume, but hopefully soon ...

If I didn't have the BadCat, I'd be looking hard at the Danplifier AC15 clone just listed by @ThePrettyDamned :

https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/206000/fs-danplifier-handwired-ef86-vox-ac15-with-top-boost-and-mods-300

ICBM

For bedroom-sized amps with the real Vox sound you can't go wrong with the AC10C1.

But if you can afford it, fit it in your house and lift it, an AC30 still sounds better.

dazzajl

The AC30 staying with its Uncle Marlin is my Heritage model, so no master volume. Even so, the volume control on either channel goes very smoothly from off, to whisper, to big, to outrageous, to full wall demolition stadium rock vibe. 

What it’s really not though is small or discrete 

pottolom

I got an AC15C1 recently, ridiculously cheap second hand for what they are, and the master volume means you can get some really good breakup at very low volume.

This video convinced me that it holds its own against an AC30:

Cols

The Brian May obsessives all seem to really like the Vox MV50 AC. 

ryanverbena

I'll second the Morgan AC20 (not sure why it got lolled!?). Obviously a lot more expensive than a Vox, but if you were also considering a Bad Cat then a second hand Morgan is in that ballpark. The power scaling is simply amazing for home use. 

slowpilgrim

looking into all of these, I'm surprised how cheap the AC30CC1 is s/h.

has anyone tried a 60s AC4? I know it won't be at all similar to the AC30 but I really enjoy these tiny amps. They still seem fairly cheap compared to other big brand vintage amps, maybe for a reason.

ICBM

slowpilgrim said:

has anyone tried a 60s AC4? I know it won't be at all similar to the AC30 but I really enjoy these tiny amps. They still seem fairly cheap compared to other big brand vintage amps, maybe for a reason.

I’ve owned a couple of them. Each to their own, but I can’t understand what anyone sees in them and think the current prices being asked for them are far too high... they sound like plugging a guitar into the aux input of an old radio.

JCA2550

ICBM said:

slowpilgrim said:

has anyone tried a 60s AC4? I know it won't be at all similar to the AC30 but I really enjoy these tiny amps. They still seem fairly cheap compared to other big brand vintage amps, maybe for a reason.

I’ve owned a couple of them. Each to their own, but I can’t understand what anyone sees in them and think the current prices being asked for them are far too high... they sound like plugging a guitar into the aux input of an old radio.

Ha, not necessarily a bad thing...

russpm

Bad Cat Black Cat 15R,  it has half power switch and also master volume that can also be switched out of circuit. There are two channels which both have dedicated controls including master volume and reverb. Great tones at low volume levels.

DrCornelius

There’s a used Genz Benz Black Pearl on Reverb in a shop in Cardiff. It’s £899 which I feel is dear but it’s not too far from you to go and try. They are cracking amps and are a very loud  30w but with power switching to get it down to 7. The master volume is really usuable and it sounds great at low volume 


EDIT - the Danplifier AC15 a like in the classifieds seems a great deal too (just noticed it)

stickyfiddle

BadCat Cub III 15R here. Mine's never left the house, and I'm in an apartment to boot. Utterly fantastic amp if you can stretch to it

BrizzleRocker

Here's an idea for the bedroom - Strymon Iridium! Great for recording too but does just as well with headphones.

JezWynd

ICBM said:

slowpilgrim said:

has anyone tried a 60s AC4? I know it won't be at all similar to the AC30 but I really enjoy these tiny amps. They still seem fairly cheap compared to other big brand vintage amps, maybe for a reason.

I’ve owned a couple of them. Each to their own, but I can’t understand what anyone sees in them and think the current prices being asked for them are far too high... they sound like plugging a guitar into the aux input of an old radio.

That describes the Vox AC4 C1 BL very well. I picked one up to scratch a Voxish itch. I’d read numerous disparaging reports about how boxy they sound and thought it might suit my circumstances atm; needing to play in a house with thin walls. And it suits remarkably well. The boxiness means sound is small and very directional - a true practice amp. It sounds fine, has hints of the chime. The one failing (I think) is the speaker; if I dig in, the speaker can bark back at me. Currently wondering if a speaker change is worth the cost or if I should learn to live with its quirk. (Speaker choice is limited by combo design - must be 4.12” max depth).

Slash'N'burn

Arrgh, getting gas for a Vox amp now!