Vox AC-15 Tube Amplifier (1961)
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Item # 11132
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Vox AC-15 Model Tube Amplifier (1961), made in Dartford, Kent, England, serial # 4851N, Fawn 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 Pre-Beat Era and both remain among the most popular amps in the world 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 1960, a year of great growth and experimentation for the company. 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.
Fall 1960 also saw a major change in aesthetics of the Vox line-up, featuring the new "split-front" design, covered in Fawn Rexine with brown-backed diamond grille cloth. A single handle fitted at the top alongside two brass vent louvers. At the same time Dick Denney had finished concocting the third AC-15 circuit, forgoing the earlier 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 8th documented version of the AC-15 was in production between late 1960 and late 1961 and was the last model to feature the black escutcheon control panel, predating the copper anodized panels Vox would use the following year.
Many AC-15s from the early-mid 1960s have generations of heavy use behind them, and the wear to prove it. This one is an exception, appearing to have survived the Beat Boom and beyond remaining not much gigged, if at all. Sort of a shame in some ways, as it is a truly fantastic sounding amp, offering 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 1/2 in. (52.1 cm.) width, and 10 1/2 in. (26.7 cm.) deep.
Overall this particular AC-15 is a spectacularly well-preserved example, with only fairly minimal wear. It is quite rare to find one of these fawn-covered beauties in this sort of condition, most were gigged heavily 60 years ago. The earlier covering is thinner and more prone to damage than the later black models; this one shows just some scuffing and light wear, mostly on the lower areas.
The serial number plate on the back has some light wear but is very clean overall; it bears the number of 4851N. The black escutcheon top panel is VERY clean with minimal disturbance. The handle has the correct styling appears to be a high quality reproduction. The top rear back panel also shows a drilled out jack-sized hole, presumably for a speaker output installed at one point. The two top panel screws are also missing. The grille cloth shows some overall wear and some light staining but no notable tearing.
Internally, the AC-15 is nearly all original and largely untouched, except for the bare minimum component replacements needed to have the amplifier working to modern standards. The Haddon/Radio Spares-made transformers are all original to the amp, the output transformer has been expertly professionally rewound to the original spec by Mercury Magnetics. The 12" Celestion "Vox blue" Oyster T.530 speaker is original as well, with what appears to be an older recone that performs excellently.
The amp has received the most non-intrusive level of our typical service consistent with continued usability including replacement of electrolytic caps, cleaning of all jacks, pots and sockets and a new grounded 3-prong power cord installed. The footswitch has also been made detachable via a 1/4" adapter, a significant practical improvement for the gigging/studio musician. This is simply one of the coolest AC-15 we have ever had, a fantastic piece, just pre-beat era masterpiece and a spectacular sounding amp 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 Pre-Beat Era and both remain among the most popular amps in the world 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 1960, a year of great growth and experimentation for the company. 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.
Fall 1960 also saw a major change in aesthetics of the Vox line-up, featuring the new "split-front" design, covered in Fawn Rexine with brown-backed diamond grille cloth. A single handle fitted at the top alongside two brass vent louvers. At the same time Dick Denney had finished concocting the third AC-15 circuit, forgoing the earlier 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 8th documented version of the AC-15 was in production between late 1960 and late 1961 and was the last model to feature the black escutcheon control panel, predating the copper anodized panels Vox would use the following year.
Many AC-15s from the early-mid 1960s have generations of heavy use behind them, and the wear to prove it. This one is an exception, appearing to have survived the Beat Boom and beyond remaining not much gigged, if at all. Sort of a shame in some ways, as it is a truly fantastic sounding amp, offering 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 1/2 in. (52.1 cm.) width, and 10 1/2 in. (26.7 cm.) deep.
Overall this particular AC-15 is a spectacularly well-preserved example, with only fairly minimal wear. It is quite rare to find one of these fawn-covered beauties in this sort of condition, most were gigged heavily 60 years ago. The earlier covering is thinner and more prone to damage than the later black models; this one shows just some scuffing and light wear, mostly on the lower areas.
The serial number plate on the back has some light wear but is very clean overall; it bears the number of 4851N. The black escutcheon top panel is VERY clean with minimal disturbance. The handle has the correct styling appears to be a high quality reproduction. The top rear back panel also shows a drilled out jack-sized hole, presumably for a speaker output installed at one point. The two top panel screws are also missing. The grille cloth shows some overall wear and some light staining but no notable tearing.
Internally, the AC-15 is nearly all original and largely untouched, except for the bare minimum component replacements needed to have the amplifier working to modern standards. The Haddon/Radio Spares-made transformers are all original to the amp, the output transformer has been expertly professionally rewound to the original spec by Mercury Magnetics. The 12" Celestion "Vox blue" Oyster T.530 speaker is original as well, with what appears to be an older recone that performs excellently.
The amp has received the most non-intrusive level of our typical service consistent with continued usability including replacement of electrolytic caps, cleaning of all jacks, pots and sockets and a new grounded 3-prong power cord installed. The footswitch has also been made detachable via a 1/4" adapter, a significant practical improvement for the gigging/studio musician. This is simply one of the coolest AC-15 we have ever had, a fantastic piece, just pre-beat era masterpiece and a spectacular sounding amp by any standard. Overall Excellent - Condition.