Vox Vox AC15H1TV Model Tube Amplifier (2009), made in China, blonde Tolex finish.
This is the Vox 50th Anniversary Hand-Wired Heritage Collection 15-Watt 1x12" Guitar Combo, one of the nicest recent Vox offerings. It is a modernized re-imagining of the first classic Vox Amp, the original 1958 AC-15. Cosmetically it has the classic early JMI look, with fawn Tolex covering and a gold grill with the diamond pattern cloth and large gilt VOX logo. Sonically it offers two quite versatile channels through a single 12" Celestion Alnico "Blue" speaker. The tube complement is 1 x EF86, 3 x ECC83/12AX7, 2 x EL84, and 1 x EZ81 rectifier.
The setup is classic Vox with some very clever tweaks. Channel 1 has an EF86 Preamp with two inputs wired in traditional Vox style giving them a 6dB gain differential. A two-position "Bass Shift" switch is a new twist, with position 1 voiced to the original vintage 1950-60s bass response and position 2 voiced to tighten the low end reducing muddiness at high volume. A three-position "Brilliance" Switch provides flat response in the OFF position; Position 1 voiced like the early AC30 "Treble" amps, while position 2 is the original 1960s "brilliance" circuit, which acts as a dramatic bass cut.
Getting even more flexible, an EF86 Mode switch re-configures that preamp tube from Pentode to Triode mode. The triode mode option gives a lower gain tone with higher headroom. Pentode mode is the classic original sound with a very sweet high gain and considerably less headroom before it breaks into overdrive.
Channel 2 is the Top Boost Preamp channel also with two inputs wired with the 6 dB gain difference. The Treble and Bass controls are configured like the famous AC-30 1963 "Top Boost" circuit and are interactive; minor adjustments of these controls can yield dramatic changes in tone color. Another Vox specialty is the "Top Cut" knob which dampens the high end response on either channel end as it is turned up.
Another new twist on the vintage Vox formula is flexible power. The "O/P" Switch adds even more sonic options by changing the power tubes from the normal Pentode Mode to Triode Mode which halves the power output to 7.5 watts. This makes the amp more adaptable to the lower volume needed for at-home use or many modern gigs. While it looks like the original 1958 amp this is a far more versatile unit, with everything from 50's to 60's and modern sounds.
This particular amp is a production sample, from the personal collection of amp guru Mitch Colby who ran the Vox line for Korg for some years. He describes it thus: "AC15H1TV prototype with no serial number. I worked for the company and it was gifted to me when I left. In great shape, works perfectly."
Height is 20 3/4 in. (52.7 cm.), 20 3/4 in. (52.7 cm.) width, and 10 1/4 in. (26 cm.) deep.
This amp is basically new, showing virtually no wear with hardly any play time since it arrived 10+ years ago.The Tolex has shrunken a bit in a few spots, that's about it. Near Mint Condition.
