It depends what Chinese/Vietnamese AC15 you're talking about - if it's the AC15C1 then they are quite nice; if it's the AC15HW (handwired) then they are very nice. Then it depends whether the UK-made AC15 is from the 60's or from the 90's. The Asian ones are generally considered to be made of cheaper parts. For the price, I would consider buying the UK-made one. Maybe for just a little less. They aren't very common. It also obviously depends on the condition. There are a few factors to consider.

epictring wrote: What are the differences between the more recent Chinese made Vox AC15's and the older British made Vox AC15's?

Which Chinese AC15? ? Most (but not all) are PCB-based have solid-state rectifiers and ceramic speakers. They also mostly feature a master volume and a reverb circuit.

The British AC15 is the original, classic AC15 with the classic AC15 tone, alnico speakers, turret board based design. You have to crank them to get the goodies, but they sound glorious when you do. Obviously some collector's value too.

I'll probably be able to haggle the price a bit. But does the price sound good?

I'll come back with year, speakers, etc.

epictring wrote: I'll probably be able to haggle the price a bit. But does the price sound good?

I'll come back with year, speakers, etc.

Without this info and possibly some pics it's almost impossible to advise.

The guy doesn't know the year, but gave the serial, which does not help as there are no accurate records.

And here's the pictures:

Pictures work now...

It's sadly not an old (60's) model......that one is not point to point wired and that is not an alnico Celestion speaker.

Yeah after little research it seems like a 90's made vox. And the speakers are a letdown, after a quick look on the vox website it seems they don't do the alnico speakers in ac15's anymore? Just the Greenbacks?

I don't know that era of British ones at all, but Vic knows the Voxes far better than I.

Yup, looks like only a few of the Hand-wired models have the Alnico Blue these days, which is not surprising, given the difference it makes to the selling price. The Vintage 30 is still a good speaker, but for me the Blue is a big part of the sound I love from the Vox amps.

Actually, I think I saw an older Hand-wired combo on Gumtree the other day. Didn't investigate further as I've been there and done that already.

If I may...rather get the new AC15 with the Celestion greenback.....Chinese or not, it's a good amp by most accounts and you can pick one up for around R5K....keep an eye on Gumtree. Actually saw one some time ago going for even less.

Hmm.. What about getting an ac15 chinese and swapping out for an alnico blue speaker?

epictring wrote: Hmm.. What about getting an ac15 chinese and swapping out for an alnico blue speaker?

Good idea...but then you must get the AC15 cheap because the alnico blue is very expensive (R4-4.5k if you're going to import it). But if you're going to drive the amp a lot (and don't play mostly clean) then the greenback will be just fine. Those greenbacks are very good speakers.....The alnico blue really accentuates clean guitar tone.....think Hank Marvin.

Here are some good references and info re. 60's AC15's

http://www.voxshowroom.com/uk/amp/ac15.html

http://www.voxshowroom.com/uk/amp/ac15-1960.html

http://www.voxshowroom.com/uk/amp/ac15twin-1963.html

http://www.voxshowroom.com/uk/amp/ac15twin-1965.html

Cool thanks for the information.. In the meantime I got a really good deal on a Vox AC15 Handwired, though its still twice the price of an ordinary ac15 so its very expensive. Are they really worth it?

Then again I'm looking to get a smaller amp (hence looking at the ac15) and the handwired looks really big!

epictring wrote: Then again I'm looking to get a smaller amp (hence looking at the ac15) and the handwired looks really big!

Don't think there'll be much difference in the weight ? The HW is a classy amp (judged by reports) and it already has the alnico blue speaker. Plus I would think that it will retain its value much better than the alternative. Good luck.

Another option for you to consider if you are looking at spending AC15 HW kind of money, is the Craig Brit 15? Should work out around the same if not less than the AC15HW? Drop Bottledtone a line here and see for your self?

I currently have the AC15 C1, which is the better of the 'normal' chinese built AC15's, fitted with a greenback, and I absolutely love it! The HW is said to be that much better again, but as mentioned, I think most of that is down to the speaker, and the following factors....

The HW can be relatively easily fixed, where as the PCB design may require an entire board to be replaced should failure occur.

The design of the HW should allow for the amp to last for many many years, whilst the PCB's in the Chinese ones are more susceptible to giving up when the amp is being moved around as is the case when gigging.

Some say that point to point wiring in itself gives better tonal response than printed circuit boards, due to electricity flow and resisitance etc, but I find this one a bit of a stretch.

All in all, The AC15 C1 is a great amp, and built as good, if not better than the mass market of other amps within its price range. The HW is built to last. Its built to be the amp you buy and keep. Forever! However, as with most investments, you pay through the nose for them initially!

Hope that helps?
Regards
G!

Depends on what you are after - flexibility or classic AC tones?

BTW, if it's a first series Handwired (with the EF86 normal channel), the head is better than the combo as the combo tends to shake the EF86 harder (which is notoriously prone to microphonics). Be prepared to fit the best NOS EF86 you can afford as the stock Electroharmonix is microphonic right out of the box. The newer Handwired has a 12AX7, so no issues with those.

Alan Ratcliffe wrote: Depends on what you are after - flexibility or classic AC tones?

BTW, if it's a first series Handwired (with the EF86 normal channel), the head is better than the combo as the combo tends to shake the EF86 harder (which is notoriously prone to microphonics). Be prepared to fit the best NOS EF86 you can afford as the stock Electroharmonix is microphonic right out of the box. The newer Handwired has a 12AX7, so no issues with those.

Very good point.