Two spring tanks have more flutter and grit, they also seem to capture that vintage 1960s vibe better. A gorgeous amp, built like a tank, sounds sweet, but no reverb. The reverb drive is basically a fourwatt output amplifier consisting of a 12at7 tube and a reverb driver transformer. It is recommended that the driver be a current or voltage source with an output rising 6. Fromel electronics vox ac15c1 modification kit reverb. I highly recommend this mod for anyone that finds the ac15 stock reverb to be lacking.
Vox ac15c1 amplifier a look under the hood the vox showroom. The accutronics tank replacement cleaned up the reverb sound a little bit, but it does not give you that twin reverb sound some people claim it will. Each digit in the part number represents a specification. Updating the reverb tank will not make your amp sound creamier and warmer. But that is not the only way to drive a reverb tank using a vacuum tube, and in fact it is not the best way. It was a laughably simple matter of unplugging the old reverb tank, and plugging the new one in. Vox ac15c1 custom 2channel 15watt 1x12 guitar combo reverb. I wish changing the pan in my ac30cc made as big of a difference. Please read this manual carefully so that you can familiarize yourself with these.
I think it sounds good with it, but the problem is that when you have too much distortion the reverb pedal isnt going to sound good. The mildly interesting vox ac30 reverb problem the unbroken. Belton reverb tank, 17 long, 2 spring, 4ab3c1b, current production. I recorded it with my iphone4 and then realized my face was cut. Reverb tank in the vox ac15c1 effects and processors. You can use different sizes of tanks, different decays, and different numbers of springs without issue. Input impedance 8 ohms, output impedance 2250 ohms, long decay 2. Spring reverb tanks are used to create a unique reverberation effect in guitar amps and organs. My biggest issues when i first got it was that the reverb sucked and the highs were quite brittle some called it like an ice pick.
The reverb saturation is dialed back to usable amounts and the nasty high end is gone. While there have been a number of ac15 variants since its debut in 1957, the current ac15c1 uses an alltube, 15w 1x12 design to capture the tone of its predecessors. Please, follow these basic instructions to place your order. Replacing the reverb tank in my ac15c1x telecaster. If you are just changing tubes, then removing the reverb tank is not required, as there is plenty of slack in the cable to place the chassis on the floor. Vox ac15cc1 custom classic amplifier the vox showroom. In reality, we can have a power driver or a current driver, because with a power driver current is amplified as well. With the tank driver, you can take any balanced line level signal or prerecorded track and play it through. Add only the numerical characters of the item number. I play about 30 minutes a day, when i turned on my amp today i noticed that i wasnt getting reverb. Unleash the tone of your vox ac15c1 with the complete mod kit from fromel electronics. The reverberation effect is created when an audio signal created by a transducer is sent through one or more springs, the movement of the springs is then converted back into an audio signal by another transducer at the other end, creating the unique sound. When i shake the unit, the springs rattle through the speaker, but no reverb sound atall with the guitar when played. Usually, its something easy, so lets take a shot at this one, shall we.
At any rate, i would not expect the reverb in that amp to sound. Once i replaced the stock reverb with the accutronics tank the difference was substantial. The ac15 is an awsome little go to amp that works great for rehearsing and most smaller gigs. The vox ac15 is a 15w, single channel alltube three 12ax7 preamp tubes and two el84 tubes to drive a single 12 celestion g12m greenback amp. Reverb tank 8eb2c1b fender style 3 spring allparts uk. Ac15cc1 features the ac15cc1 was a single channel, single input amp powered by two 12ax7 and two el84 tubes. The ac15 doesnt have an effects loop so when you run a reverb pedal in front of the amp it will go through the preamp. I upgraded the reverb tank in my ac15 and i dig it. Keep in mind i have the brand new model custom classic, the ac15c1, which has the tank screwed in to the bottom of the cab. Spring reverb on my vox ac15c1 effects and processors.
The reverb is not only useable throughout the knobs range, but it sounds. A warm spring reverb is also included on all custom series guitar amps, adding spaciousness to the sound. The ac15 custom also offers footswitchable spring reverb and classic vox tremolo to enhance the already impressive sound. I changed the reverb tank from the stock one accutronics eb3c1b to accutronics 8es2c1b guitar. It must be said that the stock reverb tank that vox supplies sucks. The sound of the amplifier is good, but can be improved with some upgradesand some. Vox custom classic ac15cc1 15w 1x12 tube guitar combo amp. For those who want the classic jangle and top boost of the vox ac30 but dont need quite so much power, the ac15c1 is a great option. A transformerless constantcurrent reverb driver introduction. Yeah, im pretty sure the driver and recovery circuits for the reverb on the more recent ac15c1 ac15cc1 ac15s are solid state, as opposed to tube.
Vox ac15 c1 reverb sounds way too weak lets fix it. Go to a hi fi store, get a decent quality replacement, and plug it that fixes 90% of reverb failures. While there are some excellent dsp digital signal processor based reverb systems that sound very natural, the unique sound of spring reverb tanks is still preferred by a great many guitarists and many electric electronic organ players as. Ac15c1 features the ac15c1 was powered by three 12ax7 and two el84 tubes. Sound is all there, easy to haul, versatile, top boost, tone cut switch and has spring reverb and tremolo, the higher end, hand wired ac 15 hw is a lot more expensive and also doesnt have the reverb and tremolo. But i couldnt find any information at all on what unit i should purchase, or if theres any other alternatives that i can dabble in. Vox ac15c1 reverb tank replacement comparison youtube. It contained a footswitch for my recently acquired 65 tremolux and a matched pair of jj 6l6gcs.
All vox custom amplifiers can use the vox vfs2 footswitch, allowing you to turn the reverb and tremolo effects on and off as you continue to play. The only difference between the two ac15cc models was the speaker. Reverb brand new threespring mod reverb tank, voiced to sound just like the best 1960s reverb tanks. The ac15cc1x had one 12 vox alnico blue speaker made by celestion. For some reason it seems like the reverb circuit was really designed around the ruby tank and other tanks dont work as expected. The vox ac15 custom classic preserves the tone that made it a rock classic while adding updates to give it more flexibility and control. There are a number of different types of reverb tanks available.
Vacuum tube reverb circuits traditionally have used a lowimpedance reverb tank coupled to the driver tube by a small output transformer. Hey guys im seriously considering performing an output transformer upgrade with addition to a choke on my ac15. Just a bit of a first world problemrecently, twice now, the reverb has gone out on my very awesome vox ac15c1 seriously its an awesome amp, but i do have a theory as to what may be happening, because it does start working again. Most spring reverbs are made from accutronics or are copies of this old standby.
When you open up the back chassis of the amp, you will see a black pouch, open it up and there is where youll find the stock reverb tank. I have a 2 spring mod tank on the way so ill see what difference it makes. New reverb tank in vox ac15c1 telecaster guitar forum. The chassis was painted in semigloss black paint with silk screened control panel nomenclature. Master volume plus global reverb and tremolo controls have been added, while a rear panel impedance switch is provided to facilitate the use of extension speakers. The sound of the amplifier is good, but can be improved with some upgradesand some modifications.
Boasting both a normal and top boost channel, the ac15 custom is an alltube, el84 driven workhorse that delivers 15 watts of authentic british tone into your choice of a genuine celestion greenback or alnico blue speaker. By the time the signal gets to the end of the reverb tank, it is transformed. Use this guide to help you determine part number based upon your specifications and application. So the reverb drivers z out can be equal to or greater than the tanks z in.
Changing out the reverb tank for an accutronics will make the reverb way more usuable, but dont ever expect fender type verb out of. Born from a classic design and with a heritage dating back to 1958, it maintains and evolves voxs pedigree in thoroughbred tone. Fender american deluxe stratocaster hss shawbucker. Vox custom ac15c1 15w 1x12 tube guitar combo amp vintage.
Or get a local store to do it and possibly upgrade the tubes as well. Vox ac15c1 amplifier modifications fromel electronics. This kit addresses a number of issues with this amp by improving the reverb, reducing noise and hum and revoicing the tone stack. If they are loose in the mounting, some super glue to solidify them in the mounts will greatly improve the sound of the reverb. This amp was purchased new just a few months ago from a major retail chain. Some of these cars have built up a named driver on the other driver s of. Reverb is one of those effects that simply will not go away. Reverb tank changed out, unsure with what, otherwise lightly used amp for a couple years. In order to ensure that this new ac15 meets exacting standards for tone, quality and reliability, it has been built entirely in our verticallyintegrated manufacturing facility, a facility capable of many. Drawing on more than 50 years of ampbuilding expertise, the ac15c1 custom series offers maximum tonal dexterity. Jun 27, 2008 remove the two crews on the left hand side, and the reverb tank will slip out. It is recommended that the driver be a current or voltage source with an output rising 6 dboctave with increasing frequency. Even a chinese amp should be pretty solid for a few months.
Create unique tones with your existing spring reverb. It has a external speaker input switchable between 8ohm and 16ohms, with the purpose of powering an external speaker cabinet, and another extension speaker jack, which can be used to run another 16ohm cabinet along with the internal speakers, to get a. It included spring reverb, tremolo and output jacks for extension speakers. Instead it will make the reverb stronger and perhaps more reliable depending on which reverb mod you are talking about. Before replacing the stock tank, i would suggest pulling the stock tank and and checking the inductors. Accutronics reverb to vox ac15c1 telecaster guitar forum. Some reverb mods are meant to reduce hum by changing the reverb tank driver circuit from single ended to push pull.
When the reverb is turned up and i shake the tank i can hear the springs clank and when the reverb is turned all the down i cant here the clank. Regarding the reverb tank, there should be a code punched on its body, which you can decode on the accutronics web site. Usually its a cheap crappy rca cable that connects the reverb tank to the amp. First introduced in 1958, the ac15 combo has been the amp of choice for countless guitar players throughout the world. English usd a portion of each sale goes to making the world more musical. The ac15cc1 had one 16 ohm 12 vox wharfedale speaker, designed to tonally resemble the famous green backed speaker used by vox from the 70s through the 90s.
Vox ac15c1 reverb not working then working the stringbox. I used this reverb tank as a replacement for the stock accutronics benton tank in a 2012 vox ac15c1 bl. And while i have not tried swapping a tank in my ac15cc1 i dont particularly care for the reverb in my ac15 either, i suspected that the tank alone isnt the sole reason for the way the verb. The custom series ac15 amplifier is now available with two 12celestion g12m greenback speakers. Ac15c1 musical instrument amplifier pdf manual download. Radial tank driver 500 series radial engineering amber tech. Replacing the tank isnt a dramatic change, but for 30 bucks shipped and an easy install, its worth a shot if you find the stock reverb unusable. Vox ac15c1 15w 1x12 combo wwarehouse g12c speaker cable bundle. Fender deluxe 90 fender princeton 65 fender sidekick reverb 35 pn 025269 fender stage series fender ultra choru. Vox ac15cc1 mods from heaven discussion in ampage area started by hojo199, apr 30, 2011. For a replacement you need to match the input and output impedance, and the grounding scheme.
To summarize how this sounds in comparison to the stock tank, the mod tank has more volume on the front end of the echo and a faster decay on the tail end of the echo. Would like to replace the tank in my vox ac15c1, and im wondering what the difference is between the. I slapped it in there and it was the last touch on the changes that ive made to the amp. Spring reverb tanks explained and compared amplified parts. Remove the 6v6 or 6l6 output tubes to disable sound coming from the main speaker. I got a ac15c1 in a trade a week or two ago and it arrived with the reverb doa and i cant figure out whats going on. May 16, 20 yeah, im pretty sure the driver and recovery circuits for the reverb on the more recent ac15c1 ac15cc1 ac15s are solid state, as opposed to tube. Primarily used by all fender amplifiers with tube reverb from 19631990. I took my ac15cc1 to my audiophile friend for the oftendiscussed cap mod. The older ones i think have a pouch that the unit sits in but its the same size and is the same dropin type of replacement. Slapping the tank didnt bring forth any spring sound, so its time to get it on the bench for some minor surgery and some amp tech porn pics. Sep 02, 2011 it was a laughably simple matter of unplugging the old reverb tank, and plugging the new one in. Aug 16, 2007 i just picked up an accutronics reverb tank, which is the same dimensions as the beldon ac30 tank. Unplug the reverb pan, and connect a speaker to the reverb jack labeled reverb.
The vox ac15cc custom classic amplifier is a modern tube amplifier introduced by vox in 2004 and discontinued in 2010. Accutronics products and specifications amplified parts. Three spring tanks have a more smoothed out flutter with a bigger, fuller sounding reverb effect and more lows. In this video we are comparing tonal differences between a 9 3 spring tank and a 16 2 spring tank. My friends vox ac15s reverb broke, so he bought a hardwire reverb pedal. Ac15c1 no reverb please help updated happy ending the. The reverb tank mounting plane that results in this ideal transducer orientation is referred to as vertical connectors up.
If you are planning on fully removing the chassis to work on it, remove the reverb tank from the black pouch at the bottom of the cabinet. Reverb tank 8eb2c1b fender style 3 spring for blues junior, ri champ, ri deluxe, ri princeton allparts uk. While this amp has a great tone stock from the factory, a few key cha. Vox ac15c1 stock reverb vs mod 8eb2c1b reverb tank.
The reverb tank little black box inside the back is just plugged into the amp internally via a pair of rca jacks. Alnico blue dog and better tubes, it is all the amp for my needs. It included spring reverb, tremolo, and the traditional top boost tone control circuit. Reverb tank part numbers consist of a seven digit code, i. Parts is parts, established in 1982, is the worlds leading supplier of amplifier and guitar parts, and your official vox and korg parts center. This amplifier attempted to reproduce the sounds of the original vox ac series introducedin 1958, but using modern cost saving design and chinese manufacturing. Once i replaced the reverb tank with the mod 8eb2c1b, the speaker for a weber 30 watt 16.