Vox AC15HW1X Hand-Wired Guitar Combo Amplifier (15 Watts, 1x12")

No longer available at zZounds
Bring back the British Invasion guitar sound by engaging the Top Boost circuit on the meticulously hand-crafted, vintage-styled Vox AC15HW1X combo amp.

The VOX Hand-Wired AC15HW1X steps it up from the already great-sounding AC15HW by packing a single Alnico Blue guitar speaker, so players can plug into the legendary tone that made VOX one of the most highly regarded amp makers in rock. There may never have been an amp boasting such a lofty and pure sound in the entire history of VOX.

The VOX Hand-Wired Series relies on the painstaking technique of turret board hand-wiring -- a method requiring a high level of skill and craftsmanship -- is used, resulting in wiring that's beautiful in its artistry, ensuring an efficient signal path with minimal loss and no restriction in amplitude. In the Hand-Wired Series, tubes, transformers, speakers, chassis, and custom parts all join together in an ideal state to deliver the richest and most powerful sonic experience -- the ultimate amp.

Not bound by tradition, the VOX Hand-Wired Series also provides a variety of new functions that keep pace with the needs of today's artists. Offering a rich variety of tonal shadings and a broad model lineup, the enormous potential of the VOX Hand-Wired Series will reveal itself in any musical scenario.

Features:

- Hand-wired turret board construction
- Birch-ply cabinets featuring solid bracing and a natural high frequency diffuser
- All-tube design
- ECC83/12AX7 preamp tubes (x3)
- EL84 Duet
- EZ81 rectifier
- Fitted with matched Ruby Tubes that provide extended dynamic range
- Traditional VOX two-channel design
- Top Boost and Normal. High and Low read more inputs for each channel
- The Normal channel provides an additional Bright switch.
- The top boost channel provides a Hot/Cool switch to achieve even more gain
- Master Volume/Bypass switch completely bypasses the Master Volume section
- OP mode switch cut the amp's Output Power level in half
- Vintage fawn-colored vinyl, reminiscent of the 1960 classic AC30
- Celestion Alnico Blue speaker
- VFS1 footswitch controls the Top Boost channel's Hot/Cool switch
- A premium, custom-fit dust cover is included with every model

Constructed for ideal sound and power

Turret board hand-wired amps are every amp designer's ideal and every guitarist's dream, representing the ultimate in amplifier construction. Hand-wired amps are assembled entirely by hand, requiring staggering levels of technical expertise and care; and as such are often exclusive to today's limited productions or high-end models. The VOX Hand-Wired Series pairs these demanding methods with rigorously-selected custom parts. These premium components are wired with a truly artistic degree of perfection. The result is that the subtle nuances of the guitarist's touch, the guitar's audio signature, and the natural character of the vacuum tubes are passed with perfect transparency to the speakers.

True all-tube design

The VOX Hand-Wired Series is a true all-tube amplifier, employing vacuum tubes in the preamp, power amp, and rectifier. The preamp uses three classic ECC83/12AX7 tubes. The power stage uses either a duet of EL84 tubes. The VOX Hand Wired Series use a tube rectifier -- the AC15 models use an EZ81 tube. These three elements, when combined, provide the vibrant, organic and unmistakable tone that is the heart of the classic VOX sound.

Two-channel design

The VOX Hand-Wired Series preserves the traditional VOX two-channel design, providing a Top Boost channel and a Normal channel. True to form, the Top Boost channel delivers the legendary AC sound with a fully interactive tone stack. VOX has also added a new and unique Hot/Cool switch. The Cool setting produces the orthodox Top Boost sound, while the Hot setting bypasses the tone circuitry altogether to create a more pure sound to achieve richer gain. A VFS1 footswitch is included with your VOX Hand-Wired Series amp, so you can quickly change between Cool and Hot, right at those moments when you need an extra dose of drive. The controls for the Normal channel consist simply of a volume knob, giving you a cleaner and more natural tube sound. In addition, this channel offers a Bright switch that, when engaged, adds emphasis to the upper harmonics of the tone.

Broad tonal palette

The traditional, inimitable sound of the legendary AC continues to fascinate the guitarists of today. Many modern players have viewed this timeless design and desired more up-to-date options. While continuing to preserve the classic AC sonic character, the VOX Hand-Wired Series offers the flexibility to meet the sound-creating requirements of a broad range of scenes and styles. The addition of a Master Volume and an Output Power (OP) mode switch lets you change the power amp's output level, delivering more detailed control over the gain/volume relationship, in turn providing more control over your sound. Despite being decked out in the retro-style fawn-colored vinyl suggestive of a 1960 era AC, these amps are not mere nostalgia products -- they are definitely designed for today's music scene.

"Old School" Master Volume bypass

The old ACs had no master volume, nor indeed do most hand-wired amps. With such amps, high-gain sound meant that you needed to play at high volumes. High volume is unavoidable if tone is the primary consideration, but can be inconvenient in many situations. The VOX Hand-Wired Series provides a master volume control, but also provides an MV/Bypass switch that completely bypasses the master volume section. This means that the legendary sound that has fascinated guitarists for more than fifty years can be faithfully reproduced, giving you a direct and pure high-gain tone.
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Output Power: 15 Watts RMS into 8/16 Ohms

Tube Complement: Preamp: ECC83/12AX7 (x3), Power amp: EL84 (x2), Rectifier: EZ81

Speakers: 12-inch Celestion Alnico Blue (x1); 16 Ohm

Inputs:
- Normal Channel Jacks: HIGH (x1); LOW (x1)
- Top Boost Channel Jacks: HIGH (x1); LOW (x1)
- Foot Switch Jack

Outputs: External Speaker Jack, Extension Speaker Jack

Dimensions (W x D x H): 610 x 260 x 550 mm / 24.02 x 10.24 x 21.65 inches

Weight: 22.8 kg / 50.3 lbs.

Included items: Power cable, VFS1 footswitch, Dust cover

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 631-390-6500

Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars. (3 ratings)
Submitted December 3, 2018 by Jakal C in Seattle, WA

"It gets no finer! I"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
I've been playing guitar for around four decades, and have played them all literally! I was a Fenderguy for over 20 years my main rig being a 66 super Reverb and a 65 Pro Reverb that I ran in stereo. It was luscious to say the least. But right now I have this new Vox ac15 ac15 H1 and I am absolutely drop-dead knocked out by this amplifier! It is the finest amplifier I've ever owned hands down! The gain structure is a work of art! It's incredibly touch sensitive and the cleans are so pristine and I hate to use the word chimy but there it is and when you start to crack the thing up the gain is just jaw-dropping I'd love it! So to sum it up I don't think you can go wrong with this amplifier I just don't. And if it if you get it with the blue I'll tell you what it's the gravy of the Gods!

Musical Background:

Jazoid/Fuiaion guy
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