Vox AC15C1 Custom 15-Watt 1x12 Tube Combo Amp with Greenback
The AC15C1 Custom carries one of the most recorded voices in guitar amplification. Class A EL84 power, a Top Boost preamp and a 15-watt output that sits above a band without swallowing the room.
- 15 watts, Class A: full and driven onstage or in the studio, still manageable at live volumes
- Two channels: Normal for clean chime, Top Boost for treble and bass control and extra high-end detail
- Celestion Greenback: a 12-inch 25-watt Greenback mellows the harshest frequencies and brings the midrange forward
- EL84 power tubes: the source of the chime the AC circuit is known for
- Built-in tremolo and spring reverb
- Pedal friendly: the AC circuit has a long reputation for taking a wide range of effects pedals
Vintage looks, a 1960s British voice and a footprint that still fits a small stage.
The AC15 Custom is the amp people reach for when they want chime first and grind second. Fifteen watts of Class A, EL84 driven power keeps the volume workable in a live room while still cutting through, and the Top Boost preamp adds the high-end detail that made the design famous on record.
Power section and preamp
The combination of a Class A, EL84 power amp and the Top Boost preamp is what gives this amp its identity. Top Boost adds treble and bass control along with sonic detail, while the 15-watt power section sounds full and driven at stage and studio levels, cutting through a mix without dominating the other instruments.
Loaded with a Celestion Greenback
Instead of the traditional AC speaker, the AC15C1 runs a 12-inch Celestion 25-watt Greenback. Its mellower, midrange focused character rounds off the very top frequencies, which is why Greenbacks turn up in guitar cabinets all over the world.
Effects on board and pedals in front
Tremolo and spring reverb are built in, so the amp covers its own ambience and movement. The AC circuit is also known for how well it responds to outboard pedals, which makes the AC15C1 a reliable platform for a board rather than a fight with one.
A long lineage
Vox amplification rose to prominence during the British Invasion of the 1960s and has since backed players such as The Edge, Brian May, Tom Petty and John Scofield. The AC15 remains among the most recorded amplifiers in history, and the reason is the same now as it was then: chime, sparkle and a musical breakup.
At a glance
- 15-watt British combo guitar amplifier
- Celestion 25-watt Greenback speaker
- Normal and Top Boost channels
- Built-in tremolo and spring reverb
- EL84 power tubes