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Tube Talk
Us Brits call ‘em valves while our US cousins call ‘em tubes...as the saying
goes: England and America are merely two countries divided by a common
language! Anyway, call ‘em what you will, these wondrous glass bottles lie at
the tonal heart of each of our 16 models. As all the amps we’ve modelled hail
from one of the two countries just mentioned, in honour of their heritage, the
descriptions of all English amps will employ the words “valve” and “valves,”
while the American ones will be tubular!
Power Amp Accuracy
What happens in the power stage of any good tube amp is of paramount
importance to the way the amp sounds, feels and behaves. The way the power
amp operates (Class A or Class AB), the power tubes used (EL84s, EL34s,
6L6s, 6V6s), the exact nature of the negative feedback loop circuitry (if one
even exists) and how the power stage interacts (a relationship called damping)
with the speaker(s) it is driving - all these things play a vital role in the creation
of tone. That is why we have fitted your ToneLab with our patented Valve
Reactor Technology – a modelling breakthrough that is unique to VOX and
infuses our critically acclaimed Valvetronix range of amps with life and feel.
This revolutionary technology emulates a tube power-amp by using real tubes
in a real tube amp circuit and ensures that all the important bases inherent in a
tube amp are faithfully and accurately covered. For example: if you choose
amp model AC30TB - an amp with a Class A power stage, EL84 output tubes
and no negative feedback, that’s exactly what your Valve Reactor power amp
reconfigures itself to be.
This all said, let’s take a look at each of our amp models...
1. AC15
This is modelled on Channel 2 of an amazing sounding 1962 VOX AC15, which is
part of our vast amp collection. This 1x12", 15 Watt, valve driven, dual channel
combo was unleashed on the market in 1958 and was the first ever VOX amplifier.
The reason for it being named the AC15 is simple: AC stands for Amplifier Combi-
nation, while 15 indicates the Wattage. Thanks to its compactness, power, built in
tremolo/vibrato effects (on Channel 1 only) and tremendous tone, this combo was
a huge hit with the popular British guitar bands of the time, including several chart
topping acts, the majority of whom were only too happy to endorse Vox.
One of the biggest reasons for the unique, signature tone of this amp is the
fact that it employs EL84 output valves in a Class A circuit with no negative feed-
back. This is also true of the other three VOX amps, we’ve modelled - the AC15TB,
QUESTION: What’s the difference between an ECC83 preamp valve and a
12AX7 preamp tube?
ANSWER: Nothing! They’re the same exact thing – namely the most popu-
lar preamp tube in ampland. ECC83 is the British name, 12AX7 (a.k.a.
7025) is the American. See, I told you we were two countries divided by a
common language!