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no feedback” emulation whenever AC15, or any of the other three Vox models, is chosen.
Like most amps of its era, the AC15 is the very essence of simplicity. In
fact, the Channel we modelled, Channel 2 (remember!?), only has three controls -
Volume, Brilliance (really a bass cut) and Top Cut. When you select AC15, the
ToneLabSE’s GAIN control mimics the original’s Volume control, while the PRES-
ENCE control acts as the Top Cut.* FYI, the AC15’s Top Cut control affects the
high frequencies in a very different way than a “regular” Treble control. Deft use of
it will help you dial in the exact amount of that instantly recognizable, world-famous
VOX “sparkle.” The BASS control acts as the Bass Cut (Originally labelled Bril-
liance) with total variability instead of the Original two position switch.
As for what the “extra” TREBLE and MIDDLE controls on our AC15 model
do: as already mentioned earlier, they’re exactly that - “extra!” Set them at 12
o’clock and they’re “neutral” (i.e. they mimic the exact tone of the original) or tweak
them for extra tonal flexibility.
*CONTROL NOTE: The original AC15’s Top Cut control works in the opposite way
you’d expect - it “cuts” when you turn it up! You’ll be glad to read that our model of
the Top Cut control (the PRESENCE knob) works in a much more logical fashion -
turn it up for more “sparkle,” turn it down for less.
Original’s valve compliment: 1 x EF86, 3 x ECC83s, 1 x ECC82 in the
preamp, 1 x EZ81 rectifier, 2 x EL84s in the power amp.
2. AC15TB
While the AC15 was born in the late ’50s, the AC15TB is a modern-day child of the
’90s which combines the sweet “n” desirable tonal characteristics of the AC15’s low
Wattage power stage, with the increased tonal flexibility that the Top Boost (TB)
channel of an AC30 has to offer. Then, to sweeten the pot even further, a 12" Celes-
tion “Blue” speaker (what else?), Reverb and a Master Volume control were thrown
in too. The result is a highly flexible 15 Watt, all-valve, 1x12 combo that successfully
marries the pureness of great vintage VOX tone with modern features.
The original has two tone controls - Treble and Bass. So, as is the norm,
the ToneLabSE’s TREBLE and BASS controls mimic their namesakes while the
MIDDLE (“neutral” at 12 o’clock) and PRESENCE add further tonal flexibil-
ity...should you want it. To ensure maximum “Voxiness,” we’ve made sure that the
PRESENCE control behaves exactly like the “Top Cut” on the original AC15 -
except in reverse (“off” = cut) to make it more logical, just like on our AC15 model.
In trademark VOX fashion, our AC15TBX model oozes clean tones that
“jangle” and “chime,” while its overdrives are smooth yet pulsating with desirable
harmonic overtones. Enjoy!
Original’s valve compliment: 5 x ECC83s in the preamp, 1 x 5Y3GT rectifier,
2 x EL84s in the power amp.
3. AC30
As already stated, the VOX AC15 was a huge hit with the British guitar bands of
the late ’50s. However, as the popularity of the AC15 using bands grew, so did
their need for a more powerful amp. Sure, the AC15 was loud for a 15 Watt amp -