You must pick one. Updated with results and NGD!

Which do you choose?

  • Option 1 - The Strat

    Votes: 5 55.6%

  • Option 2 - The AC30S1

    Votes: 1 11.1%

  • Option 3 - The AC15C1

    Votes: 3 33.3%
  • Total voters
    9
shoeless

shoeless

Riffin'
Here's a hypothetical for ya. Someone is going to give you one of the following 3 items. There are no other options or substitutions, you must pick one of the three.

Option 1 - Fender Vintera II 50s Strat. https://www.fender.com/products/vintera-ii-50s-stratocaster
Option 2 - Vox AC30S1. This is the stripped down version of the AC30 with only the top-boost channel and a single 12" speaker. https://voxamps.com/product/ac30s1/
Option 3 - Vox AC15C1. The circuit board version of the AC15 with a single 12" Greenback. https://voxamps.com/product/the-vox-ac15-custom/

What's your choice and why?
 
Based on what I “need” or could use w/ the features I like, I’d go for the AC15. Actual spring reverb, tremolo, two channels.

Were I looking for more headroom and/or pedal platform, I’d do the AC30.

I’m a total guitar junkie, but I’d pass on another guitar and build my amplification options.
 
The Strat. I’m happy with my amps. I don’t have a Strat and an old-school SSS like that would be a fine way to get back into them.
 
bsman said:
I have zero need for a loud, heavy tube amp, so the strat is my default choice.
Click to expand...
One of the "benefits" of the AC30S1 is that it only has a single 12" speaker instead of two like a "real" AC30. Even with the reduction, it still weighs in at a hefty 57 lbs, so yeah, it's a heavy tube amp for sure.
 
I love the sound of AC30's.... but I don't need another 50+ pound combo...

... but you can never have too many Strats. :helper:
 
Strat.
I’d likely use either of the amps for a few days and then the novelty would wear off for me.
(Know this: I have a Tonex with a REVV G120 capture sitting on top of an actual REVV G120… THE TONEX doesn’t heat up my office as much.)
 
I have an Am Dlx Strat with Fralin pickups and blender wiring that I love. Also, I have a Valvetech Amplifier Company Hayseed 15 (a tweaked version of a Vox AC15 circuit). That Hayseed is special.

I don’t need another amp. But, I don’t have a Vox AC30. So, I guess the AC30S1 would make the most sense if I wanted to keep the gear. However, if I planned to immediately flip the gear that Strat would be a better option.
 
First thought is the Strat because, I only have 3 but, I can't afford another project right now so, AC15.
 
I'm not crazy about the finish options, but a 50s spec Strat could be fun. Actually I'm kind getting of into rockabilly these days, so I'd rather have a Tele or a hollow body Gretsch with single coils and Bigsby, but the Strat it is.

I have an AC10 that I'm very happy with, and I have no need for a larger British type amp ATM. The AC10 is a fine little amp and probably the best sounding Vox I've ever owned. It's dead simple, one channel, gain, bass, treble, reverb and volume, a bit like a Tiny Terror with reverb and less gain. One funny quirk, I think the reverb is actually before the preamp gain, so you can kind of get some rather out there 60s proto psychedelic sounds that I haven't been able to achieve with other amps, but it gets really weird if you crank the gain and the verb. I swapped the cheap Chinese tubes for JJs and installed a Tube Juice attenuator so I can run it with the master all the way up at home, at normal conversation volume.
 
AC15

But I'd change the speaker. For me Greenbacks don't do Vox tones quite right. I'd get some alnico brit voiced thing in there.
 
Lerxst said:
Strat, best resale value
Click to expand...
What @Lerxst said if I can resell.

I've assumed I can't do that as it's a gift and somebody would get offended though, so voted for the AC30S1 as I assume it would be the most useful me with its effects loop, allowing me to use some outboard kit via the 4 cable method to get the versatility I'd need. Being able to drive an extra speaker cab as well makes sense for bigger gigs when required.
 
I should go with the Strat since it's better than mine, but I've been wanting an AC15 for a long time.
(I prefer the AC15C1X for its Alnico Blue)
 
I was leaning towards the strat anyway, but getting folks' opinions was helpful. The AC30S1 was my initial choice, but it did not make practical sense. As it is, I already have two heavy tube amps (Twin Reverb & Classic 30), one of which is rarely used. The AC30 would have only added to that. It's way easier to rotate guitars than amps, IMO.

Anyway, she showed up on Sunday.

1759850479509.png
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top