[Major Tom]

Originally Posted by A-Ro

Wouldn't the off or neutral position be at 12 o'clock since turning one way adds higher frequencies and going the other decreases higher frequencies?

No. Unless an amp has "active" eq controls they only can cut their respective frequency range - "vintage" type eq controls are passive in the preamp circuitry, just like the tone control on an electric guitar. The 12:00 position may seem like its the neutral position, because it sounds that way, but no.

[Rainer.]

Originally Posted by A-Ro

Wouldn't the off or neutral position be at 12 o'clock since turning one way adds higher frequencies and going the other decreases higher frequencies?

It's like you have a blindfold and sunglasses on a bright day. The sunglasses are the intermediate between the blindfold and not wearing any eyewear, but only not wearing any eyewear is truly neutral.

[A-Ro]

OK...that makes sense. Thanks

[BillSPrestonEsq]

Originally Posted by S.B.Nichols

on the ac30 it sort of reminds me of a guitar tone control, only it works in reverse. I pretty much leave it all the way off (counter-clockwise)

is this the least trebly setting? I'm just curious.

[S.B.Nichols]

That's the most trebly setting (or at least it is on the ac30cc). If I'm getting a lot of hum for some reason, I might turn the cut up, it's useful for that purpose...but overall, I don't like what it does. Part of the reason to go with a vox is to get that treble.

[metropolis4]

Originally Posted by dtaylorl

So, maybe this is common knowledge, but... Are the AC15 and AC30 way different tone-wise? Is there a big difference other than just wattage?

Actually they are very different sounding amps. I've had both and the AC15 is an entirely different amp; not just a little AC30. The AC30 is a bit smoother, a bit more present and sounds a bit more refined. The AC15 is a little more rough around the edges, a bit more papery in its breakup and has a little less low end. It's like the snotty little brother of the AC30
They're both great amps, but they do sound very different.

[Major Tom]

Originally Posted by metropolis4

Actually they are very different sounding amps. I've had both and the AC15 is an entirely different amp; not just a little AC30. The AC30 is a bit smoother, a bit more present and sounds a bit more refined. The AC15 is a little more rough around the edges, a bit more papery in its breakup and has a little less low end. It's like the snotty little brother of the AC30
They're both great amps, but they do sound very different.

Nothing like getting the low down from a guy with intimate knowledge.


Metropolis - I've been thinking about getting a used AC30CC1, the 1x12 version, to replace my 15CC and there happens to be on on my local CL right now. I really like my 15, but there are a couple of features on the 30 that I would like to have; the 2nd channel (maybe), the Cut and the vintage/modern filter cap switch. I could mod the 15 and add a cut and filter cap switch...but...

Anyway, here's my 3 questions -
Did you use the cut control? Do (or did) you operate the amp with the filter cap switch in the modern or vintage position? Did you ever use it in the vintage position, and if so, did it sound more like the 15? I'm wondering if that is a significant factor in the difference with the 2 amps... In my experience, small filter cap values, like in the 15, yield a "looser" bottom end, with less overall definition. That is one mod I really want to try on it... My only complaints with the amp is that I think it could benefit from a little tighter bottom, and the high end can be a bit much with a tele or strat.

[S.B.Nichols]

I've got the cc1, and I can tell you that with it in the vintage position it doesn't sound more like the 15, though it seems to react a little more like the 15 in terms of headroom.

If that makes any sense.

[Major Tom]

Originally Posted by S.B.Nichols

I've got the cc1, and I can tell you that with it in the vintage position it doesn't sound more like the 15, though it seems to react a little more like the 15 in terms of headroom.

If that makes any sense.

I think so, thanks for the input. Its been a while since I played the 30CC, and I did not spend a lot of time with the different settings, +. I can't make a really good assessment of an amp unless I am able to use it in a band context over a period of time. How do you like the 1x12 (as opposed to a 2x12) ? Any impressions / opinions about the Neo Dog speaker? I may end up getting that 30CC1 on CL...? The guy is asking $575, which seems like a decent price. I would probably like the tone of the 2x12 better, but that is a heavy beast.

[S.B.Nichols]

If you ever need the 2x12 you can always add a cab...or at least that's what I've always told myself.

At first I wanted to replace the neodog, but finances made me stick with it. It was lacking on bottom end. After about a year it started to grown on me. I dunno if it got burned in or if I just got used to it, but it seemed to warm up. It is lite though, compared to an alnico speaker., which is nice on my back. It already weights about 55 pounds. I once had to lug it around on the beach in Miami...that was a chore.

One major disadvantage to the amp is the way you have to change the tubes. You can't just reach in and pull them out. You have to unscrew about 12 screws before you can get in there. And, at least on mine, the speaker wires were soldered directly onto the speaker tabs, and they were short wires, which made for some awkward positioning. On of the first things I did was add some of those little disconnect tabs so I could pull the chassis free of the cab. I also use a weber solid state rectifier in mine. I can't really tell much of a difference....maybe a slightly tighter sound...I dunno....maybe someone with more sensitive ears could tell.

During my research before I bought the amp I found lots of users that said the quality and reliability of the cc series seemed to improve in later models, so if you want to go for it try not to spend money on one with a low serial number. Mine is number #1328 which is about a third of the way through the production of the cc1s.

[metropolis4]

I used the cut knob occasionaly. Usually I just left it up all the way because the amp tends to be a bit dark naturally. But there were times when it was useful to tone it down a bit. I played in a pit orchestra where I needed to get a dark, woody early jazz type tone and it was very nice having that control there.

I switched back and forth between the modern and vintage cap options. When I was playing more modern music where I needed the amp as tight as possible I would set it to modern. Otherwise I set it to vintage. Vintage feels a little looser and less defined throughout the frequency range, modern is tighter, smoother and a bit more defined. Vintage was a little more towards the AC15, but still smoother and tighter than an AC15.

If you're looking at a 1x12, but think you'd like the tone of a 2x12 check out the Celestion Gold speaker. I just got a 1x12 cab from Avatar with one and it sounds as big as my 2x12 with greenbacks.
The tube change is one of the issues with the cc series, as far as I know all of them have the speaker leads directly soldered making it difficult to get in there. My head was a lot nicer. There were just two screws to take out and it slid out like a shelf; nice and easy

Personally I wasn't that crazy about the neo dog speakers. They're ok... but just ok. Better than the stock speakers Fender has been using though

[Giova]

Just ordered one of the 15C1s. So eager to try it out in a band setting. Could anyone comment on controlling the mids on this model? Just wondering since it has no Middle Tone knob. Although, I've heard that rolling down the treble and I think rolling down a little bass helps with pronouncing the middle range a little better.