Description

The AC15HWR1 Hand Wired is Vox's handmade tube combo amplifier, with 15W of power, inspired by the legendary AC of the 60s. After years of research and study on original AC prototypes of the era, this new handwired version features a new and renewed power supply circuit that restores the typical compression feel of those amps. The new transformer provides pleasant harmonics to the tone, and the reduced chassis thickness, like that of the vintage AC, makes this amp resonate exactly as it did then. The AC15HWR1 Hand Wired features a 12” 16Ω Celestion G12M Greenback speaker and offers 2 channels, normal and top boost, each with high and low inputs, a switch for bright mode, spring reverb, tone cut, and master volume.

Overview of the Vox AC15HWR1 Hand Wired

In pursuit of the essential sound of the classic vintage AC30 amplifier, Vox conducted detailed analysis and study of AC15s and AC30s in excellent condition from the 1960s to truly discover and understand the inner workings of these legendary amplifiers. The culmination of these efforts led to the birth of the new VOX AC Hand-Wired amplifier range: the greatest VOX amplifiers Vox has ever produced.
The rarity of vintage amplifiers contributes significantly to their high value, but equally important is the distinctive sound inherent in vintage amplifiers. Although the AC30 has been produced with almost identical circuits since the 1960s, the character of vintage units is often described as almost indescribable, possessing a rich and musical quality that is equally unmistakable and mysterious. Vox sought to unravel the secrets of this sound, bringing the magic of vintage to today's musicians.
The AC-HWR series reproduces the vintage VOX tone through meticulous research. A diverse lineup meets the individual preferences and needs of the most demanding guitarists. The series includes 30W and 15W combos, available as AC30HWR2X and AC15HWR1X, both equipped with Celestion Alnico Blue speakers, as well as AC30HWR2 and AC15HWR1 with Celestion G12M Greenback speakers. Additionally, there's the AC30HWRH head which can be paired with its own cabinet or the new V212HWRX cabinet with Celestion Alnico Blue speakers. The compact combo amplifiers AC10HWR1 and AC4HWR1, designed for low-power use, complete the series.

Power Supply Circuit Revision

Contemporary power supplies aim for stability by minimizing voltage fluctuations, to achieve a reliable power source. In contrast, vintage amplifier power supplies exhibit fluctuations that respond to large speaker movements, giving the characteristic "compression" and "sag" sensations associated with vintage amplifiers. During research, Vox measured the power supply circuit of many vintage AC30s and used them to design an entirely new power supply capable of replicating these vintage tonal and performance characteristics.
However, simply imitating vintage characteristics can lead to the generation of unwanted tones, particularly "ghost notes," which are extraneous sounds unrelated to the notes actually played, especially at high volumes. Faced with the dilemma of whether to prioritize sound quality or address the problem of ghost notes, the previous AC30CC2 model incorporated a switch to activate the power supply attenuation circuit. Thanks to the new power supply circuit, the new VOX Hand-wired amplifiers address the problem of ghost notes without compromising sound quality and responsiveness, achieving a delicate balance between the two considerations in a truly musical way.

Output Transformer

The output transformer contributes significantly to the classic vintage VOX sound. Even if the specifications are the same, saturation distortion in the transformer section can add to the pleasant harmonic components of vintage amplifiers. However, since this distortion cannot be accurately measured by transformer specifications, Vox undertook an in-depth prototyping program to develop custom transformers with the essential characteristics of the required vintage sound.

Cabinet

Vox carefully considered the thickness of the materials used: the vintage AC30 used slightly thinner materials, which contributed to creating a rich and extended midrange. The new cabinet design employs the same material thickness as the vintage amplifier, helping to provide a faithful reproduction of the sound.

Practical Features

    
• Although it was important to get as close as possible to the specifications and sound of the 1960s models, the approach was to maintain simplicity, while incorporating practical features for contemporary guitarists.
    
• Spring Reverb
    
• In considering what could improve the immersive quality of a guitar amplifier, a very high-quality spring reverb was considered a "must" to achieve that magical vintage sound.
    
• FX Loop
    
• Modern guitarists love to combine various effects to create their individual sound. However, problems can arise when combining distorted amplifiers with spatial, modulation, and pitch-shift effects. The distortion of these effects can muddy the sound. To solve this problem, an FX loop has been integrated that allows for a clean output of effects.

Specifications of the Vox AC15HWR1 Hand Wired

Tube Configuration: ECC83/12AX7 x 4、ECC81/12AT7 x 1、EL84 x 2、GZ34 x 1
Speaker: 12” 16Ω Celestion G12M Greenback x 1
Dimensions (Wx D x H): 610 x 260 x 550 mm
Weight: 22.2 kg