Vox 1960 AC15 Two Tone Version 7 Third Circuit EF86

No Sales Tax For Customers Outside Of California.

This is one of two extremely rare, early Vox amps we currently have in stock.  The other is an extremely early AC30 in blue diamond covering, which we'll be adding to the website very soon.

This amplifier is a rare transitional version of the Vox AC-15, produced only for a brief time between February and late 1960.  Its distinctive two-tone grey cabinet has a darker upper third contrasting with a lighter lower section, highlighted by a line of gold piping.  The black and gold control panel was originally paired with rounded black knobs, though some of this run shipped with the pointer knobs seen here.  At this stage Dick Denney had finalized the third AC-15 circuit, replacing the earlier ECF82 with a pair of 12AX7s and moving the EF86 to the first channel to feed the phase inverter.

Two EL84s and an EZ81 rectifier drive a single 12" speaker for about 15 watts.  The four-input, two-channel layout has individual volume controls; channel one adds tremolo speed and depth, and channel two has tone and top cut controls, offering the chime and warm saturation that defined early British rock.

Most early 1960s AC-15s show heavy wear.  This one is extremely well-preserved.  The original handle remains, but using it is not recommended, as they can break and you'll never find a vintage replacement.  The grille cloth has some wear and staining but is intact, and the original hardwired JMI footswitch is included.

The Celestion T.530 speaker still has its original cone and sounds excellent.  A male plug and female jack were added to the speaker wiring so an external speaker can be used, keeping playing time on the original to a minimum.  The power, output, and choke transformers are factory original, with the output transformer rewound by Brian Sours of Soursound, the foremost expert in vintage amp transformer restoration.  Pots are original.  Recent service includes fresh electrolytic capacitors, a grounded three-prong cord, cleaned pots and jacks, and proper biasing.

"First off was the change from the Cream w/diamonds covering to not one, but two fabrics - a light and a dark speckled grey. These were separated from each other by a length of thin gold piping inset into the front and sides about three quarters of the way up. This was standard issue from roughly February to September 1960." Jim Elyea. Vox Amplifiers The JMI Years, p. 360
The Shadows were perhaps the best known users of the two-tone AC-15.

We plan to ship this amp in three boxes: chassis, cabinet, and speaker.  The buyer will have to reassemble it, which is not terribly difficult.  It's the only way we can ship this relic in good conscience.  Everything is double boxed, and expedited shipping is mandatory, so shipping will be expensive.

A brown box or variac is required to use this amp due to the power taps available; 110v operation is recommended.  You cannot plug it straight into the wall, something to consider for all 50s and 60s amps.

• Case/Cover?: No
• Color: Two Tone Grey
• Dimensions: W20-3/4" x H20-3/4" x D10-1/2"
• Weight: 44lbs 2oz
• Watts: 15 Watts
• Date: 1960
• Where is Date Noted?: Serial#, Codes
• Speaker 1 Brand: Vox
• Speaker 1 Size: 12"
• Speaker Code: See Pics
• Speaker 1 Cone: Original
• Power Transformer Brand/Codes: See Pics
• Choke Transformer Brand/Codes: See Pics
• Output Transformer Brand/Codes: See Pics
• Extension Speaker Out? No
• Reverb or other effects?: Vibe-Trem
• Rectifier Tube: EZ81
• Rectifier Tube Brand: Phillips
• Power Tubes: 2 x EL84
• Power Tube Brand: JJ
• Preamp Tubes: 4 x 12AX7/ECC83, 12AU7/ECC82, EF86
• Preamp Tube Brand: Telefunken, Mullard
• Filter Caps: Original
• Pedal: Yes, original
• Pots/Codes: Original
• Tolex/Tweed: Original
• Grille: Original
• Knobs: Original
• Handle: Original
• Power Cord: Grounded upgrade at some point
• Notes: 

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