sg
New Member
Posts: 1
|
Post by sg on Feb 3, 2017 16:45:13 GMT -7
Hello, everyone. I'm trying to decide between a Mini Z and the Vox AC10C1. I've heard very good things about the Vox but it's difficult to buy anything else once you've had a Dr Z. My first (and favorite) was a KT-45 which I loved (if you maxed the bass and treble they were taken out of the circuit so it was pure tone, essentially one volume knob..like the Mini Z) but was waaay loud (not for me...just everyone else). Currently have Maz 18 Jr NR 2x12 which I also love but in most cases is still waaay loud, even attenuated (once again, not for me...just everyone else). I could run the Mini Z through my Maz's 2x12 and if I get a combo also have the option of running through the internal speaker instead. The Vox has gotten very good reviews (great!)...and has a much lower price (very great!) but I'm sure the build quality is much lower (not great). Any advice and opinions are much appreciated, especially (but not only) by those that have played both and can compare the sound. [FYI: I mainly play Rics and Telecasters pretty driven if that helps your advice]
Thanks!
Shawn
|
|
|
Post by mudman on Feb 3, 2017 21:01:03 GMT -7
In build quality alone I'd go for the z. The ac10 is cheap.
|
|
|
Post by simpleton on Feb 4, 2017 0:59:56 GMT -7
They sound so different from each other....have you considered a Cure? The build quality is vastly different as the Z is hand made in the USA and the Vox is made in China and a circuit board construction.
The Mini would be a fun amp to own and would encourage you to use the volume and tone on the guitar more.
|
|
|
Post by jkamp20 on Feb 4, 2017 9:21:04 GMT -7
I owned a new AC10 for about a year but have had a chance to play the Mini-Z (new model combo) several times at a local shop. The sounds are very different, to be sure. I think the AC10C1 is a great amp for the money and sounds pretty good at the Voxy thing.....however, the Mini-Z is killer. I personally like the tone of the mini-z better....its hard to describe but all I can say is that I didn't even miss the tone control at all and it handles pedals very well. For build quality, the Vox was good but the mini-Z is like a tank. I'm actually looking for a used Mini-Z head and gave my Vox AC10C1 to my nephew as he is getting into electric guitar.
I owned both a Vox AC4 and AC15C1. The AC10C1 was much better than the AC4 and had more volume control for home use than the AC15.
Only comment I would make is that the AC10 could sound a little shrill with the gain up and master down using my strat. The cabinet is also small enough that replacement speaker selection is limited...no way to squeeze in a celestial Gold 10. I didn't push the mini-z up to distorting levels at the shop, even fully attenuated it was still pretty loud without the luxury of an amp room.
Hope it helps. I would recommend getting the Vox AC10C1 from a shop with easy return policy in case it doesn't suit your needs (GC, Sweetwater, etc).
|
|
|
Post by BritInvasion on Feb 4, 2017 11:06:11 GMT -7
^^ That's good info ^^ I have an AC10 , I like it for home use / recording. I felt it was too easy to push into overdrive , too much gain for what I play. Would give me good cleans with the gain at 9 o'clock or below. I pulled all the stock tubes (Shuguang) and replaced with E-H EL84's Sovtek 12AX7LPS in the PI , and an NOS 12AY7 for V1. Much more headroom and the breakup is a lot smoother. It's a nice little amp , but of course the Mini-Z is miles better as far as construction and components. As said above , they don't really sound alike so it's not apples and apples comparison.
|
|
|
Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Feb 4, 2017 14:53:03 GMT -7
I paid under $500 for a used Mini-Z - great deal! Even new ones are relatively inexpensive. You might also want to look into the Cure.
|
|
|
Post by LuckyBlackCat on Feb 4, 2017 21:11:47 GMT -7
I will never stop singing the praises of my Mini Z! I've had two. I also have a Maz 18 and I've said many times that if I could only keep one Z it would be a tough decision!
I haven't played the AC10 but I do have an AC4. Cool little amp but the Mini Z is miles ahead in all respects, save only for "the Vox sound." I realize the AC4 is different from the AC10 though.
Here are my thoughts...
If your goal with this particular amp purchase is to get you the "Vox tone," then get the AC10. Otherwise, get the Z.
|
|
|
Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Feb 4, 2017 21:32:48 GMT -7
just saw a miniZ V1 for $475 on Reverb.
|
|
|
Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Mar 1, 2017 10:26:15 GMT -7
It's a great amp that doesn't get the attention it deserves here at my place. I mean, I gotta plug that guy in today!
|
|