VOX Expands Heritage Collection of Handwired Amps to Commemorate Its 50th Anniversary

As part of its 50th Anniversary celebration (1957-2007), VOX is unveiling a new model in its Heritage Collection of handwired amplifiers that was launched at Winter NAMM. As with the first two models, the new 15-Watt Head and Cabinet (AC15HTVH and V112HTV) pay tribute to the AC15 — the first ever commercially successful amp made under the VOX name and the amplifier of choice for countless tone-loving guitarists worldwide.

At the heart of this new amplifier is an EF86 Pentode valve circuit (circa 1960) in the preamp channel combined with the 1963 Top Boost channel, which are then coupled with VOX's modern tone shaping control enhancements. The result is an amp that provides natural overdrive, creamy distortion and a palette of tonal colors that are among the finest ever offered by VOX. Aesthetically, the Head and Cab both feature the VOX vintage "TV Front" style cabinet, pre-1960 logo placement and a vintage inspired cream vinyl covering.

Two channels (Ch 1-EF86, Ch 2-Top Boost), each with two traditionally-wired inputs that have a 6 dB difference in gain between them, drive a Celestion AlNiCo "Blue" 12-inch speaker hosed in a separate, matching speaker cab. The tube complement is made up of 1 x EF86, 3 x ECC83/12AX7, 2 x EL84 and 1 x EZ81 (rectifier).

New, flexible tone-shaping enhancements have been added for the modern guitarist. The EF86 Channel's original Brilliance switch has been modified to now have three positions instead of two; a Bass Shift switch has been added (to help preserve tightness while playing loud); and a switch that toggles between Pentode mode and Triode mode has been included, so that both variations of original EF86 tone are available. Further, an O/P switch (Triode/Pentode) has been integrated to the power output amplifier stage, which enables the power to be cut in half (7.5/15 Watts output). Other controls include Treble & Bass controls for the TOP BOOST channel and the global VOX Top Cut control.

The handwired VOX Heritage Collection AC15HTVH Head and V112HTV Cabinet will be available in July 2007 with pricing to be announced shortly.