More oomph than an AC15, less weight than an AC30

awfurby · Post by **awfurby** » Sun Nov 27, 2011 3:54 am

(cross-posted to OSG as well)

I need some ideas - I have an AC15 which I really like. The tone of the amp suits my style and I like the simplicity of it. But I am playing in a band it's another guitarist who playsq through an AC30 and I think I need a bit more power. BUT I don't want to carry much more weight than I already am.

So, I am looking for some options - how can I gt a bit more wattage without sacrificing portability? And stay within the same tone envelope? Anyone got any ideas?

riotshield · Post by **riotshield** » Sun Nov 27, 2011 9:08 am

I am not sure how AC15 goes but my AC15H1TV is loud. Very loud, I would think the actual volume difference with the AC30 is not that great.

mickie08 · Post by **mickie08** » Sun Nov 27, 2011 7:19 pm

Mic it.

If you love the tone of an amp, but are worried about keeping up with someone else, you have couple choices...

Tell guitarist B to stop being a dick and turn down...

Mic the amp as it is

Replace amp and hope you still find the tone you like

Maybe use it through a 2x12 cab.

Micing it is easiest/cheapest

JJLipton · Post by **JJLipton** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 2:10 pm

You could try out a mesa boogie lone star. 30 watt 1x12 amp. It might be very expensive where you live though, not to mention losing indie street cred.

George · Post by **George** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 5:15 pm

Have you thought about an extension cab with more efficient speakers?

nyck · Post by **nyck** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 5:18 pm

Extension cab, but that might bump the weight factor up too much. I thought vox made ac-15s with a 2x12 for a while. that would weigh slightly less than an ac-30. You could also try something like a peavey classic 30. I think those have el-84s like the vox

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 1:09 pm

IIRC AC15's are like the heaviest 15 watt tube amp ever and not too much lighter or smaller than the AC30

hotrodperlmutter · Post by **hotrodperlmutter** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 3:26 pm

AC30VR or yeah, mic it.

but like nick said, the ac15's are heavy as fuck.

AaronGuitarDude · Post by **AaronGuitarDude** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 3:51 pm

ac30vr good for outdoor gig?

hotrodperlmutter · Post by **hotrodperlmutter** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 5:53 pm

i would sure think. for the money, i'm hard pressed to find a british combo that is loud as it is versatile as the VR series. shit's amazing.

if i ever sell my god damn peavey metal combo, that's what i'm buying.

batsbrew · Post by **batsbrew** » Wed Nov 30, 2011 3:51 pm

try a transatlantic TA-30 combo.
tho i'd rather have a separate head and closed back cab.

Post by **Mike** » Wed Nov 30, 2011 4:13 pm

batsbrew wrote:try a transatlantic TA-30 combo.

He lives in Australia. A Mesa TA-30 costs approximately a bajillion dollars there.

batsbrew · Post by **batsbrew** » Wed Nov 30, 2011 6:48 pm

that's too bad.

awfurby · Post by **awfurby** » Sat Dec 03, 2011 9:41 am

Thanks guys - sOme good suggestions. We do mic the amps when we play, but in
a small place there still needs to be some volume coming from the amp on stage.

I saw a suggestion on OSG to try a different speaker which sounds like a good idea so I'll try that. Weight aside I do really like AC15. It's my first "good" amp and I want to hold on to it.

awfurby · Post by **awfurby** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 6:36 am

Mike wrote:
batsbrew wrote:try a transatlantic TA-30 combo.
He lives in Australia. A Mesa TA-30 costs approximately a bajillion dollars there.

Yeah, I just looked at the price of one of these and it's AUD$3695.00!!!

So that's pretty much out of the question (unless I win the lottery or something. Although then I would probably just hire a guy to carry the AC15. Or buy an AC30 and hire a guy to carry it. Ah, lotteries. So many options.)