Product Comparison: Vox AC15 vs Fender Blues Junior III

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Best Pick

Vox AC15 Hand Wired 1x12 Combo

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Fender Blues Junior III 15-Watt 12-Inch Guitar Combo Amp

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General Specifications

Brand

Vox

Fender

Model

AC15

Blues Junior III

Origin

China

Mexico

About the Product

The VOX AC15 is the amp that started it all. Boasting both a Normal and Top Boost channel, the AC15 Custom is an all-tube, EL84 driven workhorse that delivers 15 watts of authentic British tone into your choice of a genuine Celestion Greenback or Alnico Blue speaker. The AC15 Custom also offers footswitchable spring reverb and classic VOX tremolo to enhance the already impressive sound. Adored by the biggest names in music for nearly 60 years, the VOX AC15 Custom carries on the tradition that began in 1958 and offers guitarists the unmistakable sound of VOX, with all the refinements of a modern amplifier.

The standard for gigging guitarists worldwide and the ideal amp for crafting your own signature sound. Working guitarists everywhere prize no-frills Hot Rod amps for their great volume, reliability, responsiveness to effects pedals, and affordability. The Blues Junior III is a longtime 15-watt favorite with warm tone ideal for the go-anywhere guitarist who needs to hit the stage or studio at a moment's notice, with great sound and versatile features.

Key Specs

Power Output

15 watts

Number Of Channels

Controls Included

Normal volume control, Volume, Treble, Bass, Reverb, Tremolo, Master tone cut, Master, Standby switch, Power switch

Volume, Treble, Bass, Middle, Master, Reverb

Footswitch Included

Yes

What customers say about "Key Specs"

Vox AC15 Hand Wired 1x12 Combo

The tones it produced sounded organic and felt like a translation of my hand movements instead of an electronic representation of that movement.
I've always wanted to own a Vox tube amp, but was little hesitant to purchase this model due to it being only 15 watt capacity. Don't let the 15 watt fool you as it will still provide you with enough volume with great clarity.
It immediately invokes a huge smile! Really amazing tone and breath with a surprising amount of headroom and zero noise.
Takes pedals with the best and retains that chimey tone even with all the pedals I use for post rock. And for those who are worried about headroom, go play one.
Great amp! It hits that sweet spot for a nice warm and clean tone.
Two Rock great amp but the treble bleed was annoying and muddy.

Fender Blues Junior III 15-Watt 12-Inch Guitar Combo Amp

The new Celestion A-Type speaker gives better clarity and bigger lows. It's capable of extremely loud and clean. Also has a nice warm tube breakup tone when needed. It's a jazz and blues monster.
The Reverb has been tapered back so it's not over the top. I always had problems with reverb live but not with this one. The highs are less harsh than the previous BJ 3 model which sound wilder, less focused.
Fender really did something special here. The tone is much tighter and delivers some shine and growl compared to the older versions. A top notch low wattage amp for the money.
Unreal tone and great control. Sounds rich and for 15 watts this amp is loud!
The first note I played on this amp I fell in love and new that I would buy one. I love the reverb and the simple controls. I mainly play clean / bluesy so this amp suits me perfectly, even when I only play it at 3. It doesn't sound bad when I turn up the pre-amp either.

Size & Weight

Height

17.95 in.

16 in.

Width

23.7 in.

18 in.

Depth

10.43 in.

9.81 in.

Weight

48.5 lbs.

31 lbs.

What customers say about "Size & Weight"

Vox AC15 Hand Wired 1x12 Combo

Completely satisfied with the build quality.
I've got to say that this Vox AC-15 Custom is more than worthy of the Vox heritage. (goes well with my Les Paul) Don't think of it as a puny 15 watt lightweight. It's big, it's heavy, and an AC-30 won't give you better Vox tones
It gives me the nice tube distortion that I get with my vintage fender tube amp without the high volume and high wattage and heavy weight.
Don't think of it as a puny 15 watt lightweight. It's big, it's heavy, and an AC-30 won't give you better Vox tones. All I can say is to buy it. You won't be sorry.

Fender Blues Junior III 15-Watt 12-Inch Guitar Combo Amp

Relatively Light Weight and easy to use.
All the great string dynamics and tone of a pure tube amp, in a small lightweight, easy to use package.
Sounds great, lightweight portable and doesn't take up much room.
It's not heavy. this thing is portable and we can get on our concerts.

Features

Type

Guitar Amplifier

Number Of Speakers

Speaker Size

12 in.

Compatible With Footswitch

VFS2A

1-Button ("Fat" ON/Off)

Carry Handle(s)

Yes

Input(s)

1/4" Top Boost, 1/4" Normal

1/4"

Output(s)

2 x 1/4" jack speaker outputs, 2 x 1/4" Effects loop, Foot switch

Foot switch

Extras

Hand-wired turret board construction, Birch-ply cabinet featuring solid bracing and a natural high frequency diffuser, 3 ECC83/12AX7 preamp tubes + Dual EL84 power tubes

Fender spring reverb, Single channel and input, Preamp tube overdrive, FAT boost switch

What customers say about "Features"

Vox AC15 Hand Wired 1x12 Combo

And the AC15 takes well to pedals. I couldn't be happier. I intend to use the AC15 on my upcoming CD.
I could write a book about all of the great features this amp provides, but will just say that it is worth every penny and is more than reasonably priced for what you get.
The tone warmed up and it sounds soooo sweet. This amp takes old tubes very well and there is a remarkable difference and improvement.
Really think it should have come with foot switch but other than that one issue, give it a try and you won't be disappointed!
The only issue I have with it is a minor tube rattle when playing lower notes at higher volumes. I will contact Sweetwater tech support about this, but assume that this will be eliminated by replacing the stock tubes.

Fender Blues Junior III 15-Watt 12-Inch Guitar Combo Amp

This amp takes all my pedals real well and the Celestion speaker is a big plus.I own five Fender tube amps but this one is my favorite.
The Volume control acting as a "gain" control for the master volume, and the fat switch acting as a boosted second channel to funnel just enough oomph to make lead breaks soar.
This little amplifier has a great fat tone for rock and blues with 12" speaker. Surprising power loud enough to be heard in a large music store.
My problem is the tone of this amp. It has a fat boost switch, however there is no jack for a pedal switcher. This is needed very bad, as for clean you need one and dirty you need another on this amp. I tried many different kinds of overdrive as well. Just doesn't sound as good as it should.
I have tried two of these amps. The first one exhibited an intermittent "crackling noise" like a short in a connection or a tube issue. This amp was exchanged for another one that has a constant "buzz" that seems to be associated with the reverb (it disappears when I turn the reverb completely off).

Warranty / Certifications

Manufacturer Warranty

1 year(s)

2 year(s)

Certifications

Other Information

Manufacturer

Link

Manual

Download

MSRP

529.99 $