2010s Vox AC4TV 1x10" 4w Tube Amp

Another one?! I've had three of this same amp over the years and I love them every time they're here. I just got traded this last month or so by my friend Ed but I just got offered the head version of this amp in trade (which will fit better with how I have this in my recording setup) so I'm playing catch and release again -- this guy's available.

It's currently entirely stock except the tubes have been replaced with Sovtek ones. I'd had some fancy TAD tubes in it for a bit, using a low-output 12AY7 in the preamp portion of the amp rather than a 12AX7 to get a lot more clean headroom (it was still dang loud operating at 4W, mind you), but I've stowed those away for the incoming head.

That preamp tube swap -- 12AX7 to 12AY7 -- is great if what you're wanting is to get a bit more jangle without it going into overdriven territory too fast. The "factory" setup with a 12AX7 puts this thing into drive very quickly which makes it killer to record driven music, though. I recorded all the guitar in We Met in Debt on a mic'd AC4TV just like this one but with an even lower-output 12AU7 in the preamp setting -- plus a JHS Alpine reverb.

Suffice to say, I like these amps. Low-watt tube is lovely for recording and even better if you're into rootsy music or lower stage volume. These AC4TV models are the best of the not-super-expensive modern AC4s, I think, too, because they include an onboard attenuator that lets you step down from 4W power to 1W or 1/4W power. This is extremely useful when recording mic'd while having a family, for instance! -- or for practicing with a decent driven tone and not driving your cohabitants crazy.

This one's in good shape with just a few minor scuffs and a few nicks in the tolex. It's frankly dang clean for one of these.