Ac15 vs. Ac30

[aptorraptor777]

All right I've definitely narrowed it down to these two, not I just can't decide which one I need
I got to crank the new Ac15C1 on Saturday in one of the soundproofed demo rooms and LOVED it
However, I am also trying out for Jazz Band next year so I need a lot of clean headroom, enough so I can fill a typical school auditorium with noise ahahaa
That got me thinking I NEED to step it up to the AC30 just for more headroom and better sound projection
I heard the AC30 is going to be too loud to crank however when I play small gigs
So would it be better to just get an AC15 with an extension cab, or would I still not have enough headroom?
Or just go with the AC30...which also has an effects loop and I use Delay so I may HAVE to go with it

 

[brianugly]

Just go with the 15, I can't imagine your school auditorium being too loud for that, plus you can just mic it too.

 

[brianugly]

Trust me, every time I played in a school auditorium, the stage crew mic'd our amps, and it sounded great.

 

[firesgt911]

When you play small gigs, what kind of music will you play? The AC30 will have plenty of headroom, and you could use an od or distortion for dirt. An extension cab will not make the 15 louder or add clean headroom. It will change the dynamics of the sound making it sound fuller.

Both are good amps, but if good sized gigs are gonna happen, I would go with the AC30. The 15 is more than capable, but the 30 may save you a little headache in the long run.

 

[aptorraptor777]

Yeah I was thinking that too
I believe you are right sir
I'd much rather have the raunchy, dirty sound cranked than the need for the occasional jazz concert, which could just be mic'ed
It would indeed be impossible to crank an ac30 at the venues I'll be playing at anyway ahahaa

But yeah, I compared it to a Mesa 5:25 and a Bogner Alchemist and the AC15C1 just spoke to me way more than the others did
Now...about this effects loop
I've never had a pedal or an amp with it, as this is my first tube amp
Is it really worth the AC30 to get it?
I will be using Delay, Overdrive, Wah and maybe a Phaser

 

[aptorraptor777]

Ahhh nah, nothing too big
Still in High School, so the occasional school related concert or small room gig...with my guitar teacher's band

Besides the Jazz Band, I play Distorted 75% of the time, so the headroom is a huge deal
I pretty much only play clean when I'm covering U2 songs, and even then I like a little dirt

 

[blahblahblahblah]

Just go with the 15, I can't imagine your school auditorium being too loud for that, plus you can just mic it too.

+1

But I'm not saying you shouldn't ALSO get an AC30 in the future though

Keep the AC15 however!

 

[Liam]

Get a louder drummer and an AC30? They've got something the AC15 hasn't in terms of body in the sound, and cranked up they are really quite amazing. A tough call...

Liam

 

[brianugly]

I have a 30 watt tube amp with 4 el84s, and 3 12ax7s, and when you can crank the clean about 12:00 to 3:00, the natural overdrive sounds great--I know what you mean!

 

[aptorraptor777]

Whoops...I see I made a typo
I meant to say headroom ISN'T a big deal, as I only really need it for jazz band
Most of the time I'm playing Classic Rock, we play a decent amount of Zep
But I'm pretty much set on the AC15 for now, I just don't need a 30 yet

And I've heard that FX loops aren't too big of a deal anyway so YEAH!!
I can't wait till I get this baby, I'm still reminiscing over that time we had in the soundproofed room

 

[brianugly]

Whoops...I see I made a typo
I meant to say headroom ISN'T a big deal, as I only really need it for jazz band
Most of the time I'm playing Classic Rock, we play a decent amount of Zep
But I'm pretty much set on the AC15 for now, I just don't need a 30 yet

And I've heard that FX loops aren't too big of a deal anyway so YEAH!!
I can't wait till I get this baby, I'm still reminiscing over that time we had in the soundproofed room

Which model are you getting?

 

[aptorraptor777]

I tried out the AC15C1 with the Greenback, loved it
I hear how much better the Blue is supposed to be, but I've always liked the greenbacks for their mids
Maybe I'll get an extension cab with a blue and have both

 

[brianugly]

The Greenback should work great for you! Be sure to post some pictures when you get it!