I answered it myself

1

I've been through all the archives and found some similar questions but not this exact one answered so I'm asking...

I picked up a used Vox AC4TV to use for band rehearsals and while I like its portability I've grown to hate the sound. It's basically a simple SE EL84 circuit with a switchable 16ohm resistor load on the speaker and single Vox branded Celestion 10". The best I can do to describe its present sound is: 'harsh, boxy and thin'. I have good stage hardware but I want my practice amp to be a little less junky sounding. Actually, a lot less junky but I have reasonable expectations. I suspected the speaker was a big part of the problem and experimented with an open back V-30 which is a definite improvement. I obviously lose portability with the external cab so I'd like to correct the little Vox's shortcoming.

To that end I'm thinking about trying a 16-ohm Vet 10 and possible customization of the rear panel to convert it to an open back. Do you think that will get me closer to the external cab experiment?

-Carl

2

I found a guy selling an 'as new' Veteran 10 so I bought it for the experiment. It is not a good fit for the little Vox. The speaker has more mids/highs and very little bottom so the overall harshness is worse. The stock speaker works better.

-Carl

3

The AC4 is like the Blues Junior, Pignose G40V, & other amps that just plain need a bigger box to really sound decent.  Plus, they really can't even get to 5 watts whilst remaining clean ... so headroom is non-existent.  Ultimately, something very efficient like a G10A or Black & Blue in a bigger pine box would be what that amp really needs to be anything other than a sweet little bedroom amp.

4

I let it cook for a few hours with some sweeps and it's loosened up a little. I'll use it for band rehearsal a few times then throw the original back in it and see what I think then. I realize I shouldn't rush to judgement with a speaker that isn't broken in.