Any opinions on the modern Vox AC30 Chinese made combos?

[Young Angus]

I gave one a quick hit today and I actually liked the way it broke up slightly. Doesn't sound like the most crystal clean amp but it's got a good vibe to it...plus the price was actually really decent RRP.

Am I missing something?

 

[baritone]

Re: Any opinions on the modern Vox AC30 Chinese made combos?

I've played the 2x12 combo with Vox speakers. It's a really nice sounding amp. The clean tone is amazing, but the real thrill is when it starts to break up a little.

 

[SirJackdeFuzz]

Re: Any opinions on the modern Vox AC30 Chinese made combos?

I think the major ishooo that must guys have is build quality !

Many a mag has reported a quality loss in the little final touches - nothing to do with the sound, but tolex peeling at the corners, knobs rattelling while playing, that sort of thing !

Just an overall flimsy feel to the package as a whole.

 

[rog951]

Re: Any opinions on the modern Vox AC30 Chinese made combos?

It's probably my favorite amp, when it's working. Nothing at all wrong with the sound quality (unless you consider reverb to fall under that heading...it's not so great; crazy long tail that's hard/impossible to dial out) but I'm not sure about the build quality. To be fair, mine is an early one (I have a head) and I believe they made several improvements since then.

My first issue was bad preamp tubes right out of the box. This was a common issue and was causing some crazy popping/hissing sounds. Vox eventually sent new preamp tubes but I'd gone out and bought all new tubes in the meantime. The amp sounded AWESOME for a month or so but then one day it just flat died. No sound. I haven't had time to open it back up yet and see if it's just a bad fuse or maybe a power or rectifier tube. Also, I've heard that the cheap-O power and standby switches can fail in this manner. I really hope it's an easy fix because I love the sound of this amp!!!

 

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

Re: Any opinions on the modern Vox AC30 Chinese made combos?

Which is the Chinese-made version? Is this the one Korg put out?

- Keith

 

[rog951]

Re: Any opinions on the modern Vox AC30 Chinese made combos?

Which is the Chinese-made version? Is this the one Korg put out?

- Keith

Well, Korg has owned the Vox brand for a while so I guess the answer is "yes and no." The ones that are made in China are the Custom Classic series. You'll see a "CC" suffix on their part number designations. They are the only AC30s being currently produced (except for the Brian May model ($$$) which I believe is UK made).

I think the Korg models you're speaking of are the earlier reissues and those were made in the UK. Funny thing is, AC30s were always considered unreliable, so I'm not sure if the British or Chinese made are worse in that respect! :smack:

 

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

Re: Any opinions on the modern Vox AC30 Chinese made combos?

I have a Vox AC30 RI that I bought about four years ago, a year or so before they came out with the Custom Classics.

- Keith