Best AC30 clone?

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

Re: Best AC30 clone?

But yeah....if you want a Vox, get a Vox.

I don't wanta Vox, per se....just that tone.

The old ones cost a ton, weigh a ton & have issues.

The new ones I hear sound very good, but built cheaply....and in China.

I don't buy anything (knowingly, that is) from China :dunno:

I've got a Vox RI, had it for a few years now, and it hasn't given me any problems at all. Yeah, it weighs a ton, but you get beautiful tone out of that weight.

Keep in mind that I don't do heavy, cross-country gigging. Which issue are you referring to?

- Keith

 

[PUCKBOY99]

Re: Best AC30 clone?

I've just read about a ton of issues guys have had with the CCs....mainly stemming from the cheap parts used.

To be fair, I've read about as many success stories as I have horror stories; not sure if guys bought bums or some folks ride them harder than others, which in turn, stirs up issues, but it's been fairly well documented.

Dunno....I'm happy with what I've got & you're happy with what you have.

Fade to black, roll the names...play the happy song...THE END!!!

 

[Curly]

Re: Best AC30 clone?

regarding the current Vox CC, Mitch Kolby of Korg USA has responded to the complaints by saying that almost all of the early problems were related to tube issues which have long since been addressed.

gearjoneser and I heard some of the first ones at the LA Amp Show, and we both thought they would be very popular, based on the great tone and price.

I'd prefer something US made, but I couldn't knock anyone for getting the AC30CC either.

 

[joelap]

Re: Best AC30 clone?

I bought an AC30CC yesterday. I'm staring at it right now. Its being returned, not because I dont want one though.

I drove 45 minutes from Waterbury to Orange, CT cause they had a floor model for me to buy for 925. I get down there and the floor model doesnt work. They cant get it to work. Anyways, they find out there's one in Manchester, CT (on the other side of Hartford, I was down by New Haven). Its another flooy model but they claim it is in perfect condition. I drive from Orange to Manchester (1 hour going 80mph the entire way), I had to call them cause I got there past closing time so they had it waiting for me. I drive home (another 45 minutes) to find out that the input jack is loose and theres a crack in it, the power chord connector is a little wobbly, there's numerous tolex imperfections, and the footswitch has a black line in it. Normally I wouldnt care, but for the price I paid, it better be damn perfect.

So, I'm returning it. And I'm buying one brand new shipped from Vox instead.

But as far as tone: this is a fantastic, fantastic amp. Its the best I can do compared to a real vintage Vox AC30 (at least for now at least). Maybe sometime in the next couple years I'll spring for a real 63 or 64 Vox AC30 or something (once I learn a little more about the models and years). But for now, Ive got a vintage vox sounding amp with a PPIMV, reverb and trem footswitchable, and a jumperable dual channel design.

I love the amp. But for the price I paid, I want to be the one making the tolex marks

 

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

Re: Best AC30 clone?

For the record, my AC30 is the RI that came out just before the CC model; it's the AC30TBX with the blue alnico speakers. I haven't had any problems with it. Maybe there are more issues related to the CC model...no idea.

- Keith

 

[PUCKBOY99]

Re: Best AC30 clone?

I bought an AC30CC yesterday. I'm staring at it right now. Its being returned, not because I dont want one though.

I drove 45 minutes from Waterbury to Orange, CT cause they had a floor model for me to buy for 925. I get down there and the floor model doesnt work. They cant get it to work. Anyways, they find out there's one in Manchester, CT (on the other side of Hartford, I was down by New Haven). Its another flooy model but they claim it is in perfect condition. I drive from Orange to Manchester (1 hour going 80mph the entire way), I had to call them cause I got there past closing time so they had it waiting for me. I drive home (another 45 minutes) to find out that the input jack is loose and theres a crack in it, the power chord connector is a little wobbly, there's numerous tolex imperfections, and the footswitch has a black line in it. Normally I wouldnt care, but for the price I paid, it better be damn perfect.

So, I'm returning it. And I'm buying one brand new shipped from Vox instead.

But as far as tone: this is a fantastic, fantastic amp. Its the best I can do compared to a real vintage Vox AC30 (at least for now at least). Maybe sometime in the next couple years I'll spring for a real 63 or 64 Vox AC30 or something (once I learn a little more about the models and years). But for now, Ive got a vintage vox sounding amp with a PPIMV, reverb and trem footswitchable, and a jumperable dual channel design.

I love the amp. But for the price I paid, I want to be the one making the tolex marks

Man, that sucks when you finally get something that you wanted only to find problems. Hopefully, you'll get a good one shipped to you :bigthumb:

For the record, my AC30 is the RI that came out just before the CC model; it's the AC30TBX with the blue alnico speakers. I haven't had any problems with it. Maybe there are more issues related to the CC model...no idea.

- Keith

Yeah, I guess I should've said that in the earlier post: the main issues seem to be with the CC models, but hey, if they've corrected things, you just can't beat the bang for buck comparison!!!

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Best AC30 clone?

For the record, my AC30 is the RI that came out just before the CC model; it's the AC30TBX with the blue alnico speakers. I haven't had any problems with it. Maybe there are more issues related to the CC model...no idea.
- Keith

Truth is that all Vox amps have had their problems over the years...even the 60's models.

A buddy of mine uses an AC-30, the same model you have Keith and I'll tell ya this...when he decided on an AC-30 the only one he could find in town was the floor model at GC (at the time he worked for GC ATL)...he wanted a brand new one. He ordered it and it arrived DOA, he sent it back ordered anothe one it got there he used it for 3 days and it died...Vox sent it to a local tech and he said best bet was to send it back, which he did and ordered another one...it arrived DOA...he returned it and bought the flooe model...he's had it for several years now with no issues.

The end result is this...nothing in the world sounds like a Vox but you pay for that tone in one way or another...

As for the CC's...I have heard some storied but it looks like they have fixed a few things up and for the money you can't beat them and they have the tone!

 

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

Re: Best AC30 clone?

Truth is that all Vox amps have had their problems over the years...even the 60's models.

A buddy of mine uses an AC-30, the same model you have Keith and I'll tell ya this...when he decided on an AC-30 the only one he could find in town was the floor model at GC (at the time he worked for GC ATL)...he wanted a brand new one. He ordered it and it arrived DOA, he sent it back ordered anothe one it got there he used it for 3 days and it died...Vox sent it to a local tech and he said best bet was to send it back, which he did and ordered another one...it arrived DOA...he returned it and bought the flooe model...he's had it for several years now with no issues.

The end result is this...nothing in the world sounds like a Vox but you pay for that tone in one way or another...

As for the CC's...I have heard some storied but it looks like they have fixed a few things up and for the money you can't beat them and they have the tone!

It's really such a shame that people have to gamble for great tone. Mine was a GC floor model, and the only problem I had with it was torn Tolex from the hacks who treated it like a trashcan. (Why would you do this with an AC30?) Because of the cosmetic wear, I was able to get $400 off the price, which was well worth it to me. Tolex is easily fixable, and it's not integral to the amp's operation.

I'm glad to hear Vox has finally taken the time to up the quality control on the new amps. People who want it -- and can afford it -- should be able to get it without the worry of a DOA or faulty component.

- Keith

 

[shaka]

Re: Best AC30 clone?

bruno underground 30

itll make you forget there ever was a vox. tony designed the handwired ac30 ri and its a great amp, but his are considerably nicer. you want the best, this is it.


i love the matchless stuff (bad cat too) but it doesnt sound like a vox to me.

I have to second this. The Underground 30 is my holy grail. They sound soooooo awesome. I already have a few boutique amps so affording one of these will take a bit of time. With that said I will have one sometime in the near future.

I also have to give a shout out for the Hayseed. I think it does a great job (i.e. pretty much nails it) at capturing the AC30 tone for not much more than an AC30CC. The Hayseed is built a lot better than the CC as well.

My DC30 is VOXish but doesn't sound exactly the same which I think is a good thing. I personally think the Matchless sounds better but that's my subjective opinion. I love the AC30 tone and that's what led me to the Matchless in the first place.

I'm currently starting to build a Trinity Lightning with a cut control. I'm really excited to see how it turns out.

Eric

 

[Aden]

Re: Best AC30 clone?

wow I'm really liking the tones from that Valvetech. I might just start considering budgeting for one