Having some doubts about my AC30.

[severalwills1]

So I purchased a Vox AC30C2 a while back, and I am still absolutely in love with the tone and feel of the amp, so that isn't the problem. The issues I have now are basically its weight, which is too damned heavy for my purposes, and the fact that due to my current situation, I can't do it much justice. Right now, I'm away at school, so I can't play it anyway, and when I'm home, carrying it to jams/gigs is a pain in the ass because my car isn't all that big.

I recently got a Yamaha THR10C as part of a trade for one of my guitars, and I love the sounds I can get out of it at low volumes, and love the fact that I can carry it around.

I also primarily play John Mayer-style blues/blues-rock and clean pop. I can definitely get those sounds out of the AC30, but considering how heavy the amp is, at what cost?

I'm almost considering selling the AC30, as much as I love it, sticking with my Yamaha THR for now (if I were to gig, I'd run it through the PA), and start a long, gradual saving process for a boutique amp like a Two-Rock.

tl;dr I love my AC30 but it's too damn heavy. I've not had the amp for too long, but am considering selling it, as I could use the extra cash as a college student.

What do you guys think?

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Having some doubts about my AC30.

Low wattage AC amplifier models exist.

Transporting heavy gear is made easier by professional flight cases. Yes, obviously, the case adds more weight BUT any load on castors is far easier to move than by the handle(s). Lifting should be confined to raising and lowering the amplifier in and out of your vehicle.

 

[allbutromeo]

Re: Having some doubts about my AC30.

Sell it and get an AC15

 

[Red_Label]

Re: Having some doubts about my AC30.

Low wattage AC amplifier models exist.

Transporting heavy gear is made easier by professional flight cases. Yes, obviously, the case adds more weight BUT any load on castors is far easier to move than by the handle(s). Lifting should be confined to raising and lowering the amplifier in and out of your vehicle.

WERD!!! Wheels make life so much easier. I picked-up a nice Fender Supersonic Twin last year that is a HEAVY PIG!!! I immediately ordered a nice Safe Case for it with 4" casters. I've had one back surgery and am up for another (fusion)... so if I didn't have a nice wheeled-case for it, I wouldn't even bother owning it. Another option is one of those little moving carts with casters on the bottom. It's just a couple of planks of wood in the shape of a square/rectangle with wheels on it. I picked that up at Harbor Freight for under $20 is it works great for moving gear around. I just set the Twin on it and left it there during the couple of weeks that I was waiting for my road case to be built.

 

[Lazarus1140]

Re: Having some doubts about my AC30.

If your car is too small for the amp a larger case won't help. That said, you may regret parting with gear that you love even if you're hard up for the money.

I don't know what I'd do if I were you, however if you were me you'd keep the Vox, continue playing through the Yamaha, and start saving for the dream amp. When you have almost enough money saved for the boutique amp you can decide whether you want to sell the Vox to make up the difference.

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Having some doubts about my AC30.

How small is your car that you can't carry an average sized combo around?

If it's just the weight and humping it around that is the problem, buy some casters and screw 'em into the bottom of the amp. Much easier to push the amp than lift it.

 

[uOpt]

Re: Having some doubts about my AC30.

I had an original AC30. As much as people tell me it was nutz to sell it (at the time cheaply) it was just way too impractical. Heavy, big loud, non-modular, not friendly to power soaking. Possible reliability concerns. I had a good life since then.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Having some doubts about my AC30.

Sell the speakers in your AC-30, add a bit of money, and get these lightweight Celestion Neodymium speakers. I have no experience with them, but a lot of players use them to shave a ton of weight off their combos, and still like the sound of them. Then, your tube amp would weigh a lot less, like a solid state amp.

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Celesti...eodymium-Guitar-Speaker-103400180-i1153689.gc

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Having some doubts about my AC30.

My Mark III, IV and V 112 Mesa combos are at least as heavy as an AC-30. They can handle any size of venue because of the power amp options. On a gig with my band, I'll take along a matching Mesa 112 Thiele cab; for a jam or practice or home I can just take the combo. The amp and cab rig is much easier to move in and out of a small car than a 212. There are a lot of advantages in using an extra cab.

So I can't advise you on the VOX, other than to think about getting a different vehicle, and pumping a lot of iron. I've started working out, I'm 65, not getting any younger, and the amps aren't getting any lighter. You've got to take care of your body. I STRONGLY recommend that you get a back support belt and USE IT! The rule in my band is that everyone helps move gear, everyone helps with the heavy lifts. Nobody leaves the gig until all the gear loaded. Don't be shy; there's no shame in asking band mates for help. You might even have a friend that would love to roadie for you. A friend of mine roadied for me, and eventually we paid him a full share for setup, tear-down and running our lights and sound. Money well spent.

But if you let go of the VOX, consider a 112 combo with a matching cab. This modular approach has a lot to offer.

Bill

 

[Kac]

Re: Having some doubts about my AC30.

I've been where you are. I've had an AC30 and several other amps. Having that experience I aquired a 12" combo for my latest amp purchase. Loud enough to play with a band, light enough to move around by myself, and it's got the tone I need. Several good suggestions here in the thread. Favorite one i read was to save money and once you get close to enough possibly sell the AC30 to get what you need and buy the amp that's just right for you.

 

[Matt42]

Re: Having some doubts about my AC30.

A friend of mine roadied for me, and eventually we paid him a full share for setup, tear-down and running our lights and sound. Money well spent.

Man, I wish I had your friend! I can barely get people willing to help out with sound check, let alone load in/out.


Back on topic...

I was in your shoes a few years ago. I had an amp that I loved, but I was convinced it was too heavy and too loud for me, so I sold it. I really really regret that decision. I've been on the amp hunt ever since, and am, at this point, contemplating buying that amp (Mesa Lonestar) again.

 

[Myaccount876]

Re: Having some doubts about my AC30.

Sell the speakers in your AC-30, add a bit of money, and get these lightweight Celestion Neodymium speakers. I have no experience with them, but a lot of players use them to shave a ton of weight off their combos, and still like the sound of them. Then, your tube amp would weigh a lot less, like a solid state amp.

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Celesti...eodymium-Guitar-Speaker-103400180-i1153689.gc

I mainly use those speakers. They're great and I highly recommend them - they're quite a bit like V30s, but with a slight bottom end boost, slightly less upper mids than a V30, and more higher treble. In my experience, they go great with Vox amps.

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: Having some doubts about my AC30.

I mainly use those speakers. They're great and I highly recommend them - they're quite a bit like V30s, but with a slight bottom end boost, slightly less upper mids than a V30, and more higher treble. In my experience, they go great with Vox amps.

Now you got me interested... Do they break up when pushed hard or mush out? ive been eyeballing making a lightweight easy to go jam rig again.

 

[crusty philtrum]

Re: Having some doubts about my AC30.

Sell the speakers in your AC-30, add a bit of money, and get these lightweight Celestion Neodymium speakers. I have no experience with them, but a lot of players use them to shave a ton of weight off their combos, and still like the sound of them. Then, your tube amp would weigh a lot less, like a solid state amp.

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Celesti...eodymium-Guitar-Speaker-103400180-i1153689.gc

Yup, this. My Guyatone/ Fender 2 x 12 combo is getting a bit heavy for my ageing back now, and I am seriously considering GJ's suggestion to reduce it's weight considerably.

OR ... two AC15s, or two Laney VC15s (I have this setup) or one of each. That way, you can use one combo for smaller stuff, and both for larger events ... and in stereo, too, if you wish. All the time maintaining that classic Vox tone.

 

[Maggot]

Re: Having some doubts about my AC30.

Sell it and get an AC15

This. Still loud enough to play with most drummers. Maybe get a OD pedal too.

 

[Myaccount876]

Re: Having some doubts about my AC30.

Now you got me interested... Do they break up when pushed hard or mush out? ive been eyeballing making a lightweight easy to go jam rig again.

I've only pushed two of them with a cranked 15W tube amp, so I was throwing much less than 120W at them. It makes it hard for me to say how they break up, but I can't imagine them mushing out. I wouldn't describe them to be nearly as bell-like as Alnico Blues, but I'd say they are still bright, but fuller speakers where I can't imagine them really mushing out. I have them in a large open-back 2x12 by the way, with 3/4" Baltic birch construction.