Mesa's Electra dyne or Vox AC30HW

[DesertRose]

Hi guys

Any of you have tried these amps?
I hope to hear some recommendations and insights about them.

A lot of people mention they are different animals but I'm not very particular about the sound since both have their own characteristics. I will practicing in my 44m/sq small apartment of blues(Gary Moore style, classic rock(Guns and Roses/Poison style), some jazz(George Benson style) and stuff.

Both sells at similar prices, downtown in Japan where I stay. But the reviews are pathetic. I have set my eyes on the Boogie but the hand wired Vox captivated my attention as well. Only setback about the Vox is that it's made in beautiful Vietnam (no offense to this place but I prefer a Western built somehow)

So aside from the greenbacks for the Vox and single channel for the Mesa, anyone can enlighten my in some ways?
I hope some people could make some contributions to this thread and help me out on this "major" decision.

Thanks!!

 

[JohnZAH]

Re: Mesa's Electra dyne or Vox AC30HW

Hey there. I actually own an Electra dyne and I have played and recorded with an AC30. They are both favorite amps of mine but they are very different as you already know. For the price IMO the Electra dyne is going to offer you a much larger range of sounds. That being said, it will never quite nail that AC30 vibe.

The reviews of the ED don't really tell you a lot about it but it is a BEAST. It has a very full sounding amp with a powerful low end but the eq section works beautifully to dial in whatever sound you want. And even though it is a "single channel" it has three modes (clean, low gain and high gain) which takes you from really clean to pretty damn high gain. More than I've ever needed.
It also has a handy footswitch to select the modes.

Both are capable of being REALLY loud but also sound good at lower volumes.

 

[DesertRose]

Re: Mesa's Electra dyne or Vox AC30HW

Hey there. I actually own an Electra dyne and I have played and recorded with an AC30. They are both favorite amps of mine but they are very different as you already know. For the price IMO the Electra dyne is going to offer you a much larger range of sounds. That being said, it will never quite nail that AC30 vibe.

The reviews of the ED don't really tell you a lot about it but it is a BEAST. It has a very full sounding amp with a powerful low end but the eq section works beautifully to dial in whatever sound you want. And even though it is a "single channel" it has three modes (clean, low gain and high gain) which takes you from really clean to pretty damn high gain. More than I've ever needed.
It also has a handy footswitch to select the modes.

Both are capable of being REALLY loud but also sound good at lower volumes.

Hey John

Thanks for getting back.
You mentioned that they can handle low volumes, which is the most important thing.

Just two questions:
- As i mentioned I stay in a 44 m/sq apartment, so if I blast the amp just by the little it may call some uninvited guest at my doorsteps.
But if say, I adjust the volume to 1 or 2, would it compromise the sound in some ways? I used to have a JCM800 1/2 stack and it took low volumes pretty good. Knob at 3

- From the pictures, it happens that I observed that the electra dyne has a semi closed back and a open back combo. (I'm still comtemplating on the head ..)
I somehow prefer the semi closed back because i like booming bass if it could do that job.
If there a difference? between the 2?

thanks
Shade

 

[Agileguy_101]

Re: Mesa's Electra dyne or Vox AC30HW

I'm just going to call it as I see it - those amps won't sound nearly as good as you're hoping at that volume. Look into something more appropriate for the volume you'll be playing at, like the H&K Tubemeister 18.

If you want to get the best tone out of an amp like those, you need a place to turn it up past 2.

 

[cream123]

Re: Mesa's Electra dyne or Vox AC30HW

if its down at the shop...just go down and play them?

 

[JohnZAH]

Re: Mesa's Electra dyne or Vox AC30HW

Hey John

Thanks for getting back.
You mentioned that they can handle low volumes, which is the most important thing.

Just two questions:
- As i mentioned I stay in a 44 m/sq apartment, so if I blast the amp just by the little it may call some uninvited guest at my doorsteps.
But if say, I adjust the volume to 1 or 2, would it compromise the sound in some ways? I used to have a JCM800 1/2 stack and it took low volumes pretty good. Knob at 3

- From the pictures, it happens that I observed that the electra dyne has a semi closed back and a open back combo. (I'm still comtemplating on the head ..)
I somehow prefer the semi closed back because i like booming bass if it could do that job.
If there a difference? between the 2?

thanks
Shade

It is true that the sound of these amps at low volume will not be nearly as good as if it were cranked but I have used both live (pretty damn loud) and very quietly in my house and I don't think it sounds bad. BUT if that is the o pay way it will ever get played you may want to consider something like an orange tiny terror. Pretty good sounding little amp and it is switchable from 15 and 7 watts.

Also, with the ED I would personally get the semi closed back, but in either case you will have NO lack off low end

 

[zzmoore]

Re: Mesa's Electra dyne or Vox AC30HW

How is the tech situation in Japan.?
Look into what the warranty covers, and WHERE it is covered.
I have had my hands in several Mesas (they have great techs) and they are about my least favorite amps to work on.
That HW Vox will be much easier to service.
But this may all be a non-issue for you.
best

 

[DesertRose]

Re: Mesa's Electra dyne or Vox AC30HW

Hi guys

Firstly I would like to thank for all the valuable inputs

if its down at the shop...just go down and play them?

Unfortunately, the amps I'm looking at are all located in another prefecture of Japan some North west of Tokyo, about more than 200km, about 130 miles? My local store here downtown sells brand new amps which I couldn't really afford.

How is the tech situation in Japan.?
Look into what the warranty covers, and WHERE it is covered.
I have had my hands in several Mesas (they have great techs) and they are about my least favorite amps to work on.
That HW Vox will be much easier to service.
But this may all be a non-issue for you.
best

The nearest location downtown would provide repair services I think. I love the Mesa though, in comparison to the Vox.
Warranty isn't an issue even if the amp is used. But the transport part is the trouble because I don't have a car and the taxi fare here is crazy. So the last alternative is the trains.

It is true that the sound of these amps at low volume will not be nearly as good as if it were cranked but I have used both live (pretty damn loud) and very quietly in my house and I don't think it sounds bad. BUT if that is the o pay way it will ever get played you may want to consider something like an orange tiny terror. Pretty good sounding little amp and it is switchable from 15 and 7 watts.

Also, with the ED I would personally get the semi closed back, but in either case you will have NO lack off low end

Hi John
The Orange doesn't really interest me. Sorry about that, maybe the handwired tiny terror but it is too costly ... more expensive than the ED, i mean used.

The ED I'm looking isn't the semi open one. Would there be a difference in sound in case you have tested both or heard both? This is quite important to me or could I get the back panel off some website if its possible

Or how about getting an attenuator like the THD hot plate or something to make the volume better.
I'm hoping to get a higher wattage amp somehow ..

Thanks
Shade

 

[JohnZAH]

Re: Mesa's Electra dyne or Vox AC30HW

I'm actually not sure about the difference the back makes. Hopefully someone can chime in here if I'm wrong, but it is my understanding that an open back cab will provide a more open or spacial sound where as a closed back gives you a more directional sound with more fullness. Not sure where the partial back falls into the equation.

As I said though, this amp has a very full sound naturally and wouldn't be too concerned with it.

 

[DesertRose]

Re: Mesa's Electra dyne or Vox AC30HW

I'm actually not sure about the difference the back makes. Hopefully someone can chime in here if I'm wrong, but it is my understanding that an open back cab will provide a more open or spacial sound where as a closed back gives you a more directional sound with more fullness. Not sure where the partial back falls into the equation.

As I said though, this amp has a very full sound naturally and wouldn't be too concerned with it.

Hi John

Thanks for getting back.
I will consider a hot plate as well

Any other inputs guys?
Thanks

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: Mesa's Electra dyne or Vox AC30HW

Those two amps have almost nothing in common. I'm perplexed as to what kind of amp search would come down to a choice between those two.

I will say that I think the Electra Dyne is the far more versatile amp of the two, and that it's the far more practical choice for the styles you listed in the first post. Plus, being a Mesa, it's well built and reliable.

 

[DesertRose]

Re: Mesa's Electra dyne or Vox AC30HW

Those two amps have almost nothing in common. I'm perplexed as to what kind of amp search would come down to a choice between those two.

I will say that I think the Electra Dyne is the far more versatile amp of the two, and that it's the far more practical choice for the styles you listed in the first post. Plus, being a Mesa, it's well built and reliable.

Hey ..

Thanks for the updates
I guess the Mesa would be a better way to go.
Plus thinking of an attenuator for it so I can do something about the volume without compromising the tone somehow.

I'm not the type who is very particular with attenuators affecting the sound so ...
Well , will check it out further again

Thanks
Shade

 

[UberMetalDood]

Re: Mesa's Electra dyne or Vox AC30HW

Unless you specifically want the AC30 sound, there's no comparison with the Electra Dyne in my opinion. The Electra Dyne is freaking awesome. It has awesome cleans, awesome distortion and a LOT more flexibility than an AC30. Plus you have the option of using EL34 or 6L6 tubes which can give you an even wider range of options. You won't get an AC30 sound, but you can get something similar and just as awesome. The Electra Dyne does everything from pristine clean, bluesy grit, to British metal. It's even more versatile with a couple of pedals. The reverb is awesome too. You have two wattage options, and a great master volume. The AC30 is classic and the tone is awesome. I'd say the Electra Dyne equals if not surpasses the tone of an AC30, and beats it all around the block on versatility.

 

[DesertRose]

Re: Mesa's Electra dyne or Vox AC30HW

Unless you specifically want the AC30 sound, there's no comparison with the Electra Dyne in my opinion. The Electra Dyne is freaking awesome. It has awesome cleans, awesome distortion and a LOT more flexibility than an AC30. Plus you have the option of using EL34 or 6L6 tubes which can give you an even wider range of options. You won't get an AC30 sound, but you can get something similar and just as awesome. The Electra Dyne does everything from pristine clean, bluesy grit, to British metal. It's even more versatile with a couple of pedals. The reverb is awesome too. You have two wattage options, and a great master volume. The AC30 is classic and the tone is awesome. I'd say the Electra Dyne equals if not surpasses the tone of an AC30, and beats it all around the block on versatility.

Hey

Thanks for the inputs.
It seems that the Electra Dyne is getting rave reviews over the net.

I don't have a chance to test these amps and it is purely based on feedback over the net and what I hear. Sometimes youtube doesn't do justice to the amp. I'm a single channel guy, using dirt pedals like the Xotic BB plus and vintage boss pedals to give me the sound i need.

I wanted to hear more about the Vox.
The handwired series just looks damn cool and the AC30 is a 2x12.
I don't own any Vox amp in the past, so just wanna hear what the forum has to say.

Well, I guess here goes nothing to placing an order for the Electra Dyne.
Any thoughts for a 980 bucks, 2 year old one? Expensive or reasonable?
Just wanna know how is the market.

thanks
Shade

 

[UberMetalDood]

Re: Mesa's Electra dyne or Vox AC30HW

Hey

Thanks for the inputs.
It seems that the Electra Dyne is getting rave reviews over the net.

I don't have a chance to test these amps and it is purely based on feedback over the net and what I hear. Sometimes youtube doesn't do justice to the amp. I'm a single channel guy, using dirt pedals like the Xotic BB plus and vintage boss pedals to give me the sound i need.

I wanted to hear more about the Vox.
The handwired series just looks damn cool and the AC30 is a 2x12.
I don't own any Vox amp in the past, so just wanna hear what the forum has to say.

Well, I guess here goes nothing to placing an order for the Electra Dyne.
Any thoughts for a 980 bucks, 2 year old one? Expensive or reasonable?
Just wanna know how is the market.

thanks
Shade

If it has had no repairs or mods and is in good shape then that's a pretty good deal. I liked the head with an Eminence speaker better than the Mesa speaker. Consider running it through Eminence speakers. I don't know what it is exactly but it's just the sound of the Electra Dyne, the compression, and everything that makes the Electra Dyne sound good just goes with Eminence speakers. PM me and I can tell you which speakers I used with mine.

 

[DesertRose]

Re: Mesa's Electra dyne or Vox AC30HW

If it has had no repairs or mods and is in good shape then that's a pretty good deal. I liked the head with an Eminence speaker better than the Mesa speaker. Consider running it through Eminence speakers. I don't know what it is exactly but it's just the sound of the Electra Dyne, the compression, and everything that makes the Electra Dyne sound good just goes with Eminence speakers. PM me and I can tell you which speakers I used with mine.

I thought the amp came stock with a black shadow eminence speaker.
Well this will be the first Mesa amp I'm going to own so I'm not very familiar with the speakers they use.

By the way, are there variants with the Electra Dyne?
I see this word medium inserted with the ED. Size? Price is also quite a diff

thanks
Shade

 

[JohnZAH]

Re: Mesa's Electra dyne or Vox AC30HW

I thought the amp came stock with a black shadow eminence speaker.
Well this will be the first Mesa amp I'm going to own so I'm not very familiar with the speakers they use.

By the way, are there variants with the Electra Dyne?
I see this word medium inserted with the ED. Size? Price is also quite a diff

thanks
Shade

There are two different sizes for the head version. Medium and large but both are the same besides the obvious size and I'm pretty sure the the combos are all the same.

As for the speaker, it is a celestion made specially for Mesa.

 

[DesertRose]

Re: Mesa's Electra dyne or Vox AC30HW

Updates ..
There is a half stack .. I think quarter stack if there is such a term for sale.
1770 bucks converted to USD.

Looks quite good and enticing. I wished I have a bigger place to stay

There are two different sizes for the head version. Medium and large but both are the same besides the obvious size and I'm pretty sure the the combos are all the same.

As for the speaker, it is a celestion made specially for Mesa.

ahh ...
thanks, I get it now.

Shade

 

[some_dude]

Re: Mesa's Electra dyne or Vox AC30HW

Just two questions:
- As i mentioned I stay in a 44 m/sq apartment, so if I blast the amp just by the little it may call some uninvited guest at my doorsteps.
But if say, I adjust the volume to 1 or 2, would it compromise the sound in some ways? I used to have a JCM800 1/2 stack and it took low volumes pretty good. Knob at 3

1) The Electra Dyne is a loud amp that doesn't do quiet very well. It'll do low volumes, but low volume on the ED will transfer through the walls and floors of an apartment building and give you nothing but issues.

2) If you turn an ED up to 1 you're already at stage volumes for a small club. It's enough that it rattles my house and the neighbours can hear it down the street.

I love the ED. it's one of the best sounding amps I own. It's designed for playing loud as rock and roll on stage, not practicing quietly in tiny Japanese apartments. You could choke it down with an attenuator, but why would you want to spend a lot of money making a really expensive amp sound like a cheap emulation when you can just buy a decent emulator and a nice set of headphones and get what are (IMHO) better results?

- From the pictures, it happens that I observed that the electra dyne has a semi closed back and a open back combo. (I'm still comtemplating on the head ..)
I somehow prefer the semi closed back because i like booming bass if it could do that job.
If there a difference? between the 2?

thanks
Shade

The 27" 1x12 is rear ported and sounds outstanding. It holds its own against much bigger cabs and doesn't have that thin, boxy sound most 1x12 cabs have.

That said, the bass is what will have the neighbours calling the cops on you. If I were you I'd check out a Japanese forum to find out what they recommend for guitar playing apartment dwellers.

 

[DesertRose]

Re: Mesa's Electra dyne or Vox AC30HW

1) The Electra Dyne is a loud amp that doesn't do quiet very well. It'll do low volumes, but low volume on the ED will transfer through the walls and floors of an apartment building and give you nothing but issues.

2) If you turn an ED up to 1 you're already at stage volumes for a small club. It's enough that it rattles my house and the neighbours can hear it down the street.

I love the ED. it's one of the best sounding amps I own. It's designed for playing loud as rock and roll on stage, not practicing quietly in tiny Japanese apartments. You could choke it down with an attenuator, but why would you want to spend a lot of money making a really expensive amp sound like a cheap emulation when you can just buy a decent emulator and a nice set of headphones and get what are (IMHO) better results?



The 27" 1x12 is rear ported and sounds outstanding. It holds its own against much bigger cabs and doesn't have that thin, boxy sound most 1x12 cabs have.

That said, the bass is what will have the neighbours calling the cops on you. If I were you I'd check out a Japanese forum to find out what they recommend for guitar playing apartment dwellers.

Hey

Thanks for the advice.
You're right on that part.
And yes, I used to be staying in a dormitary and I have a bose companion 5.
That alone caused the management to write an email asking for an explanation for the loud noise, which is the booming bass.

*sigh*

I have a emulator, the ampkit from peavey.
I just don't like wearing on hear phones because they makes me feel uncomfortable and also, I wanna jam with the Bose now that I'm staying in an apartment.

I will decide further from here,

thanks man
Shade