Slash Pickups in Vox AC30

Warlag

Warlag

New member
Hey I have a Gibson Les Paul Signature T that I replaced its pickups with the Slash set. I loved them they sounded great through my Marshall DSL40C. I just recently got a Vox AC30C2 amp and that I am loving at the moment at most times. When I plug in my Gibson and run through the clean on it the sound of the Gibson is different through it. It's like there's a little bit of buzz on the top of it that I wasn't getting with my fender guitars through it. Its a noticeable buzz or hum sound too. It does it only on the bridge pickup too. I know the Slash set have a high output so I was thinking maybe it's because of that. I tried lowering the pickup some but that wasn't it either so I put it back where it was. I did buy the amp used though so I was also thinking maybe the tubes are starting to get bad and maybe I should replace them. But before I go off buying tubes I figured I'd post here and see what you guys think? Is it the pickups? Or maybe the tubes in the amp? Let me know what youse think please! Thank you for helping me also!
 
Last edited:
Re: Slash Pickups in Vox AC30

Any way you can post sound clips? Also, a picture of your AC30 settings would help (better then describing them, AC30s can be confusing to describe in words because the control orientation is upside down from the front of the amp.)

What year/model AC30 is it?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
Re: Slash Pickups in Vox AC30

I can't do a sound clip I don't got the gear for that yet... it is a Vox AC30C2 with greenbacks... I can try and figure out what year it is... and I will take a picture of my settings and post tomorrow!
 
Re: Slash Pickups in Vox AC30

AC30's hum no matter what, way more if you stop playing for any period of time. There's even a switch built in on some of them to try to reduce it, but it affects the sound a little. It's a problem with the design of the amp. But it should happen no matter what guitar is plugged in.

I would be interested in the settings used on BOTH the Marshall that didn't exhibit buzz and the Vox with does.
 
Re: Slash Pickups in Vox AC30

As a huge AC30 fan its worth noting that the front end responds very differently to different outputs especially low end. Humbuckers can overload it a little bit and add a bit of fizz which can be helped by the cut control. AC30s also smooth out as you turn them up so try it at pretty high levels. What AC30 model is it? If it has master volume try with that on full. AC30s can be finnicky.
 
Re: Slash Pickups in Vox AC30

Here's my settings. It only does it with my Gibson. My strats work fine threw it I mostly use the top boost high channel. IMG_0231.jpg
 
Last edited:
Re: Slash Pickups in Vox AC30

Marshall looks similar to what I use on Master Volume Marshalls - master down, gain high. I tend to keep the bass a bit higher on Marshalls, but whatever is working for you is good, can't say there's any right or wrong. I was just trying to see if your settings are disguising a buzz that is always there, or if there is a circuit difference that is exposing a problem.

Also, if you are only getting buzz on the bridge pickup, that might hint at a wiring problem in the guitar, like the bare ground isn't completely grounded or something.

FWIW - here's what my AC30s look like when I use my Gibson SG and Les Paul through them (focus on Channel II or the Top Boost channel - I don't change those settings much at all ever). Note I keep the bass pretty high and the treble down below the bass. You can see I play with the Top Cut more than anything. I only do slight changes to the channel volume to change the grit.

8w54Gi6.jpg
 
Slash Pickups in Vox AC30

I'm with beaubrummels - can't see anything in those settings that would cause what you're describing - I was particularly looking for gain level, but both channels seem OK.

Couple of other areas from having had the AC30CC2X (generation before this, and from pic looks like what beaubrummels has)

1) the bass is deceptive and could be causing mechanical vibration of (e.g.) a loose screw/nut. No way to really test that without opening up and listening closely.

2) if it's still got the original tubes (pre and power) retune it completely - regardless of this issue, you'll learn just what this amp can do.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Re: Slash Pickups in Vox AC30

VinceT said:
I'm with beaubrummels - can't see anything in those settings that would cause what you're describing - I was particularly looking for gain level, but both channels seem OK.

Couple of other areas from having had the AC30CC2X (generation before this, and from pic looks like what beaubrummels has)

1) the bass is deceptive and could be causing mechanical vibration of (e.g.) a loose screw/nut. No way to really test that without opening up and listening closely.

2) if it's still got the original tubes (pre and power) retune it completely - regardless of this issue, you'll learn just what this amp can do.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

When you say retune it completely.. do you mean change the tubes with a better brand? This would be the first time I had to change tubes in any of my amps... Cause I'm almost positive it still got its original tubes in it. I'm going to open the back of my Gibson after to see if there's any wiring issues. I will keep you guys updated! I'm really appreciating all of your help also!
 
Re: Slash Pickups in Vox AC30

One thing I forgot to mention - my AC30CC2X has a microphonic preamp tube, which once the amp heats up, produces a high-pitched glassy ringing after the notes/chords die out.

The best recorded example of this same sound I can think of is AC/DC's song "Live Wire." There's a strange high-pitched buzz after each of the first guitar chords in the intro are played that almost sounds like snares of a snare drum buzzing (except the chords are played so lightly it wouldn't cause a snare to buzz at that point), however on a really good audio system you can tell it's a microphonic pre tube coming through with the normal static of the amp.

If that is what you are experiencing, it's likely a microphonic preamp tube.
 
Re: Slash Pickups in Vox AC30

Couldn't see any problems with the wiring I'm thinking on takeing the back off and checking the tubes. I'm almost positive it's the original tubes. I figure the amp is somewhere between a 2010 and 2013 by its condition.
 
Re: Slash Pickups in Vox AC30

Yeah, without sound clips, and based on those settings, I was leaning towards tube noise/microphonics.

And, to answer your earlier question, yes retune means to swap out both pre- and power-tubes for better quality. If you can't afford a full set, make sure to at least swap out V1, which does most of the heavy lifting. I tried both Tung Sol and JJs in my AC30CC2X and they both sounded great.

Best of luck.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
Re: Slash Pickups in Vox AC30

I was thinking on getting all JJ tubes. They seem to be highly recommended in the AC30.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top