Thinking of an AC30

Grandor

New member
It looks like I need to sell one of my mesa's to fix some damage to my car.
Leftover money will be able to buy me a whole new amplification rig.

I've been using my friends AC15 for a new band project im working on and to put short. It rocks.
Such a warm and articulate tone.

I'm looking at an AC30, what do you guys think of the difference between the old 70's/80's ones and the new ones today?

Also can a 2x12 ac30 run a 2or4x12 cabinet also or just the combo or the cab?

Thanking you all.
Clips and pics appreciated
 
Re: Thinking of an AC30

A lot of people are saying that the new ones sound just as good, (even better) than some of the old ones. My buddy has one of the PCB board 70s made ones and it's just so-so. The problem with Vox was that their amp quality wasn't that consistent. Some amps would be amazing and some would sound dull. The ones that a lot of vintage enthusiasts go after are the early 60s JMI - era Vox amps.

The new ones sound like a throw back to those amps rather than the HW series, which, while handwired, was just as inconsistent as the rest of Vox' lineup.
 
Re: Thinking of an AC30

there are two speaker outs i believe that you can run the amp at either 16 or 8 ohms
 
Re: Thinking of an AC30

I "borrowed" one of the new AC30CC's for a while and came to the realization that it is a great sounding amp, lots of bells and whistles. But at the end of the day, I sent it back. Why? Made in China. It just tore at me. Not because of human rights (and that's enough of a reason), but IMO the Chinese are trying to take over the world one VCR, Amp and radio at a time. So, consider it my personal boycott.

I did love the tone so much that I'm now making a tweaked clone of a Matchless Lightning. 2xEL84, great tone, similar to the AC15, but with more bass. And it'll be American made with American parts by an American living in Texas. :)

Sorry, couldn't help myself.
 
Re: Thinking of an AC30

jeremy said:
there are two speaker outs i believe that you can run the amp at either 16 or 8 ohms

Yep. I believe it's 8 or 16 as well :)

They look like awesome amps for the cash! I'd honestly purchase one if I wasn't so happy with my Fargen Epic 30 DC.
 
Re: Thinking of an AC30

the_Chris said:
Yep. I believe it's 8 or 16 as well :)

They look like awesome amps for the cash! I'd honestly purchase one if I wasn't so happy with my Fargen Epic 30 DC.

and the fact that Fargen amps are made in CA. :)
 
Re: Thinking of an AC30

Fargen should make and amp called the Icehole....a cookie for whoever can catch the reference. :D
 
Re: Thinking of an AC30

Don't LUST too much for the 60's versions either. They sounded great, WHEN they worked, which was about 50% of the time. They used to run hotter than a firecracker and was always frying. I have only heard good things about the CC. China will be the next superpower, fo sho! --------cheers :dance: ----JIMO
 
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Re: Thinking of an AC30

thx guys.
I just got word that one of the local stores here will be getting in one of each othe new ac30 products. So I'll bide my time.
 
Re: Thinking of an AC30

Johnny Dangerously

Johnny Kelly: They call me Johnny. Johnny Dangerously.
Lil: Do you know your last name's an adverb?
Johnny: I never should have picked a name like that. A name like that you gotta live up to. What's your last name?
Hood: Binderhoff.
Johnny: Binderhoff? That's a good name. Keep that name and you'll stay out of trouble.
Roman Moroni: I would like to direct this to the distinguished members of the panel: You lousy corksuckers. You have violated my farging rights. Dis somanumbatching country was founded so that the liberties of common patriotic citizens like me could not be taken away by a bunch of fargin iceholes...like yourselves.
 
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Re: Thinking of an AC30

Gearjoneser and I were pretty impressed with the new ones at the L.A. Amp Show. Probably a great gigging amp.

I'm kinda with Scott on this one, though.

I'd rather come up with the $$$ for a 65 amps model, a used Dr Z, or a used Victoria
 
Re: Thinking of an AC30

I want my damn cookie. :laugh2:

Scott_F said:
Made in China.
Man, that's nothing compared to the offenses that Behringer provides to the musician of limited means...

Hell, didn't Celestion move all (or 99.99%) of their production to China?
 
Re: Thinking of an AC30

The Golden Boy said:
I want my damn cookie. :laugh2:


Man, that's nothing compared to the offenses that Behringer provides to the musician of limited means...

Hell, didn't Celestion move all (or 99.99%) of their production to China?

I dont really have any issues with the 'made in china' deal. But my question is on quality with china.
Is it gonna be as good as Brian May's vox ac30? Is it going to have the same feel and tone that I crave?
Now I know its mostly in his fingers/treble booster. But theres just that harmonic and gain structure that you can't get from anything else, that is essential to May's tone.
 
Re: Thinking of an AC30

I live in the US.

I wish I could answer you objectively.

Whether the level of automation and CNC machining and whatnot being run by 12 year olds is equal to that of being made by hand and/or old machinery by union labor in Great Britain.

I'm sure I'll hear of this...
 
Re: Thinking of an AC30

The Golden Boy said:
I live in the US.

I wish I could answer you objectively.

Whether the level of automation and CNC machining and whatnot being run by 12 year olds is equal to that of being made by hand and/or old machinery by union labor in Great Britain.

I'm sure I'll hear of this...

Well I hear all the new ones are hand wired anyhow.
But their so cheap?
 
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