Guitar Toad
Toadily Stratologist
Who would choose an AC-30 over Fender or Marshall? Was this the first EL-84 amp?
What's so great about the AC-30?
What's so great about the AC-30?
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Vox AC-30 Lovers
- Thread starter Guitar Toad
- Start date
CapoFirstFret
New member
Re: Vox AC-30 Lovers
I dig my AC30 because it's got this really great cut throat type of sound ya know? Kinda spunky is the best way I can describe it. Where Fender has your glass, and Marshall has your grit...Vox has your spunk...that sparkle and grind......I know this is kind of vague, but I'm not really sure how to describe it. I'm having a Fender-esque clone built though, so i can't seem to get away from the Fender stuff.
I had a marshall super bass 100w (1971) for a while.....just never could find myself at home with the marshall sound. I think it's great, and those that use it use it well, but it never was where I was meant to be.
I dig my AC30 because it's got this really great cut throat type of sound ya know? Kinda spunky is the best way I can describe it. Where Fender has your glass, and Marshall has your grit...Vox has your spunk...that sparkle and grind......I know this is kind of vague, but I'm not really sure how to describe it. I'm having a Fender-esque clone built though, so i can't seem to get away from the Fender stuff.
I had a marshall super bass 100w (1971) for a while.....just never could find myself at home with the marshall sound. I think it's great, and those that use it use it well, but it never was where I was meant to be.
Uncle Unborn
New member
Re: Vox AC-30 Lovers
I'm a dedicated AC30 fan. Some of the older Marshall stuff are ok, and I like most Fender amps. But none of the Fenders and Marshalls I've tried are as good as my AC30TB.
I just hope my AC30TB will stay as good as it has been up till now, as I know many of the AC30 is quite unreliable
I'm a dedicated AC30 fan. Some of the older Marshall stuff are ok, and I like most Fender amps. But none of the Fenders and Marshalls I've tried are as good as my AC30TB.
I just hope my AC30TB will stay as good as it has been up till now, as I know many of the AC30 is quite unreliable
J Moose
New member
Re: Vox AC-30 Lovers
A good AC30 has a great shimmer & chime in the tone that's pretty different from Marshall or Fender. Old Fenders are a bit thicker & more scooped and the bottom end gets mushy at high volumes...Marshalls have that mid-range "rage" thing going for them but aren't as 'open' and clear as an AC30. They can go from a really clean Byrds tone to Tom Petty grind or, jump the channels & add a stompbox for full born "classic" rock grind.
A good AC30 has a great shimmer & chime in the tone that's pretty different from Marshall or Fender. Old Fenders are a bit thicker & more scooped and the bottom end gets mushy at high volumes...Marshalls have that mid-range "rage" thing going for them but aren't as 'open' and clear as an AC30. They can go from a really clean Byrds tone to Tom Petty grind or, jump the channels & add a stompbox for full born "classic" rock grind.
Hot _Grits
Buttery Toneologist
Re: Vox AC-30 Lovers
I love AC30s. Well, I should qualify that: I love well maintained AC30s that are functioning properly. One of the great amp flavours.
I really want the new AC30 Custom classic head, but it can wait, as I just bought a soldano and already own a mesa Blue Angel, which is a very cool variation on the AC30 recipe.
I love AC30s. Well, I should qualify that: I love well maintained AC30s that are functioning properly. One of the great amp flavours.
I really want the new AC30 Custom classic head, but it can wait, as I just bought a soldano and already own a mesa Blue Angel, which is a very cool variation on the AC30 recipe.
Guitar Toad
Toadily Stratologist
Re: Vox AC-30 Lovers
The Mesa Blue Angel is an AC-30 variation?
I picked up the Rory Gallagher BBC sessions and heard the hot tones he generated. That is fueling my curiosity for the Vox AC-30. He was an AC-30 user as well as The Edge and Brian May. Those are the names that I have heard associtated with AC-30.
Has the AC-30 always had the reputation of being unreliable or is that a new Vox issue?
Is Scott's EL-84 Franklin 15 a voxy amp?
The Mesa Blue Angel is an AC-30 variation?
I picked up the Rory Gallagher BBC sessions and heard the hot tones he generated. That is fueling my curiosity for the Vox AC-30. He was an AC-30 user as well as The Edge and Brian May. Those are the names that I have heard associtated with AC-30.
Has the AC-30 always had the reputation of being unreliable or is that a new Vox issue?
Is Scott's EL-84 Franklin 15 a voxy amp?
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Gearjoneser
Gear Ho
Re: Vox AC-30 Lovers
A lot of the reliability issues is just due to the fact that they're hard on tubes, and if you ignore a failing tube, you run the risk of damaging other components.
The old ones are a bit frail, due to age, and the new ones just need to be maintained well.
I really like the new AC-30 CC 2-12 combo! The bridged channels, reverb, and other features make it a great amp. A few days ago, I plugged a 52 Reissue Tele into the new AC-30, and turned it up nice and loud. What a great great tele tone! Very Stonesy! Then, I plugged the same guitar into a Bassman LTD. Totally different vibe, but the AC-30 tone just destroyed it.
I really want one of those AC-30 combos!
A lot of the reliability issues is just due to the fact that they're hard on tubes, and if you ignore a failing tube, you run the risk of damaging other components.
The old ones are a bit frail, due to age, and the new ones just need to be maintained well.
I really like the new AC-30 CC 2-12 combo! The bridged channels, reverb, and other features make it a great amp. A few days ago, I plugged a 52 Reissue Tele into the new AC-30, and turned it up nice and loud. What a great great tele tone! Very Stonesy! Then, I plugged the same guitar into a Bassman LTD. Totally different vibe, but the AC-30 tone just destroyed it.
I really want one of those AC-30 combos!
STRATDELUXER97
Stratoblaster Tone Meister
Re: Vox AC-30 Lovers
Earlier Vox AC30s weren't vented enough and the ungodly amount of heat they generated was catostrophic in the form of fire and flames...
The earlier reissue series made by Marshall had the same problems (heat) and that heat was burning up the printed circuit boards....A buddy of mine bought one and had alot of problems with it...I've read alot of good stuff about the newer Chinese ones and maybe it's a good time for the AC30 lovers to jump on one of these?
An AC30TB is a bright jangly amp rich in harmonics,but needs to be cranked up loud to get that those rich singing harmonics,and it's a loud 30 watts at that..
I remember spending about 2 hours on the phone in the early 90s talking to Ken Fischer(Trainwreck)about Vox and Marshalls...Great guy and the early guru of amp modding and of Vox amps..
Earlier Vox AC30s weren't vented enough and the ungodly amount of heat they generated was catostrophic in the form of fire and flames...
The earlier reissue series made by Marshall had the same problems (heat) and that heat was burning up the printed circuit boards....A buddy of mine bought one and had alot of problems with it...I've read alot of good stuff about the newer Chinese ones and maybe it's a good time for the AC30 lovers to jump on one of these?
An AC30TB is a bright jangly amp rich in harmonics,but needs to be cranked up loud to get that those rich singing harmonics,and it's a loud 30 watts at that..
I remember spending about 2 hours on the phone in the early 90s talking to Ken Fischer(Trainwreck)about Vox and Marshalls...Great guy and the early guru of amp modding and of Vox amps..
Hot _Grits
Buttery Toneologist
Re: Vox AC-30 Lovers
The Blue Angel isn't an AC30 clone as such. The circuit is somewhat different, though it does run 30 watts, EL84, class A. I have heard people mistake my BA's sound for an AC30. It also runs 6V6s at 18 watts for a deluxe-type tone, and you can run both together.
Guitar Toad said:
The Blue Angel isn't an AC30 clone as such. The circuit is somewhat different, though it does run 30 watts, EL84, class A. I have heard people mistake my BA's sound for an AC30. It also runs 6V6s at 18 watts for a deluxe-type tone, and you can run both together.
Curly
Moe's Bluesman
Re: Vox AC-30 Lovers
there are three classic amps: Fender, Marshall, and Vox.
the designer of Vox amps knew what he was doing, but came up with something different in design
there is nothing like the texture, crunch, and chime of an AC30 .. C'mon, it's the Beatles' amp!
I'd recommend checking out the new version of the AC30 that Joneser and I heard at the LA Amp Show, or go over to the Gear Page forum and do a search for "Hayseed" - a custom make-to-order USA clone that's very affordable.
there are three classic amps: Fender, Marshall, and Vox.
the designer of Vox amps knew what he was doing, but came up with something different in design
there is nothing like the texture, crunch, and chime of an AC30 .. C'mon, it's the Beatles' amp!
I'd recommend checking out the new version of the AC30 that Joneser and I heard at the LA Amp Show, or go over to the Gear Page forum and do a search for "Hayseed" - a custom make-to-order USA clone that's very affordable.
That90'sGuy
DyzaBoyzologist
Re: Vox AC-30 Lovers
Vox is THE clean tone for me. 6L6 amps (like Fenders) always had that mid scooped thing going on that was lacking to me. The Vox is always thick and cutting and even lightly overdriven, it still gets such a unique clear and chimey topend that cuts through the band mix like nothing else. They may not work for everyone, but if you like Edge's U2 tone or Tom Petty's stuff, you know you're looking in the right place.
Still dig Marshalls for real overdrive, but the Vox amps can get a pretty good crunch through cranking it.
Vox is THE clean tone for me. 6L6 amps (like Fenders) always had that mid scooped thing going on that was lacking to me. The Vox is always thick and cutting and even lightly overdriven, it still gets such a unique clear and chimey topend that cuts through the band mix like nothing else. They may not work for everyone, but if you like Edge's U2 tone or Tom Petty's stuff, you know you're looking in the right place.
Still dig Marshalls for real overdrive, but the Vox amps can get a pretty good crunch through cranking it.
More-Gear-Than-Skill
New member
Re: Vox AC-30 Lovers
little ovens to bake thy tubes. But sound sooooo yum
little ovens to bake thy tubes. But sound sooooo yum
Guitar Toad
Toadily Stratologist
Re: Vox AC-30 Lovers
If they would only do something about that aweful Tudor styling. It may sound great but IMO it looks UGLY. Well, it's not totally ugly and I could look past that if necessary. But, that may not be necessary with the emergence of Celtic Amps and the Franklin 15.
If they would only do something about that aweful Tudor styling. It may sound great but IMO it looks UGLY. Well, it's not totally ugly and I could look past that if necessary. But, that may not be necessary with the emergence of Celtic Amps and the Franklin 15.
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Re: Vox AC-30 Lovers
I agree with GEARJONESER
I will also add that the BLUE ANGEL sounds muddy to me in prog linkage mode. I prefer the EL84s, but the lower mids, EQ reaction of the amp, and reverb (which is nice) aren't quite an AC30. Mesas all sound like Mesas to me, certain recipe they have.
AC30s are very "mini Marshall" to me. Many techs agree EL84 have a mid signature in the vein of EL34s. The bottom end is softer. The tube rectifier on a AC30 also sounds sweet esp when pushed, for SAG. You can run an AC30 and MArshall together and sound great, as this guy named Slash has been raving he finally stumbled onto. I think they have sweet cleans in the AC30, however, the Class A saturation, while harmonically rich, is not as ROCK n Roll to me as a Marshall (yeah yeah, Brian May and all that - but it's not live Gary Moore, Hendrix, Page, Beck as far as balls out tone) Btw, a 50 watt marshall has a much sweeter sound. I am assuming you mean the 100w Marshall in general discussion here.
I agree with GEARJONESER
I will also add that the BLUE ANGEL sounds muddy to me in prog linkage mode. I prefer the EL84s, but the lower mids, EQ reaction of the amp, and reverb (which is nice) aren't quite an AC30. Mesas all sound like Mesas to me, certain recipe they have.
AC30s are very "mini Marshall" to me. Many techs agree EL84 have a mid signature in the vein of EL34s. The bottom end is softer. The tube rectifier on a AC30 also sounds sweet esp when pushed, for SAG. You can run an AC30 and MArshall together and sound great, as this guy named Slash has been raving he finally stumbled onto. I think they have sweet cleans in the AC30, however, the Class A saturation, while harmonically rich, is not as ROCK n Roll to me as a Marshall (yeah yeah, Brian May and all that - but it's not live Gary Moore, Hendrix, Page, Beck as far as balls out tone) Btw, a 50 watt marshall has a much sweeter sound. I am assuming you mean the 100w Marshall in general discussion here.
Vasshu the humanoid typhoon
Unseen
Re: Vox AC-30 Lovers
It is still not a Class A amp:smack:
EL-84's are small EL-34's.
Vox amps sounds very different, some are cardboard like in tone(lots of mids) and others have plenty of everything, a few only chimes but are kinda thin.
So don't get hang up in TB or non TB tags, the best Vox I ever tried was a 1970 Vox..big fat and creamy.
I got one thing about them that I don't like so much, they are slightly too undefined, they are not as clearsounding as Hiwatts and Marshalls.
In other words a tad too warm sounding, I like them as heads the best.
I'm not a combo guy
Plus if they are old...they are very fragile, quite a few I knew had them rehoused, they kept the combo but took out everything and usedthem as tops.
One interesting thing, Keith Scott from Bryan Adams has used three AC-30 outputstages for his old rig, the pre-amp was a two channel Hiwatt 50 pre-amp, one of those 80's one I guess, he had a very very good sound with that setup, I had something similar once, just used one power amp instead.
And had the pre-amp from a DR504 instead, used pedals or just cranked the amp for drive.
Anyways a true classic amp, but not a do it all amp.
Classic line up is a BF Superreverb and an AC-30.
And if you ever dig up an AC-15 or AC-10 buy them!
Phenomonal amps, the AC-15 is extremely nice and works great for small jobs and studio stuff.
It is still not a Class A amp:smack:
EL-84's are small EL-34's.
Vox amps sounds very different, some are cardboard like in tone(lots of mids) and others have plenty of everything, a few only chimes but are kinda thin.
So don't get hang up in TB or non TB tags, the best Vox I ever tried was a 1970 Vox..big fat and creamy.
I got one thing about them that I don't like so much, they are slightly too undefined, they are not as clearsounding as Hiwatts and Marshalls.
In other words a tad too warm sounding, I like them as heads the best.
I'm not a combo guy
Plus if they are old...they are very fragile, quite a few I knew had them rehoused, they kept the combo but took out everything and usedthem as tops.
One interesting thing, Keith Scott from Bryan Adams has used three AC-30 outputstages for his old rig, the pre-amp was a two channel Hiwatt 50 pre-amp, one of those 80's one I guess, he had a very very good sound with that setup, I had something similar once, just used one power amp instead.
And had the pre-amp from a DR504 instead, used pedals or just cranked the amp for drive.
Anyways a true classic amp, but not a do it all amp.
Classic line up is a BF Superreverb and an AC-30.
And if you ever dig up an AC-15 or AC-10 buy them!
Phenomonal amps, the AC-15 is extremely nice and works great for small jobs and studio stuff.
F
firebirdVII
Guest
Re: Vox AC-30 Lovers
How does the BadCat BlackCat compare to a Vox?
How does the BadCat BlackCat compare to a Vox?
Vasshu the humanoid typhoon
Unseen
Re: Vox AC-30 Lovers
Well they claim that it is a supervox...hmm it does have some similarities due to the EL-84's.
But I find them odd..and not all that Vox like, like say an over 30 years old Vox
How could it?
But good amps, but abit hyped up if you ask me.
Take everything with a grain of salt and do the only good thing you can, try it yourself
Well they claim that it is a supervox...hmm it does have some similarities due to the EL-84's.
But I find them odd..and not all that Vox like, like say an over 30 years old Vox
How could it?
But good amps, but abit hyped up if you ask me.
Take everything with a grain of salt and do the only good thing you can, try it yourself
Guitar Toad
Toadily Stratologist
Re: Vox AC-30 Lovers
That's the way I think about Class A vs. non-class A amps. The non-class A is a more pure RnR sound. Which 50W Marshall? Any 50 Marshall?
OlinMusic said:
That's the way I think about Class A vs. non-class A amps. The non-class A is a more pure RnR sound. Which 50W Marshall? Any 50 Marshall?
