Vox AC-30...who here knows alot about these?

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Re: Vox AC-30...who here knows alot about these?

Hey Curly, If I get that AC-30 in San Diego would you want to keep it for me for a few months until I get out that way to visit? Lew
 
Re: Vox AC-30...who here knows alot about these?

in the new issue of guitar player there is actually a great article on them....
 
Re: Vox AC-30...who here knows alot about these?

timccart said:
Lew, Did ya see this

Vox AC30

It's less than 50 miles from me, I'd hold it for ya or ship at cost.

Thanks Tim! That's probably not one from a year I'd want. But thanks aton for the offer. Very kind of you. :)

I'm actually hoping for one from 2002 or so. The reissue I had was made by Marshall and sounded awesome! I have a stash of NOS GE EL-84's and a Mullard GZ-34 that'll sound great in one. Lew
 
Re: Vox AC-30...who here knows alot about these?

Lew, sell one or two of your amps and buy a Matchless DC-30. Thank me later. he he
My Chieftain is more like a Bassman preamp with a plexi power section and reverb, and I love it too much to ever sell, but it's definitely more of a JTM 45 sound.
The DC-30 has a clean tone so big, it just envelopes you with gorgeous EL-84 tube tone. Plus, they smell great, and the backlit logo is fun to stare at! LOL
 
Re: Vox AC-30...who here knows alot about these?

Gearjoneser said:
Lew, sell one or two of your amps and buy a Matchless DC-30. Thank me later. he he
My Chieftain is more like a Bassman preamp with a plexi power section and reverb, and I love it too much to ever sell, but it's definitely more of a JTM 45 sound.
The DC-30 has a clean tone so big, it just envelopes you with gorgeous EL-84 tube tone. Plus, they smell great, and the backlit logo is fun to stare at! LOL

You're right! I've wanted one of those for a long time. They're really expensive though...$2000 or more these days, right? Lew
 
Re: Vox AC-30...who here knows alot about these?

Gearjoneser, what can you tell me about the Lightning? It seems to be a AC-15 inspired amp. Also, what is the S/C 30 from Matchless? Thanks, Lew
 
Re: Vox AC-30...who here knows alot about these?

I might be wrong, but i'm pretty sure EL84s run best real hot, that would suggest why the old vox's are so tempremental. My DSL 401 runs really stupidly hot too, i read that this was becasue thats the optimum teperature for EL84s.
 
Re: Vox AC-30...who here knows alot about these?

The Orange AD series amps are in similar territory, although they have a unique voice. You can listen and compare many of these amps at the following site, which can be very helpful:
http://www.proguitar.de/

I love good EL84 amps, including my Orange AD15, the Vox models, the Bogner Metropolis, Budda Twinmaster, etc. They are more my speed than the Marshall thing.
 
Re: Vox AC-30...who here knows alot about these?

Some people like the Lightning 15 by Matchless, but I never cared for it. It has too little headroom and the treble rats out on it. Just my opinon though.
The SC-30 is the 1-12, DC-30 is the 2-12, and HC-30 is the head.
The difference between Matchless and Vox, besides the ridiculous build quality of Matchless, is the size of the sound. A Matchless 1-12 sounds as big as a 4-12.

http://matchlessamplifiers.com/match23_c30.html
 
Re: Vox AC-30...who here knows alot about these?

Also, look at the Dr. Z's. A little cheaper than Matchless, but really good too.
 
Re: Vox AC-30...who here knows alot about these?

Dr. Z has some great amps at a decent price. Bad Cat is expensive but NICE!!!

When are they ever going to release the chinese made Vox AC-30 Custom Classic? Those are supposed to be under $1,000, but you might be better off with a Dr. Z.
 
Re: Vox AC-30...who here knows alot about these?

There are some really cool new Voxes coming out at NAMM next week. Affordable ones to boot! AC30CC is the new model. I'll go find some info out there.
 
Re: Vox AC-30...who here knows alot about these?

Lew, my recent foray into Vox-inspired amps have taught me a valuable lesson.

If you want an AC30 tone, buy an AC30. THe Bad Cat was sweet, but it wa more like the AC30HW. The HW was designed by Tony Bruno. It is a nice amp, but truth be told, it doesn't sound like a Jimi era AC30, at least not dead on. Nice, but different.

Ithought the AC15 lacked balls.

Get an AC30 if that's what you want.

I'm looking forward to getting my hands on one of these AC30CC's at Namm next week.
 
Re: Vox AC-30...who here knows alot about these?

VOX USHERS IN A NEW AGE WITH THE AC30 CUSTOM CLASSIC

NAMM SUMMER SESSION, NASHVILLE, TN, July 23, 2004 — Originally unveiled in 1959, the VOX AC30 is one of the most legendary amplifiers of all time. Now, VOX introduces the new AC30 Custom Classic series. It combines the best attributes of the renowned original with carefully selected “boutique” features that bring the AC30’s venerable design to a new level of sophistication. All at an affordable price point.

Some of the main features of the AC30 Custom Classic are:
• Two blendable channels (Top Boost and dual-mode Normal/Treble)
• Fully variable Tremolo on both channels
• Custom/Normal tone network switch
• Spring Reverb with Depth & Tone controls plus Dwell switch
• Master Volume
• True bypass FX Loop
• Switchable cathode bias & filter capacitor values
• Baltic birch ply cabinet
• Foot switch for tremolo and reverb On/Off
• Extension speaker jacks with impedance switch

The VOX AC30 Custom Classic is available in the following configurations:
• AC30CC1 — 1x12 compact combo with custom Celestion built neodymium magnet “Neodog” speaker
• AC30CC2 — 2x12 combo with VOX original vintage style 30 watt speakers
• AC30CC2X — 2x12 combo with VOX Blue AlNiCo speakers
• AC30CCH — Head (not available since 1967 except for small quantities in the recent limited edition AC30HW)
• V212BN — 2x12" cab with VOX Original vintage style 30 watt speakers
• V212BNX — 2x12" cab with VOX Blue AlNiCo speakers
• V412BN — 4x12" cab with VOX original vintage style 30 watt speakers

Senior Vice President of Product Development, Mitch Colby, stated, “When deciding on how and where to make these new amplifiers, a key concern was attaining an extremely high build quality while achieving realistic price points. We’re happy to report that we’ve achieved those goals and that these new amps are manufactured in a state-of-the-art, vertically integrated manufacturing facility that enables us to have complete control over every step of the process.”

--------------------------

The estimated street prices are:

Head: $799

AC30CC1 (1x12 with NeoDog) $899

AC30CC2 (2x12 with Vox-made speakers, not Blues) $999

AC30CC2X (2x12 with Blues) $1499.

The cathode switch changes the resistance of the cathode resistor not the cap so the power drops and headroom drops but the tone stays the same.

There is a GZ34, four EL84s and three 12AX7s. Solid state tremolo and the reverb is a totally new radical design with solid state components that sounds incredible. Three spring long spring reverb tank.

The "Vox Original 30 watt speakers" in the AC30CC2, V212BN, and V412BN are made by Vox in the same factory -- including the basket, cones, and voice coils. They're supposed to be similar to a G12H30.

The three combos can also be used with the cabinets as well.

Limited quantities of the amps will start showing up in November. Meanwhile, Vox (USA) still has a small amount of the Marshall-made AC30s on hand, as do some dealers.
 
Re: Vox AC-30...who here knows alot about these?

The new ac30 sounds very interesting. I guess we'll have to wait and see what the build quality is like.

I've always shied away from ac30s because even though they sound great, I've played so many that have had technical problems. I've also seen other guys' ac30s fall over at gigs on several occasions.

How about an ac15, for lower volume?
 
Re: Vox AC-30...who here knows alot about these?

You would toss high quality Vox's made in China at Lew. What a dilemma! ha ha ha
 
Re: Vox AC-30...who here knows alot about these?

I wouldn't hesitate to buy a TV or stereo that was made in the far east. Why not an amp, if done right?
 
Re: Vox AC-30...who here knows alot about these?

I've played enough cool gear from unfashionable places for it not to be an automatic disqualification. Celestions have been made in China for a while, now, and the vox thing is just part of an overall trend. What I see happening is the middle of the amp market being squeezed by Chinese products of increasing quality. This won't affect the boutique market very much, though.
 
Re: Vox AC-30...who here knows alot about these?

I think before I'd get one of these, I'd pick up one of the 60 watt Valvetronix heads again. They are CHEAP! Some great AC30 tones, great Fender tones and great Marshall tones.
 
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