Vox AC30 Custom Classic

Re: Vox AC30 Custom Classic

Well, it's made in China and has a spotty record when it comes to reliability. Personally, I think it'd be fine if you baby it, and it does have a 5 year warrantee. That said, I think it's a GREAT sounding amp. I've played on it several times with different guitars, and I really like the amp. IMO, it sounds excellent, and is more versatile than all the past versions of the AC-30.

I'd suggest trying it extensively, so you know for yourself if it's your sound.
Also, consider other AC-30 type amps out there, like Dr. Z, Top Hat, Gibson Goldtone, Laney, Bad Cat, and Bedrock.
 
Re: Vox AC30 Custom Classic

A budy iof mine from the forum had the AC-15 and it stopped working 2 or 3o days after he got it...I have also heard about others breaking very early on that said...I plugged into an AC-30CC with the Celestion Blues and was blown away by the tone I got...sounded amazing!
 
Re: Vox AC30 Custom Classic

Gearjoneser said:
Well, it's made in China and has a spotty record when it comes to reliability. Personally, I think it'd be fine if you baby it, and it does have a 5 year warrantee. That said, I think it's a GREAT sounding amp. I've played on it several times with different guitars, and I really like the amp. IMO, it sounds excellent, and is more versatile than all the past versions of the AC-30.

I'd suggest trying it extensively, so you know for yourself if it's your sound.
Also, consider other AC-30 type amps out there, like Dr. Z, Top Hat, Gibson Goldtone, Laney, Bad Cat, and Bedrock.

+10. Bad Cats ROCK! And for not much more money, you have that much more tone AND reliability.
 
Re: Vox AC30 Custom Classic

FenderStratRock3 said:
+10. Bad Cats ROCK! And for not much more money, you have that much more tone AND reliability.

Those Bad Cats are great amps that get rave reviews but those also sell used for 2 to 3 times as much as a used AC-30 CC...Im not saying one ois better or worse that the other Im just saying that the prices are pretty far from each other.
 
Re: Vox AC30 Custom Classic

Well they just came out about a year ago and Vox set up a new facility just for this amp in China. So I hope any reliability issues will be fixed by now. I'd stay away from the first batch. But for the money they do sound great. The first time I heard one was at the AMP Show last year and it was the best sounding amp I heard there. Yeah, they look a bit cheap but they can sound very good. I wouldn't mind having the head version of the AC30 Custom Classic. But I don't really like the AC15 CC, something about the reverb is off for me.
 
Re: Vox AC30 Custom Classic

I have the ac30 cc w alnico blue speakers.
It`s fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love it
 
Re: Vox AC30 Custom Classic

GandLMan said:
How long have you had it? any issues?

I`v had it a year or so,no issues:)
I use it with a 2*12 vox cab and it gives the rig a 4*12 feeling.
It`s so much better than the jcm 800 50w i used to play.
vox_amp.jpg
 
Re: Vox AC30 Custom Classic

That's a nice looking rig Kaffiman. I forgot that you could hook it up to an external speaker. I think Vox did a good thing by adding all the useable features.

The first time I saw these amps was at the 2005 LA Amp Show, and they shared a booth with Marshall. The two amps being presented were the AC-30CC and the Marshall handwired 18W, which cost over twice as much.
The Marshall is a better made amp, but the Vox's tone was far superior to the 18W Marshall.
 
Re: Vox AC30 Custom Classic

the guy who invented fire said:
A budy iof mine from the forum had the AC-15 and it stopped working 2 or 3o days after he got it...I have also heard about others breaking very early on that said...I plugged into an AC-30CC with the Celestion Blues and was blown away by the tone I got...sounded amazing!

I haven't heard this version of the AC-30 but I can testify that the Celestion Alnico Blue 12's are the ONLY SPEAKER to use in a AC30, IMO, and that gets vintage accurate mid 60's AC30 tone.

I had them in my AC30 which was one of the UK Marshall built models. It might have been made around 2000? Great great amp! Never owned anything that sounded better.

Don't have anything to say about this Chinese version though.

Lew
 
Re: Vox AC30 Custom Classic

Lew, what that a PCB VOX? A buddy of mine playes through a UK built 01 VOX and loves it...he uses a pair of greenbacks and I was never crazy about the amp but he digs it...I have played through several differetn AC-30's...ones from the 60's (both 4 hole and 6 hole) as well as PCB UK models, the limited handwired UK model and the current CC version...the best sounding ones have the celestion blues it them...all of them, hands down!
 
Re: Vox AC30 Custom Classic

Gearjoneser said:
That's a nice looking rig Kaffiman. I forgot that you could hook it up to an external speaker. I think Vox did a good thing by adding all the useable features.

The first time I saw these amps was at the 2005 LA Amp Show, and they shared a booth with Marshall. The two amps being presented were the AC-30CC and the Marshall handwired 18W, which cost over twice as much.
The Marshall is a better made amp, but the Vox's tone was far superior to the 18W Marshall.

That's where I saw it, too. I was very impressed with the AC30 Custom Classic. Just a great rock tone.
 
Re: Vox AC30 Custom Classic

Gearjoneser said:
That's a nice looking rig Kaffiman. I forgot that you could hook it up to an external speaker. I think Vox did a good thing by adding all the useable features.

The first time I saw these amps was at the 2005 LA Amp Show, and they shared a booth with Marshall. The two amps being presented were the AC-30CC and the Marshall handwired 18W, which cost over twice as much.
The Marshall is a better made amp, but the Vox's tone was far superior to the 18W Marshall.
Another cool thing is that the second speaker output bypasses the amp speakers! a cool thing if i want to connect a 4*12 cab.
It have a vintage/modern switch too.
I like the modern when playing heavyer stuff!!!!!!!!!!!!!! King Of amps in that pricerange.:) and then some
 
Re: Vox AC30 Custom Classic

kaffimann said:
Another cool thing is that the second speaker output bypasses the amp speakers! a cool thing if i want to connect a 4*12 cab.
It have a vintage/modern switch too.
I like the modern when playing heavyer stuff!!!!!!!!!!!!!! King Of amps in that pricerange.:) and then some

This may be a really stupid question, but if using the Speaker output on the Vox disconnects the amps internal speakers, why bother using the Vox 2x12 which you pictured above? Surely that's the same as running the Vox's internal speakers on their own?

I'm curious as to your reasoning because I plan on buying either a AC30CC and a Vox 2x12 or a AC30 head and 4x12 to pair with my Orange amp setup :)
 
Re: Vox AC30 Custom Classic

Brow said:
This may be a really stupid question, but if using the Speaker output on the Vox disconnects the amps internal speakers, why bother using the Vox 2x12 which you pictured above? Surely that's the same as running the Vox's internal speakers on their own?

I'm curious as to your reasoning because I plan on buying either a AC30CC and a Vox 2x12 or a AC30 head and 4x12 to pair with my Orange amp setup :)
There is two speaker outputs,one that bypasses the amp speakers and one that dont.This give me a lot of options concidering that the cab doesn`t contain bluespeakers. When playing smaller gigs it can be good to have only two speakers connected.
and the 2*12 is cheaper:) I don`t think i`ll ever use 6*12 anyway.
I think my rig sound cool with the open backs aswell:)
blahblahblah.............lol
 
Re: Vox AC30 Custom Classic

kaffimann said:
There is two speaker outputs,one that bypasses the amp speakers and one that dont.This give me a lot of options concidering that the cab doesn`t contain bluespeakers. When playing smaller gigs it can be good to have only two speakers connected.
and the 2*12 is cheaper:) I don`t think i`ll ever use 6*12 anyway.
I think my rig sound cool with the open backs aswell:)
blahblahblah.............lol

Ah, I didn't realise it had 2 speaker outputs on it :smack:

Like I said above, I'm planning on buying an AC30CC and a Vox 2x12 (to kinda work like a half stack) to pair with my Orange rig, so I'm very eager on hearing peoples opinions about these amps :)
 
Re: Vox AC30 Custom Classic

My friend Liana has one of those in head form that she runs through a Marshall cab... pretty awesome sounding amp if I do say so myself. Beautiful warm, smooth, crips tone. It's got a very "player friendly" feel to it. The controls take some getting used to but thats par for the course if you're not used to Vox controls. ;)
 
Re: Vox AC30 Custom Classic

I got a Vox AC30CC with the 2X12 Wharfedales for Xmas. It sounded nice when cranked but the build quality is suspect. I took it back to GC after about 3 weeks. Approach with caution.
 
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