Vox AC30-like tone

M

minions

New member
Hello,

I'm looking to buy a new amp, but I'm not sure what to buy. I've played various amps, including Vox AC30 and Fender Deluxe Reverb (and other blackface models) and have concluded that I want something like that. I want something that is sort of a cross between an AC30 and a Deluxe Reverb but I can't figure out what qualifies as this. I like the crisp, clean Deluxe Reverb tone and the AC30 crunchy, warm drive tone. My budget is somewhat limited, preferably something around $700-$800.

Thanks.
 
Re: Vox AC30-like tone

I'd imagine a Fender combo with an EL84 power-tube section would get you in the right ballpark.

That, coupled with the aforementioned pedal, or the Vox Over-The-Top-Boost would probably do the trick.
 
Re: Vox AC30-like tone

you can certainly pick up a used ac30 CCH head for around 650 to 750. You might have to stretch the budget at that point for a decent cab.

You can get a used Deluxe reverb RI for your price, in great condition no less. If you wanna warm that baby up, throw an overdrive box in front.

Personally, I was in your spot 4 or 5 months ago, and wanted an AC15, AC30, a princeton reverb, or a Deluxe Reverb. After playing a lot of amps but not getting to play a DR, I did get to play a Vox Night Train. I ended up buying it with the matching cab for around 750 and I love it.

The night train has no reverb, but offers simple controls, is affordable, and sounds great. It can get loud and I usually don't have to turn the master volume past half. It has it's own tone but it's VERY vox. If you haven't played one, I recommend trying it. The thick mode can get fairly small-combo-Marshall-y but I dunno how well it does an AC30 impression as they wouldn't let me crank the ac30 I demo'ed.

Personally I don't think anything's that great at doing a cross between those two rather unique amps. Try the egnater rebel 20 if you have not already. Has el84s and 6v6s (the power tubes that are in the vox and fender amps) and lets you blend between the two for american and brit sounds. No reverb, dunno if that's a problem for ya.

I thought that amp was pretty cool, and has a bit of the blackface sparkle, but it's pretty bright and doesn't have that fender reverb to take some of the edge off. Also, it just sounded a bit lacking in the midrange compared to the night train, and, it lacks headroom. I can get headroom for days out of my night train but that egnater wanted to begin to break up around 1/3 on the gain knob. Not something I appreciated.

Well, there's my advice and experience. Honestly for now I'd say snag a Deluxe Reverb and an OD pedal. Versatility is key and you'll have it with that setup. Plus, the natural overdrive from a cranked deluxe is something pretty great in and of itself, I'm told. I love my night train but I still want a DR for "that" fender sound.
 
Re: Vox AC30-like tone

innerdreamrecords.co said:
You could get a small fender amp and this pedal. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INd2iJLRSaw
Click to expand...

serizawa said:
That, coupled with the aforementioned pedal, or the Vox Over-The-Top-Boost would probably do the trick.
Click to expand...

FuseG4 said:
Honestly for now I'd say snag a Deluxe Reverb and an OD pedal.
Click to expand...

That all sounds good. Have you heard of this pedal:

http://www.runoffgroove.com/englishchannel.html

It is supposed to sound like an AC30, but I don't know.


serizawa said:
I'd imagine a Fender combo with an EL84 power-tube section would get you in the right ballpark.
Click to expand...

FuseG4 said:
Has el84s and 6v6s (the power tubes that are in the vox and fender amps)
Click to expand...

What if I bought a Deluxe Reverb and replaced two of the 6V6s with EL84s? Could that work? And then maybe I could use a stombox.
 
Re: Vox AC30-like tone

minions said:
What if I bought a Deluxe Reverb and replaced two of the 6V6s with EL84s? Could that work? And then maybe I could use a stombox.
Click to expand...

The voltages are not compatable. The cost of conversion would be prohibitive.

A late 60's to early 70's Gibson GA20 or Epiphone EA19 should get you where you want to be tone wise. Probably in the $300 to $400 range. A speaker upgrade would dial you right in.
 
Re: Vox AC30-like tone

The AC30 achieves a sublime clean, but it is bereft of reverb. I strongly suggest you check out the sound of an AC30 with a Fender reverb tank or a Verbzilla reverb pedal. Of you like both the clean chime and the chewey crunch, your best bet is to save your pennies and get an AC30. I don't know that a real substitute exists.

- Keith
 
Re: Vox AC30-like tone

The best thing is to get both in stereo (only ever tried on modelling software). I think 65 amps has got the flavour of both. If you need cleaner headroom then an AC30CC2 or if you have the money the new AC30 blonde ones. Otherwise there are lots of 15 watts in the ballpark but not exactly the same. The nighttrain has been suggested and there is the Frenzel (check my demo on youtube. 2 El84's doesn't give the girth and cleaness of 4 but I like it for in between tones. There is alot of choice but not sure how many get close to fender cleans.
 
Re: Vox AC30-like tone

James Rock said:
The best thing is to get both in stereo (only ever tried on modelling software). I think 65 amps has got the flavour of both. If you need cleaner headroom then an AC30CC2 or if you have the money the new AC30 blonde ones. Otherwise there are lots of 15 watts in the ballpark but not exactly the same. The nighttrain has been suggested and there is the Frenzel (check my demo on youtube. 2 El84's doesn't give the girth and cleaness of 4 but I like it for in between tones. There is alot of choice but not sure how many get close to fender cleans.
Click to expand...

I've got an AC30 and a Super Reverb I sometimes hook up in stereo. (Need an Ebtech to kill the hum.) Two delays, and you've got "Where the Streets Have No Name."
 
Re: Vox AC30-like tone

Laney VC 30 2x10, they have a more fendery voiced speaker but the tube placement is more Voxish...
Click to expand...
Forgot about this one. It was brighter and had more shimmer then an AC30 but had the warmth and dynamics of the VOX. Really like it when I tried it even at low volumes with a cheaper Ibanez H/H (definately not the kinda guitar to suit these kinda amps).
 
Re: Vox AC30-like tone

glassman said:
The voltages are not compatable. The cost of conversion would be prohibitive.
Click to expand...

What about doing this:

Weber 6A20 (Weber's Deluxe Reverb) with 2 EL84s and 2 6V6s. Weber offers a 120-220-240V power supply which is compatible with American, British, and European power sources. Now, I'm not very well versed in that kind of stuff, so would that work?
 
Re: Vox AC30-like tone

VC30s are great. My favorite model Laney. I traded a Dual Rec for mine and I don't think I'll be going back.

I'm not too sure about the pedal you've shown, though. I haven't heard of it before. You should check out PGS' review of the Over The Top. It's made by Vox and sounds pretty convincing.

Most of the research I've done on these Vox-y sounding pedals require them to be put in the effects loop. But whenever I've put an overdrive or dirt box in the loops of any of my amps, it always sounds like garbage.
 
Re: Vox AC30-like tone

minions said:
What about doing this:

Weber 6A20 (Weber's Deluxe Reverb) with 2 EL84s and 2 6V6s. Weber offers a 120-220-240V power supply which is compatible with American, British, and European power sources. Now, I'm not very well versed in that kind of stuff, so would that work?
Click to expand...

The problem is that when you try to run EL84s at the plate voltages that a Deluxe Reverb operates at, they are prone to failure. The second thing that complicates this is that the EL84 has a 9 pin miniature base while the 6V6 is octal; you would need two sets of tube sockets. Add to that a modified bias network, different G2 resistors and possibly different G1 resistors.

Stick with the 6V6; using an EL84 power tube isn't going to give this amp a Vox character.
 
Re: Vox AC30-like tone

The new AC-30s have normal and top boost modes. I think the normal mode is pretty Fender-esque but I'm a Marshall guy and don't play Fenders enough to be able to distinguish between each individual amp so maybe it's not what you want. I'm not sure. You can select it between normal, top boost, and both.
 
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Re: Vox AC30-like tone

My best advise is to stop thinking what you think you might like, and plug into all the Vox's, Fenders, and anything else in your price range, and don't be eager to pull the trigger on the first thing. Keep trying out amps from Fender, Vox, Marshall, Bogner, Egnater, Bugera, Peavey, and pretty much everything. As soon as you fall in love with something, either buy new or used, but get the exact model that you liked the most.

That's the only way to shop for amps. Any other way is just a crap shoot and a shot in the dark, which could result in you wasting a lot of money on an amp that isn't your sound.
 
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