Home > Guitar > Guitar Amp User Reviews > Vox > AC30
Vox AC30
| Page: 1 | Showing 1-26 of 26 reviews |
Price Paid: 2000 (sFr.) used
Features: 8
2x3 Inputs Low/High
Just the most important knobs you need ;-)
One Footswitch
Sound Quality: 10
I use a solid body Hoefner (Gibson Les Paul Copy) with Diamond pickups.
I recently plugged a Crybaby Wahwah and a Ibanez Tubescreamer into the AC30 and cranked the AC30 up. I almost cried because of that sweet, harmonic tone after moving the Wahwah pedal up and down. Unbelievable.
I used the same effects with a solidstate Marshall a few years ago and it sounded just awful and gave me headaches.
I could'n imagine how beautiful the AC30 could improve the Sound...
Reliability: N/A
Never had a broken tube yet but i hope that this does not happen during a live-session...
Customer Support: N/A
Never had to use it.
The warranty of the amp was 1/2 year. Hey it's a used amp - what do you expect!?
Overall Rating: 10
I first bought a small Fender solid state amp for home use.
It's just a little noisy box but with impressive power.
Then the mentioned Marshal 30 Watt solidstate amp for home use
Nice to use for clean Sounds, built in effects are not very useable compared to real stompboxes exept echo and reverb.
----
I added a Behringer mixer between the FX chain and the AC30 to overdrive the tube preamp for home use. The equalizer of this mixer is just perfect to model the desired sound.
If you like the sound of U2, Heather Nova, Kathleen Edwards, Stones and many more this is just the amp you are looking after.
If you can afford the high price go and get one - you won't be disappeared and discover new sounds every new day !!!
Submitted by simon at 08/17/2005 13:56
Price Paid: 2100 (euro)
Features: 8
Tube amp with 30 class A Watts, 6 inputs (brilliant hi/lo, normal hi/lo, vibrato hi/lo), blue speakers, vibrato/tremolo. Made in year 1991, bought new.
Some spring reverb would have been nice...
Sound Quality: 5
I played this amp with prs standard 24 and home made alder telecaster. With old boss overdrive and warm settings, it's just great. But clear sound, don't like it at all. Theres something odd with the middtones. Just don't fit to my ears...
Reliability: 8
No bigger problems, just those ordinary tube-ones. But they are expected when dealing with tube amps. Tubes are been changed quite often...
Customer Support: 10
Great, had once questions about the amp, and i writed email to vox in english. Next day i got the answering email, with finnish, my mother language:)
Overall Rating: 7
Well, this only my opinion, but i would not buy this amp now. It's ok with some overdrive and some blues guitaring, but since i need clean sound that fits my ears... Too loud to my taste.
Submitted by antti at 08/08/2005 10:38
Price Paid: 4500 (australian)
Features: 8
i have owned a 2003 ac 30 vox with bluedogs for 3years and it is an extremely versatile amp with an incredibly clean sound and a nice distorted sound when past half way!The tremelo is by far the best trem i've ever heard. i use this amp live and for rehearsals in my band and it cuts through with ease at a low volume!
Sound Quality: 8
i own a 2003 ac 30 vox with bluedogs, i use a gibson es325 with 7 differnet effects pedals and the amp screams when need to be and whispers when it needs to! the only thing i wish it had is a distorted chanel but u can use a preamp and keep the amp running hot!
Reliability: 7
my vox has never broken down on me and i've toured with it for 3 years but it does make a high pitched funny noise when i play certain notes which is annoying when you are recording! I replaced the valves but the problem is still there but the amp sounds beautiful with the new valves! get a good roadcase!!
Customer Support: N/A
i've never had to deal with custome support!
Overall Rating: 9
i've been playing for 13 years and owned 4-5 amps(orange,fender twin,ashton,messa boogie) in my time all in bands and the only amp that is responsive to my playing is a vox.....
Submitted by joel at 06/01/2005 20:12
Price Paid: 1500 (Canadian) used
Features: 8
We estimate it to be built around 1973, and it is still in pretty damn good condition. (In fact it looks like it was babied its entire life.)
Still stock, no mods that I am aware of, and it's got the standard AC30 combo features. 212 Vox speakers, vib-trem circut (with the original foot switch to switch from vibrato to tremelo) the three volumes for the three seperate channels (vib-trem, normal, brilliant) two band EQ and a cut switch which works in reverse. (I believe this is normal for the AC30 according to the manual for my Vox AD60VT amp.)
Class A 30w...but man is it fucking loud!
Features are a 8 considering when the amp was built. I don't know much about vintage amps, but I'm guessing that back in this era having three sepearte channels (even if they are not switchable) is still quite versatile!
Sound Quality: 10
My main rig consists of an Epiphone ES-335 with Gibson Burstbucker II and 500T pickups. I used to run into a mesa boogie with a plethora of effects until recently. Currently my pedal chain goes: 1970's Vox Wah (or Union Jack reissue), Fender PT10 tuner, Daddy-O overdrive, Ibanez Lo-Fi...however this is where it gets messed up. To really make this amp work overtime I did something really messed up... Apex A/B/Y box. The A channel goes to a Voodo Lab Tremelo, then to the Brilliant channel of the AC30, the B channel goes to a Seymour Duncan Pickup Booster, and then to the Normal channel of the amp.
So now that I explained my setup, I can explain the sound.
When I plug in dry, and setup for a nice growly drive I find the amp is WAY to loud for my basement suite or most of the venues I play (and they thought the Mesa was painful!) so I use the pickup booster to add tons of gain but still keep the volume down. By hitting the preamp this hard I can still get a huge crunch, but without the police showing up at my door for being too loud. And man, does this amp growl! Its got such a deep throughty voice it just seems to be made for my customized ES335!
When I want a clean tone I use the brillant channel (since it doesn't break up till much later when you crank the volume) and delivers an almost fender like sparkle when activated.
However with all of this great tone their is one problem... when powering up there is no standby switch, so there is a spike of high voltage hitting the preamp that makes a loud crackling noise when its warming up. This crackling really messes up the tone of my guitar and sends it awol. For this reason I will probably install a standby.
Other than that this amp is great for my alternative rock styling!
Reliability: 5
Dependability is a very big question when dealing with amps that are 30 years old... However it has been babied and I did get a tech to look it over before I made the purchase and he says it's tip top! I would probably gig without a backup if I had to, but most of the time my Vox Cambridge 30R comes with me as an acoustic amp anyways.
Customer Support: 10
Vox are owned by Ericson music, who in turn owns Marshall...and this is definatly not a bad thing...as long as you find the right people to talk to. I've never inquired about this amp inparticular, but when I couldn't download a manual from the Vox site for my Tonelab and AD60VT units, I did get a quick reply by E-mail from a Vox rep who mailed me the manuals overnight and sure enough...they were in my hand within the next two days! Very great company to deal with indeed.
Overall Rating: 10
I've been playing for close to a decade now, and have always been a huge fan of budget guitars (Epiphone and the Japanese Squires) but have always sought after an incredible amp...and I feel my wait is finally over. After playing through a Mesa Boogie Dual Rec for over a year, and almost buying an orange Rockerverb 100, I must say that this amp was probably the best purchase I have ever made!
I just can't wait to record and use it on the road!
If it were lost or stollen... I don't know what I would do... probably buy a reissue or something.
Submitted by Anonymous at 02/20/2005 12:18
Price Paid: 570 + 900 (£) used
Features: 6
I recently buy a AC30 TB from 2002 with Greenback speakers (£ 900,-) to replace my old ac30 from 1960-62 with (replaced?) Rola-Celestion G12 speakers. This amp was in a very bad condition when I bought it (£ 570,-), and it has a (later buildt in) bas and treble on the back.
I find both amps very good, if not the best, for blues and rock. I use to play Fender Blues De Ville and Blues De Luxe, Marshall JCM 900 halfstack, Marshall JTM60, Trace Elliott and Musicman amps, but the AC30 beats the hell out of all these amps.
Sound Quality: 10
Mostly I play Gibson Les Paul Costum and Fender US Standard Stratocaster with it's standard Pick-Ups, which I find gives the best variety. These guitars simply sounds great and different on AC30's!
I find the increased distorted sound at higher volumes very cool, and the warm and crystalclear bright sound before 12 o'clock at the volume great for my music style.
Reliability: 10
The AC30 is a very relieable amp, and it wont let you down. I chance tubes every 2 years, and i only use American NOS (Sylvania, RCA, GE) or Westeuropian (Philips, Mullard, Telefunken) tubes.
Customer Support: 10
I allways get my repairs done by a nearby living tube-doctor, who also happens to be a great guitarplayer. In his younger days he'd listen to The Shadows, The Yardbirds and many other Vox-playing bands live, and he knows exactly how the AC30 should sound.
Overall Rating: 10
This is the ultimate amp for me. I'd tried tons of different amps, but I find the AC30 the best.
Submitted by JO at 01/10/2005 07:15
Price Paid: 50 (Quid) used
Features: 5
I think mine is a 1961. I once took it to an amp repairer who used to work in the old Vox factory in Dartford and he reckoned that date tho apparently it's not possible to tell exactly. No features, even the Vib/Trem channel was bust in 1976 when I bought it, for £50 ($80?). An AC30 only really suits 'earthy' sounds, but is unsurpassed at those.
Sound Quality: 10
I'm old so I've used many guitars with it. All good but it sure does love a Strat in particular, and pretty much any Strat at that. All the twang plus all the power, all at the same time. The bottom end is probably the most impressive aspect, very full but well-defined, though you can pull out all the harmonic squeals you need if you want them. I only ever use the 'normal' channel and boost the top-end externally, the 'bright' channel is too 'poppy' for me and lacks a bit of guts (though good for 'jangly' chord stuff).
Reliability: 6
I'm a bit nervous abt dragging the old girl around nowadays, though she's never let me down at critical moments. She blew once (only) at home and after a quick overhaul was fine, but I wld carry a backup amp now if i used it on gigs. Trouble is, the sound of any backup is always going to be very different unless it's another AC30.
Customer Support: N/A
N/A.
Overall Rating: 10
I'd been playing 4 years when I got this and it was my first real amp - I thought they all sounded this good LOL. An AC30 will not be versatile enough if you're required to do a range of styles but if you play vintage pop (natch) or blues/rock then this is not going to be beaten, though you will need to boost it a bit (a simple power boost, not a distortion box) for the latter to get it to really sing. But sing it will, from a deep throaty growl to a needle-sharp squeal.
Submitted by mike at 10/04/2004 10:03
Price Paid: 200 (IR£) used
Features: 7
I think mine is a late 70s model, back to valves after a transistor period? It's a non top-boost, classic three-channel affair, with a plastic pedal switch for the trem channel.
Sound Quality: 10
When I bought this opld AC30 sometime in the late eighties, it was the holy grail for me. back then everyone was into angled-headtstock guitars and transistors amps with ultra-clean, ultra-processed sounds. I wanted vintage, creamy overdrive and tube grit and for a paltry £200 i got that and more. It was quite simply the holy grail. For Brian May, Jimmy Page, Edge tones it was everything I wanted. The sound, when cranked, was simply awesome. Lush, thick overdrive, harmonically rich, just beautifulloy musical. And then my dog chewed through the speaker cover, wrecked one speaker, which i replaced with a celestion and since then it's never been the same. the richness simply isn't there anymore. To anyone buying one of these, have a look at the speakers, check what they are and if they're not original, think about replacing them with correct ones. The celestion I put in sounds weak and too clean. I have to find an alternative. I'm giving a 10 for sounds cause i remember it pre-canine canines
Reliability: 7
I've had it repaired once, which took ages and i was happy with the repair job done. Now I feel it needs a complete overhaul, though I'm reluctant about replacing the tubes cause i reckon the inefficiency of age is what gives the amp half its tone
Customer Support: N/A
never been near Vox. would love to know what year my amp is though
Overall Rating: 10
I play a variety of electric guitars through the Vox (Epi G1275, Fender Telecaster, Strat, Hohner ST57, 59) and they all sound great. Using the amp I just go through an Ibanez Tubescreamer, a Sovtek Stone Stone and a DOD stereo Turbo Chorus and it all just used to sing. These days though, I'm mostly home recording on PC and through a Roland VS2480, so I tend to put the guitars through amp sims etc. The Vox is, sadly, just too loud to use at home. But I will never, ever sell it. It's a family heirloom at this stage!
Submitted by Anonymous at 08/08/2004 10:49
Price Paid: £425 (English Pounds)
Features: 10
I own a 1992 ac 30 TB and have recently had enquiries for selling it. Although it's not a 1960s holy grail, it does have a Motherboard with the tube bases soldered on. All the other components are either on that single board, or are very neatly wired onto it giving rise to excellent reliability. No, really, this amp has been driven at full pelt, and believe me, it almost was laughing at me to turn it up even louder. As it's been a studio amp for the time I've had it, it's still in near mint condition, so I suppose my twenty minute ear wax removal excersise doesn't count for much, but I like it.
Sound Quality: 10
I use a standard American Strat, a Guild Starfire and a Maverick Extreme through this amp so pickup variants don't faze this amp too much. Single coils can be a little buzzy, humbuckers are creamy and the pickups in the Maverick give a real gutsy, hard distortion. I find that mixing the bright normal and the normal bright channels together (through a Pod Processor, wierd eh?), gives me the best results when playing using the Strat. The settings I use for the Guild mostly go through the bright normal channel as I require a rich sound which I get by the truckload, for jazz, blues and a small tweek on the volume can send the amp to give that hair tingling lead break sound no one else can get when this amp is warmed up and firing through my Bluesbreaker speakers. the Maverick uses the bright channel settings. Enough said!
Reliability: 10
It's never broken down on me. I've replaced one of the smoothing capacitors as it was getting a little noisy but reliability is the key word. I would say that If I ever gigged this amp, I wouldn't need a backup
Customer Support: N/A
N/A
Overall Rating: 10
These amps are expensive. I've been playing for twenty six years as a guitarist, tutor, session player, engineer and rock guitarist and I've come accross some fantastic setups, but for sheer reliability and versatility, you can't beat a vox, so you get what you pay for. I'll love 'em till I die!
Submitted by Joules at 03/27/2004 11:25
Price Paid: US $1030 used
Features: 9
This is a review for a 6 input 1962 vox ac30b with the factory installed top-boost module. It is a 2x12 combo laoded with celestion silver alnico speakers. Theya re not original, but the original blues were destroyed by a previous owner. It features 3 channels (trem/vibrato, normal, and brilliant -- which describes both the tone and the design). I'm sure everyone knows what the controls are on an ac30, but just in case: universal tone control (labeled cut on later models), 3 independent channel volumes, trem/vib toggle rotary, and trem/vibe rate control. On the back there is a silver plate with treble and bass knobs that are some of best centered controls on any amp. All the channels can be run together and both the high and low gain inputs sound stellar depending on what sort of sound you're looking for. I could try to descrine the sound of the channels, but you just have to play one and see for yourself how perfect it is.
Now for complaints: the vib/trem rate control does not go slow enough for my liking. It needs a wider range, especially for the tremelo. The amp also has an atrocious ground. Whoever soldered the gorundpoint made a msitake somewhere ebcause there is a ground loop that is very audible when the amp is cranked. Its still a very quite amp as tube amps go.
Sound Quality: 10
I've used the amp with 2 different alder body strats, both loaded with hot single coils, an es335, and an ash bodied tele. The results? OUTSTANDING. All the channels lack headroon, bu the overdrive is transparent and very touch responsive. Its sometimes tough to tell if you're drigving the amp or if the tone is just really compressed. Humbuckers are a little mroe overtly overdriven at low volumes, but extremely rich in useful harmonic overtones. I own 3 marshalls including a plexi and a jcm800 and this amp shames them both. Its so ahrd to describe the sound of this amp and its amazing versatility from jazz to full on british growl. You just have to hear it to believe it.
Reliability: 5
This amp is designed to run HOT! As it turns out, mine runs hotter than spec. The schematic for the '62 ac30 appears toc all for a power transformer that can put out 280 volts... mine does 320! My tech and I (alright, just my tech, but Iw as in the rom with him) calculated that after the voltage drop from the tube rectifier it was still withing safe operating parameters. But not by much. You can fry an egg on this amp after the first few mintues of play and the 2 little vents over the pwoer section don't inpire a lot of confidence. I have been told not to worry about, just to baby it and change the pwoer tubes regularly. It hasn't ahd a problem yet, but its one seriously scary fire haz--- I mean amplifier!
Customer Support: N/A
the Vox company that built this amp no longer exists, the name is owned by korg... sicne JMI vox used to upgrade their odler models to top boosts during the '60s I can only assume that the customer support would be great if they were still around
Overall Rating: 7
to sum up: if you see a 60s JMI vox that has been top boosted or IS a top boost model at a price udner 2 grand, BUT IT! I don't care if you have to sell your mother on the streets to pay the creditcard bill off, when she hears this thing she will understand! On the other hand, it is a lot of money for an amp that seems likely to burst into flames every time you strike a chord. Its not for the faint of heart and not a worthwhile investment for a palyer who will not love it and take care of it.
Submitted by Jimi Budah at 11/03/2003 08:32
Price Paid: euro (550,00-1100,00) used
Features: 10
I have a couple of vintage ac30. The older was built about in 1969 (grey bulldogs equiped), it is in quite poor conditions, I shuld restore it..but when I record the hum is not that matter (sometimes it gives you that oldish atmosphere...). The second is an early '80ies one: cleaner than the other, is more flexible, but it could never give that particular tone of distortion of the other one. the reedition is more powerful: I think it's bad, for you have to play at a very loud volume to obtain the tipical sound vox is loved for: on stage you never need that power. I don't like too heavy playing..old vox suit to me
Sound Quality: N/A
You can set these amps as you want: warm blues sound, clean and bright a-la Shadows, a little bit crunchy with echo...and you play u2 covers!!! But if you turn the volume of the bright channel to 10, use the effects you want, you can emulate Hendrix or Lou reed in Metal Machine, you can do everything else to break down glass. The vibrato channel is good on my elder one, it has a very lo-fi sound which takes me away from every politelyness in playing..is romantically broken and raw. The normal channel is dark enough to cancel the eccess of hi-middles that I heard sometimes while searching for the good sound during strange recording sessions. In the newer, there's an anonimous reverb, not bad but not unforgettable, also the vibrato-tremolo is a little too dark to use it without mixing with the bright channel; anyawy, if you have a reedition, mean not to use anything but the bright channel: the only good one. If you want very clean sound on clean channel and so on, don't buy an ac30, but you don't know what you are losing.
Reliability: 10
Once I used to play out, but not very often in the last 4 years. I'm very nasty with my amps, but I've never had particular problems with'em. I used to have a '90ies vox, I used to have a fender bluse deville 212, but now I don't play if I don't have an old vox (ok..I can play on a new one if there's nothing else, at last is a very very good vox too...)
Customer Support: N/A
never needed
Overall Rating: 10
I own a Rickenbacker 330/vp and a standard strat (both lefty!!!), I put a digitech 2112 between the guitar and the amp. I like '60ies beat rythm guitars, I like surf (do you know Dick Dale?) I like Jimi Hendrix and U2, I put everything into my two vox with the help of the right setting of effects, and I guess I could do a lot more with the ac30. I admit that you have to love that kind of amps to appreciate it
Submitted by Matteo at 02/25/2003 10:43
Price Paid: N/A
Features: 9
im planning on getting a ac30 myself i heard its the best tone in the world for all out rock....
Sound Quality: 9
i use my gibson custom with an emg-81 and just the stock for rhythm....i think it would fit anyone whos looking for that jimmy page rawness ;)
Reliability: 10
i can depend in it a lot...you can use it anywhere and i think it has an external output for a cab...i think..and its raw tone and the tubes that it has:5 ECC83s and one ECC82 in the pre-amp stage, 4 EL84s in the power stage, and a GZ34 rectifier tube its an all out war in this amp ;)
Customer Support: N/A
Overall Rating: 10
this amp gives you 110% and you will be satsified if you want that crunchy zeppelin tone :)and its good for any types of rock
Submitted by Anonymous at 02/22/2003 05:38
Price Paid: US $1000 used
Features: 9
I have owned this amp for about three years. It's a 1993 model(the first year Korg took over). I play Christian Rock and for this style there is no other. If your reading this article then you are already familiar with the amps features! Though not extensive, the features get the job done. Rather nicely I might add!
Sound Quality: 10
My main choice is an American Tele. I also use a Gibson LP Standard. The tele sounds more "VOX" than does the Gibson, but the LP still sounds amazing. The Vox AC-30 is one of the most sought after tones in the history of electric guitar. What more can I say? If you do not play larger venues, then I would recommend the AC-15. The AC-30 is too hot to get the tube saturation that is needed for that Vox patented sound! Still yet at lower volumes, the quality is better than most.
Reliability: 10
Like I said previously, I've owned the amp for three years. The only problem I've ever encountered has been the fuses. But any quick fluctuation in power current can cause a fuse to pop. Aside from the fuses (which I keep extra on stage) the only other purchases I've made concerning the Vox have been, of course tubes, and a flightcase.
Fuses are going to go out, tubes are going to go bad, all in all the Vox AC-30 is very dependable.
Customer Support: 5
I contacted the company to inquire about some n.o.s. mullard tubes. They never e-mailed me back. That was about six months ago. Hey, maybe they are busy. I'm neutral in this category.
Overall Rating: 10
I've been playing for about 15 years, and no other amp compares. At the time of purchase I was debating between the Vox and a Boogie. Yeah the Boogie has more features and sounds great, but the Vox still hails in comparison. This amp is not for metal. Instead, it caters to the British/Southern Rock sound!
Submitted by Jason at 01/28/2003 07:23
Price Paid: 150 (UK pounds)
Features: N/A
My AC30 is a 1965 non top boost model. I have owned it about 4 years. I got it with no front grille, so I had to buy a reissue grill for it As for features it's pretty well known, except mine has the footswitch missing and so the tremolo doesn't work. It has hardly any 'features' just three channels, each with a volume, and an overall cut which cuts out the high frequencies.
So no rating because you don't buy one of these for features, if they made a split channel super EQ version it probably would sound awful.
Sound Quality: 10
I use this amp with a strat with EMGs and a boost switch, and a tele with EMGs including a bridge humbucker. There is a bit of hiss when loud but less than a high gain type amplifier (I have owned loads of amps, and currently own 7)
The sound is ace, quite different from Fender or Marshall. For clean it makes a good pingy/chimey clean, that sounds 'rich' but not distorted. When turned up all the way it does a great overdrive sound. It is also good for 'touch responsive' playing, if turned up loud and you back off on how you hit the guitar, or turn down the guitar volume.
Has to be a 10 for me, but the sound is not very adjustable, you either like it or you don't. It works well with distortion pedals for gigs where you can't turn it up full. Also works ok but not brilliant with a power soak (mine is the THD which is ace with the Marshalls I've got)
It is very loud. If there is a weakness it is that even at quite large gigs up to a few hundred people it is still too loud!
In the studio situation, it is really good for that 'slightly distorted' sound, for picky parts or chords etc.
Reliability: 10
I have a spare, but I've done about 100 gigs with it over several years, not even new tubes. In fact after about 2 years of gigging about every week, I decided to take it to a repair shop and get it cleaned up. So maybe I'm lucky, but it's never broken down.
I have had crap in the pots making them crackle though, but that will happen to any amp.
Customer Support: N/A
Never needed repair, but easy to fix, except for finding original components, transformers etc you'd have to replace with new ones.
Overall Rating: 10
I've been playing about 15 years, i own 2 vintage marshalls, JTM45 and superlead, a Marshall JCM2000, a fender Princeton (transistor one), and a vox Climax (looks like an AC30 -125 watt valve 2x12 combo)
None of the other amps do what the AC30 can do (and vice versa)
I am very glad I bought it. If lost or stolen i would definitely buy another
Submitted by Mat Grant at 01/14/2003 10:48
Price Paid: US $750 used
Features: 9
Mine is a 1992 RI ac30...bought it second-hand in 1994 for $750. The fellow selling it to me had a second identical ac30 and I kick myself for not having bought it, too. It came with 2 Celestion "Greenbacks", but I hear the Bulldog speakers kick every other speaker's ass...don't know personally, never played through them. It has the typical 3-channels, but I only ever use the Brilliant channel, the others are too limited for my needs.
Sound Quality: 10
I used to play a Rickenbacker 360 through it...couldn't have asked for a more pure, magical sound. Of course to achieve that beautiful Vox distortion you gotta crank it up pretty loud, which doesn't go over very well in a small club setting...I used to turn the amp around (facing the back wall) to curb some of the sonic assault. Also, it has such a sparkling high end, borderline shrill at times...cutting back on the guitar's tone control usually curbed some of that...in the end I found the lack of overdrive to volume ratio to be too limited for me, so I had a master volume custom installed on it. I also had a switch put on which allows me the option of toggling between the drive of a standard ac30 and that of an ac15, a subtle tonal difference, but nice to have the option. This amp is pretty near perfect, though being "class A" it demands consistent tune-ups. I now play a Les Paul and an SG...best sounding amp ever. I custom-made a little door to put on the back of the amp which allows me to close the amp for tighter low end...I find it nice to have that option when I need it.
Reliability: 9
Had a lot of tune-ups over the years and a few small minor repairs (tube replacements aside). I blew a capacitor onstage once, but it was easily repaired and I haven't had any breakdowns since. Had a master volume installed which didn't affect the tone one bit. I looked into having a "point to point" done to it, but more than one repair person told me it wasn't worth the price, being that the circuit boards used on the RI's would have to be totally ripped apart, etc. I'm not giving up, though. I think every ac30 is different, and I've heard many others complain of the unreliability of the later RI's under rigorous use, but my ac30 has been going strong for 10 years. Just like any temperamental piece of equipment (musical or otherwise) it's good to bring it into the shop for tune-ups on a regular basis. If you have the means and are particularly cautious by nature, buy a second ac30 for backup. Nothing's better than an ac30, except perhaps 2 ac30's!
Customer Support: N/A
Never dealt directly with the company as far as repairs were concerned, though a few years ago I called for a schematic and had no problem at all in getting one. I've been lucky in having dealt with some fantastic tube amplifier repair people, so before purchasing one of these amps, make sure you have someone reliable and reputable at hand.
Overall Rating: 10
I've been on the quest for the best sounding amp forever now, and I keep thinking that this or that amp might be better than the ac30, but I always come back to the source. I choose to run a stereo rig onstage; I've paired the ac30 with an Ampeg v-4, with a Marshall 50-watt and most recently with an Orange Retro50. I like the combination of a fat closed-back amp with the ac30 tone, but either way, I'd never part from the ac30.
Submitted by Anonymous at 11/16/2002 13:39
Price Paid: US $1500.00
Features: 10
It is a Korg re-issue bought in 2001.It was the greatest sounding amp
ever. I used delay and distortion for leads in a 60's dance band.
Never used the Tremolo channel it didn't really do the kind of trem
I like,plus enormous lack of sound in Trem.It was plenty loud.I used it 5 nites a week in my lounge band, never pushed it.
Sound Quality: 10
Sound was the greatest in the world
Reliability: 1
It stopped working exactly one year after I bought it.I have been
devestated, The stand by light stayed on after it was unplugged and no sound, believe me I loved this thing,and I really babied it.It has
been in the shop since February 2002.In retrospect I have learned that these R.I. Vox A.C. 30'S are printed circuit boards and the chasis design is so bad that no one can really work on them.I regret this but if I can alert one person I feel that it could be helpfull. It is heart breaking.In retrospect I would buy a J.M.I. Vox from Plexipalace for $2850.00 because in the long run that's what it will cost to get my Vox back.
Customer Support: 1
Forget it they are in England and I live in Florida,plus I bought it thru Musician's friend,so no one locally would help.The warrenty is one year.
Overall Rating: 4
I still want one,but it is a very expensive venture.
Submitted by Mark Hendricks at 09/20/2002 18:16
Price Paid: 1235.99 (Canadian)
Features: 10
Brand new amp purchased in May 2002! Three channels, THREE!!!! After coming from a two channel Red Knob Fender Twin, I'm very happy. No reverb though...Tremelo is nice, better than the Boss Tremelo pedal (Actually sold the stomp a few weeks after purchasing the amp.) For a replacement of my old Twin, I don't think thier anything out there I would rather have to play Ska and Surf through!
Sound Quality: 10
Guitar(s):Danelectro U2 Guitar, Vantage Avenger, BC Rich, Epiphone "The Dot"
Pedal(s): Danelectro Cool Cat, Danelectro Black Coffee, Fender Chromatic Tuner, Boss Blues Driver, Crybaby Wah, Boos Acoustic Simulator
My main guitar is the Danelectro U2, and I'm very very happy with the sound. I actually went out and tried Messa Boogies, Marshals, Randals, Fenders, and Yorkvilles trying to find a sound that suited my Ska, Surf, and Punk playing style, and my guitars. I brought both my U2 and my Epiphone when I test drove the amps, and looked for the differense in the sound and ease of creating the sounds I wanted with the least amount of tinkering with the knobs. The result was the VOX AC30! I still can't get over the sound of this amp!
Reliability: N/A
I just bought the amp, so I can't really judge. But I know I wouldn't bring a backup with me to a gig!
Customer Support: N/A
havn't delt with them at this time
Overall Rating: 10
After my Fender Red knob Twin blew up in my face, I searched long and hard for a replacement, and it came down to the Vox. Ska is beautiful through this guitar, as is Surf, Punk, Emo, Metal, and Rock. I can change between playing styles and still be happy with the amp! One minute I will pump though some Matthew Good band inspired riffs, then change it up for some 2-Tone Ska, without ever changing channels! While using my Fender, I often had to change channels. I'm very surprised at the quality of this amp!
Submitted by Luke at 05/29/2002 02:08
Price Paid: trade
Features: 10
First off, feature wise it is excellent, the vib/trem are excellent. 3 Let me start by adressing the speaker issue, mine has the green speakers and the sound awsome. when trying to get some info on the green speakers I could not find any , so let me tell you that the green speakers sound just fine. It is cheaper and if you want you can always add the freakin BLUE speakers. three different channels, 3 different tones, pretty cool. no reverb, but not really needed. I am giving it a high rating in the features dept, because....... it is a f....ing amplifier, not swiss army knife. and face it all the features if the swiss army knife are kind of weak. who uses the toothpick?
Sound Quality: 10
I play a prs with dragon 2 pickups. I use a budda wah + , mesa v-twin, digitech whammy 1, boss dd5, and a boss sampler(backwards soloing). My guitar staight into this thing is sweet. this amp responds differently to every pickup setting, in a way that for the first time I have been acctualy enjoying the different sounds.Havent had that with preevious amps. This amp sounds and responds to everything you do amzingly cool. I use this amp in a modern rock outfit, lots of delay . I have had many different kinds of amps, mesa tremoverb, blue angel, peavey classic 50, jc120, art dst 25, fender super reverb, crate club 50... none have sounded as good as this. I have played three gigs with it so far, have enjoyed the sound of it eveynight. the more I play this amp the more I love it, the only thing cooler than this amp would be two of this amp. check the players, the edge, radiohead, brain may, frank black, the beatles, if that is not versatility, then I don't know. this amp really loud.
Reliability: N/A
no trouble, yet.
Customer Support: N/A
Overall Rating: 10
definately a 10, i have been looking for this amp for a long time, i spent a lot of money and tiime on differnt amps, none as cool as this one. I finally realized one night that all my favorite bands and artists used these amps, so why not try it myself. best amp choice I ever made. I have been able to make ever amp i have ever had sound pretty good, but have always quickly noticed what it could not do. I was starting to think I would need to have an array of amps to get various sound, now I can see that with different guitars i can have all those variations wihtout, all the weight, and power cords and mikes, this amp kicks ass. Dear thiefs, if you ever steal my vox, I will kill you, not before I beat you. and, no wait better yet, I will kill everyone you love and let you live, and then I will chop off your feet and shove them up your ass.then everyone will know who tried to steal my vox, so please don't steal my vox, and that goes for any of my gear.
Submitted by Anonymous at 05/23/2002 01:42
Price Paid: 500 (GBP) used
Features: N/A
1960? I think. You know what features it has... Non top boost model.
Sound Quality: 9
The speakers were replaced when it was still quite new with Goodmans ones which are alnico like the original Vox speakers and after AB'ing this one with an all original one, I thought this one sounded better and it was cheaper!
I use it with a '74 Tele Custom and a '63 SG Junior.
The SG jr was made for this amp! I play Rock / Power Pop / Punk as part of a 3 piece + vocalist, so being the only guitarist, I need a big sound, so I run a Mesa V-twin infront of it.
This set up sounds so damn good, but the amp is unbeleivably directional. If you're not facing the amp square-on, you can't hear it during a gig.
This amp must be mic'ed up or the audience will not hear you. I am looking for another one, maybe a TB to run alongside this one, I think that AC30's were made to work as part of an army on stage 'cos when you hear two or more together they produce what I consider to be the best and ballsiest Rock tone ever...Just listen to anything by Queen (whether you like Queen or not).
I chain all 3 channels together with patch leads and usually run all 3 volume pots about 1/2 way (about the right level for on stage), then punish the input with the V-twin and the sound is tight as hell. You can almost hear the amp getting hotter and hotter (it gets too hot to touch the off switch after a few hours use!!!)
Basically this amp barks and snarls and when I play a venue big enough I will have a whole row of them blasting away!!
Reliability: 7
I've used it without a backup before and I will again. This thing is 40 years old and gets as hot as a nuclear reactor, but it has never even complained in the slightest...I know it is only a matter of time, but I like to fly by the seat of my pants anyway. Once I get another, I will have one still snarling if one packs up mid set.
Customer Support: N/A
Not applicable.
I wond if I should call Vox to see if the warranty is still running on this amp!!!
Overall Rating: 9
I've been playing 12 years and had this amp for 2. I had always put off an AC30 because of the size and weight, but I've realised that you can't play gigs with small amps...Oh well, I'd better get a back brace...
If it were stolen I'd get another, you can find an AC30 easy in London, and they vary in price from really low to stupid high, but in short I'll always be able to replace it, because even though they all sound a bit different to each other, they all sound great when cranked.
Submitted by Anonymous at 09/10/2001 08:21
Price Paid: US $1350.00
Features: 6
Brilliant, Normal and Trem channels with a volume for each. It is non-channel switching and has a bass and treble for the brilliant with a high cut knob that effects the output of all channels. No FX loop, reverb or any of that stuff just pure tone out of the "packed full of tubes" amp. I wish that the ac30 had a channel with a gain on it like it's little brother the ac15 although if you use hot pickups you'll get gain even if you don't want it.
Sound Quality: 7
I'm using Gibson Les Paul Standards and play rock, pop and some metal. I purchased the amp to use for clean tone and A/B between the AC30 and my Hughes & Kettner Tube 50 head/Marshall 1960tv cab. It's an amazing 30 or 33 watts rms... pretty loud. BUT with the les pauls this amp is hard to keep it clean. Works great for another dirty amp if I try to turn the volume from 10 o'clock upwards. I must admit, it was the tone that I was looking for at low volumes.
Reliability: 9
Haven't gig'd with it more than 3 times... my H&K seems to do the job by it's self. In the studio and for rehersal it does a good job.
Customer Support: N/A
Overall Rating: 7
I've played guitar for around 20 years and this amp definately is a tone machine. I've owned Marshalls, vintage Fenders galore, Hughes & Kettner, Mesa, Peavey, and was tricked into buying a line 6 ax 2x12 once. I love the tone and the compression that the tube rectifier gives... what I dis-like is that the amp breaks up to early while using a les paul. I'd hate to change guitars since they sound like a dream through the Hughes & Kettner. If it broke down or something I'd just have to let it go and stick with the H&K gear since it seems to do the job better for me. Sorry to all the vox lovers for that comment (I'm one also). For a more versitile tone look for another tube amp because these AC30's are not all that cheap but for the same investment you can get something that has better features to suite your needs... try out a Triamp or Duo-tone by Hughes & Kettner.
Submitted by Anonymous at 07/23/2001 00:42
Price Paid: US alot. it was chromed. read on. used
Features: N/A
1964. Plexi Palace (Victor Mason and his tech Craig refurbished this amp from the ground up. They even chromed the chassis and trannies, stunning! Not a cheap option, but unreal. This amp has the Top Boost channel. That gives it 3 channels. Vibro trem, Standard and Top boost. High and low gain in each. Basic old circuit. No standby. Power tubes are 4 el84 power tubes. 30w 2x12 combo . 15w vox blue celestions, best in the world. My pre-amp tubes were changed from 12ax7 to the old style ef86, my request. Oh my god what a sound! More woody, more gain, no ice picky tones.
Sound Quality: 10
This is the best blues amp in the history of man kind. I like fender to but there's no comparison. Touch sensitive, sweet sustainy top end and unbeleivably tight bottom, not flabby like a fender. You know the sound you hear on the records with firm botttom ala S.R.V. but can't get live, well this does it. Ive been playing for 35 yrs. and have lived with the cool old amps, fender, marshall,ampeg(way under appreciated)and boogie. Growing up in the U.S. we didnt have any real Vox in my neoghborhood. So I never owned one until now. Damn, alot of wasted time. I can get pretty heavy rock tones which are great but the blues thing is so happening.The top boost channel is what i use almost exclusivley.The treble and bass controls are so effective, extreme tone variation. The sparkling highs can be completely tamed and the bottom can get very full, just amazing. I can't get a bad sound. There's enough range in the controls if your tone deaf I guess you could screw it up, but anyone with an I.Q. above there shoe size should be alright. I dont use effects on this at this time. The pure sound is too cool. I use a hot plate and will run out of the line out on the hot plate to an effect into a power amp to a speaker keeping the straight sound untouched. I could go on but better stop. I use all the main guitars,strat,tele,les paul,335. Just can't get a bad sound with any of them. Each retains it's distinct character and signature sounds.
Reliability: N/A
I haven't had it too long but I play it hard. I'm sure it'll be fine because its just been gone through.I guess time will tell.
Customer Support: 10
The Plexi Palace is the premier vintage Vox and Marshall outlet in the world. Victor Mason has consentrated on bringing these amps back to there original glory. He knows the way these should sound and knows how to restore them. They've done work for Eric Johnson, Peter Frampton and Van Halen. If your going to get an amp like this, dont be stupid, just call them. There on the net. He'll even demo them over the phone, very cool.
Overall Rating: 10
I own lots of equipment. All very cool. JTM 45, (Plexi Palace again) 61 Fender Pro, Ampegs and Boogies,etc. The Vox is the one amp I'll never be without again. Original ac15's are very cool too. Do yourself a favor and just by one. Come to think of it, better ask them about the ef86 tube change, maybe that's one reason this amp is so amazing.
Submitted by Anonymous at 05/12/2001 21:56
Price Paid: US $1800.00
Features: N/A
This is one of the New-release AC-30s, with: two Celestion Alnico 12" speakers, three channels, 35 watts (British rating), a vibrato/tremolo pedal.
Sound Quality: 10
My primary electrics are a Fender Strat (Standard) with hotter pickups, and a Rickenbacker 360 V63-12. Obviously, this amp was made for guitars such as these, particularly if your ears are attuned to 60's guitar sounds. American players who first see a wattage rating of 35 watts, before hearing the amp, are likely to raise an eyebrow in the "...so what do I do if I actually want some VOLUME???" kind of reaction. You needn't worry. Does it punch like a Fender Twin or 100 watt Marshall? no. Does it put out enough sound to effectively cover a mid-sized club in a three or four-piece band? Absolutely. And if you need a lot more volume than the AC-30 puts out, you should probably be miking it through your mains anyway.
As for "tone" or "sound" -- that's where the AC-30 comes into it's own element. Short and sweet? Nothing I've yet heard matches the clean, singing, airy sound of the AC-30 through the first half of its volume range. Thereafter, it gets decidedly meatier, eventually arriving at a sweet, full sustain, with rich, 4KHz+ highlights.
I've started using it with my RP-300 Digitech pedal, and generally find that I'm relying less on the pedal than I did with either my Deville 2X12, or my Jazz Chorus 77. When an amp sounds this good, a lot of added effect is redundant.
Reliability: N/A
I haven't had the amp long enough to determine what the "service and upkeep" story is going to be. My understanding from asking several AC-30 owners and reading numerous reviews is, that is will require a little more attention than it's yankee counterparts as time goes on. Time will tell. I accept that potential to have a box that sounds this good.
Customer Support: N/A
This is a UK firm, and I live in the Northeastern U.S., so my repair/support resources are local, and considerable in their capabilities.
Overall Rating: 9
So far (3 months), my only gripe about this amp is the slovenly finish quality. The covering was discolored (oops... "Discoloured" in UK-speak)on both ends, almost as if scuffed, -- straight from the factory. I was the one who opened the shipping box, so I can say this with confidence. Also, the handles seemed to have been moulded from an inferior plastic batch, as they too were discoloured.
How much does this matter, overall? A Ferrari 365 GTB Daytona with some paint flaws is still a formidable, extremely valuable automobile. Ditto, my AC-30. I can live with it.
Additionally, $1800 smackers (call it 1,200 pounds, british sterling)is a lot of 'jack' for a simple 2X12 Guitar amp. We're talking the cash equivalent of almost three of my Deville 2 X 12 amps. So, is it a tremendous value? Nope. But then... nothing else I've ever heard sounds like this box. This is the "REAL DEAL". Another reviewer, at another review site wrote "...you either get it, or you don't". I couldn't say it any better. If you're looking for the real British 60's, clear, ringing, rich, sweet guitar sound, no modeling amp, pedal or circuit yet made will give you what the Vox AC-30 will give you. Period. So... Value for money spent? 8.0 Quality of sound? 10.0
Submitted by Lachlan MacLearn at 04/23/2001 10:25
Price Paid: US $2,850 (and well worth it) used
Features: 1
This is a classic vintage 1964 top boost JMI AC-30 with silver Alnico's, three channels (trem, norm, bright). The usual controls (you all know them by now). It's 33 rms watts of VERY LOUD tube power. It's main feature, TONE TO DIE FOR.
Sound Quality: 10
The amp is truely a classic. To my ear, it sounds so good, there really are no words. Either you "get it" or you don't. I play mostly blues, vintage rock and my own stuff. If you're a purist whose seriously into C&W or jazz, MAY be there are better choices.
My guitars, exemplifying my (hopefully) good taste in elegant simplicity and reverence for the classics, consist of primarily a very vintage pristine 1968 Gibson SG-standard, supplemented by an American Fender Strat and an American Fender Tele. Of the lot, there really is no "better" sounding guitar. They all sound incredible, yet distinctly different. And frankly, every guitar will sound unique to the guitarist playing it. To my ear, and in my hands (personal preference), the SG plugged into the AC-30 sounds like God and touches my soul.
The amp distorts magnificently and is perfectly controled (for my purposes) via a THD Hot Plate. If you're playing huge venues, obviousl you can simply amp it through the sound board, as a friend of mine does regularily with awesome results. Personally I'm not really big on stomp boxes. Nor am I big on emulating the sounds of other greats. I think you have to find your place and explore the hell out of it. From my perspective, this amp coupled to quality guitar and in the hands of tallented genius (which I am not) renderes the boundaries of creative exploration limitless.
I think that the one thing that you will notice (I did) common to every thread regarding evaluations of the AC-30's (vintage and re-issue alike) is the "sound" evaluation. Everyone seems to agree that they are incomparable. Their own unaltered distortion is as sweet as the proverbial "Tupelo Honey."
Reliability: N/A
I just got this Vox, so I can't really attest to it's historical reliability. However, in the late 60's/early 70's I owned/played a pair of Royal Guardsman's (Ya, I know, Thomas Organ - Solid State), but I found them very sturdy and essentially bullet proof. Neither one ever failed on a gig (but that's really comparting "apples to oranges."
I can attest to the fact that I have complete confidence in this rig (because of its source: Plexi Palace) and it will definately be going on the road with me (in an Anvil Case, with an armed guard). I really don't expect it to break down on a gig, but really why trip without a spare tire?
Tubes are tubes. We all know how they work (marvelously).
Customer Support: 10
As we all know, JMI is history. Mine came from Plexi Palace. What more can I say? Victor Mason is not only a tech genius and an excellent musician, but he's one of the most caring dedicated professionals I have ever had the privilege of knowing. Vic is a cool guy and Plexi delivers. IF mine EVER needs professional service, it goes to Victor. Period. In fact, I wouldn't even own another amp that didn't come from him, and that's a fact (Thanks Vic).
Overall Rating: N/A
I've been playing (guitar) over 35 years. In terms of amps, I've owned Kustom's, Fenders, Vox's and Marshall's. I've also played through various others, i.e., Peavey's, Hiwatt, Soldano, etc. I'm vary particular and definite about what I like. Vox's have always "pegged my meter to the max" and this AC (the first I've ever owned) is a perfect "10." I knew what it was, I love what it is and it does what it's supposed to. How do you beat that?
If it were lost I would absolutely replace it the same way that I acquired it. If it were stolen, I would wait until the thief found his/her way to a state with no death penalty to recover it.
There is nothing that I hate about the amp. There is nothing that I don't love about it. I did, in fact, compare it to a plethora of other amps before selecting it. In the end, it came down to a vintage Marshall (which as I've said, I owned previously) or this one. In the end, I made the decision by following my heart - works (for me) every time, and with "a little help from my friend" (Vic).
Submitted by Rick at 02/22/2001 10:55
Price Paid: US Too Much used
Features: 8
Old one from the early '60s. Candy red panel, blue bulldog speakers, and no top boost.
It has 3 channels eack with 2 inputs. brilliant, normal, and vibrotrem.
It has to be taken in context of hte time it was produced, I would say in 1962 this was state of the art. No reverb though, but the Vibrotrem makes up for it. It also has only a tone, and the channels are not that different sounding. But it is an AC30 what can you say. If your in the position to own an amp like this, you probably have other amps to round out your palate.
Sound Quality: 10
Epic! Unbelievable! Vocal singing like tone. Ungodly singing midrangey crunch. People who have never heard an amp like this remember it their whole lives. Like the 1st time I heard a '59 Paul through a '68 plexi half stack.
Reliability: 6
I would not want to put this through too much. 1st of all every time I move it I break a corner. The grille cloth is loose and flappy after 40 years on the road. I had to have it serviced, the caps and tubes. The cabinet is a little loose. I wouldn't want to drop it.
Customer Support: N/A
No clue. The orig Vox is no longer around.
Overall Rating: N/A
Ungodly tone makes it worth while to put up with the quirks of a vintage amp like this. I would replace it as soon as I could scrape up an extra $2500-3k (Feb 2001 price) I rank it an overall 10 based on the tone, alone, not to mention the beautiful design.
Submitted by Tonefiend at 02/03/2001 23:13
Price Paid: US $1285
Features: 9
I ordered my Vox AC30 (Top Boost) from North Coast Music (in Minnesota) in 1996 because at the time, I was playing the part of George Harrison in a Tulsa-based Beatles tribute group. I think mine was built in 1992, but it was new old-stock. It took a little getting used to, but once I did, it was pure heaven. It has 3 input types...brilliant, normal and vib-trem. I was sent a tremolo footswitch but I have never used it because for some reason it will not activate the tremolo. No big deal, though...I have a BOSS pedal I can use for that. I also wish it had reverb, but it doesn't...so I bought a Fender Reverb reissue unit. I play mainly original music that's rooted in sounds of the '60s, and the AC30 is more than versatile enough to cover that territory. I've done quite a bit of gigging with it since '96, and it also sounds incredible on tape.
Sound Quality: 10
I have a wide range of guitars that I use, but most often I play my Slydmo's (Fender copies that a friend of mine built locally...built according to vintage Fender specs, and they SPANK anything Fender puts out today!). I have a Slydmo strat, tele and jazzmaster. I believe my fave is the tele through the Vox...what a singing, chiming sound! I only wish it would distort at a lower volume. (When it does, it's the creamiest, butteriest distortion you're ever likely to hear.) I use distortion boxes with it...a Tubescreamer TS-5 in the past, but now I'm using a Jekyll & Hyde box. If you're a Beatle nut, this is the only amp to own, my friends. I've also got a Rickenbacker 360 and a Gretsch 6122 and it's just THAT SOUND. I've known plenty of guitarists who can't conceive of using this amp for blues or country, but I'm telling you that it sounds just as good in those genres as it does for rock. It's just a matter of knowing how to twiddle the knobs just right. By the way, here's my setup...Slydmo Tele into: Fender Reverb reissue, Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Memory Man, Jekyll & Hyde Overdrive, Electro-Harmonix Bad Stone Phase Shifter, Crybaby wah, into the Vox.
Reliability: 9
I used this amp regularly for 3 years before I had any problems. A band I was in was playing a frat party that got a little rowdy, and I ended up turning the amp up louder than it had ever been...in fact, it was turned up at least 75%. I was finally able to get that natural Vox fuzz in a live setting. When I got the amp home the next day, I turned it on and there was a terrible rattling sound somewhere in the back of it. The familiar tone and presence were not there...it just sounded weak and crackly. I thought I'd killed it. Turns out it just needed all new EL 84's. When I got it back from the repair shop, there was still just a trace of a rattle in it, but not bad at all. But I'd say the amp was due to go down after 3 years of service with no previous tube problems.
Customer Support: N/A
I've never had to deal with the comppany.
Overall Rating: 10
I've been playing for about 20 years. My other amps include 2 Blues Pearls (2x10 Diamond Back and 1x15 CD5015), a Fender Bassman 4x10, a Gibson EB-O bass, a Fender Standard Jazz bass, Danelectro U2-56 reissue, Gibson Les Paul goldtop, Fender Telecaster, and of course the Ric and the Gretsch I mentioned earlier. If the Vox AC30 were lost or stolen, I'd definitely beg, borrow or steal to get another one. I love the tone and also the prestige of owning one. It just looks so frickin' cool up on stage. What do I hate about it? The weight. This thing is like moving a refrigerator! But in the end, it's worth it. It's my main amp.
Submitted by Neil at 09/03/2000 13:57
Price Paid: US $1,600.00
Features: 8
I took delivery on this amp just before Christmas, 1999, and was told it was made several months before this. I use the Vox along with a Fender Hot Rod DeVille, and a Peavey 5150, so versitility is not an issue for me. The Vox adds real sparkle to the rock music I play and other sounds can be added via effects processors. I do have a vox distortion pedal and this adds a unique "British" sound. I wish it had a master volume control so that I could get distortion at a lower volume. It has a beautiful, warm distortion but the volume has to be at 3/4 to get it. I play small to medium gigs and the 30 watts of power is plenty. We mic all amps so extra power is available when needed.
Sound Quality: 10
My main guitars are a Gibson Les Paul Studio and a Gibson Nighthawk with standard pickups. They rock when hooked up to the AC-30. I play mainly 60's and 70's rock which works well with the Vox. I just listened to the Beatles Live at the BBC, and the AC-30 hits the sound exactly. It has the "jangle" that is present in the early Beatles songs. The AC-30 has some hum, but this has not been a problem in a live setting. I may change the tubes and see if this helps.
Reliability: 7
I've only had the AC-30 for about 4 weeks and I sent it to the authorized repair shop this weekend. The last time I turned it on, a fuse blew and the standby switch went out. I baby this thing so I'm not claiming any responsibility for the breakdown. The shop tells me that it could be in repair from 2-4 weeks depending on what parts need to be ordered from Korg. I have spoken with Korg directly and they promised to have their Vox expert call me which never happened. I like this amp so much that it's hard to get too upset. The AC-30 is well made so I'm not worried about the general reliability. None of the autorized repair centers I contacted have ever had to do any warranty work on an AC-30.
Customer Support: 8
I have talked with Korg at least twice and they appear to be concerned. I haven't had to push them on anything so I don't know what would happen if I had further problems. They were able to give me the choice of several repair centers on the spot. I believe the warranty is about a year. Keep your receipt- this is what gains you entrance into a repair center. If you are interested in what happens on this, call me in a couple weeks and I will tell you the story. I will say that if you need a new AC-30, contact Gary at North Coast Music. He drove 3 hours out of his way to deliver my AC-30 personally! Gary told me it was important that the AC-30 arrive in good shape. (He's extra nice even by Minnesota standards!)
Overall Rating: 9
I have been playing guitar for 20 years and tend to keep my equipment for a long time. Quality in equipment is important to me and I research carefully everything I purchase. I would definitely buy another AC-30 if my current one had a bad outcome. It is the best amp I have owned and do not plan on ever getting rid of it. If I had only one amp, the AC-30 is the one I would own.
Submitted by Paul R Remark at 01/21/2000 19:31
Price Paid: N/A
Features: 9
Although the VOX AC-30 is very sparse on features, it actually gives me the only feature that I need - a great sound! There are 3 channels. I find the bright channel brilliant (if you see what I mean) for clean guitar sounds but use the normal channel for processed sounds. My amps are very old. I have three at present but the one I usually use (1964 I think) has the add-on treble boost built into the rear panel. I don't know how it compares to newer models. (This is the newest one that I have)
Sound Quality: 10
Very little variety in the sound. It just sounds great all the time. At very low volume (home or shop volume) it lacks any real tone but when I crank it up to gig level!!! It just sings..
Reliability: 9
I understand that these amps are unreliable but I must confess that in 30 years+ of using my amps I have never had a real problem. I have changed the valves a couple of times (literally a couple) the last time about 5 years ago. My main amp gets gigged several times each week and has proved 100% reliable (so far)
Customer Support: N/A
Never had a problem.
Overall Rating: 10
I have used loads of amps ovet the years: Fenders, Marshalls, Boogies, Hi Watt etc etc but I always come back to my trusty Vox. The only critisism is that an AC-30 in a flight case is xxxxx heavy. Especially now I'm an old codger (no Zimmer frame yet though) I believe that it is an Amp which responds to your playing style and that an inexperienced player may not get the amp to work as well as it could. If mine blew up or was stolen I would definitely get another one (well get another one out of my cupboard actually) As for value I think as I only paid around #25 for my last one it speaks for itself.
Submitted by Dave Crabb at 04/28/1998 04:55
| Page: 1 | Showing 1-26 of 26 reviews |
|
