Vox AC30

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