Vox AC30/6TBX

Price Paid: US $900

Features: 8
it is verry versatile for me I love it

Sound Quality: 10
teles and epi casineo I love it. it oh so much ass Iam 16 years old and Iam in a band that plays 60s and 70s rock and roll but I play 50s rockabilly and chuck berry style music I love the tone of this thing. as far as clean sounds it is verry smooth and compresed but when I turn it all the way up color me happy it is the most holly sound ever I got a hell of a deal on it it was damiged in shiping so it got a little cut on the side but nothing to cry about. the only problm is that I can never turn it all the way up. Ive have bought more over drive pedals than I wish to say. the sound Iam going for is mike kambles tone I have seen him on meny tv shows whith a danelectro daddyO overdrive so that is next on my list

Reliability: 10
i have taken it to hell in back(angolaI.N.)and menny other good venus for the past year and it can still ROCK.

Customer Support: N/A

Overall Rating: 10
it is hever on earth

Submitted by Mitch at 10/14/2002 19:42

Price Paid: US $900

Features: 8
My AC30 was made in "93. The features havae been well covered by others here so I won't repreat that. An excellent amp wtihout a lot of bells and whistles so becuase of that I'll give it an 8.

Sound Quality: 10
I use this AC30 with a variety of guitars, strats, teles, LP with P90's, ES335,hamer artist w/P90's. and I'm using it to plays blues and new country.

I bought it used and it sounded pretty good but I ended up replacing the Sovtek tubes in it with JJTesla EL84's and the tone was gretly improved. If I hadn't heard it for myself I wouldn't have believed it! The classic Vox chime is stunning and it allows the tone of every guitar plugged into it to come through. When it is cranked the overdrive is smooth, creammy and still has the ghime. Now i know why these amps are loved by Brian May, Tom Petty, Brad Paisley etc. (Paisley may use Dr. Z amps now but his tone was honed on Vox AC30's)

I use this amp with a THD Hotplate when I playing blues. These amps can be quite loud and the Hotplate allows me to get the tone I want at lower sound levels.

I love the tone of this amp!! It may be the best sounding amp I've ever ownie and I been through a lot of amps (Fender, Peavey, Marshall, Boogie, DR. Z, Budda, Traynor, Valvetech, Gibson....)

Reliability: 8
These amps are known for running hot and eating tubes. They also have a reputation for not being too reliable. I have not had any trouble with the amp and have gigged every weekend with it for almost a year. I allow the tubes to warm up with the amp on standby for a while before I play through it; and I also let it idle on stadby when I'm done for a bit before shutting it down. I always bring a backup and have been doing that just out of habit. Besides its cheap insurance tht the show will go on if something does happen. For backup I'll bring either my deluxe reverb or my Line 6 POD depending on the venue.

Customer Support: N/A
Never had to deal with them

Overall Rating: 10
I've been playing guitar professinally for 30 years and in tht time have gone through a bunch of amps. this one, along with my '66 Fender Pro Reverb is a keeper. I love the tone of this amp. If were stolen I'd get another ASAP.

Submitted by Dave Beckwith at 06/19/2002 14:54

Price Paid: US $2011.00

Features: 9
IM A VOX AC30/6TBX RE-ISSUE OWNER,THIS ONE WAS MADE IN 2002.
THIS AMP DOES CUT THRU MY STYLE OF MUSIC. ROCK ALTERNATIVE,POP,BLUES AND JAZZ. BUT MOSTLY I USE THIS FOR ALTERNATIVE AND POP MUZIK.FROM BEATLES TO U2,CRANBERRIES TO REM,AND FROM SODA STEREO TO CERATI.
MY VOX HAS 6 CHANNELS, 2 FOR VIB/TREM,2 FOR NORM,AND 2 FOR BRIGHT.
THATS ALL I NEED EVENTHOUGHT I WICH IT HAD REVERB FOR A DIFFERENT ALTERNATIVE FEEL.I USE EVERY FEATURE AND MIX THEM AND ALL IS FANTASTIC.I USE THIS MONSTER FOR GIGS,RECORDING,AND PRACTICE.IT HAS ENOUGHT POWER BUT IF YOU NEED MORE PUT A MIC IN FRONT OF THE SPEAKERS.

Sound Quality: 9
IM USING AN EPIPHONE CASINO RE-ISSUE WITH P90,LES PAUL STANDARD,TELE.
THEY ALL SUIT TO MY STYLE WHICH IS THE MODERN ALTERNATIVE AND SLOW SONGS.THE AMP IS ABIT NOISY WHEN HIGHER VOL.BUT IT PASS THE TEST.WHEN CRANCKING THE VOL.IT GIVES YOU A CLEAN POWERFULL OVERDRIVE BOOST.

Reliability: 9
I BOUGHT THIS DOG ON 4-02 AND HAVE NOT A PROBLEM YET,WILL SEE LATER.

Customer Support: N/A
NOT YET DEALTH

Overall Rating: 10
ITS GOT A SOUND OF ITS OWN AND I HAVE A FEELING IT WILL LAST A LONG TIME IF I TAKE GOOD CARE OF MY BABY. AND THIS IS IT THE REAL THING...
SOUNDS BEATLEISH AND U2ICH,.///0-0\\\

Submitted by JESSE RODRIGUEZ 76 at 05/18/2002 13:03

Price Paid: US $600+trade in

Features: 8
New 2001 Model AC30/6TBX. The amp has 3 channels- Top Boost, Normal and Vib/Trem- each differently voiced. All three channels share a common Cut control which reduces high end in the power section of the amp as opposed to the preamp. The Vib/Trem channel also has a pair of knobs- one to select either Vibrato or Tremelo, and another to select between three preset speeds. A variable speed knob would have been a nice improvement but no biggie.. The Top Boost Channel also has Treble and Bass controls. T

Sound Quality: 9
I use a Gibson ES295 w/ P-90 pickups, through a Boss Noise Gate(P90's are very noisy), Ibanez Turbo Tube Screamer, Boss RV3 and a EH Memory Man reissue. Not terribly noisy by itself. As other have posted, increasing the channel you not using volume control helps a bit due to phase cancellation. The Top Boost Channel is stunning, great clarity and bite, with loads of bass and treble to spare. The tone controls are highly interactive, moreso than any other amp. Maximum midrange scoop is acheived w/ the Bass control maxed. Easing back on both Bass and Treble to about 1:00 gives the classis VOX mids and highs. The amp can also be made to sound very fat indeed- so don't think it's just treble jangle. The amp is absurdly loud, especially w/ the VOX/Celestion Blue speakers. You'll impair your hearing by trying to get the amp to give up the overdrive. Once there however, it really sings. Think U2, REM and your there. The amp has a British voice, so it really excels at alternative power pop etc....

Reliability: 7
Ummmm... Here's where it gets tricky. This is my second AC30 in a month's time. The first, although I asked for a factory sealed unit was just merely reboxed and came from another of the chain's locations. The standby switch made a loud pop each time it was used. The Vib/Trem switch also suffered this affliction. The amp would distort or block up on certain notes. I returned it, they sent it out to be repaired. It returned w/ many of the same problems, except this time the Tolex was ripped in about 6 different places. I made a big stink, and am currently enjoying a true factory sealed unit which has no problems thus far. I actually build tube amps for a hobby, so I'm a little concerned w/ the PC board. Not that there's something inherently wrong w/them, it's just that repairs or replacement of components can sometimes turn into a nightmare. The preamp tubes are mounted direcly to the board (bad), but at least the power tubes and retifier are all chassis mounted. Overall however the amp has quality contruction.

Customer Support: 5
They are quite freindly and at ease- mainly because once you buy it, you're on your own.

Overall Rating: 8
Incredible sounds, great looks, quality constuction.

Submitted by Joseph Z. at 05/08/2001 07:55

Price Paid: US $1449

Features: 7
I got this amp in March of 2001, so I assume it was made in 2000.This amp is exactly what I've been looking for in 30 years of playing. I am now playing classic rock (late 60's and early 70's)and it's perfect for this music.It has three channels, one brilliant, one normal and one trem/vibrato.It's a pretty straight forward amp, no frills, but the sound makes up for it.Since I am not into effects, I don't really miss an effects loop, but I do wish it had reverb. I use this amp mainly in small to medium sized clubs, and it has more than enough power. It can always be miked for the larger places.

Sound Quality: 10
I am currently using a stock 1965 Fender Strat. It is the ideal amp for my music style( classic rock, British Invasion stuff). It is a little noisy, but I attribute this to the Strat pickups. There is a slight 60-cycle hum at louder volumes, but turning up the unused channels about half-way helps diminish it. There's not much of a variety of sounds, but what it does put out is perfect for the music that I play. I haven't really had the opportunity to turn it wide open, so I get my distortion from a Boss Distortion pedal. I am anxious to hear the natural amp distortion, though.

Reliability: N/A
I haven't really had the amp long enough to know if I can depend on it or not, so I always have a spare handy, just in case.I have heard that the class-A design makes them run hotter than most amps, but putting a couple of small fans behind it seems to keep it pretty cool.

Customer Support: N/A
I haven't dealt directly with Vox on anything.Service centers are easy enough to find via th internet. The amp has a one year warranty.The speakers(mine has the Vox Blue Alnicos) have a three year warranty. The tubes are only warrantied for three months, but I've heard you can expect about 300 hours from them.

Overall Rating: 9
I have been playing in bands for nearly 35 years. I also own a 1967 Martin D-18 that belonged to my dad, a Fender 400 8-string pedal steel, and an old Ensoniq Mirage. If my AC-30 was ever stolen, I'd be devastated, 'cause thy're not cheap, but I would try to get another one. The one thing I dislike about it is the vinyl covering-- it tears very easily and you really have to be careful not to bump it against anything-- I wish Vox had included a slip cover at least! One word of caution to anyone ordering from a mail-order catalog-- be sure you know what you're getting. I ordered mine from L&M Music, out of Chattanooga, TN, after receiving a "special sale" catalog from them advertising it for $1299, with no mention anywhere in the catalog of it being "scratch and dent" merchandise. When I received it,there were large pieces of vinyl missing and numerous dings and nicks. After calling them and telling them that I wanted a refund, they promised to replace it with a brand-new unit for $150 extra.Taking their word for it, I agreed. However, when I received the replacement, it too had some dings and tears that had been glued down. It clearly was not brand new. But I figured I was still getting a good deal and kept it.But I am still going to write KorgUSA and tell them about L&M's shady business practices.

Submitted by Anonymous at 04/20/2001 13:32

Price Paid: US $1845

Features: 7
This is a brand spanking new 2001 reissue of the 1960's Vox AC-30 with Top Boost and Blue Alnico speakers. Powered by 5 ECC83s and 1 ECC82 in the pre-amp, 4 EL84s in the power stage, and the all important GZ34 rectifier valve.

3 Footswitchable channels. No effects loops or headphone jack (This ain't no practice amp!)

This amp is meant to be used for its unique "only can be made through a Vox AC-30" tone..thus rendering it a non-versatile amp...but you know that. You buy this amp to get that one distinct sound...you don't buy it to squeeze out every guitar genre out there.

It's got 33W of Class A power, which means they run hotter than your average 30W amps, thus, when overdrived, can sound very very loud. Should be more than enough.

Sound Quality: 9
For those of you who aren't in know of Vox AC-30's. They have a very unique sound that many people either love or detest. Early Beatles, U2, Queen, are some good examples of the unique "british invasion" tone. No meaty Marshall thrash here, nor any surfy Fender Twin Reverb tone.

Yes, all channels distort at high volumes, but THAT IS WHAT YOU WANT! The amp is naturally a bit noisy. However, a little trick you can use is to balance out the hum by increasing the volume on the channels not being used.

The distortion is not harsh. Very delicate and tasteful while preserving the natural tones of your guitar. You can achieve that great tone that sits on the fine line between clean and distorted.

Reliability: 7
So far, it's had no problems. Got lots of tubes that run way hot though (make you sweat if you stand too close to the heat vent grilles) I'm sure the amp will require more than average care and attention. However, the updated electronics and larger vent grilles stand out as actual improvements to the vintage models in terms of reliability.

Customer Support: N/A
Haven't dealt with them (yet?).

Overall Rating: 9
Been playing for over 20 years. Have owned various Marshall stacks, Fender Twin Reverbs, vintage Vox AC-30s. Currently playing a 77 strat and 93 Les Paul standard.

A bit on the pricey side. However, if you're in the market for an AC-30, the re-issues should definitely be an option. I've been tracking the re-issue path and history. Honestly, I'd say the models made between the 70's and 90's were not very good, and I was skeptical when I heard that Korg was putting out a new revamped re-issue back in the early 90's. However, Korg has done a surprisingly superb job in meticulously going back and sticking to the original specs of the 60's era models. It's very obvious that lots of thought and guitarist feedback has gone into the reincarnation of these. I've played through vintage late sixties models in the past. The new re-issues come pretty damn close if not dead on in terms of tonal characteristics.

No other new amp on the market comes close to replicating the unique Vox-30 sound. Forget about the Line6 units...they don't hold a candle to the real deal.

As far as choosing between an over-priced beat up vintage or a new re-issue, I can only offer the following advice: Play and listen to both if you can! I know there are those vintage-only guys who refuse to accept anything "re-issued"...but if you want to really get your money's worth, give the reissues a try. Of course the magnetic life-span of the speakers and the natural "breaking in" factors into the equation. However, I honestly believe these new babies sound just the way the old 60's models probably sounded back when they were new. But here's the added bonus...getting a re-issue guarantees that you're getting a BRAND NEW amp with better features for reliability.

On a side note: I've heard the Edge of U2 was actually given the very first production model of the Korg re-issues (#0000001 or something) and has added it to his rig.

Submitted by Anonymous at 03/04/2001 18:31

Price Paid: US $1499 used

Features: 8
Bought this '63 reissue Special Edition Purple AC30 with Blue Alnicos used; told it is about 5 years old, but was in excellent condition overall. I knew I had to have it as soon as I saw/heard it, despite having purchased a beautiful '76 Wine ES335 a week earlier for about the same price (but I've learned that that's the risk one takes whenever one walks into a good guitar store. . . ) What a showcase amp; it even outshines the ES335, which is in gorgeous condition. I have only been playing for about 5 years, but this amp makes me sound much better than the advanced beginner that I am. I have always loved (and have been learning) The Beatles, Queen, REM and U2, although I don't know that the latter two are known for using Vox (wouldn't be at all surprised if The Edge used/endorsed this amp, though). I have been searching for the ultimate clean tube amp sound, and this is it, especially on the Brilliant channel (see discussion of features already posted). It's plenty powerful. The Normal channel seems to run the quietest, but the only tone control is via the "Cut" knob, which seems to muddy the sound too much at low end. I do wish it had a continuous/dial-up tremolo speed control (which I believe the AC15 has), though, and a master volume knob would be nice.

Sound Quality: 10
Again, as soon as I plugged this in, I was in Tone-Town. All it took was the opening chords of "She's a Woman" on a Rickenbacker, and a few open chords on a Gibson, to convince me. The above-mentioned ES335 has a wonderful warm sound with a perfect bottom end, and my Les Paul Classic (P-90's) also sounds amazing. My Telecaster plays crystal clean, like raindrops from the heavens, and my Rickenbacker 360 paired with this is a match made in heaven. The only thing that has bothered me was a buzzing sound at moderate to high volumes (heard only within several feet of the amp), which I traced to the spring-loaded basket device housing (and vibrating against) the GZ34 rectifier tube. I was able to dampen this about 90% with strategically wrapped 1/2" electrical tape, and now it sounds fine, but I think this was an error in design (wouldn't heat-resistant elastic bands of some sort work better?) Meanwhile, I'm waiting on a vintage-style Vox Distortion Booster pedal, which I'm sure will compensate for the lack of a gain control, but I plan to use this only rarely anyway.

Reliability: 9
This amp appears to be built like a tank (or at least seems to weigh that much ...), but I don't plan to take this out of the house often, if at all. From what I've heard, the tubes run hot and need to be replaced relatively frequently, but are very affordable.

Customer Support: 10
I did call Korg to discuss the vibrating part issue, and the guy was great. He clearly knew the amp inside out, and was kind enough to warn me that the motherboard stores enough energy to ("fatally") shock you, even for days after the amp is unplugged, so I stayed away from this area, but let that be a warning for all you other amp surgeons out there...

Overall Rating: 10
What a wonderful find; I don't plan on buying another amp for a long time, if at all. I would try to replace it immediately if something happened to it. Within a week, between the two purchases (as well as the standby Ric), I have been blessed with exactly the sound I have been longing for. I was pretty happy with my (underrated) Crate Vintage Club 30 tube amp for the last few years (an excellent value for $300 or so used, btw; couldn't bring myself trade it in), but I am so glad I held off on a mid-priced Fender or Marshall amp to wait for this. My friends in the band keep both a Deville and JCM 2000 combo at my house, and after side-by-side comparison, I prefer this much warmer and more balanced sounding amp to both, although the Marshall plays just as clean, possibly moreso at higher volumes. (I'm not a big fan of reverb, so I don't miss that feature at all.) Maybe it's the new-amp euphoria, but I still can't walk by this work of art without turning it on and hearing it one more time, even if for just a few strums; I don't think this feeling will be wearing off anytime soon, either. If the two things you prize most are simplicity and tone, then this pure and classic amp is the only one for you, and is well worth the money.

Submitted by Anonymous at 02/02/2001 01:44

Price Paid: N/A

Features: 8
2000, Reissue of a 64 AC30. Loaded w/ Vox Blue speakers. Bassically same layout as the original, (which I had), except for a PC board rather than PTP, and a standby switch. Korg (VOX) also enlarged the vents on top, and you can disconnect the internal spkrs., unlike my old Vox where they were hard wired in. Real birch cab, same grill, and cosmetics. Same top boost channel layout as the original. Nice looking amp, weighs a ton!!

Sound Quality: 10
Well, lets see. I've owned 33 amps in the 28 yrs. I've been playing guitar. Gear head you say???? Naaaaa. Yes, I have always been on the prowl for the ultimate tone, not that I haven't had great tones along the way. Indeed I have. But, I have always been into trying out new stuff. Big, small, boutique, el-cheap-o, whatever sounded cool. I have had them all. Fenders, various VOX's, Marshalls, Top Hat, Budda, Peaveys, Soldano, Silvertone, on and on and on. Well, so who cares right? Well, I think what it has taught me is 1.) NO AMP DOES IT ALL! 2.) NO AMP IS PERFECT 3.) STOP GETTING RID OF COOL AMPS THAT YOU WILL LATER WISH YOU HAD KEPT. Like my old AC30. Anyway, this new reissue is a gem. I WILL NOT be getting rid of it.....ever. I run various Telecasters into it via a Fulltone II, and an old Boss SD-1.(& some other various effects) The amp is as close to tonal-Nirvana as I seem to be able to get. Now realize, that the AC30's tone is very unique. I do know people who dislike them. But, I absolutely LOVE the sounds that this reissue lets me create. Chimey, compressed, brown sounding mids, super tight bass response----this is where guitar's should live my freinds. The speakers are wonderful. They are possibly as good if not better than my old Silver ALNICO's. The amp is bassically a one pony show, but what a show!! Like all AC30's, the reissue is extremely pedal-friendly. Thus, you can get a great tone with any quality over-drives, or just run the amp close to flat out.(By the way, I had an AC15 reissue for a while and liked it, but I feel that this cicuit is superior in over-all tone to the AC15's master volume circuit.) But beware, this is definitely a loud amp. This amp simply sounds awesome. It is pricey, but it is worth every penny. The only thing that I don't like is that somewhere along the line, Marshall cheaped out on the tubes. They used to put RCA NOS's in these reissues. Now you get cheap Yugo tubes, which bassically suck! But, even with the crappy tubes the tone is wonderful. These are a 10+
Like a fine bottle of wine - sweet, full-bodied, full of overtones. Not for those who are happy with Ripple. Tone freaks tend to end up with this amp sonner or later. Take a gander at many pro guitarists line up, chances are you'll see an AC30 in there somewhere.

Reliability: 10
I feel the amp is very well made, and will hold up to the riggors of gigging. I also have had other VOX products including an AC15 re-issue which I did a tour with. No Problems at all.

Customer Support: N/A

Overall Rating: 10
I would buy it again. I think this will be "home" for me for a long time to come. Hell, I've tried/owned practically everything else........nothing sounds better. Just wish it wasn't so darned heavy, not as young as I used to be.

Submitted by J.M. at 10/31/2000 12:42

Price Paid: 1,200 (UK pounds)

Features: 7
VOX '63 re-issue...could sonic life get any more blissfull? Well the answer is it probably could! Now, all this of course depends on what genre of music the user is aiming for. Take me for instance. I've got a kind've gritty rock thing going on - sometimes its smooth and funk-rocky (Hendrix), other days its Out and Out rock (the sorta rock that harkens back to the days of The Who). Y'see, what brings the vox down is the modern need for foot-switchin'. Simple as that. You'll find yourself hunting around for an appropriate stomp-box in order to equip yourself with a bit o'distortion - cranking the old amp into overdrive unfortunately won't do. Sure enough the Norm/Bright/Vib-Trem settings are outta this world (litterally cosmic! you will not find better tone than the chiming, warm sounds of the vox). And used with a great guitar like a Fender Tele or Rickenbacker you can stand proud through any gig, at any stage in your life.....Just don't keep it switched on for tooooooo long - those replacement tubes don't come cheap.

Sound Quality: 10
I think i've mentioned the necessaries already....

Reliability: 9
33watts - and those are 33 loud watts! No need for back up amps guys - the Beatles used to plug all their guitars into one of these babys all those years ago in the mid-sixties. Just watch those tubes...

Customer Support: 9
1 yr warranty. But that was through a really reputable guitar/amp vendor in the UK, and i hear they're impossible to track down.

Overall Rating: 9
Top notch amp! All you gotta do is get a stomp-box, and you're sorted!

Submitted by Jason Bavs at 05/30/2000 15:11

Price Paid: US $1350

Features: 10
My new re-issue AC-30 has ONE FEATURE: TONE. Bright, brilliant, warm and wooly classic class-A tube amp TONE. I always use the "Brilliant" channel because it's has the most treble, I never use the "Normal" input, and I use the "Tremolo" input for authentic sounding 60's psychedelic covers ala Love's "7 and 7 is". I was afraid it wouldn't be loud enough for my band (style: Who, Kinks, Music Machine, MC5, Yardbirds) but it IS. Stage volume is always perfect and with a decent PA this thing sounds better than GOD.

Sound Quality: 10
I use a '64 Epiphone with mini humbuckers and a '57 Les Paul Jr.. I prefer the sound of more trebly guitars like these or a Tele with this amp as opposed to a Les Paul Standard which can get muddy. The AC-30 handles mid range and treble the best. Bass response is nice and smooth, but bottom end Marshall CHUNKA-CHUNKA isn't what it's about. It stays pretty clean to the half way point, then it breaks up sweetly. I use a Fulltone Soulbender Fuzz with the amp cranked and I haven't heard a more perfect noise yet.

Reliability: 9
My AC-30 has been dropped and kicked off the stage (but never drop-kicked) 3 times (accidentaly of course) and it has never broken. After about 200 shows I had the amp re-tubed for the hell of it. The tech said the original tubes were very low quality. I thought they sounded fine when I first got the amp, but after the re-tube the tone has actually improved - I didn't think it could sound any better, but it does!

Customer Support: N/A
Never had to deal with them, the amp is a tank. They're on Long Island I think.

Overall Rating: 10
I have been playing for about 5 years. I collect mostly vintage gear, but I wanted the reliability and "low" price (compared to a vintage one) of a new amp for touring. It has been everything I hoped for and more. It's not a cheap amp, but if you want the music your playing to sound the best it can, use the best sounding equiptment - DUH. If it ever breaks, I probably won't buy another one because it'll be my great-grandson's amp by then - he'll buy a new "vintage 1999" re-issue.

Submitted by Anonymous at 05/13/2000 15:21