Vox AC30-TB

Price Paid: N/A

Features: 9
Because there are not too many effects (or none at all), I give this a 9. simplicity at its best. I'd give it a 10 if there was actually some sort of gain option. The level the volume needs to be at to get that distortion over powers the rest of the band. (I really dont mind, but then you cant hear what I'm playing along with!)

Sound Quality: 10
amazing. I bought this amp 'broken-in' not 'used' I gave up my Vox Valvetronix for this thing. There is nothing wrong with ad120, in fact its amazing itself with all of its features. But I could hear a bit of a tin cup sound, and decided to fork out the bucks for 'the real thing.' And am NOT disappointed at all. I'm recording an album next month and am sooooo happy to have this for it.

I use a Tele Deluxe through 12 effects, if you want to know them, email me. The sound is superb. Extremely clean and clear, but more importantly, the tone is smooth AND vicious. I've been using the normail channel, but am making the switch to the brillian channel for that extra something.

Reliability: N/A
Havent had any problems yet, but its a tube amp and will have backups with me for shows and recordings, and recommend you all do the same. It's a shame to bring this beautiful amp to a show and not be able to play it.

Customer Support: N/A
Havnt

Overall Rating: 10
I play in a alt band, www.themood.ca , and this amp completes me and the band loves it as well. First rehearsal with the new amp the band was smiling at the amp, not me. I havent had it long enough to truly give an overall review, but at this point I got to say with a TELE and the effects that I use, I think its a very happy family.

If you'd like to hear the band with a Valvetronix, which I still dearly love, check out the website. Otherwise come back in two more monthes to hear the AC30. Sorry for the plug, but we're all musicians here....

Submitted by Matty K at 10/09/2003 15:22

Price Paid: US $1850.00 used

Features: 8
1965 JMI AC 30 top boost grey panel.(factory top boost not a later modification on the back panel.)
6 inputs.high and low for 3 settings.Vibrato/tremolo channel,Normal channel,and Brilliant channel.
Treble and bass effect only the brilliant channel.Cut switch effects tone on the other two.You can link up the channels for various tones.egg shaped footswitch.I don't mind the basic controls.I suppose a master volume would be nice but I bought this amp for it's famous tone.So I won't attempt to tell vox what to change.It is a classic.Seeing as they continue to make reissues of this amp today I 'm guessing it is as close to perfect as they can make it.
It has one "on" switch no "standby" switch.
Versatility ?You either love this tone or you don't .
The dials are basic.The control is subtle and intuitive.

Sound Quality: 10
I primarily use a Gibson semi- hollowbody with humbuckers.
It suits my musical style which is mid 60's rock / blues .
It is noisy and at times .Occasionally picks up radio signals.
It's an old amp so I expected this.It has great tone all the way through.It stays warm and rich in lower volume and then gets an
amazing natural overdrive when pushed louder.However the level needed to get this overdrive is very loud.The distortion is smooth and defined .Beautiful Classic tone.I play straight through it at times but have recently added an effects processor and this has really added to the richness of sound.
Starting with such a great tone it can only get better as you build on it.I know a lot of people claim to leave it without any effects but it is amazing to hear the difference.I can get alot of the beautiful overdrive at lower volumes this way as well.very touch sensitive amplifier.

Reliability: N/A
Me and this amp are the same age.I haven't had any problems with it so far.It 's bound to need check ups and fixes sooner or later but not too worried .

Customer Support: N/A
haven't used them.I think the warranty ran out quite awhile ago.

Overall Rating: 10
I've been playing for over 20 years.I own another ac30 '63 candy panel.If stolen I would try and find another exactly like it.Beautiful classic tone.I love it.
What do I hate about it?
(1)-I hate lifting it.
When inside it's road case it is almost impossiible lift it on my own.
(2)It won't fit into the trunk of a cab.It is too precious to chance it without the case.
(3)It heats up like a nuclear reactor really fast.
But it is all worth it for the tone.
I heard alot about this classic amp before buying it.
It truly delivers the goods.

Submitted by Anonymous at 03/13/2003 20:49

Price Paid: 480 (£) used

Features: 8
AC30 TB Vintage 1991 model for UK market.
Bought USED for £480.
Combination of of Marshall and Harma valves with a MesaBoogie GZ34 Rectifer.
All usual channels, vibe, normal, brilliant (and it is!)
Built solid. I expect no problems, but I do own a Ducati :)
I'm not a big Vibrato fan, so I don't know how much I'll be using this...mine has no reverb, but in a hall who needs it? Use a pedal if you need it. I don't miss it.
I opened it up and the board is in great shape for 13 year old amp used for gigging by previous owner. clean with no BBQ smells.

Sound Quality: 10
Wow, what a sound. Nirvana for me.
I use a Burns Brian May and '73 Strat with Kinman AVn Blues pickups and they both wail on the VOX..
BMay Special through this is full of wonderfull tone. Using the top boost channel and my VOX tone bender fuzz, blood appears out of my eyes and ears. Small animals run for cover and dogs who hear past 22KHZ ask for forgiveness.
Really its a nice tone both for vintage brit 60's and crunchy power of the blues. Distorts nicely using Normal channel at not too high a level..I think a tube change to Groove Tubes may improve this.
I heard a THD hotplate is good for this amp, but UK stores are a fu'%ing ripoff charging £249 for them.
Top Boost is a signal now for a special secret club...if you see someone with a VOX T Shirt for example, wink and say quietly (or loud if they have hearing problems) 'TOP BOOST'.
PS You will lose the sensitivity of frequencies >15KHz if you play out with this amp.

Reliability: 10
OK so far. Stop whinging.

Customer Support: 9
Not called Korg yet. Will call to order a cover and new cloth for front in a few days.
I did email them for a catalogue and it came in 3 days delivered with the Valvetronix demo CD....that was good service.

Overall Rating: 10
Playing for 15+ years on and off.
Previous guitars are (were) VOX teardrop and Rickenbacker 12 string.
If it were nicked I'd buy another.
Buy one. Its a piece of history that sounds as good today as it did 40 yrs ago..isn;t that why you own a Fender?

Submitted by Martyn (Oxfordshire) at 01/26/2003 03:11

Price Paid: US $1000 used

Features: 6
1993 reissue. I believe this is possibly the 1st year that Korg reissued the AC-30's. Very simple design. No effects loop, or reverb. 33 watts which drowns out any 100 watt stacks I have ever owned. All tube with tube rectifier. I mostly use this amp in a live setting in stereo with an Orange AD/15 combo. Bottom line this amp cuts through any loud drummer or bass player.

Sound Quality: 10
This is where this amp smokes the competition in my opinion. Mine has the Vox "blue" speakers and they sound amazing. I like class A balls to the wall sound. I like it at high volume with a Bionic Expandora distortion pedal. I mostly use a Rickenabacker 360 and a Rickenbacker 370/12 through a TC Electronics 2290 delay then into an Eventide Harmonizer. Talk about heaven. I have worked years of trial and error to get this set up but this now works perfect for me. One thing I have noticed on the reisse sound though is they are not all equal....This is a 1993 reissue that for some reason sounded much better than my 1995 purple reissue that I used to have. It was something about the wood in the cabinet design. I swapped out the guts in both amps and the 93 reissue was still the better sounding amp even though the components were identical so it had to be the cabinet. I would not change a thing about the sound. Maybe make it a little less noisy when not being played.

Reliability: 8
My 1993 reissue has never broken down but I always bring a backup. My 1995 reissue broke down twice but it was just a faulty rectifer tube. Once I changed that it ran fine.

Customer Support: N/A
Never had to deal with them. I would rather skip the corporate bullshit and pay the $$$ and have a tech I trust service the amp.

Overall Rating: 10
I would replace this sucker in a heartbeat. I would for sure look for another 1993 resissue and probably pass on a 1995 reissue. My guess is the 1993 was a little better quality because Korg wanted to impress since it was their first year. My only complaint is these things are really pricy new. Why pay $1850 for a new Korg reissue when you can get an original JMI for this price. The new Korg reissues come loaded with Ei power tubes which are nice.

Submitted by Greg at 11/17/2002 05:54

Price Paid: N/A

Features: 7
I have this on long term loan from a friend -hooray ! It could be late '60s or early 70's -it has Celestion/Rola G12 speakers. Tag strip wiring. The chassis is held in by 4 rear screws. We know what AC30 TBs are, so no more from me.

Sound Quality: 10
Fender Tele & Gretsch guitars. I play rockabilly and use the Brilliant channel. Having gigged with this amp, all other amps are now no longer satisfactory. It has THE sound -thats it !!

Reliability: 7
Its old, but so far so good. Needs new input jacks -it gets hot but it hasn't broken yet. I have Ei Yugoslavian tubes and they sound great.

Customer Support: N/A
N/A I am a tech, so I do any fixing myself

Overall Rating: 9
This amp over all others has the tone to die for. I f my friend wants it back - I don't know what I'll do.

Submitted by Anonymous at 09/08/2002 19:54

Price Paid: US $1800 used

Features: N/A
The AC#) \6TB I bought was made in 1993 I believe. It has three channels with a high and low input for each. There ia a Normal channel, a brilliant channel and a vibro-trem channel. Its a class "A" amp and is very loud for a 33W ot 36W depending on where you read the wattage info. There are two 12" Celestion "Greenback" speakers which I really like. There is no reverb which would be a nice addition but I just use a reverb or delay pedal if I feel the need. The AC30 is a tube amp which for me is mandatory. I am used to playing Fender amps so it took a bit of getting used to but I realy think the amp is bad to the bone. I recommend it.

Sound Quality: 8
I use it for blues mostly but if you are into the Beatles, you can nail their sound with the correct adjustments of the controls. Amp is pretty clean but at high volumns you can get some distortion. I use a TS-808 for a clean boost and that satisfies me but if I add drive to the amp from the TS-808 it really sounds cool. Overdriven withiut being distorted beyond belief.

Reliability: 8
So far so good. No problems yet. Appears to be well built.

Customer Support: 8
Never delt with the company. There is a website where I got the schematics for the amp for free.

Overall Rating: 9
Been playing a while. I am 48 yrs old now. Wish it had a reverb built in. Kinda heavy.

***Does anyone know how to use patch cords to jump between the various channel inputs for different sounds? I need to know how to do this. Please help!!!! Thanks.......Joe

Submitted by Joe at 09/06/2002 08:24

Price Paid: US about 400 used

Features: 8
VOX AC30 TOP BOOST REVERB, made early seventies (1969-1972), previous owner said it was made in '70. This one comes WITH REVERB! It's one of the "square Vox logo'd" AC30's, and the double row of large style vent grilles (5 in total). Has got 4 push pull's: the volume pot of the three channels + the reverb pot; it also has the original footswitch. Since this is only my sixth day that I own the amp, I'm still experimenting with it: if anyone knows what the push-pulls are for, let me know. Still some cosmetic & electronic work to do (some joker painted it silver ...; one vent grille missing; not the original knobs; springs missing; loose connection check to perform). I was looking for an amp that had a reverb, vibrato and a reputation, this AC30 has it (or will have once I get a new reverb unit).

Sound Quality: 9
I tried it with a so-called superstrat (H-S-S), but I prefer to use my Epiphone Casino with it. I play rock and pop, also Beatles and sixties things, so this amp should get my tone closer to that. I only had one occasion to turn it up all the way: I was pleasantly surprised by the awesome tone and the sound of the distortion. This is not for bedroom or living room use, at least not when you have direct neighbors or a wife located in the same house... Because the only way to get some distortion is to put the volume all the way up! Anyway, I still want to try it in combination with some FX pedals. The vibrato channel is something I can't resist, it sounds really cool. But the trick is to COMBINE the channels: connect the inputs with patch cords and you can mix the 3 channels: you'll have the muddy normal channel, the brighter brilliant channel and the vibrato as switchable channel sounding together. I was also amazed by the (musical) range of the treble and bass pots.

Reliability: N/A
In some reviews, I read something about "ghost notes": sometimes I hear indeed a note that I don't play, so I think my amp suffers from it too. If anyone knows what to do in this case: all help is welcome. For the rest: I can't really tell, since I only have it 6 days.

Customer Support: N/A
There's a lot of info on the net, and for the rest I'll do my own check ups.

Overall Rating: 8
I've been playing since 1989, my first real amp was (and still is) a Marshall JMP 50 Watt combo with even fewer features than the AC30, the only feature is bass-mid-treble-presence. So it's a progress for me :-) to have tremelo and reverb on it (once I fix the reverb, that is). As I felt it was a bargain for the price paid, I don't mind the small fixable defects and cosmetic stuff: I'm anxious to start fixing it, once I get to know the amp a little better. The purpose is to make it my main amp for gigs. If I find another one in the same condition I'll buy it too (for that money). I would NEVER buy a new one, since I think that the pricing is WAY OUT OF LINE!!! No matter how good the tone, it's still wood, vinyl, some electronical components and 2 speakers, same thing applies for some guitars: half your amp's price is the name it carries. I'm not into that game. But overall, my first impression is an 8.

Submitted by The Niz at 03/22/2002 05:09

Price Paid: (traded a mesa blue angel 2x10, and mesa dual rctifier tremoverb combo)

Features: 10
this is a reisue, 2001, I think. 6 inputs , 3 non switchable channels.feature wise you would think less knobs equals less features.I just got done with the 20 knob mesa tremoverb combo, what a nightmare.This amps simplicicty makes it easy to dial in a good tone, if you can't get a good sound out of this amp, your guitar is a hunk of shite, or you don't know how to eq. this is my main amp I will gig with it soon. I like the vibe trem feature, although limited they sound nice, better than any pedal I have used. I play alt rock,but this amp would be good for just about any kind of music. I have seen every kind of band using these amps, frank black-u2-son volt-some local punk bands. If I were a heavy metal artist I would have kept the mesa, great distotion in those. i am giving this amp a ten in versatility because of the they diverse reaction and response this amp makes depending on what pickup I have on how hard or light I play, the tone of your guitar and fingers really make this amp sort of a chamelon. I have not experienced this with sensitivity with any other kind of amplifier. oh yeah, mine has green back speakers and they sound just fine to me, however I will eventually get the blue speakers, that many users can't be too wrong.

Sound Quality: 10
I use a prs ce22 with dragon 2 pickups.I use lots of delay. tirppy guitar sounds. heavy distortion(mesa v-twin), and wah and loop effects. still get the tone of the ampand guitar very nicely.this amps clean tone are very distinct, bellish/chimey, in a really sweet way. check u2, daniel lanois. This amp overdrives very nicely really smooth with out that high buzzing sound most distortion units make. check u2's untill the end of the world. that is the sound. this amp sounds excellent. it took a lot of amps, money and experience to get to this one, glad I made it.

Reliability: N/A
I only know what I have heard, lots of negativitey here, but I have also heard that the reissue models wont break down like the old ones. class a amps eat tubes, but I haven't had that trouble yet. so I have no expeinced opinion here.

Customer Support: N/A

Overall Rating: 10
I would give this amp the highest marks, but it is the right amp for me. I loved my mesas, but they weren't the right amp for my taste. I am a big u2 fan and I have always loved the sound of the edges guitar. the more research I did the more I found that I liked the sound these amps make, just about every band I really like use one of these. like many I wish there was reverb but that is a small price to pay for such an excellent tone. If it were stolen I would steal another one. I love you like you were my own daughter.

Submitted by otto at 03/07/2002 07:47

Price Paid: N/A

Features: N/A

Sound Quality: N/A

Reliability: 10
This is an update of an earlier post of mine. I still love this amp but it has been in the shop a couple of times for solder joints beaking loose. I have had some problems with the original drake transformers but seems ok now. I have put a fan in the unit and put in a master volume in place of the cut switch..this makes the amp much more versatile. If I was dependent on this for my livlyhood, I'd have this guy named Don Butler go thru it and upgrade the important componants..I understand the difference is amazing once he finishes with the upgrades. But regardless, the amp still chimes and roars the way I want it to and will never get rid of it....I give it a 7 so far..

Customer Support: N/A

Overall Rating: N/A

Submitted by hans at 02/25/2002 06:07

Price Paid: 100 (GBP) used

Features: 9
My AC30 is actually a Jennings AC40. These were made by Tom Jennings and Dick Denny (the Vox creators and designers) after their departure from the original Vox company in the late 60's and early 70's. The design and electrics are almost identical to the Vox AC30 (as is the output), and the changes are mostly cosmetic to avoid ending up in court! I love the two band EQ (bass and treble only), it's easier to get great sounds from it, as the two controls take on a wider range than on three band EQ amps - to take into account the lack of specific mid adjustment. The three imputs means that you can plug more than one instrument into the amp - a feature loved by 60's musicians who couldn't afford more than one amp, though the sound quality is a bit crap! The 33 watt power rating is great. A bit much for the bedroom perhaps, but at leat you don't have to wear earplugs when you crank it. The 16 Ohm speaker out put is a little anoying at times, if you use an extension cab, and the fact that they are wired in series means that if one speaker goes dead, it takes the other one out too. I need no other features, so this amp rates highly for it's no nonsense ease of use.

Sound Quality: 9
The Normal channel is a bit muddy for me, but great for mellow blues/jazz...Brian May uses the Normal channel for all his lead work, but uses a treble boost to get some more highs in the sound! This contributes just as much to his tone as the home-made guitar. The vibe/trem channel is lush! The best I've ever heard, and this is really where the suberb class A tube sound comes into its own. The bright channel may be a little thin and harsh for those who love a fat tone, but it's great for cutting solos, and good for 60's or indie jangle! It's also the quietest valve amp I've ever heard - and quieter than any tranny I've come across too! The three channes and teo inputs on each (high and low) make for a great range if you know how to use them for the best, and with the use of patch leads between them the range is even greater! If the bright is too bright and the normal too dulkl, try a combination of the two!!!! The G12-M Celestions are superb and woody in character, and are better then the Blues for coping with volume, and give a less mushy sound too.

Reliability: 7
Without a regular service all amps can be unreliable (you wouldn't drive a car without an MOT or a service, would you?!). The only problem I've had with this in a year and a half of owning it was when I put Chinese EL84 valves it. They were shite, and blew the amp up. Four resistors later and it now works fine again. Just goes to show that you have to pay for quality, but everyone knows that. All the other components are original, so it's obviously worked fine for the last 30 or so years! I have had no problems due to the heat of the amp, but the use of a fan, especially at gigs or hot environments is recommended. The rating reflects the need for servicing and quality valves (ie, cost of upkeep).

Customer Support: N/A
Vox, now owned by Korg, know little about the vintage amps (and nothing about my Jennings version), as the records were not well preserved. There are some great people out there helping to keep the old ones alive. Check the web pages for Tone Heaven, Plexi Palace etc. A special mention must go to Dave Peterson, who worked on Brian May's AC30's. I have spoken with him when my amp blew, and he was most helpful. There are good guys out there if you look. ALWAYS get a qualified tech to look at you amp, and if possible one who has a wealth of experience/knowledge. I don't know what the service is like for the Korg reissues, as I have never dealt with them.

Overall Rating: 8
The AC30 (and Jennings AC40) are in a class apart. No one seems to have accurately copied them, and their popularity and longevity shows them to well constructed, professional quality equipment for the working musician. I have only had my AC40 for a year and a half, but the experience I've had of AC30s over the 9 years I've been playing has been has been superb. They do things that Fenders and Marshalls just can't. As soon as the pennies are saved up I'm gonna buy a new reissue one, and maybe a JMI too - as long as the price hasn't gone through the roof by then! I'll give it an 8 rating. I knocked two points off due to the stupid prices for an original!

Submitted by Jim at 01/24/2002 09:44