Vox AC30-TB

Price Paid: US $1250

Features: 7
I believe my Re-issue is a 94/95 model. Its got 3 channels, with 2 inputs for each. (Normal/Top Boost/Vib-trem) This amp is very basic...no master vol, no effects loop, no reverb. I would like a master vol. but not if it would alter the amps vibe...the AC-30's tone is the only reason to own this expensive,heavy amp. Reverb is a must, so you'll have to buy an external one...I use a Peavy Valverb. Its only 33 watts, but believe me, its way more than enough.

Sound Quality: 10
I use it with a strat(sc/sc/sc) and a blade (sc/sc/hb). It sounds great with any guitar I've played thru it. It is noisy sometimes so I've always got a ground lifter close by...this usually works. I bridge the Normal & Top Boost channels together and plug into the Normal chanel. You can then use each channels volume setting as tone control...TB for extra treble,Normal for bass. The amp itself hasnt much variety in sounds, but if the correct effects are used you can nail almost any sound. The tone will come thru. This amp has the BEST natural overdrive...I tend to use "transparent type" effects to let as much of the Vox tone come thru..especially distortion. You dont have to play very loud to get the great tone, compared to a marshall or fender that is...its still pretty loud.

Reliability: 8
I've had no problems. But as a precaution installed a small fan inside the amp up near the vents, above the tubes..this keeps the amp from hardly even getting warm. This gives me a warm fuzzy.

Customer Support: 3
Ive never dealt with them. But theres no web site to contact...like Mesa Boogoe, and no Phone number on the warrenty card...its seems like theyre trying to hide or something. I would probobly just take it to my tech for any repairs/tweaking rather than trying to track a company down that does not ,apparently, want to service its own product.

Overall Rating: 10
I play this in sterio mode with a Mesa Mark III/Fender Vibratone. A Peavy Valverb feeds into a Chandler Sterio digital delay which then goes into each amp. The VOX is the essential piece here. Without it, the rig is useless. Replacement would be automatic. Nothing I've tried sounds like a cranked VOX AC-30, absolutly NO replacements would be entertained. If it came down to it, just the vox with a couple of pedals would suffice for most any situation. I really wish it did have a master volume, but I use a Chandler Tube driver stomp box to get the overdrive I need...good enough.

Submitted by Anonymous at 11/15/1999 05:32

Price Paid: N/A

Features: N/A
I belive iīs an late 60īs
with the grey speakers

Sound Quality: 10
I use a les paul deluxe 70th with the pick ups replaced to a 57 classic
neck position and a seymore duncan 59 bridge position,
and a migthy might strat.copy with rosewood body with fender picks
in neck and middel and a seymore duncan hotstack bridge pos.
I play useally blues and the sound is just beutiful clean and warm
and when I put the voulume up itīs becomes a reel nice distortion
itīs just sounds fantastic

Reliability: 10
I have owned this amp since early 70th and it has never let me down

Customer Support: N/A
never needed to contact them

Overall Rating: 10
iīve been playing for 35 years or something
yes, i would buy it again if it were stolen
the deepness of itīs sound, i have had a fender twin
a feder deluxe (the only thing who you can compare it whit)
and several others and thereīs nothing who will sounds like
the AC 30
buy one and youīll see what I mean

Submitted by Lars Hedlund at 11/13/1999 10:22

Price Paid: US $1000 new

Features: 9
A master volume only. Three channels bright, normal and trem. 6 pre-amp tubes (5 12AX7/1 12AU7), 4 EL84's in class A for the power section, and a tube rectifier, 11 tubes in total. The top boost channel has treble, bass and cut controls (the cut acts as another high frequency cut). The normal and trem channels use the same cut control that the top boost channel uses but the treble and bass controls don't work here. But, this is a faithfull reproduction to the 60's control panel, so blame the 60's designers so I'll give it a 9.

Sound Quality: 10
I think I'll play an AC30 Top Boost till the day I die! I've been gigging for 12 years, and now I own a recording studio. I think I've finally learned what a fabulous guitar tone is. I use the Top Boost channel for my clean sounds and it is perfect. My tastes vary widely: Clapton, Steely Dan, Jimmy Page, Eddie Van Halen ("Fair Warning" CD), Stone Temple Pilots, Radiohead, etc... To me, they all have a great tone for the music they play, but they all have one thing in common in their tone, it's thick, warm and full (well sometimes not Page!). You can here all the notes ring out in a chord, even if it's fully distorted. For my overdrive/ distorted tones I use the normal channel with the cut at 3 O'clock, and a Varidrive pedal made by S.I.B! This pedal, with this amp, is a dream come true! The Varidrive operates with a 12AX7 tube in class A. It produces a thick, full, rich harmonic overdrive/distortion that must be heard to be believed. I've replaced my pre-amp tubes in the AC30TB with Fender Sovtek's distributed by Groove Tubes, and replaced the poor sounding Chinese tube that came with the Varidrive to a Tesla 12AX7A. This is the absolute perfect combination with an excellent double coil in the bridge position, a Tom Anderson or Fralins. Almost all the reviews on here say they prefer single coils with this amp. I just wanted to write in and say that I don't. I find this amp to be extremly versatile with the Varidrive added to it. I can nail all the guitar players tones that I mentioned above.

Reliability: 8
When I received the amp I needed to bring it back in right away for a repair. 2 metal tabs located behind a pre-amp tube were touching and shorted it out. A simple problem actually, no worries. Looked it over, everythings fine. I gig without a back-up.

Customer Support: N/A
Never dealt with them.

Overall Rating: 10
I would buy another and another! I put in an effects loop to save my tone from being eaten by my effects rack. The more of your guitar tone that gets to the amp section unpolluted the better. Besides, this amp will never be for sale! I've seen many people on the net who own a Vox, ask what overdrive pedal can they use that will keep the amps natural tone underneath the crunch. I've got it.

Submitted by Adam Martin at 04/10/1999 22:25

Price Paid: US $650.

Features: 7
I don't know how old this reissue is becaue mine had the 3 channels (Vib/Trem, Top Boost & Normal) plus reverb. I don't see any tube rectifier, so it must be solid state. I bought it used w/ Celestion G12-75'. My version has (4) EL-84's and (8) 12ax7's. I'm going to retube it because I think the original tubes are still in it and the amp may be 10 years old or older.

Sound Quality: 9
I play mainly Telecasters although I also have a Peavey Wolfgang w/stop tailpiece. I also use a TS-9, Klon Centaur and Dan Echo. The sound with my Tele is sparkling, up front and unlike any other amp I've heard. It just has a different quality to it. Now I see why Matchless based their amps on the AC-30. You have to be able to play to enjoy this sound, meaning its so sensitive but... This thing cuts but if you set the treble properly it's sweeter than Fender's with more midrange than the Blackface and Silverface amps. I use the top boost channel with the bass all the way down and treble midway, but your hands will tell you how to set it-everyone's different.

Reliability: N/A
It's still new to me so I'm not sure yet about reliability. Mine doesn't seem to run extrememly hot.

Customer Support: N/A
No experience yet. I want to find out how old it is and I'll call Korg.

Overall Rating: 9
I've been playing a long time (I gigged with Beethoven before he was famous)and recently curiousity has gotten the best of me regarding classic amps which I've never owned. My '73 Marshall 50 watt head and this amp are my favorites. I played a new AC-15 which I didn't like that much but this thing...

Submitted by Howard Paul at 02/02/1999 08:23

Price Paid: US $950.00 used

Features: 8
This is a 33 watt two-twelve combo w/ three channels (Brilliant, Normal, and Vib-Trem) and NO reverb. The vib-trem control is footswitchable (w/ a regular 1/4 inch footswitch jack-nothing hard to come by). While the channels are not switchable, you can run jumper cables to run either two or all three in series. It's Class A biased and thus self-biasing. Mine is a '92 model (I have no idea who built it...) and has a solid state rectifier, but is otherwise all tube. While not flexible control-wise, it is very flexible as to what styles of music it's good for.

Sound Quality: 10
I use a variety of guitars with this amp. While all sound good, I find that my 'brighter' sounding instruments behave the best w/ this amp. The amp is "bright and mid-rangy" without alot of bass response, and compresses more than my Fender amps-AC30s are famous for this. I run all three channels together, the Normal channel providing a slightly better low end than the Brilliant channel, which has most of the tone . The Vib-Trem channel has no depth control, but its' volume knob works sorta like one when chained with the others in series. The channels are VERY interactive and small changes can defintley wreak havoc on a finely tweaked tone. Further, the high end on these amps can kill mosquitos at 100 yards, so it's important to watch yer treble when tweaking the tremelo. The tremelo itself isn't very deep and is quite fast even at its slowest setting. While ineffective for Duane Eddy throb, it can do psychedlic stuff marvelously, as well as Leslie speaker impersonations. I've never had an amp w/ vibrato and thus no reference point-but once you turn it on you will definitely realize "Hey, I've heard this sound before..." Since it's a Class A amp it runs very hot, and has a very pleasingly rich overdrive sound. It has to be heard to be really appreciated, but I now see why so many boutique amps base their circuit on the AC30.

Reliability: 8
Class A amps are hard on tubes, but mine have held up well for the past five months I've had it. I've heard tales of the old ones going up in flames, but this amp seems quite well ventilated. I guess it's too early to tell, but I've been hauling (and I do mean hauling) it to gigs, jams, etc. and it seems perfectly stable. According to the guy I bought it from there's been no repairs and all components are original. I'll only give it an eight, but I may be short changing it-alot of people seem to use these as their main amps.

Customer Support: 10
My customer support from Action Music in Arlington, Va. has been fantastic (proprietor Matt Baker was a former AC30 user and has provided me w/ much insight to its use and capabilities). I've never dealt w/ Vox. The music store gets a ten

Overall Rating: 9
I've been playing for twenty years and so far this is my all time fav amp. I play a variety of "roots" type stuff. Putting an outboard Fender reverb in front of this thing is what dreams are made of. It provides plenty of snap and twang off a tele-w/ a good delay pedal and tubescreamer you can nail Danny Gattons' tone (if not his licks). Mine still has the nifty chrome stand, which looks cool, and sorta helps protect the amp if placed over it while travelling, but overall adds to more stuff/weight when travelling-a potentially big concern cuz AC30s are HEAVY! mine has Celestion greenback speakers, which sound great to my ears. I simply love the sound of this amp. They're expensive and heavy and some are potentially unreliable-but sonically it's heads above the rest.

Submitted by Bob Craver at 04/28/1998 09:26

Price Paid: US $995

Features: 5
Not a whole lot of bells and whistles here, folks. Six inputs; two for each channel. (Normal,Brilliant, Vib/Trem) Not very versatile, but good for those who know what they are looking for. Since the AC-30 doesn't have reverb, I'm using an old Ibanez delay pedal for the shimmering effect.

Sound Quality: 9
I run my old strat through an effects chain (no efx loop on amp) into the Vox. I'm in an indie-rock band, and although Vox's aren't really known for the true "rock out" sort of sound, it's perfect. The tone of the amp without any distortion (I usually play through the brilliant channel because you can adjust the settings for treble and bass) is stunning. I can't really put it any other way. When you add distortion, depending on what you are looking for, the results can be incredible. The amp has a slight hum when on, but hardly noticeable when playing live. Like I said before, it's not very versatile, but the great thing is that you can tweak it to your own liking using various pedals. That's what makes this amp so widely used. You can bastardize it with as many effects as you'd like, but it still maintains that incredible tone.

Reliability: 7
Rule of thumb: AC-30's run hot. True, the cooling vents are bigger now, but the class A circuit in the amp naturally runs warm. I put a fan behind mine and it keeps the amp surprisingly cool, but if I take it away, then I'm taking my chances. The Edge of U2 has an immense collection of these amps, a couple of which actually erupted into flames on stage. Go figure.

Customer Support: N/A
Never dealt with them. I'm sure they're very nice english chaps.

Overall Rating: 10
I spent over two years looking for an amp to use consistently. I looked at Fenders, Mesa's, Marshalls, even Oranges. I knew Vox made great amps, but I couldn't see spending $1600 on a thirty some watt amp. Camping out on this web page became a religious practice for me. Finally, it came down to too hernia-inflicting combos: a Fender Twin, or a Vox AC-30. With the Vox, I'd be paying more, but inside my head I knew I wanted it more than the Fender. It just had THAT TONE. Then I saw an ad on this music store's web page (Master Musician's: if you're ever in the DC/Baltimore area, I suggest you check them out) . They had an AC-30 for under a grand. As it turns out, the Vox in question had a little scrape on the covering, so the price was lower. So I bought it... and it was the best decision I could have ever made. For the price I got it for, I'd buy it over and over again. Thanks for listening to my little dramatic "how I got my amp" saga.

Submitted by Chad at 01/22/1998 06:00

Price Paid: US $1700

Features: 5
Who needs features when you have that tone! It has a sound that works and thats all it needs!

Sound Quality: 10
It likes single-coils the best, but humbuckers sound fine also. If you want to have a sound unlike most others, get one of these amps. Turn it up and it just screams, and keep it low and it chimes. Great recording amp, Great live amp!

Reliability: 8
Since I got mine(a '94 korg reissue) I have had a problem with ghost notes especially the louder it gets. Even though these ghost notes are VERY annoting, the amp still works fine as long as I put good quality tubes in it.

Customer Support: N/A
Haven't called them.

Overall Rating: 10
If I could do it again, I would, but I would buy a custom color version. These amps are great!

Submitted by Anonymous at 11/22/1997 17:14

Price Paid: US $1600

Features: 7
The AC-30 has three channels (Vib-trem, normal and brilliant) with 6 inputs. It has the standard bass/treble, but no mid, and the EQ only seems to affect the brilliant channel. A Cut dial works like a presence or bright switch, but is quite versitile. It comes with 2 12" speakers, your choice of Celestion Vintage 30s or Vox Blue Reissues. The Blues are more expensive and only rated at 12 watts a piece, but sound better. The amp is a devilishly loud 33 watts and has three handles so it's easier to carry this unwieldy beast. Mine is a limited edition made in red covering, I have heard there are only 50 in the world. My only feature gripes are the lack of reverb and the steep price. Some may be upset by no distortion, but cranking the volume gives you silky overdrive to die for.

Sound Quality: 9
Each channel is distinctly different, I will describe each separately. Vib-Trem is, you guessed it, Vibrato and tremolo. the Vibe is a square waveform rather than the more common triangle waveform (such as on Fender) so the sound isn't as "swampy", it is almost like turning the volume knob on your guitar up and down very quickly. Listen to "Planet Telex" by Radiohead to hear it. It's spooky. Trem is quite fast, and adds a cool texture. R.E.M.'s "Whats the Frequency..." is a good example. Each sound has three speed settings- not the utmost in flexability, but cool. The Normal channel can put out a decent clean rhythm sound, but is rather mediocre as compared to the other two channels. Brilliant is the definative "Top Boost" sound. It can range from a fat clean to liquidy overdrive, yet always maintains it's tonal characteristics and definition. While this amp can't generate an impressive plethora of tones, the few it does spit out are remarkably useful. Some say it is not a versitile amp, but look at some of it's users- Kevin Shields of My Bloody Valentine, U2's the Edge, Peter Buck of R.E.M., the Beatles, Courtney Love of Hole, Rory Gallegher, Brian May of Queen... If that's not variety, I don't know what is. I use a PRS Custom and a Strat for the most part, and each one sounds equally cool. I have a Fender '63 Reverb unit that I use with the Vox, and the 2 are an unbeatable pair. In fact, even with the reverb set to 0, the Fender unit works almost as a preamp and dramatically improves the sound. If you buy the AC-30, I cannot stress enough the good the Fender tank will do you. Hurry though, Fender is no longer making them and they may soon be hard to find.

Reliability: 7
Old Voxes are notorious for exploding into flame. The newer ones have larger top vents, but a fan behind it still wouldn't be a bad idea. Being Class A Tube, it does burn valves rather quickly, but that's the price to pay for great tone. As for speakers, the Celestions probably can take the beating of the cranked amp a lot better, but the inefficiency of the Vox Blues is vital to the sound. They should last you for a good while, though, unless you use a heavy distortion pedal at loud volumes. Matt Baker at Action Music (check out thier website at actionguitar on guitarnet) says that at low volumes, a pedal like a Big Muff or Hyper Metal is ok, but if you use it with the amp cranked, it will rip the Vox Blues to confetti. Again, Celestions should be fine. I use a Tubescreamer and have yet to encounter a problem. In short, if you are careful with this amp, it should give you no problems. They are built in the Marshall factory, so I assume they are pretty tough.

Customer Support: N/A
I can't comment on this really, but I know Vox amps are built in the Marshall factory, so that's who you would be dealing with. Be careful with it and you'll probably never need Customer Support.

Overall Rating: 8
Overall it's a pretty solid amp. If you could only have one amplifier, I would advise you shop around before you commit to the Vox. I have a Fender Deville and a Marshall that I use along with the Vox, and these three give me just about everything I could want. It's definately worth checking out if your in the market for a cool new tube amp. I couldn't decide whether to give it an 8 or a 9, but finally decided on an 8. One thing about this amp- if you can't play really well, and get good tone out of your Fingers, this amp won't give you anything. In the hands of a really good guitarist, it's an easy "10." I am young and rather inexperienced so I still have some time to go before I can get the full potential out of this amp. If anyone has any tricks they have discovered with the Vox or questioned, feel free to e-mail

Submitted by Eamonn Aiken at 05/12/1997 14:44

Price Paid: US $1000.00 used

Features: 8
The amp is an improved remake of the early 60's Jennings AC-30. It is made in the Marshall factory, with a much improved chassis than the original, and larger vents for better cooling. At 33 watts, it is surprisingly loud, should handle most situations with ease. It was never designed for the ultimate in versatility, but it basically has one awesome sound. If you are looking for a swiss army knife, then this amp isn't it!

Sound Quality: 10
It is a very quiet amp, and crank it up, and you will know why you bought it!

Reliability: 10
El84's run hot, but the improved venting helps out...I would trust and take this amp anywhere, anytime.

Customer Support: N/A
Never had to use them, but Korg seems like a sharp group of folks.

Overall Rating: 10
I would definately buy it again, don't get a Matchless when you can buy the real thing!!!

Submitted by Anonymous at 03/23/1997 19:59

Price Paid: N/A used

Features: 7
Typical old-style amp (separate jacks for each channel, no switching). Three channels which can be an advantage, two jacks for each channel. (Vib/Trem, Normal and Brilliant). You can use an AB box to use more than one channel at once. The tone controls are a little unusual. Nominal 30 watts output from 4 EL84 tubes. 6 preamp tubes and a tube rectifier. (Note: the regular non top-bost AC30 has 5 preamp tubes). All preamp tubes are standard 12AX7, 12AU7, etc.
There's a lack of shielding at the back and bottom of the amp. Be warned - pulling the mains selector plug on the top panel exposes live mains wiring a few millimetres down into the socket. It shouldn't be on the top panel where it can get water etc in it. Power cord, speakers and foot switch are not detachable from the amp. (This may be a modification from the original though). The power cord was wired direct to the circuit with just a knot in it to hold it in the amp. This may be a mod, but at any rate it is not acceptable. The design of the amp does not give good opportunity for ventilation of the tubes. The top of the power-amp chassis section is very prone to build up of grime and rust, because the air vents are above it. Fortunately, the rest of the circuit has stayed relatively clean over the years. It's cathode bias, which means no bias adjustments, and it runs in class A with no negative feedback (which means hot running and a very tubey sound). This power amp configuration is somewhat unique for a guitar amp (but this does not affect serviceability).

Sound Quality: 7
Sound - Vib/Trem and Normal sound decidedly mediocre. The brillant channel is excellent due to the top boost circuit, which adds an excellent quality to the entire sound, not just the treble. It a very 'alive' sound. I'd strongly recommend modding an amp (not just Vox) to have this top boost circuit. Good for a wide range of sounds; I'm sure you know the major users of Vox amps. It hums and hisses a lot due to poor circuit layout and the lack of negative feedback.

Reliability: 5
I wouldn't trust one of these as far as I could throw it. The circuit layout is just so cheap and nasty, a real rat's nest. The chassis is cheaply pressed out of steel that looks like It would be expensive to fix, since the chassis is made of two bent sheet metal pieces bolted together (I hesitate to call it a 'chassis'). And the circuit layout is quite complex and frustrating to service. Overall, the circuit design is bad from a hum and buzz point of view. The carry handles have broken repeatedly. It's hard on its tubes.

Overall Rating: 6
This amp would sound bad (to me) without the top boost on the brilliant channel, which is outstanding. The other channels were fairly mediocre. When it comes down to it, this is a cheaply made mediocre amp. The average Fender is far better designed and built, by way of comparison.

Submitted by Hamish Hubbard at 01/21/1997 12:45