Vox AC30 Wranglers

Hands up the AC30 owners!

1991, made in England, ss rectifier, valve "everything else"...
http://www.tdpri.com/telephoto/data/539/medium/Vox_ac30-1.jpg

I got one wouldnt trade it for nothing

I've never owned a JMI, but I've heard and played through several. My first AC30 was an early 1990s Korg model with Blues, with the Don Butler mods (MM OT, carbon comp resistors, better caps, filtering reduced to vintage levels) it sounded pretty close to a mid-60's JMI, but because I favor the semidirty ranges of AC30 sound I had to use a THD Hotplate with it to be able to play anywhere. Then I got a limited edition AC30HW head/cab model (the Tony Bruno designed one) when those came out - it has a single channel with fantastic deep usable tube reverb, deep lush vibrato, a very good master volume, sounds amazing at any volume. A little darker sounding than the classic AC30s. The only problem with that amp is that it's very valuable, and pretty large/unwieldy, so I was looking for a smaller, more portable solution. I found a used AC30CC1x, changed the speaker to a Celestion Gold, and had Don Butler change the choke and OT, upgrade the caps to Sozo Vintage, and the resistors in the signal path to carbon comps. At the expense of a bit more hiss at idle from the CC resistors, this little amp sounds "old" and organic, almost as good as the AC30HW. It's not particularly light, but it is slightly smaller than a 2x12, and quite a bit smaller than my head/cab AC30HW, and is a VERY versatile amp. The single Gold sounds pretty similar to two blues at gig volume (I know because the lead player in my band sometimes uses my AC30HW for gigs).

Though I also use other amps, the AC30 to me is the most versatile and "correct" sounding amp for the kind of classic/boomer type rock that I like to play, and I keep coming back to it as my default/home sound.

I built my own AC30 - with a normal channel and a Top Boost channel. I put a halfpower/AC15 switch in the back, a Master Volume (PPIMV) in the front, used a Mojo smallbox Marshall style head cab and Ceriatone chassis/faceplates using the Mid hole for a Cut control.



http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q162/AshCaster/My%20Amps/Vox/VoxandEsquire.jpg



I also got a matching red Avatar 2x12" cab with Celestion AlNiCo Blues in it:


http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q162/AshCaster/My%20Amps/Vox/voxback.jpg



I mainly use it in AC15 mode. At 30w or 15w, what an amp!

Count me in for the AC30 Club,

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh98/SouthpawGuy/Heritage%20Hotties/DSCF0576.jpg

I got an AC30CC2 last December, I'm still finding new tones with it.

It sounds great with my ASATs and the Heritage semi hollows. I usually use booster or overdrive pedals to get overdrive tones at reasonable volumes for home use.

Picture shows a Heritage Millennium.

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q162/AshCaster/My%20Amps/Vox/VoxandEsquire.jpg
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q162/AshCaster/My%20Amps/Vox/voxback.jpg

Mr Crash is showin' off again...:grin:

Seriously, that's SWEEEET!

And I'd take that Esquire back, JC.... the headstock's on backwards.

I'm in with a AC30CC2 Chinese version, but I'm proud of it. It has some issues and I'd like to do some cool mods to it eventually. A low power modification would be great, that thing is deafening.

I have either blown the speakers ( Not blues) or some other problem has arisen. I changed the tubes out, but something is still wrong. I put in three Mesa 12AX7's and 4 groove Tube EL84's. The EL84's are 8-10 rating. I didn't notice this until I had them installed, but I left them in.

I'll get into more detail when I can attempt to describe the sound it makes.

Martin...

Only six of us.:shock: Surely there must be some other AC30 guys out there ???

I own and gig with 2 ac30cc2 amps....no, not at the same time, the crowd would have to stand in the other room! I love them. They sound amazing loud with Tele or Rick, and Martin I was surprised to hear about your wharfdales, I have tortured, punished and beaten the hell outta mine and they still sound great. Only problem, this amp eats rectifier tubes!

I've got a Valvetech Hayseed 30, which I'm told is an exact clone of the 1963 AC30. Can I play? ;-)

I love it, one of the coolest amps I've ever owned. :cool: CS

(Edit to add): I'm playing it through a cabinet sporting two AlNiCo Blues. Mmmm, nummy. :cool:

I have the AC30CC1 with a Red Fang in it. Also an AC15CC1 with a Celestion Blue I put in it. I love my AC30 most. I changed out the reverb tank to an Accutronics (Best move ever) I'd never sell either of mine.

I have the AC30CC1 with a Red Fang in it. Also an AC15CC1 with a Celestion Blue I put in it. I love my AC30 most. I changed out the reverb tank to an Accutronics (Best move ever) I'd never sell either of mine.
I wanna do this to mine as well. Which tank did you buy? I want a more noticeable verb without the thousand year delay that the stock verb has.

I have the AC30CC1 with a Red Fang in it. Also an AC15CC1 with a Celestion Blue I put in it. I love my AC30 most. I changed out the reverb tank to an Accutronics (Best move ever) I'd never sell either of mine.


I wanna do this to mine as well. Which tank did you buy? I want a more noticeable verb without the thousand year delay that the stock verb has.

Sounds like a very interesting mod, I'd like to hear more also.

Sounds like a very interesting mod, I'd like to hear more also.

Accutronics P-R9EB2C1B

Got mine from Antique Electronic Supply- really did make a difference and was really easy to change

Accutronics P-R9EB2C1B

Got mine from Antique Electronic Supply- really did make a difference and was really easy to change

Thanks for the info, I will check that out.

Any of you AC30cc2 users upgraded your speakers? Been thinkin bout this lately, but the alnico blues are soooo expensive. Wondering if there is a cheaper yet comparable speaker upgrade. Please help.

Accutronics P-R9EB2C1B

Got mine from Antique Electronic Supply- really did make a difference and was really easy to change

Does the Accutronics P-R9EB2C1B work with an AC30CC2 ?

Does the Accutronics P-R9EB2C1B work with an AC30CC2 ?

Yes

Yes

Thanks again for the info.

The AC30 is steady moving up my list of 'Have to demo' amps. Great thread!

Great info on the Accutronic Reverb...gotta get one of those.
I've got an AC30CC2 and recently switched the speakers to Alnico Blue. That was a serious improvement to the sound. The Alnicos gives a whole other amp. Many things about the sound is better. Firstly the "hizzy" top from the wharfies are gone. A more well defined bass is also evident. The top is more clear - and then the bell/ringing kinda sound...holy smoke ..with a set of new strings you look back at the amp when playing and think "what is going ooon back there?"...I gotta make a youtube video on the sound diff from earlier.

I have a Vox ac30cc2. I really love the way this amp sounds. I have to admit, I've had lost of problems with jacks coming loose, knobs falling off, etc. But the thing sounds amazing.

I wanna do this to mine as well. Which tank did you buy? I want a more noticeable verb without the thousand year delay that the stock verb has.

I bought through Accutronics ebay store. I bought part number 9EB2C1B and it works like a charm.

Brand new member: In with an AC30 112 that I traded a Hot Rod Deluxe for.

I'm in love. Although I think I got a factory reject. There aren't any numbers on the faceplate.

So is the 1x12 version called the AC30 cc1?

Yes, the 1x12 version of the AC30CC is called the AC30CC1. They don't make it any more, or at least they don't import it to the US. The stock Neomag speaker is a bit cold and simple sounding compared to the sound of the Blues that's the "customary" voice of the amp. The best speaker for that is the Celestion Gold, or the Scumback Scumnico. Both of those sound very, very similar to the Celestion Blue, but the amp would cook a single Celestion Blue. A bargain choice that's sort of in the ballpark is the Eminence Red Fang.

I bought through Accutronics ebay store. I bought part number 9EB2C1B and it works like a charm.


I did it and man what a difference! Useable, delicious verb at all settings. Far better than the stock tank, thanks for this tip, I highly recommend it.

I had one of the last Rose-Morris AC30s-the one where they went back and did it fairly right-leather handles and everything. I still wish I had it until I think about carrying it down stairs all by myself after a gig. :lol:

It is a heavy mother. I love the thing but it is way heavier than the Hot Rod deluxe.

http://www.tdpri.com/telephoto/data/516/PC260621.jpg

My long time dream come true! It doesn't bother at all that it is Made in China. This thing is awesome and so versatile! Check these clips for sound samples:

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<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7CMeravepmw&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7CMeravepmw&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

Freewheeler, nice playing, cool sound! Chapeau!
Does the AC30 do the crunch by itself or are you using a pedal?

Freewheeler, nice playing, cool sound! Chapeau!
Does the AC30 do the crunch by itself or are you using a pedal?

Thanks! I use a VOX Big Ben Overdrive for overdriven sound on the two demo clips. On the live clip it's only the AC30 quite loud :-)

wow, the recording is crap, but still the sound translates. do you know this guy?ntfdmMgLa3k
I think you'll kind of like it.

edit: youtube link fixed

wow, the recording is crap, but still the sound translates. do you know this guy?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntfdmMgLa3k
I think you'll kind of like it.

Sorry, no link there...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntfdmMgLa3kntfdmMgLa3k
sorry!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntfdmMgLa3kntfdmMgLa3k
sorry!

Kid Ramos! I know him from The Fabulous Thunderbirds and I also have a couple of his solo CDs. Great player and a great Esquire tone! I've got that whole Thunderbirds gig on dvd :-)

And naturally he uses an AC30.

Glad to be part of this club!
AC30CC1 w/ weber blue dog. Got a few mods in mind - reverb tank, and a few others. But its a keeper!

I have changed the verb tank, and knocked out the bright cap on one of my two AC30cc2's. Very happy with these mods, the bright cap mod allows me to crank up the treble and sounds more round and glassy in the highs. Still bright and cutting, just somehow more open and natural. And as claimed, it likes pedals even more now, not that I disliked the sound pre-mod, it is just better now!

My Habit:The list-
AC30CCHead,late 60's Buckingham cab w/Red Fangs, AC30 Heritage head/bottom, Brian May Signature AC30, Avatar Vintage style w/Celestion Blues. Night train.
I have a problem. :)

OK guys/gls are you all sitting down...

I'm a Fender man through and through. I'll never play my tele through anything else.

However, early this year (or was it last year??) I was given this...

ALL ORIGINAL 1965 VOX AC30 :shock:

Yep! It's got the original valves, blue speakers and all original circuitry. It was last played in around 1973 then the now deceased owner stored it in his garage until I got it from his wife.

These pictures were taken as soon as I could after removing the 2 crates and 5 old paint cans of the top of it. This is as it was, I have not done anything to it except wrapped it in a blanket and stored it under the spare bed.

Let the drooling commence...

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd38/ljeffery_album/vox6.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd38/ljeffery_album/vox2.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd38/ljeffery_album/vox1.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd38/ljeffery_album/vox3.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd38/ljeffery_album/vox4.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd38/ljeffery_album/vox5.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd38/ljeffery_album/vox7.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd38/ljeffery_album/vox8.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd38/ljeffery_album/vox9.jpg

:shock:Tasty. You going to gig it??

Dave, I can barely lift it mate lol

Nah, will take it into a vintage amp restorer though to get it working again, not touch the outside though.

then it'll sit in a spare room as a rehearsal amp!

cool

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b88/LtShady/-1.jpg

First and only tube amp.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b88/LtShady/-1.jpg

First and only tube amp.
Pretty. Is that an early 90's Reissue?

No, it's a 2008 Heritage Collection. AC30H2

Cool.
I remember seeing Aussie guitar guy Ian Moss back in 1991/92 using 2 of the Korg RI's in white Tolex. I don't think they made many in white.

http://i532.photobucket.com/albums/ee324/chesterburger/PICT0023.jpg
http://i532.photobucket.com/albums/ee324/chesterburger/PICT0026.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b88/LtShady/-1.jpg

First and only tube amp.
Oh good golly that is so beautiful!!