Do You Need a Vox AC30? | AC30c2x Review, Tone Tips & More

[@StratsRUs]

I'm glad I bought an AC15C2 , the Twin AC15. It's loud but controllable. It's a beautiful amp. The Tone Lounge helped me a lot !

[@squirelova1815]

I have NEVER finished watching vids on this channel without learning something very useful and/or new.

[@JackFossett]

Glad to hear it!

[@squirelova1815]

@@JackFossett "I only regret that I have only one thumbs up to give" and that your videos aren't even longer.

[@SeekerMusic]

A lot of people get very scooped sounds with AC30s, but it doesn't have to be that way. Dont know if this works on the newer models, it definitely works on the older ones... try turning bass knob to least bassy and treble and cut to least trebly. That should be a really cool sound, very punky. Then add as much bass as you want. Just turning it up a fraction adds loads of bass so you might not need much. Then turn up the treble knob, but dont listen to the treble. It acts as a low mids cut so you can control how scooped it is. Again, barely above zero is fine. Then lastly use the cut to add as much treble as you want. You could have all the eq knobs on zero or just above zero and it'll sound great. Lots of good sounds to find!

[@guitarvoxman]

I have to say, after years of watching KZbin vids on this subject, this is the most accurate and informative description of this series of amps by far. (Mine being a cc2) a very interesting watch. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@JackFossett]

Awesome! Appreciate that very much.

[@guitarvoxman]

Honestly , a great video. I think only people that have owned and played one for real will appreciate the analysis. I know KZbin and audio online can distort the sound in reality. But I can connect with all the clips. There is a definite quality with these amps that can only be felt by the player. (As with any amp I suppose )😏

[@gerryloughran1676]

intro says yes ...that Gibson loves that amp...great info..super tones

[@moustachio334]

The 'sparkle'happens because the amp circuit distorts high frequencies while keeping the low frequencies from becoming distorting. This creates a lot of overtones. Even when they sound clean cranked, they are distorting. The non distorting bass frequencies are what keep the tone seemingly clean. I don't remember how they did this but it's worth looking into. This is why I don't like Fenders unless they're clean clean. I hate cranked blackfaces because they just go blarg and the low end muffles everything up.

[@alw1340]

Love the videos as always! Took me forever to like AC30’s, honestly came down to playing one with the right speaker, I actually like the green backs, and getting the EQ right. Now they maybe my favorite amp type. They cut through everything so well and play well with fuzz and treble boosters. But they do sit right on the edge price wise close to boutique amps. That’s how I ended up with a Dr. Z Maz, basically a well built AC30 with an incredible EQ

[@richardmottern7358]

Jack, have you played on a vox ac30s1?

[@anthonydavella8350]

I had my AC 10 listed on flea bay and played with it waiting for the auction to end. That little amp sounded so killer🙁@@richardmottern7358

[@rorymcclellan3740]

Iv had an AC30c2 for about 6 years now. It was my first real tube amp after my last working solid state amp blew up. Iv always felt opposingly about its approachability. I feel like I can just plug in and find a great sound immediately. But mine also has celestion anniversary speakers in it 🤷‍♂️ all my friends love it and its never not been heard at a gig! I just love it and embrace it fully. But that said, 6yrs ago, I got it for 600 bucks used in just clean, awesome shape for that money now! Now I have an Origin 50h as well. Another polarizing amp lmao.

[@GuitaristDanH]

I came here in 2024 to tell you that, yes, you do need an AC30. You're welcome!

[@rogerchanning]

I own a 1967 Ac30 with Alnico speakers. I used it for many years as part of a Beatles tribute band. It's the best amp I have ever owned and I've had a few. So different from the more modern AC30's The only down side is the weight (it's so heavy).....I'll never sell it though. Thanks for the vlog

[@mariodriessen9740]

I'm gonna watch this video tomorrow (I'm in the Netherlands, I should be sleeping for hours now). I just wanted to say that I've always needed an AC30. NEEDED!!! And I needed my first AC30, my first grown up man's amp. I must have been 18 years old. It was a '72 Top Boost with Silver Bells. I don't care what people say about 'chime' and AC30's sounding harsh..., because that old AC30 had a warmth in it that I've never found in any other amp. I've tried and owned numerous amps over the years (I'll be 55 Tuesday, so I'm old). To me nothing beats the '72. I've owned several AC30's. One with Wharfdales and now I have one with Celestion Blues. The Blues are great, the Wharfdales not so much. Unfortunately my old '72 AC30, plus another one got stolen from me 8 years ago. I had it for almost 30 years and it literally still hurts. However, times are changing. I bought another AC30 with Celestion Blues this year and I just can't use it anymore. Now that I'm older, I don't play the larger venues anymore and even when I keep it relatively quiet, it's still too loud for most people. Since I bought it, half a year ago, I only used it three times and all three times I was pissing people off. They pissed me off just as much by the way, for not letting me have the sound I want. Yes, I played the AC15 for 5or 6 years and I love that amp, but it's not the same. Now I use a Morgan AC20. It's cool, because it enables me to play quieter, but again, it's not the same. I even bought the UA Ruby for recording purposes. Sounds like an AC30, but it doesn't have that magical tone of my old '72 TB. Nothing has. Stolen!!! Including flightcases and all. Probably for a couple of grams of cocaine (I knew who did it, but she kept her mouth shut - I'm still affraid one day I might see a band with a guitar player playing my old AC30). Sorry for the long and probably boring story. When I saw the title of your video I got triggered. Call it PTSS. 😖 I never felt such a strong emotional connection with any sort of musical gear, except for a couple of guitars. Anyway, I can't wait to see the video. I like what you're doing. ❤️👍

[@BeesWaxMinder]

Thank You for Sharing

[@mariodriessen9740]

@@BeesWaxMinder : Thank you! I just saw the video. Jack began with saying he never played an old AC30. I have (for almost 30 years) and I can only say that to me it was a completely different experience. It was an easy amp to get great tones out of. All you needed to do was flicking the on/off switch. I couldn’t get a bad sound out of it. No problems with muddy mids. It had a full, dynamic sound with a lot of clarity AND a lot of warmth. And a punch! You could literally feel and even see the air moving. These 15 Watts Silver Bell speakers had to work hard. It was such a joy to play. This doesn’t mean I can’t get a good sound out of a new AC30 (cc2x or whatever), but you have to be a little more cautious indeed. And again, it’s not the same. Another huge difference between the newer ones and the older ones is the sound on ‘lower volumes’ (this is relative by the way). I could play clean with the volume knob on 2,5 to 3 and it sounded amazing. The newer ones will only begin to sound good above 3 (clean). Below this it just sounds thin. I never played a modern hand wired version, so I can’t say anything about that. I only wish I could have my ‘72 back.

[@BeesWaxMinder]

@@mariodriessen9740 if you know any details/discerning features of your missing amplifiers etc like the serial number, perhaps you could put it up here on the off chance..?🤞

[@mariodriessen9740]

@@BeesWaxMinder : Thanks. I would recognize my old AC30 in so many ways. But it had a handful of marks on it that were quite unique for that particular amp. In one of the lower corners on the back was an L shaped (flipped sideways) mark of white paint. I once met one of the previous owners. He told me that he used to play 4 of these AC30’s all linked together. That corner indicated the position of the amp. The 4 amps together thusly would form a large white rectangular shape. Off course you can connect the amp by jump switching them via the 6 inputs on each amp, but because he thought it would be a weak connection he gave all the amps, including mine, an XLR output on the back of the amp, approximately an inch beneath the normal inputs. It was a grey panel amp. The vibrato channel worked, but the vibrato itself was disconnected. Two of the three handles were missing. The third handle (plastic) was broken on one side. The whole amp was in a poor condition from the outside. The baffle was ‘loose’ (a lot of loose screws) and rattled like crazy. We ‘fixed’ this problem with a lot of Gaffa tape or duct tape. Bits and pieces of the tolex were missing and off course the speaker cloth had some holes in it as well. When you were playing you could see the speaker cloth flapping with every note you’d hit. The Silver Bell speakers didn’t have a label, but they were stamped T1088. It was most probably stolen in Nijmegen, The Netherlands, because that’s where I’ve lived all my life. I do have a couple of pictures of that amp somewhere (including one of the back with the black backplate with the serial number). And it was in a yellow flightcase. The other AC30 was a new one (around 2000) and equipped with Wharfdales. But I wouldn’t be able to recognize that one if it would save my life. Wouldn’t it be completely mental if THIS is the way I find my old AC30 back? Thanks for the opportunity. I appreciate it. 😊

[@BeesWaxMinder]

@@mariodriessen9740 no problem and be sure to update this with the serial number if you find those photos

[@henryhopkins2713]

I have two AC 30s I have one AC 30C:with greenbacks and I have a AC 30 CX with alico blues. I also use a vox tone lab Le. And other effects depending on the setup and what's needed sometimes I run AB box to switch in between the two or run both of them in stereo. Also have a box super Berkeley 3 from 1968 that I had recently rebuilt. That is an excellent condition. I've been a long time vox user. One of the most versatile systems I have. Also use Marshall JC 800 100 watt stack. A variety of other amplifiers.

[@Yardbird68]

I got a late 90's ( that I bought new ) purple tolex AC30TBX Limited Edition, that has the Celestion Alnico Blue speakers. I too, have a LOVE, HATE relationship with it. I am a BIG Yardbirds fan, especially with Jeff in the group. So, that was the main reason for getting it. Sometimes, it sounds amazing, other times I just cannot dial in a good tone or even repeat the amazing tone I found. I still cannot or have not found a pedal to get that Yardbirds sound I love, like on I'm Not Talking or Train Kept A Rollin. Anyway, I enjoy your thoughts and insights on ALL your videos. Plus, I enjoy your playing, more so, than most on YT. Keep up the great work.

[@mattgilbert7347]

For me, I also imagined myself playing a Vox AC30, when i was growing up with music. I used one with Wharfdales for a year or so, but found it unsuited to my needs. Nowadays I prefer an AC15 or my Laney VC30 (2x10 w/Jensens). If I needed that AC30 thing, which I call *Spangle* (Yes, that's the one, it spangles) I would absolutely use one again. Paired with another amp that handles the bottom end a little better and pedals to fix the midrange (Klone or maybe an Xotic RC, AC) and it's a great tone.

[@nenadbozic4816]

I gotta say this after a couple of months of casually watching your videos - this is a great channel! Keep up the great work, you deserve at least half a mil of subs. I wish you luck getting there soon! Cheers!

[@dmac3316]

Cool vid. I’ve had problems dialing in Vox’s. I’ll get a sound then change a setting slightly or add volume and it falls apart. When dialed properly though they’re cool.

[@JackFossett]

That’s just it. When you hit the right sound, they rock. But the right sound can be hard to find.

[@DavidScott-hi4fz]

Have had a few AC30s, but fell in love once I got the Alnico Blue version. Really get this love hate relationship! I feel the same way, and the interactive tone controls are hard to manage. Constantly checking out other people's settings and have had success grabbing the settings from The Edge's and Chris Shifflet's rig rundown videos! Also would add I never put the pre-amp volume above 2 oclock as it becames way too flubby after this point. Any extra gain needed I'll boost it instead (solodallas Storm is an incredible boost for this amp)

[@BB-ft6nd]

They have an AC30 OneTwelve and it's perfect. At first, I was hesitant, but now I'm onboard the EL84 goodness.

[@marcospintor1333]

I’ve always felt like in the room, they’re kinda suspicious. Super trebly and ice picky. But when you mic it and listen back with monitors, it’s so good. It’s magical

[@JackFossett]

That’s an excellent assessment. It’s frustrating too. It would be easier to just dislike these amps and move on, but as you said, when you listen back they do a thing that other amps don’t do and it’s awesome.

[@voxpathfinder15r]

I think the trick to Vox is just putting them on a reactive load and turn up the master volume, but dial back the dB’s on the load. Get the tone you want without killing your ears.

[@adrienneraeash3440]

I've had a CC2 with Wharfedales, a CC2X with Blues and a C2 with Greenbacks and I think the last one is the best. It's not as dull and muffled as the Wharfs or overly ice-picky like the Blues.

[@mattgilbert7347]

Agreed. Greenback FTW

[@joachimlindback]

Ritchie Blackmore did, thats enough for me. He used Celestion Heritage G12H 30W I have read.

[@Derflz58]

I owned an AC/15 made by thomas organ co. made 1967 it had a bulldog speaker. The warmest midrange and a cool tremolo.

[@ColeDrankWilly]

Got that casino sounding amazing

[@Naindurth]

You need a telecaster! I bought my AC30CC2X more than a decade ago. I changed the preamp tubes and use it in Output Bias Warm, which some say it brings it down to like 22watts. My amp doesn't do high gain on its own, but it's the perfect sweet spot for cleans, and pedals love this. You can play any genre except metal.

[@davidmz2145]

I MISS THE TELE. I think the vox and a tele is an awesome combination, actually one of my favorites

[@anthonydavella8350]

Great stuff sir. TY

[@JackFossett]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@raulgrangeiro]

I started to like this Vox type amps because of the simulation of the Matchless on a Zoom G5n. Now I have a Pedrone VX15, which is a Brazilian boutique AC15. I use it with a Jensen C10Q and like it very much. This Vox type amps are my sound today. Thank God for being able to buy it. I recommend to other players to try one at least one time, they are very different from Fender and Marshal… on a good way.

[@henryuribe4322]

In the first 5 seconds. I already knew the answer. YES

[@brucejohnson8434]

I have the same AC30 with the Blue Alnico speakers. Also paid a little extra to get the baffle board replaced because the MDF the come with doesn't respond like plywood. These are great amps but they are pretty unique in how they operate. Coming from a Fender the learning curve was pretty aggressive but I wanted that scooped out voice which they provide. That's kinda the Vox hall mark. I get very opposite reaction when I suggest these amps to other guitarist. Only thing I hear is "how's your back?" because these things are heavy. Lately I have paired it with a Carvin Bel Air (Hasserl mod). Got to use a stereo pedal that can deal with the ground loop issues but pretty awesome duo.

[@M5guitar1]

I have the AC15C1 which is awesome for small/medium clubs indoors. For outdoors I wish I had the AC30 for more headroom. I usually gig outdoors with a stereo setup with a Mesa Lonestar or Fender Champ. They Mesa is a frustrating amp fyi.

[@graemero5532]

Great review Jack.

[@navemae021]

Yes, i need to have one of this

[@ryanhdmc]

This is little bit of an older video, but I think chime isn’t the worst way of putting it. You talk about about the midrange, and it’s probably why people also associate bells. They’re bright and vocal. To me voxes have a glassy or sparkly sound. Almost like when you drop a wine glass because you’ve had a few too many. It’s just refined in a way that’s beautiful.

[@moustachio334]

I had the AC15C1. I was bothered at how much the pcb flexed while replacing tubes. The final straw was when i took it to a friend's house and every note just died out with no sustain. It lacks sufficient build quality to prevent the tube rattle that was causing this. I didn't treat the amp badly either. I traded up for a Blues Deluxe then bit the bullet on an Orange TH30. That clean channel on the Orange did exactly what I always wanted a cranked clean channel to do from either Fender or Vox so i sold the Fender and bought an Orange OR50. Regretably i didn't buy an AD30 over the TH30. That AD30 does everything wonderful and having two almost identical preamps with their seperate MV is genius. I still love love love that AC30 dirty chime but unless the build quality has improved, it is hard to justify the price.

[@MaxPower-js1sk]

I tried a friends Vox recently, and it was similar to my Tone King Gremlin. Like the Gremlin, I had the choose my OD carefully. A Game Changer worked very well with it.

[@JackFossett]

Is the Gremlin an EL84 amp?

[@philippebattesti1]

Treeble booster in top boost channel. You are a brave man 😂

[@robbyclark6915]

I think the fact that I picked up a year old ac15 that works perfectly for $400 and still ended up buying a brand new Fender 68 custom deluxe reverb a couple months later (which cost me almost 4x more!) says a lot about the ac series of amps. They are really good amps for the price! Especially used. If you're picky, like most guitar players are, then you probably will be replacing it in a few months. The 25 year old me would have been perfectly fine with a vox ac amp for quite a while. The older me is not satisfied with it as my main amp. That said, I think I'm going to sell the ac15 and replace it with the 30! I want that 4 input, channel jumping thing. Plus, it's twice the wattage, and my deluxe reverb is 22 watts, so a 30 should be a nice step up. I will also say that I had a Marshall origin 50c for a couple of weeks, but the Vox just sounded so much better that I never played the Marshall and sent it back. I like the Vox ac amps, all in all, but it could never be my only amp.

[@darwinsaye]

I had one of the ones that were reissued around 2000. Really nice amp, but I found it wasn’t what I expected. I was aware that they had a reputation for being incredibly loud for a 30 watt, but I wasn’t prepared for the fact that I was never going to be able to turn it up loud enough to get any natural overdrive. So I pulled out my overdrive pedals and the next thing I learned was that AC30s have a very specific midrange hump that sounds like absolute crap if you add one of the typical mid-hump overdrives (which were all I had at the time). The third thing that threw me off was the weird interactive EQ, where if you try to turn up the treble it cuts your bass, and if you try to turn up the bass it cuts treble. Oh, and the weight was a shocker. I was used to hauling around a 200 watt Traynor Bass stack, but the AC30 felt *dangerous* to carry by myself. Anyway, after a few years of hardly using it, I let it go without much regret, and went back to my 1966 Princeton Amp as my go to. The Princeton, by the way, was in a two 12 combo cabinet and so it was the same size as the AC30, but weighed literally half as much.

[@jonbuckner4467]

Great video I think you can dial in really satisfying tones but… not every day and it always seems to be a love/hate relationship. A great recording studio amp for its sonic options

[@jeremyfried5463]

I heard the guy who created the original AC 15 has hearing issues and the “chime” was meant to sound deeper but his hearing issues made him think it sounded bassier than he thought.

[@marquisdecarabas1312]

I love the VOX and Fender Sound...i have a VOX AC 120 from the 70s but i try to sell it because it is too much power for my needs...i am struggling with buying a new amp for homeuse because the Fenders are quite too loud. I am thinking of buying the Vox AC 15 head...it has an build in attenuator (sadly the combo doesnt have it).

[@BillCooperOK]

Look at the Fender Tonemasters. They're great.

[@marquisdecarabas1312]

@@BillCooperOK yes i watched some clips of them and they would be a thing for me. But the pricedifference in my country is big. I can get a used vox head for 500€ but the fenders used are still near 1000€. Maybe i wait a few months more. Maybe the resell prices go down in the future. Pro for the Fender would be that you dont have valves you need to change from time to time🙂👍

[@mattgilbert7347]

What about an AC10 combo? Too loud? I live in Australia, we pay a lot for most amps but Vox are relatively affordable. Most players here use modeling tho

[@wadesummers4102]

No......Because I have one already! 😃 Hoping Santa brings me that treble booster I asked for. Mine is a CC2 that I put Blues in. It was a pawn shop find in great condition - just needed a little TLC. UpGraded to the Blues within a few months after getting it.

[@robertlevasseur8896]

Ive done the same. It's one of my favorite amps. If I could only pick one I'd probably take my cc2 with blues.

[@roysmith2650]

you play very good, I do not even though I have played 60 years. Vox was my first amp from a piano store. Wish I still had that one but it did not sound as good as this Vox you just played.

[@carstenmarcussen6565]

I must say, I love my Vox AC30HW60 edition to bits. Build with '64 specs, so no master volume, no FX and reverb. So it is not a modern Vox. It is very laud if cranked so I do not crank it up much and play it clean'ish. I think the more direct circuit makes it "sparkle" even more. I think the alnico speakers is a must. I will give you right Jack, a Vox is not like a Fender or Marshall etc. It is its own thing. And yes a rangemaster in the front suits the amp so good.

[@JackFossett]

That particular model you have is one of the best models Vox has produced in the past 20 years. They're amazing. I used to have the TV AC15 from the same series and the tone was just stunning. I miss it dearly.

[@carstenmarcussen6565]

@@JackFossett I agree. And I was close to get the AC15 from that series, but went for the AC30 instead. Only 150 AC30s and 150 AC15 was handmade in 2017 at the Marshall plant in London. So they are very hard to get. For me it is a keeper. Best regards from Denmark

[@artamussumatra6286]

The AC amps are fantastic, but they are trickier to dial in than some of the other brands. However once you learn how they operate, there’s nothing quite like them. I wouldn’t trade my AC-15 for anything else.

[@CellarGuitarist]

they are the oppsit of tricky. They are Plug&Play. Volume, Gain, Treble, Bass and GO! When it´s to harsh in the Topend, use the "Tone Cut"

[@vincentl.9469]

@@CellarGuitarist When I think AC30 I think...the Shadows, The Beatles and the Edge from U2. The thing is they are a stage amp...not for playing at home, in the garage- as many do. Keeping the volume low might not bring the best out of them...

[@CellarGuitarist]

@@vincentl.9469 Yeah, this is why I use the older brother AC15. U get it realy quiet. but not the kids sleep in the next room quiet for sure.

[@diurivj]

I need to learn how to use mine. I got an AC30C2 and have seen comments about not using the standby switch at all even if the manual says other thing. I want to understand well this and learn the order of how I need to turn it off

[@maxpeck4154]

@@diurivj No amp NEEDS a standby switch. The C2 has a solid state rectifier so use the standby/don't use the standby... doesn't hurt anything either way. With a tube rectifier you should NOT use the standby switch if the amp has one. It can blow the rectifier tube.

[@erikavery8569]

I have an AC30C2… it’s the Balls!!! 😖🤘🏾😖🤘🏾Perfect contrast to my Mesa Combo.😁

[@hoppeguitarshopp7840]

great video as always....

[@BrileyNeyenhuis]

The same things I love about the AC30 are also the things I hate. The ultra present, bright, sparkly (whatever you want to call it) character of it just sits perfectly on a sonic level when recording or playing with others. I’ll probably only ever use it (or versions of it) for the music I play. However, because of the lack of emphasis on the low end, it makes it kinda irritating to just play at home without a backing. But even then, I’ve always found Fender amps to lack the presence the Vox absolutely nails

[@gregoryhall3156]

Being strictly a home/hobby player, I have an AC10-AC15 is too loud for me at home, and an AC30 out of the question loud plus as heavy as an upright piano. AC10 is enough to satisfy my Vox cravings along with a Wampler Ace Thirty pedal if I need to on my Fender Princeton amp. I live in a nice neighborhood with plenty of space between my house and my neighbors-but that also means that I have some neighbors that will call police over noise-even a brief dog barking (

[@hvanraalten1211]

Hello Jack. Is the amp.suitable for jazz? I have a Hofner E2 from 1964 and was wandering if the amp give me greasy jazz sound.

[@Tonetwisters]

I would dearly love to own an original 1963 or 1964 AC-30. FOR REAL!

[@itsmeray01]

I have a Vox ad30vt , How do the Model settings AC15 and AC30TB on My Vox ad30vt compare to the Actual amps? Great videos Jack!

[@JackFossett]

Surprisingly well. I've always thought the Vox models of their own amps were quite good.

[@Matthew_Scan]

I have two the first Chinese one and the current one, I play the current one when I’m playing Beatles or Shadows stuff

[@CorneliusH.TheGreatWizard]

A vox sounds the best, channel jumped and with the master cranked as shit!!

[@Tyldenfilm]

My dream has always been to own a VOX AC30. Last year I finally bought one - a 1964 B. It is absolutely amazing, and sounds great with tons of mid, but the problem is break up. There's hardly any even cranked way up, which is too loud anyway. Maybe because it is a B (bass) model? Anyone know if it's safe to play a Bass VI? It has Blue Alnicos.

[@michaelmarchei8539]

I hate the c and cc models. Got me the hwx2 and it’s everything i need everything at noon and smack the front with a boost when needed 🙏

[@elvyfoster7455]

Vox AC30CC2, AC30VR, AC4, Night Train 2e, AC30S1, and an ACC2.

[@nekkon1989]

I do not own one because I am not after the vox tone. However I find myself not caring anymore about the made in China part. I recently bought an electromatic which is made in China but it is a fantastic guitar for the money, and I believe if it was made either in the USA or in Japan I would have paid a lot more without the guitar offering me any more benefits. I think over the last 10 years far East countries have made huge strides in terms of quality, so much so that it makes you wonder if it is worth paying double the money or even triple for a made in the USA guitar

[@al271987]

I had the chance to play a signature model us tele this weekend back to back with my Squier classic vibe Esquire. I honestly thought they were equally good. No problem at all with overseas gear, it can be stellar.

[@JackFossett]

Production outsourced overseas is a whole bag of crazy cats to get into - quality isn’t necessarily one of the problems for me, but it can be. Ethics is higher on the list for me. But it’s also a major part of the world we live in.

[@Les537]

I've had an AC15 since they came out with the AC15C1 version. It came with a 25 watt greenback. I swapped it out for a 15 blue and found it too uneven. It sounds better with the greenback. I bought vox because I wanted to be the beatles, rolling stones and the james bond tone. These days I mostly play a homemade fender circuit with a blue and a gold in pine cabs and I'll use the vox as a second amp with gain at about noon and volume a bit lower than the fender. Vox is great, but it's not universal. It's not so hot with pedals. Not for people who want to switch between many tones, though some do - like the Edge.

[@djc5897]

Anybody else's ac15 master volume knob scratchy when rotating back and forth? It's annoying

[@seanmiller7187]

Yes.

[@srprice2383]

My Dad bought a brand new Vox AC30 in 1964.

[@InnocentAtom-jf7fq]

I keep having trouble with my amp starting to break up and it sounds like the amp is clipping/ farting 😅

[@bojackhorseman5367]

I wish Korg would just stop goofing around and make the TB/TBX amps again, but make them in china alongside the C2s - there's no reason they couldn't produce them and sell them at the same price. I think a 'reissue' of the original AC30 circuit that uses modern PCB construction - just like the 1990s TB and TBX - and actually retains the original circuit and sound with some minor tweaks for improved reliability, would sell like hot cakes. I'd probably buy two. (I love the fact that EHX have reissued the original sovtek MIG-50 in this manner, and for an affordable price - without adding FX loops, master volumes, voicing switches etc).

[@JackFossett]

100% agree

[@andrewasch7739]

The main reason not to do that is that the TBX series had huge issues with reliability. They sounded good, with the rather large caveat of when they were in working order. Techs who work on vintage Vox amps think Korg tried to fix things that didn’t need fixing, and the amps are worse off for it. Still the newer C2/C2X is much better designed from a reliability standpoint.

[@joeyoungs8426]

No, but an AC15C2 would certainly suffice.

[@artamussumatra6286]

AC-30s are great, but I’m more than happy with my AC-15. The 15 does everything I need, and it’s much more affordable, and much more portable-there’s a reason why the 30 has 3 handles….😆😉

[@joeyoungs8426]

@@artamussumatra6286 Agreed, I prefer my AC15 plus the two speakers allowed me to swap one out for one that’s a bit warmer than the stock. I have an old Twin so I definitely know heavy! That one never leaves the house.

[@artamussumatra6286]

@@joeyoungs8426 I used to have a 1977 Twin, sounded awesome, but weighed about as much as an SUV…. 😆

[@joeyoungs8426]

@@artamussumatra6286 Yes they do. Mine is a ‘78 and despite its weight I love that amp. I have a Tele I made back in ‘93 or so with some bargain EMGs that sounds absolutely amazing paired with that amp. As a pedal platform I can’t think of a better amplifier (with the exception of its weight of course).

[@artamussumatra6286]

@@joeyoungs8426 Oh yea, the sound of those Twins is amazeballs plus deluxe! I had a ‘63 Jaguar, a ‘65 ES-335, a ‘68 Strat, a ‘69 Tele, and a ‘75 Tele Thinline that were pure Magic thru the Twin(this was back in the 1980s when you could get them all cheap, before the #%!?#$!! collectors market ruined everything….) I sure wish I still had those, but being a stupid kid….🫤

[@voxpathfinder15r]

The answer is simple, get a Kustom Coupe 72!!!!

[@jayzube]

I love my AC302CX

[@alexwalker5645]

Is Vox the “Saab” of amps??😂

[@JackFossett]

That’s an oddly accurate metaphor

[@newsycpl]

I was going to get a new Vox AC30 until I discovered that they were made in China. I’d rather pay double for a handmade Mesa Boogie made in California USA.

[@JD1898011]

This review feels a lot like your review of the Fender Blues Deluxe. Too much bass, too much treble, gotta push the mids to make it sound good.

[@garymorrison1009]

Its an acquired taste. Vox wouldn’t be my first choice.