Don't Buy a Vintage Vox! Here's Why!

The Vox sound is highly coveted amongst guitarists, but most of us don't have $5,000 to drop on a mid 1960s AC30. On top of that, the more recent Vox amplifiers seem to fall short in tone and reliability when compared to their vintage counterparts.
In recent years, I was made aware of the KORG-era Vox AC30 TBX that was produced from the mid 1990s to the early 2000s. The AC30 TBX outperform all of the current production Vox amps in tone, build quality, and reliability. Today, I'm showing you what makes the KORG-era Vox AC30s so great.
KORG Era Vox AC30 TBX:
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Psionic Audio Vox TBX Video:
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CREDITS:
Host/Co-Production: Mason Marangella
Guitar: Tim Marco
Video: Nico Sotomayor
Video Editing: Mason Mejia
Co-Production/Design: Mason Mejia
Audio Engineering: Hunter Harrison
#voxamplifiers #tubeamps #VoxTBX

[@RandallWhitneyNY]

Glad to see that these Korg/VOX AC30 TB reissues are still appreciated by discerning players! I was the product manager for VOX USA at that time and worked very closely with Steve Grindrid at Marshall to make sure we were building an amp that was as close as we could get to the original but using modern production techniques. We of course also had to deal with present day safety codes and restrictions.

[@johnspeck]

Sadly, mine was a lemon...bought brand-new and never working for more than a few hours at a time before it died and required a trip to the repair bench under warranty. Knowing what I do now, I would leave the standby switch in the ON position. Probably would have worked much better.

[@PsionicAudio]

Thanks for the shout out Mason!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

You bet! Really enjoy your content! Hope to pay you a visit next time I visit my in-laws in Binghampton!

[@SapperRJMorgan]

Well deserved.

[@jambajoby32]

Thanks Lyle I too appreciate ur work !

[@jambajoby32]

@brassneck6713 someone’s on a dry spell

[@robertbarnes9745]

Lyle and Psinoic are the best !!!

[@ianmcfarland512]

I'm sorry to hear that you had trouble with your vintage AC30s. They can be temperamental if they're are allowed to get too hot. I have three vintage amps, a 1964 (blue speakers) and two 1965s (silver speakers). I got them in the mid '70s and used them almost exclusively for two decades - on the road and in the studio. They never gave me any untoward trouble. Luckily, no blown speakers either! I made back panels for them with holes cut out for fans to exhaust the heat from the amps. From there on all they needed was regular maintenance and tubes. In 2001, I bought three Vox/Korg AC30/6 TBX amps so I could keep my '60s JMI amps out of venues. Originally, they sounded OK but couldn't hold a candle to my JMI amps. I had them modified so that they sounded as close to the JMI amps as possible. I had Marshall style head cabs built for them, 100w Plexi sized, to allow them to run cool. Their Marshall-style chassis facilitated that. Part of the mods included new iron and beefier parts to take the punishment I gave them. Using my Burns Brian May Signature guitars, I ran the amps flat out into attenuators. They survived well yet I had more breakdowns with the Korg amps than the JMI amps. I used the JMIs in the same manner. Now that I no longer am playing out I've sold the Korg amps and will keep only one of the JMI amps - the 1965 with Woden transformers. To my ears the Woden iron sounds the best. If any of you viewers of this video are interested in owning an AC30, the maker of this piece is correct in that the Korg-era Vox amps beat any Asian build, but, with proper care, NOTHING beats a JMI AC30!

[@thekingofbohemia1]

I've got a 1963 Vox AC30. Works and sounds great. I'm 72 y/o. Never had any trouble with it.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Great news!

[@storysofar7426]

that would be very unusual for a tube electronic circuit to work for nearly 60 years and not need some kind of service work besides changing tubes...

[@thekingofbohemia1]

@@storysofar7426 It was given to me by my late brother-in-law. I'm not sure what kind of restoration he did on it other than cosmetic, like the grill cloth is pretty new. I didn't get to ask him before he passed away. I wanted to have it serviced, caps, a bias job, a few drifted screen resistors replaced, but I'm retired now and there isn't any place to do that where I live in a 200 mile radius. LOL! But it sounds great, although I don't use it that much. Pretty much play thru my amp modeler into a studio setup.

[@joewerry9181]

It’s amazing how over the years the AC30 has been combined with different guitars to get so many different yet similar classic tones

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Indeed, it's a much more versatile amp than most folks realize.

[@dilbophagginz]

It's been used from very early classic rock to modern day anime openings, lol.

[@danceoffAsh]

Just learned that smells like teen spirit's intro was done using a AC30

[@jumpbluesdude]

I have a 63 that I completely went through. Every component measured, every cap checked for leakage, all the grime cleaned out, and tube sockets replaced where needed. Just a good servicing. Has not given me a problem since.

[@matthewwwtaylor]

That's my Korg-era AC30 TBX in Lyle's video! My only regret with purchasing this amp and getting Psionic's mods done is that I never get to play the amp because I live in an apartment. It is loud enough to kill a small animal.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

I'm sure you can get your money out of it with the mods if you decide to sell! I highly recommend getting a load box and a good IR loader for your context. I made some great IR's of this cabinet that I'll send you free if you want to go that route.

[@bobbystereo936]

Holy shit.

[@anthonybarnes4534]

@@VertexEffectsInc maybe your comment was only for Matthew, but I’d love those IR’s if you got ‘em! Thanks for the great content as always 🤙

[@wrobinson1702]

Agreed. In 1975, I got a Vox AC-30 from the late 1960s, and it produced some incredible sounds.....when it was working. It gradually became unfixable,(at least for a price I could afford at the time) and I quit using it. It sat in my garage until we had a flood, which destroyed it. .

[@derekbatty4734]

Excellent video gentlemen!!!

[@user-cf3vr8yt8j]

I owned a UK (Marshall) made 90s era AC-30TBX for a number of years. It was a maintenance pig, constantly at the tech for fixing things and even hitting brick walls with a seemingly unfixable problem (myterious buzz/rattle, vibration on certain notes). Subsequently, I found a '64 JMI AC-30 (non-TB, treble), bought it and never looked back. I gave the amp a basic overhaul with new filter caps, replacing a few resistors, one pot and a few other little bits and pieces and the amp has been stable and reliable for the next twenty years and more, regular gigging, rehearsals, damp rehearsal rooms, shipping overseas, always played "hot" with a power attenuator etc. Not a single break down or issue. I put in new filter caps and tubes just this year, for the first time since that service over 20 years ago.

[@slidinjohn495]

......sounds amazing reliable.......fantastic......I 'm using an old AC 30 Top Boost since almost 2 decades and there s nuthing to complain about too ...... Wish you well mate 🖐 Greets from Germany

[@TaylorSchlupp]

Love the video and the tones! Harrison and Paisley are two of my favorites. I've always liked having a tone somewhere between fender and vox. Been using a J Rockett Blue note (always on) into a Fender Pro Jr III and that gives a nice us/brit combo. 🎸🎸

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Some guys blend the Normal Channel with the Brilliant channel in on the TBX for example to get more of a Fender sound to the Vox.

[@jsyarto04]

Nice Video! I love stuff like this!

[@iamleandrino]

Awesome video! thanks for sharing!

[@screamingpirhana]

Great video!!! The TONES!!! I have a Vox AC 50, which is TOO HEAVY to drag to gigs and too loud for the studio, but it was a lucky find and sounds great. The Tolex tears like crepe paper.

[@Tonetwisters]

The 1963-65 AC-30's are tone monsters. Very heavy. An old amp tech I had, called 'em "portable fireplaces." I'd still love to own one.

[@bruceboome]

About 12 years ago, Cliff Richard and the Shadows (hugely popular in the UK and Commonwealth) did a 50th-anniversary tour. The two guitarists each had 2 modernJMI amps, faithfully modeled on 60's Vox amps. Hank Marvin, the lead guitarist sounded incredible, the best clean Strat tone I ever heard. Sadly, not many were made.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Wow, nice!

[@bbmade]

Another awesome video. Brad Paisley was influenced (to some extent) by the Desert Rose Band and John Jorgenson using vintage Vox amps. Nice work!

[@nedward5871]

Great video! The Demeter TGP3 that Dean used has a blackface clean, a Marshall-y crunch channel, and then a solo channel. Adds the girth to allow the AC30 to sparkle on the top. Love blending my Dr. Z MAZ 18 with a Princeton Reverb or Tremolux.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Yes, those Demeter's are way cool! It kinda sounded more like a Dual Rec. when I played one 10 years ago.

[@7thday878]

Great explanations, approach and tones! Sub’d!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Wow, thanks!

[@gregmize01]

Lest we forget the mighty John Scofield and his use of the AC30 live! Love Lyle @ PSIONIC Audio. Very informative channel! Thanks Mason!👍🎸👍🎸👍

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Scofield uses this era TBX as well, although I think he uses the TB with Greenbacks but otherwise this same amp.

[@markscott4830]

He used two ac 30's

[@charlesmaschi3238]

Great video! A band mate of mine had a amp like that when we were playing gigs back in the 80's. Sure, it looked cool, but it was VERY temperamental, and crapped out a few times. He replaced it with a Fender Twin. Haven't thought of that amp in years.....Thanks.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

They can be great amps, certain eras are less good than others.

[@ScottyMcYachty]

Awesome video, Mason. Your guitarist Tim is great!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Thanks for watching!

[@carlosalves4444]

I Always enjoy your videos, Brother so thanks so much man You always go the extra mile in my opinion. Im a massive U2 The Edge Fan and other Vox players too. I have a VoxAC30CC2X and I love this amp. Its my first tube amp and to me it sounds great. Some people say oh you have the ""Chinese: celestion blue speakers, blah, blah. its not as good as a 60s TB , the circuits are different, the cone paper in the speaker is different just not as good, yeah maybe LMAO . I bought this amp in virtually new condition for 465GBP around 600USD in 2010. Im still laughing today. Funny thing is trolls say its not a true representation of the original, while playing a squier strat. Its a bit of a double standard. So anyway, who cares its an incredible amp and adding an eq pedal to the mix can shape some nice tonal joy to my ears. I wonder how many on YT are recording and selling albums and touring and taking a vintage 60s amp on the road? anyone going platinum anytime soon? Im not,, but its great for my small home studio. So my point is enjoy what you have and learning to get the best sound from your gear and playing your guitar to best of your ability for me is far more important after all they're just instruments to express yourself. Peace from Australia.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Thanks for the comment and sharing your experience with the CC2.

[@sampledude8846]

Good insight, good job guys.

[@zoomzoom3950]

good informative video and demos. cheers!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Thanks!

[@monkeyfinger7949]

Really useful information, Mason. Thank you! I will be on the prowl for one of these.

[@kevinhudson7555]

Classic amp and really good demonstration on the versatility of this magic amplifier

[@papawx3]

I have owned them all. My 1965 wasn't temperamental at all. And it was on the road allot when I owned it. Glorious tone, no equal. The Korg era AC-30 TBX was a great sounding amp, but I sold it as well. Which one did I keep? The hand wired from 2014. Mine has Greenbacks for versatility. The Blue Celestions are great for that British Invasion sound, but I prefer the Greenbacks. If an owner is not satisfied with the quality of the components, they can be easily switched out. Mine sounds great for what I do with it. The AC-30 CC2 is a good enough amp, and I would recommend it wholeheartedly, especially since one can be had for around $750.00. Traded mine for a 1976 Fender Quad Reverb.

[@thetonetosser]

My old '63 AC15 twin was the perfect gigging amp. Even in clubs. EF86 circuit. Loved modern pedals too. Bloody heavy though.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Nice! I bet!

[@thetonetosser]

@@VertexEffectsInc absolutely. Had a bunch of vintage amps and that was the last one I hung onto. A friend bought it from me just last year.

[@robertbyrne522]

Thank you so much for this video! I often like the distorted sound on the Beatle song Paperback Writer. Again thank you so much for this Vox AC30 Episode!

[@PlottingTheDownfall]

They used Fender amps on Revolver, the only Vox used if I remember was a Vox 7120; but yeah the U47 in front of the amp (about a foot away), compressed with a Fairchild 660 made a great edgy guitar sound. Likely the SG Harrison had just got.

[@ViktorFramus2309]

Great video👏 I also have Vox ac30 6tb korg era from 1993 and have played hundreds of rock gigs on it (Queen, Zeppelin, Deep purple, Black sabath etc..). Nice sounding amp and very loud 😁 ....and plexi drive pedal works really good with it 👌

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Heck yea!

[@revbrodiddley]

This is pretty funny. Back in the late 90s and early 2000s it was common knowledge that the Korg ac30tb’s and tbx’s had terrible reliability issues. I went through two of em myself. Good sound though! And I enjoyed the video for sure.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Thanks for watching!

[@adammartinmusic8295]

Yup - it’s strange to hear the Korg era amps being talked about as having great build quality 🫣

[@samm9627]

Great video! I’ve got a 92’ and it’s awesome like it better then the JMI’s and 60s versions

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Nice!

[@sbdrummer615]

Damn this is such an educational video! Had no idea that these dudes used Vox besides the Beatles. Also, homie absolutely nailed that STP DeLeo tone!!!!

[@BobcatOneManBand]

I had one of these back in about 2005, and loved it. I sold it for the AC 15 because of the shows I was playing, and couldn't get it over 2 without causing people ears to bleed. The AC 15 was also from this era of vox amp. It stayed with me until I decided to go on tour and sell all my amps I was not using. Now I only have my Fender Rumble 100 (my main amp) Tech 21 Trademark 60 and Fender champ from 1964. Between all of them, I get every sound and dynamic I could ever want with a guitar

[@stonemartens_music]

Amazing demo, love the amp! I'm curious: did you fix the ground noise loop or is it ok as it is? Thanks!

[@sauce_aux]

I really appreciate these breakdowns. Great as always. I have a Valvetronix from 2007, and even THAT thing screams. You’d think there was a tube preamp, given how it responds. Probably one of the coolest hybrid amps I’ve ever used. Love vox. Edits to say Tim rips.

[@JoopAbma]

I 've got one too, already since 2008, and I totally agree with you! In love playing on it! I recently bought an Ibanez JEM77P Steve Vai Blue Floral Pattern, the combination of this guitar with the VOX (and my Vox Stomp lab IIG effectbox) makes me feel heavenly when I play!

[@sauce_aux]

@@JoopAbma that sounds like a great time. My local shop had one of the those guitars for about 4 hours and then it was GONE. Sold before they could even list it online.

[@bmoneybby]

The valvetronix does have a tube.

[@sauce_aux]

@@bmoneybby yes it does. There’s a single 12ax7 in there. But not a full signal path. I stayed it was hybrid lol they don’t use the tube in the preamp though, oddly enough from what I understand

[@grahamnunn8998]

Great tones, love what it does to single coils. The modern Chinese built are still very good. I bought one to use in a 60s band but when that ended I used in my new rock band. Strats love Vox, so yes, if I had the money I would upgrade but in the meantime I can still channel my inner Rory Gallagher!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

I think they can sound good, I think they are also riddled with issues and tend to be much less reliable.

[@jazz_grooves]

One of the last vintage bargains would be an AC50. I picked up a JMI era 1966 AC50 in great condition last year for $850. Has the beautiful chime of an AC30 with Marshall type low end. A really great sounding amp!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

That's a great point!

[@sassulusmagnus]

Excellent score. Enjoy!

[@bobbystereo936]

Get a Bedrock bc-50! I paid $560 & it sounds IDENTICAL! To an early 90's ac30.

[@fuzzer6907]

I've gotten a '64 for 250E (+150 mailing from UK) 12 years ago, and it arrived in working condition but phisically broken. Best gamble ever & Best amp ever from my point of view.

[@mattgilbert7347]

The guitarist from Crazy Horse used one. Frank someone. Sounded great alongside Young's Fender

[@russflynn]

Great video as always; eminently thorough and well researched! Those Korg-era AC30s are fantastic.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

@@kenichi407 That's become the nomenclature independently of me and has existed well before this video.

[@thomasmetz3]

The circuit for my Korg era AC15-TBX is way different than the current iterations. It is basically the top boost channel of an AC30. It has a 5Y3 tube rectifier, tube driven tremolo & reverb. They were made in England. My amp had issues with poor solder joint quality, that I fixed when I installed Mercury Magnetics transformers. No issues at all with reliability since reflowing all solder joints.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

I want to get an AC15 TBX, they sound great!

[@markbarnes6806]

I had my '96 AC15TBX modded in several respects. Signal path components switched out to achieve more vintage filtering; Mercury Magnetics output transformer...tapped for an optional speaker output to a 2x12 16-ohm Vox cab; GZ34 rectifier (Mullard) to replace the stock 5Y3. Also had to have the solder joints inspected and firmed-up.

[@sassulusmagnus]

A big part of the way the guitars sound on the Beatles recording of I Feel Fine, if I recall correctly, is that they had plugged a Gibson J-160E acoustic into the amp. I think that's also supposedly how John Lennon got that weird feedback sound at the start of the song. I love my '94 AC30/6TB. Very reliable. I run it with an Alnico Blue and a Greenback. Nice combination. All hail the "Blizzard of Nails".

[@harveycan5820]

I have heard that about Lennon playing the riff on his acoustic - - but legend is that the feedback came from Paul's hollow-body Hofner bass.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Nice!

[@MyDrugHell]

@@harveycan5820 Feedback was definitely from a J160. You just have to bring one close to a loud amp and tap the front and you get exactly the same buzz. A bass can help trigger the J160 to feed back, but it's not coming from the bass.

[@steveturner6770]

@@MyDrugHell thanks. I love reading stuff like this!

[@jonathanbaggs4275]

It was the j-160 that made the feedback when John set it down leaning against the amp. He liked it so they incorporated it into the start of the tune. John used the gibby acoustic as the main rythym guitar on I feel fine.

[@ae3898]

When the second and third guitar parts came in on the “Killer Queen” bit I couldn’t help but smile. It is always fun to imitate original genius.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Yea, and getting them panned like Brian May did it was fun. He really nailed it!

[@Notawhitchhunt]

Really liked that country twang fantastic video well explained and informative

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Thanks for watching!

[@MartinCiliaOld]

Interesting concept, I've used the Korg era Vox AC30 and they are the best of the newer ones. BUT - I've had original 60s AC30s on the road for years with zero problems. They are handled by our road crew and are in flight cases.

[@_-_Michael_-_]

We play 3 AC30s in our band lead on 1978 UK made one, AC30VR on rhythm guitar and AC30CCH on bass with 2x12 cab. They all sound different but all made what they should.

[@jcwear89]

Great sounding amp! Thanks 😊

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Heck yea!

[@snartzzb983]

Nice job guys.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

🙏🙏🙏

[@nickd0to100]

Cheers brother great video ❤

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Wow, thanks Nick!

[@leapingtortoise]

Great video. I was amp hunting in 2011 and landed on the AC15HW1x with the blue speaker rather than a cc or C or whatever it was. I tried them in store and they were just missing what I was after. I feel like it occasionally has a bad day though I'm not sure if it's just me that day, but majority of the time it's phenomenal. Pairs beautifully with my Gretsch. The chime and punch on the dynasonic neck is top notch and the tv Jones filter on the bridge is just excellent big rock sounds. Have you seen the video from Jim Lill about where the tone comes from in an amp? Very interesting video.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Thanks for the comment. Jim makes some interesting videos, and moreover is a great storyteller. I disagree with his findings on some of the videos however, in particular the one that he goes after amp tones. He has a tendency to oversimplify the reasons that things may sound the way they sound, but more importantly you can't feel what he's feeling to qualify a difference. Nevertheless, I enjoy his videos.

[@larryb3946]

Excellent job guy's.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Thanks for watching!

[@clarencejeyofficial]

Korg did an excellent job! I have an original AC30 TB/6 from 1964 with the blue dog speakers. It’s a studio workhorse and is doing great so far. I’m certainly gonna check out the Korg version - thx

[@patrickmertens2140]

Timbo ! You absolutely nailed the paisley vibe …!! Honorable mentch to the queen 🎉

[@moritzlemacher1123]

had an old one but it was lacking bass in some circumstance. sold it got me a korg era one with blues and added an original an ef86 channel in the back of the amp. sounds great!

[@baabaabaa2293]

Good vid mate.. l came here via Lyle's channel.. he's helped massively.. seeing as lve zero sparky (electrician) skills.. It's a fkn minefield.. & l, like everybody.. don't have coin to burn.. I'll keep watching, see if I can pinch a few tips from you blokes. Thanks mate.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Thanks for the visit! Hope we earned your sub!

[@baabaabaa2293]

@@VertexEffectsInc Yeah mate.

[@chairmenoftheboards-asurfb1683]

Yup 👍 I love my Korg AC30 and AC15. I'm pretty new to magic of VOX and this video is some nice affirmation. 👌

[@Lunamist72]

Cool vid concept.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Thanks for watching!

[@massiegauthier1529]

Fantastic video, beautifully made, pro quality! 👌Good luck to you

[@VertexEffectsInc]

🙏🙏🙏

[@guitaristwilllane]

i love seeing the AC30TBX get more attention! it deserves every bit of praise! as a TBX fan, i'd like to offer some clarification on a few things: - there's no cult following among the VOX community over the TBX, we all pretty much unanimously agree it's far superior to the majority of Korg's other AC30 offerings - the "Korg-Era AC30" is a misnomer. Korg has owned VOX since the 90's so any AC30 they've put out is a "Korg-Era AC30". i generally just refer to this amp as the "AC30TBX" for clarity - the CC2 (custom classic) is not a current version of the AC30. it's been discontinued since 2010. the current consumer grade AC30 versions are the AC30C2 and the AC30S1, both of which i'd argue are not worth your money on a professional level. this has nothing to do with the type of circuit or components, but the circuit design itself (the in/out sound) - the HW1/HW2 amps are well designed, well built, and populated with fine-quality and accurate components. they are the closest you can get to the traditional VOX sound and format when considering a new purchase. the most important things with the HW1/2 are the superior circuit design and the ease of service/modification, not the component quality or the HW nature itself. so, there's no reason to worry about the components as long as they are installed correctly and their value matches what the schematic calls for - the true closest modern "new" AC30 to the traditional 60's designs would be the HW60 series amps, but $$$$! just get a matchless at that point - using a vintage VOX has it's fair share of problems but they can be workhorses when given the proper TLC. for one, their components have drifted in value over time so capacitors and resistors will need to be replaced (if the previous owner didn't replace them already). second, they were made to receive lower voltages from the wall (USA, around 110VAC compared to 124VAC+ modern day), so you have to use a variac or voltage reduction like the Brown Box. :)

[@genekloszewski5484]

Great job mason, real pro vid!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Wow, thanks Gene!

[@vintagebikes4215]

Interesting concept for video

[@tommydee1981]

i have had 5 in my life time of this era. still have one. best amp

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Great amp, no doubt!

[@thegreatpatsy]

How would one know what generation they have? I recently bought one with the green backs and I absolutely love it! So diverse and gets me the grunge tone that I've loved for years. I play a Jagstang with an old Boss DS1, the good one with the Toshiba chip. Can't believe how loud it is for 30 watts!

[@colvin213]

I’ve always wanted to try a TBX. I’ve got a CC2 from the mid 2000s. A little too clean/bright, but still a good sounding amp. I more recently bought the current line AC15C1 and I love it.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

They can all be made to sound good, but some need more TLC than others to get there.

[@IGrocker]

I have an AC15c1 as well, with the maroon vinyl (not that it matters). I absolutely love it! It has its own sound, but still very much the classic Vox sound. I’m mainly a Marshall guy, but it’s become my main amp for live and recording.

[@colvin213]

@@IGrocker it’s a very versatile amp for live and recording! The alternate colors are awesome! Mine is in royal blue!

[@IGrocker]

@@colvin213 I’d love a royal blue! It’s my favorite color, but I’ve never seen an amp I was wanting to purchase in that color. For a while I thought about collecting the whole set in maroon (AC5-AC30), but I know I’d never use them. A friend of mine loved my AC15 so much that he bought the black/maroon variant.

[@davebird534]

I actually am a vintage tube supplier to Lindz the guitar tech from The Black. I gave him the proper value Sprague Adam Newell stock late 60s light blue filter capacitors and all the super nice electric cube polypropylene capacitors in the secondaries and didn't change the values. Just change the coupling capacitor values slightly with old mustard Taiwan ceramic disk caps. I asked him a month later after he did the mod how rich Robinson liked it ? Yeah he said he likes it! thanks Dave. So there you go there you go 😊

[@al271987]

I contend that the very best use of a Vox AC30 was by James Williamson on Iggy & the Stooges Raw Power album.

[@steveymoon]

This is a great video. What treble-booster was used for the Killer Queen solo, please?

[@VertexEffectsInc]

BSM Treble Booster

[@cherrypickerguitars]

I had a Vox AC 15, handwired. Still have it 40 years later (it’s a 66). It’s been retired to the studio now. I use a late 90’s Matchless live, now. Much more dependable. I play Teles and Gretsch’s - forever! Peace

[@BobsToneReview]

Hello, I'm Bob Cillo of the Bob's Tone Review Channel, I'm the proud owner of the amplifier pictured at 0:44 . It's a JMI era VOX from 1966, it underwent a professional thorough technical revision and follows me everywhere I play, stage or studio, for about 20 years now. Please believe me, there is absolutely no comparison with a Korg era VOX tone-wise, let alone more recent production. Dragging it to my live shows may be challenging but it's absolutely rewarding : )

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Bob, thanks for chiming in. I've owned several vintage JMI Vox's and have never found the "juice to be worth the squeeze" compared to other vintage amplifiers from the same span of years from the mid to late 1960's from a reliability standpoint. I think for the difference in price, the Korg era TBX is a really excellent option that is pretty much a 1:1 replica of a mid 60's JMI and I've spent the time to really compare them recorded in a recording studio to say that the pride of owning a vintage amp, as it relates to Vox amps, isn't worth it. This is of course my opinion, and I'm sure many Vox evangelists will disagree. My point of view however on this channel is largely anchored in practicality and I think for most guitar players that are working musicians or even hobbyists will get the most bang for their buck with this amp if they want it to say "VOX" on the front and have a solid and good sounding amp. I think if we're going outside of the Vox brand, Top Hat is better built than any vintage or modern Vox and has a better price point than any of them as well (maybe even cheaper than a TBX) - but it doesn't say "VOX" on it so the value on the market is considerably diminished. Might be worth a video in the future as I really like those Top Hat amps as well.

[@BobsToneReview]

@@VertexEffectsInc Thank you so much for your kind reply Mason, I see your point. Well, I'm possibly one of those evangelists, ih! ih! : ) ...If this means that I'm not much keen to compromise when it comes to guitar tone. One of the best amplifiers I've ever tried is a copper panel AC-15 1x12; no modern amplifier I've tried comes even close to the creamy blend of frequencies and warmth of that amp, not to mention the plus of original vintage speakers. Possibly, at least in part, our divergence of views may be due to the US voltage: Aspen Pittman of Groove Tubes used to say that the architecture of vintage AC-30's is not really intended for 110V. He wrote that using a 5U4 rectifier in place of the original GZ-34 can help.

[@harveycan5820]

Tophat King Royale (35 watts, 2x12) or Club Royale (20 watts, 1x12, 2x12) are incredible sounding amps and very handmade. They are a bargain compared to an old Vox. Budda in the early days (90s) also made superb Vox style EL-84 amps. Matchless DC-30 of course but very pricey...

[@seangaskinmusic2300]

Had a CC head- delicate innards, heavy and tones were meh until I did most of the Psionic Audio mods myself. Got rid of it and had an AC15c1 with a v30 in it that was fantastic clean to cranked. Might get another one soon. TBX are great, but I haven’t seen one much less played one in years. Huge DeLeo/STP fan - had a TGP3 rig and still have a TGA 2 DeLeo spec. That amp is built like a tank and super slept on as a pedal platform just for its clean channel alone.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Very nice! Lyle has a great channel!

[@WhaleBluePRS]

Just a quick couple notes: Brian May used the Normal channel with his Red Special/booster set-up. Definitely a smoother overdrive but you also need 100% of the tubes volume to make it happen. I found with the AC30S1, you can run 12AT7s or 12AU7s for preamp tubes and smooth it out a LOT. The S1 only has the Top Boost version of the original AC30. I used the AC30S1 for my last 2 CDs and found swapping tubes to match a song was a blast, in addition to experimenting with different guitars to match to a song. I had a ton of really good possibilities with really simple guitar and/or pre-amp tube swaps. Big AC30 and/or AC15 fan here. I have an AC30S1 that's really great sounding. It did have 3 bad OEM tubes in the first few months. Replaced all the tubes and kept the rest of the OEM as spares and no other issues. I'm also retired from live work, so only studio usage now, FWIW.

[@joemasse4568]

I have the same amp,can’t say enough good things about it,like you I changed the tubes to j j, amp isn’t to heavy, very loud and sounds great, I have Marshall’s, and a Mesa, and the Vox is my favorite amp, very reasonable price wise

[@andyfeldman2590]

I'm mostly an AC15 guy but the Korg-era AC15 TBX are great. I just love the 60th Anniversary AC15 with the the EF86 preamp channel more. For Top Boost I'm using the AC15 HW1 and had critical components upgraded in quality. NOS tubes really help too. If I found a nice AC15 TBX for a good deal I might add one to my collection, but between the 60th Anniversary and the HW1 I'm a happy camper.

[@gassycobra]

Which components did you upgrade and what difference did it make? Thanks

[@kirkwahmmett1666]

For his harmonies and for a lot of solos as well Brian May used his Deacy amp which is the amplification circuit of an old transistor radio that John Deacon, the bassist of Queen, found and wired up to a hifi bookshelf speaker and powered with a large 9v battery to use as a practice amp in 1972. Later once John Deacon was a member of Queen Brian May discovered Deacon had this amp and used it a lot all over Queens songs.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Thanks for that clarification, however I think as far as the Vox AC30, Brian May tone is heavily identified with that amp and I think as the video shows, it nails that sound.

[@kirkwahmmett1666]

@@VertexEffectsInc Yup. Just wanted to clarify on the harmonies in case thy sounded a tad off to anyone. You did a very good job dialing in the tone by the way.

[@RB-bp5ud]

This is good to know. Thanks

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Glad it was helpful!

[@andrewloukidis658]

Originals are perfectly reliable if maintained properly like my 66. Same with my 93 TBX, never let me down after decades of use and abuse Hard to believe how much time has passed that these are not well known.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

The JMI's are sorta a "Rat's Nest" - if you had a new amp with today's standards and wired it like the original Vox's, people would protest. The lead lengths are all over the place, the workmanship isn't that good, and if you compare to the golden era Marshall's or Fender's the build quality is much better. There were eras of inconsistencies in Marshall's too admittedly, but I still think they are overall more consistent and better built than any golden era Vox. I say this having owed a half dozen JMI AC15s and AC30s collectively.

[@jamescassero3429]

Great tones! Was there added gain for the STP parts?

[@VertexEffectsInc]

No, just more volume and the pickups are hotter on the Les Pauls than the other guitars.

[@liambarksdale6457]

My 1961 AC30 never gave me any problems in 25 years that I owned it. And my 1965 AC10 Twin has not either, except that the voltage selector didn't work as expected when I moved to Europe 😐 (it's fixed and works great now!)

[@nicolasgleria1]

hey, great video about AC30s. Can I ask a non music related question? how do you achieve that fast side shifting camera effect at 4:41 and then back at 4:45? its really cool!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

I think it’s a preset that’s on Final Cut Pro X. I don’t edit the videos so I don’t know exactly what our video editor does.

[@nicolasgleria1]

@@VertexEffectsInc I see, thank you for answering anyway, I’ll check it out.

[@MrKevbo82]

Great video. I had two of the korg made ac30’s back in the early 2000’s and they were great, I recently came across a great deal on a new handwired version with blues that needed repair (just a bad pot) and saw when I opened it up the previous owner had done the common upgrades of caps and tubes inside. I’d love to have a korg again to compare because it’s been around 15 years but I feel like I love the sound of the handwired more. How much the parts upgrades on it play into that I’m not sure

[@VertexEffectsInc]

I haven't found the HW despite being hand wired sounding better or being any more reliable. In fact the parts are not so good that they use in it nor are the transformers.

[@lightningstrikes7314]

My two cents: I use the latest incarnation of the ac15 (ac15ch)head I picked up for $300 mint/used once with a celestion vintage + cab which cost me about $130 new. I'm sure it doesn't compare to the vintage unit but for the money with pedals it makes for a great working man's gig rig that is loud, portable, authentically 'vox' sounding for medium size theatres and club gigs playing country/blues/rock.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Good score!

[@cirenosnor5768]

Great post. There’s also the more recent AC30CC2 👍🏼 …or is it AC30C2?

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Yes, there is a newer version along with the Handwired series.

[@andremark]

I own a AC30 6TBX I bought new from North Coast Music back in 2001 and it sounds magnificent!

[@cordylavery8012]

The Killer Queen lead was awesome, thanks for playing it twice.

[@timmotel5804]

Most enjoyable. What about a brand new 2023 AC15 with the Blue Alnico speaker? This is what I'm toying with buying soon, maybe. Any good and worth the money? Thanks to you both, and excellent playing on nice guitars. My name's Tim also.

[@oleksandrk4853]

I have 94 tbx together with matchless hc30, sound amazing!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Nice!!!

[@oleksandrk4853]

@Vertex Effects just want to say thank you so much for what you are doing. Your videos helped me a lot for many years now! Thank you, Mason!!!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

@@oleksandrk4853 Thanks for watching!

[@EdHeinzelman]

I bought a used on in 1965 and never had it in the shop...ever...and I really wish I had it back.

[@sailingelleray]

I've got the anniversary one from 1990. Greenbacks but still killer.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Nice!

[@guitargearconnection]

Sound was awesome!

[@NotMarkKnopfler]

Surprised you didn't demo a completely clean tone. My custom classic has a clean tone that will melt your heart. Absolutely beautiful. Go and check out those old Hank Marvin and the Shadows tracks. That's the tone.

[@mike9086]

I agree - it is pretty pointless always comparing distorted sounds which can always be matched anyway using volume/eq and a pedal.

[@nigelduckworth4419]

I have a 1997 Marshall built Korg AC30 with Alnico blues. No frills like reverb or master volume- it's just exactly like the original top boost. The exception is that it does not have original Mullard valves (Tubes in the U.S.. To me , those are the difference makers. It has not been very reliable since I got it in 1997. A lot of trouble with the splitter which was working on one side only but non of the experts spotted it. I did and since then it has been pretty good.

[@shpeen8835]

I have a 2005 AC30CC2 which I have had minimal problems with. It kept blowing fuses due to the rectifier tube ... I found a loose fit on the tube , female side and was able to tighten the contact with a toothpick, this was 10 years or so ago and nothing but smooth operation since. Also once I had left the amp ON but in STANDBY for over 3 WEEKS when I was on a business trip and was horrified that I had killed the transformer.. but so far so good, so I don't believe those who say the CCs are unreliable crap.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Great! Glad it’s working out!

[@samz9121]

Mine is actually a 2011 Korg Era TBX with greens! I need to get them changed out to blues or silvers.

[@grhoward5262]

90% of reliability issues for JMI amps arise because people in the States don’t adjust for the change in line voltage, which has increased from around 110 VAC to over 120 VAC since the 1960’s. Hence, EL84s see 350, 360+ VDC instead of 320. With less robust tubes these days, you’re just asking for trouble. In fact, everything in the amps is seeing higher voltage, from the Mains Tranny on. Unlike Fender & Marshall, the AC30 was designed around getting the absolute most out of its EL84 output section. If voltages are too much, there’s little margin for error. That said, with a minimum of care, by using a Variac or step-up transformer into the 245 tap, the voltages can be tamed and the amp will run forever. Like my ’64, with all original trannies and choke.

[@stupendousmusic4190]

A few things. I've been a guitarist/guitar player for 40 years now. I'm also a producer and engineer. I knew Dick Denny reasonably well, and used to speak with him on the phone for hours on end. You mentioned Trainwreck. Ken Fischer and I were good friends from 1988 until he killed himself in 2006. I'm also good "business friends" with the executive at KORG Japan who actually negotiated the deal to acquire Vox. Tim's playing was great, but with all your knowledge, you could have helped him in achieving a better and more accurate tone. All examples were brittle and harsh, "I Feel Fine" in particular wasn't even remotely close to the original: the cut knob on the amp was pretty wide open, and maybe even completely; Tim used an ES-335 with light-gauge round-wound (nickel-plated steel ?) strings; and the amp was way too crunchy. George Harrison used a Gretsch with flat-wound strings, and John Lennon's Gibson J-160-E was plugged in to his AC-30/50. The Brian May and Edge examples definitely suffered from "Strat-itis" : guitar volume on 10 with ear-piercing screeching treble; actually, all the examples suffered from excessive high end. I wonder if Tim is a bit deaf in the treble frequencies, or is it just the way these sounds translate via KZbin's processing. My point here is not to put down you or Tim, but since you were trying to demonstrate the capabilities of the AC-30, I think you might have missed the mark here in this one; especially on the Beatles song. Still a good video though. 👍🏻

[@ummagumma7826]

Chill dude. We are all bedroom players when it comes down to it. We aren’t going to change our string gauge for each song and will bounce around from Zeppelin Queen Pink Floyd U2 Soundgarden in any sit down session. The guitarist put the amp through its paces, sounded great. Edit. But being a Pink Floyd fan I do get annoyed when syd Barrett tones aren’t perfect. Very hard to recreate

[@SergeiVlassov]

Sounded great to me

[@stupendousmusic4190]

@@ummagumma7826 🤣

[@stupendousmusic4190]

@@SergeiVlassov Yeah, that's cool. It's all subjective anyway.

[@godbyone]

@@ummagumma7826 my guitar roadie.Boils my strings( after a zep song). Before we Van Halen song . Audience is a little annoyed waiting, but I think it’s worth the wait.

[@compucorder64]

Would be nice to be able to own and play one of these. But I like the newer AC15CH (head). Because, you can start with a more affordable cab. And upgrade to an Alnico blue one later. It's more versatile, and nice and portable. Especially if venue or practice space have cabs for performing and rehearsing. Also, can use a less sensitive 1x12" for home practice, or recording, with the reactive load attenuator taking it down to 1.5W. And use a loud sensitive 2 x 12" for live / rehearsal. With modern PAs, I think the less extremely loud and heavy AC15 is a better choice than the AC30, for the majority of people. These amps all have design flaws and potential / probable points of failure. I think Psionic would advise doing some preventative work up front, sorting out these known potential issues, then the reliability can be improved. One reason the Korg eras are good now, is the ones is circulation that are still working well may have failed before, and had work done already.

[@LPCustom3]

You forgot the use of Flatwound strings on "I Feel Fine" EMI, Abbey Road also had Chamber Reverb that was used. Korg also made a HandWired AC-30 that was single channel with Reverb and Trem. either as a head or a combo.

[@jkta97]

Do these era of Vox amps use the EF86 preamp tube, and are the Vox AC15s of this era also good?

[@lastofthe4horsemen279]

This is awesome

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Thanks for watching!

[@vincehall]

Had a Vox AC 30 1964, for nearly 30 years, only been to the amp Doctor twice.

[@dnt7593]

I bought a second hand Vox AC15TBX in 1998 and it is still on the studio and on tour. I just can’t find a switch pedal that works (reverb and tremolo). Maybe someone could help ?