AC30 Comparisons - HW Pros and Cons

[@jaronensley]

True Storytime:. Years ago I built a Matchless HC-30 clone. I encountered some problems with power up, so I sent it to Lyle. He said, Well, except for one Major error, you did really good work. He fixed the problem and the amp still rocks today. Also his compliment remains with me, particularly because that amp was insanely difficult for a first build. Lyle kicks ass!

[@cleftturnip7774]

i just ordered one last week. Thanks for bumming me out.

[@cgavin1]

I love that you still can't talk about standby switches on an AC30 without getting mad. 😄I remember reading about "the Lyle Caldwell mods" to the AC30CC about 100 years ago on a USENET post or something or other.. Then one day I was watching one of your videos and I was like "no way this is THE Lyle Caldwell? He's famous!" You were a celebrity *before* KZbin. Pretty good going!

[@MattXScott]

So happy I found your channel. Sending my AC30hw to you in December. Thank you for all your knowledge!

[@evanpaulsmithfalconfogolin6147]

Getting into Vox amps with all the history is a nightmare, thank you for this education. The market of ac30s seems like a mine field.

[@honkytonkinson9787]

I just discovered this channel a couple of weeks ago. I’ve been researching tube amps for almost a year, trying to figure out who makes junk and who doesn’t, so that I can narrow down what I want based upon quality and reliability, but it looks like modern tube amps are made of junk and/or put together poorly, or just bad designs! For the cost it seems to make more sense to get a good deal on a used amp and pay an expert to sort it out, or just pay an amp builder for a custom job. So many amps I was considering have been marked off the list after watching this channel, or moved to the list that I might consider buying to upgrade

[@kimondaltas3404]

Really enjoying your videos! I've come across your name on AC30 forums so many times over the years - the famous Lyle Caldwell mods - so it's great to actually see you in action. Except it's reminded me that my AC30CC2X and AC4HW could/should be so much better. Have you figured out some basic improvements for the AC4HW1? I like mine well enough, but if there was an easy way to get rid of its hum, I'd love to see a video on it one day.

[@GIBKEL]

Same issues with the AC15 HW1X? I had seen a few folks change the output transformers and some caps/resistors. Is the master volume usable or does it kill the qualities your aiming with a lower wattage VoX? Have enjoyed your deep dives. I’ll go looking to see if you’ve featured the AC15HW1X.

[@aigor9668]

Hi Lyle! Thanks a lot for the useful info you are providing! hope you will find 2 minutes for my question. Im about to purchase the ac15hw. Was just wondering if you happened to see some of the newer models of it (if there are any new models) the guy says he bought it in 2020. And since I found your review of this amp from 2011 and it's quite positive, compared to this ac30 from this video, was wondering if during the last 10 years something changed and they started to put lower quality components inside?

[@benoitbricet8885]

Good review and very serious discussion launched

[@TNTales]

How much did it cost to do all the modifications? Like the parts? I'm sure the labor would be crazy.

[@tomterrif8503]

Thank God for techs like you!

[@awwnawmang]

Nice overview and very informative thanks. Do you have a similar video for the AC15 Hand Wired series?

[@PsionicAudio]

Pretty much the same amp. Different transformers, same board, same stuff.

[@toddlogan9023]

I’m sure all this may be true but I absolutely love and adore my ac15hw and would choose it anyday over a cc.

[@echoguitarist]

I didn't understand most of what you said but I still found this video fascinating.

[@nicolasRebagliati]

Thanks, you saved me from a bad decision

[@jamesf2918]

Same

[@Tone2town]

I don’t get why people fuss and over look the quality in a part. I totally get if you are a amp tech (electric engineer / certified ) and can point out an amp that has failed (frail) lower quality parts to your observation and prognosis. That’s not my dispute. The evident realization is people stating over time that older VOX amps were better even the ones made in UK had tons of loads of issues from noise produced from the amps internal malfunctioning and remaining to be non-operational. This information is actually documented if you look for it. I am not discrediting no ones work. Appreciate what the community brings forth. The gripe is the persona of older VOX vastly superior to anything built nowadays. Including, a overseas hand wired amplifier.

[@christianboddum8783]

If you're going for a new amp it's always smart to consult with an amp tech on the innards of an amp, unless it so new that no one has done service on one. Amp manufacturers should let us see pictures of the inside of their amps, at least. A pretty face is not telling whats inside ;-)

[@sinfirma23]

I guess all these mods will work pretty much the same on the VOX AC15HW. It would be great if you posted the original schematics with the modifications included, as I am a technician and have an AC15HW. Thanks I use a treble booster on the normal channel and put the gain of the amp at 1 o'clock, so all you have to do is play with the volume of the guitar and you will get everything from crystal clear and clean sounds to distortions for solos. My Vox AC15HW has a blue alnico speaker, it has never given me transformer problems and I have changed the capacitors to Vishays (I think they are called). If It had an effects loop it would be perfect for me. I play a Telecaster and a Gibson Les Paul, both sounds great, i like more the Telecaster.

[@andycochrane4131]

Great vid, thanks. Any advice on best AC30 clone? Cheers from Australia.

[@thenut1212]

Lyle, I just found you and this video today! Thanks for existing. So, I’m wondering if you sell AC30HW-LYLE upgrade completed amps directly? If not, can a dude send you either a AC30HW2 or CC2 and have you turn it into this monster? Thanks for your time, I can’t wait to catch up on more of your videos! Congrats on the new Subscriber. ❤ 🏆

[@RockG.o.d]

I got the hand wired so I could replace things easier if they break, had an ac30 with the circuit board and something went on it, so had to get a tech to repair it, and that cost half the price of the amp.

[@jamesf2918]

What was the total cost of the repair?

[@BlindTom61]

Thank you for saving this old guy a bunch of jingle...

[@LysanderLH]

so what do i need to buy and how much do i need to spend to get a well made amp?

[@Tibbon]

Wow, I didn't realize how much of a shitshow these can be from the factory. I've got a JMI AC15 which is amazing, but I almost bought one of these. Glad I went with the JMI

[@andrewk9143]

Theseus’s paradox applies here. If every component is changed, and those changes sometimes include modifications to the design, is it still the same amp, is it even an AC-30 at this point? I’d argue it’s a wholly new and different amp. Anyone care to agree or disagree with this paradoxical question?

[@grundunterrecording4197]

Seems like the modified amp is probably quite a bit closer to what was originally produced as an AC30 in terms of both components and circuitry. (See the note in the video description.) So yeah, Theseus' paradox does somewhat apply, imo - but to the stock amp. (;

[@Steve-wz5pz]

A blind A/B test would be pretty useful here.

[@twiresearchers2040]

cant believe this was a handwired amp, curious what the charge of the whole re-haul is? i saw the video of the chinese ones? is that a better bang for the buck for that Vox sound? seems like the boutique brand dont really sound the same, the are more like their own versions of a vox.

[@BenState]

Very nice work.

[@ramon4545]

Who would you recommend to do this kind of work in the Los angels area?

[@ctcards2636]

Damn ive been eyeing a AC15 HW head. I guess ill need to be doing some work on it before itd be ready to take out. Only issue is the no reverb on the 15 HW, the AC15CH has reverb. Not sure which AC15 to get. Either model has me doing a bunch of work.

[@horizoneer3531]

About the power transformers going - particularly in the UK, we have a problem; The EU version of the amp ships with a 230 volt primary, but the UK runs 240 volts. Which is close enough that no one bothers about it, but sometimes the wall voltage can be 245. So the B+ ends up being multiplied up and is 25v higher than it would be at 230volts, plus on the one I had the Cathode Resistor measured 45 ohms, so biased hotter than it should be. Result: Blew power tubes every few weeks, PT got oven hot. I built a voltage bucking transformer to drop 12v from the mains and changed the Cathode resistor to 56 ohms, that sorted it. But weird thing about that amp - dropping the filtering to vintage spec sounded absolutely horrible. Not just looser I've done it in other amps to good effect and like the vintage filtering option on the CC series, with this HWH it was literally no top end at all and just flabby midrange at anything lower than 22uf in any position. No idea what the cause was.

[@mrkite89]

Probably the stock 470R screen resistors on the power tubes choke the tone too much with low filtering added to the equation: replace them with 100R and you should have a much more "lively" amp! ;)

[@JayBeBerg]

Very educational, thanks!

[@WyattScott]

I was thinking of getting a new Vox AC15 HW with the blue over the lower priced custom or whatever it’s called . Money is not an issue for me I just want the better sounding amp and reverb and trem and effects loop i dont give a duck about. I want a vox amp as i’ve got the super reverb and the JVM Marshall now i need a Vox to complete the trifecta. I would spend likely another thousand or whatever to get the AC15 HW upgraded like you are showing here but who the fuck can i trust to do that type of genius work, yes i consider u a genius or very close to one, watched a ton of your vids and understand you are a top amp tech. I’m in San Diego. Any recommendations for a great amp tech that could upgrade a new AC15 HW properly without fucking me over too horribly? BTW, i just got a brand new Bad Cat Hot Cat 45 watt combo and had to return it because once it got up past around 12 noon on the hot channel and gained up about noon it was just howling like a banshee, completely unusable and I am completely bummed as i have been researching Vox amps and boutique alternatives for a year now , pulled the trigger on the Bad Cat and it was a Bad experience. So i’m now back to either the regular custom AC15 or the handwired but of course want something better that will last longer and sound better so inclined to go with the HW even though this vid seems to suggest the HW are crap. As an electronics illiterate, I’m a CPA so not a complete idiot but not the brightest tool, I love watching your vids, if I was gay you’d be the kinda dude id want to have as a close friend, lol. Us little people are knowledge hungry and of course these corporations want to keep us in the dark to keep making their money at our loss. Wishing you all the best, one of the best channels on You Tube by far.

[@jonathanjensen9147]

Anyway to enquire on cost/logistics?

[@jaycee30865]

The comparisons between the cc and the HW… Really make you wonder why you would opt for the HW.

[@coldacre]

the C2X blows them both away (stock)

[@michaelwilliamson9605]

I see what your saying about poor quality components, just found a bad 56k resistor open. Thx for the schemo link. Mike

[@steveymoon]

It's so frustrating that I don't have access to you from the UK.

[@ampyamps]

Are you referring to the Vishay MKT1813 series coupling caps?

[@PsionicAudio]

Yes, those are my preference.

[@ampyamps]

@@PsionicAudio I thought so. What do you prefer about them over the sozos and the mallorys?

[@PsionicAudio]

Physically smaller, thicker leads, consistent quality/appearance, don't want to delaminate. Mallories are equivalent in sound but have wimpy leads and vary a lot visually. Sozos are ok but overpriced and oversized and offer no advantage.

[@davidp158]

What is an approximate expense to do all these upgrades? Combined with the original cost of the amp, seems like it would be better to go with a reputable boutique builder for a VOX clone.

[@nycLPplayer]

If I was going to convert/handwire a modern ac30 which model(s) would you suggest based on transformers/components?

[@PsionicAudio]

Only the HW which is already laid out for it. No advantages to doing it on any of the models though.

[@thebonusroomstudio]

I found this commentary quite interesting. Particularly the comment that you would "take a custom any day". Cant argue, because my fav amp these days is a custom, but its still a hell of a statement.

[@cpfs936]

From this series of videos, it looks like the "corrected" CC is the way to go, value and soundwise.

[@ryanshook8284]

What’s the best amp out today in terms of quality components?

[@mikeracka4111]

How much to rebuild an AC15HW1X?

[@Dave-sb7jt]

Hi would you do this mod for my ac hw 2x ? What do charge and where are you located? Thanks please let me know! Dave

[@tomneily9506]

Ya i had a 64 killer then i got this amp harsh brittle to loud when cranked it sucked my 64 ide put on 10 turn volume down guitar killer no pedels this amp nothing like 64 inside of 64 had a huge plastic peice with soder crap inside with 50 or so connections look inside 64 youll see what i mean like this channel this guys on the money spot on correct

[@alanpickering8421]

Hi I have a vintage non top boost- can you recommend any changes which may improve it ? I was thinking of atop boost addition but not sure after your comments about the circuitry.

[@PsionicAudio]

JMI era AC30s should be carefully maintained, not nodded/changed in any way. If that amp doesn't suit your needs, get a different amp. But don't change a non TB AC30.

[@alanpickering8421]

@@PsionicAudio Thanks - I just love to meddle so I think I'll build a replica top boost with reverb.

[@kosmicwizard]

@@alanpickering8421 or get a Rangemaster treble booster pedal?

[@merseybeat1963]

What needs to be done to convert an AC30HW in England 220V to be used in US 120V ? Thank you

[@PsionicAudio]

The 220 wiring has the white primary connected to the power switch. You would change that to the blue primary wire. So the power switch would have the blue and black primaries connected. The white wire would then be taped off. Then you'd change the mains fuse from 2A to 4A.

[@merseybeat1963]

@@PsionicAudio oh wow thank you.No major changes of part or transformer..thank you

[@merseybeat1963]

@@PsionicAudio And cable and plug ?

[@PsionicAudio]

Yes, you'll need a UK cable/plug.

[@merseybeat1963]

@@PsionicAudio Ah US plug as I'd like to convert AC30HW UK to US 120V..thanks you

[@hekakain4108]

Cheers bud, you just saved me from spending a tonne of money buying one of these HW amps. For that kind of money one shouldn't have to start tearing said amp apart to replace parts for better parts. ; )

[@fatamorgana4318]

It wasn't even put together right, only putting out 15 watts. That's garbage.

[@thediminish8517]

Can I ask you some questions? What's difference between ac30hw and ac30 6tb? Which amp is better?

[@PsionicAudio]

kzbin.info/aero/PLMluTMfz7OA8TuCODJ0HhrZ1AfOJWYBfJ

[@grandelfe]

I have an old one with serial 597 from JMI.

[@gomedoc1]

excellent review...thanx...buyer beware.....

[@peterschaefer1665]

The only issue with the Custom Classic is that the cabinets are made out of MDF and this is huge this would be the only reason I would buy a handwired series AC30

[@greghart982]

Out of interest how much did these improvements cost?

[@carstenmarcussen6565]

Hello. I would like to ask if you ever have worked on a Vox 60th Anniversary AC30HW60 Limited Edition before? And if so, your opinion about that version. Best regards from Denmark

[@PsionicAudio]

See the Playlists.

[@michaelwilliamson9605]

Great video! I have one that was brought to me, the top boost section just sounds bad and farty. Vox won't send me a schematic so I'm not positive what I'm looking at. Do you have a schemo, or just a diagram of the top boost me area? Thanks again for a great video, will be tuning in for more lessons.

[@PsionicAudio]

Thanks! Same as here: www.thetubestore.com/lib/thetubestore/schematics/Vox/Vox-AC30-93PR-Schematic.pdf

[@edva3533]

I've played mine daily for 3 years now and it isn't that bad. It's ok but given the price it should be better. It can sound really good one day and really awful the other. Sometimes there's this bass frequency that bugs me. Sometimes the gain seems sterile and it's not very responsive. Usually it gets better if you slam it hard and loud and that's why I have a load box with it. Changed tubes to TAD which had no effect compared to stock JJ's. Preamp has the best quality tubes and I've tried a lot of variations in the preamp. Should I mod it or should I sell it? I can do basic soldering and wiring myself but I'm no engineer so the instructions should be like Take this in this value and brand and solder it there. I can't read a schematic.

[@PsionicAudio]

This is not an amp most hobbyists should attempt to mod. They used lead free solder in the turrets and if you don't have all the professional tools to work quickly at the right temperatures you'll end up with an unreliable mess.

[@edva3533]

@@PsionicAudio thanks for the quick reply. Prolly sell it then.

[@gearoftones8585]

I actually prefer my CC2 over my Handwired

[@kirkwilson8738]

I can attest that these sound 100% better than the PCB ones.. I own both and the handwired is way better sounding.. i mean if this guy can't hear the difference i don't know what is in his ears.. Its a night and day difference.. Not even close to the same sound.. NOT EVEN CLOSE!!!! Nothing wrong with the components in the handwired.. I have been using mine for 10 years and have not had to do any work to it except a tube change once.

[@PsionicAudio]

I'm glad you like yours. I wasn't comparing the stock sound to the stock PCB based reissues. I was comparing it to real JMI era AC30s. I've restored dozens of them and know what they sound like. And the HW can be made to sound like them, but out of the box, no. In short, it doesn't do what it says on the tin.

[@kirkwilson8738]

@@PsionicAudio , My appologies.. I totally misunderstood.. I thought that you said that the Newer Handwireds sounded the same as the newer PCB Models..My Mistake.. You do nice work.. Very tidy.. Great Video.. I actually have my Dads old 1964 Vox Ac30.. It has not been reliable since the day it was bought unfortunately

[@Mojokiss]

I just got one and I do like it a lot. It inspires me and does the sounds I need and looks great and special. I have a couple clips on my channel

[@jeffeverett6583]

Wow. Glad I clicked on this. Was thinking of buying one. Gonna pass now.

[@livekaos]

So you made a new amp…

[@carlosalves4444]

Which amp can I buy that's perfect under 5 million dollars without modifying? Anything, there probably always something

[@jeffmclowry]

I was going to purchase a hw till I realized it doesn’t have reverb or trem. Screw that!

[@moorec1053]

Good Grief..... it almost seems like In your face contempt. Contempt for the guitar playing community who have been swayed by pictures on forums these last 20 years of all sorts of hand-wired "Vintage" amps and awesome modern day stuff from quality builders. So VOX says....lets throw a hand-wired amp at these unwashed masses and charge them a huge premium for a lesser quality piece of gear. Anyway...... Thanks Again to Lyle for bringing this stuff to out attention. 🙂

[@AZCobraman]

The more I look at the quality of expensive new amps, the more I think I'll just keep my '62 Deluxe....

[@codymcgrew4015]

Man, it’s disappointing to hear how poorly made this was at this price point. Are there any well made brands/models for guitar amps you’d recommend??

[@matthewf1979]

I think Friedman amps are very good quality for the money. Even the PCB based amps are built well using the same components as their hand wired amps. USA Transformers in the 2020 and earlier models, their supplier closed permanently over Covid lockdowns. I don’t know where their transformers are coming from now. Matchless amps are fantastic if you’re looking for a Vox style amp. Clark makes the best Tweed style amps. My recommendation is to learn how to build your own amps. Say if I were to build my own Deluxe Reverb, I could buy all the best new parts and still come in under what a brand new reissue costs. You could use quality parts and save a lot more, you just have to put the time in, which I enjoy doing.

[@kosmicwizard]

Psionic Audio Excalibre 15?

[@tomneily9506]

I had one sold it everything he said is true if i had known him would have sent it to him glad i sold the hunk of crap 2000 bucks for a hunk of crap

[@shanebratton8339]

Came here for the amp, bailed because of jargon.

[@dannyharvey7398]

Dude, I’ve got to question whether you can play guitar or not? I’m not disputing the “quality” of components used in the HW amp, but I own both the HW and the Custom versions of this amp and I’m sure anyone who’s played them both will agree that the sonic difference is night and day. To say that you’d pick the classic over the HW, which probably have the same “quality” of components, just indicates that you aren’t prepared to spend much on an amp. Sure, you can basically buy two classics to one HW, but I’d still pick the HW with the same reliability issues. I personally can’t think of an amp in this price range (new) that sounds this good. My point is - component wise it’s probably equal to anything else in its price point, sound wise it’s a stand out in its price point.

[@PsionicAudio]

I said the Custom is a better purchase than the HW. I also said both can be made to sound great. See some of my other videos for context.

[@dannyharvey7398]

My typo, I meant “Custom” (referring to the C1 and C2 versions.) I’ve edited this since after watching your other videos, it appears that your sound comparison is in relation to early JMI Vox’s. I don’t care for sounding like a JMI “fire-starter”, but was comparing the sound of the HW to the C1 or C2. With that in mind, if you’re saying that a “non-electronics” person like myself could buy a Custom and have it sound exactly like the HW by sending it to a tech to make the adjustments, and still have change in his pocket in comparison to buying the HW - I’m all ears 👂🙂

[@PsionicAudio]

@@dannyharvey7398 that's exactly what I'm saying. And I went out of my way to say that some people love it in stock form, and there's nothing wrong with that.

[@merseybeat1963]

@@PsionicAudio What he(the Tech in video) is saying is the quality is very low for an amp this expensive..an amp that is sold and implied as something equal to an old one/original. There really is something wrong with that.

[@dannyharvey7398]

I agree that it’s disappointing to find that the HW components are of lesser quality than what could have been used, (I’m no expert on electronics) but after having owned and played mine at least 3 times a week for about 8 - 10 hours a week I’ve thankfully had NO issues, not something I can say about some other higher priced amps I’ve had. I have a friend who has a DR Z HW and even its been to a tech for issues ahead of mine. My main comment is that despite the tech issues of which I’ve had none to this point, the HW is streets ahead of the C1 and C2 series in terms of sound. I get positive comments all the time about my tone, even from the HW1 and I use pedals sparingly. I don’t disagree that the JMI Vox’s have a great sound to them, but they’re primarily desired for their edge of breakup tone which makes them more of a one trick pony that only comes at high volume, and due to collectors comes at a high price, and in some cases requires a standby fire extinguisher if left running for too long. Everyone’s entitled to their opinion, but for me the HW Vox’s are among the most versatile and sonically pleasing amps I’ve played, and I’ve had and played a lot. Sure, if you’re a tech you can tinker with anything and make it yours for less perhaps, but for the rest of us we’re in some ways at the mercy of the big producers trying to get the tone we want at a price we can afford, and hoping it will go the distance.

[@Hikaru109Ichijyo]

the ac30 hw was on my list but I guess not . . .

[@rabokel]

nice layout though

[@merseybeat1963]

To change pretty much nearly everything in this amp after having paid even $1200 to buy one used ..including transformers !! Edit: But then again if it's going to result in this..sounds worth it : ) kzbin.info/www/bejne/gmW3i4qGZ7mobLM

[@ryanstark2350]

I had a Vox AC4 HW for a day. I was not impressed at all. Very noisy. I sent it back to the seller.

[@EdBenji]

Its no wonder these amps sound like crap!