I Bought My Holy Grail Guitar Amp | 1964 Vox AC30

[@RhettShull]

Check out my NEW video course, The Complete Nashville Number System here! flatfiv.co/collections/rhett-shull/products/the-complete-nashville-number-system

[@dwightburns6699]

Sounds great through these headphones Rhett

[@MesaGuitarGuy]

congrats on your amp! Great tones!

[@deransadventures]

404 error on the link in the description.

[@OFFICIALUND]

Rhett . . . do you have Elyea's book? You need to have it now that you have a '64.

[@demagmusic]

Do you have a video about the guitar you are playing with the slide at the beginning? I have never seen that funky bridge and would love to know more about it

[@samuraiguitarist]

I need to not watch your videos. They make me feel spendy

[@ArriEllieJelly]

Likewise

[@GregStraub42]

yup.

[@Calagamberr0]

Just bought a motherfucking 63 head. Gas was fed by him AND the fact that I already own an ac30, the chinese cc2, which is OK tbh, but... This is THE SHIT.

[@thornil2231]

That's the idea.

[@hoboroadie4623]

@@Calagamberr0 I probably ought to get one, always thought that I should get the 4 hole without Top Boost, idk. I have a Conqueror, Defiant, Foundation Bass and and some V1141 Beatles but only a couple V125 Leads, I think that I prefer the sounds that were coming from the proto-solid state ersatz days. Best to get a good speaker or driver, then work back to the pickups, suiting each bit to it's own best tone. Take the resulting tone and adjust that with E.Q. to suit your music, better yet, if you're loud enough the equipment starts writing it's own music. Don't swim upstream.

[@WillyPDX94]

Holy Grail indeed! As a 70 year old who experienced the British Invasion first hand from the vantage point of a small midwestern farming community I can't tell you how it does my heart good to see a young man like you caring so deeply about the amp that made so much of that music possible. I would never have dreamed that the music and the gear of my youth (and even before my time) would resonate with musicians for so many years. It's astonishing. Hats off to you, Rhett, for keeping the thread intact while also making it your own. You'll do great things with that amp I have no doubt. 👏

[@peterslade1146]

Hi I am now 76 and still playing. I had an AC 30 in the late 70’s on the back was scratched “N. Reading “ Hendrix’s bass player. Prior to joining the “experience “ he was a lead guitarist in a local band. I think. The only ones. Just a bit oh history (I think). Really like your playing. Can’t believe all you young guys how f###### good you get. Keep rocking

[@Pauld62]

Do you still have the amp ?

[@shckltnebay]

@@Pauld62 " I had an AC 30"

[@peterslade1146]

Unfortunately not. Can’t even remember how much I sold it for probably a couple of hundred pounds. Have to make do with a Princeton, a Les Paul, and a slide. Have a good weekend.

[@adiiqbal8010]

@@peterslade1146 did people in the 70s casually have tube amps in their house and no one cared?? My neibours HATE my ac 10

[@peterslade1146]

Of course.

[@BrettPapa]

One of the best amps ever!!!

[@alchemistsanonymous6558]

One of the LOUDEST too.

[@VIDS2013]

@@alchemistsanonymous6558 My AC30BM is insanely loud. I can't turn it up past 0.75 without shaking the walls.

[@eaglebauer944]

It's not one of the best, it's THE best amp ever.

[@0Mark0]

Truiy is and i bet that amp was not cheap to get either. Now he has reached the starting point amp wise. Great video thanks.

[@CDU11031983]

@@VIDS2013 Anyone use a volume attenuator with this amp? I use one for my Fender Hot Rod Deluxe and it works really well so I don’t get kicked out of my apartment but not sure how it works with an AC30.

[@MatthewScottmusic]

Congrats man, sounds legendary👍🏻✌🏻

[@RhettShull]

Thanks man!

[@alextheguitarist7282]

I think you need to get one too. Channel the Rory vibe. ✌️

[@bobbystereo936]

@@RhettShull Shit! I would've bought the other 1 with the head & cab configuration. The super reverb? If you can find 1?

[@simondavid2519]

It is legendary

[@-doggy-6670]

@@bobbystereo936 I've got a 63 head and cab,its called a supertwin

[@ryaneggleston4585]

I’ll tell my kids to find someone who feels about them, the way Rhett feels about that amp

[@alechorner7481]

The AC-30/15 pairs amazingly well with filtertron pickups. It makes my Gretsch sound so insanely good. Absolutely love it.

[@williamwagnon2809]

To this day I still remember sitting on the floor in front of our tiny black and white tv with a very rounded 'screen'/tube and watching The Beatles come to America and play on Ed Sullivan. I was hooked for life... It's one of the few TV memories that I'll never forget.

[@RhysticStudies]

I really loved the storytelling in this video. well done Rhett, so stoked on this acquisition for you!

[@lexist7]

I didn’t know you played guitar. As an MTG player and guitarist, this is the crossover I never saw happening.

[@adrianmcgrath1984]

I was playing in punk bands in the UK from about 1977, in our rehearsal rooms we had two or three AC 30s - you could pick them up for between £25 and £50. Nobody really wanted them. Sometime in the mid '70s things had changed and amps like Vox, WEM, Selmer and Orange were out of style. People wanted Marshall, Laney, or Fender. A little later the Roland JC- 120 joined the 'desirable amp' category and Trace Elliot became THE amps for bass players. There’s a tendency for people to believe that all those older amps were instant classics and have been in demand since their inception. They weren’t, they had their heyday and then were forgotten for decades. Selmer - once used by many bands, including Pink Floyd sell for over $1k now. I paid £25 for mine. And mostly used it with a Vox Bassmaster bass, which I paid £15 for. There are some amps now that are accepted as classics, but in days gone by, gear went out of fashion every ten years or so. If you dig back in history, I think you'll find that the Beatles weren’t particular fans of Vox amps and would rather have had Fenders, but Epstein signed a deal with Vox, that in exchange for free gear, the Beatles would never appear on stage with anything else. It was one of the first licensing deals in the industry. - I believe it may have been a deal by management that saw Pink Floyd switch from Selmer. At one time their stage set up included walls of Selmers.

[@RC32Smiths01]

Much congrats man. Always such a timeless feeling to get the gear you want! Have fun with it!

[@jonathanduffett8374]

They are VERY special. I have one that was used on a famous album. Josh would like it... he has the poster. The artist tried to buy it off my band mate but he wouldn’t sell it. Eventually I managed to get it. It’s one of the best amps out there.

[@dr.lyleevans6915]

Can you say who’s?

[@jonathanduffett8374]

What’s The Story Morning Glory. I also have an Orange hired for the session and for Big Log.

[@darksu6947]

@@jonathanduffett8374 I love Orange amps!

[@paulminor5060]

I'd love to hear you playing a Rickenbacker through that amp.

[@JaniceLalla]

I was thinking the same thing

[@jaschul]

that would be Beatles as hell

[@charlesbolton8471]

@@jaschul Or Tom Petty/Mike Campbell or my personal favorite R.E.M.

[@joemasse4568]

A great Rickenbacker,for rock, I would recommend 620, neck thru body construction, I have Les Paul, strat, couple of hollow bodies, 620 isn’t the typical Ric, can hold its own with all my other guitars! Try one and you would be pleasantly surprised how good they sound! Plus one of the coolest looking guitars , out there!

[@Lainer1]

...and record it at Muscle Shoals.

[@akasgsvirgil9503]

When I was a touring musician many moons ago supporting a country act, we played a series of shows with a fella who was using two original 64' VOX AC30's. They were sublime to hear live. There is nothing that can accurately convey the sheer magnificence of the sound of those amps. There are few amps that I've heard that can compare to an original AC30. Great video! Brought back some good memories.

[@dr.lyleevans6915]

I’m a huge fan of classic-90’s country. Who did you tour with, if you don’t mind?

[@akasgsvirgil9503]

@@dr.lyleevans6915 Please forgive me if I don't publish his name. Players in this industry cherish their privacy for a variety of reasons. I trust you understand. :-) I will tell you that the player I'm talking about played in Neal McCoy's backing band. I met him for the first time at a small arena in Watertown, New York in the Summer of 2000. Our paths would cross once or twice more over the next few years. If I'm not mistaken, after finishing Neal McCoy's tour in 2000, he joined Toby Keith's band, but don't hold me to that. I stopped working as a backing musician around that time and focused on session work and teaching.

[@simongladwin816]

There is an AC30 in our rehearsal space. The other guitarist and I race from the car park to use it. They’re sublime amps.

[@Locoandchooch]

Love the way Rhett plays, moody, atmospheric comes to mind, good tone sense 👍🏼

[@justinbeech2681]

I own a 64 AC 30 and it is amazing!! I’m very happy to hear and see that you’ve acquired one . Great playing as usual and great video 👍

[@susanjoy1969]

Welcome to the exclusive club!! I've owned my '62 TB model since 1994, and it sounds as good as the day I purchased it. Rich overtones, and the envy of the local music scene. Take good care of her!!

[@countmirugai]

Rhett - for a beautiful clean sound with a Strat, try the normal (not top boost) channel with bass and treble all the way down

[@BizarrePudding]

Hmm...I can't agree that Dylan going electric and The Beatles blowing up was the death of folk music in the 60s...folk remained a massive influence all through that period...The Byrds, The Beatles, Zeppelin (just to name a few) all used explicitly folk influences and elements in their music and by the early 70s folk artists like James Taylor, Joni Mitchell and CSN(Y) were the biggest selling acts around

[@yellowtruckproductions7502]

I agree that Dylan and the Beatles weren't the death of folk music, but they put a serious dent in the kind of "purist" acoustic folk music like Pete Seeger preferred. The Byrds, James Taylor, Joni Mitchell and CSN(Y) all incorporated electric instruments and a much broader range of stylistic and harmonic approaches (I mean, Joni Mitchel! Sheesh!).

[@martinrhodes1619]

Agreed yellow truck. That’s why the pure folkies were so upset. Pete Seeger wanted to unplug Dylan so bad.

[@pedrobarnez5502]

WRONG

[@martinrhodes1619]

Actually Pedro Pete Seeger said he wanted to cut the electric cable powering Dylan’s amp...

[@pedrobarnez5502]

@@martinrhodes1619 well, you make a fine argument.I concede.

[@MrTraewilliams]

Man you are killing it with these last 2 videos. I mean your stuff is always good but with this and the fuzz one I can tell how much you love these sounds and want to share them. Great Job. I want to wish you and yours a Happy & Safe Holidays.

[@guitaryst]

I was always a Vox Amp fan but didn't really know much history. In 1995, a friend of mine took to me to see a guy named Mike Guthrie who had a shop/warehouse in downtown Athens GA. I walked into the store not expecting much, but I actually felt my heart rate increase when i saw every Vox amp I (thought I) was familiar with and even more I wasn't. (I don't think Mike had any US-made Thomas Organ amps). It was amazing! Mike spent some time talking with me about his collection. He was in Europe in the mid 60's with his military father and loved the Vox amps as well. He told me that in the late 60's when Marshall, Hiwatt, Orange became "the" amps, he was buying up all the old Vox amps he could find at stupid low prices (and also got a bunch of brands that were used by British musicians). He was smart enough to hang on to them and shipped a lot back to the US to sell. He ended up selling to U2, Tom Petty, and lots of other 80's/90's bands until his supply started to dwindle. Then he would only rent locally. I still remember how cool that day was for me.

[@MarkPritchardGuitar]

Congrats Rhett, what a part of history you now have. The Beatles certainly started the whole movement of music we know and love today.

[@Total_DaveB]

This a genuinely beautiful episode. I’ve been wanting a Vox for a while and it’s such a touching sound. Great work Rhett.

[@Locoandchooch]

Brian May lead tone❤️🙏

[@tylerstockrahm3570]

Congrats Mr. Shull! It's always great day when someone get a piece of their "dream" gear. Cherish it and put some great tones out there!

[@guitaristwilllane]

that intro is one of the best captures of an AC30 i've heard. so many people run them too clean or to distorted, with bad settings and bad microphone capture. it sounds perfect, accurate; it sounds as quintessential "guitar" as possible.

[@Anth55]

Iconic sound. You’re right, Rhett. Sends chills. But so damn big and heavy!!

[@StephenSpelman]

Nice video, as always. I love my AC15 with the Blue Alnico speaker (and your Helix presets get 99% of the way there, so thanks for them too!).

[@KeolaDonaghy]

I just knew we were going to hear "Tie Your Mother Down"! What an amazing sound amp, Rhett. Congratulations!

[@onesdrones3000]

The Beatles also used Selmer Amps; which also sound magical!

[@christianlacheze3323]

I suspect the Beatles sounded magical with ANY amp.

[@lachaineguitarededavid]

It's true, and if you look around, there are some gems among very old guitar amps to be discovered.

[@goldenultra]

@@christianlacheze3323 I think the beatles were great because of their chemistry and they played off each other. But their songs too have a certain sound created by amps.

[@ajmillendez478]

​@@christianlacheze3323 Agreed they also used Fender Amps like the Fender Twin Reverb and the Fender Bassman. Also they use selmer amps but i don't know when they use it, they are famous for using Vox Amplifiers.

[@bkbinj6320]

Great addition to your amp collection Rhett. You make that AC30 sound fantastic.

[@scafusa]

As a bass player I like the ACs due to their focus on the mids. That leaves the lows for me 😁

[@mountainman8775]

Exactly! This comment nails it... leave room down there for the bass player to really wear the trousers ;) Great bands like RHCP or No Doubt sound so great mainly because they leave space for the bass to take the lead

[@georgefromgreece4119]

And which amps do you hate for the same reason of getting into your territory???

[@eddiecarter9831]

What an awesome purchase! Vox AC30 is my dream amp! The Beatles tone alone is enough reason for that, but there are so many others ... Stones, Shadows, U2. This might be my favorite video that you have done!

[@thehound2161]

Pace yourself Rhett. Every month you have a life long dream come true with respect to gear. Save some dreams for dream time fella.

[@wearashirt]

It's possible he never really bought it.

[@valebliz]

KZbinrs gotta KZbin.

[@zeroceiling]

...next stop...a Dumble...followed by a divorce

[@IsabellaCatherine19XX]

Congratulations, Rhett! The AC30 sounds killer. I am just in awe of that sound. What a lovely video too!

[@tonebender69]

The quintessential rock/pop amplifier. It has such a gorgeous midrange response. And of course the chime. But you really have to give credit to the Celestion alnico blue speaker for the crisp chime. All you need to do is plug into an AC30 with Greenbacks and then play the same amp with the alnico speakers. The alnico blue speaker makes a BIG difference and it completes the package. I wish I still had my 1968 Vox AC30.

[@fullclipaudio]

Very true. I built an AC15 amp and there is no way of getting around the Celestion alnico blue. It doesn't matter how much $$ you are willing to spend as your ONLY choice will be the Celestion.

[@vincentl.9469]

@@fullclipaudio what are your thoughts on the Chinese built AC's ?

[@fullclipaudio]

@@vincentl.9469 That is tough to answer because even if you built an AC30 in England, you would find that most of its components would come from China. In that scenario, you sacrifice build quality for sound. Modern amps sound great and have lots of features but probably wont function 60 years from now like a hand wired AC30.

[@vincentl.9469]

@@fullclipaudio Yes the new ones are PCB and what people tell me is the boards are not always robust..but I think it depends on usage too. The one thing Ac30's were known for is running very hot..poor ventilation in the cab..

[@nicennice]

Hey Rhett, what a way to end 2020! Vox helped change the world in the 60’s. Hope it does the same for you (and us) in 2021.

[@stephenpwilson1930]

I own a jmi amp and it was hand wired and soldered by Tom Jennings it's a 4 watt head and so beautiful.

[@davidpask4232]

Hi Rhett, I bought my very first Vox AC30 in 1972 second hand. I must admit I did not know what I was buying, but it was in mint condition for £84 GBP that was the reason I bought it. From then on I gigged it regulary, but did go through a few valves in those days, so not cheap to run. I use to buy my valves from a local wholesalers in Streatham South London, I dont think they were the Mullard variety, but probably a copy, so they might not have been so hardy. It was fitted with blue Jennings Speakers, which I had to get re coned, I believe the company was Jennings Speakers in Shepperds Bush, West London for £25 GBP. I loved this amp with the distinct Vibrato sound, but had to buy some echo unit, think it were a WEM/ Watkins Copy cat to get that Shadows sounds. I also bought a phaser pedal for that extra tones. I loved this amp and used it for years till it started to develope a fault, that I had repaired a few times, but it was becoming un-reliable. So I sold it, to whom I cant remember, then bought, Fender Twins, had a couple, HH 100 Combo, and Peavey Duece, but I regret now that I sold it, should have taken it back to Vox for repair, but money was short in those days. I have now at 72 Treated myself to a VoxAC30 VR for home use, love it, pity no Vibrato.

[@ashtonroyea7099]

Bold prediction: Rhett will never buy a house.

[@the-creech4790]

Or possibly become a single man?

[@RobReidGuitar]

@@the-creech4790 both...

[@henryimmler8329]

Naw, Tilly totally gets "it"! Rhett is safe!

[@seattlesauce]

Plus he gets to say "hey, its for work" and actually mean it. Haha.

[@the-creech4790]

@@seattlesauce It might be be a sweet tax write off...

[@garajplaz3513]

My favorite amp. And I am primarily a bassist. Good to see you run a bass through it.

[@raymondmeers]

Note: I watched the 64 Ed Sullivan show, but it was not for the Beatles. Our family ALWAYS watched Ed Sullivan. We 3 kids had no control over what was watched.

[@thomasmalatesta7331]

I was 5 years old and still remember all of us kids gathering at a neighbors house to watch The Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show. The adults were excited. All of us kids really had no idea who the Beatles were and why there was so much commotion about them. It was pretty impressive.

[@xfire301]

My favorite memory was how many boys were in trouble at school the next day for long hair.

[@jwingo7257]

My brother was in a Beatles cover band in the early eighties called “Rubber Soul” from Queens, NYC. He played Harrison with an original beat-up 1964 Gretch Country Gentleman and a Vox SuperBeatlec amp and cabinet. That trapezoidal amp head is so distinctive. I loved that Vox amp with its cabinet stand on wheels and those amazing glowing tubes. The whole band had Vox amps and original guitars because at the time in about 1980, you could take the subway into Manhattan and head to 47th Street to check out Manny’s Music and Rudy’s Music and several other great guitar stores. It was affordable and common to find this gear for sale at that time. The baby boomers were in their mid thirties and unloading their gear as they started having kids and becoming Yuppies. We were still in High School and didn’t realize how valuable and collectible these amps and guitars would be although we did appreciate them then. 1980 was a poignant year as it closed with terrible news of John Lennon being shot in front of his Dakota residence on Central Park West. Being born in 1964, I was 16 and a sophomore in High School doing my homework that evening with the radio on WPLJ listening to rock when the announcement was made. It was a devastating loss by a “jerk of all jerks”.

[@BizarrePudding]

Congrats on getting that amp Rhett, it couldn't have wound up in more appreciative and musically deserving hands... I really appreciate how you always remain a fan of the music, who made it, how it was made etc and never allow yourself to get jaded...I'll never play like you can, never be a professional musician like you are, but when it comes to being a fan, well then you always make it feel like we're in lock step all the way!!!.... Congrats again!!!

[@John_2Much_Coffee]

Congratulations on getting your dream Amp. You are now the new chapter in its story. Cheers from Canada

[@timharrington4470]

The amp sounds great but the guitar player definitely deserves some respect . Great video!

[@kerrykroger7323]

ALWAYS love a "Grail" story!And seeing you face and expressions as you describe it and speak about it... Wonderful!

[@fossilmatic]

I guess everybody builds their worldview on a mythic homeland that must, by necessity, be something other than their everyday. Something distant in time or space that gives meaning and provenance to what they value. For Americans it seems to be the British music scene of the sixties; to the Brits it was the RnB and Blues music of the States prior to the sixties. Both are selective and even distortions that are far removed from those actual places. But myth is far more powerful than realities. Just like the sound of an AC30 in a basement club with no PA in 1965 didn’t sound like an AC30 played with loads of post-amp delay and effects closer to The Edge than Brian Jones. NIce video all the same, and as someone born in 1962 and growing up on the legacy I hope it introduces others to the possibilities explored with this amp in 1965, 1971, 1980 and 1987 (guess the users from those years!).

[@VesaGuardian]

I loved this video back in the day, and I bought my first AC30. A Chinese-made amp that had that sound and chime for the most part. Today I traded that one in and bought a 1993 Korg-made that is supposed to be more "original". Tomorrow I will hear how it works. So will the neighbours. Keep on rocking folks!

[@stephenpwilson1930]

And the Stand? I mean AND THE STAND. WWWOOOOWWW

[@bandninkasimusic6484]

A 1964 Vox AC30 is out of my price range. I do however have a 10 year old Vox AC30C2 and when you turn it up the sound is amazing. Informative video Rhett 👍

[@dustinthiessen]

Super sick amp! sure didn't take long to get this amp, and get it on video! wasn't it just Monday you were asking Dan's advice on TPS VCQ live?

[@carstenmarcussen6565]

I do not have a '64 vintage but got the Vox Limited-Edition 60th-Anniversary AC30HW60 (about 150 was made). When i tried it the first time i was blown away. It just have "the thing" that is so hard to describe and putting words on. It was love at first chord - I so love that amp. Rhett Shull I hope you enjoy it - congrats mate.

[@idhindsight]

Sounds like literal magic. But now you need a Rickenbacker, Rhett!

[@BrentGodwin]

Rhett, this is beyond cool. Congrats on owning a piece of history. One of those guys hit the nail on the head. I've always been amazed that the Beatles went from "Please Mr. Postman" to "A Day in the Life" in less than a decade.

[@WestbrookAds]

I think you should do a Kemper Profile of this amp and then give us an honest review on how good of a job you think the Kemper does capturing the sound. I would trust your opinion on this. I'm interested because I could never get an amp like this, but would be glad to know that maybe I could get reasonably close with a well done profile.

[@bullwinklemoose8291]

This story that you all told about the music of that time is spot on. I'm 63 and my musical birth came when I was one of those seventy-some million people watching Ed Sullivan at five years old. In fact, it was one of my earliest life memories...that and coming home from Kindergarten in November 63 any my Mom was sobbing bc Kennedy had just been shot. I remember how my gram absolutely HATED the Beatles because of their long hair and their hippie musical style. And this was the 64 version of the Beatles...when they had bangs and played 'outrageous' songs like She Loves You! The world was coming to an end according to her...LOL. Yes, from 64 to 69 was absolutely the greatest five years in the history of music, as far as I'm concerned. So much innovation and exploration...so much expansion in sounds and techniques. Thank you Rhett for carrying the torch and appreciating the importance of those years. So many younger people don't really understand. I even had an internet conversation recently with a guy in his early thirties that claimed Hendrix was WAY overrated...course he only focused on Hendrix's technical abilities and some of the shows he played when he was wasted...not to mention comparing that playing to the technical abilities of the hundreds of technically great guitarists over a fifty plus years span...that's a lot of guitar players. That dude has no clue how much his own musical experience has been influenced and shaped by Jimi Hendrix.

[@Jopeymessmusic]

You were so close to addressing the fact that Brian May got his tone from Rory Gallagher. He was playing gigs when Brian May was developing his tone! Also the Edge was a big fan of this amp. Crazy that the influence of it can still be heard on modern music outside of your wheelhouse.

[@StratsRUs]

Peter Buck of REM too.

[@hosoiarchives4858]

Edge uses this amp almost exclusively, little more than a fan lol

[@Jopeymessmusic]

@@hosoiarchives4858 Oh of course! The list of like, famous players who love this amp is as long as a blue whale! 😅😂

[@Nick-ky3vl]

Apparently Rory Gallagher explained how he got his tone to Brian May. "All you need is a Fender Stratocaster, Dallas Rangemaster and a VOX AC30". Have a Listen to the 1973 album Tattoo and you'll be blown away at all the different sounds.

[@peterx3410]

Edges 68-70 amp has been retired for 7 years now. He uses the handwired for tour and records

[@steveapostolides2975]

Glad it's found a good home, with someone who loves and respects the Amp and it's history. All the best, Steve, London UK.

[@vminator]

I never owned a VOX but I do have a beautiful Matchless DC30 which I know is based on a AC30. I’ll never part with it.

[@vminator]

@Bruce Dickinson from my cold, dead hands buddy. Lol

[@AlbusBand]

Hell yes!!! First off, congrats on picking up this lovely lady. Second, the tones right off the bat you get are perfection. I’ve always liked mixing a fender amp & a vox amp and this video shows all the reasons why I love Vox. Hope you’re well man.

[@kosmicwizard]

After watching your Morgan fail to deliver against the real goods, I am glad that you got one of these, Rhett! Great decision. :)

[@eddiesouthgate6654]

Love that amp and I am thrilled that you are able to have it . Hopefully we will get to hear a lot from it.

[@12bar]

I owned exactly this Amp ...and (damn) I sold it in 1984. Nobody wanted the Vox Sound in the early eighties

[@6ixstringsonfire12]

It was a different era of music in the 80s. People were into metal and hard core distortion.

[@eog5217]

By that time Metal and underground Hardcore Punk had came around already, it was all Marshall, Mesa Boogie, Randall, and Orange.

[@12bar]

@@6ixstringsonfire12 Well, in Germany we had this terrible "Neue Deutsche Welle" music

[@davidbarlow431]

I saw this around Liverpool in the early 80's, it wasn't the sound as most of the local bands were still knocking out 60's songs. Young musicians thought of them as obsolete, in fact valve amps in general. "Modern" transistor amps were lighter, more reliable, and sounded better especially with pedals. Needless to say that was complete bollocks but it's a mistake every young generation makes, then they grow up and buy their first valve amp. 😀

[@Pauld62]

Im sure Bryan Mays team wouldve bought it haha, apparently they used to buy up all the AC30s they could there hands on!

[@dep1001]

Congrats on that amazing amp, Rhett! I'm a Fender guy myself, but damn you can't deny the greatness of that AC30!

[@geoffreywilliams2981]

Congrats, Rhett. Now you can start saving for the holy grail 335!

[@brianlutz8913]

Congratulations Rhett!!!

[@edburke2902]

How’s it smell? I still remember the smell of amps, guitar cases and stuff from when I played in the 60’s. My high school band used Silvertone, Fenders, Gretschs, Vox (unfortunately the solid state version) Ampeg and Farfisa. We weren’t great but we had a great time.

[@fposmith]

And some great equipment !

[@abubakr6939]

Was the farfisa tube?

[@edburke2902]

@@abubakr6939 I don’t think it was, but the B3 was. I can’t believe we carted all that stuff around. The joys of being a teen.

[@scottkidwell3601]

Congratulations! Looking forward to hearing what you do with it!

[@Micek97]

Not gonna lie, I was never really into VOX sound. But this is legendary.

[@Michaelkeyreal]

I really appreciate your videos. They're educational. The gear recording is world-class. You're creating a wonderful reference of iconic tones. This video helped me nail the Vox sound. Thank you.

[@stephenpwilson1930]

Leave your story inside it as a diary of where it was bought and places you take it etc etc...for the next person who gets it. I live in northeast UK and I'm jealous. Enjoy

[@TheToneLounge]

That's why I dedicated my YT channel to Vox amps, they are amazing!Since I am in Europe for a few years, I'm going to be on the look out for a vintage Vox. Wish me luck lol. Cheers

[@mikebri5274]

Unfortunately, I'm not a fan of the Vox sound. Too bright, too brittle (IMHO). However, can't deny the impact Vox amps have had on music. Arguably, they are one of the top amplifier companies in the world (along with Fender and Marshall). I acquired a Peavey Classic Head a number of years ago and finally got around to getting it up and running. I've paired it with an open back 2x12 cabinet loaded with British-made Celestion Vintage 30s and it sounds pretty good. Didn't think I'd ever like an EL-84 based amp but this combination sounds good (at least to me). I have a G&L tribute ASAT (i.e. Telecaster) type guitar that sounds pretty good with this amp and speaker combination. So I guess it isn't just the EL-84s that make or break the tone of an amp but other factors (tone stack, speakers, guitar, etc) all combine to make a sound. Just my thoughts.....

[@millmoormichael6630]

Too bright?? Have you tried a vintage one? Normal channel is super dark. Also with some nos EL’s it’s very warm and dark. Maybe some of the new models..

[@mikebri5274]

@@millmoormichael6630 Hey there! Thanks for the reply. No, I have not had a chance to try a vintage one. Perhaps I'll try and hunt up one (at a guitar show or something) to try. Don't have the funds to afford one but it would be fun to try one out. I'm the same way with speakers. I'd heard great things about Celestion "greenbacks" and had a pair of them from the late 60's for a while. Didn't like them.... same reason.... too bright. The Vintage 30s however sound great to my ears.

[@henryimmler8329]

Congratulations Rhett! I'm so happy for you! I hope Tilly is as excited about the AC 30 as you are! It sounds fantastic for a 56 year old amp! Any amp will sound great with you playing through it! (I was one of those millions watching the Beatles on Ed Sullivan in 1964)

[@Billywagner22]

I'm totally jealous. That's my dream amp too!

[@jmabs5096]

8:40 gives me chills, that's one of the best drive tone I've heard.

[@edwright6994]

Watching this while my 2018 AC15C1 stares at me from the corner of the room

[@mountainman8775]

This amp has that ‘it’ you were looking for... the iconic, the magical, a really great purchase. Thanks so much for the education and music history, that’s really great content.

[@CenterThePendulum]

2021 Resolution: Buy the rest of my gear list before Rhett drives the prices up even further.

[@kdavis63]

I tried a new Vox a couple months ago I was blown away! BTW, Mahalo for the course...very excellent.

[@ThomasMetal75]

Clapton's JTM45 combo is not an amp to forget for its importance in the music world. Maybe not nearly as equally as the original Vox AC30s, but it sure has to be in 2nd place.

[@khargrarnrhan209]

OMG that's a true piece of history. You're a happy man, Rhett. Congratulations. And what magnificent tones !!

[@jaxon5905]

Me staring at my ac15- *I love you, beautiful*

[@markpell8979]

Loved your brief inclusion of the "Tie Your Mother Down" intro bars to showcase the Vox's rock tone. One of my all-time favorite Queen numbers, very fun to play, and the lyrics are hilarious and probably are telling a real-life story of young love/lust. Kind of in the vein of Meat Loaf's "Paradise By The Dashboard Light," featuring Todd Rundgren in the studio on guitar.

[@falcorystico792]

The AC 30 came about because of Hank Marvin , probably the most influential amp in popular music.

[@sillysambo1000]

America thinks the beatles made it themselves..ffs

[@aproperhouse]

I'm geeking out over the edit at 4:59 when Dan starts talking and Rhett looks up as if he's across the room. Nice job.

[@Lord_Stinkfoot]

I flew AC-30s back in Nam

[@Lord_Stinkfoot]

Cricket cricket... Tough crowd

[@grooviefan]

Warthog ??

[@Lord_Stinkfoot]

@@grooviefan funny you say that, my first base in the USAF was at RAF Bentwaters/Woodbridge. There were 80 or so A-10s there.

[@grooviefan]

Thank you for your service Ken. 🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@Lord_Stinkfoot]

@@grooviefan Yeppers. the office I worked in was right by the taxi way. Those engines make the loudest whine.

[@tedwardbrownington4231]

Didn’t think I could love Vox anymore than I already did, great video, informative, production quality brilliant

[@arlesmauck9434]

Gonna profile it?

[@JMac.]

That’s the score of a lifetime. I have a Vox pathfinder for home and it sounds great and it’s totally the tone I strive for. If I get back to gigging, it will definitely be an AC-15 or AC-30 for my back line.

[@eh3920]

I love vox amps. I'd love to own one , because it would be exactly the right sound for me and I also would use it for Jazz! John Scofield for example is absolutely one of my favourite guitar players and he plays an ac 30 alot.

[@pd-kx4qw]

Congratulations man on getting your dream gear. Hard work ALWAYS pays off in the end, sometimes it just takes a bit of grinding. Always pumped when I get to see people get their dream gear.

[@bigboynicky3372]

Now you gotta do a what is the Rickenbacker Sound.

[@jonathanhorne6503]

February 7, 1964 was my 11th birthday. Before the Sullivan show I had never heard of the Beatles, it was all baseball for me. That’s the day my life changed. I saw them at candlestick and within a week I had a VOX Essex amp and Harmony bass. No one wanted to play bass then and I wanted to be in a band so I learned it. Had various bands through high school (1971). I had a 62 AC30 noon TB through the 80s& mid 90s. It was magic for me.

[@elliotjgc]

Could you do a video on the hipshot you have on that tele please?. I've been contemplating getting one for my tele so i can do the B/G bender stuff.

[@elliotjgc]

@Hugh G. Rection Hipshot isn't a major involved mod that requires a router.

[@trapland7102]

Rhett, usually you and I have very different taste in guitar tone. I still dig your channel, different is life. But I have to say I am VERY happy for you getting your dream amp. I like the old Vox tone too, and just acquired a handwired AC15 which I love. The big 3 sounds, Vox, Fender and Marshall, real amps through real speakers at real volumes. That’s inspiration. Loved this video and again, very happy for you.

[@kenichi407]

dude, you got a '65 ... it's not a '64. serial number 18xxxx clearly puts it in '65. also dome voltage selector is a giveaway. '64's had pill selectors. looks like perhaps someone put a '65 chassis in a older cabinet to make it look more '64. anyway, still nice amp.