The clean tone of a Fender Stratocaster and Vox AC30

The clean tone of a Fender Stratocaster and Vox AC30
Original tune
Gear used:
Fender Stratocaster Custom Shop 1962
Vox AC30HWH

[@JohnGadzaJr.]

This is the best clean tone that I have ever heard coming from a Fender Stratocaster and Vox AC30. It sounds more like Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits fame.

[@enricomarchi8952]

I came here in the comments to see if anyone would talk about THAT knopfler tone. It is, as you said, the best tone that i have heard too LOL

[@AndreaAustoni]

Basically any Strat in 2nd position playing Knopfler lines with fingers will sound like Knopfler.

[@zGrego]

@@AndreaAustoni Add a Compressor and here you go

[@tigeri9384]

Or Hank Marvin

[@RickyLafleurr]

Idk why but why my dumbass read "mark knopfler" as "markiplier"

[@BloodFireDoom]

I love stratocaster's. Best guitar of all time. :)

[@owenf2835]

yeah and jazzmasters

[@HumansFreshlyBorn]

OwenF Id put Jaguars ahead personally. Like a Jazzmaster with much more versatility and tonal fullness

[@AndreaAustoni]

@@owenf2835 I have both and the Strat is by far more versatile. The Jazzmaster is cool but it has too many frequencies for my liking - too much bass for a band, too much high end for dirt. It's almost as if it was designed for solo jazz guitar :)

[@markredford84]

Télé man myself and les Paul. Had a few strats top spec ones but always ended up selling them as never got on with them

[@brientnallbarnhart6841]

You can flat out play. Awesome tone. I can tell you've been working at that crisp attack for years. Thanks for posting this.

[@Metalwrath2]

he bussin fam str8 up slayin frfr

[@cgavin1]

After just finishing a 4 hr session on my Strat + AC30CC2x I can totally state with absolute confidence this is the definitive Rory Gallagher tone. Absolutely gorgeous on full belt! No pedals required. Just the top boost gain cranked with about 25% of the reverb fed in.

[@axelrad5624]

+1 for mentioning Rory Gallagher

[@andreuarribas]

How much do you go up with the Volume Channel and the Master channel to crank the Ac30? It's easy to crank it at low volume?

[@cgavin1]

@@andreuarribas Yeah this model is easy to crank at low volume due to the post phase inverter master volume. It doesn't sound anywhere near as good as cranked. You won't get any sag or anything but it breaks up nicely for practice volumes. Normal channel I usually jumper normal and top (there's a switch for that on the CC model). Normal volume is about 2 o'clock and the top boost channel dimed. The master is usually barely on 1 or 2. I just turn it until it cuts out completely then nudge it back until its loud "enough".

[@shanjayaweera3036]

the best 49 seconds of playing on youtube - that's ridiculously good - makes me want to go out and buy an ac30

[@agusg.t.8950]

Shan Jayaweera do it

[@zGrego]

Hope you went out and bought an AC30 already

[@daunteferguson4098]

how's that AC30 ;)

[@jonah_hosea]

Ac 30 yet?

[@justokotoeh]

already enjoying the AC30?

[@nicholassakamoto2455]

The Vox AC30 has become one of my all time favorite guitar amps, and I’m hoping to acquire one someday.

[@SimpleManGuitars1973]

They're my favorite amp ever and right there with them is the AC10C1. I've got both and love them both. I've got the British Racing Green AC10 and I think I might run back in my burning house to save it if it came to it. They're absolutely awesome. Best "budget" tube amp ever as far as I'm concerned. When paired with a Tele they become even more glorious.

[@nope929]

@@SimpleManGuitars1973 i have a vox ac10 too, and all I have to say is that of vox gave it a better volume knob it would be perfect for me

[@SimpleManGuitars1973]

@@nope929 Yeah it definitely can't keep up with an AC30 in terms of volume. Honestly if Vox would make a version with 2x's in it I would pretty much mortgage my entire future to get one. LOL!

[@topografer]

If you want more glassy than this you just gotta buy glass. Awesome tone dude really And also this CS strat is a pure beauty

[@calvinbass1839]

Heavenly to hear. Thank you for sharing. Have a blessed day.

[@ummagumma7826]

This needs to be about 20 times longer

[@razalayeta]

Yeah should have played longer.

[@davidleerotharmy]

Here for Vox, stay for your playing

[@johnbonamigo5696]

Thank you for showing the world that the AC30 and Ac15 have amazing clean tones. Gotta use that master volume! Most people talk about the VOX tone and to me thats this not a heavy gain

[@MrIantodd]

Lovely tone! Can hear some knophler inspiration

[@michael_caz_nyc]

That Tone was Phenomenal. Nothing like The Vocal-Quality of a Stratocaster. I have a similar Sound, thru my 65 Fender Princeton Reverb Reissue with Lollar Dirty Blonde's. That was so enjoyable. We need more then 48 seconds. oNe LovE from NYC.

[@jensk4140]

Awesome! And look at his strat, what a beauty!

[@digital6string1]

Now that's a classy demo, thanks and keep it clean.

[@YoBroMan]

Great tone and some really amazing playing...

[@briano.1503]

Beautiful.

[@grantdavis5438]

Vox is the Marshall of clean tones

[@Vigi]

I like how you conveyed the characteristics of this strat! :) Cool natural finish!

[@hakutsuru1970]

This is why people buy an AC30. Including myself. I have the same HW, but with the combo. Tried Greenbacks, now have blues, lots of tubes rolled, but never have gotten close to this clean tone. Would like to know what else is in the chain , speakers, tubes...If OP still paying attention, people want to know the rest of the story.

[@TheChadPad]

Check your pickup strengths. You might need lower or higher output pickups. If it's cleaner you want, go lower

[@NewMusicWeekly]

Yes, the AC30HWH is just the head, which can be seen in the background. Can anyone id the speakers either below it or to the right?

[@bernhardnizynski4403]

Nice playing - I've got a 1964 brown face AC30!

[@alexei0942]

That was sweeeeet!!!!

[@pepisoul1]

I have forgotten: Nice playing and awesome sound.

[@rick953]

Very nice. I would love to hear a Telecaster through that amp.

[@michaeloconnor139]

great playing and awesome tone. very nice.

[@marquespeterson7]

Fender!!! Vox!!! True fat clean tone!!!

[@eastwoofer]

That was really nice.

[@junoschannel5855]

Pure sound!!!

[@davemanone3661]

I used to laugh at the Strat years ago. I always liked the Tele and the Les Paul. But then I saw Mick Mars and I changed my mind!

[@morais99]

Gooooorgeus tone

[@landebadalge2641]

Not only with a Stratocaster but the AC30 Blue Alnico speakers really punch out the sound of humbucker pickups. I attest to this cos I have this Vox AC30 with Blue Alnico speakers.

[@ericmackenzie123]

Wow.Thats clear.

[@thein-tele-gent5654]

Awesome quick vid! Dang that sounds good!

[@nigel900]

Very nice. 👍🏻

[@BojanStojsic]

lol, as you hit first two tones I was like SO NICE! :)

[@mcfek7575]

Jangly Clean

[@malcolmhardwick4258]

Just lovely !

[@GeneralGuitFiddle]

Very nice

[@gfgranja]

Fantastic tone

[@GuitarHouseLima]

Gorgeous guitar!

[@stevehollx]

Gorgeous playing!

[@JunioMelo]

Cool tone!

[@Tonetwisters]

Nice mid-range tones you don't usually get to hear associated with a Stratocaster ...

[@dwells37]

This guy's playing sounds like a cross between Eric Johnson and Mark Knopfler. Very nice!

[@Macmax7077]

Man, why, why, why did I watched this video. I used to one a 2x12 HW which I sold only because of the weight. Now I am saving again just to get this.

[@YasserAbdelmonsef]

Real Tone , What you have = 318 BMW in my country 😜

[@bassprofishe1549]

Yasser Abdelmonsef wow where you from?

[@amazingme1408]

u live in cambodia??? bmw wtf

[@DreamRubycon]

Are you using a compressor in this video ? Kinda sounds like one is there

[@LeviBulger]

Definitely sounds like it. Vintage style strats don't sustain the way this guitar did. Also, like was already said, to achieve anywhere near that amount of sustain with a vox, it would have to be driven into clipping territory. I would almost guess it to be a Keeley or possibly cs2. Has that sort of pop.

[@LeviBulger]

@Azzi Guitar yeah I use an old boss CS2 but not with so much pop, mostly just to bring the sustain up just a touch with my strat because it definitely helps desterilize the sound like you said. Makes softer notes sound intentional instead of mistakes lol

[@nicholaspritchard1946]

I'm also hearing some reverb?

[@raulgrangeiro]

Which channel did you use?

[@amarena7904]

Nice play Tim

[@stonemartens_music]

amazing. which vox channel are you using?

[@jlee2025]

Awesome! What are your favorite overdrives to layer onto this combo? I lean towards a Tubescreamer for a mid-bump on the somewhat scooped tone of the Strat/AC30 combo - but sometimes I find that it loses its "stratty-ness" in the process.

[@brCharlieNagy]

very nice, brother :-)

[@jakollee]

Nice, very Knopfler!

[@skatecock22]

Roland Jazz Chorus over this amp all day

[@FabrizioPeretti]

True.

[@ikigai47]

There is no better clean combo. Some can argue a strat with a Roland JC120 but even that doesn't compare

[@kjatexas3679]

Super

[@Dav0021]

Great job ! Is it a vintage strat from the 60 's ?

[@kyrsp33dysolderpicture28]

Crank It Up!!

[@thomaspappalardo7589]

I miss my AC15 😢

[@anjanbhadra1606]

What a great tone,,can I be able to play vox ac 30 at my home ,,i just love this tone

[@FoardenotFord]

Hey hey hey easy there Knopfler. Save some riffs for the rest of us

[@michaelbeecher2095]

Dialed in

[@billrand4138]

sounds great :) ,,,amp settings?

[@richardx4456]

How do you make it sound so clean, mine sounds like dirt lol

[@drclean2000]

Can this also be played on an acoustic guitar?

[@ebeep]

Whatcha using for reverb? Fantastic tone and playing!

[@pepisoul1]

I haven´t played a VOX yet. Tell me please if I am right, you have been playing through the Top Boost Chanel?

[@mattspy358]

How do you play this whats the chord progression

[@mattspy358]

I like those trolls

[@geevzzero9277]

Good lord

[@sampilsbury9415]

Bell like

[@Voxman5]

Lovely playing, & great tone. I used to have a 1970's 6 input AC30 and have played through numerous different versions. BUT this absolutely is not a Strat straight through a Vox AC30. You're using effects, at the very least a compressor and reverb (as Handwired AC30's don't have reverb built in). It's a nice video, but it's very misleading and I think it's fairer to viewers and actually more helpful if you list the full signal chain you're running through, particular if you were able to share the settings you're using.

[@simonosterhold1309]

and where does the reverb come from?

[@oliverjanssen]

amp itself

[@CountrySingerWannabe]

These amps have reverb but it is different from Fender verb. Good but different.

[@V100BB]

This Vox does not have Reverb.

[@V100BB]

This Vox does not have reverb.

[@ebeep]

Yep, the AC30HW doesn't have reverb, yet reverb is all over this video. I swear I hear a compressor too. Why not be upfront about the gear?

[@jackflorio6483]

what pickups are in that guitar? I have a 62' custom shop as well and I actually really dislike the pickups in it

[@mattspy358]

What the chord progression ?

[@user-id4it7zm2u]

Is it possible to get such a tone with plugins such as Guitar Rig? I tried hard on my Fender Strat, but the results weren't as good as this tone

[@hgostos]

I have had really good results with a Joyo ACTone ($30) and an old Marshall Keyboard 20 amp ($60). Very, very similar tone for less than $100!!! Giggable too as long as the drummer is not too much of a brute.

[@chunpanmei7447]

What do we call this type of picking?

[@mikkywhalan]

Sounds very similar to late 70s early 80s Dire Straits

[@AlexOliveira-vb8qq]

Which mic?

[@davidscherpenzeel7413]

It sounds like Mark Knopfler.

[@malcolmsur]

Awesome sound. Does any one knows what scale is he using?

[@DumbNameInc]

B / G#m

[@michaelmaier7262]

Darn pretty tone there.

[@diegoantonio9623]

Marck Knopfler sound guitar waw

[@gonnfishy2987]

Suspicious levels of twang creeping in, im ready to call it as sounding too sweet 2b a legit stratocaster lmao

[@MikkelBach-G]

Should i get the vox ac15 or a Fender for music like Dire straits?

[@hgostos]

For early DS, Fender.

[@taotoo2]

+ digital reverb

[@johncarlo7395]

I absolutely hate position two and four on a Strat five-way switch, fit an original three-way switch and sound like Leo intended the Strat to sound like.

[@willowpecans]

can i get a tabs

[@willowpecans]

or at least know some chords and the scale for this?

[@ruckailo88]

It's better than Fender ??? 😮

[@camilonawell1287]

Rory Gallagher... wn seko

[@user-nk8ww9ce9k]

Windex cant even come close to this.

[@krachenford9594]

Sound is good, man must practice.

[@vallemx5745]

bro he is playing insane

[@horsthansen8175]

Sounds harsch and shrill😮😮😮

[@petarkosovic6455]

Nothing beats fender + fender combination. This is too plingy plongy