Tone Lounge: Vox AC30S1 and Mini Super Beetle

[@freddiekingkr]

After watching this, I found again that player is more important than amp itself. This is the best ac30s1 sound i have ever heard on youtube.

[@tituschalk]

Such gracious gents and wonderful, wonderful players. A pleasure to watch, always.

[@zerep11]

These gentlemen just proved that all a guitar musician needs is a great Fender Telecaster straight-lined into a great Celestion-loaded Vox Guitar Amplifier, no matter the genre. The likes of Jimmy Page on through Prince has proven it countless times.

[@vincentl.9469]

With an in/ out loop you can plug in an EQ pedal and further shape the tone..

[@Foxywaterable]

Man these song clips are absolutely insane. Just some glorious tone.

[@Coolbeans1492]

Seriously surprised and impressed with the super beetle. On the jimmy page tangent, he used many different amps and guitars. His lp was really what worked best on stage for him but in the studio he used everything as was often the case back then (artists are typically associated with one guitar but often use many for example hendrix played all along the watch tower on a single coil lp neck pickup but used a strat live). The vox super beetle was his first lp amp rig bc the supro lp was too much for the time regarding gain and that was around the time when zep ii was being recorded and just before. As the gigs got larger and he needed more volume he went to the vox before the marshall and then with a larger amp needed a ‘more powerful’ guitar to drive it before the fuzz so he first went to his black beauty he had been using before beck gave him the tele paired with the vox. The bb was stolen in 1970 and he was gifted his famous standard by joe walsh after. If there is one guitar he frequently returned to in the studio it was the tele and his sound is really a hybrid between lp and tele. I think the lp worked live and gave him the same tone for 2 rzns 1.) and artist will always find their sound on any guitar 2.) a good lp is like a tele with more of a full range frequency.

[@mycool8357]

Just got the super beetle for £300 on Vox Uk. Delivery was next morning! Believe the hype this amp is amazing sound quality. I needed a amp for lower volume practice that sounds great. This has ticked all the boxes and more.

[@ew6629]

The best most comprehensive reviewers for my taste. Excellent as always.

[@fiddlix]

Agreed...!!

[@KCmusic101]

Great review and tones, thanks for the review! I traded in my AC15C1 for the AC30S1 in Cream tolex with the Creamback speaker. This amp has become my main "go to" gigging and playing amp. KUDOS to Vox for designing an amp that fits perfectly between the 15C1 and 30C2 and sounds amazing. I can't stop playing this amp, I gigged with it last week and it worked wonderfully at lower volumes.

[@vincentl.9469]

the initial gain on the S1 could well be a MOSFET..ie solid state

[@mickeystanic4750]

@@vincentl.9469 What ever it is, it sounds awesome. I had every VOX in the catalogue and gave up on the brand until I tried AC10 after many years staying away. Then, a few years later I upgraded to S1 which uses the same preamp. As long Celestion 70/80 gets replaced.

[@vincentl.9469]

@@mickeystanic4750 really? better than AC15 or 30 ? The S1 30 as you say has the same EQ as the 10 model but it also has an effects loop. which the AC10 does not..

[@mickeystanic4750]

@@vincentl.9469 Not sure what you are saying or asking? I'm saying AC10 and AC30 S1 sound better than AC30CC2, AC15 CC, AC15 C1, AC15 CX HW, AC4C1, AC4TV (had them all)...to me, regardless of the SS preamp stage. Cheers!

[@vincentl.9469]

@@mickeystanic4750 that's what I was asking, you are suggesting the S1 sounds better than all those inc. the ac 15 hand wired.despite the single channel and more basic EQ. Did you ever try the Valvetronix?

[@richardbrown9069]

Wish Nev and Dicky would do more videos....just love the tone lounge

[@malloc_01]

Richard brown totally agree with you

[@topnobby]

Agreed!

[@ayanjaved322]

Can you do the Beatles tone with a fuzz pedal like what John Lennon and George Harrison did in the song Revolution?

[@timetraveler8777]

In revolution there isn't fuzz pedal ,they recorded the song without amp, but directly in the mix console

[@ayanjaved322]

maybe they had a recording studio back in the late 60s

[@ayanjaved322]

and says who?

[@nickybobby9317]

To put the rumors to rest Jimmy Page did use a VOX, in one of his books (Jimmy Page: The Anthology) he stated that his VOX UL7120 Superbeatle and Rickenbacker Transonic cab was the amp combination that he used to record Whole Lotta Love as well as much of Zeppelin II. You can actually see the UL7120 sitting on one of the Rickenbackers behind him at Olympic Studios in one of the photos of him with his acoustic. He said that he only switched to Marshall after they picked up a road manager from New Zealand who kept nagging him to switch. He said he was happy with the gear he knows but the guy insisted that he switch in case his VOX ever broke on tour since apparently Marshall amps were easier to get ahold of back then. While he used a repaired Supro Coronado on Zeppelin I we don’t know exactly which songs or how long he continued to use it in the studio but you can see that amp in a picture taken at Olympic Studio as he was recording Zeppelin II as well. The Orange amp seen on stage was what he used with his Theremin according to the book. I’m disappointed that he didn’t go into detail about any effects besides a Tone Bender, a compressor, different tape delays, a wah and an overdrive as well as much at all about his Supro or his Hiwatt head since before switching to Marshall he used a Hiwatt with a Marshall cab (which in my opinion gets some of his best tone and it sounds like it was used on the song Rock And Roll), he doesn’t explain much about his recording techniques either but overall he dives into a lot of detail about his influences, career and how he chose each guitar in his collection so I definitely recommend the book. He pretty much brought out all of the things he’s saved from when he first started playing guitar even things like old packages of the first brands of strings he tried, photographed them and tells you his story from when he found his first guitar as a kid to post-Zeppelin.

[@timetraveler8777]

Yes, Vox UL 7120 on Led Zeppelin II in most tracks, Page said that the first time used Marshall is for recording some tracks on led zeppelin II, so there is Marshall plexi as well.

[@davecostello560]

One of the best amp reviews I've seen. I came here to find out more about the Superbeetle, but had a thoroughly enjoyable tutorial in the history of rock guitar!! Fabulous - thanks guys.

[@drdbailey]

I've always very much enjoyed Richard's playing. Neville is equally talented. Two gentlemen artists.

[@screamingintothewind]

I just got the AC30S1. I can tell you one thing. That amp is LOUD. I can barely get the volume past 1 with the gain 1/2 way up before it's rattling the walls. And I live in a block house!

[@lenp00]

Love that melody that Neville & Richard played starting at 6:35, "late 50s-ish"... brilliant playing and sound, huzzah!

[@killacoiler1707]

The one thing I wish they woukd have touched on is whether they felt that the nutube technology had the same goods as true tube

[@cchavez248]

Just listening to these amps in the video I didn't find myself thinking that the valve AC30 sounded much better than the Sopetbeetle! I think that speaks volumes for the sonic validity of the nutube technology! I just wish that they would have traded amps about half way through the video!

[@YorkshirePiper]

Can anyone tell me if the super beetle tops the early 2000s pathfinder 15 solid state transistor amps?...I have one and its amazing and considered the finest solid state vox ever made...if this sounds better.. I'm sold

[@uselesseater9686]

I had a sweet sweet little Pathfinder 15r that some Marine guy made a red rolex head and cab with a GFS Heritage 30 12" in the cab. 😞 I sold it. What a killer it was. But.....now I've got this MSB. I think it even w/ out a speaker swap, it really does it for me. I am beside myself just wanting to hook up to a 2x12" can. Or a 4x12". I like the idea of bringing my 1 guitar, my DigiTech Rp360, and the MSB head by itself to play at a gig that I can plug up to the PA with.

[@jakeschleifer1303]

Anyone know what song they play "from late 50s-ish" at 6:36?

[@nevillemarten1697]

We made it up on the spot, Jake. :-)

[@richardbarrettguitar1228]

Yes, we were on a roll that day 😊

[@jakeschleifer1303]

Wow u guys really were on fire haha! What scale were u using?

[@markbeltavski8530]

@@richardbarrettguitar1228 that was so good!

[@jakeschleifer1303]

Damn, I don’t even play guitar anymore. But this video makes me wanna play

[@stevesteve1965]

Guys,love your filmed reviews, calm,professional and informative. You should do more. I have an MV50ac and its...cracking,fabulous little thing and yes,you are right they really do kick out once hooked up to bigger cabs.👍

[@darwinsaye]

I believe you have it backwards when you said that Brian May's AC30 has only the Top Boost channel -- the same as this AC30S1. I'm quite certain he has only the *normal* channel in his amps, and that he removes the Top Boost channel, and all the tremolo, reverb and EQ controls, leaving only a single volume knob, or perhaps the volume and tone control of the ordinary normal channel. :)

[@joethrelfall6370]

normal channel not top boost. when will guitar magazibes get it right geez 😂

[@eweeparker]

Amazing video. Love the playing as much as the discussion. I feel like I'm sitting right there hanging out. Well done.

[@andybrown6981]

is it basically the same unit as the nutube technology small 50 W heads that Vox has in the range also?

[@orokusaki8291]

From what I can tell from owning both they are indeed the same circuit. The MSB has two speaker outs as well which is nice, not to mention the reverb✌🏽

Awesome, I love these Tone Lounge Episodes! You should do more of these ;)

[@frwy1]

i play often on a Vox mini Super Beetle. The SG sounds VERY very well too on it for Rock n roll, a telecaster sound very well, a Les Paul too... and this mini beast keeps very well the effects (pedals or multi) - Very versatile Amp, easy to carry and what a design/look !

[@adamjolin]

I loved this demo so much, I couldn't choose and bought both of these amazing amps!

[@mikeaitken5253]

Nice to hear an amp demo that doesn't employ several digital effects between guitar and amplifier.

[@FauxperatorTeebs]

Anyone know what the very first into song they played is??

[@nevillemarten1697]

It's something Jamie wrote as a signature tune. Richard did a backing track for it and we always play the melody together.

[@FauxperatorTeebs]

@@nevillemarten1697 It's beautiful! Sounds like something the Allman Brothers would've wrote.

[@ItaiIfrach]

Anyone knows which microphones is that ? Looks like Royer 121 but I'm not sure.

[@telestrat1926]

Methinks sE Electronics R1

[@RobertSaxy]

The super beetle is a tube amp not a solid state. The nutube is an actual tube but traditionally used for “digital” displays like in alarm clocks (however it’s not actually digital) also there’s no effects loop on it

[@50kal44]

Funny how many people get this wrong saying it’s not a tube amp, it’s just a non traditional tube amp. Using an unusual tube in the power stage.

[@rufusdtonebug4049]

This was fantastic to watch, every second of it. I've been looking at that little Super Beetle amp for a few weeks now, but now after hearing it played so well, I'm definitely going to get one 😀

[@johnkohlhauff9061]

You won't be disappointed!!

[@sheerheartattack6701]

Could these guys be the nicest most polite blokes around?

[@Stoney3K]

I hope Vox will put those NuTubes in a new version of the AC15VR.

[@ngunnawal_mick7845]

I like Tchaikovsky, don't mind Miles...but shit.... I just love the sound of an electric geetar!

[@joebloggs1444]

The first great amp I ever played thru when I was 11 was a early 60s copper panel AC30 with silver bulldog speakers. It was amazing!! These new amps don't sound anything like that...!! Lol 😵

[@richardbarrettguitar1228]

Joe Bloggs Maybe that is the case, but no one without a big time budget could entertain buying one of those and or gigging regularly with it now. Between us, Nev and I have quite a few years experience of touring various classic amps - and these are not so easily dismissed!

[@sid35gb]

They don’t sound the same because the wiring in those old amps is considered unsafe by todays standards and wouldn’t be legal to sell as a new product. Hence a slightly different sound. Also how things were recorded back then makes recreating the sounds very difficult as well. The pursuit of tone is just another trip down the rabbit hole.

[@geoffreysmith4618]

My gosh - you guys sound freakin awesome! No bassist or drummer required...and I’m a drummer!!...and blues guitar hacker.

[@USDAselect]

Awesome playing Richard and Neville. Will you guys upload the clip where Gary Moore plays through his guitar collection in 1080p?

[@huskvarsm]

The knaggs he is playing and the test he did with it are the reason I went out and bought one mine is a sunflower burst S1 and I love it talk about well made on par to any PRS private stock or standard they are expensive I paid £3795 for mine it was reduced from £4400 ish I got it from world guitars they are a great store they did a fantastic setup and were super nice and helpful even before I said I wanted to buy a guitar.......so if you have a few bob go to world guitars you won’t regret it.

[@richardbarrettguitar1228]

huskvarsm Absolutely, the Knaggs really are fabulous guitars - I get to play a lot of guitars in this job and the quality of these is comparable to/superior to guitars with a much higher price tag!

[@huskvarsm]

Richard Barrett thanks for replying richard yes I agree totally I even had the ray gun Steve Stevens pickups made by bare knuckle but I took them out again simply because they were so fierce they narrowed the types of music I could play so the original bare knuckle pickups went back in.......once again many thanks for responding and keep the good content coming.

[@darkforest33]

Best amp reviewers EVER. Cheers!

[@Ianhuntertripsthewavefantastic]

Neville looks like Mike from Breaking Bad 😄

[@jammergreg]

The intro was killer! And the playing was very good!

[@sid35gb]

Wow great playing. But just straight in the front it’s impressive to hear what tones you guys can wring out of these amps. 👍🎸😎

[@restitt]

Phenomenal! What more could be said? I have a Vox MV50AC which is my first venture into the world of Vox having been a Fender fan....Love the MV50AC! The two Vox amps in this demo are definitely on my radar. Thanks for the tremendous demo!

[@leiscwf]

Gotta get the Superbeetle I think

[@armin6204]

It is always a pleasure to listen these two great musicans!

[@TheOldgeezah]

Great review guys with the right balance of chat and playing.

[@evallevalle]

Hey, who makes that sunburst guitar you’re playing?

[@ikigai47]

Knaggs

[@evallevalle]

You guys are great 👍

[@-thirteen]

Why does it not have a Cut knob? are they only on the clean channel AC30?

[@charlesweeks5027]

I envy and enjoy their friendship.

[@KelsterVonShredster]

You guys do THE BEST demos in terms of pure tone....A+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

[@Toasty_1992]

Guitar riff at 8:45 😎 solid.

[@giovito77]

Brilliant review and a joy to watch these players! Keep it up!

[@TheChristafershawn]

FX loop on the Super Beetle?

[@landonbailey]

no fx loop

[@MattsChipTunes]

I was going to get one of the little Adio Air GT amps, but you guys sold me on the Mini Superbeetle

[@halrodriguez713]

Fabulous playing and tone! 👏👏 I'm sold on the Super Beetle

[@theblondelions9894]

I´ve definitly made up my mind and I will order one by next christmas time. I think it can be a good present for father christmas. Cream sound and a soilid kick with this unique celestion that sounds celestial.

[@geneclayton2393]

your 'Versions' of the songs are awesome. So close, but not enough to get flagged for copyright.

[@Ponchy]

Great vid! I have an AC30CH which is the ultimate Vox but I have a mini Super Beetle coming in the mail today!

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Very enjoyable to watch, from start to finish. Thanks guys. 👍

[@yourguitarist]

that a/c 30 had to be crushingly loud in that little room. I am new to your channel. Thank you for sharing the sounds of these great amps! :)

[@richardbarrettguitar1228]

Lou Lombardi Ha Ha! It was very loud, but it never became harsh, even with the treble set high. The Super Beetle was very impressive too!

[@nevillemarten1697]

@@richardbarrettguitar1228 I agree, Rich. And our feelings on the day were genuine - and sometimes even a little surprised at how great, and how really Vox-like both amps sounded.

[@timmotel5804]

2022: Excellent demonstration of both amps. Thanks for not using pedals. I just wanted to hear the amps. You two are most enjoyable, and the playing. Thanks again

[@armin6204]

Phantastic playing as ever! Thanks for the review!

[@ccc4171]

Just bought an AC30S1...it's that good!

[@firemarshal2629]

Absolutely loved mine!

[@ekojulianto8034]

such a beautifull riff ,what the name of that song u play in 06.37 ?

[@danielalexandrou1831]

Hey fellas what mics were you both using on the amps?

[@31415926535ism]

great demo guys. I'm sold on them.

[@oliox8685]

Fabulous playing. Great amps too and review the right way!

[@OehlJim]

Well, that was fun to wake up to!

[@paulsummerside]

Sort of a pity the AC30S1 doesn’t have a tremolo circuit

[@neocollective]

Great videos, killer tones and playing guys !!! :)

[@jltrem]

Vox tremolo is always lovely.

[@GrahamMylett]

Thanks for sharing such a great video, entertaining, informative & very enjoyable.

[@sierramodre1]

Thank you for this demo; done very thoughtfully... much appreciated! I see a super Beetle in my future )

[@genekloszewski5484]

sounds good gents, hello from new haven. connecticut , love my vox amp also !

[@josephesposito3499]

Genius ! Great playing & tones!

[@thelastfly]

Nothing can beat a real Ac 30

[@olssong7941]

That's subjective

[@gphone9619]

Surprisingly good tones with the Tele especially

[@JohnWDGTandTele]

You both make great videos!! Perhaps one one on the Boss Nextone series!

[@tobystrickland5986]

4/13/20. Just subscribed! GREAT PLAYING! one other thing. Love that blonde telecaster!!

[@gphone9619]

Oh, and not an 'Awe-some' in sight!!!

[@johnreidy6053]

Great playing great tones ..... enjoyed it !!!

[@briancash6035]

What issue are these reviewed in?

[@tjnugent62]

The Mini is a great sounding home amp.

[@jeremybaker195]

The mini Super Beatle next to a person it looks like a toy. Like those battery powered Marshall mini half stacks that clip on your belt.

[@gavinyoung7085]

Hahaha! I'd like to see someone clip a mini superbeetle to their belt. They're more on par with the Marshall mini stacks, like the MG15CFXMS, and the Ampeg Micro CL.

[@joeq.public281]

Yeah, if you're obese.

[@tcdropouts1429]

Obviously the AC30 is better, but the only people that will notice are other guitar and tone nuts. People who don’t play would never know. If it gig with a Vox and don’t have a mini Beatle back up, then you are foolish. PS. When you plug the MB into two cabs it sounds even better IMO. PPS. They came up with a new version that I believe has Bluetooth capabilities.

[@rflush4210]

Fantastic review thank you.

[@JohnWDGTandTele]

I hope you do one on the Boss Nextone Amps!

Wonderful sound, gentleman's!

[@markhill9275]

I'm hearing some Quo influence there!

[@electricchurchmusic4298]

Excellent Sound !!!

[@jairyess1074]

Good work guys!!

[@williama-d6]

what key was that?

[@duffbaker9554]

You guys need to start a band together...

[@forrallofusplenty4342]

enjoyed this immensely

[@MrMattRocker]

What a great sound!! Wow!!

[@turkeytrailhoneybeefarmgeo6292]

Nu tube. Wow!

[@geoffwhitemusic]

Delicious sounds

[@Yannplaysguitar]

8:45 that was a funny minor version of paperback writer 😄

[@chcotydf1]

These guys are awesome 😎

[@5150show]

Brilliant

[@stevemiller1203]

Really good review