What Is The "VOX" Sound?

[@andigisler]

The story of how Brian May found his sound is so interesting. As a 16-year old he and his buddies regularily watched the great Rory Gallagher play with Taste at the Marquee club in London. t some point he finally took courage and asked Rory how he got his sound. Rory's answer was something like 'Oh it's so simple. You take a Strat, a Rangemaster Treble Booster and run that through a Vox AC30. Done' And Brian did exactly that: He bought a Rangemaster and a used AC30. He didn't buy a Strat because he already had built his Red Special by then. And THIS - to this day - is his basic sound. What's amazing is that Rory and Brian are two of the greatest ever players - but they sound completely different. There's also something to be said to sticking to one instrument and setup: Almost all of the true stylists did that.

[@johnberg2658]

I thought he would have told that story.

[@andrewryan2280]

I’ve heard May tell this story a few times, and I don’t doubt him (and there are plenty of pics of Queen visiting Rory on tour) but here’s the thing, May is older than Rory, so, while Rory was 19-20 in Taste, May was definitely not a teen.

[@looneyinkproductions-eduard]

You need to add one thing: they both put everything fully open. And that means "LOUD AS F*CK!!" Nowadays, without doubt, you'll get kicked out of every club even thinking abot this amount of volume....

[@Noseheros]

@@johnberg2658 May is older by 1 year, but yes

[@gloomsdoom649]

He played with a coin

[@kevinfraser5179]

Vox may not be my favorite sounding amps of all time, but as a live sound tech, they make me smile ear to ear when I see them on stage. Nothing makes a guitar sit so effortlessly in the mix than an AC30. If their are two guitarists and only one has a Vox, most of my guitar mixing effort is spent trying to give the other guitarist as much space in the mix.

[@Updog89]

Good to know! 😊

[@stefankarlsson8215]

Doing the soundcheck at a club it took the sound guy/mixer ages setting up the sound for the other guitarist. Then he said -Your turn! I played a few chords and some lead licks maybe for 40-50 seconds. - Perfect! he says, now the bass. I say to the mixer guy - Isn't my guitar sound important? -Well, you have an AC30, they sound great without any twiddling or tweaking . . . Then I loved my AC30 even more . . . (I have a 1965 AC30TB and a Gibson Les Paul)

[@SunsetPunk]

Could not agree more!

[@ghostsethrich7306]

This is one of those great comments that I'm to think of all the time for decades. Cheers! 🙂

[@Soobysounds]

Man that Strat -> AC30 sounds good! Like the sun is out, but there’s snow on the ground and I can see my breathe. That’s what it sounds like. ❤️

[@fredstgelais]

Wow! This is eerily accurate!!

[@liquidtoaster]

Beautiful imagery and so accurate!

[@yonitznkc]

Hmm. It sounded like how ‘barbecued chocolate’ tastes, to me.

[@Soobysounds]

@@yonitznkc Yeah but it's sitting on the snowy ground in the sun.

[@DMSProduktions]

HOW do you see your breathe?

[@dspindola94]

Why is nobody talking about that awesome little “Bullet the Blue Sky” cover in the beginning? One of U2’s best songs!

[@edborlas]

I the howling wind...comes the stinging rain

[@alessandrogardenal1837]

amazing 😍

[@logananglin2074]

Killer tune

[@haguirrebena]

epic

[@thekhaosrider]

Thanks for that, kept thinking it was from Flowered Up's 'Weekender'.

[@eccollins]

Hi Rhett, great info and demo. The AC30 "essential" that no one talks about is the original chrome stands. In the 1960s, none of the British Invasion bands ever used the AC30 sitting on the stage or studio floor. With a 90 degree baffle, the AC30 pushes about 30% of the speaker projection into the floor, either reflecting the sound back up off a hard surface and causing phase cancellation, or being absorbed into a carpeted floor, both causing a loss of volume. The AC30 is louder, clearer and projects more like a 4x12 half-stack with the chrome stand. Highly recommended.

[@vincentl.9469]

how about in the next 2 years or so a Tone master VoxAC30? it could happen if tube technology gets too expensive to make or people find they dont need it..

[@Breakbeats92.5]

30 years from now, some kid that is just as enamored with the history of Rock and the devices that made it possible will talk about amps with the same passion as you. This is why I love music.

[@ThadBrown]

Excellent discussion as always, but one other point about the lack of negative feedback. First, it makes the speaker an even more integral part of the circuit since you can't 'hide' the behavior of the speaker behind the negative feedback. So if you put a great sounding, efficient EV speaker in your AC it might be a great speaker but it will change a LOT about how the amp acts. Second, the lack of negative feedback means that the transition from 'clean' to 'distorted' much more subtly. I don't know now many times I've played a part on a vox and then listened to it in isolation and thought, 'Whoa, that's WAY more distorted than I thought.' The amp transitions from clean to distorted, even on the same note, elegantly. So you can have a 'distorted' that sounds cleaner than it is. As for other options, the Top Hat AC copies are great, and the Catalinbread Galileo is a super option.

[@ScottTheNews]

Years ago in the 90’s I was working in a music shop in Sydney. What I noticed about the AC30’s that we were selling was that no matter how you set the dials there was always a useful sound to be had. Amazing amps. I wish that I bought one.

[@dingalarm]

On the contrary, I think it *does* matter how the dials are set. Before I knew anything about getting the "right" sound from a valve amp, I plugged into an AC30 played at low volume. I naively thought it should sound great, but I just got a dull, clean tone, and was very disappointed 😂 This was at Venue Music.

[@misterknightowlandco]

To me, one of the best guitar sounds ever is a Gretsch through a Vox. 🍻

[@prateekpoddar1890]

Amen.

[@jaxon5905]

Yes sir.

[@JakeTerch]

Fender through a Fender Gretsch through a Vox Gibson through a Marshall

[@TLMSif]

For me its the tele throught vox

[@youssefkasim7556]

This is the way.

[@95slowdiver]

You should talk about the “Roland Jazz Chorus” Sound.

[@TheBissco]

Yes! Please do a video on the history and iconic use of the Roland JC-120!

[@richardschwarz7907]

This one is good, best amp for Boss multieffects units and clean/stereo delay sounds.

[@celticgibson]

I have the JC120. It's old stock from the 80s and it's still magical to this day.

[@TheBissco]

@@celticgibson I know where my old one is, and I miss it! It seems to have a minor power problem where it intermittently cuts out, but that sound! Magical indeed!

[@Bolockaye206]

I Absolutley agree

[@cliverkay]

Years ago , I was at the Marshall factory being shown round by JIm and he showed me the Vox's coming off the lines. I could see it gave him great satisfaction as Vox was his competitor in the 60's and the fact that he was making them made him smile !!

[@StockportJambo]

My main guitar is a Burns Brian May Red Special, from 2001, plugged into a (Chinese) AC30 C2X via a treble booster, and it sounds great. Recently, I've gone the whole hog & output to three amps (the other two 'side amps' are small VOX MV15-ACs to 8" Cambridge speakers) for the full BM sound. 800ms delay to one side, 1600ms to the other, and a dry centre into the AC30 itself. It's taken me two decades to build / buy this setup, and I'm really happy with it.

[@j.a.s.1416]

Vox is the greatest sound ever. Most underrated best home/recording amp is the Vox AC10. Don't even get me started with the Limited Edition with a Celestian V-Type speaker.... 🎸

[@matimoksa]

also the Pathfinder 15 is a keeper!

[@abrahamruiz8473]

I have that exact amp too, great clean sound, and even a dirty sound too. Handles pedals really well, and just great all around. And that reverb though!

[@fernank017]

i creamed on my creamback for the authenthicc toans, ok?

[@ras7316]

Yep. I also have the AC-10. The tubes went out during the warranty period and the guy that repaired it upgraded the tubes and it went from really good to really great.

[@fivewattworld]

Agreed. The little AC10C1 is an amazing at home Vox experience, and really though branded at 10 watts is running a pair of El84's and can go toe to toe with any Princeton I've played, and is, hence in my book, giggable.

[@tron944]

Rory Gallagher is the reason Brian May played a Vox AC30, Brian was a teenager when he met Rory after a show and explained his Vox and Treble Booster combo to young Brian . Look up the Brian May interview talking about Rory's influence.

[@fivewattworld]

Nice Rhett. Really loved the playing examples on this one. What is that new to you Strat man? In any case, this is on my SH list for the near future. Absolutely classic tones.

[@Soobysounds]

Keeeeeeeeeiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitttttttttt............. wait for it............... hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

[@thenoobshotu]

It looks like the new American Pro II, but I could be wrong on that

[@jkta97]

@@thenoobshotu It is. I have the same one and color, except mine has a maple fretboard.

[@Testostenori]

@@jkta97 That one is better

[@Squiershire]

I had a Vox AC15 and it was my go-to until I had to move and downsize - the Gen 1 Vox Night Train 15 head has been invaluable for me since then. It gets me the chime I love so much and also some very killer high-gain stages. A very good alternative for people wanting the chime without the heft of a full amp.

[@JakeTerch]

This series has quickly become my favorite of Rhett’s, keep ‘em coming buddy!

[@Lakaiordie235]

Can't believe no mention of Rory Gallagher! He's May's inspiration sound-wise! And what a job he did with the AC30!

[@timothyvandyke9840]

Oh yeah... Rory Gallagher was better then the record company would let him be ..1959 strat.... I have a 1970 tele.. And it plays like butter

[@Bless_darealone]

Agreed man Whole reason i started liking vox is cause of rory

[@richardcray2919]

@@timothyvandyke9840 Rory strat was 61 or 62

[@kymodo817]

The shadows!

[@craigpimlott204]

@@richardcray2919 61

[@VlrGuitarWorld]

Rory Gallagher on my mind...the reason I love Vox & Strat combination.

[@boogie2266]

And I just thought no one would mention him. I haven't heard his name in any of Rick's videos too which is a shame!

[@VlrGuitarWorld]

@@boogie2266 Such an underrated guitarist..

[@josephgrogan6052]

Underrated alright and Brian may owes his sound to Rory yet no one talks about him

[@VlrGuitarWorld]

@@josephgrogan6052 True..even Rhett miss him here big time..

[@georgefromgreece4119]

Rory is a legend! Another one with strat/ box combo is Ritchie Blackmore.

[@Podcastage]

This video is awesome Rhett. So fascinating hearing the history and the sound of Vox!

[@jaxon5905]

My main rig right now, guitars and amp wise, is an SG standard from 1970, and a Gretsch 5422tg through a vox ac15. It breaks up beautifully, I love it.

[@cowboycalebbroersma]

My number 1 guitar is a 2019 sg tribute. Sounds amazing. It also goes great with my super strat as well surprisingly

[@DavidDiMuzio]

Love this video. This is the second time I’ve watched it all the way through 🤩

[@TheToneLounge]

Now you’re talking! Those are the amps that I cover the most on my channel! Love me some Vox. Great video by the way. Cheers

[@TeleCS]

Love your channel too. 👍🏻

[@TheToneLounge]

@@TeleCS thank you 🙏🏽

[@nlmal4]

Good channel for Vox AC15,.

[@christian_oz]

Great video and taking for taking the time to put it together. Just a quick comment @Rhett, when you double the power, e.g. AC15 -> AC30, you don't double the volume. Because the relationship between power and volume is logarithmic, you would have to go from 10W to 100W to double the volume.

[@diegotobar6839]

The Chime setting on my Iridium is hands down may favorite. You'll never fully understand an AC30 unless you crank the Volume past 2'o'clock. Kinda hard to do that in an apt without being evicted but the Iridium lets me do just that

[@leftyshep]

I agree! Chime is also my favorite on the iridium. Also my Paisley drive can close imitate that Vox drive tone on a clean fender.

[@jacksonwth281s2]

It's hard to be in a room with one at that volume. They have to be so loud to break up

[@diegotobar6839]

@@jacksonwth281s2 I bought an ac15 thinking I could use it in my bedroom.. nahh still LOUD

[@urbansoban2669]

Also, if I may add, the beauty of Vox amps is also that they respond truly amazingly to playing dynamics, attack and volume pot.

[@neilritson7445]

Yes - just found out!!! just changing one Strat tone knob changed the attack completely on my VOX 50 valvetronix.

[@guilhermearoeira8900]

The Vox sound is a Fender amp that smoked 2 packs of cigar before the breackfest.

[@joeyjo-joshabadu9636]

2 "packs" of cigars? You mean what Michael Jordan smokes in a month?

[@getulioprates]

Massa Guilherme! Eu esqueci quem fez esta frase. Muito bem lembrada! Você se lembra quem foi? Great quote, I heard it before, a long time ago but I don't remember who said that first.

[@guilhermearoeira8900]

@@getulioprates , li em algum comentário no KZbin. Desde então...

[@SamLazier]

Did you just copy the top comment from the fender/vox/marshall comparison video? I still remember that one 😁

[@vbgbiomed]

@@SamLazier bingo!

[@mmikeyhignight8573]

Omg,at 3:48 in this vid,the tone of the amp is phenomenal!I know this is an older video but my goodness the amp tone is great

[@skittlybeepbop13]

The best part of vox is the fact that they sound so good and are affordable. But if you want a more boutique hand wired you can go that route as well.

[@bpabustan]

sadly not in our country though, an AC30 is still beyond a working musician's budget here.

[@andriealinsangao613]

@@bpabustan God, couldn't have said it better myself!

[@fuzzysurf1083]

Very cool video Rhett. Before I owned a Vox amp, I was using a studio's Line 6 DT50. I selected the 'AC30' setting for a song we were tracking and fell in love with that tone. I was using a Stratocaster with pickup position 2. The tone was quacky, yes, but it also had this sparkle that's so awesome and hard to describe. I've been a Vox fan ever since.

[@EstelonAgarwaen]

the vox vtx line also models the vox amps really well. i noticed a certain upper midrange sound that is just vox. also really good with a fuzz.

[@ahobimo732]

I have an AC15 and love it madly. It's so simple and powerful. Everyone talks about the "chime", but it can do so much more than just that. Like Rhett says, this amp can do pretty much anything. And imo, there is no replacement for a genuine, old school, tube driven amp.

[@zeroamplification]

There's no such thing as a "low headroom tube" it's purely based on circuit design. Different tubes put out different power levels so breakup vs. volume level can be argued but tubes are just tubes on their own. EF86 is a pentode preamp tube which not all Vox's have, I'd say non-top boost, non-EF86 Vox's still have the Vox sound and plenty of pentode preamp designs like the Gibson GA-20 or GA-40 don't have a Vox sound. Not being difficult, just want folks to have the most accurate info about the murky and confusing world of tube amplification! Awesome video!

[@LawrencePetross]

What I think Rhett is referring to here in this video regarding tube breakup, specifically the EL84 vs 6L6 comparison, is the amount of input signal to full output of the tube. An EL84 at 300 VDC only needs ~10 VRMS signal to reach full output in Class A Push-Pull, whereas a 6L6 at 450 VDC (where they are run in most tube amps) needs ~50 VRMS to reach full output. The EL84 needs much less drive than the 6L6 to reach full output.

[@zeroamplification]

@@LawrencePetross 100% it's just tough to say an EL84 is a "low headroom" tube to this many people because they walk away thinking they can't get headroom out of an EL84 amp. That was the main point in leaving the comment, EL84's can do it all just like 6L6's (just proportionally so).

[@LawrencePetross]

@@zeroamplification Exactly it's all scaling and makes logical sense. An amplifier like the EL84 has an output of roughly 12 watts class AB fixed bias and the 6L6 has an output of roughly 30 watts class AB fixed bias. The input to full output ratio scales perfectly. 1.2:1 for both tubes.

[@zeroamplification]

@@LawrencePetross As long as we're following similar load lines and middle of the road voltages. As you know by your awesome designs there's a lot more than one answer and none are "right" just different which is what makes this stuff so fun! Thanks for the dialog and thanks again to Rhett for putting out compelling content that helps people broaden their horizons!

[@LawrencePetross]

@@zeroamplification Totally 🤘🤘

[@fatsuperfly]

I’m a metal guy, but I’ve always loved vox for the cleans and just going into that dirt cleanly. They really are awesome amps. I get older and I’m getting into more amps that are not dirty. I try others, they are also amazing. But at a music store I’ll plug into a vox. They can get dirty but clean , love this

[@jonlag3000]

I got a set of TAD replacement tubes from Stewmac for my AC15 and I was shocked at the difference they made in that harsh top end. It’s like a whole new (and much better) amp. Great video, as always; thanks!

[@jwvanhorn]

I did a full tube swap(Mullards) on my AC30 C2 and the difference was night and day which must have something to do with the preamp tubes and the lack of a negative feedback loop because I didn't think a tube change would make such a difference!

[@josephgaffney7829]

Hi Rhett, another great video and great playing. Bullet the Blue Sky! One thing - only the very 1st AC30's (several years before the Top Boost circuit) had EF86 preamp tubes. Denny realized the AC30 was too powerful for the EF86 due to vibrations causing microphonics, so he redesigned the amp using only 12AX7 in the preamp. The AC15 kept the EF86, at least until JMI sold Vox. The first Korg AC30 that was produced by Marshall does not have an EF86 either.

[@chronicmango]

I think a lot of people are sleeping on the new AC10's. Everyone I know who has one loves them.

[@foxstarproductions]

This is one of the best videos I've ever seen on youtube of ANY kind dude. Thank you for that well articulated knowledge. Invaluable.

[@wesleygraham786]

"What is the Mesa Boogie sound?" Do this next!

[@TheNocturnalEvil]

Which one, because they have multiple series of amps that are voiced different from each other? The Mark, Rectifier, Triple Crown, and Fillmore series amps sound completely different from each other. The bass heavy and scooped Mesa Boogie tonality everyone speaks of is of the Rectifier series amps.

[@cchavez248]

The Mesa Boogie sound is," Wahhh, you can't talk about our Cab Clone like that!" Lol

[@aidanleach7677]

I agree... like so many punk pop bands used them for their sound

[@yomuthabyotch]

fart into a toilet paper tube in front of a mic midi'd to an overdriven amp and that's the MB sound.

[@aidanleach7677]

@@yomuthabyotch i mean ur not wrong.... at least its not worse.... like certain brands.

[@Twongo]

As a recording engineer one of the biggest guitar sounds ever recorded in my studio was a VOX AC15. I don't remember what the guitarist was playing or what he did before or at the amp, but every once in a while I listen to the recording and wish I'd payed more attention. I don't think we thought about where it was in the room. I think I just mic'd it where he set it down on his way in. I threw a couple of mics at it. Both close, one front, one rear. It was on a bench, a couple feet from the wall behind it and 6' or so from the next nearest wall. Probably a 4033 and a 57. It is one of the most detailed, articulate, rich, and gurgley sounds I've ever heard. On the modelling front - I think one of the hardest concepts to propagate is that, no, it does not and can not sound like your amp. BUT! Very, very few of your audience is ever listening to your amp. Whether on record, from the back of the club, or even closer seats in the arena, your audience is listening to your guitar sound through a daunting signal chain. Starting with... mics.

[@chrishannon9063]

VOX ac30 is the keynote of my tone! Rounded out with a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe in wet/dry

[@tarkett8529]

Use a hot rod deluxe with mine

[@chrishannon9063]

@@tarkett8529 oops, that’s what I meant (and corrected) perfect combo IMO

[@tarkett8529]

@@chrishannon9063 no worries mate, the blues deluxe would work well too, I’m saving for a wet/dry/wet setup with my ac30, a sovtek mig50 and a hiwatt dr103 which I think will sound 👌🏿

[@chrishannon9063]

@@tarkett8529 That would be a killer rig! I’ve played with the idea of adding in a third for with a Marshall esc tone, but the Hot Rod is filling everything very nicely. Bought it from a friend that did a tone cap mod and threw in a Eminence Cannabis Rex. That alone changed its character completely. I’ve since put in the Fromel mod to take more control over the preamp. I love it. I’m running all my gain stages through both amps, but all my time based and mods are just into the Hot Rod. I love the having the simple clarity, definition and attack from the AC30 and letting the Hot Rod run wild.

[@tarkett8529]

@@chrishannon9063 funny enough I bought the hot rod off a mate with a cannabis rex speaker swapped in, I’m just finding I want more space in my sound and I think the mig50 and hiwatt will work nicely with the Vox and I like the headroom.

[@neilritson7445]

This is the best tube session I've seen - & the comments are so professional and knowledgeable.

[@jamesmiller3244]

I've been playing a modern Ac15c1 for just over a year now, it was originally fitted with a green speaker, last month I changed it out to a blue and its WELL worth the change. Most modern vox's have can get too harsh on the top end (especially when turned up loud) but with a blue it just sounds way for smooth to the ear but still retaining the chime.

[@ewetoo]

Weird, my AC151c1 greenback sounds just fine and warm, I suspect it's a case of your local acoustics. I was expecting the Chinese tubes to sound harsh and was prepared to swap them out but I was very surprised to find how nice the amp sounded, and my flat has brick walls so it's not like I don't have sharp reflective surfaces. I'm sticking with the greenbacks.

[@rondelio8562]

I only have a VOX AT-20 2nd generation and the tones I get out of it are AWESOME!! Yeah, it's only a modeling amp made by VOX, but for small venues and my studio, it fills the world! I have been contemplating getting an AC15, but as you mentioned, the new ones are from China and indeed, the high end is almost offensive. I thought if I bought one, I could drop a blue Celestion into it, but my rational side screamed, "How much do you want to drop for a mere 15w amp!!" LOL In short, I couldn't justify the amp price AND the speaker upgrade. Your video, as usual, Rhett, was great, informative, and well done!! Please give a hello to Rick for me! We have never met, but he and I both hail from upstate NY and are both music instructors!

[@IanOPadrick]

This series has primarily been specific to brands, so maybe this wouldn't work as a possible topic, but I'd be really interested in a 'What is the "Res-o-Glass" Sound' video. Like, old Airline, Supro, and National guitars, and how they compare to the reissues made today.

[@brandowhitemusic]

Yes

[@sassulusmagnus]

The early 90's UK built AC30/6TB and TBX amps are indeed wonderful sounding, surprisingly loud amps. People point out that these amps are not hand wired, that the preamp tube sockets are mounted to the circuit board, and that they have a (non-traditional) standby switch. The circuit itself, however, is closer to the original AC30/6 circuit than any other modern Vox AC30 amp. When Vox introduced the 6 input version of the AC30 (AC30/6) in late 1960 the company replaced the EF86 tube with a 12AX7. EF86 tone is wonderful, but the AC30/6 originally did not feature that tube. It was found in the previous version, the four input AC30/4.

[@davemiles9042]

I bought one in 1991. I still have it...

[@giuseppereina4434]

AC30 is my favourite as well. For long time I was a Fender guy now I can’t play without my AC30 and the ‘61 SG

[@NineInchFailz]

Man, Rhett... Even just the little bits of music you make for these videos all have such great song potential. I can't even write one good song and you make several of them per video.

[@landonbailey]

I like Vox a lot. I wouldn't say Brian May stuck to the traditional Vox tone :) I got into them because of Radiohead. Great demos and video!

[@BladeDoomer86]

Always funny when you show up in other people's videos, keep rocking those radiohead tunes 😉

[@landonbailey]

@@BladeDoomer86 cheers!

[@deemdoubleu]

Picked up a 1963 AC30 at a flea market a little while ago for £150. I'm in the process of rennovating it. Still has the original blue back speakers and most of the valves.

[@14djfunk]

Funny that one guy's hearing loss may be the reason for the VOX chime. Proof that objective perfection has no place in art.

[@wesleyc.4937]

I have a bad leg, but thanks to my artist friend, my good one is made of wood.

[@emilyadams3228]

And how many Vox's, years later, caused hearing loss...the wheel comes around. tee hee It's just a joke, no need to get amped up & declare Marshall Law.

[@truckercowboyed2638]

@@emilyadams3228 oh Marshall, i see what you did there......

[@TheHumppaidiootti]

Another one with hearing loss was Leo Fender. His amp designs get progressively brighter as his hearing loss progressed.

[@ColinStuart]

At NAMM 1980, there were 4 VOX AC30s there! The store where I worked at, at the time (Guitar Trader) in San Diego, bought two of them, & joe Walsh bought the other two.

[@grhoward5262]

Rhett, you left out one thing that is a big part of the Vox AC15/30 sound, and that is the output tubes being cathode-biased instead of fixed-bias. Also, the Korg era AC30's don't have an EF86 pre-amp. Only the very first AC30 twins did (1961), and some of the recent additions to the AC30 line have it, but the classic AC30's and everything up through Korg have pre-amps based on the ubiquitous 12AX7.

[@handmadeindustrial]

I think the ef86 are very often microphonic. The close proximity to the loud speakers make it difficult.

[@ziccuj]

Spot on. Most of the AC30's didn't have EF86 in their preamp - I have two from '64 (top boost and non top boost) and neither has it. In vintage (and also modern) AC15's, on the other hand, it's pretty much always there. Also the tiny little AC-4 with an 8" speaker (the original, not the reissue which is a totally different amp) had a EF86-based preamp section. I happen to have one of those as well - coincidently from '64 like its bigger brothers.

[@ziccuj]

@@handmadeindustrial It's true that it's a bit more difficult to find an EF86 that's not microphonic than for example an ECC83/12AX7, but there are still good ones out there. Try Telefunken, Valvo, Mullard, Brimar etc... not cheap but they have excellent tone and long life. You end up saving money in the long run not having to replace the tube that often, and most importantly: you're playing with superior tone, so it's a win-win there.

[@handmadeindustrial]

@@ziccuj I saw something about winged “c” being pretty stable. I bought a bunch from a Russian seller on eBay. May have been a Dr. Z recommendation.

[@chipsterb4946]

@@ziccuj the extreme lengths DIY amp builders go to attempting to reduce microphonics in EF-86 preamp tubes would be hilarious if they weren’t so damn frustrated. Special tube sockets, retention systems, even foam wrapped around the tube (hopefully it won’t melt?). It’s a problem with that tube and nasty when it shows up. I have enough problems with my home built amps without tackling that challenge but I’ve always been tempted.

[@thiagocoracini]

Correction: @ 3:18 -> to double the power doesn't mean double the volume. Actually, to double the volume you must multiply power by 10. 15W to 30W increases 23% of volume.

[@MarkPritchardGuitar]

When i think of VOX, i think of Brian May, The Beatles and The Edge. Its a great sounding amp but i do like the Morgan AC20, i think it does that AC30 thing but better. Love these video's Rhett, keep them coming.

[@PaulWW36]

Rarely think about the Edge at all :-) Saw Rory Gallagher who had an AC30 on a chair, greatest sound ever !

[@b0705307]

Brian May got the idea of treble booster and ac30 from Rory Gallagher after seeing Taste live and asking him how he got the amazing soond

[@CarvedTop]

When I think of Vox, I think Beatles and Brian May. When I think of The Edge, I think Memory Man Deluxe 5 knob.......🔊

[@johnnydio5803]

@@PaulWW36 Gallagher for the win, Paul.. every time mate.

[@andrelangenbach4202]

@@b0705307 When I think of Brian May, I think of at least 30m coil cable. Maybe with a shorter straight cable or a wireless transmitter the treble booster wouldn't be necessary at all? ...ok I'm no expert :)

[@marcusdluxe]

I have an AC15 which I run alongside my orange and there's something magic that cuts through. No matter what I'm using into the Orange the Vox cuts through even if its reading out at a lower level.

[@funwithdirt7076]

I owned a Vox AC15HW for a few years and that amp sounded amazing. The only gripe about it isn't a gripe worth considering because, of course, you have to really drive the amp to get the killer breakup. Late last year, I sold the amp in favor of the "Chime" model on the Strymon Iridium. I get that sound without rattling the windows.

[@AndyNyle]

probably the best content so far on amp demos. Just demo all of Rick’s amps!!

[@Likelylogan_]

“What is the vox sound?” Really good, that’s what

[@joshuaunitt3009]

LORD, that bullet the blue sky intro was great

[@compucorder64]

Don't count out the AC10 too. I tend to think of them as Princetons, Deluxes and Twins, in that they get cleaner, higher headroom and less bright, and fuller in bass as you go up in size - but the smaller Vox make great dirtboxes, especially with Greenbacks. There's something special about that small combo AC10 sound too. And it's the most fun, practical and affordable form. I have an AC15 too, which I prefer for clean tones and love the spring reverb and tremelo. But, if you are looking for that snarly quick stabby driven sound; it's much easier to get there at home or in the studio with the AC10 than the AC15 and AC30. The closed box sound is super nimble and precise. Other thing is, I prefer to use an AC10 and AC15 together either as dry/wet pair, or as a stereo pair when using modern pedals. The speaker out on the AC10 makes it versatile too, because you can more closely match it with the AC15s by using a similar type of 1x12" cab with the same speaker as the AC15 in it. I prefer Greenbacks or Creambacks, since it's the super clean sound I tend to use when using them with a stereo pedal rig. Especially with the lack of effects loop, which is the area that the AC30 wins with. Because the volume and 2x12" I find make the AC30 a harder to use amp unless you are in a soundproofed studio with seperate amp recording room. For most people, the AC30 is more of a bigger gig live amp from the days when people didn't mic up stage amps. Vox really needs to put out a premium hardwired version of the AC10 and 15 that has an effects loop and the attenuator that's in the AC15CH head. That AC15H head version is another one of the most practical forms factors, shame there's not more of them around.

[@bldallas]

Another really great review and history lesson on electric guitar gear. The VOX AC30 is an amazing amp. I sold my 30 watt Vox a few years back; don’t gig and too loud for the house (or at least my wife said so). But, when my son was a kid, I bought him one of those little Vox 5 watt modeling amps, which we still have and I really love. Sure it’s like comparing a Triumph to a mini bike, but it’s a Triumph mini bike! OK, I stretched that metaphor beyond recognizability, but I just wanted to say even the Vox modeling amps are great stuff.

[@davidwinthrop7077]

Hank Marvin, Rory Gallagher, Brian May, The Edge, Johnny Greenwood, The Beatles. All great sounds, all different, all Vox AC30 amps!

[@jimmeltonbradley1497]

Having sung in bands in front of many guitarists over the decades, the best thing about the AC30 for me is that it has a relatively limited on-stage volume. That means that I can always hear what I'm singing even if the monitors aren't that great. The guy doing the mixing out front is the one who increases the volume for the benefit of the audience, which is how I like it. Marshall amps at ful- belt may sound great to an audience but I always found singing in front of one pretty hard going. The clear tone of the AC 30 is just so good too. As a non-guitarist the AC 30 is definitely my favourite amp.

[@Pete-ba253]

Ricky and Vox . . . Keeps the world spinning . Love from England x🇬🇧

[@fawkesandhound]

About modelers: Rhett says, does it sound exactly like the one I’m playing? To that, like he said earlier, a brand new, made in China Vox, isn’t going to sound ‘exactly’ like a 90’s Vox, nor will a 60’s Vox sound exactly like another 60’s Vox considering variances in production tolerances and age variables so maybe close enough is close enough.

[@maitrikashin3906]

Nice video, paying homage to a musical icon. Thanks. It's now Nov 2024. I've just ordered a VOX VT40X modelling amp combo with valve pre-amp. It comes with great clean, but is loaded with mutiple presets, including the Iconic AC30 tones. Marshall Blues tones and Fender Reverb presets are also in the box. The VT40X also has a Footswitch for instant playing access to EIGHT preferred settings (either modelled or personally finesed). My LP59 (P90s) is good to go.

[@pensiveboogie]

In your review of the Vox AC30 you left out some very important information, mainly around The Shadows and in particular, Hank Marvin. The Shadows, Cliff Richard's backing band, and an instrumental quartet in their own right, initially used VOX AC15 amps, but with screaming fans and playing in larger venues, they needed more power, so The Shadows approached Vox to help, and the upshot was the AC30. At the time, The Shadows guitarists played strats into AC30s. Do yourself a favour and listen to some early '60's Shadows music - Apache, The Savage, Kon Tiki, Man Of Mystery, The Frightened City. (They switched to Burns guitars in the mid '60's) I read a report in a guitar magazine many years ago that said that a VOX AC30, partnered with a Rickenbacker 12 string produces the best chiming, jingle-jangle tone. By the way, Brian May does not use a wall of sound. His backline shows 9 AC30s, but he really just uses three, on the floor in front of the stacks, angled away and miked individually so each of them feeds an echo system, amp 1 is the primary, amp 2 is the secondary, with a few microseconds delay, and amp 3 adds yet more delay. This config gives Brian the ability to play harmonies with himself. Finally, if you look for a KZbin video called "Cliff Richard and The Shadows: The Final Reunion" taken from a world tour in 2009-2010 you will see behind Hank and Bruce a familiar looking amp lineup. They look like Vox AC30s but they are labeled JMI, an English outfit that produces authentic Vox AC30 replicas.

[@mh-oh8kf]

I have one of those 90’s Korg AC30’s and I love it

[@ruiseartalcorn]

My main rig is an AC15 paired with a Fender Bassbreaker 45. An awesome combination! I run them wet/dry - using the reverb on the AC15. For recording I use an AC4-12". A great wee amp. I disagree re the "modern" Vox amps - mine sound great! :)

[@outtolunch88]

Interesting combo. I'm using an AC15 Alnico (main) and an MV50 AV (satellite) with a homebuilt cabinet with a Fane 12" in stereo. It's hard to tell the difference running them clean as a pedal platform. Breakup on the AC15 is nicer when cranked up. The '73 HiWatt DR504 has been retired due to the legality of those SPL's.

[@ruiseartalcorn]

@@outtolunch88 Interesting! Sounds great! I love combining things to form something unique. For me, Vox will always be at the centre of it :)

[@aaron4757]

Yeah this guy is just an amp snob. The new ones sound perfectly fine and the same.

[@ruiseartalcorn]

@@aaron4757 I agree - the new ones are just as "Vox" sounding as before. The only difference is that they have printed circuits instead of being hand wired. We also have the choice of blue or green speakers in the AC15 and AC30. I have an AC15C1, which has the greenbacks and it sounds great!

im going insane over the drum tone and those explosive hitas on the intro, like it sounds fantastic, like something that if i heard on a classic bowie id be like WOW that drum sound is fantastic, congrats on nailing that. and the rest of the video too, your videos are ridiculously great

[@jwvanhorn]

I wish you'd mentioned the EQ on the AC30 because it's a strange animal and I think it's another ingredient in the Vox secret sauce. There's no knob for mids, but once you get the hang of dialing in the right balance using the treble and bass knobs, any harshness from the treble can be rolled off with the tone cut knob. I have a Chinese AC30 with greenbacks and I leave the tone cut knob around noon for that reason. Maybe it's not a purist's AC30 tone, but I love the extra dirt and warmth the greenbacks provide. I also own a Helix, and I agree the AC30 tones it can do are pretty spot on especially your AC30 patches.

[@stratocasterxyz]

just got back into guitar after a 5-6yr break and this channel has re-inspired me to dive into the beautiful world of guitars, amps, and pedals all over again. Thank you for the great content, you have my sub.

[@BoneMachine28]

... and The Cult! Billy Duffy uses an AC30 in his arsenal, and this guitarist is a living legend.

[@craigjacob3704]

Thanks for making the technical aspects of this stuff more understandable a and not in a snobbish way. I'm hooked and subscribed. New learner with all budget equipment but look forward to getting the good stuff. Can't wait to be able to pair a Rickenbacker and a VOX

[@bestbeloved2704]

the harmonics and brightness of the cover of edge's intro for "Still haven't found what I'm looking for" at 9:49 nearly reduced me to tears. goddamn, that's a beautiful sound

[@thiscorrosion900]

The problem for many home players is if you can't crank the AC30 live at home, forget it. Plus, they're heavy and expensive. I ended up buying the Vox VX50 modeling amp, and the tiny Vox practice modeling amp, which is fun. The Vox Valvetronix amps or the VX50, will give you a powerful amp that also models various Vox amp sounds, as well as tons of others., plus some decent FX. And you don't have to blast the windows out. If I plug my 12-string ac. electric into the Vox VX50, or a Roland amp, I get jangle that would blow your mind.

[@neilritson7445]

I just bought one! Agree totally.

[@thiscorrosion900]

@@neilritson7445 See! I am not going mad! LOL not yet. The Vox Cambridge I hear is also great, and the older Valvetronix amps are also great. Plus you can select what watts you want going in.

[@BladeDoomer86]

Vox vt40x is an amazing amp for a ridiculously low price and it replicates the Ac30 tone pretty well, although it obviously doesn't give you what 2 full speakers will!

[@genekloszewski5484]

The 20 Vtx is good also

[@carlosalves4444]

Just my 2 cents worth the vox ac30 is a fantastic amp I have the AC30cc2x,. But generally it's not a home amp unless you want the cops knocking on your door( 3 times so far) and suddenly the neighbours stop saying Hi to you and run inside quickly, when they see you. The top boost Chanel needs a bit of volume to get that classic sound. Just forget it if you live in a small house or apartment. You've been warned lol.

[@j_freed]

Jimmy Page early on swapped out the 12" speakers from a Vox into his Fender combo so that he could sell it - the Fender had blown speakers and he needed the cash to go on tour or something. This was in the UK and a Fender Twin as a USA import went for quite a lot of money! It would be neat to have that old Fender combo with the oddball 2x12" Alnico Blues or whatever Jimmy put in it! Resourcefulness...

[@palethorn]

I have an AC10C1. It came with some chinese no brand tubes. Swapped them for JJs. Replaced 12ax7s with 5751s. Harshess disappeared, and incredible warmth appeared.

[@llwonder]

I got an AC15 and like the Greenback in it. I havent tried a Celestion blue in it. I wonder if I'd like it better. Greenback sounds awesome with distortion / heavy overdrive. Cleans are reasonably good too.

[@Taurencowpew]

Swapped the Greenback in my HWAC15 to the Blue. It's better for me, but it's not cheap considering the differences. I'm planning on taking this amp to the grave, however, if that gives you any idea on how good it sounds.

[@divebomb99]

The conciseness of your thoughts and explanations is fantastic, in all your videos. Great job.

[@lightaces]

I love my AC30 clone (laid out, modded, and hand made, by me!). Thank you, by the way, for getting through the whole video without digging down the "Class A" BS. I've looked at the output tubes on an oscilloscope. The AC30 is NOT a class A amp, contrary to the marketing, though it is closer to class A than most AB class amps. The sound has something to do with many factors, and the power tubes division of labor is part of it, but other things matter at least as much. One quibble, though. Unless it has been modded, the Marshall built AC30's, and all but a handful of very early 4 input AC30s do not use the EF86 preamp tube. They are all ECC83 (12AX7), with maybe an ECC82 12AU7). The EF86 normal channel from the early AC15s and very early AC30s is an AWESOME mod, but definitely not OEM.

[@audreyayers6534]

the heritage series circa 2007 has the EF86 preamp tube, as far as I know they’re the only ones since the ones you mentioned that have them.

[@lightaces]

@@audreyayers6534 Those I haven't tried, but I am always dubious about AC30s which don't have the vib-trem channel. I built 3-4 AC30s trying to find the right version of the circuit, and it wasn't until I included the vib-trem channel it sounded right. Something about the way the vib-trem channel loads other side of the phase inverter really matters to the sound. As soon as I included it, my current amp sounded amazing the second I fired it up, even through my completely inappropriate 200 watt Bag End test speaker (which is a fine speaker in it's own right, but about as far as possible from an Alnico blue!) I never use the vib-trem channel (it's not very good), but without it the amp doesn't sound right.

[@bertgetner9397]

My VOX Pathfinder 15 will blow all that junk you guy's have into the weeds! LOL!! And I never have to change any tubes either.

[@lightaces]

@@bertgetner9397 Nope.

[@LeStraTele]

I have been playing 40 years. Always played Marshall and some Fender. Got my 1st Vox (AC15) 10 years ago. I love it and now play mostly Vox.

[@fenderbendr4625]

You should do a “What is the Hiwatt sound?” Next!

[@RRiley6]

Rhett, cool video! My impression was that Vox phased out the EF86 preamp tubes from AC30s and AC15s in the early 60s due to reliability, and replaced this with the "top boost" channel which uses two 12ax7s and adds a bass and treble control, which was presumably a more reliable way to get the EF86's chime. I suspect the top boost circuit may be what's in Rick's '90s AC30. However some Vox hand-wired ACs from about 10 years ago did re-introduce the EF86, only to once again be phased out. And of course Matchless et al. do in many cases use the EF86.

[@josgroth9154]

Man, the Edge is a Genius

[@martydibergi5228]

It is producer musician extraordinar Daniel Lanois who is at the Head of the Classroom 🎸🐕

[@LemonLimeStrat]

0:20 Bullet the Blue Sky deserves more love, so happy hearing it!

[@davepilgrim5798]

3:18 it's impossible, and not true. Actually, to double the volume of an amp you must moltiplicate the power x10. To double the volume of a 15w amp it needs a 150 w amp. Doubling the power, for ex from 15 to 30 watt, the volume DB increase 3 DB.

[@johnnybrown9581]

Very true. Although I have a theory that it might end up more like 4-5 DB when you consider the fact that there are now two speakers.

[@davepilgrim5798]

@@johnnybrown9581 I agree. In fact, if you notice, I modified my comment. First time I wrote 5 DB, that is what I guess it could be, than i re-wrote 3 because I wanted to stay close to theory, science and evidence. I also must say that, most of the people, referre that close to 6 decibels increased volume, they feel like a double up in volume, while it's not. I'm surprised that a friend of Rick Beato and Dave Onorato missed this point in a video 😂 (sorry for my English mistakes, not my language)

[@Ed-yj8ts]

My Dad, an eye surgeon told me that doubling the power was only two noticeable sound differences. Then he asked, "which sounds better", "A or B".

[@cliffbraun3850]

I think they didn’t know that in the early days of Vox and at that SPL a few db increase is perceived as much louder I’m thinking 2 ac15s side by side would move twice as much air which is essentially what an AC 30 is, idk

[@davepilgrim5798]

@@cliffbraun3850 volume doesn't sum like 1+1=2 One person shout 70 DB. In a stadium, 1000 shouting is not 70 K DB. The "double the moved air" doesn't mean nothing.

[@guitarradioshow]

Great Vid! I’ve been playing VOX for 4 years now, I’m so regretful I didn’t sooner. It’s totally changed everything for me. Headroom for days and such an incredibly pedal friendly platform. My search is finally over.

[@pablofichaje]

There's one guy who, in my opinion, made the AC30 sound perfectly: Rory Gallagher

[@jackprice7828]

Rhett excellent video on the Vox AC30/15. I am glad you covered the modeling side. The two models I use the most on my HX Stomp is the Fender Deluxe and the AC30. An IR can really make a difference. I recently purchased a 66AC30 package from Tone Junkie. This uses a silver alnico speaker cab. I had another IR package previously. However the Tone Junkie 66AC30 is absolutely incredible. It matched the Stomp AC30 model excellently and really brought out the Vox AC30 tone even more at least from that vintage of IR sample.

[@renmusical]

That's Bullet the Blue Sky at the beginning?

[@souldier6075]

Yup, unexpected but welcome U2.

[@2550marshall]

Or a band ripping off Uncle Ted's Strangle Hold?

[@j_freed]

Edge uses 2x sixties Vox AC-30s. One of them is put into a 70's cabinet.

[@hanlang4329]

@@j_freed False. Edge's main AC30 is a 1968 in a 1968 cabinet. It's completely original except for the one speaker which was already changed when he bought it

[@stephenpertesis7710]

15:37 ABSOLUTELY! The Chinese made S1has a strange un-musical hiss/fizz from ~7k and above that seems oddly disassociated with the frequencies below it. I just made a Tonex pack with it and had to do a TON of EQ'ing to get the high end rolloff just right. The newer models ALSO have an excessively honky midrange between 600-800hz that, no matter how the volume is set with the full mix, the guitar seems to sit to the SIDE of the mix. Again, it's the strangest thing. Lots of EQ involved. Even with multiple speakers/cabs (real, not IR).

[@fpasello]

Rhett, I'd like to remind than many classic Deep Purple tunes were recorded on the AC30 as well; Blackmore was even disguising his AC30 into a Marshall cabinet when playing live. Maybe it's worthwhile to mention the two original variants as well, i.e. the plain AC30 and the Top Boost one (with the additional ECC 83 tube), like the one I was using back in the '70s.

[@jerryvahnknight218]

Love Vox! Especially, Rory with a treble booster!

[@cowboycalebbroersma]

I got a vox ac 15 because Brad Paisley said he played an ac 30. He was my first guitar hero and I wanted to sound just like him. I've adopted it for other styles now, surprisingly it goes really well with a super strat and metal tones

[@davidmiller1218]

That guy can play! I'm not crazy about country music but I buy BP's cds; he even does surf music: "Turfs Up" from the Play cd.

[@johnmartin3486]

So I’m chasing an amp for country sound AC15 or fender junior 4 I’d love your opinion please

[@ijamsum]

Queen cranked the AC-30 amps using the blackburn EL84 tubes that went into a unique harmonic over drive and that was there sound ! The AC-30 had another voice when fully cranked up , it sustained well and was great live as i saw a 10 seat level bleacher full of AC-30 amps at a Queen concert video ! The breakup responded to how hard you picked or slapped the strings and was real nice rock sound ! Not all tube brands sound as good breaking up so you need to experiment or i would anyway to find your sound live !

[@arthurmurray9727]

Brian may and the edge got the idea from a certain rory gallagher , and both openly admit it

[@aepoc66]

Love this video, thank you for taking the time. How do you not have millions and millions of subscribers Rhett?