Vox AC30C2

I finally tried it out!!
The famous all-tube AC30C2 (with 2 speakers) that's as heavy as a corpse!!
I copy the features:
- 1 Tremolo with depth and speed controls.
- 1 Reverb with tone and mix controls.
• 1 master volume control
- Preamp tubes: 3 x 12AX7/ECC83
- Power tubes: 4 x EL84
- Output power: 30 watts RMS into 16 ohms
- Speakers: 2 x 12" 8 ohm Celestion G12M Greenback
- 4 inputs: Inputs: Normal (high and low), Top Boost (high and low), all footswitchable,
- Spring reverb (switchable)
- Tremolo (switchable)
- ” Tonecut ” to adjust the presence
- Master volume control
- FX loop:
The EFFECTS LOOP allows you to add other effects to the signal path rather than insert them between your guitar and amp. Using the effects loop with, for instance, a DELAY, you can avoid distortions and strange repetitions. The EFFECTS LOOP sends a -10 dB adapted signal to the effects pedals.

- Dimensions (W x D x H): 702 x 265 x 556 mm / 27.64 x 10.43 x 21.89 inches
Weight: 32.2 kg / 70.99 lbs.
- Outputs: External loudspeaker jack, Extension loudspeaker jack, FX SEND jack

- Options: VFS2A Footswitch

USE

It's a bit of a mess and, to top things off, the name of the controls is upside down when you are looking at the amp from the front!! What a joke!!
But apart from that, I love its sound!!

SOUND

It's a really good amp because I can work the sound and really shape it.
It's an amp to do precise work, it was not conceived for distorted rock, hard rock or metal because it has no drive, crunch or lead channel!!
Only the Top Boost channel indicates that you can have a more significant sound.
In practice, you really need to crank up the volume of the Top Boost so the sound starts distorting...and it's really good!!
This amp really made my day today!!
I plugged in an LTD elite horizon III and really shaped sound the way I wanted!!


OVERALL OPINION

I tried it out one afternoon and was half satisfied!!
I said to myself: I have finally found a sound I love, but it lacks a more significant distortion, and I'll have to let it go!!
Indeed, it's a pity, because I had finally found an amp that lived up to my ambitions!!
I don't know if there's any trick, like on the '80s Marshalls where you had to plug a mini-jack of a normal input into a boost input to make the power amp distort more quickly, but I'd take it anyway, because it takes me closer to the sound I love!!
To finish, I'd say this vox is an amp for rock and funk above all, for distortion sounds you'll have to look elsewhere!!

I wanted to buy a twin reverb...I love its pristine sound!!!!
But once at the shop I said to myself: "At least try other amps just in case..." and looking around I saw the vox ac30 and I said to myself "what does that sound like?"

Phew!!! What warmth!!!! That's the first thing that came to my mind... Do you like tube sounds? You want a nice high end?

Go for it!!!

It's heavy to transport, but it's really good!!!!
900 euros, new....no regrets

USE

It couldn't be easier to use!!

SOUND

Excellent!!!!

OVERALL OPINION

Expensive!!!! I sold a kidney!!!

But now I have THE sound!!!!

One of my favorite all time amps that has ever existed. This was one of my first amps than I ever bought. I wanted to sound like the Edge from U2 and I knew he used a vintage Vox Ac30, but I didn't have $4000 to blow on a fickle 40+ year old amp that you should never gig with because of the age. Since I was gigging heavily at the time I needed something that I knew would withstand the abuse an amp can take playing in clubs and bars. This was a great amp to cover that classic Vox tone and still take a beating.


Vox AC30C2 30-watt, 2x12" Combo Guitar Amplifier Features at a Glance:

* 30-watt, 2x12" combo guitar amplifier
* Two channels with independent volume controls — Normal and Top Boost
* Reverb and Tremolo effects onboard (controllable via optional footswitch)
* Master volume section with Tone Cut and Volume controls
* True bypass effects loop for bringing in your own pedals
* Switchable 8-/16-ohm output jack for external speakers (mutes internal speakers)
* 16-ohm output jack for running a cabinet along with the internal speakers
* Features two 12" 8-ohm Celestion G12M Greenback speakers
* Uses 3 x 12AX7 preamp tubes and 4 x EL84 power tubes

UTILIZATION

Detail
Type Tube
Number of Channels 2
Power 30W
Speakers 2 x 12" Celestion G12M Greenback
Effects Yes
Reverb Yes
EQ Treble, Bass
Amp Modeling No Amp Modeling
Number of Models 0
Number of Tubes 7
Preamp Tubes 3 x 12AX7
Power Tubes 4 EL84
Inputs 2 x Instrument (Ch 1), 2 x Instrument (Ch 2)
Outputs 2 x Speaker
Footswitch I/O Yes
Effects Loop Yes
Height 21.89"
Width 27.64"
Depth 10.43"
Weight 70.99 lbs.

SOUNDS

The sound I got from this amp wasn't bad at all. I wasn't used to Vox's at the time and the EQing was a little different then the Fender or Marshall front panels. After some use I got the hang of it.

I mostly used this with overdrive pedals and delays. I never turned this thing up to get that cranked Vox Ac30 tone famlliar with Brian May or Tom Petty. I mostly used a Ibanez TS9 and a TC Electronics G Major with this unit. I got some good pop and mild rock tone with it. Never was I going to get a Slash or hard rock tone. It just is not capable of doing that. Even with a Les Paul I was able to get a good classic rock tone similar to some U2 songs. After I felt that the Vox wasn't my thing and of course Chinese made I dumped it for a Marshall.

OVERALL OPINION


The tone from the amp is decent but I would never buy this thing again. If I ever got another Vox I would get a reissue UK made or plunge for a vintage unit. Vox has now replaced these amps with another version/model. I have seen some of these still floating around at guitar shops and online new. At new they come in ata round $1500. However, if you want one you best bet would be finding it on the used market. I have seen them in the classifieds for around $1000. however, these amps are made in China and I would never buy this amp again for that reason alone.

Or you can get an older one made in the UK for that price and you can keep your integrity. I wouldn't recommend this amp to anyone. Save you money and buy a used UK made one or get a clone amp made by Hayseed Amps.