All user reviews of 4/5 for the Vox AC30C2

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.

This is the best looking Vox Ac30 that they have ever produced! If you like the tone of a Vox AC30 then that is great but the look of this one with the dark red color is something special. The first time I saw this amp I wanted to own it. I just love the color of this thing is much that it makes me want to get a UK made reissue and get it re-tolexed to this spec color. Another great thing about this amp is that it retains the same traditional Vox AC30 grill cloth color. The only thing change is the tolex.

UTILIZATION

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

* Limited-edition Red finish
* 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
* Dimensions (W x D x H): 27.64" x 10.43" x 21.89"
* Weight: 70.99 lbs.

SOUNDS

To me the Vox AC30 is the best amp to use either effect pedals or distortion pedals. I have played hundreds of amps and to this day none have take to pedals quite as well as the Vox Ac30. The disclaimer is though everything you do put in front of this will have a Vox voicing and you never can dial that thing out. So if you want to do Appatite for Destruction type tones then you better get a Marshall because this thing will never be able to produce those types of tones.

I love this amp with a Fender Strat and a Gibson Les Paul. To me those guitars fit the tonal characteristics of this amp so well. If you want to do a blues rock or classic rock tone then slap a Rickenbacker 12 string or 6 strong 360 in front of it and you will have Beatles and Tom Petty tones all day long. I am not a fan of the effects loop in this thing. I like to push the front end of a Vox because that to me is where this amp lives. Using the natural mild overdrive isn't as pleasing and slamming the front of it.

OVERALL OPINION

If you love the Vox tone and want something a little different and unique then try this red amp out. I love the deep red finish in the tolex that it has. It is just really sharp to look at. If you don't care how it looks and are more interested in how it sounds then try out the Vox Ac30 handwired combo or by a UK made reissue from a few years back. To me those sounds much better and you can get Celestion Alnico Blue Dog speakers in it rather than the Celestion Greenback speakers. To me if I'm going to play a Vox Ac30 then I need those Alnicos to get that sparkle and chime distinct with the Vox's of old.