« Good but not as good as the original »

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.