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Freakoid
Published on 03/22/10 at 04:06
The model I have as of June 2005.
Characteristics have been widely mentioned, but some details:
* The tube amp to 8 tubes, contrary to what we read sometimes:
-3 ECC83 / 12AX7 (preamp)
-4 EL 84 (amplification)
-1 GZ34 (rectifier)
* The power switch does not change the 33/22 power amp. At position 22, the receiver distorts sooner.
* The reverb is not very pretty: the decay is too long. Substituting Accutronics reverb is almost obligatory for anyone wishing to use the reverb from the amp (which is not my case, a delay Robert Keeley is responsible for a small reverb slap-back type)
* The tremolo (although transistor) is quite nice but the speed is too slow for versatility. Vox / Korg has made changes since then. Personally I still use my Voodoo Lab Tremolo.
* The tube replacement requires removing the rear panel and the chassis. A changing a tube during a concert is hard to imagine!
* The HP cable is very short: changing tubes requires a pivoting frame ... a bit dangerous! (Vox did extend the cables from)
* On the first model used a mixture of Vox Chinese tubes and Sovtek. It appears that AC30 CC is now delivered with Tungsol in preamp (the Chinese were responsible for a large number of failures) of EH and Sovtek Amplification for the rectifier. Mine (purchase) was equipped with Tung Sol preamp. Although the amp sounded already very well I still change ... uh, well, all the tubes finally:
- V1 Mullard ECC83 ribbed flat (NOS)
- V2: ECC83 Mullard ribbed plate (NOS)
- V3: Telefunken Smooth Plate (NOS)
The EL84 has been replaced in favor of a quad Mullard EL84 KM1 (NOS) and the grinder by a DD (deemed more reliable).
UTILIZATION
The manual gives details of a game's history and the Vox AC30. Korg has done a good job rather from the acquisition of the brand in 1992 and last one feels passionate about everything. Nice.
From a technical point of view the user manual to better understand the small switches on the back: Vintage / Modern, Warm / Hot ... For everyone else knows what is a volume knob
This rule like all Vox amps (bass, treble, gain ..) with one exception: the master must be very strong for the EL84 working properly.
SOUNDS
According to many users (See reviews in Harmony Central) and I could hear the CC2X is what Vox has done better since the period JMI. I am really amazed by this amp: sound is creamy and precise, are present but mild acute, severe stand well ... The up-grade Mullard in there is for something, but the amp had these features before the change ... The Mullard has reinforced its qualities.
The range of sound of the AC30 will clear lens in crunch supported. All styles of music located in the palette of his will be played.
I mainly use this amp with two guitars: a Telecaster Reissue 52 and a Gretsch Duojet (Micros Dynasonic).
- For the Telecaster, I use the normal channel between noon and 1 hour, the master at background brightness switch off, cut the treeble at 7:00 .. I add a little boost top (about 8/9h) with bass and treble to 11 to add a little gloss.
-For Duojet, I reverse the proportion of channels while keeping the same EQ: Top boost between 12 and 13h, usually between 8 and 9am.
The amp loves my pedals: Analogman TS9, TS808 HW, Mad Professor Fuzz, Tremolo Voodoo Lab, Wha Fulltone Delay and Robert Keeley!
OVERALL OPINION
I tried this amp by chance I was looking for an HP Blue AlNiCo finally I am left with the AC30!
Funny because a few years ago I found the Vox sound whatsoever. I also believe that this amp does not fit all: it has a particular sound, meets or amplifies the characteristics of guitars. A bad guitar sound very bad. This is also a good test to evaluate the sound quality for a guitar!
I'm not a fan of his crunch with humbuckers for this amp: Starplayer My TV stays in the closet ...
One of the high quality of the Vox is to transcribe faithfully the nuances of the game: by leading strings we pass from light to a real crunch.
I tried and / or have fiddled Amp: comparison with others is a matter of taste, I loved it for years my Les Paul Custom plugged into my Marshall JCM800 and I loved my Duesenberg In the same JCM800, then I loved my Gretsch in my Ampeg Jet 20 (amp too unknown elsewhere) ... Today I hate couples Gibson / Marshall D. Still, this amp is probably what Vox has done better since then JMI!
To answer the post below: The SM57 has a very good dynamic and works well for big sound (think Marshall). For a Vox, I would rather a Sennheiser E906 or better yet: a Royer R-121 (but this is not the same price).
And finally: For buyers head AC30CC: Beware marriage with Celestion V30 is truly catastrophic!
Edict of 16/03/11: I sold this amp, mainly because of its power (too much) to take a AC15HW1X: the EL84 need to be pushed so that the amp sounds really good.
Small clarification: the HPs are fitted as original Blues purchased various parts: they are brighter and have less headroom.
Characteristics have been widely mentioned, but some details:
* The tube amp to 8 tubes, contrary to what we read sometimes:
-3 ECC83 / 12AX7 (preamp)
-4 EL 84 (amplification)
-1 GZ34 (rectifier)
* The power switch does not change the 33/22 power amp. At position 22, the receiver distorts sooner.
* The reverb is not very pretty: the decay is too long. Substituting Accutronics reverb is almost obligatory for anyone wishing to use the reverb from the amp (which is not my case, a delay Robert Keeley is responsible for a small reverb slap-back type)
* The tremolo (although transistor) is quite nice but the speed is too slow for versatility. Vox / Korg has made changes since then. Personally I still use my Voodoo Lab Tremolo.
* The tube replacement requires removing the rear panel and the chassis. A changing a tube during a concert is hard to imagine!
* The HP cable is very short: changing tubes requires a pivoting frame ... a bit dangerous! (Vox did extend the cables from)
* On the first model used a mixture of Vox Chinese tubes and Sovtek. It appears that AC30 CC is now delivered with Tungsol in preamp (the Chinese were responsible for a large number of failures) of EH and Sovtek Amplification for the rectifier. Mine (purchase) was equipped with Tung Sol preamp. Although the amp sounded already very well I still change ... uh, well, all the tubes finally:
- V1 Mullard ECC83 ribbed flat (NOS)
- V2: ECC83 Mullard ribbed plate (NOS)
- V3: Telefunken Smooth Plate (NOS)
The EL84 has been replaced in favor of a quad Mullard EL84 KM1 (NOS) and the grinder by a DD (deemed more reliable).
UTILIZATION
The manual gives details of a game's history and the Vox AC30. Korg has done a good job rather from the acquisition of the brand in 1992 and last one feels passionate about everything. Nice.
From a technical point of view the user manual to better understand the small switches on the back: Vintage / Modern, Warm / Hot ... For everyone else knows what is a volume knob
This rule like all Vox amps (bass, treble, gain ..) with one exception: the master must be very strong for the EL84 working properly.
SOUNDS
According to many users (See reviews in Harmony Central) and I could hear the CC2X is what Vox has done better since the period JMI. I am really amazed by this amp: sound is creamy and precise, are present but mild acute, severe stand well ... The up-grade Mullard in there is for something, but the amp had these features before the change ... The Mullard has reinforced its qualities.
The range of sound of the AC30 will clear lens in crunch supported. All styles of music located in the palette of his will be played.
I mainly use this amp with two guitars: a Telecaster Reissue 52 and a Gretsch Duojet (Micros Dynasonic).
- For the Telecaster, I use the normal channel between noon and 1 hour, the master at background brightness switch off, cut the treeble at 7:00 .. I add a little boost top (about 8/9h) with bass and treble to 11 to add a little gloss.
-For Duojet, I reverse the proportion of channels while keeping the same EQ: Top boost between 12 and 13h, usually between 8 and 9am.
The amp loves my pedals: Analogman TS9, TS808 HW, Mad Professor Fuzz, Tremolo Voodoo Lab, Wha Fulltone Delay and Robert Keeley!
OVERALL OPINION
I tried this amp by chance I was looking for an HP Blue AlNiCo finally I am left with the AC30!
Funny because a few years ago I found the Vox sound whatsoever. I also believe that this amp does not fit all: it has a particular sound, meets or amplifies the characteristics of guitars. A bad guitar sound very bad. This is also a good test to evaluate the sound quality for a guitar!
I'm not a fan of his crunch with humbuckers for this amp: Starplayer My TV stays in the closet ...
One of the high quality of the Vox is to transcribe faithfully the nuances of the game: by leading strings we pass from light to a real crunch.
I tried and / or have fiddled Amp: comparison with others is a matter of taste, I loved it for years my Les Paul Custom plugged into my Marshall JCM800 and I loved my Duesenberg In the same JCM800, then I loved my Gretsch in my Ampeg Jet 20 (amp too unknown elsewhere) ... Today I hate couples Gibson / Marshall D. Still, this amp is probably what Vox has done better since then JMI!
To answer the post below: The SM57 has a very good dynamic and works well for big sound (think Marshall). For a Vox, I would rather a Sennheiser E906 or better yet: a Royer R-121 (but this is not the same price).
And finally: For buyers head AC30CC: Beware marriage with Celestion V30 is truly catastrophic!
Edict of 16/03/11: I sold this amp, mainly because of its power (too much) to take a AC15HW1X: the EL84 need to be pushed so that the amp sounds really good.
Small clarification: the HPs are fitted as original Blues purchased various parts: they are brighter and have less headroom.