Vox AC30H2L

This amp was released in July 2007 as the Heritage collection. This is supposed to be a throwback to the old amps with a simple control user panel and a great tone. Housed in an oil finished, hand-crafted African Mahogany cabinet. This is the official limited edition Anniversary model, and only 500 would be built.

This amp is just tone for days. I cannot think of of a better amp that Vox could have made when this thing was released. This amp was everything you loved and wanted out of the old JMI amps from the early 60's These I believe are the last of a great tradition in quality and in tone.

The great thing about this amp is that it has a familiar British flavor but vastly different from the British sounds of a Marshall or a Hiwatt. The grind from this amp is very unique and voiced much like a Fender Twin, but deeper tonally and much darker than a Fender Twin.

UTILIZATION

VOX AC30H2L Specificaitons

* Power Output: 30 Watts RMS into 8 or 16 ohm loudspeaker load—selectable via rear panel switch.
* Valve complement: 1 x EF86, 3 x ECC83/12AX7, 4 x EL84, 1 x GZ34 (rectifier).
* Loudspeaker: Where fitted, is 2 x 8 ohm VOX/Celestion Alnico Blue loudspeaker wired in series for 16 Ohms.
* Included items: Power cable, Dust cover (AC30H2L only)
* Dimensions & Weights:
AC30H2L
Dimensions (W x H x D): 695 x 564 x 260 mm / 27.4 x 22.2 x 10.2 inches
Weight: 34.5 kg / 76.1 lbs.

SOUNDS


This amp is more used for country, blues, and mild rock tones. The biggest users of the amp is the Edge and Brian May. Not this particular amp model but the Vox AC30 in general. The best thing about Vox Ac30 is their ability to take pedal extremely well. You can throw just about any pedal in front of the amp and it just accepts the tone from the pedal and blends it with the Vox darker amp character that is present in its voicing.

A Les Paul works quite well with this amp. You get a great blues rock tone that is extremely warm and smooth in tone. I like to use a Strat with this amp as I'm a big fan of the Edge and his Strat is very recognizable in the songs I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For and Bullet The Blue Sky.

OVERALL OPINION

You will have to pick this amp up on the used market. Since there are only 500 in existence it might be tough locating one but if you stay persistent you'll find one pop up.

If you need a well built combo amp and are playing anything from country to mild rock then this might be an amp for you. If you use overdrive or effects pedals frequently then this is just about the best amp you could use effects with.