VOX AC30 Help!

[kingoftherodeo]

I'm not knowledgable when it comes to guitar amplifiers, so it doesn't take much to confuse me.

But, other than price, whats the difference between;

VOX AC30-CC2X
VOX AC30C2
VOX AC30C2X
VOX AC30VR

I didn't realise there where so many different AC30's.

[Johno]

maybe typing 'vox AC30 history' in a search engine will yield answers?

[kingoftherodeo]

Not really... But thanks anyways.

[Doog]

* AC30CC1: 1x12 combo with Celestion neodymium NeoDog speaker.
* AC30CC2: 2x12 combo with VOX custom GSH12-30 speakers.
* AC30CC2X: 2x12 combo with Celestion AlNiCo "Blue" speakers.
* AC30CCH: 30 Watt head.
# AC30C2X: 30 Watts 2 x 12" Celestion Alnico Blue Speakers / Effects Loop.

The AC30VR looks like it's only got a valve preamp, solidstate poweramp. They advertise it as being as loud as a 30w valve amp due to the VALVE REACTOR.

All info from Voxamps.com, yo.

[kingoftherodeo]

* AC30CC1: 1x12 combo with Celestion neodymium NeoDog speaker.
* AC30CC2: 2x12 combo with VOX custom GSH12-30 speakers.
* AC30CC2X: 2x12 combo with Celestion AlNiCo "Blue" speakers.
* AC30CCH: 30 Watt head.
# AC30C2X: 30 Watts 2 x 12" Celestion Alnico Blue Speakers / Effects Loop.

The AC30VR looks like it's only got a valve preamp, solidstate poweramp. They advertise it as being as loud as a 30w due to the VALVE REACTOR.

All info from Voxamps.com, yo.

Can I ask which you would reccomend!

[matt.dines]

The ac30VR is from the valve reactor range and is solid state. They sound ok from what iv heard but don't seem that good value.
The ac30c2 has Celestion greenbacks in them and the ac30c2x has Celestion Alnico Blues.
The ac30cc2x is the same as the ac30c2x (I think!) but has an extra Channel and a fx loop and a master volume.

[George]

The only real difference in the tubies seems to be speakers and/or an effects loop so ask yourself...

1. Which speakers would you prefer?
2. Will you use the effects loop?

[NickS]

AC30C2 - AC30 Custom, valve amps

The VOX AC30 combo amp has been an icon for decades, known as the sound that powered the 1960s' "British Invasion." Based on the classic AC30 design, the all-new Custom Series AC30C2 and AC30C2X offer numerous up-todate enhancements, delivering the most versatile AC30 design in VOX history.

The Models

AC30C2: 30 Watts 2 x 12" Celestion G12M Greenback Speakers / Effects Loop.
AC30C2X: 30 Watts 2 x 12" Celestion Alnico Blue Speakers / Effects Loop.
An Evolution in Tone
VOX Custom Series amps offer two channels: Normal and Top-Boost. Each channel is equipped with its own Volume control, and the Top Boost channel offers highly interactive Treble and Bass tone controls. This powerful channel pairing provides an abundance of tone-crafting control, letting you dial in a classic sound that is all your own.

Both channels rely on the Tone Cut and Volume controls in the Master section. The Tone Cut control operates in the power stage rather than the preamp stage, allowing an additional degree of tone-shaping. The Master Volume control works in conjunction with the individual volumes of each channel to create just the right degree of gain-staging. By balancing the individual and Master volumes, the Custom Series can deliver everything from a clean VOX "chimey" sound to a powerful overdriven tone.


Sound in Motion
You can sweeten the sound of your Custom Series amplifier using the VOX Classic Tremolo effect. Both the speed and the depth are adjustable, allowing you to generate just the sound you want. A warm Spring Reverb is also included on all Custom Series amps, adding spaciousness to the sound. The AC30C2 and AC30C2X also include an additional tone control in the Reverb section. All Custom Series amps can use the VOX VFS2 footswitch, allowing you to turn the Reverb and Tremolo effects on and off as you continue to play. The AC30C2 and AC30C2X also provide an effects loop for incorporating your favourite effects into your sound. True "Bypass" switching takes the entire effect loop out of the circuit.

Power Sharing
The AC30C2 and the AC30C2X amps make use of 3 x 12AX7 preamp tubes and use 4 x EL84 tubes to deliver 30 watts of power. The AC30C2 uses two 12" Celestion G12M Greenback speakers. The AC30C2X uses two 12" Celestion Alnico Blues. All models in the Custom Series offer a switchable 8/16 ohm output jack for powering an external speaker cabinet when you need to speak with a little more authority; using this jack will mute the internal speakers. Additionally, a 2nd extension speaker jack allows you to run an extra 16 ohm cabinet along with the internal speakers for a fuller sound.

VR - digital

Tube and solid-state, vintage and modern, clean and dirty-the new VR Series combo amplifiers have it all. Using our proven and popular VOX Valve Reactor (VR) circuitry, the AC30VR provides a diverse soundscape of authentic and satisfying tones from a single amp.

AC30VR: Twin channel, guitar amplifier with 2x 12 inch VX 12 Celestion custom made loudspeaker and digital reverb.
Play in Style
Using an "old-school" split-panel design, the AC30VR offers two distinct channels- Normal and Overdrive-with the Overdrive channel adding a separate Gain knob. In addition, the overdrive Style button delivers two distinctive flavours.

In Control
Equipped with two custom-designed 12" Celestion speakers, the AC30VR delivers a roaring 30 watts of power. The Normal channel offers both Bass and Treble tone controls, along with a single Volume knob. A Gain knob has been added to the Overdrive channel, as well as a Middle control for more defined tone shaping. In the Master section, the AC30VR features our unique Tone Cut circuit knob for dampening the high-end frequencies. Master Reverb and Master Volume controls are also provided.

CC2X - Custom Classic with Celestion Alnico Blues

The VOX AC30CC2X combo offers 2 blendable channels feature fully variable tremolo with footswitchability, a custom EQ switch on the Top Boost channel, and Brilliant switch on the normal channel. Spring reverb with dwell switch, footswitchability, and tone and level controls; tremolo with speed and depth controls; plus an effects loop with full bypass and level control give you precision command over a broad range of sounds.

Boutique features include switchable cathode bias for lower power and longer tube life plus switchable smoothing filter values for looser or tighter feel, tradition backwards "cut" control, which takes out hights as the knob is turned clockwise. Baltic birch cab, vintage-style transformers, tone cut control, heavy-duty cover, and included dual footswitch.

The VOX AC30CC2X uses the same circuits as the original VOX AC30 with the Top Boost channel, preserving the authenticity and tone of the original's circuit. Even the original components were copied when possible: four EL84 valves, three ECC83/12AX7 preamp valves, the transformers are clones of the original Albion models, important signal capacitors are vintage axial types, carbon film resistors are used as on the original VOX AC30, GZ34 valve rectifier. And the features list of the original VOX AC30 has been preserved: spring reverb, master volume, multiple channels, and a Tone Cut control.

What's so special about valve amplifiers? When valves are overdriven they distort in a unique way that adds lots of even order overtones that are harmonically related to the fundamental signal. Drive a transistor amp into distortion and odd overtones are created that are not harmonically related to the fundamental, and the amp sounds harsh and nasty. Think of the sound of glass breaking. Drive a valve amp into overdrive and the added harmonic distortion will add a full richness to the tone.

A Class A amplifier's output valves, as used in the VOX AC30CC2X combo, are always turned on, regardless of whether they are producing positive or negative voltages. Being always on the valves generate more heat, but because the current is flowing at all times, an input signal causes the current to be immediately diverted to the speakers, and therefore, the sound is very "fast", accurate and natural.

The VOX AC30CC1 valve combo uses the 12" Celestion NeoDog Neodymium magnet, the VOX AC30CC2 valve combo uses the VOX Warfendale GSH12-3 speaker while the VOX AC30CC2X uses Celestion Alnico Blue speaker.

Don't forget the AC30H (Heritage) handwired series...

[Doog]

You're welcome..

I can only suggest you go and try them yourself. The differences between the models seem to be mainly the speakers; something which as well as being personal taste, is also hard to quantify.

Failing that, compare reviews on Harmony Central and try and find some samples of each speaker to get an idea of the tonal characteristics.

[Simon]

You're welcome..

I can only suggest you go and try them yourself. The differences between the models seem to be mainly the speakers; something which as well as being personal taste, is also hard to quantify.

Failing that, compare reviews on Harmony Central and try and find some samples of each speaker to get an idea of the tonal characteristics.

This.

You can get any amount of advice from folk on here and which they would choose but ultimately you're the one who's going to be playing with the amp and so you need to go and try the amp out for yourself. It's all a matter of personal preference and only you will know what kind of sound you want from the amp. Take your guitar into your local guitar shop and try it through some amps, I'm sure you'll find what you're after. If not then you've just got to keep looking and investigating.

[johnnyseven]

Anyone know if Vox are currently making any valve heads? Every model I Google from their website comes up as discontinued on retailer's websites.