Any VOX AC30 players here?

[jasondmckay]

Whoops... sorry for the lag in posting.
I am a AC-30 CC2 owner. I love the amp.

The amp is in need of some re-tubing. I have the stock tubes in it.
It doesn't have many hours on it, but I can just tell, it ain't the same.

I found some good info on this page ->http://www.voxamps.com/forum/topic.php?id=96

It seems the consensus is the following:

Rectifier: JJ/Tesla GZ34/5AR4
Pre: Tung Sol 12AX7 or 2 Tung Sol & 1 Balanced EH 12AX7 in the phase inverter
Power: JJ EL84 or Mullard Reissue EL84

Anyone have a few cents they would like to weigh in on this?
JJ's seem to get some really good reviews. RaceRevlon has said many good things about them. I don't have any experience with them. The total bill for the above isn't that much, and if I add the Mullards it'll kick it up a notch, but I'm not super worried about the cost, but would it make that much of a tone difference? I'm most concerned about longevity. JJ's seem to take the heat well.

I'm interested to hear what you guys have to say.

Jason

 

[blackba]

^ When I had my AC30CC1, I put in EI EL84 power tubes. Last I checked Doug's tubes still have them last I checked.

For preamp, I went with EI, but Tung Sol Reissue are nice too.

For the rectifier, I went with a JJ GZ34, but I have heard many mixed reviews on every current production 5AR4/GZ34 rectifiers and NOS of these are pretty expensive. I am sure you heard, but don't use the standby, it stresses the rectifier tube.

 

[Mudder]

I was watching "Crazy Heart" tonight, and noticed an AC30 Heritage combo on the stage... Is the AC30 commonly used for modern country/bluegrass?

I had no idea Colin Ferrell could sing so good!

A lot of country guys love the AC30 and it's clones. Sparkly cleans, edge of breakup, Brad Paisley is a guy who likes the AC30 tones (though he uses Dr Z stuff now).

 

[jasondmckay]

^ When I had my AC30CC1, I put in EI EL84 power tubes. Last I checked Doug's tubes still have them last I checked.

For preamp, I went with EI, but Tung Sol Reissue are nice too.

For the rectifier, I went with a JJ GZ34, but I have heard many mixed reviews on every current production 5AR4/GZ34 rectifiers and NOS of these are pretty expensive. I am sure you heard, but don't use the standby, it stresses the rectifier tube.

Thanks for the reply. I didn't know about the standby switch issue.
I just googled it and found a plethora of info. WOW. Goes against everything I've known, but then again, I didn't know much about amps with tube rectifiers.

Thanks.

 

[TrueTone500]

I was watching "Crazy Heart" tonight, and noticed an AC30 Heritage combo on the stage... Is the AC30 commonly used for modern country/bluegrass?

I had no idea Colin Ferrell could sing so good!

A lot of country guys love the AC30 and it's clones. Sparkly cleans, edge of breakup, Brad Paisley is a guy who likes the AC30 tones (though he uses Dr Z stuff now).

Playing my AC30 Heritage head through my Alnico Gold loaded pine 2x12 cabinet - I can hear why Brad would favor this circuit. This amp sounds absolutely GORGEOUS! I've been having a blast playing it with a Fulltone Clyde Deluxe, Tube-Vibe, Fulltone TTE, and WET Reverb. This best I've ever heard from any VOX AC30 amp yet! I've played through quite a few CC and TBX combos - but those amps most-definitely did not sound like my this... No way! They were good - but not like this. This amp sounds like it has a sort of an extra harmonic tone/note that follows every note I'm playing? I wish I would have played through one of these 5 years ago!

My Throbak "Strangemaster" is on the way!

 

[Ventura]

Playing my AC30 Heritage head through my Alnico Gold loaded pine 2x12 cabinet - I can hear why Brad would favor this circuit. This amp sounds absolutely GORGEOUS! I've been having a blast playing it with a Fulltone Clyde Deluxe, Tube-Vibe, Fulltone TTE, and WET Reverb. This best I've ever heard from any VOX AC30 amp yet! I've played through quite a few CC and TBX combos - but those amps most-definitely did not sound like my this... No way! They were good - but not like this. This amp sounds like it has a sort of an extra harmonic tone/note that follows every note I'm playing? I wish I would have played through one of these 5 years ago!

My Throbak "Strangemaster" is on the way!

Good taste in wahs

As for the Alnico Golds? Seriously a fine, fine speaker - I was/am so enthralled with these cones overall, I even toyed with the idea of loading my Bogner 4x12 with 'em. Sure, may have been expensive, but they're simply one of the best out there - period.

Mo

 

[TrueTone500]

Playing my AC30 Heritage head through my Alnico Gold loaded pine 2x12 cabinet - I can hear why Brad would favor this circuit. This amp sounds absolutely GORGEOUS! I've been having a blast playing it with a Fulltone Clyde Deluxe, Tube-Vibe, Fulltone TTE, and WET Reverb. This best I've ever heard from any VOX AC30 amp yet! I've played through quite a few CC and TBX combos - but those amps most-definitely did not sound like my this... No way! They were good - but not like this. This amp sounds like it has a sort of an extra harmonic tone/note that follows every note I'm playing? I wish I would have played through one of these 5 years ago!

My Throbak "Strangemaster" is on the way!

Good taste in wahs

As for the Alnico Golds? Seriously a fine, fine speaker - I was/am so enthralled with these cones overall, I even toyed with the idea of loading my Bogner 4x12 with 'em. Sure, may have been expensive, but they're simply one of the best out there - period.

Mo

I agree totally. The Vintage 30 was Celestion's attempt at creating a higher-wattage "Blue" speaker - or so I was told by a Celestion rep. I also have a 4x12 pine cab that's currently loaded with MIE Celestion V30's. While they sound great - I'm quite sure the Gold's would be a huge improvement.

 

[jasondmckay]

I have the alnico blues in mine.
How do the golds sound comparatively?

 

[Meathead]

I used to, but I don't play an AC30 anymore as they are too loud for my needs.
Brian May has one of my favorite tones. Cranked AC30 (normal channel) + top boost pedal. It's glorious, but stand back.

 

[TrueTone500]

I have the alnico blues in mine.
How do the golds sound comparatively?

I think they have a nicer top-end, with a bit of extended (but never flubby) low-end. So-far, the Alnico Gold's have proven to be the best speaker for just about all guitar related duties. If you're into doing a lot of high-gain playing, a G12H30 and a Alnico Gold sound great together. This pairing sounds fabulous with clean tones obviously - but really seem to "bring it home" in high gain applications.

The more I play my AC30 Heritage, the more I think that a lot of 70's and 80's rock guys were actually using these in the studio? Just a hunch... Aerosmith's early stuff sounds very "VOX-ish" to me. Ted Nugent also... JTM45 maybe?

 

[jasondmckay]

Well, I'll let you guys know when I get the new tubes in and replace them.

 

[TrueTone500]

Well, I'll let you guys know when I get the new tubes in and replace them.

The VOX amps love RCA "black-plate" 12AX7's.

 

[jasondmckay]

Well, I'll let you guys know when I get the new tubes in and replace them.

The VOX amps love RCA "black-plate" 12AX7's.

So many opinions.

What would you put in for power tubes?
How about the rectifier?

 

[blackba]

^ When I had my AC30CC1, I put in EI EL84 power tubes. Last I checked Doug's tubes still have them last I checked.

For preamp, I went with EI, but Tung Sol Reissue are nice too.

For the rectifier, I went with a JJ GZ34, but I have heard many mixed reviews on every current production 5AR4/GZ34 rectifiers and NOS of these are pretty expensive. I am sure you heard, but don't use the standby, it stresses the rectifier tube.

Thanks for the reply. I didn't know about the standby switch issue.
I just googled it and found a plethora of info. WOW. Goes against everything I've known, but then again, I didn't know much about amps with tube rectifiers.

Thanks.

I think the options you were looking at would be nice too. Heard good things on the JJ EL84's.

 

[TrueTone500]

Well, I'll let you guys know when I get the new tubes in and replace them.

The VOX amps love RCA "black-plate" 12AX7's.

So many opinions.

What would you put in for power tubes?
How about the rectifier?

Well, I think RCA BP 12AX7's have been a favorite with a lot AC30 players. They have a really nice harmonic signature, and seem to hold-up well. The sale prices for these on ebay are insane to say the least - but they do sound great.

I'm using a British made Zenith 5AR4 and a quad of Mullard EL84 reissues. I think the JJ EL84's may sound better in the AC30. EI EL84 sound best for AC30 - if you can find them that is. I don't care for any of the JJ's preamp tubes for vintage tones. There's also the JJ 844 also, but I don't know how well they would work in an AC30? They may run a bit too hot.

 

[Ventura]

This thread is awesome - thanks thus far for all the info....and GAS

 

[jasondmckay]

I'm using a British made Zenith 5AR4 and a quad of Mullard EL84 reissues. I think the JJ EL84's may sound better in the AC30. EI EL84 sound best for AC30 - if you can find them that is. I don't care for any of the JJ's preamp tubes for vintage tones. There's also the JJ 844 also, but I don't know how well they would work in an AC30? They may run a bit too hot.

I'm hearing enough people saying good things about the JJ EL84s. I think that part of the equation is now sealed.

I've heard decent reviews of the TungSol 12AX7 and the EH 12AX7.

Anyone's $.02?

 

[Mudder]

I had an AC30cc and it liked EI el84. Ran hot, and changing tubes was a PITA, but it sounded good. I tried penta labs and TAD but went back to EI.

 

[TrueTone500]

My AC30 Heritage doesn't seem to get any louder after about 11:00 or 12:00 o'clock... After 12:00 o'clock it seems like it's just saturating the power-tubes for more of that beautiful power-tube distortion! Do other users find this to be the same with their AC30?

 

[jasondmckay]

Generally I'm not getting mine that high in volume as I like to kind of retain a cleanish tone.
I'm usually around 9:00.