Chinese Vox AC30 C2's

[Kapo_Polenton]

I feel like I need some AC30 in my life. I have a lot of Marshall based stuff and one Jaded Faith Vox module that I play in my Lynchbox. I really like it but it doesn't quite do the jangle and that raspy crazy explosive breakup like the amp does. I rented one of these 2x12 AC30's a few years back and I really dug it. Thinking of picking a used one up. They tend to go between 900-1100 CAD which is what, 700-800 USD which I think is very reasonable considering two greenbacks in the cab.

Any of you have any issues with reliability or things that you think really suck balls? I feel like Marshall prices are ridiculous. I'm lucky to have that sound in spades between my modules and amps and the Vox thing seems to compliment my playing style as well as fills out the stereo image nicely. They also take fuzzes and treble boosters like champs. Love that sound.

 

[Al Chapo]

I've gone through a few cc2's and a c2x, currently using a c2 from '21. I've liked them all and haven't had any issues yet. The heat vs. ventilation made me weary at first, but nothing has gone awry yet in 8+ years. I'd prefer to still have the c2x, as the blues really loved my Gretschs, but, the c2 still sounds great.

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

I've gone through a few cc2's and a c2x, currently using a c2 from '21. I've liked them all and haven't had any issues yet. The heat vs. ventilation made me weary at first, but nothing has gone awry yet in 8+ years. I'd prefer to still have the c2x, as the blues really loved my Gretschs, but, the c2 still sounds great.

At some point i figured I'd swap out one of the greenbacks for a blue but I might also just use IR's if I wanted blues.

 

[nittygritty]

I've gone through a few cc2's and a c2x, currently using a c2 from '21. I've liked them all and haven't had any issues yet. The heat vs. ventilation made me weary at first, but nothing has gone awry yet in 8+ years. I'd prefer to still have the c2x, as the blues really loved my Gretschs, but, the c2 still sounds great.

Presumably you preferred the c over the cc vox AC amps for some reason, do you mind sharing why? On paper the cc seems more authentic and expensive to build, e.g., wood ply instead of MDF boxes, tube rectifiers, and various tone settings such as hot biasing switch. But I’ve read that the cc’s are quirky (e.g., don’t use standby switch) and have a more brittle, less appealing tone compared to c models.

 

[Al Chapo]

Presumably you preferred the c over the cc vox AC amps for some reason, do you mind sharing why? On paper the cc seems more authentic and expensive to build, e.g., wood ply instead of MDF boxes, tube rectifiers, and various tone settings such as hot biasing switch. But I’ve read that the cc’s are quirky (e.g., don’t use standby switch) and have a more brittle, less appealing tone compared to c models.

I definitely prefer the overall sound in the c2, especially once you start throwing gain at it. I like to bridge the channels and use the low to drive the high as well. Only 2 inputs on the cc2's I've had.

 

[rsm]

The last Vox I had were the 50th Anniversary models, AC15H1TV and AC30H2 - both had Chinese Celestion Blues. There was a lengthy discussion on the old official Vox forum about the cone and sound differences between the UK vs Chinese Blues. The later HW models shipped with UK blues IIRC.

If I was in the market for an AC30, I'd be waiting for the new hand wired models announced at NAMM 2024

https://voxamps.com/series/hand-wired/

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

I ended up with a C2 a few weeks back. I don't want to pay insane prices for one and this sounds pretty good to my ears when you push the volume. Has the 4 inputs and an overall master so I will have to try jumping channels once i get back up and running. currently building studio space and doing basement reno.