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Vox AC30
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Vox AC30 is a guitar amplifier manufactured by Vox.
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In 1959, with sales under pressure from the more powerful Fender Twin Reverb, Vox produced the 30-watt AC30. The AC30, fitted with Celestion "blue" loudspeakers and later Vox's special "Top Boost" circuitry, helped to produce the distinctive sound of the British Invasion. Dave Davies of The Kinks played through a small green amp which he had doctored either with a razor blade or his mother's knitting needles (depending on whose story you believe). In 1964 he plugged the "little green amp" into an AC30 to record "You Really Got Me", the band's first hit single, and it resulted in a "fuzz" sound unique to the time, leading to the creation of fuzzboxes. The AC30 later found its way into the guitar rigs of The Beatles, Queen, U2 and others, and is still one of the most popular and sought-after amplifiers in rock today.
An AC-30 is a 30-watt tube (valve) guitar amplifier. Though widely believed to be a Class-A amplifier, it is in fact a class AB1 amp[1] [2] [3]. It utilizes a quartet of EL-84 output tubes. The high bias condition is believed by some to be the source of the amplifier's famous immediate response and "jangly" high-end, though the lack of negative feedback, minimal preamp circuit, simplistic, low loss tone stack, and the use of cathode biasing on the output stage play at least as large a role, if not larger. Its Celestion "Blue" speakers are integral to the AC-30, and also contribute much to the sound of the unit. The two 12" 15-watt speakers, often overdriven to the brink of their power handling capability provide a cutting mid-range speaker sound that is immediate and sharp, distinct from the marshall or fender-style amplifier.
In 2004, Vox introduced a new series of amplifier called the AC30 Custom Classic. It combined attributes of the original AC30 with carefully selected "boutique" features. Specifications of the AC30CC series are two Inputs (Top Boost & Normal) an Input Link Switch for blending channels, a Normal Volume knob, a Brilliance Switch, a Top Boost Volume knob, a Treble knob, a EQ Standard/Custom Switch, Bass and Reverb Controls (Tone, Mix, and a Dwell Switch), Tremolo Speed & Depth knobs, a Tone Cut knob, a Master Volume knob, a Standby Switch, and a Power Switch.
Recently, Vox released a limited edition version of the amp, the AC30BM, based on the tone of one of the amp's most prominent and consistent endorsees, Brian May of Queen. The amp is limited to only a few hundred examples worldwide, in a 'never-to-be-repeated' run. As the amp is designed to replicate May's tone, there are no controls on the amp except for a single volume control, though a switch enables the user to half the number of output valves (therefore reducing the volume, making it more suitable for home use), and there is a boost function operated from the included footswitch.
As of 2006 Jennings Musical Instruments began manufacturing period correct, British made AC30 "copy" amplifiers, available in both black and beige. Given the ownership of Vox no longer rests with JMI, their official website lists the disclaimer "JMI amplification are in no way affiliated with Vox amplification (Korg)", and the models are listed as 30/6 (6 input) and 30/4 (4 inputs, sans "Brilliant" channel). As originally the case in the 1960s, Top Boost is offered as a retrofit upgrade and is not standard, and the 4/6 inputs are offered, rather than the blendable 2 channels of the Custom Classic models, and Green/Blue speakers are offered. Manufacturing details are as yet unclear but images are provided on the site of the chassis, confirming that they are point to point handwired.
- Hank Marvin, Bruce Welch and Jet Harris of The Shadows, for whom the amplifier was alleged to have been developed
- John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison of The Beatles
- Pete Townshend of The Who
- Dave Davies and Ray Davies of The Kinks
- Brian May of Queen
- The Edge and Bono of U2
- Peter Buck of R.E.M.
- James Williamson of Iggy & The Stooges
- Paul Weller of The Jam
- Rory Gallagher
- Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, and Ed O'Brien of Radiohead
- Grant Nicholas of Feeder
- Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins
- Billy Lunn of The Subways
- Carrie Brownstein of Sleater-Kinney
- Noel Gallagher of Oasis
- Frank Black of The Pixies
- Carl Barat of The Libertines and Dirty Pretty Things
- Pete Doherty of The Libertines and Babyshambles
- Dave Grohl of The Foo Fighters
- Dwight Yoakam
- Stuart Garrard of Delirious?
- Omar Rodriguez-Lopez of The Mars Volta
- Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi
- Johnny Borrell of Razorlight
- Alun Gaffey of Radio Luxembourg
- Kevin Kestemont of Narakeia
- ^ Randall Aiken. Is the Vox AC-30 Really Class A?. Aiken Amps technical pages.
- ^ Randy Jamz. Vox AC30 Myths. Tales from the Tone Lounge.
- ^ Mark Breecher & Shane Dolman. Class Distinction. Sheldon Amps Website.