Re: Vox AC-30 info

On 10-Aug-07 21:51:56, Nil said
I hope you guys can help me decide whether to buy an old Vox AC-30 amp.
The seller claims that it's a Top Boost model from the early or mid-
70s, and that it's in good working condition. "Alnico Oxford" speakers.

I've always wanted one of these because so many great records have been
made with them. But I'm somewhat aware that the brand has a checkered
history, and that some years produced undesirable or unreliable amps.

Can anyone tell me some of the things to look out for, and if the one
described above should be considered or rejected outright?


This is a bit weird because I recently got my similar AC30 repaired, and
was trying to gather info about it here and elsewhere. Then somebody else
bought one of the same description and that was a bit of an event because
of their rarity.

Okay, I'm no expert, but the following is what I have gathered in recent
weeks. Experts present feel free to correct me..... :)

The PCB ones (like mine) are quite unusual, rare even. They seem to have
been made between '69 and '72. The valve rectifier was discontiued before
this around '68. This model is unique in having cylindrical control knobs,
and probably the American style Vox logo, and 2 rows of ventilators on the
top. Mine has grey alnicos and is of plywood construction, not particle
board.

Its labelled as a Top Boost 30 Reverb, but apparently the reverb caused
lots of problems and they were often removed or not fitted. The volume
knobs include a push/pull feature to activate the reverb (regardless of
whether or not it exists).

The "preferred" model is one from the early or mid sixties, with blue
paint on the speakers, but I think mine makes a really nice noise (even
with my playing) and we are very fond of each other. :)

As somebody else said, the best bet is go and try the amp yourself before
parting with any money.

Here's a link to some pictures of mine.

http://www.angusm.demon.co.uk/Temp/AC30.html

If you're desperate and you can put up with some fairly rough guitar
playing (even for me) I can send you an mp3 of it at high volume. Be
warned though, its not pretty. :)

I suggest you crosspost this to uk.music.guitar where I was given much
helpful info.

Below is some text I found that I think is fairly accurate - hope this
helps.


1958-1959
Blonde covering, or occasional two-tone grey-cream.
Black control panel with screened gold legend.
Seperate letters in Vox emblem.
Small "Jennings" embossed badge on top margin of frame.
Round control knobs.
Audiom 60 Speaker (AC15) or 80 (proto-AC30).
Small "TEN" or "FIFTEEN" type badge lower left.
Hinged plastic carrying handles on AC4 & AC10, large leather strap on AC15.
Brown latticed or occasional plain speaker cloth.
Brass ventilators.

1959-1960
Blonde covering standard.
Black control panel, gold legend.
One-piece emblem.
Pointer control knobs.
Brass ventilators.
Brown latticed speaker cloth.
Audiom 60 or Rola-Celestion G12 speakers, 4-input models only.
"A J.M.I. Product" legend between input jacks.

1960-1961
Blonde covering.
Copper control panel, photo-anodized legend.
Pointer control knobs.
Brass ventilators.
Blue "Vox" speakers.
Leather strap handles.
Brown latticed speaker cloth.
Six-input models, three channels.
"J.M.I. Product" legend lower right.

1961-1962
Blonde covering with occasional black, red or blue samples.
Hardware same as 1960-1961.
Occasional "Top Boost" units fitted in rear-panel with Treble and Bass
controls operable.

1962-1963
Blonde or dark (smooth-textured) covering in equal use.
Hardware same as 1960-1962.

1963-1964
Dark cover standard, texture varies between smooth dark grey or
black to basketweave texture.
Injection-molded vents.
Strap handles with "Vox" logo appear in mid-1964.
Speaker cloth still brown lattice.
Top Boost controls integral with control panel early 1964.
"Bass" type badge lower left on normal (non-Treble or Top Boost) models.

1964-1965
Change of control panel color to dark grey with metallic legend.
All hardware injection-molded.
Corner protectors fitted.
Changed to black latticed speaker-cloth in 1965.

1965-1966
Chassis and case unchanged.
Speaker color-change to silver for Lead units, remains blue for Bass units.
Mains selector changed to five-way rotary switch type.
Mains switch plastic.

1966-1967
Metallic black ventilators used late 1966.

1967-1968
No change due to emphasis on solid-state.

1968-1969
Control panel indent. changed to "A Vox Product."
Manufacture location "Erith, Kent."
U.S. style rectangular emblem used.
Changed to silicon rectifier system, GZ34 valve deleted.

1969-1972
Reverb model with cylindrical aluminum control knobs, pull-enable switches on Volumes.
Large PCB for control section.
Double row of ventilators (Stolec model)

1972-1974
Reversion to pointer knobs.
Standard circuit, no reverb.
"Blue"-type speakers with "V.S.L." label on cover.
Old style emblem.
Metal mains switch.
Tagstrip construction.

1974-1978
Same chassis and case but Celestion G12M speakers fitted.

1978-1979
Control panel process changed to spray-paint/screen print.
Two rows of PCB's for control section.
G12M speakers.


 







1979-1985






Same chassis and case but (pale-blue) Fane 125283 speakers.






*) source:

The VOX Story

A Complete History of The Legend

by

David Peterson & *** Denney

The Bold Strummer Ltd.











(c) 2006 instring.com - Klaus Weigand

All the best,
Angus Manwaring. (for e-mail remove ANTISPEM)

I need your memories for the Amiga Games Database: A collection of Amiga
Game reviews by Amiga players http://www.angusm.demon.co.uk/AGDB/AGDB.html

.

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