Vox AC30

jaysay · 28-01-2012, 10:03

There was a program last night on BBC4 about 11pm depicting the history of the Vox AC30 amplifier, which is supposed to be the best amp every made, was used by virtually ever group in the sixties The Beatles The Stones, but it was actually made at the request of Hank Marvin and Bruce Welch of the Shadows, it appears that Vox made an amp AC15 which wasn't loud enough when the Shadows were on gigs because of girls screaming

So they asked Vox for a more powerful model, which didn't go down well with the directors at Vox, but an engineer did one on the side and it was such a success that it went into full production. Ya the good old days of the Vox AC30 and the Watkins copycat echo chamber and a Reslow mike and the job was sound

MargaretR · 28-01-2012, 10:38

My son rebuilds old amps to help finance the purchase of his music gear.

From his Facebook comments between him and fellow musicians, it seems that types of amps needed varies between types of music played, and the size of the venue.

Here are his

steve2qec · 28-01-2012, 12:53

Cheers John, I'll look out for that when it's repeated.
Brian May is famous for using AC30's as well.
I once owned a Vox overdrive pedal - I thought it'd make my amp sound like an AC30....it didn't!

jaysay · 28-01-2012, 13:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve2qec

Cheers John, I'll look out for that when it's repeated.
Brian May is famous for using AC30's as well.
I once owned a Vox overdrive pedal - I thought it'd make my amp sound like an AC30....it didn't!

It was actually surprising just who used the AC 30 in the 60s, I know most of the groups round her had at least one, my mate who plays with Accy Rockers still has his, lots of other firms have tried to copy it but nobody has come near, and to say it was valve orientated it was very sturdy too, it actually showed one being thrown down some stones steps and the sound was still perfect

jaysay · 28-01-2012, 13:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by MargaretR

My son rebuilds old amps to help finance the purchase of his music gear.

From his Facebook comments between him and fellow musicians, it seems that types of amps needed varies between types of music played, and the size of the venue.

here are his

In the 60s there were very few amps, the AC30 was so versitile they were used for all types of music, then firms such as Marshall, Sound City, Peavey, came on the market and allowed more variation, looking at the photo the amps pictured look like Fender, is your son revamping them or just using the cases?

MargaretR · 28-01-2012, 16:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaysay

In the 60s there were very few amps, the AC30 was so versitile they were used for all types of music, then firms such as Marshall, Sound City, Peavey, came on the market and allowed more variation, looking at the photo the amps pictured look like Fender, is your son revamping them or just using the cases?

He restores to original where possible.
I know he recently sold off his surplus stock of Mullard valves, which indicates that such restorations have been possible.

He recently sent a restored Marshall to USA.
He details all the parts which are in them when they go on ebay.

jaysay · 29-01-2012, 09:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by MargaretR

He restores to original where possible.
I know he recently sold off his surplus stock of Mullard valves, which indicates that such restorations have been possible.

He recently sent a restored Marshall to USA.
He details all the parts which are in them when they go on ebay.

I would think he gets a lot of custom, because the "old" amps are far better than their modern day counterparts, just the thought of listening to an old AC30 makes the hairs on my neck stand up

steve2qec · 29-01-2012, 17:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaysay

I would think he gets a lot of custom, because the "old" amps are far better than their modern day counterparts, just the thought of listening to an old AC30 makes the hairs on my neck stand up

Yeah, you're right! You can't beat the old valve amp sound....like Kossoff's guitar on Alright Now...

Those Mullard valves are considered among the best but they're pretty rare.

jaysay · 29-01-2012, 17:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve2qec

Yeah, you're right! You can't beat the old valve amp sound....like Kossoff's guitar on Alright Now...

Those Mullard valves are considered among the best but they're pretty rare.

Was watching Kossoff yesterday on Vintage TV doing All Right Now at the Isle of Wight festival, hell did he look out of his head, but a great guitarist

wadey · 30-01-2012, 23:13

Jaysay it was a great programme and a good evening all round on BBC4

jaysay · 31-01-2012, 08:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by wadey

Jaysay it was a great programme and a good evening all round on BBC4

They have some great Friday nights on BBC4 wadey, I always check whats on every friday, because its usually well worth watching