Just Bought a Vox AC30BM - Anyone Else Got One?

chetatkinsdiet · 25th January 2008, 09:14 PM

OK...I went into GC on my lunch break and they had a total blow out price on the last Vox AC30BM or Brian May in stock. This is the one that's partially hand-wired with the switchable half-power option and May Treble Boost built in. I really didn't pay much attention to them when they first came out as they were $3000 and limited to only 500 produced. I thought the lack of controls would be an issue, but really, if it's a good sounding amp, I can actually use the pickup selector and tone/vol knobs on the guitar. I know that's a novel idea for a lot of young kids, but guys my age actually fiddle with their guitars while playing instead of just diming everything. That's another story....
Anyone else have one of these? I got a great deal on this one as it's a tad noisy and probably needs to go into the shop. It's new, so warranty will cover it, I'm not worried there. I've always wanted a Vox, but haven't had one...ever.
If this one works out well, I might just be able to sell my little Orange AD15. Wouldn't that be nice to actually get rid of something instead of just piling up more.

later,

m

tenchijin2 · 25th January 2008, 09:43 PM

I don't have one, but if I had the money lying around I think I would! I'm something of a Brian May fan. Love that tone.

Let us know how it sounds and works for you!

Jonboy79 · 26th January 2008, 01:08 AM

I wouldn't sell the orange, if you can afford it just keep it. It's always better to pile up the guitar amps, always.

chetatkinsdiet · 26th January 2008, 02:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonboy79

I wouldn't sell the orange, if you can afford it just keep it. It's always better to pile up the guitar amps, always.

If you could only see the piles......

m

Wes Kuhnley · 26th January 2008, 04:05 AM

I played one of these not too long ago, after I built my AC-30/4 clone (1 channel, volume/tone/brilliance switch) to compare and contrast. Not to toot my own horn or anything, but my clone blew it away. The BM was thin and harsh, no jangle or glass in the cleans, not enough overdrive when compared to the clone. Not that the BM was a bad amp, it was nice enough, but use a dark guitar or use an EQ pedal to tame the high end on that bad boy...

chetatkinsdiet · 26th January 2008, 04:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wes Kuhnley

I played one of these not too long ago, after I built my AC-30/4 clone (1 channel, volume/tone/brilliance switch) to compare and contrast. Not to toot my own horn or anything, but my clone blew it away. The BM was thin and harsh, no jangle or glass in the cleans, not enough overdrive when compared to the clone. Not that the BM was a bad amp, it was nice enough, but use a dark guitar or use an EQ pedal to tame the high end on that bad boy...

I'm sure your amp is great sounding and well made. You probably selected top notch everything. I wonder what this BM will sound like when I get a real Mullard GZ34 in there along with an upgrade on the other tubes as well. At a minimum, I'll swap out the rectifier tube with NOS Mullard or similar as well as the pre tubes. That should really give the tone a little more body.

m

Wes Kuhnley · 26th January 2008, 05:34 AM

Don't bother with the NOS rectifier...won't make that big a difference. I use Groove Tubes in all my builds, except the pre amp in this one (a EF86...got a Amperex Bugal Boy from KCA NOS). If anything, get NOS output tubes...they're the biggest difference maker in this circuit.

chetatkinsdiet · 26th January 2008, 02:25 PM

Thanks for the tube tips. I know where to put my money in Fender and Marshall tube swaps, but don't really know on Vox. So you think the Bugle Boys sound nice in these? I've got one or two. I might try that out. Is it the usual first position that does the most good or do I need to swap all?

later,

m

Wes Kuhnley · 26th January 2008, 04:01 PM

I do think the Amperex sounds very good. I bought a Mullard at the same time, and the difference is very subtle, but the BB is smoother, makes the amp feel better. NOS tubes just seem to be too expensive for the small amount of benifit. If you've got money to burn, go ahead, if not, get some GT's. I only bought the BB and Mullard because GT doesn't make, or relabel an EF86, and KCA tests and guarentees their tubes aren't microphonic. I didn't feel like spending $100+ on 5 or 6 JJ EF86's, only to find out 4 or 5 of them were noisy.

I don't think your BM has an EF86 in the pre-amp, but at least going with some nice GT 12AX7M's in the pre, and EL84-S's would be a step in the right direction. Vox slaps chinese shit tubes in most of their amps unfortunatly...

Have fun playing with glowing glass!

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25th January 2008, 09:14 PM	#1
chetatkinsdiet Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,472	Just Bought a Vox AC30BM - Anyone Else Got One? OK...I went into GC on my lunch break and they had a total blow out price on the last Vox AC30BM or Brian May in stock. This is the one that's partially hand-wired with the switchable half-power option and May Treble Boost built in. I really didn't pay much attention to them when they first came out as they were $3000 and limited to only 500 produced. I thought the lack of controls would be an issue, but really, if it's a good sounding amp, I can actually use the pickup selector and tone/vol knobs on the guitar. I know that's a novel idea for a lot of young kids, but guys my age actually fiddle with their guitars while playing instead of just diming everything. That's another story.... Anyone else have one of these? I got a great deal on this one as it's a tad noisy and probably needs to go into the shop. It's new, so warranty will cover it, I'm not worried there. I've always wanted a Vox, but haven't had one...ever. If this one works out well, I might just be able to sell my little Orange AD15. Wouldn't that be nice to actually get rid of something instead of just piling up more. later, m __________________ www.myspace.com/natefowlerselixir

25th January 2008, 09:43 PM	#2
tenchijin2 Gear nut Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: La Center, WA Posts: 95	I don't have one, but if I had the money lying around I think I would! I'm something of a Brian May fan. Love that tone. Let us know how it sounds and works for you! __________________ Aric Keith for samples of my work, visit www.junglenoisestudio.com

26th January 2008, 04:05 AM	#5
Wes Kuhnley Gear addict Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 489	I played one of these not too long ago, after I built my AC-30/4 clone (1 channel, volume/tone/brilliance switch) to compare and contrast. Not to toot my own horn or anything, but my clone blew it away. The BM was thin and harsh, no jangle or glass in the cleans, not enough overdrive when compared to the clone. Not that the BM was a bad amp, it was nice enough, but use a dark guitar or use an EQ pedal to tame the high end on that bad boy... __________________ Associated with: Great River Electronics \| Resonant Electronic Design Check out the brand new Resonant 18 watt amplifiers! "Don't f-ck with my drink if you value your teeth."

26th January 2008, 05:34 AM	#7
Wes Kuhnley Gear addict Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 489	Don't bother with the NOS rectifier...won't make that big a difference. I use Groove Tubes in all my builds, except the pre amp in this one (a EF86...got a Amperex Bugal Boy from KCA NOS). If anything, get NOS output tubes...they're the biggest difference maker in this circuit. __________________ Associated with: Great River Electronics \| Resonant Electronic Design Check out the brand new Resonant 18 watt amplifiers! "Don't f-ck with my drink if you value your teeth."

26th January 2008, 01:08 AM	#3
Jonboy79 Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: St. Louis MO Posts: 2,035	I wouldn't sell the orange, if you can afford it just keep it. It's always better to pile up the guitar amps, always.

26th January 2008, 02:25 PM	#8
chetatkinsdiet Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,472	Thanks for the tube tips. I know where to put my money in Fender and Marshall tube swaps, but don't really know on Vox. So you think the Bugle Boys sound nice in these? I've got one or two. I might try that out. Is it the usual first position that does the most good or do I need to swap all? later, m __________________ www.myspace.com/natefowlerselixir

26th January 2008, 04:01 PM	#9
Wes Kuhnley Gear addict Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 489	I do think the Amperex sounds very good. I bought a Mullard at the same time, and the difference is very subtle, but the BB is smoother, makes the amp feel better. NOS tubes just seem to be too expensive for the small amount of benifit. If you've got money to burn, go ahead, if not, get some GT's. I only bought the BB and Mullard because GT doesn't make, or relabel an EF86, and KCA tests and guarentees their tubes aren't microphonic. I didn't feel like spending $100+ on 5 or 6 JJ EF86's, only to find out 4 or 5 of them were noisy. I don't think your BM has an EF86 in the pre-amp, but at least going with some nice GT 12AX7M's in the pre, and EL84-S's would be a step in the right direction. Vox slaps chinese shit tubes in most of their amps unfortunatly... Have fun playing with glowing glass! __________________ Associated with: Great River Electronics \| Resonant Electronic Design Check out the brand new Resonant 18 watt amplifiers! "Don't f-ck with my drink if you value your teeth."

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