Have been looking into getting my hands on a second hand AC30, and keep reading different things on the models/speakers available.
Im looking at the newer models with the master volume as opposed to any older/vintage amps. A lot lot of people saying that the Chinese Alnico Blue speakers are not great,but others saying they are fine/can’t tell much difference? Other people advising to go for the Greenback option, but in general all are saying to stay away from the wharfdale’s.
Anyone on here care to weigh in?
Also, one of the reasons I’m looking for one is to downsize slightly for some upcoming gigs where I need to travel a bit lighter if possible, so I had also looked into AC15’s. I’m a bit worried about lack of headroom with the 15’s though - is this misplaced? Will the 15 be get more than loud enough for small/medium gigs, stay clean enough and take pedals? I’ve got a small 15 watt amp for bedroom playing which gets kind of farty with the volume cranked for gig levels (although I’m guessing this is a lot to do with the small, 10” speaker as much as anything else).
Comments
As for the difference between the Chinese and UK blue speakers, I couldn’t tell them apart.
I had them both together at one point, side by side out of their amps they were exactly the same in build quality and appeared to be the same materials. In the same amp, they sounded totally identical to my ears. So if you wasn’t kudos points, go UK. If you just want the great Blue tone, take whatever comes
i probably wouldn’t be able to tell the UK/Chinese speakers apart either, good to know that there not too much of a difference though, if any
I’d advise trying to borrow or hire an AC30 for a smallish gig before buying. They are ferociously loud, especially with Blues.
You may find an AC15, especially a twin, is a better bet
Wont the master volume make the 30 more usable?
Agreed the clean room isn't huge but it's ok. And agree even more that running it clean would kind of defeat its purpose.
Try one.
The modern AC15C1 is a better amp, but I still don't think it sounds as good as an AC30 at any volume. The AC30 clean sound is a thing of beauty, although they still don't take heavy dirt pedals well.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
It's built based on the old circuits (using a normal and top boost channels), voiced to match the JMI era amps. And even though it's a 15w amps, it's built to be much more like a 15w AC30, then an actual AC15.
This means it actually sounds bigger and with more headroom then a regular AC15 circuit, pretty much an AC30 with 2xEL84s.
Built with NOS components, including mullard mustard caps, a very nice birch ply cab, just like the old ones and Mercury magnetics transformers spec'd out specifically for Magic amps.
This comes with a british celestion blue.
And while we’re bigging up the AC30 let’s not forget that the AC15 is THE original Vox sound. The AC30 is simply a boosted version. More volume does NOT mean improved tone.
I’ve also only just realised that the 15’s don’t have an FX loop, which I do use quite a lot, so I guess this narrows my search down quite a bit!
Something along these lines, these are also great little amps in my opinion.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VOX-AC15-HW-hand-wired-combo-1x12-blue-alnico/302751634352?hash=item467d6753b0:g:Z1cAAOSw8FBbCvLX
Am beginning to GAS for one of those tiny handbag sized jobs with the Nu-Tube and the class D o/p stage ...
Seriously: If you value it, take/fetch it yourself
Crazy loud, imho.
Id be seriously thinking of @garfy Bad Cat that is for sale on here...
http://thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/131956/fs-bad-cat-cub-iii-15r-combo-brand-new-condition-price-adjustment#latest