48 years dream fulfilled: My new VOX amp

[abel]

Hi all,

I hope you are in good health and spirit.

Just wanted to share with you my latest (likely the last) acquisition: a VOX amp AC30CC2.
I know it's not the handwired or Blue speaker one, but I am thrilled to get a VOX.
I' ll get the most out of it.
I got it used from Guitar Center with one year warranty (I heard they are not very reliable),
but the total price was too appealing: $800 out of the door. it's a recent reissue maybe a year old or so.
I will get it in a week as they are doing the background check on it. I tried it and it sound really good.
I will use it in our gig on May 2nd in Huntington Beach. Anyone around at that time (retired Eric Thacker?).

I would like to know from the amp wizards of the site how to set it to get the best early Shads sound possible.

AC30CC2_TOPPANEL.jpg

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AC30CC2_BACKPANEL.jpg

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Blessings to all,
Abel

[Dance with Shadows]

Congratulations Abel.

I am not an amp guru but I've found that by using the non-top boost channel with the brilliance switch turned on, one can get a sound that is very close to the early Shadows sound. Well at least that's true of my 2X (I suspect the absence of the blue speakers shouldn't make that much difference to your live sound).

I have had no reliability issues whatsoever. Three things you might find useful to know. The tolex is thin and easily damaged (the amp is very heavy and therefore hard to keep away from sharp objects and corners). You need to get something to protect the amp's exterior if you want to avoid tears. Second, all the gurus say avoid using the standby switch to warm up the rectifier. Leave it on all the time and just use the power switch to turn the amp off and on. (Read vintage amp blog for additional details). Third, it gets exceedingly hot. Do not have anything sitting on top of the amp or blocking the air vents.

But apart from that I'm still smiling every time I turn it on. Best of luck, i think you are going to enjoy it.

regards

Michael

[Didier]

I got it used from Guitar Center with one year warranty (I heard they are not very reliable),

Don't worry Abel, reliability problems generally occurs early, so if the one you bought is one year old, it should be OK.

Didier

[Martin Page]

I've got one also. Great sound but really heavy!

Regards, Martin.

[John Boyd]

Abel,
You've made a very good choice. Like you, I dreamed of owning a Vox since the 60's and only managed to get one a couple of years ago.
I have the AC30 CC2 like yours, the only difference being that mine is an older model and has a black back panel.
I'm sure you'll be very pleased with it when it finally arrives.
Good luck with your purchase and I look forward to hearing some sound files.
Cheers,
JB

[hoffers]

Hi,

I took delivery of a Vox CC2x yesterday and messed about with it for a few hours last night.
Love it to bits. Flippin' heavy, though.

cheers
Hoffers

[Amanda]

Hi,

Didier is indeed right, most of the AC30CC problems were with the early ones,
they used Chinese GZ34's, later ones have been o.k.

The only thing to remember is not to use the standby switch, this is the
thing that has caused rectifer (GZ34) failures, due to the surge on the system.

The GZ34 is designed to warm up slower than the other valves thus bringing up
the HT slowly and causing less shock to the rest of the amp!

From my experiences with the amp it's possible to get the full range of "Hank" tones from it!

And I believe it to be a better amp than the AC30C1 which replaces it, the CC has a Birch ply cabinet
for a start, the new one is Particle board / MDF!

Regards

Amanda

[JimTidmarsh]

Abel

I bought an AC30 CC2 three weeks ago, and like you it was a 40 odd year ambition achieved!!!

The only problem is, after 5 days and only a couple of hour's playing time, I suffered a minor stroke/TIA and have temporarily lost the use of my right arm. My physio says my guitar playing ability will return, but not for a few weeks yet. I can't wait to explore the full potential of this amp!!

Regards

[Nick Allan]

I have a vox AC30 CC2x as well - a recent acquisition and I am delighted with it. But ....oops... I had not heard the advice about the standby switch. Do you mean you should leave it on all the time and just use the on/off switch?

If that is right, why do the manufacturers recommend you use it?

All the best,

Nick.

[Dance with Shadows]

Hi Nick

read the long exchange for one view on why one should not use the standby switch on the Vox.

http://vintageamps.com/plexiboard/viewt ... dby+switch

It's up to you to accept or reject their advice.

Michael