Vox AC30 Combo Amplifier with Vox Blue Speakers (2 x 12 in.)

The specifications of the Vox AC30/6 TB are the result of painstaking research by Vox guitarists and engineers, who were not happy until they recreated the amp that started it all. The result is a faithful reproduction in sound and style of those pioneering Vox amps of the early 60's.

Control Panel
The AC30/6 TB control panel layout is the same as the original, even to the point of being back to front! A standby switch has been added to prolong the life of the valves.

Valve Configuration
The valve line-up of the AC30/6 TB is as follows: Five ECC83s and a ECC82 in the preamp stage, with 4 EL84s in the power stage operating in Class A, plus a GZ34 rectifier valve in the power supply, for that unique Vox tone and feel.

Speaker Configuration
Packaged with a pair of Vox Celestion Blue Alnico speakers, this amplifier is the Vox sound and look reborn. There's been much debate over the accuracy of this modern Vox offering in comparison to vintage Jennings Musical Instrument (the original Vox designers and manufacturers) models. It is believed that the current Vox amplifier has captured the Vox sound as it was back in the 1960's. Direct sound comparisons between vintage JMI AC30's and this Vox amplifier are amazing. Taking into account that the all vintage JMI AC30 amplifiers' Celestion Alnico speakers are at or near their effective Alnico magnet half life, a case could be made that this model may actually sound closer to what a new JMI model did when they were being manufactured… read more in the 1960's.

The "Blue" Alnico Speaker
In 1959, Vox discovered that Celestion speakers gave superior result over other speakers they tested with their amplifiers. Further tests were made with the G12 in AC30s, but at the time there was a need for a speaker that would give a better response for bass instruments. So Celestion made a special model speaker for Vox with a cone that had a tougher outer edge that gave an excellent response in both the lead and bass frequencies. With a rounder shaped magnet cover, this speaker was painted with a blue cellulose and soon became know in the industry as the Vox "blue" speaker. For many, even today, it is regarded as the ultimate guitar speaker.

However, quality comes at a price, and the key ingredient for this superior sound comes from an expensive metal alloy called Alnico. Used to make the speaker's permanent magnet, alnico gets its name from the elements used to make it - ALuminum, NIckel and CObalt.

Although these speakers were phased out in the late 1960's in favor of the cheaper ceramic magnet designed speakers, they remained part of the Vox heritage and to many, a Vox amp is incomplete with any other speaker. So in the early 1990's Celestion's production line started to remake this classic speaker and now its tone can be enjoyed by a whole new generation of Vox owners.

Design
The AC30 comes with original diamond fret cloth reproduction and Vox's famous basketweave vinyl covering, and the cabinet is made of Birch ply throughout, to original specifications. Other Vox cosmetic features, such as the authentic Vox handles, are also true to the original. The vent grilles have been enlarged to allow for improved ventilation. This provides longer valve life and improves amplifier performance. read less