Volcz

*AC30C2! Not the tube rectifier AC30CC2

Just came home today (after jamming with a sweet as orange rockerverb half-stack!) and fired up my AC30. But as soon as I started playing it was creating this crackling, fizzy noise. I was on the top boost channel maxxed out pre-amp volume. it also seems to have become a lot noisier (when not playing anything).

I tried changing guitars and cables and nothing seemed to fix it. I've tried turning it on and off as well.

I'm guessing this would be a tube problem? Pretty disappointing since this is a new AC30 I bought from Cranbourne Music about a week ago as a backup for my gigs and as a secondary amp for rehearsals.

I'll try post a video tomorrow morning.

Any ideas?

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jaybals

I know Vox AC30's are renowned for chewing up tubes like warm toast, and Korg are notorious for selling them with bad stock tubes, so it's no surprise if they go bad. I had JJ's in my AC30's power amp, and tung sols anf RFT's in the pre

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gumbilicious

well, if it is only on the top boost channel than it is most likely not the power tubes



it could be, but since it's a preamp tube it'd be pretty easy to troubleshoot the problem. you should probably have an couple extra preamp tubes anyway just for random problems. replace the preamp tubes one at a time and see which one is broke. you don't need to replace every preamp tube, just do this:
-pull V1 tube
-replace with the new tube
-check to see if problem persists
-if problem persists, then pull the new tube
-replace V1 with old tube
-repeat with the next tube

there is also plenty of chance that this is not a tube problem, this could also be a bad capacitor or resistor. if you don't wanna go for awhile without the amp, then troubleshoot the preamp tube, and if there is still a problem then send it into the seller to fix.

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"A perfection of means, and confusion of aims, seems to be our main problem."
-ae

Volcz

Woke up this morning and it seems okay. The strangest thing I've realized is that theres volume coming out of the amp when you play, when the master volume is right off.

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Alphaform

does speakers breaking in make the amp louder??? just curious

R45VT

Make sure a tube didn't just come loose. Happens in transport.

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CodeMonk

Stock, the AC30 tubes suck. IMO anyway.
I think mine had EH tubes.
Swapped them out for JJs and haven't had any problems since.
Not that I had any problems with the EH tubes. Just saying.

And what R45VT said, check for loose tubes.

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gumbilicious

i don't believe the pot on the master knob doesn't provide an infinite resistance and that is why you may still get volume



maybe a little louder, as the parts will loosen, but i bet even the most experienced guitarists would be able to tell the difference in volume.

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"A perfection of means, and confusion of aims, seems to be our main problem."
-ae

Alphaform

Hmm okay

Volcz

I'm sending it back to the store as it's still covered by 14-day refund and warranty. Never had a problem with my other AC30.

Also I didn't bother to check the tubes if they were in tight because when I looked at the back panel, two screws were half-screwed in and I tried tightening them but they're stuck. 90% of the screws also have marks that make it look like someone has been tampering with the amp before I purchased it.

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R45VT

Good call. **** that turd. Hopefully they can get you one new out of the box.


I had a similar thing with my MKV when I bought it. Found a preamp tube shield in the bottom. Never fun when you spend that much dough.

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Volcz

Yeah, 1.5k

Oh wow, from a Mesa? That'd be quite disappointing! I mean the Vox is built in China, so I guess I kind of am not entirely surprised - but for that much cash you know.

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