AC30CC2 Review

The Vox AC30CC2 2x12 combo amp is the culmination of over 45 years of high quality, guitar amplifier design and fabrication. Vox has taken the best AC30 designs and added a number of useful, very cool features to create the most tonally flexible and affordable AC30 to date!

Features:	9.3
Sound:	9.7
Reliability:	9
Impression:	9.3
Overall rating:	9.3
Users rating:	8.3
Comments:	26

overall: 9.8

Featured review by: antou, on september 28, 2005

Price paid: $ 1260

Purchased from: local store

Features: This is the new update version of the classic Vox AC30. All new this yr and yes, it is made in China! But the quality is no less than the English built. Say everyone knows the features. Class A all Tubes (3x ECC83 4x EL84 and 1 GZ 34) crack out 22 or 33 watts tubepower! 2 channels (they are not footswitchable) clean and top boost. Brillance switch on clean channel (think bright switch in Fender). EQ with treble and bass and and custom/standard toggle. reverb (tone, mix control with dwell toggle) and tremo (speed and depth), a cut control and most importantly a master volume! There is a effect loop with true bypass and extention cab output. // 9

Sound: I am lucky enough to have and Gibson Les Paul and Fender Tele. The amp brings out each own's characters. Through the clean with the tele, cystal clear rythm with warm, harmonic sound and plenty of head room. The gibson thru the Top boost, it's simlpe heaven for classic rocks or a blue monster. You will get the classic crunchy sound from Vox and if you want to enhance this further, you can blend two channels by switching a toggle to give you a fatter, bigger sound. If you like punk, metals, this amp on its own can't give you what you want as this is a vintage amp for pure tone, not distortion, but once you have a good pedal (I have a Vox Bulldog Distortion as well). Ultimate metal sound with extreme distortion and ultimate clearity. This amp does a little hum (barely audiable). But so as I've heard that is normal. This amp is bloody loud, it can beat any solid state amp at around 120 watts on volume any day. Thru the master volume control it can perform in a quiter maner but it will thin out the sound. For the Tone it sings out, I would give it a 11 if I could! stunning sound. // 10

Reliability & Durability: I have the amp for only a month so can't really tell about the reliability. But suppose most of you have heard the poor reliability history of this amp. Beside, changing tubes in this amp is a pain as they are not open to air. But the build quality of mine is very good, very solid and backbreaking heavy (32KG). // 10

Impression: I have been playing for 1.5 years and I play variety of stuff like Radiohead, Guns N' Roses, Green Day etc. This amp can easily be the best amp I have ever had (I had a crap berinhger and a fantastic Marshall AVT20). If this was stolen, I will feel pity to the one who did as he must be suffering from a serious backache from carrying this thing around. // 10

overall: 9.3

Reviewed by: wmzbomgzors, on february 23, 2007

Features: The Vox AC30CC2 is the newest model in the AC30 line. Several new improvements and features have been added, namely the spring reverb, tremolo, and the five channels they've done a great job of hiding. When the first AC30s came out, there were three types: Low (this didn't do so well, which is why it is not in this model), Normal, and Treble. In 1963 a new type of AC30 hit it big, the top boost. This new AC30 actually contains the circuitry of the Normal, Treble (hidden inside the normal EQ Switch), and the Top Boost channel. The two additional channels come from blending the top boost and the normal channel (which could be set to either normal or Treble). So when you pay $999, you are essentially getting three classic analog amps. The top boost channel also comes with a three band EQ and another EQ Switch that switches between standard and custom. In the master section there is a tone knob, which affects all channels. Like the one on the original amps, moving this up and down will change your tone like on your guitar. If you have the Top Boost set to standard, it will react with the tone knob more actively, and you will see a big difference (like the Vintage AC30s). If you have it set to custom (also known as the modern setting), the tone knob will have less of an effect on the tone. There are numerous other features located in the back of the amp such as Output select (16 Ohm or 8 Ohm), Output Bias (changes how powerful you can run the amp without clipping), smoothing (changes if you hear ghost notes and overtones like a Vintage amp or the tighter sound of a modern amp), and a true bypass effects loop. This is an all tube (even has a tube rectifier) class A guitar amplifier. // 10

Sound: I mainly use my Fender Strat with this and it isn't very noisy at all. I have the smoothing caps set to Vintage though, so I do get a bit of hum when idling. This amp is famous for it’s cleans. The only problem I have with it is that it takes A LOT to get this amp into overdrive (but I have it set so that it doesn’t clip until using full power, which can be changed [see Output Bias features 3rd paragraph]). Overall, this amp sounds amazing. // 10

Reliability & Durability: There is one problem that has affected every AC30, and that is bad soldering. It is very important for you to try out an AC30 before you buy it (sorry musicians friend), because they are for the most part hit and miss. If you do get a good one though, it is very durable and reliable. I gig a lot, my main income comes from gigging, and nothing has happened to this beast yet. Nothing bad has happened to me yet with this amp. // 8

Impression: I play blues, classic rock, and a little bit of country with this amp; and it does all of those genres well without pedals. I also own a Fender Tubemaster and an Oldfield amp made by Charlotte, NC amp builder, Paul Gusler. This amp holds it's ground with them, and they're custom shop amps! If I didn't have my Tubemaster for plexi-like tones, then I would probably wish this amp's channels could be A/Bd. This is a classic, great sound amp. // 9

overall: 9

Reviewed by: Bossman123, on june 25, 2007

Price paid: $ 1253.7

Purchased from: Crowleys Music Cork

Features: As far as features go, it has got plenty to keep you happy. It's got beautiful spring reverb, tremolo, master volume, 2 blendable channels, brilliance Switch, Switch to choose between 22 and 33 watts, true bypass FX loop. The channels are not footswitchable although I've found a little trick to solve this (leave me a comment or PM me if you want details). Not the most versatile amp you'll see but then again Who buys an AC30 for versatility? It's got 4x EL84's, 3x 12AX7's amd a GZ34 tube and uses Custom Wharfdale speakers. All it's short are footswitchable channels. // 9

Sound: I use an MIA Strat with stock pickups usually through a Boss BD2 and SD1. This is the perfect classic rock amp, it absolutely nails those Zeppelin/ACDC tones. It's got the most beautiful sparkly cleans I've ever heard. It doesn't have a lot of gain which is why I use the Boss SD-1 as a clean boost for some more gainy rhythms and the BD-2 for leads. It can be a bit noisey at times as you'll find will any AC30 especially with my strats single coils. The 30 has enough head room for any medium to large gigs whereas the 15 is lacking in this area. In terms of gain think Led Zeppelin's Whole Lotta Love or ACDC's Highway to Hell, it nails these sounds. If yoiu want classic rock look no further! The only reason I'm giving it less than a 10 is because I don't like the EQ which I find quite unresponsive. // 9

Reliability & Durability: I've had this amp for around 4-5 months now and so far no complaints as regards durability. I gig regularly but would not go without a backup becaus of the AC30 shaky reliability in the past. I have heard some bad stories about these amps breaking down after weeks and that kind of thing but these problems seemed to have only in the first few hundred amps and seem to have been fixed by Korg now. The only complaint I have is a scratchy volume pot but that's an easy fix anyway For me, I can't give the amp a bad mark here but won't give it a 10 due to that scratchy pot. // 9

Impression: I play a lot of classic rock, funk, modern rock and blues and this amp is perfect for all of it. However it will need a pedal to boost it for solos and heavier tones. I've been playing seriously for around 3 years, I started off with a little Roland SS amp and moved on to a Roland Cube 60 before getting this and I can honestly say that nothing can beat that true tube tone. If it was stolen I would seriously consider buying it again or maybe one of the new higher gain AC30s. I love the reverb on this amp, it's very sweet and natural sounding. The only thing I wish it had is a tad more gain. // 9

Comments

[Thunderstrucked]

ohhh, your lucky! playing 1,5 years and has this amp fender tele gibson LP standard, marshall avt.... can you give me some of your money?

[awesomegear16]

lol I'm with ya!

[guitardude1039]

this amp kicks so much ass!

[wmzbomgzors]

... top boost IS the clean channel.

[maisey ferret]

Just got back from a local music store having played this.
I WANT IT SO BAD.
Its just so warm and beautiful and i only got it turnd up to 4! lol.
I realy wana try some pedals out on it. I can only dream of how the distortion will sound lol.

[Snorglorf]

I've played a few different Vox AC30's and AC15's, some used and some new, and they're all great. I've never owned one, but I hope to soon. They're easily the greatest amp I have ever played through.

[TresFord]

i've just purchased myself an AC30-CC2 locally after just playing it once!
it is an absolutly amazing piece of kit! the tone you can get out of this amp, a fenter strat and a boss blues driver is phenominal.
so glad that ive finally worked up enough money to move on from my marshall mg series days!
lol
the tone is mindblowing!

[the_guy]

^lol i totally agree, i played one yesterday and was completely blone away by its power an tone. the clean is incredible! i prefer it 2 the fender hot rod deluxes clean. and if you boost the pre amp volume, you get the incredible british crunch which voxes are famous for. this is a real guitar amplifier

[the_guy]

*blown, sorry lol

[Fambi]

WOOOT I LOVE MY AC 30!!!!

[-sam-]

play it with a tele and a boss DD3 delay, sounds awesome.

[yohji]

saw mike einziger in singapore and hes using the ac30 sound friggin awesome no doubt and went straight to the store to try it, lovin it and bought em right away. the only thing that freak me out after reading forum on the reliability

[guitarNbass]

This amp as the greatest clean tone in the world. Even if you got active emg's, like me, it'll still sound absolutely amazing. I LOVE THIS AMP. My mother won't let me get it because she thinks it's too loud. She can suck my dick.

[Simskre]

This thing is damn loud, but it also got a really nice sound

[jmh_42-70]

i'm trying to decide between this and a 65amps soho. Anyone compared the two?

[prog_gtrboy12]

ive been waiting all summer to have enough to one, and im finally getting it next week! :]
played on it a couple of times with a Jazzmaster, and twice with my Sg,and it sounds just lustrious. its pristine!!! it'll sound beautiful with my english muff'n, dd-7, moog ringmodulator, stereo memory man and my digitech whammy :] i mean, dont mean to brag or anything,haha .

[stratomasterb]

I tried it today, im looking for a bluesy crunch i turned the top up all the way and it sounds better for rhythm and not bluesy solos i bet my tubescreamer would sound amazing on it though i want to try it.

[tom_martin_123]

Brian May's amp... and we all know how much he rocks

[tom_martin_123]

i want it i want it i want it i want it sooooo badly... its my next amp when i've saved up... so i won't be eating or drinking for the next few months lol

[shaunems]

what pedals such as overdrive etc. go well with this amp? beacuse ive tossed up between a jcm 800 and this and im confused cos i want great tone like the ac30 with rockin overdrive/ distortion but can you get sounds like thrices latest album water and fire with a pedal through the vox ac30?
sorry if this question is confusing... please helppp!!

[live4ever2008]

What would sound better? one of these or a Fender Twin Reverb, clean with a Ibanez TS-808 for distortion?

[guitarNbass]

live4ever2008 wrote:

What would sound better? one of these or a Fender Twin Reverb, clean with a Ibanez TS-808 for distortion?

it's all preference man, go out and try it yourself. I do own an AC30 now. Fender and VOX are completely different. Vox is so jangly and chimey, and the fender is more smooth. YOu just gotta' try it for yourself.

[JayLacelle]

wmzbomgzors wrote:

... top boost IS the clean channel.

nope. the normal channel is clean, the top boost is for overdrive.

[Rhoads_1096]

JayLacelle wrote:

wmzbomgzors wrote:

... top boost IS the clean channel.

nope. the normal channel is clean, the top boost is for overdrive.

No they are 2 differently voiced channels, they can be used both clean and overdriven, brian may used the normal channel and he runs his dirty. Its just a preference thing. And With a pedal you can get some good marshall and Orange tones but you can't get a pedal that gets you cleans this good I can play hard rock to light metal with a pedal on this

[Fingers4u]

I own this amp and it does sound pretty damn good. However, if you truly want the best tone (distortion or clean) get yourself a 1977 or 1978 Marshall Mark 2. Truly the Best of the best... In the studio I've used Mesa, Rivera, VHT(now Fryette), VOX, Orange and Fender amps and I'm telling you, we always end up using the old tried and true MKII. Good luck getting your perfect tone!

[Vabolo]

If I'm on a tighter budget, would an AC30CC1 do a decent job?