Talk:Vox AC30

Would it be worthwhile to include electronic specifications and details about the amplifier, such as schematics and remarks on the construction? --Hector 00:46, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

Who is Jennings?
Nowhere is it explained (up to that point) who 'Jennings' is.
 * In the late 60’s Jennings drifted into financial problems

First class, yes! Class A, no.
I've corrected the statement that the AC-30 is a class A amp. It isn't, though that idea is very widely held and circulated in the guitar amp community, to the point of being a cherished myth. I've listed three different technical citations in support of this fact. If you want to dispute my changes, please provide similarly technical citations to support your view. I doubt you'll find any. "Such-and-such-amp-guru said so" is not proof; class A operation is a well-defined engineering concept, and is not a matter of opinion. Most amp gurus simply parrot this myth because it's what they've always heard. If you set out to prove that it really is class A (as I once did), you'll learn a lot and quickly discover the truth, so I encourage you to do so.

Please don't follow up with "It's class A at lower volume levels.". Nearly all class AB tube amps run in class A at low to moderate levels, Fenders and Marshalls included. An amp needs to be class A at all output levels in order to be a class A amp. Again, this is by definition, and not an opinion.

This is in no way a denigration of the AC-30, because there is nothing "wrong" with class AB. It is a fantastic amp, a legend and deservedly so. The fact that its output circuitry is class AB and that so many people ascribe its very real sonic virtues to a non-existant "fact" do nothing to diminish its greatness.

Even Vox themselves don't claim it's a class A amp. See their web page. 64.171.68.130 22:13, 7 November 2006 (UTC)

Like "Swing", the term class A has changed meaning for the younger generation. It's now used to refer to cathode, or self-bias. I think this has been promoted by various marketers who believe (probably correctly,) that their customers don't understand "bias" but "class-A" sounds impressive. The AC30 is cathode-biased, not class-A in the engineering sense.


 * Nonsense. There is no formal definition of "swing".  There is a formal definition of "class A", it has not changed and it does not apply to this amp. The fact that some number of ill-informed guitar players misuse the term (probably the same geniuses who think their guitars have "input jacks") changes nothing. The existing footnotes on this sentence make this point clear. Anyone who calls the AC30 a class A amp is either not familiar with the amp, or does not understand the definition of "class A", period.


 * Admittedly, this is a very common misconception, but it remains a misconception and should not be perpetuated here as fact. If you really think the definition of "class A" has changed, then go change this article. Good luck with that.  MrRK (talk) 17:00, 22 August 2013 (UTC)


 * Once again I've removed an incorrect assertion that this is a class A amp. The definition of class A is that all of the output devices conduct the signal at all times, period.  There is no other definition.  The output tubes in the AC30 don't do that.  QED.  One more time...  If you really think the definition of "class A" has changed, then go change this article.  Good luck with that. MrRK (talk) 21:36, 4 March 2015 (UTC)


 * Yet again! It astounds me how tenaciously people cling to their ignorance.  Please read my comments above and the citations I've provided. This is not a matter of opinion, and the facts are very, very clear. If you don't agree or don't understand, please at least have the maturity to bring it up here before changing the article again. MrRK (talk) 05:21, 29 October 2015 (UTC)

Vox was under no pressure from the Twin Reverb in 1959; it didn't appear until 1963. "Fuzz boxes" were available at least back to 1962. The links provided confirm these points. Ampwright 19:06, 1 July 2007 (UTC)

Fair use rationale for Image:AC30-Custom-Classic-lg.jpg
Image:AC30-Custom-Classic-lg.jpg is being used on this article. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is no explanation or rationale as to why its use in Wikipedia articles constitutes fair use. In addition to the boilerplate fair use template, you must also write out on the image description page a specific explanation or rationale for why using this image in each article is consistent with fair use.

Please go to the image description page and edit it to include a fair use rationale.

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"Notable users of the AC30" section
This list is too long and a lot of the people in it aren't that notable. Can someone thin it out? -Roger (talk) 21:35, 6 December 2007 (UTC)


 * Furthermore, while a number of artists listed there do use the AC30 on a few recordings, the AC30 is not part of their "signature sound" (e.g. Jimmy Page, Billy Corgan, Kurt Cobain), so listing them here may be misleading for a user trying to get an idea of what the AC30 sounds like. These should either be disambiguated with specifics (which album, song or show), or removed from the list altogether. Steve CarlsonTalk 17:25, 8 January 2008 (UTC)

It's not Edges AC30 on the Picture!!
That's Bonos AC30. Edges two AC30 are more on the left. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 78.94.135.172 (talk) 19:39, 25 March 2008 (UTC)

AC15CC?
Are there plans on a separate page to include the Vox AC15CC? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 155.91.45.231 (talk) 14:16, 3 August 2009 (UTC)

AC30 Handwired, 2002
The article mentions a 2010 version of the AC30 Handwired. But there was a previous model--announced in late 2002 and available that year, or in early 2003. It was a limited edition of 300 units. The units were built in England. ost notably, Tony Bruno had a hand in designing the amp. There were combo units with two 12-inch "blue bell" speakers, as well as head and cab versions. I am not sure if 300 was the total number produced, or if there were 300 of each version. It is also distinguished from the normal issues by a plaque on the lower right front that says "Limited hand wired edition" on it. I know this because I have a combo and can supply pictures if needed. The controls are also different from the standard layout. It has a master volume, and only two inputs. One input is for high-gain, and the other is for low. There is also a footswitch that switches on on the reverb and tremolo effects. No switching is allowed between the inputs. You have to manually plug into the input you want to use. So at the very least, there should be a second section in the article, or some mention of the original handwired series. Here's a link about it. MauiBoyInMaltby (talk) 04:40, 4 October 2011 (UTC)
 * Can it be verified with reliable sources, like a review from Guitar Player or so? If so, a sentence or two would be appropriate, not much more given the limited number made. BTW, congrats on owning such a fine amp. Drmies (talk) 04:42, 4 October 2011 (UTC)
 * Yes, there was a review of it in Guitar Player. December 2002, under the "Exotica" title, as "Hardwired Heaven." A quote:

"The Ac30 HW ($4000; head $3250; 2X12 cab $1350)--which was developed with input from boutique amp desgner Tony Bruno--features the famous Top Boost preamp, but has a control that is quite different from the standard model. For staters, there are only two inputs, which are marked Hi and Lo (Ac30s have six). To the right are the volume, treble, bass and tone-cut controls, a tremolo section with speed and depth knobs, a reverb section with reverb and tone controls, and a master volume." [And further into the article:] Top of the Marque. The AC30HW is by far the best AC variant to date. Few amps come close to matching its radiant complexity and those that do typically don't offer reverb and tremolo. The only downer about the HW is that only 350 of them will be made (along with 200 heads and cabinets).

MauiBoyInMaltby (talk) 14:48, 5 October 2011 (UTC)