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GoldenEraGuitars · August 2023

Well.. I finally did it. I’ve been promising myself a Vox AC30 for years but a combination of “being too busy/not into playing enough” killed the idea off for a while.

But recently (after exploring several options including other brands, pedals and smaller Vox’s) the opportunity came up to try out and acquire this CC2. I wasn’t totally sold at first, it didn’t seem to do that Vox “thing”. But it’s also the first time I’d plugged into an amp in a shop for years and years. So I didn’t dwell on it too much.. I kinda figured the tone was in there but I needed more time to figure it out.

I agreed to take the amp about 6-7 weeks ago but I was only able to have it collected on Thursday. I spent a glorious hour with it when I got it back to the workshop - after spending about 30 seconds setting the gain and EQ where I like it. All of a sudden I got that “chime”! It rings like a bell, just like a Vox should. And thanks to the MV I’m getting those tones at bedroom volume.

The reverb is superb as well and as a nice bonus it has tremolo built in.

I’m absolutely delighted to own this and I’d urge anyone wanting to scratch the AC30 itch to play a CC2.

Image: https://tfb-user-images.eu-central-1.linodeobjects.com/6d0246e73425e5d942461aaadf69015644a68d6b928c1c87b3

GoldenEraGuitars · August 2023

And just to get this “secret” in early - “how do you get your amps so dark, Scott?”

* autoglym works brilliantly on other rubber and vinyl items you might have hidden away in your gaff

hollywoodrox · August 2023

Congratulations on your amp ,pleased you are enjoying it, well done with the autoglym
Looks like you’ve had a great day, good start to the weekend

Wazmeister · August 2023

Scott, love your relics, love your new amp, and love that Autoglym tip !!

GoldenEraGuitars · August 2023

@hollywoodrox @Wazmeister ; thank you both!

The darkening tip, while true, is also a bit of laugh. You’d need to see my last NGD thread to get the joke though

TheMarlin · August 2023

Excellent choice sir I can hear it from here!
an AC30 delivers power quite unlike any other amp. Thanks for the vinyl care tip

GoldenEraGuitars · August 2023

TheMarlin said:

Excellent choice sir I can hear it from here!
an AC30 delivers power quite unlike any other amp. Thanks for the vinyl care tip

It’s a wonderful sound. I suppose in a way it’s filled the void that was always missing with the Marshalls I’ve owned. I have it just on the edge of break up and it’s ringing like a bell

Cirrus · August 2023

Happy new amp day! As a fellow admirer of this series, just checking you know about the standby switch...

GoldenEraGuitars · August 2023

Cirrus said:

Happy new amp day! As a fellow admirer of this series, just checking you know about the standby switch...

.. to flip the power switch and standby switch on together and wait for it to warm up after 30 secs or so?

dazzajl · August 2023

Big, huge, too heavy to move type congratulations. There is NOTHING like an AC30

Cirrus · August 2023

.

ICBM · August 2023

For me these are the best-sounding of the modern AC30s, especially with the proper Celestion blue speakers... although the Greenbacks are good too.

The standby switch blowing rectifiers is a known issue, although as Cirrus says the easiest fix is simply to never use it. It is possible to move it to the correct place in the circuit, but it's more work than it might seem at first.

ElectricXII · August 2023

You clean your amps?!

GoldenEraGuitars · August 2023

ElectricXII said:

You clean your amps?!

More so darken them, I just wanted to make sure I shared a “secret” so as not to offend anyone thinking I don’t cough up my deepest and darkest mysteries in the spirit of the forum

But on a serious note, autoglym products are superb for cleaning amps

GoldenEraGuitars · August 2023

ICBM said:

For me these are the best-sounding of the modern AC30s, especially with the proper Celestion blue speakers... although the Greenbacks are good too.

The standby switch blowing rectifiers is a known issue, although as Cirrus says the easiest fix is simply to never use it. It is possible to move it to the correct place in the circuit, but it's more work than it might seem at first.

I had read another post by someone that you can switch them on together but it’ll be easier to leave the standby on.

Oddly enough, I’ve got Wharfdale speakers in mine, although. I’ve been offered some 70s Creambacks for it. I really enjoy how it sounds, nearly to the point that changing the speakers could be a big mistake

Supportact · August 2023

GoldenEraGuitars said:

ICBM said:

For me these are the best-sounding of the modern AC30s, especially with the proper Celestion blue speakers... although the Greenbacks are good too.

The standby switch blowing rectifiers is a known issue, although as Cirrus says the easiest fix is simply to never use it. It is possible to move it to the correct place in the circuit, but it's more work than it might seem at first.

I had read another post by someone that you can switch them on together but it’ll be easier to leave the standby on.

Oddly enough, I’ve got Wharfdale speakers in mine, although. I’ve been offered some 70s Creambacks for it. I really enjoy how it sounds, nearly to the point that changing the speakers could be a big mistake

I have the AC15cc model and mine came with the wharfedale speakers. I did end up changing them eventually but I didn't hate the originals. After trying a few I've got a Wgs 'green beret' in it now which I think I've settled on.

Nice amp though, I know someone who gigs with that model AC30 and it does sound great especially at gig volume.

GoldenEraGuitars · August 2023

@Supportact its one of those scenarios - if it isn’t broken..

The speakers are fine with me, the amp sounds superb. But I have nothing else to compare them to so maybe a speaker change is worth doing just to see if the Creambacks can add something to the sound.

Supportact · August 2023

GoldenEraGuitars said:

@Supportact its one of those scenarios - if it isn’t broken..

The speakers are fine with me, the amp sounds superb. But I have nothing else to compare them to so maybe a speaker change is worth doing just to see if the Creambacks can add something to the sound.

Yeah I'd probably agree, if you like the sound already no need to allter it.

stickyfiddle · August 2023

Awesome. I agree these are the best modern AC30s - certainly my favourites. If I had room and the ability to turn it up..

Teacherphil · August 2023

ICBM said:

For me these are the best-sounding of the modern AC30s, especially with the proper Celestion blue speakers... although the Greenbacks are good too.

The standby switch blowing rectifiers is a known issue, although as Cirrus says the easiest fix is simply to never use it. It is possible to move it to the correct place in the circuit, but it's more work than it might seem at first.

I came to say exactly this about the speakers. Also for me the switch that blends both channels brings a fullness to the sound I've not heard from other AC30s. Have a twiddle with the vintage /modern hot/warm switches at the back. I love my custom classic

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