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The Vox AC30 is a guitar amplifier manufactured by Vox. An instrument amplifier is an electronic amplifier designed for use with an electric or electronic musical instrument, such as an electric guitar. ...
Vox is a musical equipment manufacturer formerly based in Britain, and now owned by Japanese electronics giants Korg, which is most famous for making the AC30 guitar amplifier and the Vox organ. ...
History The Vox AC30 was originally introduced in 1958 as “big brother” for 15W AC15 model, Vox's original flagship amplifier, powered by a pair of EL84 tubes, an EF86-driven Normal channel and ECC83-driven Vib-Trem channel, and rectified by an EZ81. The Original AC30, or AC/4, had only single 15” inch speaker as opposed to the newer, conventional twin 12” speaker configuration. AC30/4 sported two channels with two inputs – hence the “4” in the model name. There was only a single tone control in it as well. The power amplifier circuit had EL34 tubes and the preamplifier used an EF86, which was a pretty unreliable tube and could fail due to vibration. The amplifier had a tube rectifier. This first generation of AC30's were housed in "TV-front" cabinets, much like the early to mid 50's tweed Fender amps. However, the Voxes sported a thin white covering (Rexine) with a small printed diamond pattern and larger diamond pattern grill cloth. The EL34 powered AC30 was short lived, and was soon powered by a quartet of EL84 power tubes, making it truly a doubling of the AC15. Vox also quickly introduced the AC30 Twin, utilizing pair of 12" speakers, although it is possible that both the 1x15" and 2x12" version coexisted for some time. Both versions of the original TV-front AC30's are extremely rare. The first AC30 Twins most likely used Goodmans Audiom 60's, and soon began using Celestion G12 alnico speakers, although not yet sporting the handsome blue paintjob. By 1960, Vox had forsaken the more conservative TV-front look for the now legendary cabinet design that has remained largely unchanged since 1960. The new cabinets featured a different covering known as fawn Rexine, which was a sort of beige leathercloth with a subtle printed grain. The front baffle was now divided by a thin gold-toned strip with the upper valence covered in fawn Rexine, and the lower grill covered in brown diamond cloth. Ventilation was provided by three small brass vents on the top of the cabinet, and the TV-front's single suitcase type handle was replaced with three leather straps.
To cure the unreliability issues Vox introduced another version of AC30 in 1961 that substituted the EF86 with ECC83's (a.k.a. 12AX7's). Its circuit had three channels, each with two inputs, and was therefore named AC30/6. The amplifiers also came with three different “voicing” alternatives (Normal, Brilliant and Bass) that were accomplished by slight circuit modifications.
As musicians' demand for features continued to grow, Vox also introduced something that would become known as “Top Boost” modification. The "Top Boost" or "Brilliance", as it was originally called, was an addition of a rear panel-mounted unit that introduced two gain stages and tone controls for bass and treble (as opposed to single "tone" control of early AC30s). The unit became so popular that its features were soon implemented to newer AC30/6 models and the controls moved from rear panel to the control panel. Vox AC30/6 amplifiers from around 1963 had already “implemented” the top boost, and therefore had 3 tone controls. People began to refer to these amplifiers as AC30TBs.[1]. Around the same time, Vox also introduced Treble and Bass versions of the AC30 without the Top Boost unit. Instead, the circuits of the Treble and Bass versions were slightly modified to emphasize those frequencies.
In late 60’s Jennings drifted into financial problems and the company experienced various owner changes. At the same time quality control of production varied a lot. Around “Dallas-Arbiter” period (in the early 70’s) the tube rectifiers of AC30s were replaced by silicon rectifiers. This became a standard for later AC30TB models. In early 70’s Vox also introduced a solid-state AC30 (AC30SS), which was quite successful. For example, this is the AC30 model that was used by Status Quo. Tube AC30TB with spring reverb feature was introduced in 1978.
Production of AC30 has practically never ceased: Newer AC30s are reissues of the various top boost AC30/6 (AC30TB) models. There has been at least one AC30 production run titled “Limited Edition” (1991) and various other re-issues from the 80’s and 90’s. AC30s from the period between 1989 and 1993 also had spring reverb as standard feature. Most of the reissued circuits also used silicon rectifiers.
Sound An AC-30 is a 30-watt tube (valve) guitar amplifier. Though widely believed to be a Class-A amplifier, it is in fact a class AB1 amp[2] [3] [4]. It utilizes a quartet of EL-84 output tubes. The high bias condition is believed by some to be the source of the amplifier's famous immediate response and "jangly" high-end, though the lack of negative feedback, minimal preamp circuit, simple low loss tone stack, and the use of cathode biasing on the output stage play at least as large a role, if not larger. Its Celestion "Blue" speakers are integral to the AC-30, and also contribute much to the sound of the unit. The two 12" 15-watt speakers, often overdriven to the brink of their power handling capability provide a cutting mid-range speaker sound that is immediate and sharp, distinct from the marshall or fender-style amplifier. The term amplifier as used in this article can mean either a circuit (or stage) using a single active device or a complete system such as a packaged audio hi-fi amplifier. ...
AC30 Custom Classic Series In 2004, Vox (KORG) introduced a new series of amplifier called the AC30 Custom Classic. It combined attributes of the original AC30 with carefully selected "boutique" features. Specifications of the AC30CC series are two Inputs (Top Boost & Normal) an Input Link Switch for blending channels, a Normal Volume knob, a Brilliance Switch, a Top Boost Volume knob, a Treble knob, a EQ Standard/Custom Switch, Bass and Reverb Controls (Tone, Mix, and a Dwell Switch), Tremolo Speed & Depth knobs, a Tone Cut knob, a Master Volume knob, a Standby Switch, and a Power Switch. Newer AC30CC (or “Custom Classic”) reissues (CC1, CC2X CCH head) are produced in China.
AC30BM Recently, Vox released a limited edition version of the amp, the AC30BM, based on the tone of one of the amp's most prominent and consistent endorsees, Brian May of Queen. The amp is limited to only a few hundred examples worldwide, in a 'never-to-be-repeated' run. As the amp is designed to replicate May's tone, there are no controls on the amp except for a single volume control, though a switch enables the user to halve the number of output valves (therefore reducing the output to 15 watts as well as the volume, making it more suitable for home use), and there is a boost function operated from the included footswitch.
See also This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...
The Deacy Amp is an amplifier created by and named after Queen bassist John Deacon and used by guitarist Brian May. ...
JMI Returns As of 2006 Jennings Musical Instruments began manufacturing period correct, British made AC30 "copy" amplifiers, available in both black and beige. Given the ownership of Vox no longer rests with JMI, their official website lists the disclaimer "JMI amplification are in no way affiliated with Vox amplification (Korg)", and the models are listed as 30/6 (6 input) and 30/4 (4 inputs, sans "Brilliant" channel). As originally the case in the 1960s, Top Boost is offered as a retrofit upgrade and is not standard, and the 4/6 inputs are offered, rather than the blendable 2 channels of the Custom Classic models, and Green/Blue speakers are offered. Manufacturing details are as yet unclear but images are provided on the site of the chassis, confirming that they are point to point handwired. Vox is a musical equipment manufacturer formerly based in Britain, and now owned by Japanese electronics giants Korg, which is most famous for making the AC30 guitar amplifier and the Vox organ. ...
History of JMI and the Re-birth
JMI Amplification – The Re-birth
After the Tom Jennings-led JMI Company folded in 1968 the brand lay dormant for almost 30 years. This was until in 1997 when Richard and Justin Harrison, then owners of Hiwatt amplification UK and Music Ground Ltd, purchased the trademark. The pair then set about reviving JMI and the superb work of Tom Jennings and Dick Denney who earned the brand its reputation and place in history.
In early days of JMI’s re-vival, a small amount of 50W and 100W hand-wired heads were produced as well as cabinets just to test the water to see if the brand could be successfully re-launched onto the market.
As the Hiwatt brand grew larger, the desire to produce the JMI amplifiers grew stronger and stronger; many of the Harrison’s regular customers were asking on a monthly basis when the amplifiers were to be manufactured for general sale.
The pivotal point of the JMI re-birth was the meeting of amplifier engineer and JMI enthusiast Steve Giles and Richard Harrison. Steve had previously built amplifiers based on Jennings’ designs to the high standards of the originals. This impressed Richard Harrison to such an extent that some prototype models were made.
In 2005 the company decided initially to make the following models: JMI 15/4, JMI 30/4, JMI 30/6 and the JMI 30TV Front. The amps were made available in the classic black, smooth tolex and a 100% replica of the original fawn tolex. The re-creation of the latter was not an easy job taking several months and several thousands of pounds to ensure the authenticity and originality, which any JMI collector would be especially particular about. Other specification options included a choice of speakers, either Celestion Greenback or JMI (Fane made) Blue Alnico Speakers. Finally the JMI gold logo adorned the front of the cabinets, completing the perfect product made to the original Jennings/Denney specifications.
After positive feedback from a sample amplifier taken to the Namm show of 2006 the amplifiers were launched for general sale in the March of that year, showcasing at the Frankfurt Musikmesse at the end of March 2006. Also, as an added option, the company offered the option of a rear mounted top boost on all 30W models.
The company was subsequently bombarded by requests to revive other classic models such as the 4W combo, 15 Twin, 50W head, 100W head and cabinets which came into production in 2007 (showcased at the Namm 2007). Since the re-birth the new JMI amplifiers have found their way into the hands such as Noel Gallagher, Billy Gibbons, and many more
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References - ^ Glen Lambert. Vox AC30 Topboost - Reasons & Origins A?.
- ^ Randall Aiken. Is the Vox AC-30 Really Class A?. Aiken Amps technical pages.
- ^ Randy Jamz. Vox AC30 Myths. Tales from the Tone Lounge.
- ^ Mark Breecher & Shane Dolman. Class Distinction. Sheldon Amps Website.
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