Anyon have a european made vox ac30?

[mavsbball]

Anyone who has one of these how do they sound quality wise? How loud can you get before it sounds bad? And how is the reliability because i know i had a valvtronix ad30 and i went through 3 of them in a year before going to a fender deluxe? Also if yours has the greenbacks how are they? Thanks

[blacktiger]

There were a LOT of different versions of AC30s dating back to the early 60s.  Are you talking about the Brit made Korg AC30s that were phased out in favor of the CC series?  If so, I had one in the 90s and it sounded pretty great.  AC30s are LOUD amps, much louder than your average 30 watt amp.  As for reliability, I've never heard any complaints about Brit made Korg AC30s.

[OffYourFace]

I just got a '93 Korg AC30 w/ the greenbacks, it's awesome!  I think I may ditch my '77 Marshall JMP 50 & jcm800 1936 2x12 cab because the Vox is plenty loud for anything I need Live-wise.


"How loud can you get before it sounds bad? "

It's a class A tube amp Man, it's sounds better when cranked   

[mavsbball]

im talking about the ones they stopped making in 2002 that were made in europe. I heard they go through tubes like crazy??

[blacktiger]

im talking about the ones they stopped making in 2002 that were made in europe. I heard they go through tubes like crazy??

That's the one that I was talking about.  Properly serviced, and with good tubes (NOS or JJs), these amps shouldn't be that hard on tubes.  People have had problems with EIs because EIs have quality control issues.  They sound good, but are unpredictable.  The most important thing is to buy from a tube seller that tests at operating voltages and selects tubes for you based on the application. 

[mezcalhead]

I've got a Korg AC15TBX .. I thought it was from '03 but maybe it was made in '02. I bought it in '03, anyway, and it's still on the original valves.

[inertiatic_sks]

I know CletustheFetus aka Chris currently uses a Brit made AC30. He said it was a 60's model when I talked to him last night. Sounded damn good.

[OffYourFace]

im talking about the ones they stopped making in 2002 that were made in europe. I heard they go through tubes like crazy??

Yes, that's the UK made KORG era amp.  That's what I have, '93 was the first year they released a 'proper' reissue.  Just like the original '60s AC30s, they run very hot.  They'll last for 2-3 years without problems even if used constantly... unless you have a bad tube.
I think to get the most out of these UK RIs is to change the transformers with the Mercury Magnetics Vox series.

btw, I don't think the UK likes to be lumped in with Europe    that's what I've heard anyway...