Good Vox AC-30 voiced amp???

[Richards]

Heres the thing, I own a Jmi era Vox AC-30 and don't want to take it out anymore, looking to purchase a amp that does a good sonic impression of a vox, I play rock, blues, and some old country , (so from Beatles to Stones to Burrito Brothers)
My choices have lead me to these heads:
Top Hat King Royale
Divided by 13 ERT 33
Bad Cat Black Cat/Trem Cat
65 amps London
Komet Constellation
I do not want to venture into the Vox reissue discussions as I have already tried them , so new Vox is not a option. Any opinions and experiences on the amps mentioned abovewould be welcomed. Thanks for your help

 

[enharmonic]

Why not a Bruno UG30?

 

[Blueser]

Of the amps you mentioned, the Tophat will probably get the closest to the true Vox vibe. The others are great amps in their own right, but they are their own thing, with a sprinkle of inspiration from the classic.

The Bruno UG30 is a fantastic amp, but does not sound like an AC30 IMO. It sounds more Fender to me.

Why don't you get one of the new AC30CCs? They are inexpensive, and sound pretty good. You can drag them around to gigs, and not worry about killing a big ticket boutique or vintage amp.

 

[abergdahl]

The Thunderbird is a great el84 cathodebiased amp that cando Vox to Marshall and some tonedsof it own. I usually describe is as a cross between ac30, omet K60 and Komet C30 with it's own twist . It has GREAT cleans and breakup and can go quite high gain - without doubt the the EL84 amp that I like best

 

[Hipster Dofus]

You should consider a Valvetech Hayseed 30. I played Proco's '62 TBX, and the Hayseed will get you there. It is a dead on clone of a '62-'63 AC30, but with no Vib. IIRC, the head is less than a grand.

 

[tonedaddy]

You may want to check out these threads:
https://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?posts/678423
https://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?threads/52630
https://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?threads/55369
https://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?threads/79655
https://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?threads/79037


You may also want to consider:
- Mayfly BC-30
http://www.mayfly.ca/bc30.html

- Vintone Acey Thirty
http://www.vintone.com/aceythirty.html

- Snake River (built by Scott Humphrey of Crispy Cream)
http://www.treblebooster.com/snake_...uitar_works.htm

The Snake River is has 3 AC30 channels (Pentode/ Triode/ Cathode Follower), but not 3 from a single era AC30 amp. Better to think of it as having one channel of 3 different era AC30s available:

Pentode - AC30/4 with EF86 front end
Triode - AC30 non- topboost
Cathode follower - AC30 top boost


- Regarding the TopHat King Royal

Comments from the threads above:
"King Royal is its more 'Brilliant' sounding top boost channel, its really alive, and mid scooped in a very musical way, while still retaining AC30 qualities, The Tophat King Royal is more true to the AC30 upper mid thing, more bark and chime."

"I think the King Royal has got the most Upper Mid character like an AC30"

 

[rawkguitarist]

I've never been quite satisfied with an amp until I got my TopHat. The King Royale will get you Vox tone and a whole lot more. Every TopHat I've heard just has a little something extra. It's very hard to describe, but it's an added sweetness to every note. Brian Gerhard is one of the kindest people and he wants to make all of his customers happy. Try calling him and making it off the phone in less than 30 min…

And by the way I can buy any amp I want, I would rather have a mid priced (in boutique terms) TopHat.

 

[cnardone]

I am a big fan of the Alessandro Beagle / English. Not dead on, but definitely inspired by.

cmn

 

[riffmeister]

Originally posted by aarondavis
.....Every TopHat I've heard just has a little something extra. It's very hard to describe, but it's an added sweetness to every note.

Brian Gerhard is one of the kindest people and he wants to make all of his customers happy. Try calling him and making it off the phone in less than 30 min…......

Yes, I agree about the indescribable factor in the sound of a TopHat amp. I guess that's why I have three of them!!

And so true about the phone call. LOL!

 

[Mastervolume]

Divided by 13 RSA 31

It doesn't get any better than that.

It is like a great AC30 with a mid control. When the mid is all the way up it is classic ac30. You can back it off to taste.

I heard Brian Wooten play though one of these on monday at Freds and it was just silly. You should have seen the smile on his face.

 

[ROKY]

The King Royale does the AC30 thing perfectly.:AOK

 

[Richards]

Thanks for all the replies, I appreciate it!!

 

[DestroyAllGuitars]

Been through em all and I keep 2 Tophat King Royales in my
studio. I couldn't sing it's praises high enough.

 

[dbeeman]

I have had AC30HW, Mayfly, and still have the Snake River and Ug30

The Snake River out Voxes the Ac30HW
The mayfly sounds very much like one of the "good" old voxes has a bit more gain than the Snake, but the Snake is more versatile and has more chime

HArd to beat the Mayfly on price/performance

and besides the Mayfly is made in Ottawa!

 

[todaystomorrow]

i say give the Top Hat a good run through before making a decision. i was in the market for a vox a few years back. i was pretty relunctant to try the top hat for some reason, but now i plan on never parting with that amp...its magic to me

 

[Distortion]

Originally posted by Mastervolume
Divided by 13 RSA 31

It doesn't get any better than that.

:AOK

 

[DanR]

Originally posted by todaystomorrow
i say give the Top Hat a good run through before making a decision. i was in the market for a vox a few years back. i was pretty relunctant to try the top hat for some reason, but now i plan on never parting with that amp...its magic to me

I was looking for a Voxy type amp a while ago, myself. I ended up with a TopHat Club Royale and I've been happy ever since


DanR

 

[Teleplayer]

You may want to try a TopHat 2x12 deep cabinet Club Royale, or a TopHat King Royale. Have owned both - great amps. In fact, I have owned nine TopHats since 1998.

When you're done testing those, you may want to try a TopHat.

In all honesty, killer EL84-based amps for gigging and recording. Unbeatable build quality - both the electronics and chassis.

By the way, both amps will get you where you want to be -- and also allow you to dip into Marshall territory a bit as well....which is a nice added feature.

 

[r9player]

Might give a Maven Peal Ganesha or Tuskadaro a try, given the right tubes and settings, it should get you in Vox country.

 

[Sonic Reducer]

The Savage Glas 30 is an excellent amp, but it's pricey.