In what way is a Vox AC30 Hand wired amp inferior to boutiques?

[projam619]

So I'm wondering which EL84 amp is the perfect one for my tonequest, and since I gravitate towards the clean Vox sound (a la the Edge), I've tried Dr Z Maz 38, 65 Amps London Pro, %13 RSA23, Morgan Dual 40. All of them have their merits, but I'm still searching....

So the most obvious fact just occurred to me: why am I searching for boutiques amps exclusively? What wrong with going with the original source?

Can anyone chime in regarding the distinct advantage (besides customer service) that a boutique AC30 based amp would have over a brand new Vox AC30 handwired that I can purchase at GC or Sweetwater Music?

Has anyone tried a side-by-side comparison? Does a significantly more expensive boutique deserve the cost? Will I regret buying a Vox AC30 HW, and end up flipping it like the others?????

 

[teleman55]

Try one at a store.
I think you'll like it.

 

[timmy2tone]

I think you'll get responses to your post regarding workmanship. The Vox handwireds are made in Vietnam (I think I recall correctly), so a tube swap may be in order! The boutiques are usually USA made. I'd really like to try the handwired AC15! Aside from all the arguments about keeping American manufacturing here in America, you as the consumer will benefit from cheaper labor and I'm pretty sure a Vietnamese factory worker can be as handy with a soldering iron as anyone! (I'm gonna duck now)!

 

[iamdavea]

"Made In Vietnam" just sounds dubious to me (and not for political reasons).

 

[mcdes]

the heritage and handwired amps, although made in asia, are actually pretty good, specially when you upgrade the tubes and maybe speakers if your that anal.

re tubed a mates english 90's vox a few days ago.......... was surprised to see that even my heritage amp has more 'handwiring' than it!!

 

[Gretsch&Vox]

You like Edge tones? Go to the original source...The VOX.

Yeah, to some, VOX may have lost some of its cachet because they're not made in Britain anymore. I've had the British made VOXes and the Asian made ones; there is no such thing as a lesser VOX.

I have an AC15HW1(X) and it's a keeper.

 

[exrunnerguitarist]

Get a decent AC30 (I would suggest the handwired or 6/TB models) and keep swapping out the speakers until you get a combo you like. That would be my approach.

 

[mAx___]

The HWs are in fact VOX's boutique line of amps. IMO, construction-wise they are at least as good as any of the small competitors. Component-wise they might not be on par though. Good quality parts in general, just not the best. In that respect the boutique builders have a quality advantage. But most of them have their own version of the VOX circuit.

That said, the HWs sound killer, by far the best line of amps VOX put out in a long time IMO. And you can easily upgrade components to your liking thanks to the turret board construction.

 

[Mitch T]

The HWs are in fact VOX's boutique line of amps. IMO, construction-wise they are at least as good as any of the small competitors. Component-wise they might not be on par though. Good quality parts in general, just not the best. In that respect the boutique builders have a quality advantage. But most of them have their own version of the VOX circuit.

That said, the HWs sound killer, by far the best line of amps VOX put out in a long time IMO. And you can easily upgrade components to your liking thanks to the turret board construction.

It's not about land of manufacturing. It's a good circuit, well layed out, average to good components and decently manufactured. It sounds good, it looks good and it's priced right.

 

[AcornHouse]

I won't comment on the merits of the amps; but I will add that if you do get the Vox, Sweetwater is much more customer oriented than GC. They will treat you right, before AND after the sale.

(disclaimer: I have no connection, interests, etc. in either retailer.)

 

[libtech]

Actually they look very nicely built, some of the components used are not as nice though, although you could change that over time.. The bigest thing I dont like is those cream coloured vents/handles why cant vox just make those nice old brass ones?

 

[projam619]

Cool, thanks for everyone's opinion! Going to GC this morning.

 

[michael.e]

What Vox can do with average parts is well beyond average in terms of getting what you are looking for. With those average parts, they nail Vox better than the vast majority of botique amps that I have owned. After owning super high end botiques and vintage units, I am not letting go of my HW2.

 

[lord preset]

Nothing against the HW2, but the choice isn't really between the Vox and much more expensive boutique amps or finicky, fragile vintage amps. The Valvetech Hayseed 30 is only a bit more than the HW2 and is a fantastic, very accurate version of the AC30 with bombproof build quality. Unless you insist on standard Vox cosmetics it'sa no-brainer choice IMO.

 

[Rick360]

Howdy,

If the current HW AC30s (w/ Celestion blues) sound as good as thier earlier Korg re-issue PCB versions w/ Celestion blues, then they're indeed fantastic amps.

 

[Morgan24]

Why dont you buy an original one?? The prices on vintage gear is lower than ever just get one with stock speakers and your search will be over!!

 

[mAx___]

The bigest thing I dont like is those cream coloured vents/handles why cant vox just make those nice old brass ones?

I totally agree! I've been unsuccessfully trying to find a way of installing the vintage brass vents in this amp since the day I got it. The leather handles are easier to find but not the type that VOX had in their earlier models.

Not only are those vents ugly but they are huge. I miss the nice old days when there were no endless regulations for just about anything...

 

[GA20T]

I totally agree! I've been unsuccessfully trying to find a way of installing the vintage brass vents in this amp since the day I got it. ....

Are they (the trad. brass vents) too small?

 

[Gretsch&Vox]

What Vox can do with average parts is well beyond average in terms of getting what you are looking for. With those average parts, they nail Vox better than the vast majority of botique amps that I have owned. After owning super high end botiques and vintage units, I am not letting go of my HW2.

YES---what Michael said.

Wait Michael, why aren't you using a Hiwatt or Mesa Boogie to nail that VOX bell-tone/chime?! Just kidding.

 

[Gasp100]

Get a used Valvetech Hayseed 30 or get the new Vox HW1 @ Musicians Friend, demand 15% off and invest in new JJ tubes and a celestion blue, 2 if you get the 30 watter. Done!