Taking the Valvetech plunge tomorrow...

bscepter · Sep 19, 2005

...I want to order a 2x12 Hayseed 30. I just returned my AC30CC2. I loved the tone, but had problems with a resonant ring/rattle that just wouldn't go away. I think they'll get it right -- they're certainly on the right track -- they're just going through some initial teething problems with the new facility.

I hear Rob's Hayseed is the tonal spitting image of an early sixties JMI AC30. I'm going to order it unloaded and pop in a pair of Celestion Blues (or Red Fangs, if I can't come up with the scratch).

Any Hayseed owners out there want to reassure me that, even though I'm ordering it sight unseen (and unheard) over the Internet, I'm going to love this baby?

By the way, does anyone know if it emulates the 33w AC30/6 or the 22w AC30/4? I hope it's the 6 -- I need as much volume as I can muster.

Wish me luck... :dude

Hipster Dofus · Sep 19, 2005

I love mine.

lots....... :dude

teefus · Sep 19, 2005

i don't think volume will be a problem. my hayseed custom is a little different so you should get details from rob. i ordered mine sight unheard and couldn't be happier. be specific when describing what you are looking for and i am sure you will be pleased. last time i had an email exchange with rob the hayseeds were selling really, really well. bang for the buck factor is through the roof on the valvetech amps.

bscepter · Sep 19, 2005

Originally posted by Hipster Dofus
I love mine.

lots.......

Which version did you get?

Axemeister · Sep 20, 2005

I think that there is little risk here. I think that the Hayseed info is just about all positive around here.

I also think that Rob's return policy should put you at ease.

From my experience, Rob makes great amps....BTW, I have a Valvetech original, and just sent in a deposit for another of Rob's creations.

Hipster Dofus · Sep 20, 2005

Originally posted by bscepter
Which version did you get?

Hayseed 30

bscepter · Sep 20, 2005

Just ordered it: green tolex, salt 'n' pepper grille, top mount controls, three handles, white piping, nickel corners.

I can't friggin' wait!

Bix · Sep 20, 2005

I was over at Rob's the other day audtioning both the Hayseed and the VAC. The Hayseed is a great amp and Rob is a first class guy. I'm sure you won't be disappointed. I went with the VAC, but not because I didn't like the Hayseed. It was a really tough decision because the Hayseed is so darn cool.

Good luck with it.
Bix

rjlaero1 · Sep 20, 2005

I have a hayseed 30 combo. I asked Rob to wire in a 1/2 power and master volume on mine. I think my Hayseed was the first to have these, and I think they might be standard now. They really change the versatility and dynamics of the amp. I especially like the 15 watt setting, and the 30 watt mode can be brutally loud.

No contest in getting a hand wired USA product for $1000 vs a chinese VOX.

Mine is black w/ the marshall style cane grill & white piping. it looks sharp!

bscepter · Sep 20, 2005

Mine is black w/ the marshall style cane grill & white piping. it looks sharp!

Very nice! :dude

IPlayHamers · Sep 20, 2005

From what I've heard, this is the AC30 that Vox wishes they would have built. I don't know how he does it for the price, but you better buy now before the price goes WAY up. I'm ordering a head to go along with my various cabs and I'm sure I'll be happy.

I tried the Chinese AC30 and it's not a bad sounding amp at moderate levels, but crank it up and it rattles and shakes (not in a good way). Plus with all the bells and whistles there is too much of a chance something will go wrong.

With the Hayseed, you have a circuit that you or a qualified tech can repair in a pinch.

IPH

bscepter · Sep 20, 2005

Originally posted by IPlayHamers
From what I've heard, this is the AC30 that Vox wishes they would have built. I don't know how he does it for the price, but you better buy now before the price goes WAY up. I'm ordering a head to go along with my various cabs and I'm sure I'll be happy.

I tried the Chinese AC30 and it's not a bad sounding amp at moderate levels, but crank it up and it rattles and shakes (not in a good way). Plus with all the bells and whistles there is too much of a chance something will go wrong.

With the Hayseed, you have a circuit that you or a qualified tech can repair in a pinch.

IPH

Same here. I had an AC30CC2. It sounded great cranked, but had to many weird resonant rings, plus the OT was severely dented. I still think that Vox/Korg got it right (though I wish they'd ditch the reverb, little toggle switches and MV), they just need to get a handle on the quality control. I think in a year or two, they'll have it dialed in. It sounds awesome.

As to Rob, I asked him how come he was so inexpensive. He laughed and told me that he had just raised his prices! He also said that he keeps costs down by building his own cabs and punching/welding his own chassises, rather than buying ones from Mojo or somebody else. Whatever. All I know is I'm getting a PTP Vox clone for under a grand (unloaded). And I can't argue with that.

Sadly, my band is recording next week. I'm borrowing our other guitar player's Vibrolux and Bluesbreaker for the sessions. They both sound great -- I just wish my Hayseed was already here...

Axemeister · Sep 20, 2005

Originally posted by rjlaero1
I have a hayseed 30 combo. I asked Rob to wire in a 1/2 power and master volume on mine. I think my Hayseed was the first to have these, and I think they might be standard now. They really change the versatility and dynamics of the amp. I especially like the 15 watt setting, and the 30 watt mode can be brutally loud.

No contest in getting a hand wired USA product for $1000 vs a chinese VOX.

Mine is black w/ the marshall style cane grill & white piping. it looks sharp!

Tell me about the 1/2 power and MV effectiveness on the Hayseed. This is interesting to me.. BTW, I think Rob's master on the VAC is great....

Does it give you a way to push this into a moderate breakup at low volumes???

AshlandBump · Sep 30, 2005

This is my Hayseed:

Obviously, I wanted a look as close to a Vox as possible. Rob didn't put on the Vox emblem, I added it.

It has the EF-86 option on the Normal channel. The rest (1/2 power, master volume) are standard. I ordered it unloaded and took two Celestion Blues down to Ft. Wayne with me when I picked it up to have Rob install them.

I've owned a Korg AC30TBX and AC30HW Combo. The Hayseed is by far the favorite of those three. 90% of the time I'm running it on full power, master turned all the way up, on the Top Boost channel. It's just a very pure, powerful jangly tone, exactly what I wanted. Works great with pedals too. With the amp on the edge of break up, my Menatone King of the Britains has never sounded better.

bscepter · Sep 30, 2005

Way cool. I just bought a pair of Celestion Blues, too.

I keep worrying, however, about their meagre power rating. I know the 15w number is somewhat conservative, but still -- I'd hate to blow a $500 pair of speakers.

I also plan on running it at full power, with the MV cranked (with a germanium treble boost in front, natch). Have you noticed any speaker issues?

AshlandBump · Sep 30, 2005

I'm running a Retroman Beano rangemaster clone into the Normal channel. The amp is freaking loud but once you get to half way up on the volume it only gets marginally louder from there to full up, though it definitely gets more compressed and, obviously, overdriven. I haven't had a problem with the speakers in two months of ownership. I think you'll be fine.

If you're still really worried about it though, I'd get a pair of Weber Blues with 30 watt ratings, but I think you'll be fine with the Celestions.

Gearhead · Sep 30, 2005

Where is the master volume and bypass channel selector? I see Vol 1 and Vol 2, which I thought were for the normal and bypass channels.

AshlandBump · Sep 30, 2005

There is no channel selector -- I use an A/B/Y switch. The master volume is on the back panel -- along with the switch to select EF86/12AX7 for the Normal channel, a "bright" switch for the Normal channel, for lack of a better term, the half-power switch, and the speaker jacks. As such, the MV isn't all that convenient, at least not as convenient as most amps, but I don't mess with it much anyway.

bscepter · Sep 30, 2005

Originally posted by mainstreetexile

If you're still really worried about it though, I'd get a pair of Weber Blues with 30 watt ratings, but I think you'll be fine with the Celestions.

Too late... I've already got the Blues. Still, they're standard issue in the new Vox AC30CC2X's, and I'm sure plenty of them are being cranked, a la Brian May. I'm sure Vox/Korg wouldn't have put them in there if they couldn't take the heat. Besides, I hear their rating is very conservative. In fact, some say they can take up to 40w each. That seems high, but I'm sure they can take 20w.

By the way, I opted for the EF86, too. Do you think it's worth it? I still have time to change my mind.

Hipster Dofus · Oct 1, 2005

Start breaking in the blues now....You will glad you did!

Taking the Valvetech plunge tomorrow...

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