vox ac 30 advice

johnboy8

hi can anyone give me any pointers on this amp(i have just received)with regards to dos and donts with it,also how long are the tubes gonna last(i only play at home for about an hour a day)do you replace all the tubes at the same time,i've read that the stock tubes are not great in it(any advice on which ones to replace it with)also as a matter of interest,i cranked the volume and master up to about six on the amp the other day(i will never be playing it at this level)but the hissing and noise from it was quite loud,is this always the case.thanks.

Voodu Child

Stock valves in most amps can do with an upgrade (if you're inclined).

I don't have much experience with AC30s, but do's and don'ts can't be any different than most other valve amps.

Turn it on in standby and warm the valves for a minute or two (same turning it off.)
Put it on standby or turn it off if you're not playing it for an extended period (between sets etc).
Pick up a full set of basic spares (valves, fuses) to save you waiting on mail-order stuff in the event of a break-down.
If you havent got a dust cover, get one. Doubly so if there's a smoker in the house.

Just stuff like that. AC30s have a reputation for overheating due to poor chassis design, so just pay attention to tips in that regard.

You'll get some noise/hissing in most valve-amps at high levels, doubly so with a bit of gain. New tubes often help, as do noise gates/suppressors, and of course minimising interference from other area's (checking guitar shielding, good cables, good ground at the power socket etc).

johnboy8

thanks voodoo child,that what i wanted.i have to say (maybe i am mad or just very inexperienced)but i have an vox ad50 vt and playing them beside each other,i cant really hear the huge difference that i was expecting,i know that tube amps are better when played loud(am i right in cranking it up a little an turning down the volume on my guitar?

judas101

crank it up and get those tubes cooking to get the best out of it.

my turning down the volume know on your guitar youre going to lose a lot of tone and bite.

Voodu Child

johnboy8 wrote: »

thanks voodoo child,that what i wanted.i have to say (maybe i am mad or just very inexperienced)but i have an vox ad50 vt and playing them beside each other,i cant really hear the huge difference that i was expecting,i know that tube amps are better when played loud(am i right in cranking it up a little an turning down the volume on my guitar?

AC30s of old needed to be cranked to get into their sweet spot. If the modern AC30 is a close replica, i'd presume it's the same. By cranked I mean cranked, you're talking jam/gig volumes.

If the amp sounds at its best loud, then turning the volume of your guitar down won't help much tbh. You'd want to be looking at reducing the volume after the amp and not before. ie a power attenuator or something.

johnboy8

i have to say it is very versatile,there is a output bias on the rear which can be set at 82 warm or 50 hot which can set the amp from 22watts clean or 33watts,also there is vintage/modern setting on the back.lots to play around with,dont get me wrong its a beautiful amp,lovely tone.