Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

brianeharmonjr wrote:What kind of tubes are you guys putting into your Vox amps?

Brian, my favorite recently made preamp tubes are the Ei long (gray) plate 12AX7s (my DC30 clone is a lot like an AC30). If price is no obstacle, then I really would give the nod to the Mullard CV4004 or the Telefunken long plate 12AX7 in the preamp. I have gone back and forth with different tubes in the phase inverter, but I'm back to the Ei gray long plate there too.

(edit, inserted this paragraph) I use a NOS Mullard EF86 for that channel. It pretty much has more of everything inside it.

Because I don't want to cook my small remaining stock of Ei EL84 tubes, I have elected to use Shuguang EL84s there. They sound great (not quite as good as NOS USA EL84s or Ei's) and much better to my ears than my JJ's, Sovtek or EH ones. I've been wanting to try the new TAD ones, but they have warnings for VOX amps (size, I think) and they also might not have a lively sound, I have heard (they do look indestructible.)

Brian,
If you can, try out a Zinky before you decide. I wasn't in the market for an amp, but once I tried one, I knew I had to have....So I sold my "73 Fender Pro Reverb (70w version of the Twin Reverb). Zinkys also have a life time waranty, and great personal service.

I'd buy a Zinky just for the name...

My newest amp favorite is a Victoria Victoriette, 2x10, with 6L6s (they're also available with EL84s). However, I still have and occasionally use a Traynor YCV20WR and a 76 SFDR.

jingle_jangle wrote:I'd buy a Zinky just for the name...

And the Blue Velvet amps actually have blue velvet covering. I've actually been doing quite a bit of research on them this evening and I've yet to read a negative revue about one. Even people who don't like them like them, if you know what I mean. Trouble is, finding one to try out. The closest dealer I've found is about a 2 1/2 hour drive. Indiana sucks.

I'm a tube kind of dude.....

1984 Fender Super Champ
1994 Mesa/Boogie Subway Blues
2007 Rivera Sedona (acoustic/electric)

(Click on pics for larger resolution.)

Play on, pick often, jam with Toast(ers)®, and prosper. Late.....Goofyfoot.

Mesa Boogie Lonestar 07 (10/50/100). Great for quiet prctice at home or on stage. Big bold and clean with a lttle more "character" compared to Fender Twin. I have 360/12 WB with high gains. A great combination of guitar and amp.

sloop_john_b wrote:BTW, GORGEOUS Esquire, Wes!

Thank you, sir.

goofyfoot wrote:I'm a tube kind of dude.....

Totally with you on that, but of course I don't see too many Ric aficionados that are into Line 6 amps, if you know what I mean

goofyfoot wrote:I'm a tube kind of dude.....

Totally with you on that, but of course I don't see too many Ric aficionados that are into Line 6 amps, if you know what I mean [/quote]

1965.....I heard that! But yeah, we all have different auditory thresholds so whatever amp sounds cool with one's Rics is alright by me. Gotta say, though, tube amps have always agreed with me. Heaven knows I've tried to work with solid-state amps. Somehow, I've continued diggin' the organic chemistry between tube amps and Rickenbackers. Just my dos centavos' worth. Play on, pick often, jam with Toast(ers)®, and prosper. Best regards.....Goofyfoot.

Nathan, is $800 shipped a good deal for a Zinky Blue Velvet 25W? That's including the cover and footswitch as well. And the seller said "A few years ago, I emailed Bruce Zinky about modifying the amp which he did (at no cost!). He enhanced the tone by adding more (and clearer) bass and added more high end sparkle (like a BF Deluxe Reverb)." If that's a good deal, as it sounds like it is, I may be soon pulling the trigger on it.

Matchless DC-30
A bad *** AC-30 type amp.
It has a 15w/30w switch on the back.
I found mine for $1500.....great deal!
Try one if you can.

I really like the way my Ricks sound through an older TopHat Club Royale 1-12" I have. I've sold all of my other amps and kept this one.

Hi Brian,

I use a vintage Fender Concert 65 head ( all valve state ) with a 4 X10" Marshall Celestion cabinet with some good results, and for smaller parties I use a 1963 Fender Vibroverb re-issue ( 35 watts valve state ) through 2 Oxford 10s. I've used my brother's 200 watt solid state Marshall stack ( 8 X12" ) and it sounded dismal ( he's a metal-head ). I'll only play through tube ( valve ) amps now, they're so much warmer and pleasing to the ear. I've had my eye on the new Vox AC-30 CC2, and even played through it with my 360/12V64 and was really impressed. The people up here at Zone Music ( Cotati, CA ) made me a fairly good offer ( after admiring my Rick ), but I've been hearing some real horror stories about the tubes needing immediate replacement. I dunno, it's sort of on my 'wish list.' I'd love to have a Dartford, Kent UK made AC-30, but my bank account says otherwise. I've yet to see Guitar Center in San Francisco go below $875 for the CC2, but maybe some day......It will be interesting to follow this thread and see how others have fared with the Chinese made AC-30. I've always played through Fenders ( except for the one time my brother borrowed it and I used the Marshall stack ). Do we all have huge bank accounts? Every time I see a new Rick, I turn into a raving, drooling lunatic, so that's the way we Rickaholics are I guess....

Good Luck....

Modrock ( newbie )

mp_me wrote:Matchless DC-30
A bad *** AC-30 type amp.
It has a 15w/30w switch on the back.
I found mine for $1500.....great deal!
Try one if you can.

I'd love to get one for that price, what an amp

AC15CC