Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I was in a music store and ran into a friend I hadn't seen in a long time. We started talking about Vox amplifiers, because I was interested in picking up a new AC30 Custom Classic. He asked whether I had tried out the new 'Brian May' signature model. I said I hadn't and he said I should. According to him, it has a very unique tone. If you've seen these amps, they look like a standard AC30, but the control panel provides only an On/Off switch and a volume knob. They are generally priced around $2200 USD. I told him that I'd much rather have a stock unit with full controls for $999 USD, and I ordered one online when I got home. Are there really people who want the same tone all the time? Seems like an odd idea to me!

For $2200, Brian May should come over and give you a guitar lesson with the amp!

You will love the CC!

Jack: Yes, I know I will. Just a few weeks ago I bought an AC30CCH head and 2x12" cabinet, but I wanted an AC30CC2 combo to add to the collection. I also have a vintage '65 AC30 Super Reverb Twin with Top Boost. These new Vox amps sound great and are more flexible than the older models.

"Are there really people who want the same tone all the time"

This is a VERY good question Randy & the answer must lie in what you are trying to achieve. A world class sound is something that an original artist will strive to find & make his own. It will develop over time, but will essentialy be identified with that artiste. An imitator will require a whole arsenal of sounds to achieve an approximate imitation of said artistes.

I am not saying that you can't create that world class identifiable sound with tone controls & that an artiste will not change sounds occasionaly, I'm just suggesting a different perspective.

Tony: I'm having a hard time understanding why someone would pay so much money to have an amp with only one tonal possibility. It doesn't seem practical to me, especially since I've never wanted to sound like Queen!

I totaly agree Randy, especially as you could argue that the sound has already been taken! It's an awful lot of money to sound like someone else. I wasn't disagreeing with you in the slightest, just putting my two penneth into the hat.

As you are all probably fed up of hearing, I am pre producing the next Carnivores album & this thread has touched a nerve with me, as at this time I am thinking very much about setting the tonal bench mark & am heavily involved with continuity of sound over the next album. A very interesting thread that is actually quite thought provoking!

Tony: Good luck with your next album. I must say I was shocked to see in another thread that you're moving away from your Ricks. I'll admit that although I own more than a dozen Ricks myself, at this point I like them more for their style/craftsmanship and history than playability. One of these days I'll spend enough time playing them to get comfortable and break my Epiphone Casino habit!

Tony playing something that isn't Fireglo? Please post a link, I'd like to read about it, or perhaps Tony wouldn't mind retelling the story. BTW Tony, the first Carnivores CD will be in heavy rotation during Howard's visit, so he should be able to sing right along by the time he gets to you.

Thanks for your good wishes Randy, much appreciated. It's still fireglo Lindsay.....

Wow, she's a beauty, Tony! There's definitely something special about the LP/Marshall combination.

Know what you mean Lindsay Les Paul & Marshall were sort of meant to go together. The gtr actually has a gorgous flame top....