Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Kids,

I've got a bead on a modern "... point to point" AC-30. I know nothing about these creatures so can you folks give me some feedback on what to look for when I check it out?

For reference, I am not an amp snob, meaning I am not stuck on boutiques, but I do prefer pretty decent equipment that will hold value and perform reliably. I used to play out regularly but have slowed and will be picking back up. I prefer twin combos and my main amp now is a Mesa Booger Heartbreaker. My backup is a reissue Reverb Rocket. I normally play Fender Stratos and Rick 360s but I am thinking of switching to Ricks full time and trying out this AC-30. I do not use effects. As you might expect, I typically play jangle pop/power pop kinda stuff.

So, with that in mind... Apart from sound, what am I looking for on manufacture dates and/or options or features? Price points? Are they reliable? I am just starting my internet research and there are about a gajillion different opinions and perspectives.

Thanks in advance,

JKC

PS I have not seen the amp yet, but I've been told it is the "... point to point" with "... blue" speakers and blonde tolex.

It sounds like the amp is an H2 model. I use one; it't the only AC30 I'm using these days; I have a `73 that was retro-wired to 60s spec, and a CC; they're all great amps, but the H2 has an EF86 circuit channel, and a pentode mode on the top boost channel; both of these give the amp more bottom end at lower volumes (and higher!)than the other AC30s I own.

I had mine serviced twice the first year I owned it, but mine was dropped and damaged-a "scratch and dent model"-the two minor problems I had were due to it's being dropped and damaged when it was shipped to the store. I think it literally must have been dropped off the back of the truck into the shipping ramp pit. The amp was gone through thoroughly and I haven't had any issues since, knock on wood. It's my go to amp, so go for it. They sound awesome.

Thanks Bud. It is from my amp tech... He mentioned trading my Heartbreaker with cash... But I am keen to keep the Heartbreaker. Price Point on these things? He said he'd take 1200 for it, which seems fair for a quality tube twin, but any input?

Are these made in China or UK or both and do I need to look at that? I am assuming if made in China, then cheaper materials and cabinet and cheaper price... I am assuming if made in UK, then standard stuff and 1200 (US) is at least in the zone?

JKC

$1200 is good if it's in new condition. The best price I saw on them new was $1,799. new, IIRC. They're made in China, but having owned enough things of English manufacture, you're probably better off, or at the very least, no worse off than if the amp had been made in the UK; the amps were made in `07. the cabinet is 7 layer Baltic Birch ply, just like the rest of them.

Jim -- you can find out more than you'll probably ever need to know about Vox AC30s over on the Vox section on the Plexi Palace Vintage Amps Forum. Lot's of great info and tidbits about every kind of Vox amp issued over the decades. Check it out .....
http://vintageamps.com/

There seem to be about 3 versions of Handwired AC-30's floating around.

The first is the limited edition AC30 Handwired made in the UK in 1992(?). I believe they were made in the Marshall factory. They are traditional black Tolex, trem, reverb, top boost and seem to fetch hefty prices on ebay depending on condition ($2500?).

The next ones brought out in 2007 are the Heritage series which have birch cabinets, blonde tolex (or a walnut case), Celestion Blues and 2 channels; a normal top-boost channel using 12ax7's and the EF86 channel. They are somewhat handwired, as they use high quality PCB's and have the resistors, etc hand soldered onto the PCB, but the ground is wave soldered. Good amps. No reverb or tremolo, have a half power switch. Since the new handwired came out, these should be less expensive on the resale market. They were around $2K new and I saw new ones recently sell for $1500-1700. These were made in China.

Just released are the AC-30 handwired, which have birch cabinets, fawn tolex, true tag board handwiring and either Celestion Greenbacks or Blues. They have a tone stack bypass, master volume, hot switch and half power switch. Made in Vietnam. I think $1600 for Greenbacks, $2000 for Blues.

I wouldn't be put off by the Asian manufacture. I have a Heritage AC15 that really screams.

Guys...

Thanks for all the feedback. I will do my homework and let you know what happens.

JKC

Thanks for the feedback. I ended up getting this and paying $850.00. It is in good, but gigged condition. No tears on the front screen but a few nicks on the tolex. Very few and still looks good.

The tone, with my Chandler 555 is awesome. Incredible. I compared to my Mesa Boogie Heartbreaker and just a lot more chime. Plus, I'm not confronted with a slew of features and options. (The Heartbreaker sounds awesome too, but a pain to really dial in because it has a gajillion features and options).

The tone with my 480 Rick needs a little exploring and sounded a little thin but I haven't had time to work on it yet.

Paul W. has my 2 360s in for the full width inlay conversion and trimming the headstock on the 6 String, so I've not played them through it yet. (I cannot wait to try the 12 string)!

As for the made in China part, I pulled it apart and compared it to the insides of my Mesa and the craftsmanship looks comparable. It looks much neater and tighter than my Made in USA Ampeg Reverberocket. (Paid $400.00 for that). I am not an amp guy but my amp tech says it is pretty well put together and there are only a few components he'd "... upgrade." He said if I like the tone now, sit on it.

In sum, it's not a vintage AC30 by a long shot, nor is it a turret board or point to point boutique, but for the price, I think this is a great one to have around. Since I gained from insight here, I thought I'd post the "... review."

Thanks again for the feedback guys,

JKC

PS When I get the 360s back from Paul, I'll post a PIC or two.