I remember reading a Joe Walsh interview years ago where he was talking about guitar and amp combinations and he described Teles and Strats into Voxes as “instant success”. I agree! Great video.
I just read a comment from someone who saw Joe Wash playing through TWO Super Reverb amps, two Vox AC30 amps likely would have sounded great too, but different - Walsh's playing it didn't matter?
My first amp back in 1969 was a Vox Cambridge. It was a better amp than I realized back then, but we all wanted bigger amps so we could destroy our hearing more quickly.
Same. I had a 1x10 Cambridge as my 1st tube amp. With a couple pawnshop Hagstroms and a DOD classic fuzz I could approximate any 60s sound I wanted. I horse traded up to an early 70s twin and hated the weight.
@@tiptopdadddy I traded up to a mid-60's Pro Reverb. Hated the weight (it had 12" EV-SRO's that weigh 25 lbs. each! I still have those speakers). It was also a very crackly amp, wasn't my favorite.
The 220k grid resistors aren't the only thing affecting the volume on the AC10. There's also 100R resistors between the EL84 plates and the output transformer, which dissipate some of the would-be output power as heat. Also, the '59 AC15s used 220k grid resistors (with each input grounding their 220k resistor when unplugged, making both inputs the same volume), only from the 60s onwards that they switched to 68k grid resistors (and the Hi/Lo input configuration that's commonplace now).
Great score Zac....the "fleet is complete" brother! I have a 65' Vox Cambridge Reverb TUBE, and it kills. Not quite as nice as your AC10, but the Cambridge Reverb Tube vintage ones are sleepers!
Yeah, the Cambridge is great. I have a ‘66 Berkeley Super Reverb, same circuit as the Cambridge but in a head+cab configuration. The Pacemaker from the Thomas Organ Vox tube amp lineup is really good too, though it lacks reverb.
Different animal, but I have a new AC-10, probably made in China, less than $500. I dig the dirty tone, clean not so much. I'll trade if you get tired of yours.
Sounds really great, very fender sounding with more mids and bite, just perfect for a tele! I've always said , You PLAY the guitar but you HEAR the amp.
And a very young Brian May saw Rory play, met him backstage to talk about Rory's AC30s and Rangemaster Treble Booster box - both of which Brian May still uses today
I love the sound of the AC10 and vox in general. However, in today's day and age I think all amps made today should have a FX Send/Rec so you can use your pedals to always get the sound you want for a specific song or lead riff. Blues On....💙
The popularity of Vox amps started pre Beatles) with the Shadows circa 1960. Fender Stratocaster, Vox AC15 (then AC30) and echo unit (Meazzi). Every guitar player in the UK, Western Europe and Australia wanted that sound! I've owned an early 1960s Gibson tweed amp, brown face Fender Deluxe and black face and blond Fender Showman amplifiers, but my favourite amp to this day is the Vox AC30. I love the Telecaster/Vox combination!
That was a very informative episode! Great tone there. I had a modern China made AC 10 but sold it. It tended to break up a little too early for me in a giggling situation unless I was solely playing a blues gig. I much preferred the modern AC 15 because it produced more headroom that I needed. I would definitely love to play a vintage circuit like that vintage AC 10. What a great looking amp! That’s a masterful job on the cabinet. I’ve subscribed to the Vintage Wood Workshop channel. So glad for you Zac. You deserve it.
I had a Vox amp that was a little different, it was that 'Tony Bruno' model they brought out a few years back, 2 X 12" speakers, 35 watts with 6V6 tubes, so it had more of a Fender Twin vibe, but different, it weighed like 80 LBS so a real beast to carry around! It was a powerful, rock type amp. I replaced with a BOSS Katana (don't hate on me) 100 watt. I think your Vox sounds very sweet.
@@mwpv11 I have a Bassman head and AC15 head (wish it was AC30), and I can barely lift either one. The thing about those heavy Vox cabs is the MDF makes them sound better than solid wood or ply, attenuates the harsh highs it seems? The "cheap" amps like Silvertone used MDF for baffles too, and the screws would strip on them easily, one guy changed it for a plywood baffle thinking it would improve the tone, but the amp never sounded as good again. Stereo audiophile speakers use MDF cabinets for a reason? I like my Gibson amps with solid redwood cabs!
The Beatles stopped using AC30's live when they got the AC50's etc but they still used AC30's in the studio to record with for sure. No doubt about that. They had many different Vox amps and of course Fenders later.
So, Kyle made the box and Paul modded the electronics. I can see and hear why you’re happy. Hard to go wrong with all that! Hmmm... ever think about a Carr Rambler? Pretty smooth tones! :)
Tube Vox's Shine in Many Genres of Music. Blue's, Rock, Country, Reggae, Jazz etc. Jazz Great John Schofield has been using AC 30s for Years. Strats & Tele's Shine like Glimmering Diamonds through Em. And as far as Clean... Yes, they can sound extremely clean if one knows how to Dime an Amp. Vox's can & are most definitely a versatile amp.
Yeh, well you got a world's classic!! Mike Campbell ... Yet another fine guitarist originally from Jacksonville, Florida. That era of VOX had a PCBoard. Sounded great, but has its problems. MUCH agree on that EF86. VOX is remaking the handwired version as of July 2024 but apparently no EF86. Those sawdust cabs have no resonant frequency. Some TWilburys! That amp sounds real fine! Got that mid-range bark!! By the way ... Those Doug and Pat guys (did I get that right?) have one that's a slanted head on a cab and trolley, I think. Boy, that thing is killer sounding!
I heard one of the great problems with vintage VOX amps was that they overheat with one problem being the small and inadequate cooling vents. I suppose modifying the cab would affect/effect the sound? BTW, this one sounds woody and …very good.
Ahhh a JMI AC10! My other dream amp! (The first being...a Harvard.) You are a man of fine taste, not to mention kind friends. And with that Esquire too. Congratulations yet again!
Do you know if my 60th Anniversary UK Handwired AC15 has the EF-86 tube in the Vibrato/Tremolo Chanel or the “Normal” channel. I never use Trem, and have never even plugged into it.
You should try the Vib/Trem channel even if you never use the tremolo. It’s got a different sound to the Normal channel: a bit less gain, a bit thinner. I like it with fat sounding guitars that I want to lighten up.
Vox developed their high power amps thanks to The Beatles. As the venues grew bigger, and reached the maximum at the Shea stadium, they needed louder amps, and Vox modified the existing amps for them.
Zak, these multi thousand dollar amps are out of reach for many of us non-giggers. In your opinion, what makes an amp like the AC10 worth $3-4,000? Collectability? Rarety, components, design, craftsmanship/labor? I know China could probably put one out for $100.
So pleased you got what you wanted Zac - and Vintage Woodwork have done a superb job. Don’t forget the Vox AC2 ... smallest and rarest in the range - back in the day. I’ll send you a photo on Instagram.
There are good reasons for why input resistance for an EF86 is higher than an ECC83. I'm not familiar with AC10 layout... if the input resistor can be placed after the 1M grid resistor in the circuit, ideally directly to the pin of the EF86 socket, it's value will not affect gain.
Well, that input prior to V1 would normally be set between 33k and 64k. 64k for dual inputs on amps so 1 instrument in would only see 33k. Pretty standard Fender values. And 1meg to ground..
Thanks Zac! So, decades ago in my Vox phase, it wasn't my ears that were the problem, or my lack of skill squeezing out "The Vox Sound" I could never get!
Great video as always, Zac. Your ears are right with regard to "It's Only Love." Per the photographic record, the Beatles went back to using two AC30s during the recording of Rubber Soul.
Thanks Zak, wonderful!! A Vox story: in Chicago, a gtr player friend Jeff King started a band in the '80s, Loose Lips. The main singer, Richie Mayer, played a hardtail Strat through an AC 30. My friend played a modded Strat of his own design with a Deluxe for leads and a Super for rhythm. OMG I heard that Strat/AC 30 and fell in love, and immediately went and found a 1960 w/o Top Boost, which I still own and love. Richie heard me playing my Strat with my AC30 one day, and he came over and yelled at me to turn the tone controls "all the way off", and he was right! Try it. I also had to mod the amp, adding a fan, because the power tubes kept blowing up because they were so hot.
I wish Vox would bring out a reissue with both channels and a real EF86, for a more affordable version. The AC10C1 is a neat little budget amp, but not all the way there…
Great video and story! I have an AC10C1 reissue. It's the black and tan with JJ tubes and Creamback speaker. I stumbled on it used for $180 (US). I heard it and could not get out of there with it fast enough. I thought for sure the guy was going to change his mind. The new ones have reverb but no trem. I absolutely love it! It's not restored vintage, but sure does sound awesome.
Great video! I was a total Vox-o-phile when I was 14-15 years old. (1964-65.) My first good amp was a Thomas Organ-made Cambridge Reverb that I got new in 1966. I joined my first good band in ‘67 with that amp and a Vox Phantom XII guitar. The amp sounded good, but it didn’t have enough power to cut through the other guys’ Fender Bassmans and Pro Reverb! They made me trade it in on a Fender Bandmaster, and I had to borrow the money from my dad to make up the difference. The biggest problem was the Phantom XII guitar, but that’s another story...
Oh my. This is one for the ages. Love the back story and the amp sounds killer. The fact that the amp was far from original actually added to the appeal. Talk about resurrecting an amp and making it even better than it was before. That custom cabinet is a beautiful creation and you know that sonically it lifted that amp to new heights. Great episode, Zac. You continue to amaze and inspire us all. Be sure to let us hear that amp again from time to time.
Loved it. What a rig. Now, it is time for you to go crazy and put it with the Deluxe. I'd say the Havard, but I think the Vox has the mids well covered! Great vid. Good on you for getting your hands on that one.
I hear people say this tube sounds better or worse, well Zac not only did 12ax7 sound different to my ears, the EF86 sounds like it strong point is it lives in MIDLAND. I’m not talking Texas either. Perfect tone. Thanks Zac.
Great video Zac! I was just playing through my late '62/early '63 AC10 twin today! I had a '63 AC30 rear panel topboost for twenty years and loved loved loved that amp. But it was just a museum piece for much of it due to its ridiculous weight and volume. After selling it and searching for a few years I found this AC10 up here on the west coast of Canada for 2 thousand bucks! Scooped it and it's just a fantastic Vox. I recently found a pair of Elacs for it after searching for three years. They actually sound great, but I will swap out for something that can handle more than 4 watts(ridiculous)! My amp already had the input mod done before I bought it and I added a bright car to the amp so that I can get a little more top end out of the normal channel which I do like for rhythm stuff(suggested by Hugh Price). I'd like to try the Celestion Golds, but I know they are not Blues so I'd probably be disappointed and they'll add a lot of weight. Enjoy that amp and can't wait to see and hear more! Cheers
Uh oh, watching your channel is getting very expensive Zac! You've already gotten me to trade in some high-end HiFi tube gear to help fund the purchase of a '68 maple cap Tele, and '65 BFDR. Now, I just may have to sell a kidney for an AC10, lol. Any chance you'd be able to borrow an original 2-10" AC10 and compare with your 1-12" Celestion modded version? Anyway, you Keith, and Rick have some of the best channels on TH-cam! Thanks for the great content-
Actively playing "the perfect sound" versus passively listening to "the perfect sound", imho, well, having both is "the perfect world", but would you rather be part of "creating" the perfect world or be an observer or bystander? No judgement, just an observation of, as George Harrison said "living in the material world". Enjoy whatever the outcome you choose!
You may have already discovered this, but if not: Plug into the EF86 channel, make sure the tremolo is switched off, then turn the Amplitude control. Because of how this control is connected to the EF86, it will change the gain & headroom of the EF86 (giving grit at lower volume if you want it). Discovered that on my own '65 AC10 Twin.
Hi Zac I figured to ask Zac again im looking to get a small practice amp budget priced dst around $100 Ive seen the VOX Pathfinder 10 and the Orange Crush 12 are the any fender or other brands ypu could recommend that are not trash for up to $150 thanks
Yes, Zac, the AC-10 is special and you got a great sound on it. However, I've had a number of very good sessions with an old AC-4. There's something about single-ended amps that is just magic, speaking of which, I also love my 1961 Gibson GA-5T "Skylark ".
First of all I still love this Telecaster. The best Vox sound I ever heard is the 1965 (?) AC 10 head at the Pat & Doug show. But this one is very close. I' m happy combining a small Fender combo with an AC 15. The Jensen meets Celestion sound.
Thank you for mentioning The Shadows! Have a listen to some of their early hits such as: 'Kon-tiki', 'Man of mystery', 'Apache', 'FBI' and Wonderful land'.
I concur! this is the first time I've heard mention of The Shadows by any one from across the pond. Don't they ever wonder why Fleabay's full of fiesta red strats with Hank B Marvin's moniker on them? I saw them live once.The Vox Meazzi echomatic copy died, but they carried on regardless, and still sounded fabulous Thankyou for the mention! A lot of British bands used the Meazzi Factotum for lead amp because it was an EL84 based PA with an echo box built in. I finished up with a closed back ac 30 supertwin cab with a reverb,treble and bass boost, vib/trem circuit, trapezoid shaped ( sloped sided) head as used by Pete Townsend. We never had any trouble with JMI products in around five years of weekend gigging.The Foundation Bass deserves a look in too as a work horse poor man's Bassman.
It can be, the problem is there are a ton of expensive old tubes that don't sound great anymore. My Vox in the video is filled with NOS tubes, but I don't know if I will continue that when they need to be replaced. I use a mix of new and NOS in most of my amps.
Hi zac love that you have found that one of a kind jmi vox ac10 sound like myself, but need your advice man on a limited budget what would you recommend regarding A telecaster a vintage squire c/v or something else don't have the bread for a fender can you please help thanks man jimmy in London
I am a huge fan of Vox and finally bought an AC15. All the chime and grind I was missing is there. Mid range cuts through like no other. It’s also one of the loudest 15 watt amps I’ve owned. I gig it on the regular. Great video, Zac!🇺🇸🎸
That. Is. KILLER! I took this past year to get into the specifics of electric guitar gear, and I think I'm solidly a Vox guy, esp. after hearing the tones in this amp.
Brian Epstein (The Beatles manager) had made a deal with Vox that they would only use Vox in Public). After Brian died in 1967 Fender had approached them about using Fender Amps & Guitars. They got a bunch of Fender stuff given to them in late 1968. 40% of every tube amp is from the Output transformer. The original Vox output output tranny's were very special sounding. I had a 1963 AC-15 with 1-12" Blue Alnico. I wish I had never sold it.. It's in Australia..
Sounds amazing Zac. I do love my Magic Brit MK2 which is a combination of the best vintage Voxes I've played. American Girl is actually what took me towards to both Teles and Voxes. I had 2 x 90's Korg AC30s back in the day. One was amazing and it was my main amp for about 15 years. The other I sold straight away because it just never sounded as good.
The Vox sound is good , if that is what you are after ... but the Fenders rule for that Beautiful sound that everyone forever has chased ... even the modern tone master series is actually superb! BTW I own an original AC30, (modified) which I bought in the 1970's ... IMHO ... Fenders have always been the most versatile Amps that can cover everything. Except for my Evil 74 twin that caused severe hearing damage to me ... the foolishness of youth ... things were different then!
My setup VoxAC30C2X Fender Bassbreaker45 Tweed BJR4running through a Morley ABC box Using Tele’s Strats LP’s and I am in Tone Heaven Parked my Twin Reverb & MLHot Rod Deville the Tele’s really come alive with this combination Always enjoy your vids 👍🔥🎸🦅
I hardly ever see an old AC30 with an original power transformer. I wonder if they didn’t like American power or if that is a global thing. Maybe it’s just a me thing. 😀. It looks like the Woden transformers held up better than most. If I see a stock transformer it’s usually a Woden.
I don't have a Vox, but I do have a Bugera T5 Infinium 5 watt that is all the Vox vibe you would ever want in a compact, affordable amp head. Just pair it with a decent cab & you'll be pleased with the jangly tones. Beatles & Tom Petty tones all day!! I play a an Esquire with a Seymour Duncan '55 Antiquity pick-up and it gets great tones through the Bugera.
My first amp was a Vox T60... a solid state head piece of crap I used with a 4x12 Selmer cab and a Vox Continental organ (a dog). After that I used AC30's... all early sixties copper panel types and some with top boost. I have had several of them and they were always easy to sell when I got broke lel. Bought and sold them for peanuts back in the the day; they were everybodys work horse... one of the last ones I sold in the mid seventies for £135 (and still made a profit!) I just have a 63 Vox AC30 (top boost) left now with the Celestion Blues fitted! I will probably keep that one as I will soon be able to swap it for a car! lel
The ‘57 sounds unbelievably great through that amp and cab, like it was meant to be! Enjoy and thanks for trusting me with this project!
Thank you so much, Kyle!!!! Beautiful work.
Loved watching you create those finger joints. The sort of woodworking that is getting rare these days. Your finishing and details made it complete.
I LOVE a good restoration story. If you can bring a great amp back to life, well, there's hope for all of us. :)
Our wives are trying to restore us!!
I remember reading a Joe Walsh interview years ago where he was talking about guitar and amp combinations and he described Teles and Strats into Voxes as “instant success”. I agree! Great video.
Agreed
I just read a comment from someone who saw Joe Wash playing through TWO Super Reverb amps, two Vox AC30 amps likely would have sounded great too, but different - Walsh's playing it didn't matter?
My first amp back in 1969 was a Vox Cambridge. It was a better amp than I realized back then, but we all wanted bigger amps so we could destroy our hearing more quickly.
Pardon?
Stay free, S m. R 🍻 👂 😎
EH?!
My first amp was a '64 Super Reverb ... which I STILL have! Sorry. What'd you say ... ?
Same. I had a 1x10 Cambridge as my 1st tube amp. With a couple pawnshop Hagstroms and a DOD classic fuzz I could approximate any 60s sound I wanted. I horse traded up to an early 70s twin and hated the weight.
@@tiptopdadddy I traded up to a mid-60's Pro Reverb. Hated the weight (it had 12" EV-SRO's that weigh 25 lbs. each! I still have those speakers). It was also a very crackly amp, wasn't my favorite.
The 220k grid resistors aren't the only thing affecting the volume on the AC10. There's also 100R resistors between the EL84 plates and the output transformer, which dissipate some of the would-be output power as heat.
Also, the '59 AC15s used 220k grid resistors (with each input grounding their 220k resistor when unplugged, making both inputs the same volume), only from the 60s onwards that they switched to 68k grid resistors (and the Hi/Lo input configuration that's commonplace now).
Beautiful amp! I have the new AC10 (I know, it's not the same), but I love it!
Very nice!
Great score Zac....the "fleet is complete" brother! I have a 65' Vox Cambridge Reverb TUBE, and it kills. Not quite as nice as your AC10, but the Cambridge Reverb Tube vintage ones are sleepers!
Yeah, the Cambridge is great. I have a ‘66 Berkeley Super Reverb, same circuit as the Cambridge but in a head+cab configuration. The Pacemaker from the Thomas Organ Vox tube amp lineup is really good too, though it lacks reverb.
Ian. A buddy had a tube one, and I regret not buying it. Vox with a sprinkle of Fender. Killer amps.
Absolutely kills…that amp is beyond awesome!…the only thing that sucks a touch is the Bulldog speaker…
UL series Vox amps 4120, 7120, 730 etc.. are Beatles revolver tones. Also Led Zeppelin II.
Different animal, but I have a new AC-10, probably made in China, less than $500. I dig the dirty tone, clean not so much. I'll trade if you get tired of yours.
Sounds really great, very fender sounding with more mids and bite, just perfect for a tele! I've always said , You PLAY the guitar but you HEAR the amp.
Don't forget that Rory Gallagher used an AC 30 in his early career, Irish Tour, etc.
And a very young Brian May saw Rory play, met him backstage to talk about Rory's AC30s and Rangemaster Treble Booster box - both of which Brian May still uses today
Great intel thanks
@@anthonyz7000 Brian May isn't Rory though - not even close. I despised Queen because of the satanic fraggot who sang with them.......
Great. !
I believe the first HeartBreakers album was using solid state stuff like the the Buckingham head.
Only remember this because i knew of one.
I love the sound of the AC10 and vox in general. However, in today's day and age I think all amps made today should have a FX Send/Rec so you can use your pedals to always get the sound you want for a specific song or lead riff.
Blues On....💙
The popularity of Vox amps started pre Beatles) with the Shadows circa 1960. Fender Stratocaster, Vox AC15 (then AC30) and echo unit (Meazzi). Every guitar player in the UK, Western Europe and Australia wanted that sound! I've owned an early 1960s Gibson tweed amp, brown face Fender Deluxe and black face and blond Fender Showman amplifiers, but my favourite amp to this day is the Vox AC30. I love the Telecaster/Vox combination!
That's what I love the best too: my Shijie telecaster through the "3rd Rail amps" JMI AC-10 clone head, that does it for me!
@@pharmerdavid1432 - absolutely great Vox sound!
That was a very informative episode! Great tone there. I had a modern China made AC 10 but sold it. It tended to break up a little too early for me in a giggling situation unless I was solely playing a blues gig. I much preferred the modern AC 15 because it produced more headroom that I needed. I would definitely love to play a vintage circuit like that vintage AC 10. What a great looking amp! That’s a masterful job on the cabinet. I’ve subscribed to the Vintage Wood Workshop channel. So glad for you Zac. You deserve it.
Thanks for the compliment and sub!
I had a Vox amp that was a little different, it was that 'Tony Bruno' model they brought out a few years back, 2 X 12" speakers, 35 watts with 6V6 tubes, so it had more of a Fender Twin vibe, but different, it weighed like 80 LBS so a real beast to carry around! It was a powerful, rock type amp. I replaced with a BOSS Katana (don't hate on me) 100 watt. I think your Vox sounds very sweet.
I have a 1 X12 18 watt Bruno that I have used for a number a number of years now and love it.
I went the same way. No more heavy amps for me.
I still have the 2 x 12 Bruno. There are 2 handles for a reason. At least the price was right.
😱
@@mwpv11 I have a Bassman head and AC15 head (wish it was AC30), and I can barely lift either one. The thing about those heavy Vox cabs is the MDF makes them sound better than solid wood or ply, attenuates the harsh highs it seems? The "cheap" amps like Silvertone used MDF for baffles too, and the screws would strip on them easily, one guy changed it for a plywood baffle thinking it would improve the tone, but the amp never sounded as good again. Stereo audiophile speakers use MDF cabinets for a reason? I like my Gibson amps with solid redwood cabs!
The Beatles stopped using AC30's live when they got the AC50's etc but they still used AC30's in the studio to record with for sure. No doubt about that. They had many different Vox amps and of course Fenders later.
Telecasters and Vox amps...marriage made in heaven!
i have to agree. I have a newer AC10 and i love it with my tele
My AC30 and Tele Deluxe and Nashville Tele sound so good together.
I have a VOX AC 10 made 3 years ago and it is amazing!
I have one too. My first amp was a 1966 Cambridge. Very similar.
People are making videoes saying the Vox AC10C1 sounds better than a Princeton Reverb!?
So, Kyle made the box and Paul modded the electronics. I can see and hear why you’re happy. Hard to go wrong with all that! Hmmm... ever think about a Carr Rambler? Pretty smooth tones! :)
My Carr Mercury sure makes me happy.
Tube Vox's Shine in Many Genres of Music. Blue's, Rock, Country, Reggae, Jazz etc. Jazz Great John Schofield has been using AC 30s for Years.
Strats & Tele's Shine like Glimmering Diamonds through Em.
And as far as Clean... Yes, they can sound extremely clean if one knows how to Dime an Amp. Vox's can & are most definitely a versatile amp.
Vox amps with the Pentode front end is just magic, especially with single coils.
Yeh, well you got a world's classic!! Mike Campbell ... Yet another fine guitarist originally from Jacksonville, Florida. That era of VOX had a PCBoard. Sounded great, but has its problems. MUCH agree on that EF86. VOX is remaking the handwired version as of July 2024 but apparently no EF86. Those sawdust cabs have no resonant frequency. Some TWilburys! That amp sounds real fine! Got that mid-range bark!! By the way ... Those Doug and Pat guys (did I get that right?) have one that's a slanted head on a cab and trolley, I think. Boy, that thing is killer sounding!
I heard one of the great problems with vintage VOX amps was that they overheat with one problem being the small and inadequate cooling vents. I suppose modifying the cab would affect/effect the sound?
BTW, this one sounds woody and …very good.
Sounds great, Zac. My original format 3 Monkeys Sock Monkey has EL 84s through a greenback. Nice and crispy with my 1975 telecaster.
Ahhh a JMI AC10! My other dream amp! (The first being...a Harvard.) You are a man of fine taste, not to mention kind friends. And with that Esquire too. Congratulations yet again!
Thank you!
Have you tried the hand wired AC15 with Celestion Blue (AC15HW1X)?
Yes. Great amp!
All these years I overlooked this little beauty. Love the Dick Denny circuit. The cabinet work is exquisite. Looks meant to live with your Esquire.
Your ears break up before the amp AC30.
Do you know if my 60th Anniversary UK Handwired AC15 has the EF-86 tube in the Vibrato/Tremolo Chanel or the “Normal” channel. I never use Trem, and have never even plugged into it.
Tom, the normal chan on your amp has the EF86. I bet it sounds wonderful!
You should try the Vib/Trem channel even if you never use the tremolo. It’s got a different sound to the Normal channel: a bit less gain, a bit thinner. I like it with fat sounding guitars that I want to lighten up.
Vox developed their high power amps thanks to The Beatles. As the venues grew bigger, and reached the maximum at the Shea stadium, they needed louder amps, and Vox modified the existing amps for them.
Zak, these multi thousand dollar amps are out of reach for many of us non-giggers. In your opinion, what makes an amp like the AC10 worth $3-4,000? Collectability? Rarety, components, design, craftsmanship/labor? I know China could probably put one out for $100.
The AC4 has an EF86 preamp too. Pretty rare, weird little amp with tremolo. Great sound, mine is a '65.
So pleased you got what you wanted Zac - and Vintage Woodwork have done a superb job.
Don’t forget the Vox AC2 ... smallest and rarest in the range - back in the day.
I’ll send you a photo on Instagram.
I'll go look!
Thank you Zac. Learned alot from you today. I too am a huge Vox fan but never considered AC 10.
Thank you
There are good reasons for why input resistance for an EF86 is higher than an ECC83. I'm not familiar with AC10 layout... if the input resistor can be placed after the 1M grid resistor in the circuit, ideally directly to the pin of the EF86 socket, it's value will not affect gain.
Well, that input prior to V1 would normally be set between 33k and 64k. 64k for dual inputs on amps so 1 instrument in would only see 33k. Pretty standard Fender values. And 1meg to ground..
Thanks Zac! So, decades ago in my Vox phase, it wasn't my ears that were the problem, or my lack of skill squeezing out "The Vox Sound" I could never get!
Great video as always, Zac. Your ears are right with regard to "It's Only Love." Per the photographic record, the Beatles went back to using two AC30s during the recording of Rubber Soul.
That's my favorite Beatle album! Very cool!
It's really easy to tell if a vintage vox is counterfeit or not.... If it works consistently its a fake.
Ha!
Thanks Zak, wonderful!! A Vox story: in Chicago, a gtr player friend Jeff King started a band in the '80s, Loose Lips. The main singer, Richie Mayer, played a hardtail Strat through an AC 30. My friend played a modded Strat of his own design with a Deluxe for leads and a Super for rhythm. OMG I heard that Strat/AC 30 and fell in love, and immediately went and found a 1960 w/o Top Boost, which I still own and love. Richie heard me playing my Strat with my AC30 one day, and he came over and yelled at me to turn the tone controls "all the way off", and he was right! Try it. I also had to mod the amp, adding a fan, because the power tubes kept blowing up because they were so hot.
Any problems with the EF-86 channel (I assume you have it?) going microphonic - the reason they designed it out...?
Damn, great gear. I like playing rhythm on a vox not that lead tone sucks they seem to shine in chords... Well done sir.
How about a side by side comparison to the new AC10 please?
That 12X channel doesn’t have the Cajones as the other channel.
Great description of the history. To clarify, 12 AX7 is a dual triode, EF 86 is a pentode
Tim Aven is a cool TH-camr in Nashville too.. he's a guitar player in that town and in a band called lanco.. anyway.. maybe use will connect someday
I wish Vox would bring out a reissue with both channels and a real EF86, for a more affordable version. The AC10C1 is a neat little budget amp, but not all the way there…
Amazing story and amazing work. Great video on a great project Zac. Killer tone.
Rhett Shull’s Vox video is awesome too!
That tone around the 5:30 mark reminds me of Redd’s tone a lot of the time.
Telecaster and Vox create a special sound together.Thanks for the restoration video.
Great video and story! I have an AC10C1 reissue. It's the black and tan with JJ tubes and Creamback speaker. I stumbled on it used for $180 (US). I heard it and could not get out of there with it fast enough. I thought for sure the guy was going to change his mind. The new ones have reverb but no trem. I absolutely love it! It's not restored vintage, but sure does sound awesome.
Great video! I was a total Vox-o-phile when I was 14-15 years old. (1964-65.) My first good amp was a Thomas Organ-made Cambridge Reverb that I got new in 1966. I joined my first good band in ‘67 with that amp and a Vox Phantom XII guitar. The amp sounded good, but it didn’t have enough power to cut through the other guys’ Fender Bassmans and Pro Reverb! They made me trade it in on a Fender Bandmaster, and I had to borrow the money from my dad to make up the difference. The biggest problem was the Phantom XII guitar, but that’s another story...
Same story here. Now I would just mic the Vox and not bother with a big amp.
MDF - Medium Density Fiberboard. The opposite of Birch.
Oh my. This is one for the ages. Love the back story and the amp sounds killer. The fact that the amp was far from original actually added to the appeal. Talk about resurrecting an amp and making it even better than it was before. That custom cabinet is a beautiful creation and you know that sonically it lifted that amp to new heights. Great episode, Zac. You continue to amaze and inspire us all. Be sure to let us hear that amp again from time to time.
Thank you, Will.
Loved it. What a rig. Now, it is time for you to go crazy and put it with the Deluxe. I'd say the Havard, but I think the Vox has the mids well covered! Great vid. Good on you for getting your hands on that one.
That's the plan!
I hear people say this tube sounds better or worse, well Zac not only did 12ax7 sound different to my ears, the EF86 sounds like it strong point is it lives in MIDLAND. I’m not talking Texas either. Perfect tone. Thanks Zac.
LoL, unfortunately I am from Midland Texas and it is about the worst place you can live if you are a musician
Awesome timing Zac! Just ordered an AC15 to complement my Deluxe Reverb in a stereo rig.
I remember this band that used to play at a local bar near me. One of the guitarists had a ac 15. That amp sounded so good .
Great video Zac! I was just playing through my late '62/early '63 AC10 twin today! I had a '63 AC30 rear panel topboost for twenty years and loved loved loved that amp. But it was just a museum piece for much of it due to its ridiculous weight and volume. After selling it and searching for a few years I found this AC10 up here on the west coast of Canada for 2 thousand bucks! Scooped it and it's just a fantastic Vox. I recently found a pair of Elacs for it after searching for three years. They actually sound great, but I will swap out for something that can handle more than 4 watts(ridiculous)! My amp already had the input mod done before I bought it and I added a bright car to the amp so that I can get a little more top end out of the normal channel which I do like for rhythm stuff(suggested by Hugh Price). I'd like to try the Celestion Golds, but I know they are not Blues so I'd probably be disappointed and they'll add a lot of weight. Enjoy that amp and can't wait to see and hear more! Cheers
Love the Vox!
Damn! I love this amp/ I'm a big Vox fan. And yeah, it barks!
The tele sounds almost like a banjo in the Vox. :-) Wonderful tones!
Go learn about tubes by clicking on the yellow boxes.
www.audiotubes.com
Uh oh, watching your channel is getting very expensive Zac! You've already gotten me to trade in some high-end HiFi tube gear to help fund the purchase of a '68 maple cap Tele, and '65 BFDR. Now, I just may have to sell a kidney for an AC10, lol. Any chance you'd be able to borrow an original 2-10" AC10 and compare with your 1-12" Celestion modded version? Anyway, you Keith, and Rick have some of the best channels on TH-cam! Thanks for the great content-
Great idea!
Actively playing "the perfect sound" versus passively listening to "the perfect sound", imho, well, having both is "the perfect world", but would you rather be part of "creating" the perfect world or be an observer or bystander? No judgement, just an observation of, as George Harrison said "living in the material world". Enjoy whatever the outcome you choose!
You may have already discovered this, but if not: Plug into the EF86 channel, make sure the tremolo is switched off, then turn the Amplitude control. Because of how this control is connected to the EF86, it will change the gain & headroom of the EF86 (giving grit at lower volume if you want it). Discovered that on my own '65 AC10 Twin.
Very important tip!
You really did well. Sounds incredible.
Hi Zac, is your AC 10 a different model than the Vox AC10 SRT (Super Reverb Twin) like the one Doug and Pat have? [i.e. Doug & Pat TH-cam Show)
It doesn't have verb.
Hi Zac I figured to ask Zac again im looking to get a small practice amp budget priced dst around $100 Ive seen the VOX Pathfinder 10 and the Orange Crush 12 are the any fender or other brands ypu could recommend that are not trash for up to $150 thanks
The small Fender amps are cool too. Go and play them all
Yes, Zac, the AC-10 is special and you got a great sound on it. However, I've had a number of very good sessions with an old AC-4. There's something about single-ended amps that is just magic, speaking of which, I also love my 1961 Gibson GA-5T "Skylark ".
I love my AC10 and maxi Tele its beautiful...
Mexi Tele 90s
..dig your playin', ..better than Brad!
The amp looks and sounds great. Nice playing too, Zac
Thanks, Gary!
First of all I still love this Telecaster.
The best Vox sound I ever heard is the 1965 (?) AC 10 head at the Pat & Doug show.
But this one is very close.
I' m happy combining a small Fender combo with an AC 15.
The Jensen meets Celestion sound.
They have the Super Reverb Twin AC10. It is a rare version of the AC10.
Thank you for mentioning The Shadows! Have a listen to some of their early hits such as: 'Kon-tiki', 'Man of mystery', 'Apache', 'FBI' and Wonderful land'.
I concur! this is the first time I've heard mention of The Shadows by any one from across the pond. Don't they ever wonder why Fleabay's full of fiesta red strats with Hank B Marvin's moniker on them? I saw them live once.The Vox Meazzi echomatic copy died, but they carried on regardless, and still sounded fabulous Thankyou for the mention! A lot of British bands used the Meazzi Factotum for lead amp because it was an EL84 based PA with an echo box built in. I finished up with a closed back ac 30 supertwin cab with a reverb,treble and bass boost, vib/trem circuit, trapezoid shaped ( sloped sided) head as used by Pete Townsend. We never had any trouble with JMI products in around five years of weekend gigging.The Foundation Bass deserves a look in too as a work horse poor man's Bassman.
Thanks for the video. I didn't even know there was an AC10. Sounds great. Did they even sell them in the US?
They were sold in the USA, but apparently not many.
Do you think its worth buying nos preamp tubes? If so what brands do you think sound great in a fender deluxe or twin reverb?
It can be, the problem is there are a ton of expensive old tubes that don't sound great anymore. My Vox in the video is filled with NOS tubes, but I don't know if I will continue that when they need to be replaced. I use a mix of new and NOS in most of my amps.
Russia is making great tubes; they now make Electro Harmonix and Tung-Sol amongst others and they are very very good.
@@vayabroder729 I use tung sol a lot
@@AskZac try current production Tung Sol in C1 and current JJs everywhere else. Works well in my Vox.
Hi zac love that you have found that one of a kind jmi vox ac10 sound like myself, but need your advice man on a limited budget what would you recommend regarding A telecaster a vintage squire c/v or something else don't have the bread for a fender can you please help thanks man jimmy in London
The new ac10s are quite nice too
Good work. Mine’s a tan/beige one from 1959. …. EF86 channel.. has the Elac. Needs a bit of love now. New filter caps mainly.
I have a new-ish AC-10. I wonder if this will help me...
The old JMI AC10 is a different circuit with the EF86 tube, but I do like the new AC10's.
I'm suprized and I love that amp!
I am a huge fan of Vox and finally bought an AC15. All the chime and grind I was missing is there. Mid range cuts through like no other. It’s also one of the loudest 15 watt amps I’ve owned. I gig it on the regular. Great video, Zac!🇺🇸🎸
Right on!
Brian May used 9 at a time for awhile in Queen. Edit : AC 30's that is
nope he uses 3 the rest are spares but it looks good..its the wet/dry/wet setup
@@lapitch1 Yeah, spares. I wonder if he'd lend me one...they are spares, after all :D
Don't know what you were talking about, but LOVE the sound and your playing skill!!! BAD ASS!!!😆😆😆
That. Is. KILLER! I took this past year to get into the specifics of electric guitar gear, and I think I'm solidly a Vox guy, esp. after hearing the tones in this amp.
Brian Epstein (The Beatles manager) had made a deal with Vox that they would only use Vox in Public). After Brian died in 1967 Fender had approached them about using Fender Amps & Guitars. They got a bunch of Fender stuff given to them in late 1968.
40% of every tube amp is from the Output transformer. The original Vox output output tranny's were very special sounding. I had a 1963 AC-15 with 1-12" Blue Alnico. I wish I had never sold it.. It's in Australia..
Your playing and tone is superb
I have a 1963 AC30... it sounds OK with my 67 Tele...😂😂😂 Actually I got both in the 70's and still own them. I am glad I never sold them.
Is it loud enough to play with a band? Rehearsal and small club setting?
Yes
Sounds amazing Zac.
I do love my Magic Brit MK2 which is a combination of the best vintage Voxes I've played.
American Girl is actually what took me towards to both Teles and Voxes. I had 2 x 90's Korg AC30s back in the day. One was amazing and it was my main amp for about 15 years. The other I sold straight away because it just never sounded as good.
I have never had the chance to play through one. Guthrie and Jedd used them, which is enough right there.
The Vox sound is good , if that is what you are after ... but the Fenders rule for that Beautiful sound that everyone forever has chased ... even the modern tone master series is actually superb!
BTW I own an original AC30, (modified) which I bought in the 1970's ... IMHO ... Fenders have always been the most versatile Amps that can cover everything.
Except for my Evil 74 twin that caused severe hearing damage to me ... the foolishness of youth ... things were different then!
My setup VoxAC30C2X Fender Bassbreaker45 Tweed BJR4running through a Morley ABC box Using Tele’s Strats LP’s and I am in Tone Heaven Parked my Twin Reverb & MLHot Rod Deville the Tele’s really come alive with this combination Always enjoy your vids 👍🔥🎸🦅
Holy shit, I bought a lemon Korg AC30 brand new as well. I about fell over when you mentioned your experience.
Nice guitar picking = 22:14 & 23:19
I hardly ever see an old AC30 with an original power transformer. I wonder if they didn’t like American power or if that is a global thing. Maybe it’s just a me thing. 😀. It looks like the Woden transformers held up better than most. If I see a stock transformer it’s usually a Woden.
Woden's are the best-sounding ones in my opinion.
I've always been told the cathode bias ran them so hot, that the original transformers blew out. I could be way off though lol
I've got a pair of old AC30s ('63 and '64), both with original power (and output) transformers. One is all-Woden, the other is all-Albion.
Well,I put my Red Fiesta Noventa away a bit. Guess I’ll take that tele out,when the amp comes🕺🏿🕺🏿🕺🏿
I love my 65 Amps London's EF86 Channel. I had a newer Vox Handwired AC4, which had a Top Boost Circuit, and I was not that fond of that one.
EF86 is where the magic happens. Shameless plug for Winfield amps, if you're into the early Vox tone...
I don't have a Vox, but I do have a Bugera T5 Infinium 5 watt that is all the Vox vibe you would ever want in a compact, affordable amp head. Just pair it with a decent cab & you'll be pleased with the jangly tones. Beatles & Tom Petty tones all day!! I play a an Esquire with a Seymour Duncan '55 Antiquity pick-up and it gets great tones through the Bugera.
My first amp was a Vox T60... a solid state head piece of crap I used with a 4x12 Selmer cab and a Vox Continental organ (a dog). After that I used AC30's... all early sixties copper panel types and some with top boost. I have had several of them and they were always easy to sell when I got broke lel. Bought and sold them for peanuts back in the the day; they were everybodys work horse... one of the last ones I sold in the mid seventies for £135 (and still made a profit!) I just have a 63 Vox AC30 (top boost) left now with the Celestion Blues fitted! I will probably keep that one as I will soon be able to swap it for a car! lel
For playing pink floyd and jimi hendrix this amp is good please?
Sure