Vox AC30 Birch Stolec Era Part Two It's a Full Strip Down

Vox AC30 Birch Stolec Era. This is part two of this wreck of an amp. This amp is going to be fully rebuilt using hand wired tag boards, like the ones used in the 1960s Vox AC30. In this video we focus on stripping down the chassis. We also look at what parts are worth saving and which parts go in the bin. This is a massive project but it should very rewarding at the end of it.

[@TonePriest]

Well that's a bit of work. Theseus is smiling.

[@vintageguitaramp_guitarteacher]

Hello, it sure is. This one will certainly push my limits. Thanks for watching. Take care.

[@matthewf1979]

Fantastic decision by the owner! I would go down the same route with this amp. Doing all the myself, of course.
The Lemark transformers sound very good. Comparable to the JMI era Albion iron imo.

[@vintageguitaramp_guitarteacher]

Hello Matt, thank you. It will be a big project but should be worth it when it's all finished. Thanks for the info on transformers. I must find time to have a read up on them. Take care.

[@electrolytics]

Looked up what Birch Stolec was. I don't know much about British amps. Lot's of history on the webs concerning this company and their work with Vox.
They made the Lemark transformers, for example. I'm guessing you know all this already. Cool history. Thanks.

[@vintageguitaramp_guitarteacher]

Hello, thank you. I didn't until this amp came in. I hadn't seen a Birch Stolec AC30 before. Thanks for watching and take care.

[@LothyBluesCave]

Yeah, baby! 😂 Speaking of rubbish metal work, I've done it for a scratch build and it was indeed a PITA without dedicated tools. Fortunately I could hide all the mess behind plates.

[@vintageguitaramp_guitarteacher]

Hello. Yes, I try to hide all my rubbish metal work too. Take care.

[@itsonlyme9938]

If you need vintage British valve sockets and retainers Langrex is worth looking at.

[@vintageguitaramp_guitarteacher]

Hello, I have bought a few things from them before, thanks. I will take a look on their website. Take care.

[@markbigwood7839]

Complete JMI style repro chassis are available at very reasonable prices in the UK...

[@vintageguitaramp_guitarteacher]

Hello Mark. That sounds very interesting. Do you know where we could get one? Thanks for watching and take care.

[@electrokatt2246]

The TT on the output transformer is a Twickenham part number

[@electrokatt2246]

choke I mean.,oops.

[@vintageguitaramp_guitarteacher]

Might just get a new choke. The are only 22 quid. Take care.

[@kinghubie68]

What happened to the rest of the series of this amp, I was looking forward to watching what you come up with and how it sounds?

[@vintageguitaramp_guitarteacher]

Hello. The customer decided not to have the amp restored. He decided to break it for parts and sell them. It would have been a costly project and the parts will fetch good money. It's a shame but sometimes the cost of restoration is too much. Thanks for watching and take care.

[@NotMarkKnopfler]

Bent chassis - that's what happens when you stand on your amp doing Pete Townsend windmills! Let that be a lesson to you! 😆

[@vintageguitaramp_guitarteacher]

Ha Ha, yes he's smashed a few amps in his time. Not mention the amount of guitars he trashed too. Thanks for watching and take care.

[@jutukka]

Well, you chose the full Monty! 😁

[@vintageguitaramp_guitarteacher]

Hello, yes we did. Looking forward to this one. The customer is doing a bit of research in to the chassis. Rather than have this one fixed up, he is looking into finding a replacement.. I will keep everyone posted in community. Take care.

[@electrokatt2246]

You`re gonna be busy Martyn,could you make a bigger tag board by strapping 2 or 3 together and standoffs?

[@vintageguitaramp_guitarteacher]

That was the plan. I have for a 30 a side tag board on ebay so that should be a good start.