3 and only 3 Vox questions!

[LHakim]

And these will pertain to the original non-mv ac-30s 15s and 10s w/ the top boost.

1.) Is it true they run in Class A at low/clean volume, but switch to hot Class AB operation when overdriven;

2.) The preamp design is what's supposed to make these amps sound unique-how does that circuit differ from a tweed deluxe or early Marshall preamp;

3.) does anybody like their top-boosted vox w/ high-output humbuckers or is that a marriage made in hell?

Thanks!

 

[TedB]

1) At the risk of opening up a can of worms, they are not actually true class A amps, but then again, almost nothing is except for some single-ended combos. This is purely academic.

2) The Vox preamp circuitry is entirely different from Marshall and Fender. Actually, there are quite a lot of similarities between classic Marshall and Fender preamps, and that is not by accident.

3) It is difficult to make an AC30 sound bad. They work well with humbucker guitars.

 

[Tonefiend]

To be honest, a high output pickup os the one and only I have found that does not sound good through my AC30. (Non boosted '63-64) I have a San Dimas Charvel that screams through my marshall, with a Duncan Custom in it, but it is a dud through the AC30. Why, I don't know, but it just doesn't cut it.
If you want to play a humbucker guitar through an AC30 I recomend a paf or paf pro style Alnico 2 magnet.
I would describe a hot humbucker as punchy and lacking character compared to the Strat Tele, p-90s and humbuckers I normally play through it.
But I haven't extensivly studied this with other guitars, and would be interested in hearing another opinion from someone who has.

 

[Dr Rico]

I have JMI AC30 (grey panel) that is pushing a Weber P12S and a P12B. This amp loves my antiquity buckers, Tom Holmes buckers and my early pat# PAFs, is ok but less impressed with my Barden Two Tones, and absolutely kills with hot single coils like my Harmonic Designs Super 90 and Fralin steel pole.