Members Teahead Posted February 2, 2007 Members Share Posted February 2, 2007 It's an early AC30CCX model with the same Blue Alnico Speakers I have in my amp and it belongs to a friend who I'm trying to help change tubes, which happens to be a total bollocks! I've owned my UK built AC30tbx for about three years now and have been curious to try one of these newer models since they arrived on the scene. Overall, I'd say it's of an equal build quality to the UK amp, although the grill cloth could be tighter and the mains lead input socket is a little loose. My amp had it's share of faults when it arrived, electrical ones too, not just cosmetic stuff, so we'll call it equal and say neither are perfect. Most importantly, plugged straight in the amps sound remarkably close side by side. The new model is tighter than the old in the low end, which may not be a bad thing considering the amp's reputation for getting bloated when cranked. The UK amp has something raw and earthy happening, while the Chinese Vox is more refined. I could flip that and say that the UK amp is fatter, where the other sounds thinner, but it would still be far from thin. Of the new features, the master volume performs nicely, I wouldn't use a Hotplate with mv this good. Trem is meh and the reverb worse, but I wouldn't use either anyway. Haven't tried the effects loop yet, maybe tomorrow, hope to hit it with some pedals before it goes back. If I can, I'll try to record some comparison clips too. Considering the Chinese AC30 cost roughly 20% less than my UK built amp, I'd say it's a bargain, but I don't think I'd swap what I have. At the same time, if mine were stolen tomorrow, I'd pick up the new CC model in a heartbeat and wouldn't waste a second hunting down Korg's UK built version. I can seriously see myself with an AC15cc, maybe even the handwired version. The one thing I can't understand is why they wired the speakers directly to the chasis. I now have to take this amp to a tech on Monday just to swap tubes, what a load of {censored}e. He's going to install a jack to allow easier tube swaps in future, but the amp really should be made that way. Otherwise, great amp! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members GuyaGuy Posted February 2, 2007 Members Share Posted February 2, 2007 cool. i've not had the opportunity to A/B the UK vs. MIC so it's good to hear that the MIC holds it own.the MV does work nicely. and most amps like this get really muddy or really tinny at low volume but the AC30CC1 sounds pretty nice at bedroom volume.bummer to hear about the tubes though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil O'Keefe Posted February 2, 2007 Share Posted February 2, 2007 Nice report Tea. FWIW, the AC15cc has a 1/4" plug for the speaker built in stock. Speaker replacement is still a chore - I had to yank the back panels, loosen the amp chassis and remove the reverb tank to pull the stock Wharfedale out and fit my 15W, no dope Weber AlNiCo Blue Dog into it... but it was worth it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members shaun126 Posted February 2, 2007 Members Share Posted February 2, 2007 But..its Chinese made, and it is widely known on the internets to have issues. I'm sure it's crap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members amaleelake Posted February 2, 2007 Members Share Posted February 2, 2007 Thanks for the great review Very informative Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Teahead Posted February 2, 2007 Author Members Share Posted February 2, 2007 But..its Chinese made, and it is widely known on the internets to have issues. I'm sure it's crap. It did it's growing up in public alright.Having looked at prices, I see it's actually more like 30% cheaper new than the UK version was. That's crazy value, my amp definitely seems overpriced when put beside this CC version.For the cost, it'll be tough not to pick up the AC15cc and try a Weber replacement. It would make a great home, practice and small gig amp, not to mention running it in tandem with my seemingly overpriced, but nonetheless damn fine sounding AC30. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members shaun126 Posted February 2, 2007 Members Share Posted February 2, 2007 I was just being an ass, I love my AC30cc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members utterhack Posted February 2, 2007 Members Share Posted February 2, 2007 The new model is tighter than the old in the low end, which may not be a bad thing considering the amp's reputation for getting bloated when cranked. You may also be able to get it loosen up a bit if you set the back-panel "smoothing" switch from modern to vintage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BandofThievesâ„¢ Posted February 2, 2007 Members Share Posted February 2, 2007 Another happy ac30cc owner here.Had mine since they first shipped..Also happy ac15/2x10 owner also purchased new.Another amp that had a rough childhood in the Forums.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members dZjupp Posted February 2, 2007 Members Share Posted February 2, 2007 my other guitarist uses a ac30cc 2x12 with the cheaper speakers, and lemme say, it efffin screams, it has so much low end that i have a hard time matching him with my 4x12 cab. pisses me off quite frankly. i messed around with it and just decided i'm not really a vox guy. but he sounds great through it, the gain is out of this world on that amp. sickening really... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members GuyaGuy Posted February 2, 2007 Members Share Posted February 2, 2007 so i was hoping to replace the preamp tubes soon.is this really that tough?am i gonna have to schlep it to a tech? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Teahead Posted February 2, 2007 Author Members Share Posted February 2, 2007 Here's what I was told needed done...Clip and tape off the yellow and white wires. Using the remaining two wires, black and red, wire the speakers in series as you'd normally expect to find. Once you've wired them in typical fashion, you can put a male/female jack/plug inline as a speaker disconnect. As for the reverb; Using a Sharpie (or similar), mark on the bag where the input and ouput jacks are. Remove the bag by unscrewing it from the bottom of the cab and slipping off ofthe reverb pan Put a piece of 2x4 in the bag where the pan lives, and with about a 1/2" punch, using the 2x4 for backing, punch two neat holes in the bag. Replace the pan in the bag, screw the bag back down to the bottom of the cab, and plug the cables into the pan through the holes. Now you can simply plug/unplug the reverb leads, rather than having to remove the entire assembly. I have no intentions of attempting any of that of course, as it's not my amp, but I can tell you it looks far from easy. Tech work for a simple guy like me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members TaZMaNiO Posted February 2, 2007 Members Share Posted February 2, 2007 Here's what I was told needed done... Clip and tape off the yellow and white wires. Using the remaining two wires, black and red, wire the speakers in series as you'd normally expect to find. Once you've wired them in typical fashion, you can put a male/female jack/plug inline as a speaker disconnect. As for the reverb; Using a Sharpie (or similar), mark on the bag where the input and ouput jacks are. Remove the bag by unscrewing it from the bottom of the cab and slipping off ofthe reverb pan Put a piece of 2x4 in the bag where the pan lives, and with about a 1/2" punch, using the 2x4 for backing, punch two neat holes in the bag. Replace the pan in the bag, screw the bag back down to the bottom of the cab, and plug the cables into the pan through the holes. Now you can simply plug/unplug the reverb leads, rather than having to remove the entire assembly.I have no intentions of attempting any of that of course, as it's not my amp, but I can tell you it looks far from easy. Tech work for a simple guy like me. Seems like a LOT of work for such a crappy lil' amp, when amps that blow them away in sound and durability (Haysee, Tophat, etc.) are so readily available...I think people need to look past the Brand X thing & support some people that deserve your $$$, not some ass raping corporation churning out crap for a quick buck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Teahead Posted February 2, 2007 Author Members Share Posted February 2, 2007 Seems like a LOT of work for such a crappy lil' amp, when amps that blow them away in sound and durability (Haysee, Tophat, etc.) are so readily available... I think people need to look past the Brand X thing & support some people that deserve your $$$, not some ass raping corporation churning out crap for a quick buck Oooh, hark at him. Define "readily available" please? Hayseed has a waiting list for a start, I estimate it at six to twelve months. Tophats cost two to three times what the Vox amp costs here in the UK.Vox have already addressed some of these issues on later amps, a brand new product will always have gowing pains. Maybe you'll experience some yourself one day? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members gr8fuldodd Posted February 2, 2007 Members Share Posted February 2, 2007 excellent I might be in the market for a vox in a year or so great info Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jasevenny Posted February 2, 2007 Members Share Posted February 2, 2007 Nice report Tea. FWIW, the AC15cc has a 1/4" plug for the speaker built in stock. Speaker replacement is still a chore - I had to yank the back panels, loosen the amp chassis and remove the reverb tank to pull the stock Wharfedale out and fit my 15W, no dope Weber AlNiCo Blue Dog into it... but it was worth it. Is it possible to just take out the 1/4" plug without removing any back panels or anything? I'm about to buy a new AC30CCX and would like to be able to quickly connect the blue speakers to other amp heads too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members 4Kenoath Posted February 2, 2007 Members Share Posted February 2, 2007 Vox have already addressed some of these issues on later amps, a brand new product will always have gowing pains. I remember reading a lot about the QC issues early on. The main issue for me is how much and how well Korg have addressed those problems. If they have, good for them. I can't see why the Chinese amp would be a poor choice in those circumstances. I've had UK and US made amps with all sorts of poor QC issues, so I'm not going caste any stones at the Chinese.A lot of the Korean made gear is really good too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members TaZMaNiO Posted February 3, 2007 Members Share Posted February 3, 2007 Oooh, hark at him. Define "readily available" please? Hayseed has a waiting list for a start, I estimate it at six to twelve months. Tophats cost two to three times what the Vox amp costs here in the UK. Vox have already addressed some of these issues on later amps, a brand new product will always have gowing pains. Maybe you'll experience some yourself one day? When I said "readily available", I meant in the used market...I see them come up in mint condition for less than new on TGP, eBay etc all the time... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil O'Keefe Posted February 3, 2007 Share Posted February 3, 2007 Is it possible to just take out the 1/4" plug without removing any back panels or anything? I'm about to buy a new AC30CCX and would like to be able to quickly connect the blue speakers to other amp heads too. I don't know about the AC30cc, but on the 15, you can easily unplug the jack from the 1/4" receptacle on the under-side of the chassis without having to remove or disassemble anything. There's a 1/4" plug attached to the end of the speaker cable, so you'd probably need a 1/4" coupler (female to female adapter) and a second 1/4" dual male speaker cable to extend it far enough to get to a seperate head's speaker output jack, but I've done this on several occasions with mine and it works fine. Or, if you wanted to, you could just solder in a longer speaker cable very easily so that it could reach without having to resort to the second cable and the coupler. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members MrSage Posted February 3, 2007 Members Share Posted February 3, 2007 Aw. I thought this was going to be about the new AC-15 HW. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members GuyaGuy Posted February 3, 2007 Members Share Posted February 3, 2007 Here's what I was told needed done... Clip and tape off the yellow and white wires. Using the remaining two wires, black and red, wire the speakers in series as you'd normally expect to find. Once you've wired them in typical fashion, you can put a male/female jack/plug inline as a speaker disconnect. As for the reverb; Using a Sharpie (or similar), mark on the bag where the input and ouput jacks are. Remove the bag by unscrewing it from the bottom of the cab and slipping off ofthe reverb pan Put a piece of 2x4 in the bag where the pan lives, and with about a 1/2" punch, using the 2x4 for backing, punch two neat holes in the bag. Replace the pan in the bag, screw the bag back down to the bottom of the cab, and plug the cables into the pan through the holes. Now you can simply plug/unplug the reverb leads, rather than having to remove the entire assembly.I have no intentions of attempting any of that of course, as it's not my amp, but I can tell you it looks far from easy. Tech work for a simple guy like me. all that in order to change TUBES?!granted, it's not something i do all that often but the stock ones are noisy, yo! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members utterhack Posted February 3, 2007 Members Share Posted February 3, 2007 Depends on how long your speaker lead is. If you got a long 'un, it won't be an issue. If you've got a short 'un, you'll probably want to do the 1/4" mod or the North Coast Special spade terminal mod (pictured)Either way, you shouldn't have to be messing around with the reverb tank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Teahead Posted February 3, 2007 Author Members Share Posted February 3, 2007 Aw. I thought this was going to be about the new AC-15 HW. Damn, I wish!Sorry about that, I forgot there were newer Vox amps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members MrSage Posted February 3, 2007 Members Share Posted February 3, 2007 *drools* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Teahead Posted February 4, 2007 Author Members Share Posted February 4, 2007 You may also be able to get it loosen up a bit if you set the back-panel "smoothing" switch from modern to vintage.Well done! The rear panel was indeed set to modern, flicking to vintage definitely loosens the low end a little and makes it feel a little more like my amp. Although it still sounds somewhat more refined, tighter and extra-crisp, dare I say ... possibly more Voxy than my amp?!I have heard it suggested on Plexi Palace boards that the CC range are more true to original "JMI" specs and sounds than the old TBX models. Although I have never played such an amp, I can see exactly what they would mean by this. The AC15CC will be mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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