@jcshirke I believe the amp was in it's original cab, with original Blues in it. I also believe the cab was recovered (obviously this wasn't my amp, but I'm friends with the guy who owned it).
Do you recall where you had the volume set for the '60s amp? It's breaking up quite a bit, so it had to be pretty loud. Did you have the TBIAC pedal off when the video started? Both amps sound great--a little different, of course, but great in their own way. Thanks.
@jcshirke Both amps were set where I'd normally and practically set them for my own live sounds: a bit of break-up, but with room to further over-driven by pedals. If I want glassy clean, a turn of the volume knob will achieve that. TBIAC pedal was off until the time you see me turn it on. Thanks.
The 1960 sounds fantastic, I have to say (being a vintage fanatic and such)
BUT let's not forget the newer one isn't broken in yet and I'm sure the handwired (2010) will give you a run for your money once enough soul and passion is put in it :)
Amp was new, right out of the box. No break-in time.
Which amp did I prefer? I own a 1964 AC30 TB. I'm a vintage nut, long before the vintage craze of the last decade, which has since waned with the economic downturn and availability of great amps being made today by small/med builders and even a few large co's. So... To answer the question, a
vintage Vox will always be dearest to me. But I'm rather fearful of taking my '64 out to gig. So I got one of these new ones and the experience has been
@olalator Gigging regularly or out on tour? The 2010. Collecting or studio? The 1960's. Tonally, they both give up the goods and as such, would equally serve live and studio applications. I just don't know if I would want to tour with a vintage amp that's worth a bundle.
Sorry, this might be a stupid question, but how much was the new model amp played prior to the recording of this? I do know that as a speaker "breaks in" a little more it tends to sound warmer. Was just wondering if the new Vox was right out of the box or if it had been used a bit first.
@samjad1 It was right out of the box. Once the Blues break in and the components get juice running through them for a while, the amp will get warmer and punchier.
@philotze They were making a good amt. of volume in the room. If either amp gets turned up, they will overdrive more. The intent was to hear them as I would use them at a gig, pedals and all.
I think it's a fine demonstration. Having everything totally equal on both amps wouldn't have taken away from the fact that the 2010 sounds pretty darned close to the vintage amp -- which is damned good. Those new Celestions as opposed to older ones could make a world of difference, even apart from the amps themselves. I just ordered the head version of the 2010 and your video at least shows me that's a decent purchase.
@fretbored1 That was a stupid question as you have AC30HW2X listed above the video. "I'm a moron. Don't everybody stare at me at the same time"-Brian Regan
This is kind of a hilarious comparison. I honestly don't know how anyone can tell what is better since the camera (microphone) is in a totally different position when going between A/B. The only way anyone would be able to tell which one was better is if there were 2 mics set up in identical positions in front of the amps when you switched between them.
@clayphish YES! I explained this in the notes I posted, but most didn't take the time to look. Cam-mic on a Canon G10, closer to the newer amp on the R than the older amp on the L. Closer amp will naturally deliver more treble as it is more on-axis than the farther amp. Plus I'm moving the camera often, which always changes the response. A truer test would have been to put the camera on a fixed tripod directly between both amps. I only took the video so I could have a listen at home. Oh well...
I don't know, man. I can hear the difference pretty easily. The older one sounds a lot warmer and the newer one sounds a lot crisper. They both sound great though.
@thestooty Yeah, you can hear a definite difference, but the problem is that an on axis microphone pointed close to the center cone of a speaker is always going to sound a lot crisper then a mic that is off axis and further off the side of the speaker. Believe me, I mic amps a lot and have experimented every conceivable way to come up with recorded gtr sounds. Both amps here sound great individually, but comparing them in this video is next to impossible.
I'll lay odds that with a couple of years, breaking in with gigs etc that the modern Vox will sound plenty different to the way it does here - closer to the 60's original.
60's by a long, long, long way. Vox is now owned and manufactured by Korg in China. Go get an awesome boutique Vox clone like a Morgan, Shaw, or a Nolatone and hear what a real vintage Vox is supposed to sound like. And please, no whiney comments about how I don't know what I'm talking about. I own a Vox Handwired AC15 (TV Front) and a Shaw Audio Fulltilt 18 (amongst a slew of other boutique and vintage amplifiers, and the Shaw kills it every time.
New one definitely has more definition and cut. Just shows that there's not this ridiculous gaap between the vintage stuff and the new models. Well, some of them anyway.
What voltage do you run your old ac30 on? I heard one can use a step up transformer and run it on the 245 volt setting to run the amp cooler by allowing the entire amp transformer to be used. I currently use the 115 volt setting but my wall voltage is 125 in NJ. Any thoughts? thanks
@peanutavalon no don't change the voltage selector to a voltage you don't have. that will cut all voltages in the amp at half. tube heaters can't operate at 3.15 volts, so i don't think your amp would operate at all, and when the plate voltages are cut in half, the tubes will not be operating within its normal parameters, and if it did work at all, would sound bad.
That's a repro cab (or at least redone tolex) on the JMI AC30, right? They didn't make Top Boost amps in fawn (since they stopped doing amps in fawn in '62, I think), and it doesn't look like the original fawn covering Vox used. Still a great sounding amp...I was just curious about the cab.
The 2010 sounds a lot better IMO, the old 60's one sounds fucked in comparison (still a nice tone mind), well pretty much like a 50 year old set of speakers would do after being hammered for 50 years. Great playing man.... and an excellent demonstration of how good modern copies of old classics can sound. And as shitload cheaper no doubt. I bet that old AC30 sounded fantastic when it was first built.
Thanks for doing the vid, but this isn't really representative. Please please do this again with the speakers broken in, the 2010 on full power, and the camera angle the same on both amps so there isn't the angle effect.
Well considering the true vintage one is probably $6-7000, I think the difference is just not that great to justify the cost of the true vintage model. The new one kicks ass. I just ordered one, cant wait.
They both sound great. Since the audio is coming from the camera microphone, it is also possible that the 2010, on the right, sounds brighter because it is closer to the camera mic. Just saying..
I like the drive of the vintage one better, but I think the 2010 has just a little more clarity and cuts through the mix better. I like darker sounding amps though, so the vintage probably wins for me.
Whilst that might make a slight difference - its would not make that much difference as you are hearing in the video. Work in the music industry - but an intersting point just the same.
great video and playing! Sounds like the 60s AC30 had the volume set lower though so it's hard really to compare directly. Maybe another video of both cranked?
Man that's awesome! Now I'm second-guessing my decision to get that Dr. Z Stangray!!! I only bought it because Vox didn't have anything like THIS out!!!
And the '60s chassis is in a replica cab? NCM perhaps? Original speakers, presumably?
jcshirke 2 days ago
@jcshirke I believe the amp was in it's original cab, with original Blues in it. I also believe the cab was recovered (obviously this wasn't my amp, but I'm friends with the guy who owned it).
cubba65 2 days ago
Do you recall where you had the volume set for the '60s amp? It's breaking up quite a bit, so it had to be pretty loud. Did you have the TBIAC pedal off when the video started? Both amps sound great--a little different, of course, but great in their own way. Thanks.
jcshirke 1 week ago
@jcshirke Both amps were set where I'd normally and practically set them for my own live sounds: a bit of break-up, but with room to further over-driven by pedals. If I want glassy clean, a turn of the volume knob will achieve that. TBIAC pedal was off until the time you see me turn it on. Thanks.
cubba65 2 days ago
The 1960 sounds fantastic, I have to say (being a vintage fanatic and such)
BUT let's not forget the newer one isn't broken in yet and I'm sure the handwired (2010) will give you a run for your money once enough soul and passion is put in it :)
arva300178 1 month ago
with the mic placement it is impossible to know which one sounds better
keaulana1 1 month ago
Amp was new, right out of the box. No break-in time.
Which amp did I prefer? I own a 1964 AC30 TB. I'm a vintage nut, long before the vintage craze of the last decade, which has since waned with the economic downturn and availability of great amps being made today by small/med builders and even a few large co's. So... To answer the question, a
vintage Vox will always be dearest to me. But I'm rather fearful of taking my '64 out to gig. So I got one of these new ones and the experience has been
cubba65 1 month ago
which is better on YOUR opinion?
olalator 5 months ago
@olalator Gigging regularly or out on tour? The 2010. Collecting or studio? The 1960's. Tonally, they both give up the goods and as such, would equally serve live and studio applications. I just don't know if I would want to tour with a vintage amp that's worth a bundle.
cubba65 2 days ago
line both amps to the same cab and a/b them with a set mic
nbrothergtr 6 months ago
Strymon pedals kick ass!
AlexDeMars123 6 months ago
Sorry, this might be a stupid question, but how much was the new model amp played prior to the recording of this? I do know that as a speaker "breaks in" a little more it tends to sound warmer. Was just wondering if the new Vox was right out of the box or if it had been used a bit first.
samjad1 6 months ago
@samjad1 It was right out of the box. Once the Blues break in and the components get juice running through them for a while, the amp will get warmer and punchier.
cubba65 2 days ago
Are they on low volume? Turn the volume up louder!
philotze 7 months ago
@philotze They were making a good amt. of volume in the room. If either amp gets turned up, they will overdrive more. The intent was to hear them as I would use them at a gig, pedals and all.
cubba65 2 days ago
I think it's a fine demonstration. Having everything totally equal on both amps wouldn't have taken away from the fact that the 2010 sounds pretty darned close to the vintage amp -- which is damned good. Those new Celestions as opposed to older ones could make a world of difference, even apart from the amps themselves. I just ordered the head version of the 2010 and your video at least shows me that's a decent purchase.
Troglored 9 months ago
Does the new handwired version here have Greenbacks or Blues?
fretbored1 9 months ago
@fretbored1 That was a stupid question as you have AC30HW2X listed above the video. "I'm a moron. Don't everybody stare at me at the same time"-Brian Regan
fretbored1 9 months ago
This is kind of a hilarious comparison. I honestly don't know how anyone can tell what is better since the camera (microphone) is in a totally different position when going between A/B. The only way anyone would be able to tell which one was better is if there were 2 mics set up in identical positions in front of the amps when you switched between them.
clayphish 9 months ago 14
@clayphish YES! I explained this in the notes I posted, but most didn't take the time to look. Cam-mic on a Canon G10, closer to the newer amp on the R than the older amp on the L. Closer amp will naturally deliver more treble as it is more on-axis than the farther amp. Plus I'm moving the camera often, which always changes the response. A truer test would have been to put the camera on a fixed tripod directly between both amps. I only took the video so I could have a listen at home. Oh well...
cubba65 9 months ago
@clayphish
I don't know, man. I can hear the difference pretty easily. The older one sounds a lot warmer and the newer one sounds a lot crisper. They both sound great though.
thestooty 7 months ago
@thestooty Yeah, you can hear a definite difference, but the problem is that an on axis microphone pointed close to the center cone of a speaker is always going to sound a lot crisper then a mic that is off axis and further off the side of the speaker. Believe me, I mic amps a lot and have experimented every conceivable way to come up with recorded gtr sounds. Both amps here sound great individually, but comparing them in this video is next to impossible.
clayphish 7 months ago
I'll lay odds that with a couple of years, breaking in with gigs etc that the modern Vox will sound plenty different to the way it does here - closer to the 60's original.
Rikitocker 9 months ago
60's by a long, long, long way. Vox is now owned and manufactured by Korg in China. Go get an awesome boutique Vox clone like a Morgan, Shaw, or a Nolatone and hear what a real vintage Vox is supposed to sound like. And please, no whiney comments about how I don't know what I'm talking about. I own a Vox Handwired AC15 (TV Front) and a Shaw Audio Fulltilt 18 (amongst a slew of other boutique and vintage amplifiers, and the Shaw kills it every time.
PeteWojMusic 10 months ago
New one definitely has more definition and cut. Just shows that there's not this ridiculous gaap between the vintage stuff and the new models. Well, some of them anyway.
yestomichigan 10 months ago
There's more sag on the new one.
William102582 10 months ago
What voltage do you run your old ac30 on? I heard one can use a step up transformer and run it on the 245 volt setting to run the amp cooler by allowing the entire amp transformer to be used. I currently use the 115 volt setting but my wall voltage is 125 in NJ. Any thoughts? thanks
peanutavalon 10 months ago
@peanutavalon no don't change the voltage selector to a voltage you don't have. that will cut all voltages in the amp at half. tube heaters can't operate at 3.15 volts, so i don't think your amp would operate at all, and when the plate voltages are cut in half, the tubes will not be operating within its normal parameters, and if it did work at all, would sound bad.
2holdfasthope 10 months ago
That's a repro cab (or at least redone tolex) on the JMI AC30, right? They didn't make Top Boost amps in fawn (since they stopped doing amps in fawn in '62, I think), and it doesn't look like the original fawn covering Vox used. Still a great sounding amp...I was just curious about the cab.
jcshirke 10 months ago
The 2010 sounds a lot better IMO, the old 60's one sounds fucked in comparison (still a nice tone mind), well pretty much like a 50 year old set of speakers would do after being hammered for 50 years. Great playing man.... and an excellent demonstration of how good modern copies of old classics can sound. And as shitload cheaper no doubt. I bet that old AC30 sounded fantastic when it was first built.
chymist66 11 months ago
Please post another A/B video when the speakers get broken in on the 2010 model - I'll bet they sound closer. Cool vid.
onetime504 1 year ago
I prefer the vintage ac30...but both sound great. And man you have a nice board.
Ilovemyfender2 1 year ago
how much different does the ac15hw1x sound? and the ac15h1tv?
vgw1971 1 year ago
@TheDiddlysquat You're right. But who cares? I enjoyed this clip.
skurtix 1 year ago
Thanks for doing the vid, but this isn't really representative. Please please do this again with the speakers broken in, the 2010 on full power, and the camera angle the same on both amps so there isn't the angle effect.
Seektone 1 year ago
hey how do you spell vox?
Lesrevil08 1 year ago
@Lesrevil08 Vocks
2245DRUMMER 1 year ago
@2245DRUMMER Damn kinda like socks? but not like The Red Sox's, oh god! Fucking Germanic phonics confusion.
Lesrevil08 1 year ago
sweeeet, I'll have that baby soon!
William102582 1 year ago
Well considering the true vintage one is probably $6-7000, I think the difference is just not that great to justify the cost of the true vintage model. The new one kicks ass. I just ordered one, cant wait.
thenormish 1 year ago
@TheDiddlysquat you gotta point
brandonbake 1 year ago
They both sound great. Since the audio is coming from the camera microphone, it is also possible that the 2010, on the right, sounds brighter because it is closer to the camera mic. Just saying..
vanillasr08 1 year ago
I like the drive of the vintage one better, but I think the 2010 has just a little more clarity and cuts through the mix better. I like darker sounding amps though, so the vintage probably wins for me.
gbgg9409 1 year ago
I can't tell the difference...All I know is that I wanna make music with anyone of those...
philotze 1 year ago
Love to see comparrisons like this one. I have the H2l ac 30 and the ac 151htv.
robrippen 1 year ago
I'm n love with both O_O
But vintage is more rare so It would feel more Valuble to me than the 2010
MrSoulSamCooke 1 year ago
older isn't always better
MannyBlue65 1 year ago
2010 sound better because its closer to camera - brighter.
BlisterOnTheMoon 1 year ago
@BlisterOnTheMoon
Whilst that might make a slight difference - its would not make that much difference as you are hearing in the video. Work in the music industry - but an intersting point just the same.
mcargillphotography 1 year ago
Thanks-
To my ears, the 2010 sounds brighter, the 60 fuller.
325v64 1 year ago
2010 sounds better to me!!
keaulana1 1 year ago
I like them both, pretty much the same. They are quite different, but good is good.
wuezili 1 year ago
great video and playing! Sounds like the 60s AC30 had the volume set lower though so it's hard really to compare directly. Maybe another video of both cranked?
Thanks
habsfan170 1 year ago
fantastic tone!!!OMG!
andrewjeff 1 year ago
1960 amp sounds badass, 2010 not bad but close!
trevinor3 1 year ago 10
do it again in 30w!!! This is great!
jensenbell 1 year ago
Man that's awesome! Now I'm second-guessing my decision to get that Dr. Z Stangray!!! I only bought it because Vox didn't have anything like THIS out!!!
jfhudak 1 year ago
Are they out already ?
marc12marc 1 year ago
Can't wait for the updated series to come out.
crazyfreak1919 1 year ago