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Average Price: $1,698
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$801+
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Description
Step into the rich tonal legacy of the 1960s with the Vox AC-50 guitar amplifier head, a masterclass in authentic vintage sound and modern reliability. Originally crafted by Dallas Industries, this amplifier brings the timeless charm of JMI models to your performance, meticulously handwired for that genuine analog warmth. Designed with a silicone diode bridge rectifier, the AC-50 offers superior efficiency and stability, ensuring your sound is as consistent as it is powerful.
Housed in its robust "big box" construction, the chassis is smartly mounted on a plywood slider, making maintenance a breeze. While initially marketed as a bass amplifier, the EL34-equipped Vox AC-50 shines as a dynamic guitar amp, perfect for larger venues where a robust, clear tone is essential. Its versatile nature and remarkable value make it a treasured companion for musicians who crave both vintage aesthetics and contemporary dependability.
Whether you're looking to recreate the iconic sounds of the past or push the boundaries of modern music, the Vox AC-50 is your ticket to an unforgettable auditory experience.
Key Features:
- Handwired construction for authentic vintage tone
- Silicone diode bridge rectifier for improved efficiency
- EL34-equipped for powerful, clear sound
- "Big box" design with chassis on a plywood slider for easy service
- Originally marketed as a bass amplifier, but excels as a guitar amp for larger venues
Product specs
| Brand | Vox |
| Model | AC-50 2-Channel 50-Watt Guitar Amp Head |
| Year | 1973 - 1979 |
| Made In | United Kingdom |
| Categories | Guitar Heads |
| Built-In Effects | No Built-In Effects |
| Color Family | Black |
| Direct Output | No Direct Output |
| Effects Loop | No Effects Loop |
| Electronics | Tube |
| Impedance | 16 ohms, 8 ohms |
| Number of Channels | 2 Channels |
| Number of Inputs | 4 Inputs |
| Output Power (Watts) | 50 |
| Power Tube Type | EL34 |
| Reverb | None |
FAQs
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What kind of music genres is the Vox AC-50 amp head suitable for?
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The Vox AC-50 amp head is versatile and well-suited for classic rock, blues, and pop music, offering both classic Vox tones and modern high-gain sounds.
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Does the Vox AC-50 amp head include built-in effects?
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No, the Vox AC-50 amp head does not have built-in effects. It focuses on delivering pure tube-driven tones without additional effects.
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Is the Vox AC-50 amp head compatible with different speaker cabinets?
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Yes, the Vox AC-50 amp head is compatible with speaker cabinets that match its impedance settings of 8 ohms or 16 ohms.
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How many input options does the Vox AC-50 amp head provide?
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The Vox AC-50 amp head features four inputs, allowing for versatile connectivity options for different instruments or configurations.
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Can the Vox AC-50 amp head be used for live performances?
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Yes, with 50 watts of power, the Vox AC-50 amp head is suitable for live performances, providing ample volume and headroom for most venues.
Videos
Johan Segeborn
VOX AC50 - Vox’s Marshall KILLER!
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Vox AC-50.
Features and functionality
Mods and upgrades
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Owners suggest pairing the amp with higher wattage Alnico speakers like Celestion Golds or Creams for enhanced clarity and warmth without sacrificing the classic Vox chime.
Source -
Users report a significant improvement in tone after changing the EL34 tubes, enhancing the amp's overall sound quality.
Source
Comparisons
Use cases and applications
User experience
5.0 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 4 Ratings
144
Amazing amp head delivering rich, punchy sound!
With its powerful output and iconic British tone, this amp head delivers rich, punchy sound that’s perfect for rock, blues, and beyond. The AC-50 combines warm, tube-driven clarity with a robust low-end, making it versatile for both clean and overdriven tones. It’s built to last ... the one I own is already older than me ;), with a timeless design that still holds up in today’s market.
Artist usage
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¿Cómo trabajaste el sonido de guitarra? "Fue absolutamente genial la sincronización que se logró, podía no haberse producido. Definitivamente el héroe de mi sonido es el equipo Vox que conseguí cuando llegué allá (Miami), un AC-50. No tiene baffles, lo usé con baffles Marshall. Lo estoy usando también en gira, a pesar de que todo el mundo me dice que no lo haga, porque tiene un sonido genial y es difícil de conseguir y todos tienen miedo de que se rompa, pero no puedo evitarlo. Son antiguos, pero los hacían bien. Hay un mito que me saqué ahora, porque yo creía que los equipos antiguos, como el Marshall en su buena época, o el Vox, o los Hiwatt, que tienen un sonido espectacular, sonaban así porque eran viejos, creía que era producto de la vejez o el añejamiento. Y descubrí que no, que suenan mejor porque están mejor hechos, no porque sean viejos. Yo siempre usé equipos valvulares, y el Vox por ejemplo es un circuito clase A, que no se hace ahora, y vos la bandeja de las válvulas la sacás para afuera, o sea que está hecho además para que el técnico trabaje. Yo pensaba que eran bazofias que sonaban bien y nadie sabía bien por qué. Lo que te decía con respecto al disco, fue porque me encontré con ese Vox a través de alquilar. Me iba a comprar un Boogie Simulclass, que había leído que era buenísimo, es un equipo de 400 Watts, una brutalidad gigantesca, yo estaba desesperado porque el Marshall no me funcionaba como me gustaba. Lo probé y me pareció espantoso, lo devolví porque no podía soportar el sonido. Yo en mi casa, haciendo los demos, había logrado un sonido de guitarra que me resultaba cómodo, similar al que luego conseguí con el Vox con muchísimo más resto, usando un par de Marshall con pedales, compresores y aparatos. Cuando devuelvo el Boogie me traen el Vox éste, y me dicen que no lo venden. Yo lo vi nada más y dije “¡acá está!”. Lo escuché, lo puse al mango y dije se acabó, graben. Y cuando el tipo me vio tan entusiasmado me lo cobró muy caro. Pero me lo vendió."
This photograph from February 1967 shows Peter playing his Gibson Les Paul Guitar into a Vox AC-50 Tall Box Amp Head.
On 20.58min Hince shows one of his first amps which is now used by his bandmate Alison Mosshart.
According to the interview with Premier Guitar, Larocca-Ramm uses the Vox AC50 amplifier head.
"A hybrid 730 – the Revolver/Sergeant Pepper amp. There’s an AC100 that I got in ’78; I put it in a flight case and have taken it out three or four times to record with it. It looks like a time machine. Those amps were overpowered and underventilated, so they always blew up. There are probably very few examples left, let alone one that’s mint. I own AC50s, AC30s, and Super Beatles."
Frank 'Poncho' Sampedro is associated with a mid-1960s gray panel Vox AC-50 amplifier, featuring silicone diode rectifiers, as detailed by Mercury Magnetics. This model, often found in vintage auctions, highlights its historical and technical significance in his setup.
Album Usage
The Vox AC-50 has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Vox AC-50, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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