Pricing and availability
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Average Price: $430
Standard/Professional
$300
$701+
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Budget
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Price History
Based on price data from 1 merchant for "Vox AC30VR". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 4, 2026.
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Description
Step into the world of legendary sound with the Vox AC30VR, where classic British tones meet modern versatility. Crafted for guitarists who crave both vintage warmth and contemporary edge, this combo amp is a powerhouse of sonic possibilities. The Valve Reactor (VR) technology is the secret sauce, delivering the dynamic range and responsive feel of a tube amp without the heft or expense. It's the perfect blend of innovation and tradition, drawing from Vox's rich heritage to give you a soundscape that's both familiar and fresh.
With its 2-channel design, the AC30VR accommodates a wide array of styles, from the jangly cleans that defined an era to the rich overdriven tones of modern rock. The normal channel offers straightforward tone shaping with bass and treble controls, while the overdrive channel ups the ante with additional gain and mid controls for crafting your ideal sound. The master section features a unique tone cut circuit, allowing you to tailor the high-end frequencies to taste, ensuring your sound is always polished and performance-ready.
Whether you're on stage or in the studio, the AC30VR's reverb and master volume controls let you dial in the perfect ambiance. Plus, with an external speaker jack, you can connect an 8-ohm extension cabinet for even greater projection, muting the internal speakers for a seamless transition. The Vox AC30VR is not just an amplifier; it's your ticket to iconic tones at an unbeatable value.
Key Features:
- 30-watt, 2x12" combo amplifier with Valve Reactor technology
- 2-channel design: normal and overdrive
- Tone controls: bass, treble on normal; gain, middle, bass, treble on overdrive
- Master section with tone cut circuit and reverb
- External 8-ohm speaker jack for use with an extension cabinet
- Includes 2x12" VX12 Celestion custom speakers
Product specs
| Brand | Vox |
| Model | AC30VR Valve Reactor 2-Channel 2x12" Hybrid Guitar Combo |
| Finish | Black |
| Year | 2010s |
| Categories | Guitar Combo Amps |
| Built-In Effects | Built-In Effects |
| Color Family | Black |
| Direct Output | No Direct Output |
| Effects Loop | No Effects Loop |
| Electronics | Hybrid |
| Number of Channels | 2 Channels |
| Number of Inputs | 1 Input |
| Output Power (Watts) | 30 |
| Reverb | Digital Reverb |
| Speaker Configuration | 2x12" |
FAQs
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What type of amplifier is the Vox AC30VR?
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The Vox AC30VR is a hybrid guitar combo amplifier, combining a tube-driven preamp with a solid-state power amp for a blend of classic and modern tones.
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How many channels does the Vox AC30VR have?
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The Vox AC30VR features two channels, allowing you to switch between clean and overdriven tones for versatile sound options.
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What speakers are used in the Vox AC30VR?
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The Vox AC30VR is equipped with two 12" Celestion VX12 custom speakers, which deliver the amp's signature chime and robust sound.
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Does the Vox AC30VR have built-in effects?
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Yes, the Vox AC30VR includes built-in digital reverb, adding depth and ambiance to your sound without needing external effects.
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Is the Vox AC30VR suitable for live performances?
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With its 30-watt output and dual 12" speakers, the Vox AC30VR is powerful enough for small to medium-sized venues, making it a good choice for live performances.
Videos
Sweetwater
Vox AC30VR Demo
Reviews
PROS
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More tone controls than AC15, offering better sound customization
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Lighter than the original AC30, easier to transport
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Hybrid tube amp with solid state for versatile sound
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Offers both classic and modern rock sounds, used by famous artists
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Built-in distortion and reverb enhance tone without extra pedals
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Celestion Greenback speakers provide incredible tones
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Top Boost Channel offers full VOX tone in a lighter package
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Durable, with users reporting great performance over many years
CONS
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Tubes may wear out quickly, raising maintenance costs
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Lack of tremolo feature for those seeking that specific effect
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Vox AC30VR.
Comparisons
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The AC15C1, though pricier than the AC30VR, offers superior sound quality and pedal compatibility, widely favored by users over the hybrid AC30VR.
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The Peavey Classic 30, an all-tube combo with EL84 power tubes, is recommended as a close tonal match to the AC30 but with better pedal integration.
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The AC30VR's hybrid design with a single 12AX7 in the preamp contrasts sharply with full tube amps, affecting user satisfaction.
Source
Features and functionality
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The AC30VR's solid state preamp limits volume/headroom, with minimal volume increase past noon on gain pedals, making it less suitable for band practice.
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The AC30VR incorporates a solid state power amp with a single 12AX7 tube in the preamp, leading to misconceptions about its tube authenticity.
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The AC30VR's channel switching may cut the signal momentarily, affecting seamless transitions during performance.
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User experience
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Owners report that the AC30VR struggles with dirt pedals, affecting the tonal clarity and dynamics, especially when used in conjunction with a drummer.
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Owners frequently express disappointment in the AC30VR's sound quality, especially when compared to full tube amps like the Fender Hot Rod Deluxe.
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Some users report that the AC30VR's distortion channel provides "Radiohead vibes" when fully cranked, appealing to fans of that sound.
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The amp is noted for being "mad loud" with an ice-picky quality at full volume, which some equate to impressive loudness.
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Mods and upgrades
Use cases and applications
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While the AC30VR can serve as an adequate practice amp, it's not favored for live performances or settings requiring high headroom and volume.
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Despite being labeled as quieter, the AC30VR has been successfully used at unmic'd gigs, indicating it can handle small to medium venues.
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The AC30VR is considered versatile, having been used effectively in a range of genres from folk to doom metal.
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4.5 out of 5
Based on 18 Reviews and 59 Ratings
42
Pretty damn good
At first I was dissapointed of the sound at low volume. But with time I've learned to tweak the knobs and got myself a really nice tone. It is true that it is a little bassier compared to its brother the ac30cc2 but it is still a great amp for a great price. The overdrive channel is unnecesary, if I want to play metal i wouldn't go with a vox amp, but still sounds good. Whereas the saturation on the clean channel is pristine and the best thing is that is easy to control it and get a great tube saturation sound. It also goes well with most of my pedals, except for my big muff which for some reason turns out to sound too middy. I recommend this amp to everyone out there looking for the vox sound on a budget and even some marshall fans as it can be pushed to these lands. Of course there are better amps than this one, but it is a great amp, specially if you are looking to go "pro" on the first levels.
Preferred Settings + Usage:
-Master: 12 - 1 o'clock -Reverb: 7 o'clock -Tone cut: 8 o clock -Treble: 2 o clock -Bass: 3 o clock -PA volume: 8-9 o clock
118
A LIGHT AC30 WHAT AN INVENTION!!!
Hey AC30 lovers! Sick of breaking your back when you attempt to lift your AC30? LOOK NO FURTHER. Here, we have an AC30 that instead of being HEAVY HEAVY, is just HEAVY! And it sounds pretty slick too! And (was) cheaper when it came out! (I don't even know if they make them anymore!) If you can handle a teeny bit of solid state in your mess of a setup and you crave classic rock and roll vibes, this one's for you!
251
Classic sound- good for everything!
I started out with a Vox VT15 modeling amp in the 6th grade and eventually upgraded to one of these babies. It's an amp ready to hit the stage and can get very loud very fast. It's a Tube Amp infused with a pre-amp mp so it's a definite hybrid. The controls are divided into 3 sections: Master, Overdrive, and Normal. The Master section has three knobs that control the overall volume, amount of reverb, and tone cut. The Overdrive section has a full treble, middle, and bass EQ along with Gain and Volume. When activated, the Overdrive function offers a gritty and almost metal distortion sound. You can adjust as you please and get many sounds out of the pre-amp overdrive. Finally, there is a "normal" section that controls treble, bass, and volume. This amp has classic/boutique features and is known to be associated with the Beatles. However, this can deliver some high quality modern rock sounds. In fact, Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters) uses this exact amp! These now sell for $550 online but I'm sure you can find some used once for cheap. Hope this helps!
154
122
KICK ASS!!
Built in distortion kicks the need to buy a DS-1 pedal. Pretty tone in itself. It's a good inbetween amp. In fact, a great first gigging amp. It can get pretty fucking loud and it doesnt clip (unless you hit it at 10 with two fuzz pedals and a delay pedal, like my dumbass does). The installed reverb and tone cut on it are big helpers in shaping my tone. 350 bucks for this aint a bad investment.
183
258
143
Great sound especially clean
Doesn't really need the high-gain channel imo, the clean sound is great, and the overdrive option is fine for a mid-rangey blues type sound. The reverb is adequate and the controls allow tweaking to some degree. Great gigging amp.
The Affordable AC 30
Top Boost Channel is the only channel, no tremolo, lighter cabinet casing, full VOX tone, I say this is good enough to tide one over before upgrading to the real thing.
40997
I tried one of these for shits and giggles (I am a long time vintage ac30 owner) and was surprised at how passable its ac30 impersonation is when you are careful with the settings considering how cheap it is. The gainy mode is a fucking joke though.
Want One of These
I think they come with Celestion Greenback speakers now; just incredible tones outa this thing. I live in that range between clean and distorted, keeping my neck pickup volume low, so it sounds clean, and then the bridge all the way up so it's nice and crunchy.
Artist usage
Add artist
He used Vox AC30s as his dirty sound from 2005 onward for both AVA and Blink This is a picture from the studio where AVA was recording The Dream Walker
In an article from Sound on Sound, David Byrne's use of the Vox AC30VR amplifier is mentioned in his gear list.
This Electronic Musician article states that Murphy owns a Vox AC-30 Guitar Amp.
In this video you can see Joe playing his les paul and the Vox Ac-30 behind him. I think is the basic Ac-30 valve amp that Dom (other guitarist) uses too
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 AC30VR, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
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