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Average Price: $463
Standard/Professional
$300
$701+
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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.
Source
4.5 out of 5
Based on 18 Reviews and 59 Ratings
88
Looking for a better one
This is okay, but the tubes wore out pretty quick, and it's not worth changing them before I get another high-end tube amp, probably another vox.
41029
ac30hw, worth every penny.... great mix of vintage voxiness and modern conveniences with no extra BS cluttering the circuit... build quality is at least as good as my vintage 30, though some of the compnents are maybe not quite as nice, but they just don't make electronics to the standard they used to (even if the tolerances are a lot tighter now)....
ac30HW, man... best thing vox has put on the market since..... I dunno when!
222
Great AC30 at half the price
This is a great AC30 at half the price of a tube AC30. Bit bass-ier than the tube AC30 but makes a great back up.
100
Brilliant
This amp is very good for getting a great 60s sound without paying ridiculous prices
41029
and is a toy
168
Yeah cool story, thanks
152
Great tone
You can't go wrong with this amplifier. I use it daily for the past 7 years and it sounds great everyday.
41029
I was curious about this ac30 styled hybrid amp when I saw it at Atomic Music in Baltimore last year so I tried it... not a bad sounding amp especially for being like a mini, 1watt tube guitar amp driving a class D, high efficiency solid state power amp... but neither channel sounds like an ac30. I think vox coulda gotten a lot closer by sticking to the ac30s preamp topology instead of trying to add features. I would like to see someone market a hybrid amp at pros and voice it for grown-ups who are used to playing vintage and boutique tube amps... maybe I should do it myself! More info added to this review please.
41029
I am rolling my eyes because 1) this is not a review and 2) I tried one of these amps out of morbid curiosity and the one thing it had too much of to be a real ac30 was jangle... and it lacked much in the way of bell-like chime (though maybe real speakers would help)
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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