Pricing and availability
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Average Price: $1,698
High-end/Boutique
$300
$801+
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Price History
Based on price data from 1 merchant for "Vox Handwired AC30 Amp Head". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
The Vox Handwired AC30 Amp Head is a harmonious blend of classic design and modern versatility, perfect for guitarists who cherish the rich, organic warmth of hand-wired craftsmanship. This amp head is a testament to Vox's enduring legacy, weaving together the authenticity of vintage sound with contemporary features that cater to today's musicians.
Embracing the time-honored technique of turret board hand-wiring, the AC30 Amp Head ensures an immaculate signal path, allowing every nuance of your performance to shine through with crystal clarity. At its core, this amplifier is a true all-tube marvel, housing three ECC83/12AX7 preamp tubes, a quartet of EL84 power tubes, and a GZ34 rectifier tube. These components work in symphony to deliver the vibrant and unmistakable tone that has made Vox an industry icon.
The dual-channel design offers both a Top Boost channel and a Normal channel, each with its own distinct sonic character. The Top Boost channel comes equipped with a unique Hot/Cool switch, providing you the flexibility to toggle between traditional tones and a more unrestrained, high-gain sound. Meanwhile, the Normal channel's simplicity allows for an organic, uncolored sound, with the option to enhance your upper harmonics via a Bright switch.
For those who crave control over their sound stage, the AC30 Amp Head includes a Master Volume and an Output Power mode switch, granting you the ability to adjust output levels and fine-tune your gain dynamics. Whether you're seeking the timeless charm of vintage Vox or exploring new tonal landscapes, the AC30 Amp Head is engineered to meet the demands of diverse musical styles.
Key Features:
- Hand-wired turret board construction
- True all-tube design with ECC83/12AX7, EL84, and GZ34 tubes
- Dual-channel configuration: Top Boost and Normal
- Hot/Cool switch for tonal versatility
- Master Volume and Output Power mode switch
- Bright switch for enhanced upper harmonics
- Includes VFS1 footswitch for channel switching
Product specs
| Brand | Vox |
| Model | AC30HWH Hand-Wired 2-Channel 30-Watt Guitar Amp Head |
| Finish | Fawn |
| Year | 2010s |
| Made In | Vietnam |
| Categories | Guitar Heads |
| Electronics | Tube |
| Impedance | 16 ohms, 8 ohms |
| Number of Channels | 2 Channels |
| Number of Inputs | 4 Inputs |
| Output Power (Watts) | 30 |
| Power Tube Type | EL84 |
| Reverb | None |
FAQs
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What are the core tonal characteristics of the Vox Handwired AC30 Amp Head?
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The Vox Handwired AC30 Amp Head is renowned for its classic "chimey" and "jangly" British tone, offering rich harmonic overtones and a dynamic response. This amp head excels in delivering both sparkling clean sounds and warm, creamy overdrive.
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Is the Vox Handwired AC30 Amp Head suitable for live performances?
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Yes, with 30 watts of power, the Vox Handwired AC30 Amp Head is suitable for live performances, providing enough volume and headroom for small to medium-sized venues. Its two channels and four inputs offer versatile sound options for different performance settings.
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Does the Vox Handwired AC30 Amp Head take pedals well?
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The Vox Handwired AC30 Amp Head is known for handling pedals effectively, particularly overdrive and modulation effects, due to its dynamic tube-driven design. This makes it a versatile choice for players who rely on a variety of pedals for their sound.
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What type of power tubes does the Vox Handwired AC30 Amp Head use?
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The Vox Handwired AC30 Amp Head uses EL84 power tubes, which contribute to its signature sound characterized by bright, articulate cleans and a smooth, musical overdrive when pushed.
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How many channels and inputs does the Vox Handwired AC30 Amp Head have?
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The Vox Handwired AC30 Amp Head features two channels and four inputs, allowing for a range of tonal possibilities and the ability to connect multiple instruments or switch between different sounds easily.
Videos
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Premier Guitar
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Vox Handwired AC30 Amp Head.
Comparisons
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Some recommend exploring Tophat, Cornell, and 65amps for superior AC30 builds compared to Vox, with better component quality and design.
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Matchless and ÷13 are alternatives with premium builds but come at a higher cost, even when used.
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Budda SuperDrive Series 1 amps, known for turret board construction, offer a Vox-like sound on one channel and a Marshall sound on another at an affordable price.
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Older AC30CC2 models are praised for their sound, targeting bands like Nirvana/Radiohead/Oasis, differing from the Beatles sound focus of other models.
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Alnico Blue speakers are noted to be 3dB louder than Greenbacks, significantly affecting perceived volume without changing headroom.
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Features and functionality
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The inclusion of an attenuator in future models is a highly desired feature among users.
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The handwired AC30 lacks onboard tremolo and reverb, features available in older Chinese-made AC30CC2 models with a better plywood cabinet and tube rectifier.
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The handwired AC30 lacks special transformers or higher-end caps; components are similar to other Vox models.
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User experience
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Owners of AC15s with alnico blue speakers report falling in love with their sound repeatedly, even when primarily using other amps like Marshall.
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Some users report issues with build quality, including bad solder points and wrong value caps, leading to frequent failures in models bought around 2013.
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Build quality
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The PCB Vox models have been critiqued for using single-sided traces that lift easily and flimsy thin boards, impacting serviceability.
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Setup and maintenance
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A specific service issue was identified where the PCB model used a .22uF cap instead of a 2.2uF cap in the FX loop, causing bass cut.
Source
Value and pricing
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Used handwired AC30 models at a discount can retain their value better compared to new PCB versions.
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Mods and upgrades
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Owners find the handwired AC30 easier to mod, with one user performing a full recap, lowering filtering, and moving grid stoppers.
Source
5.0 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 8 Ratings
137
Fantastic "little" head
This is something i have just received a couple days ago so this is really just a first impression review. When i first opened the box i was actually surprised to see that it came with a very nice vox speaker cable. As soon as i sat it on top of 4x12 orange cab, plugged in my Mexican fender stratocaster standard and turned the head on immediately was shocked by how loud this 30 watt head is. The other thing it came with was a vox soft cover for when the amp is not in use, though i would suggest letting the amp fully cool before covering. This amp head does indeed get hot from all those tubes
Artist usage
Add artist
At 0:34 a Vox AC30 Amp Head can be seen.
At the 12.12.12. Sandy Relief Concert, Paul McCartney used a custom 100W Vox Handwired AC30 Amp Head, as seen in the YouTube video by Dustin Smith.
“Hey what's up, my name is Jack Antonoff from the band Fun. I'm sitting here with my Vox AC30 Hand-Wired, which is my favorite amp, and the only amp that I play”
Antonoff talks about falling in love with this amp after he heard Jeff Tweedy of Wilco playing it. He describes its sound as a “perfect blend of clean and dirty at the same time.”
In this video he also goes through some of his settings on the AC30. He mentions that Fun’s second studio album Some Nights was recorded entirely with this amp. He uses it live on tour as well.
In this performance of Desire Be Desire Go from Benicassim 2011 at 2:21 you can clearly see that amp head over Dom's Vox AC-30
At 2:34 of this live performance of "Shelter Song" an AC30HWHD can be seen next to the Orange amp head.
We can see at around 4:32 Seth uses two Vox heads one as a main and the other a backup.
At 4:25 you can see his Vox AC30HWHD
In this Instagram post, Nick's AC30 head can be seen on top of a Fender 8x10
Dave Weiner posted a Facebook photo recalling his usage of a '59 Fender Bassman Re-Issue and a handwired Vox AC30.
As mentioned in a blog post featuring Dan O Neil.
Album Usage
The Vox Handwired AC30 Amp Head 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 Handwired AC30 Amp Head, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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