NAD: Vox AC30 - what can you tell me about it?

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Pacafeliz
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NAD: Vox AC30 - what can you tell me about it?

Post by Pacafeliz » Thu Oct 12, 2017 10:20 am

Well OK so i pulled the trigger on this old AC30TB. The seller thought it is from the early 80s, but you tell me!

There is quite some whooom noise when i turn the bass passed 10 o'clock, that bums me a bit. other than that it sounds real good, i must say, very dynamic and warm. I especially liked linking the vibrato and brilliant channels.
The chassis crews were pretty bent (shipping, i guess), and when i took it out i think it made sense that it was so cheap... it has had quite some work done, and some components obviously blew up some time ago.
The covers of the speakers are kept in there with masking tape right now, but they also could have fallen off with age as the glue is old and crumbly.

OK here's some really bad pics - sorry, winter is coming and it's dark here...

SO PLEASE, TELL ME WHAT I GOT HERE!

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Thanks,

Pat.
i love delay SO much ...that i procrastinate all the time.

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Re: NAD: Vox AC30 - what can you tell me about it?

Post by s_mcsleazy » Thu Oct 12, 2017 2:34 pm

no expert on vox amps but that looks like one of the early 80's models. i've tried a few from that era. cant tell you much more than that. looks hella cool though.

fun fact. you want to hear a vox being pushed to near breaking point, check out this clip of young legionnaire
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGA88ClBHuA" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
offset guitars resident bass player.
'Are you trying to seduce me Mrs Robinson? Or do you just want me to solder a couple of resistors into your Muff?'

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Pacafeliz
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Re: NAD: Vox AC30 - what can you tell me about it?

Post by Pacafeliz » Thu Oct 19, 2017 9:59 am

thanks man, that sounds really nice! sure hope to be able to drive mine like that someday!!!

i'm REALLY digging the bright channel... and the vibrato!
will bring it to the tech for a check-/make-up when i get my christmas bonus... :P
i love delay SO much ...that i procrastinate all the time.

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Re: NAD: Vox AC30 - what can you tell me about it?

Post by s_mcsleazy » Thu Oct 19, 2017 11:21 am

Pacafeliz wrote:
Thu Oct 19, 2017 9:59 am
thanks man, that sounds really nice! sure hope to be able to drive mine like that someday!!!

i'm REALLY digging the bright channel... and the vibrato!
will bring it to the tech for a check-/make-up when i get my christmas bonus... :P
i say update the innards but keep it looking ratty on the outside.
offset guitars resident bass player.
'Are you trying to seduce me Mrs Robinson? Or do you just want me to solder a couple of resistors into your Muff?'

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Re: NAD: Vox AC30 - what can you tell me about it?

Post by HNB » Thu Oct 19, 2017 8:08 pm

s_mcsleazy wrote:
Thu Oct 19, 2017 11:21 am
i say update the innards but keep it looking ratty on the outside.
:-* I agree.
Christopher
Lilith Guitars

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UlricvonCatalyst
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Re: NAD: Vox AC30 - what can you tell me about it?

Post by UlricvonCatalyst » Thu Oct 19, 2017 11:41 pm

If you haven't already looked there, The Vox Showroom should have all the answers if you dig around.

As far as I remember, the blue control plate probably denotes 'The Korg era', but I could be wrong about that. I seem to remember the early '80s transistor AC30s had the blue plates....

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Re: NAD: Vox AC30 - what can you tell me about it?

Post by Kristerkk » Fri Oct 20, 2017 4:07 am

that burnt spot on the output board should be checked out. Looks like new caps so its probably been fixed at some point but still

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Re: NAD: Vox AC30 - what can you tell me about it?

Post by panoramic » Tue Nov 14, 2017 6:27 am

yeah dude that's an early 80's I almost bought one just like it at one point. Check out that voxshowroom site linked above and it will get you all the specifics. I wound up getting a fawn one with the reddish control area instead that ruled but i sold it for twice what i paid
I used to be cool, now I just complain about prices.

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Re: NAD: Vox AC30 - what can you tell me about it?

Post by August » Tue Nov 14, 2017 8:44 am

This is a "Rose Morris" era AC30 produced before the "Korg-era" (Marshall factory built amps). It should help narrow your search anyhow.

For all the down-putting I've read about them, the one I actually came across in the wild sounded fantastic. I'm always keeping my eye out as an AC fan—I've only ever owned the '90s Korg-era w/blues, the CC (not a fan), and the C2 (good amp but doesn't sound like the old ones).

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Re: NAD: Vox AC30 - what can you tell me about it?

Post by panoramic » Tue Nov 14, 2017 9:39 am

ga20t wrote:
Tue Nov 14, 2017 8:44 am
This is a "Rose Morris" era AC30 produced before the "Korg-era" (Marshall factory built amps). It should help narrow your search anyhow.

For all the down-putting I've read about them, the one I actually came across in the wild sounded fantastic. I'm always keeping my eye out as an AC fan—I've only ever owned the '90s Korg-era w/blues, the CC (not a fan), and the C2 (good amp but doesn't sound like the old ones).
yup
this is the one i owned
http://www.voxshowroom.com/uk/amp/rmac30ltd_1990.html
100%, best sounding amp i've ever owned and i regret selling it even now
I used to be cool, now I just complain about prices.

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Re: NAD: Vox AC30 - what can you tell me about it?

Post by Pacafeliz » Fri Nov 17, 2017 8:58 am

well i've now had this for a while and i really really like it, though i haven't had the chance to properly crank it up so far... damn i think i'll have to make my german driver's license and get a car after all... oh well.

but the stencil on it is starting to irritate me. do you have any advice on how to get rid of those? thinner? ???
i love delay SO much ...that i procrastinate all the time.

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Re: NAD: Vox AC30 - what can you tell me about it?

Post by HNB » Fri Nov 17, 2017 9:54 am

Awww I like it. Looks punk.
Christopher
Lilith Guitars

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