Musicman20 Posted April 24, 2014 Share Posted April 24, 2014 I've spent some time around a few combos and realised the Vox AC30 tone is brilliant. It appears that there move to overseas production has actually been very positive, (reports that they have decreased failure rate from UK production massively!). Speaker specialists seem to promote the AC30 with the Alnico Blues, which is a more expensive setup. (AC30C2X). The standard model is the AC30C2, with Greebacks. Can anyone comment? I've noticed a few AC30C2's going for a good price but wasn't sure if I should wait for a C2X. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skankdelvar Posted April 24, 2014 Share Posted April 24, 2014 (edited) Greenbacks vs Blues is a pretty perennial thread on Vox-related forums. Some people like the Greenbacks, others prefer the Blues. There were loads of threads about this on the Vox forum but they've pulled it down apparently due to 'spam attacks' or something. There may be some cached stuff in google. Either way, one could always buy a standard C2 and drop some aftermarket speakers into it. At which point one discovers a million threads about 'Which Blue clone should I stick in my Vox?'. Tayden and Weber get a good rep and they're cheaper than 'real' Celestion Blues or Golds IIRC. Edited April 24, 2014 by skankdelvar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted April 24, 2014 Author Share Posted April 24, 2014 (edited) The other thing I've been told to consider is that the latest Blues loaded in the C2X are made in China, to the specs of the British versions, and aren't quite as good. Who knows...they are probably just as good! Edited April 24, 2014 by Musicman20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wil Posted April 24, 2014 Share Posted April 24, 2014 I had a re-issue CC2 with wharfdales and it sounded fantastic. No idea how much different these were to green/blueback celestions. Great amp, best guitar tone I ever had, don't miss the weight though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kristinaelias Posted April 24, 2014 Share Posted April 24, 2014 I owned a 1964 AC30T (treble version) for about 20 years and the tone was superb but just too bloody loud for home use. I then tried out an AC15 with Warfdales which was atrocious, and a complete insult to the Vox hetitage by comparison - sorry Wil. Ended up with a Marshall Haze which was a BIG mistake. Now happy to report that I'm a very proud owner of a AC15 CC1X bought off ebay for sub £300 and tone is fabulous. I often have to try out greenbacks whilst testing gear in shops, and there is definately a 'who pulled the curtain across in front of the speaker' effect to my ears. (I know there's a big difference between the 30s & 15s but I don't & never will gig so the 15s the best for me.) Why the hell they don't put blues in the handwired blonde jobs, I will never know. If I were you I wouldn't waste my time with those green jobs longterm, it's pleasant enough but not THE Vox sound at all. Get some blues from Watford Valves or somewhere and upgrade if necessary, you won't be dissapointed. Hope that helps. Sorry, enough talk of all this 6 string stuff, the Bassman's warmed up - time to plug in the T-bird! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted April 24, 2014 Author Share Posted April 24, 2014 Hahha! I'll probably bide my time and pick up one loaded with the blue back eventually We shall see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ancient Mariner Posted April 25, 2014 Share Posted April 25, 2014 (edited) OK, another AC30 owner here, having bought mine slightly used in '79 fitted with greenbacks. GBs were an attempt to produce a similar sound to the blue as far as I can tell, but with much cheaper ceramic magnets - if you try a blue and a GB back to back (Matamp have a wonderful wall of cabs containing lots of different speakers, fed through a rotary selector switch) then you can hear this quite clearly. The key differences are that the GB is harsher in the top end while having more prominent lower-mids, giving it a 'warm thunder' tone for rhythm work. By comparison the Blue has a wonderful raspy upper-mids tone that doesn't hurt the ears like GB tone can, giving that 'tearing up a shirt' sound or the classic Bryn May sound with a treble booster, and it's substantially louder. Both have a similar loose bass. Which one to get? Both will do bright jangle very well (one of the classic AC30 tones) with the GB having a sharper, more stinging edge and the blue being a little softer. The GB starts to break up VERY early - starting at a couple of watts - but doesn't really roar until pushed hard, while the Blue will give you more clean(ish) headroom and goes even louder. Personally I'd probably choose the Blue version, because they really do sound quite glorious, clean or driven. Alternative speakers for retrofit? I like the Eminence Redfang clone: a little softer in the top end than a blue, but still with the same raspy overdrive sound, loose bass, thundery mids and even louder. I owned a Gold for a while, sold it to buy the RF and consider it a very good swap indeed. Edited April 25, 2014 by Ancient Mariner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
police squad Posted May 16, 2014 Share Posted May 16, 2014 I've got a CC2X with blues. It sounds ace. I don't use it, it sits in the studio in the corner. Occasionally when I plug it in I think, damn I should be using this. But I stick with my WKZ Little Devil 1x12 combo. (handbuilt by Mr Martin Kidd . The Cornford designer and former bandmate) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted May 17, 2014 Share Posted May 17, 2014 The CC2 models are superb, very versatile & the most classic sounding of the newer models. I don't think they make them anymore but they can be found secondhand easily enough - I was lucky enough to score a mint condition one on Gumtree for £200! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gadgie Posted June 9, 2014 Share Posted June 9, 2014 Blues are good if you get them. I've got them in my old 60's tan AC30. Sounds sweeeet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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