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Post subject: Vox AC30 no gain on either channel...what's wrong?
Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2011 5:46 pm
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So, I bought a Vox AC30 second-hand, without playing it. Stupid...I know. After spending some time with it, I'm convinced that there is an issue. Both channels are totally clean, no matter how much I crank the preamp channel volumes. What is wrong with this thing?


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Post subject: Re: Vox AC30 no gain on either channel...what's wrong?
Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2011 6:47 pm
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What is it supposed to sound like? :lol:

Being second hand, has it possibly been modified? What type of tubes installed? Is it a Top Boost? What year?

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Post subject: Re: Vox AC30 no gain on either channel...what's wrong?
Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2011 6:54 pm
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AC30C2...less than a year old, no mods. Has top boost, but no gain through either channel. Master volume seems to be fine, in that it definitely gets loud...just no break up. Thinking maybe it's a loose or fried preamp tube.


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Post subject: Re: Vox AC30 no gain on either channel...what's wrong?
Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2011 10:31 pm
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So it doesn't sound like this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... 3ooBF6wgU#!

If both channels sound clean and it gets loud, its not a bad tube. Do you have any idea what kind of tubes are installed in it and how it is set up? Did you buy it from an individual or a store? Did you ask whoever you bought it from why it sounds the way it does? Here is the owner's manual. Are you sure you are setting the controls properly?

http://www.voxshowroom.com/ct/manuals/A ... Manual.pdf

Unfortunately I can't find a schematic for your amp.

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Post subject: Re: Vox AC30 no gain on either channel...what's wrong?
Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2011 12:32 am
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They are incredibly load (I had one before my DRRI) and not particularly noted for their early breakup.

Take it into a field/hangar/large venue, route your guitar via a hot signal booster of some kind, wick everything up and you should instantly become Brian May. :lol:

Is it possible someone has dropped a lower gain pre-amp tube in: ECC81 instead of an ECC83 or even a 12AU7 somewhere?

Also, the earlier models did not have a master volume (as per the YT clip above) which obviously makes breakup harder and only possible when those lovely little EL84s become toasty.

Just some thoughts....

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Post subject: Re: Vox AC30 no gain on either channel...what's wrong?
Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2011 12:40 am
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Feedbackboy wrote:
Is it possible someone has dropped a lower gain pre-amp tube in: ECC81 instead of an ECC83 or even a 12AU7 somewhere?


+1

I'd inspect the tube array for the correct types that belong in the amp. I know plenty of folks who play the AC30TB -- both the original and the re-issued "HW" edition. These amps don't have the creamy compression or the heavy even-order harmonics of a vintage 6V6- or 6L6-fired Fender when driven hard but they have a tasty crunch all of their own.

HTH

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Post subject: Re: Vox AC30 no gain on either channel...what's wrong?
Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2011 2:35 am
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Feedbackboy wrote:

Is it possible someone has dropped a lower gain pre-amp tube in: ECC81 instead of an ECC83 or even a 12AU7 somewhere?


even an ecc82 would make it quite hard to o/d....I used to mix those w/83s to clean up my hi-vol tones sometimes....still have 3 of them (all ancient Mullards)

and i'm def. with whoever was praising those "sweet nasty" EL84 power tubes!!

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Post subject: Re: Vox AC30 no gain on either channel...what's wrong?
Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2011 3:31 am
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...Brian may used 9 x AC30's in Queen - what are you complaining about!.

:?

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Post subject: Re: Vox AC30 no gain on either channel...what's wrong?
Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2011 4:11 am
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Shure something wrong with your amp; tell us your tubes

Maybe you can have also some answers here ?

http://www.voxamps.com/forum/


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Post subject: Re: Vox AC30 no gain on either channel...what's wrong?
Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2011 6:11 pm
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Ok, nothing wrond with the AC30...just wrong with me I guess. I found out you need the volume on the guitar cranked to overdrive the tubes. No matter the channel or volume, if you back off on the guitar volume, you'll clean up the sound. Lesson learned...


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Post subject: Re: Vox AC30 no gain on either channel...what's wrong?
Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2011 7:03 pm
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OK! :D

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Post subject: Re: Vox AC30 no gain on either channel...what's wrong?
Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2011 10:40 pm
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"Bailiff......whack his pee-pee!"

:mrgreen:

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Post subject: Re: Vox AC30 no gain on either channel...what's wrong?
Posted: Sun Nov 13, 2011 2:28 am
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Whack it?

Chop, it off! :lol: :lol: :lol:

But this thread gives me an opportunity to bring up the 'TAD Tone Bones' converter for discussion.

http://www.tubeampdoctor.com/product_info.php?language=en&category_id=85&products_id=669&mySID=Q4HRGuoZHwCIeEgj6fVs61

Anyone tried or heard these in action?

As someone who is always looking for new and exciting ways to do things, I'm wondering what advantage/effect these might have I my DRRI - I'd probably opt for the Pentode as the Triode could be too low output to still gig in pubs?

This discussion has reminded me how much I liked EL84's in my AC30 and as Queen once sang "I want it all".

Feed.

(this pic has to be under the hood of a Fender?)

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Post subject: Re: Vox AC30 no gain on either channel...what's wrong?
Posted: Sun Nov 13, 2011 2:42 am
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Same as these:

http://www.yellowjacketstc.com/

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Post subject: Re: Vox AC30 no gain on either channel...what's wrong?
Posted: Sun Nov 13, 2011 2:48 am
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Indeed, but heard about reliability issues with YJ's - do you know their cost?

Views/reviews in a DRRI?

Oh dear, this probably counts as a 'Mod' so I'm putting my crash helmet on right now....

Feed.

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