Vox ac30 or Fender Vibrolux

PistonDude

Joined: Dec 29, 2008
Posts: 27
Boise, Idaho
United States

Posted on Dec 29 2010 01:09 PM

i have a chance to get either one of these amps in the next few days. I am a beginner guitar player and looking for as much reverb as I can get. I hear good things about both so I wanted to get an experts opinion here. Thank you in advance

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Rio

Joined: May 22, 2006
Posts: 500
Hamilton, Ontario
Canada

Posted on Dec 29 2010 02:15 PM

I'm not a Vox expert, but I think an AC30, whether vintage or current production, will weigh a ton (three handles, cause they need them). In addition, not all AC30s will have any reverb whatsoever. If I'm not mistaken, original vintage ones won't, although I think it was added to later versions, and most true reissues probably won't have reverb either. The AC30CC2's do have reverb, and I don't mind the sound of it, FWIW. I've heard a Vox used for surf (the Shadows used them) but it's a different sound from a Fender.

A Vibrolux Reverb, with 2 x 10 inch speakers, will be much lighter than a Vox AC30, and will have built-in Fender reverb. I prefer vintage versions to the current "Vibrolux Custom". I have a 1973 SF model that I love and is probably my main gigging amp for surf. I know many members here will swear by outboard reverb, and I have two tanks myself, but I have no problem with the built-in reverb of my Vibrolux Reverb.

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topsail

Joined: Jun 10, 2009
Posts: 317

Posted on Dec 29 2010 02:45 PM

The RI CVR is plagued with problems if that's the one you're looking at?

If you can score a vintage Fender Vibrolux DO IT!

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Dalibor

Joined: Apr 29, 2006
Posts: 227
1 POTD Pin

Posted on Dec 29 2010 03:22 PM

topsail
The RI CVR is plagued with problems if that's the one you're looking at?

If you can score a vintage Fender Vibrolux DO IT!

I agree. Vintage Fender Vibrolux is a way to go. Especially if you are beginner. Much easier to carry around. Tonewise they are completely different. I prefer vintage Vox + outboard reverb but I also did some gigs with Vibrolux in the past and I liked it a lot. New Vox amps are extremely unreliable but this goes probably to all new production Fenders as well.

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rotnroby

Joined: Mar 31, 2010
Posts: 877
Santa Barbara Ca... in the 805
1 POTD Pin

Posted on Dec 29 2010 03:51 PM

AC-30 is a true champ!!! However way heavy!!! The AC-15 C1 is an amazing little amp!!! I would say go Fender keep it simple....

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PistonDude

Joined: Dec 29, 2008
Posts: 27
Boise, Idaho
United States

Posted on Dec 29 2010 03:52 PM

Thank you for the replies. A friend of mine who owns a boutique amp company here in Orange County has them from trades and asked me which one I wanted. I wanted to hear opinions so I am going for the Vibrolux. I am not sure if vintage or not. He put new tubes in it. Thanks again

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CrispyGoodness

Joined: Apr 06, 2009
Posts: 565
North Cackalacky
2 News Pins

Posted on Dec 29 2010 04:00 PM

If you ever get a chance, try finding a Bruno Underground 30 and giving it a go. It's a Vox AC30-like amp with a Fender-style reverb unit built in. Big and heavy(and NOT cheap!), but what a sound!

--Crispy

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rotnroby

Joined: Mar 31, 2010
Posts: 877
Santa Barbara Ca... in the 805
1 POTD Pin

Posted on Dec 29 2010 04:25 PM

Love the "Cow Tipper"

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zzero

Joined: Jul 09, 2010
Posts: 1153
Lillian Alabama
United States

Posted on Dec 29 2010 08:55 PM

years ago i had a rythm guitarist in a band that played some surf. he used the vibrolux reverb and i thought it sounded great!! light and decently loud and fender reverb!! i'd get the fender!!

—

Enjoying the surf,sun and sand!!

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PistonDude Joined: Dec 29, 2008 Posts: 27 Boise, Idaho	Posted on Dec 29 2010 01:09 PM i have a chance to get either one of these amps in the next few days. I am a beginner guitar player and looking for as much reverb as I can get. I hear good things about both so I wanted to get an experts opinion here. Thank you in advance Top
Rio Joined: May 22, 2006 Posts: 500 Hamilton, Ontario	Posted on Dec 29 2010 02:15 PM I'm not a Vox expert, but I think an AC30, whether vintage or current production, will weigh a ton (three handles, cause they need them). In addition, not all AC30s will have any reverb whatsoever. If I'm not mistaken, original vintage ones won't, although I think it was added to later versions, and most true reissues probably won't have reverb either. The AC30CC2's do have reverb, and I don't mind the sound of it, FWIW. I've heard a Vox used for surf (the Shadows used them) but it's a different sound from a Fender. A Vibrolux Reverb, with 2 x 10 inch speakers, will be much lighter than a Vox AC30, and will have built-in Fender reverb. I prefer vintage versions to the current "Vibrolux Custom". I have a 1973 SF model that I love and is probably my main gigging amp for surf. I know many members here will swear by outboard reverb, and I have two tanks myself, but I have no problem with the built-in reverb of my Vibrolux Reverb. — http://www.facebook.com/?sk=lf#!/rockinrio.delrosa http://www.facebook.com/?sk=lf#!/TheHighTides http://www.facebook.com/?sk=lf#!/pages/The-Blue-Demons Top
topsail Joined: Jun 10, 2009 Posts: 317	Posted on Dec 29 2010 02:45 PM The RI CVR is plagued with problems if that's the one you're looking at? If you can score a vintage Fender Vibrolux DO IT! Top
Dalibor Joined: Apr 29, 2006 Posts: 227	Posted on Dec 29 2010 03:22 PM topsail The RI CVR is plagued with problems if that's the one you're looking at? If you can score a vintage Fender Vibrolux DO IT! I agree. Vintage Fender Vibrolux is a way to go. Especially if you are beginner. Much easier to carry around. Tonewise they are completely different. I prefer vintage Vox + outboard reverb but I also did some gigs with Vibrolux in the past and I liked it a lot. New Vox amps are extremely unreliable but this goes probably to all new production Fenders as well. Top
rotnroby Joined: Mar 31, 2010 Posts: 877 Santa Barbara Ca... in the 805	Posted on Dec 29 2010 03:51 PM AC-30 is a true champ!!! However way heavy!!! The AC-15 C1 is an amazing little amp!!! I would say go Fender keep it simple.... Top
PistonDude Joined: Dec 29, 2008 Posts: 27 Boise, Idaho	Posted on Dec 29 2010 03:52 PM Thank you for the replies. A friend of mine who owns a boutique amp company here in Orange County has them from trades and asked me which one I wanted. I wanted to hear opinions so I am going for the Vibrolux. I am not sure if vintage or not. He put new tubes in it. Thanks again Top
CrispyGoodness Joined: Apr 06, 2009 Posts: 565 North Cackalacky	Posted on Dec 29 2010 04:00 PM If you ever get a chance, try finding a Bruno Underground 30 and giving it a go. It's a Vox AC30-like amp with a Fender-style reverb unit built in. Big and heavy(and NOT cheap!), but what a sound! --Crispy Top
rotnroby Joined: Mar 31, 2010 Posts: 877 Santa Barbara Ca... in the 805	Posted on Dec 29 2010 04:25 PM Love the "Cow Tipper" Top
zzero Joined: Jul 09, 2010 Posts: 1153 Lillian Alabama	Posted on Dec 29 2010 08:55 PM years ago i had a rythm guitarist in a band that played some surf. he used the vibrolux reverb and i thought it sounded great!! light and decently loud and fender reverb!! i'd get the fender!! — Enjoying the surf,sun and sand!! Top

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Vox ac30 or Fender Vibrolux