REVIEW VOX AC30X, AC15X & AC4 HAND-WIRED
Classics Reboot
Vox aims to take us back to the sound of its illustrious golden-era with this re-engineered family of Hand-Wired amplifiers. We listen in for that elusive and very classic AC30 tone
Words Martin Smith
Photography Phil Barker
VOX AC30X, AC15X & AC4 HAND-WIRED £2,199, £1,599 & £929
CONTACT Vox Amps UK PHONE 01908 304664 WEB www.voxamps.co.uk
As creator of some of the most recognisable sounds in guitar history – etched onto vinyl by legends as diverse as Hank Marvin and Brian May and many, many more – Vox has created a sonic fingerprint that can be heard across countless musical genres. In the 90s the brand was adopted by indie bands and the grunge movement alike for its signature chime and bloom, and has subsequently found a home in Nashville, providing that much sought-after ‘edge of break-up’ sound heard in modern country and Americana styles.
It would be fair to surmise that the specific overtones and frequencies these amps produce have proved to be uniquely appealing to the human ear ever since their inception in the late 50s.
In common with amp standard-bearers such as Marshall and Fender, consistently producing its recognisable tone throughout decades of shifting technology, fashions and economic environments has proved no mean feat. Just like the aforementioned brands, Vox has had moments of variability, shall we say, so it’s great to see the company now producing this impressive fleet of hand-wired AC classics to get us back to the authentic jangle. According to Vox, meticulous research and development went into specifics such as the output transformer, rectification and cabinet construction to yield the distinctive sag and bloom of the early versions. Let’s find out if these modern incarnations can summon up the magic of the originals.
AC30X Hand-Wired
We begin our investigations with the classic model. Something about the form factor of this amp just feels right: large enough for club gigs but with car-boot portability. The copper-red top with oxblood diamond grille cloth evokes the cosmetics unique to the Vox brand, referencing the original colours from what may be considered its golden era. The Top Boost channel one would expect from this model is in evidence, augmented by some great additions to widen its sonic offering. We now have a high-quality spring reverb unit to add dwell and space to the sound, in addition to a bypassable integrated effects loop with switchable level-matching, located on the rear panel.