by dave robinson » Wed Apr 28, 2010 2:38 pm
I have just returned from a visit to Rockem Music (01709 382 220) in Rotherham where I tried out the Vox AC30 VR.
The amp is a normal size 2 x 12 similar to the real thing and has the same livery that we all know and love - it even smells the same . . .
The top panel has a single input, but with two seperate channels, one being the clean channel with a volume, treble and bass controls, whilst the other has gain and volume pots so that it can be overdriven along with treble, middle and bass controls. On this channel there's also a swicth that when depressed allows twice as much gain, but it isn't something that I imagine we would use. There's a master volume, reverb volume and overall 'cut' control as well.
I plugged my Magicstomp into the normal channel and quickly found that the amp delivered the classic Vox sound that we are familiar with, the tone controls giving anything from the old AC30 Treble sound to the Vox AC30 Top Boost. Volume seemed plenty so it should gig with a band OK.
I then tried the next channel which is designed for dirtier sounds, but with careful use of the gain an tone controls managed to get pleasing 'Hank' tones without any problems. On the normal channel particularly, I noticed a lovely slightly 'compressed feel whilst playing, which valve amps always seem to have, I liked that alot.
I would point out that this amp is nothing like the Valvetronix in the way the top panel works (I do have a Valvetronix VT30 and have owned the more expensive 120) and I found it to be an excellent piece of kit - especially at only £399.00. Given the opportunity, I wouldn't hesitate to use it on one of our gigs.
I hope this is of help to someone.
Dave Robinson