I call Don Butler later that day and he confirms this fact. Smiling, he says that was an extremely cool price for the amp WITHOUT the mods. Wow! Todd asks me what I paid for it and shakes his head.
He performs some quick mental math and estimates Don Butler did 800 cheeseburgers' worth of mods (parts & labor) on the amp. We pull out the chassis, put in some fresh JJ power tubes, and then Todd notices something - Mercury Magnetics power and output transformers, MM choke, and the signal path/filtering mods. The chassis has to come out to change the tubes. Now, if you are not familiar with VOX amps, you need to pull out the chassis to gain access to the tubes.
' Based on the classic AC30 design, the all-new Custom Series AC30C2 and AC30C2X offer numerous up-todate enhancements, delivering the most versatile AC30 design in VOX history. (Billy knows Don.) I want to check out the tubes on this puppy - 2圎L84 (power), 5x12AX7 (preamp), and 5Y3 (rectifier). The VOX AC30 combo amp has been an icon for decades, known as the sound that powered the 1960s' 'British Invasion. The first thing I do is visit Todd, a really knowledgeable Los Angeles tube tech who works with another Socal amp guru Billy Yates. I come cruisin' along, checking around the Web, and the timing/pricing was right. Now, apprarently, he didn't tell the shop owner about the upgrades and/or the shop owner didn't bother to ask the question. The amp had only one previous owner, who decided to place it on consignment at the shop. 2 blendable channels feature fully variable tremolo with footswitchability. Vox AC30 Custom Classic Amplifier Ret ail 1.650.00 Our Regu lar Price 1.199.99 The Vox AC30CC2 30W 2x12 Custom Classic Combo is a solidly built tube amp that delivers outstanding sound quality. I purchased the tube amp from a vintage guitar/amp shop in Northern California. Vox AC30 AC30CC2 Custom Classic Guitar Combo Amplifier Amp. I'll share a bit of how this all came about. * Replaced choke with a Mercury Magnetics Axiom choke * Replaced power transformer with a Mercury Magnetcs Axiom tranny
* Replaced output transformer with a Mercury Magnetics Axiom tranny * Converted rectifier to accommodate GZ-34 as well as the stock 5Y3 This is a plywood cabinet and was originally loaded with Wharfedale speakers. I dig my 2001 English-built VOX AC-15 TBR with Weber AlNiCo Blue Dog speaker.ĭon "Toneman" Butler is a highly regarded Socal amp technician. Vox AC30CC2 reissue with upgraded Mercury Magnetics OT and choke.