Vox AC30H2L DJ Equipment User Manual


 
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INTRODUCTION
Your search for the Holy Grail of VOX tone ends here. To commemorate the 50th Anniversary of VOX guitar
amplifiers, we are pleased to introduce the first of a new Heritage Collection of hand-wired amplifiers– the
AC15H1TV. Rather than just a typical reissue where a vintage amp is dusted off and copied, this amplifier,
like the others in the Heritage Collection, transports you through the golden age of VOX tone, combining
the prized EF86 preamp channel of 1958 with the 1963 Top Boost channel all in one amplifier. Add in some
modern tone shaping control enhancements and the result is perhaps the finest VOX amplifier in the
company’s 50 year history.
The EF86: The magical VOX tone
What is it that makes EF86 based VOX amplifiers some of the most collectible in the world? Maybe it’s the
way the amp naturally overdrives, almost breathing with a life unto its own. Dynamic changes in pick attack
almost seem to be anticipated before you make them. Or maybe it’s the raw power of the creamy distortion
as you crank the amp all the way up and slam down on a power chord. Whatever it is, there is an undeni-
able magic about this period of VOX amplification. An age when the most simple of circuits produced some
of the most complex of tones. Now in short supply, the EF86 Pentode tube is at the heart of this elusive
tone. Fifty years later, the magic returns.
The full 50th Anniversary Hand-wired Heritage Collection includes:
AC15H1TV:
Although basically the same amp as the limited edition model, the cabinet is Baltic Birch
plywood with our special cream anniversary vinyl covering. Launched January 2007.
AC15H1TVL: 1 x 12” combo with limited edition, oil finished, hand-crafted African Mahogany cabi-
net. This is the official limited edition Anniversary model, and only 500 will be built.
These amps are true collector’s editions! Launched January 2007.
AC15HTVH: The head version of the classic 50th anniversary 15 watt amp. Again Baltic Birch ply
with special cream vinyl. Launched March 2007.
V112HTV: 1 x 12” extension cabinet to match AC15HTVH. Cream vinyl over Baltic birch ply
cabinet. Launched March 2007.
AC30H2: Although basically the same amp as the limited edition AC30H2L, the cabinet is
Baltic Birch plywood with our special cream anniversary vinyl covering. Launched
July 2007.
AC30H2L: The anniversary amplifier chassis boosted from 15 watts up to 30 watts housed in oil
finished, hand-crafted African Mahogany cabinet. This is the official limited edition
Anniversary model, and only 500 will be built. Launched July 2007.
AC30HH: The head version of the above. Launched July 2007.
V212H: 2 x 12” speaker cabinet for use with the AC30 Anniversary combo and head formats.
Launched July 2007.
All combos and extension cabinets feature the Celestion VOX Blue Alnico loudspeakers—as timeless as
VOX itself.
In creating our 50th Anniversary design we all felt that the amp had to have both the original EF86 channel
and the later Top Boost channel. To do this we had to leave the original tremolo circuit out—but you can
always add VOX’s VibraVox stomp box if it is tremolo you crave.
Although the original designs have faired pretty well for the last 50 years, we felt that we should throw a
little bit of modern spice into the equation, and have added one or two features that we felt would expand
the whole experience of these amps. Namely we have modified the EF86 Channel original Brilliance switch
to have three positions instead of two, a bass shift switch (to help keep the amp sounding crisp when
played loud), and also a switch that goes from Pentode mode to Triode mode, so that you can have both
flavours of original EF86 tone. We have also added a Triode/Pentode switch to the power output amplifier
stage—with this you have the half power capability of 7.5/15 watts output on the AC15 versions, and 15/30
watts on the AC30 versions.