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4. AC30TB
Even though the AC30 was a runaway success, several artists expressed a desire
for the amp to have more tonal flexibility and a pinch of extra gain too. VOX
reacted quickly and came up with some clever extra tone circuitry which featured
an additional ECC83 valve and was called “Top Boost.”* When “Top Boost” was
added to an AC30 it increased the gain of the combo’s Brilliant channel, and
added two extra EQ controls, giving the amp three tone controls -Treble, Bass and
Cut. To say it was an instant hit with the guitar playing public would be a gross
understatement! In fact, its gutsy tone became an instantly recognisable signature
sound of many major groups in the mid ’60S.
NERDY HISTORICAL NOTE: VOX initially called this their “Brilliance Unit” but
it quickly became known as “Top Boost.” When Top Boost was first introduced
it was only available as a retrofit assembly. Even though this modification was
not particularly difficult to add, it was beyond most folk (hey, I dunno about you,
but messing around with electricity is hardly my idea of fun!). Consequently, in
1964, Top Boost was fitted to the AC30 as standard.
Once again, the PRESENCE control of our model acts as the original’s Cut
(but in reverse: “off” = cut) while the GAIN, TREBLE and BASS mimic the origi-
nal’s Volume, Treble and Bass controls. The MIDDLE is an “extra” with 12 o’clock
being its “neutral” position.
Our AC30TB model produces clean sounds that are rich and jangly with a
smooth yet detailed top end, and overdrives that have a glorious, throaty bark -
just like those classic, “Class A” tones that have made the original a “must have” in
any serious player’s amp collection.
Original’s valve compliment: 5 x ECC83s & 1 x ECC82 in preamp, 1 x
GZ34 rectifier, 4 x EL84s in power amp.
5. UK BLUES
Our UK BLUES model is based on the “High Treble” channel of an extremely rare,
handwired head made in jolly old England in the early ’60S. Although the TWEED
4x10 circuit was used as a basic template for this amp, several fundamental
changes (e.g. different tubes, different transformers, a higher output impedance
and vastly different speakers in a closed-back cab), give UK BLUES its own
unique and highly desirable character. Indeed, when cranked-up* this 30 Watt
baby produces a crunch that forever changed the sound of rock ‘n’ roll - which is
why it is still highly revered to this very day.
Original’s valve compliment: 3 x ECC83s in preamp, 1 x GZ34 rectifier, 2 x
KT66 in power amp.