Back to the main page Back to category Celestion Vintag
musical instrument details
1963 Vox AC30 Vintage Tube Amp Top Boost JMI UK Copper Top Celestion Blue T530
Estimated price for orientation: 5 799 $
Category: Celestion Vintag
Class:
Description Brand: Vox Country/Region of Manufacture: United Kingdom Model: AC30 Exact Year: 1963 MPN: Does Not Apply UPC: Does not apply
Up for sale, a 1963 Vox AC30 in exceptional condition, complete with "Top Boost" circuitry and a pair of original Celestion Blue T1088 model speakers! This clean and original AC30 sounds nothing short of spectacular, and the clean tone is particularly robust, rich, and nuanced. Few amps sound as classic and familiar as an early JMI AC30, and this example excels with the incredibly dynamic, touch sensitive responsiveness, smooth tube saturation, and glassy clarity that has made this amp one of the most sought after of all time. This is also the earliest AC30 we've ever had in the shop, with smooth black (pre-basketweave) tolex, brass vents, no corners, and a minty copper control panel. The list of AC30 enthusiasts is endless, with a story that began with the Shadows and quickly grew to include players such as the Beatles, U2, Queen and countless others. This amp delivers both the detailed cleans and midrange rich tube overdrive that are the hallmarks of the AC30 tone, not to mention providing fantastic vibrato and tremolo on the third pair of inputs!The Top Boost module is itself the stuff of legend, and this aftermarket module is authentic to the original design, with Bass and Treble controls powered by an additional 12AX7/ECC83 that really helped push the AC30 into new and uncharted tonal territory. Married specifically with the Brilliance inputs, the Top Boost module was reverse engineered from the tone stack of a Fender Twin Reverb and provides a musical and familiar EQ sweep in addition to an extra gain stage that helps coax rich harmonics, incredible cut, and more drive out of the amp.This amp boasts a very original and freshly serviced circuit, with stock Albion transformers. The circuit has been partially recapped, and the preamp features the vast majority of the original mustard tone capacitors and electrolytic caps as well. The chassis itself is quite clean with a vibrant reddish copper faceplate that retains all of its lettering in addition to original chicken head knobs. The amp sports a set of newer Mullard 6BQ5/EL84 power tubes which sound fantastic and deliver an authentic British tone. The preamp tubes consist of four vintage (possibly original) Mullard ECC83s and one later Russian "Pinnacle" branded ECC82, all of which sound excellent and work as intended.The Celestion Blue T530 speakers are both original, and both retain original Pulsonic cones with matching "18 H1777" stamps. The frames are in very good overall condition, with clean JMI labels and stock blue paint which shows only very light chipping and wear around the screw holes and edges. Both cones move smoothly with no voice coil rub and clear, articulate tone. The speaker frames have clear "T530" codes on the gaskets, along with "HH" date codes which place the speakers at August, 1963.The serial/model # plaque on the back panel is the original with a serial number that dates to August of 1963, although both back panels are newer replacements, made to the original shape and specifications of the stock back panels, Aside from the back panels, the cabinet, tolex, and hardware are 100% stock, with quite clean smooth black tolex and original brown diamond lattice cloth. There are some light nicks and scuffs in the tolex as well as more prominent tolex wear on the bottom of the enclosure, but overall this is a collector-grade amp that would look great in a studio. The piping is all clean and intact, as are the three original brass vents. The raised gold Vox logo on the face of the amp is original as well, and the three stock SBU plastic handles are also intact. Central to the original baffle between the two 12" drivers, a small roughly 3" hole has been added for a tweeter which was subsequently removed to restore the speaker wiring to the stock configuration.This AC30 with Top Boost circuitry is the pinnacle of the Vox sound, and the amp that chimed its way into the hearts of millions on your favorite early Beatles records. Don't miss out on this gem!
Please check out our shop "Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar" on the web, and feel free to call us directly with any questions at 206.399.8518.
Shipping in the continental USA will be by FedEx Ground and will be $115, fully insured. We use double thick boxes, 1" foam, and industrial 1/2" bubble wrap to assure that your amp arrives safely. We will happily ship WORLDWIDE, but please contact us for an accurate international shipping quote before bidding or buying, as cost varies by buyer location.International orders will be declared as “merchandise,” and the value of merchandise will be declared as the amount paid. We cannot declare anything as a gift or for a lesser value. No exceptions! The customer is responsible for all taxes and duty, which may be collected upon delivery.We do our best to describe all items with honesty and accuracy, but to be sure, please contact us with any questions or concerns prior to bidding or buying. We require payment within 48 hours of auction end. In the unlikely event of a return, buyer pays all shipping costs. Your positive feedback and five star ratings are very important to us, and we appreciate your communication in resolving any issues!
Description
| Brand: | Vox | Country/Region of Manufacture: | United Kingdom |
| Model: | AC30 | Exact Year: | 1963 |
| MPN: | Does Not Apply | UPC: | Does not apply |
Up for sale, a 1963 Vox AC30 in exceptional condition, complete with "Top Boost" circuitry and a pair of original Celestion Blue T1088 model speakers! This clean and original AC30 sounds nothing short of spectacular, and the clean tone is particularly robust, rich, and nuanced. Few amps sound as classic and familiar as an early JMI AC30, and this example excels with the incredibly dynamic, touch sensitive responsiveness, smooth tube saturation, and glassy clarity that has made this amp one of the most sought after of all time. This is also the earliest AC30 we've ever had in the shop, with smooth black (pre-basketweave) tolex, brass vents, no corners, and a minty copper control panel. The list of AC30 enthusiasts is endless, with a story that began with the Shadows and quickly grew to include players such as the Beatles, U2, Queen and countless others. This amp delivers both the detailed cleans and midrange rich tube overdrive that are the hallmarks of the AC30 tone, not to mention providing fantastic vibrato and tremolo on the third pair of inputs!The Top Boost module is itself the stuff of legend, and this aftermarket module is authentic to the original design, with Bass and Treble controls powered by an additional 12AX7/ECC83 that really helped push the AC30 into new and uncharted tonal territory. Married specifically with the Brilliance inputs, the Top Boost module was reverse engineered from the tone stack of a Fender Twin Reverb and provides a musical and familiar EQ sweep in addition to an extra gain stage that helps coax rich harmonics, incredible cut, and more drive out of the amp.This amp boasts a very original and freshly serviced circuit, with stock Albion transformers. The circuit has been partially recapped, and the preamp features the vast majority of the original mustard tone capacitors and electrolytic caps as well. The chassis itself is quite clean with a vibrant reddish copper faceplate that retains all of its lettering in addition to original chicken head knobs. The amp sports a set of newer Mullard 6BQ5/EL84 power tubes which sound fantastic and deliver an authentic British tone. The preamp tubes consist of four vintage (possibly original) Mullard ECC83s and one later Russian "Pinnacle" branded ECC82, all of which sound excellent and work as intended.The Celestion Blue T530 speakers are both original, and both retain original Pulsonic cones with matching "18 H1777" stamps. The frames are in very good overall condition, with clean JMI labels and stock blue paint which shows only very light chipping and wear around the screw holes and edges. Both cones move smoothly with no voice coil rub and clear, articulate tone. The speaker frames have clear "T530" codes on the gaskets, along with "HH" date codes which place the speakers at August, 1963.The serial/model # plaque on the back panel is the original with a serial number that dates to August of 1963, although both back panels are newer replacements, made to the original shape and specifications of the stock back panels, Aside from the back panels, the cabinet, tolex, and hardware are 100% stock, with quite clean smooth black tolex and original brown diamond lattice cloth. There are some light nicks and scuffs in the tolex as well as more prominent tolex wear on the bottom of the enclosure, but overall this is a collector-grade amp that would look great in a studio. The piping is all clean and intact, as are the three original brass vents. The raised gold Vox logo on the face of the amp is original as well, and the three stock SBU plastic handles are also intact. Central to the original baffle between the two 12" drivers, a small roughly 3" hole has been added for a tweeter which was subsequently removed to restore the speaker wiring to the stock configuration.This AC30 with Top Boost circuitry is the pinnacle of the Vox sound, and the amp that chimed its way into the hearts of millions on your favorite early Beatles records. Don't miss out on this gem!
Please check out our shop "Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar" on the web, and feel free to call us directly with any questions at 206.399.8518.
Shipping in the continental USA will be by FedEx Ground and will be $115, fully insured. We use double thick boxes, 1" foam, and industrial 1/2" bubble wrap to assure that your amp arrives safely. We will happily ship WORLDWIDE, but please contact us for an accurate international shipping quote before bidding or buying, as cost varies by buyer location.International orders will be declared as “merchandise,” and the value of merchandise will be declared as the amount paid. We cannot declare anything as a gift or for a lesser value. No exceptions! The customer is responsible for all taxes and duty, which may be collected upon delivery.We do our best to describe all items with honesty and accuracy, but to be sure, please contact us with any questions or concerns prior to bidding or buying. We require payment within 48 hours of auction end. In the unlikely event of a return, buyer pays all shipping costs. Your positive feedback and five star ratings are very important to us, and we appreciate your communication in resolving any issues!
Shipping in the continental USA will be by FedEx Ground and will be $115, fully insured. We use double thick boxes, 1" foam, and industrial 1/2" bubble wrap to assure that your amp arrives safely. We will happily ship WORLDWIDE, but please contact us for an accurate international shipping quote before bidding or buying, as cost varies by buyer location.International orders will be declared as “merchandise,” and the value of merchandise will be declared as the amount paid. We cannot declare anything as a gift or for a lesser value. No exceptions! The customer is responsible for all taxes and duty, which may be collected upon delivery.We do our best to describe all items with honesty and accuracy, but to be sure, please contact us with any questions or concerns prior to bidding or buying. We require payment within 48 hours of auction end. In the unlikely event of a return, buyer pays all shipping costs. Your positive feedback and five star ratings are very important to us, and we appreciate your communication in resolving any issues!