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1963 Vox AC30T Vintage Tube Amp, Copper Top AC30 Vintage JMI UK AC30/6 Beatles
Estimated price for orientation: 4 999 $
Category: Guitar Amplifiers
Class:
Description Brand: Vox Exact Year: 1963 Model: AC30T Country/Region of Manufacture: United Kingdom MPN: Does Not Apply UPC: Does not apply
Up for sale, a 1963 Vox AC30T in exceptional condition, complete with a pair of original Celestion Blue T530 model speakers! This clean and original AC30/6 with the "T" for Treble designation sounds nothing short of spectacular, 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. 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! If you're looking for the quintessential "Beatles" AC30, this pre-Top Boost model with the "T" designation is virtually identical to those given to the Beatles in early '63 by Vox in terms of specs, and this amp also features a vintage sticker from an amp service center in Liverpool (more on that in the third paragraph)!This amp boasts a very original circuit, with original Woden transformers that date to January of 1963. The preamp has only a few replaced Sprague Orange Drop capacitors and one newer CTS pot to keep the amp operating within original factory spec, and all controls work exactly as they should. The chassis itself is in great shape, with a vibrant reddish copper faceplate that retains all of its lettering in addition to original chicken head knobs. The amp has been retubed with a fresh set of JJ EL84s which sound fantastic and deliver an authentic (and reliable) tone. Since the power tubes are cathode biased and the amp is more often than not lumped in with the "Class A" camp, no biasing is truly needed, but for extra control of the voltage between the tubes and the circuit, a discreet "hum balance" pot has been added inside the chassis. There are a few light scratches on the copper faceplate, and a small but perceivable bend in the edge of the chassis near the inputs, but overall the chassis is clean and well maintained.The serial/model # plaque on the back panel is intact and while vintage, is a replacement, dating to January of 1965. Given that the features of this AC30 span the tail end of 1962-1963, it's likely that the amp had its back panel swapped, most likely when it was serviced in Liverpool, as noted by the original repair sticker on the lower portion of the plaque. What makes this service sticker a very impactful feature of this amp is that this service center was in Liverpool on the very street where the Beatles played their first two gigs! Given the age of the Vox plaque on which the sticker is applied, and the now out of date Liverpool area code, this amp very likely existed right along the Fab Four in their home town.The Celestion Blue T530 speakers are both original, with clean frames, original 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 speakers have both been professionally reconed, the pair has been tested at the AC30's incredible volumes, and both speakers perform admirably. One speaker does have a roughly 3" repair from a split in the cone, but it has been glued and poses no issue to the speaker, sonically or otherwise. These speakers also feature the earliest date codes on the amp, with 09KG stamps translating to October of 1962. The speaker wiring harness has been replaced at some point in the amp's lifetime, so those two wires are new, and have clean, secure solder joints on both speakers.The original dark gray basketweave tolex and brown diamond grillcloth are intact along with two of the original brass vents and one top notch replacement vent courtesy of North Coast Music, the top supplier for reissue Vox parts. There are some nicks and scuffs in the tolex (especially along the bottom edge on the face of the amp), but overall this is an honestly worn and very cosmetically original amp. The grillcloth has notable wear, especially around the right speaker, but is also undoubtedly original and plays the part of a well loved and consistently used vintage Vox.The piping is all clean and intact, with six of the early style one-pin plastic corners, and two replaced two-pin corners on the bottom front edge of the amp, understandably swapped due to the fragility of the original plastic parts. The inclusion of the corners on this particular amps makes it one of the very first to sport this feature (rarely seen alongside the brass vents), and while all internal components date to no later than 1963, it's commonly thought that the corners weren't seen until Spring of the following year. In regards to the handles, the two outer handles are the early molded plastic "SBU" style without logos, while the center handle is a modern Korg-era replacement. On the bottom of the amp, this AC30 is fitted with a set of the 1 1/2" corners introduced in '65, likely installed after a set of casters that was once on the amp. A few tiny screw holes remain from the caster installation, but overall the bottom of the amp shows only moderate, honest wear.This AC30T 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, which comes complete with the original "egg" footswitch for the vibrato/tremolo, hardwired into the circuit as per original spec.
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 | Exact Year: | 1963 |
| Model: | AC30T | Country/Region of Manufacture: | United Kingdom |
| MPN: | Does Not Apply | UPC: | Does not apply |
Up for sale, a 1963 Vox AC30T in exceptional condition, complete with a pair of original Celestion Blue T530 model speakers! This clean and original AC30/6 with the "T" for Treble designation sounds nothing short of spectacular, 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. 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! If you're looking for the quintessential "Beatles" AC30, this pre-Top Boost model with the "T" designation is virtually identical to those given to the Beatles in early '63 by Vox in terms of specs, and this amp also features a vintage sticker from an amp service center in Liverpool (more on that in the third paragraph)!This amp boasts a very original circuit, with original Woden transformers that date to January of 1963. The preamp has only a few replaced Sprague Orange Drop capacitors and one newer CTS pot to keep the amp operating within original factory spec, and all controls work exactly as they should. The chassis itself is in great shape, with a vibrant reddish copper faceplate that retains all of its lettering in addition to original chicken head knobs. The amp has been retubed with a fresh set of JJ EL84s which sound fantastic and deliver an authentic (and reliable) tone. Since the power tubes are cathode biased and the amp is more often than not lumped in with the "Class A" camp, no biasing is truly needed, but for extra control of the voltage between the tubes and the circuit, a discreet "hum balance" pot has been added inside the chassis. There are a few light scratches on the copper faceplate, and a small but perceivable bend in the edge of the chassis near the inputs, but overall the chassis is clean and well maintained.The serial/model # plaque on the back panel is intact and while vintage, is a replacement, dating to January of 1965. Given that the features of this AC30 span the tail end of 1962-1963, it's likely that the amp had its back panel swapped, most likely when it was serviced in Liverpool, as noted by the original repair sticker on the lower portion of the plaque. What makes this service sticker a very impactful feature of this amp is that this service center was in Liverpool on the very street where the Beatles played their first two gigs! Given the age of the Vox plaque on which the sticker is applied, and the now out of date Liverpool area code, this amp very likely existed right along the Fab Four in their home town.The Celestion Blue T530 speakers are both original, with clean frames, original 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 speakers have both been professionally reconed, the pair has been tested at the AC30's incredible volumes, and both speakers perform admirably. One speaker does have a roughly 3" repair from a split in the cone, but it has been glued and poses no issue to the speaker, sonically or otherwise. These speakers also feature the earliest date codes on the amp, with 09KG stamps translating to October of 1962. The speaker wiring harness has been replaced at some point in the amp's lifetime, so those two wires are new, and have clean, secure solder joints on both speakers.The original dark gray basketweave tolex and brown diamond grillcloth are intact along with two of the original brass vents and one top notch replacement vent courtesy of North Coast Music, the top supplier for reissue Vox parts. There are some nicks and scuffs in the tolex (especially along the bottom edge on the face of the amp), but overall this is an honestly worn and very cosmetically original amp. The grillcloth has notable wear, especially around the right speaker, but is also undoubtedly original and plays the part of a well loved and consistently used vintage Vox.The piping is all clean and intact, with six of the early style one-pin plastic corners, and two replaced two-pin corners on the bottom front edge of the amp, understandably swapped due to the fragility of the original plastic parts. The inclusion of the corners on this particular amps makes it one of the very first to sport this feature (rarely seen alongside the brass vents), and while all internal components date to no later than 1963, it's commonly thought that the corners weren't seen until Spring of the following year. In regards to the handles, the two outer handles are the early molded plastic "SBU" style without logos, while the center handle is a modern Korg-era replacement. On the bottom of the amp, this AC30 is fitted with a set of the 1 1/2" corners introduced in '65, likely installed after a set of casters that was once on the amp. A few tiny screw holes remain from the caster installation, but overall the bottom of the amp shows only moderate, honest wear.This AC30T 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, which comes complete with the original "egg" footswitch for the vibrato/tremolo, hardwired into the circuit as per original spec.
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!
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!