I've had this for a month and a half. The first thing that blew me out of the water is just how loud it is. The second thing is that even with the gain turned up, the volume knob on the guitar makes all the difference between clean & thick overdriven tones. The low end is actually quite surprising. I have to take some out and add some high-end to my tastes (may also be a result of my pedals). Stacked overdrives are a treat and this takes fuzz really well. I do recommend the FX loop for anything more than chorus in terms of modulation. This just doesn't seem voiced to allow the delay/reverb pre-amp, but at least you have that option of the FX loop.... and boy, what a treat that is!

At 54 lbs, it weighs much less than an AC30. But it’s really loud. And even though it’s not an alnico blue Celestion, it sounds great. There’s a gain and master for grit at any volume. And, there’s an effects loop so your time and modulation effects are after the preamp and sound great. The digital reverb even sounds good. I own a ‘65 Fender Deluxe Reverb reissue w/a JBL 12”, a Marshall DSL20 w/a Greenback 12”, and a Peavey Classic 30 w/a JBL 12”. The day this one came, I was putting it through its paces, with my Les Paul and my Tele plugged straight in, no effects. After about 20 minutes, my wife came out of the bedroom and said, “That’s the best sounding amp you own.”This one’s a winner.

Every guitar player worth their salt knows Vox along with fender and marshall were the amps that brought rock to the masses. Sadly for the past couple decades Vox has fell to the background as newer, boutique companies came and went. With the rise in medium sized combos that you can pair with pedals this really seems like a no brainer and they really have knocked it out of the park with these amps. Simple control layout, just set the gain to taste and use the volume to dial in how loud you need to be. Don't be fooled by the 30 watts, I've giggled over 50 shows with this thing and have yet to be told to turn up. Ultimately if you're a pedal user and haven't liked fender hot rods or marshall dlc40s, this just might do it for you. Quality made as well.

AC30 Essence without the weight!!!

After owning an AC15 for a few years, I found that there was something unique about the natural compression of a Vox that I liked but the absence of an effects loop was a deal breaker for me that sent it on it's way. I toyed with the idea of an AC30 but the price and weight of it always made me veer off. This AC30S1 came out last summer and I wasn't even aware of its existence. I stumbled upon it in a Guitar Center in the LIMITED Cream Bronco with the upgraded Celestion GM12 Creamback speaker and ON SALE to boot and I traded in an Egnater Renegade for it. It's a stripped down AC30 with one speaker and one channel (Top Boost) and slightly smaller footprint and a whopping 25% weight reduction! AND it still has an effects loop....WIN Win WIn....Still loud AC30 punch ... MoreAfter owning an AC15 for a few years, I found that there was something unique about the natural compression of a Vox that I liked but the absence of an effects loop was a deal breaker for me that sent it on it's way. I toyed with the idea of an AC30 but the price and weight of it always made me veer off. This AC30S1 came out last summer and I wasn't even aware of its existence. I stumbled upon it in a Guitar Center in the LIMITED Cream Bronco with the upgraded Celestion GM12 Creamback speaker and ON SALE to boot and I traded in an Egnater Renegade for it. It's a stripped down AC30 with one speaker and one channel (Top Boost) and slightly smaller footprint and a whopping 25% weight reduction! AND it still has an effects loop....WIN Win WIn....Still loud AC30 punch and chime...

Best amp for the money

I shopped around for a few weeks before buying this amp, so I sorted through quite a few other options around this price point - nothing quite stacked up imo. I bought it about 8 months ago, and have played numerous gigs with it since. The effects loop works great for adding and subtracting ambient effects, the cleans sound brilliant and clear, and when I play with my TS-9, RAT, or BigMuff Pi on, it loses zero clarity. You have a ton of control over your tone. The built-in reverb is amazing on its own, but they need start including the footswitch, which you can get for an additional $40+ online, otherwise the reverb just doesn't end up getting the use it deserves. The gain on the amp pushes it hard. If you crank this thing in your living room, you may knock ... MoreI shopped around for a few weeks before buying this amp, so I sorted through quite a few other options around this price point - nothing quite stacked up imo. I bought it about 8 months ago, and have played numerous gigs with it since. The effects loop works great for adding and subtracting ambient effects, the cleans sound brilliant and clear, and when I play with my TS-9, RAT, or BigMuff Pi on, it loses zero clarity. You have a ton of control over your tone. The built-in reverb is amazing on its own, but they need start including the footswitch, which you can get for an additional $40+ online, otherwise the reverb just doesn't end up getting the use it deserves. The gain on the amp pushes it hard. If you crank this thing in your living room, you may knock loosely-placed items over. It's a loud, twinkly, brilliant amp, and works great for the type of punk rock my band plays. Its weight may be somewhat of an issue, but for the gigging musician, sometimes it doesn't matter so long as it's built like a brick, and the AC30S1 is just that. First amp I've bought that seems like it'll be a forever-amp.

Finally got my AC30

Overall:I have a good collection of amps and have always wanted an AC30 but hesitated due to cost and weight. The AC30S1 is lighter and less expensive than the 212 version. The sound and feel of this amp is amazing. Fantastic feel and "push back" when digging in. Amazing, glassy clean tone and full, broad drive tones. Using mine with the Boss GT1000 in a four cable setup. Remarkable versatility and tone. Doesn't take a lot of drive from the GT1000 to push this amp from crunchy to driven. Incredibly articulate and responsive. Speaker needs to break in a bit but thats common and it sounds amazing the way it stands now. Highly recommend this amp. Vox listened and got it right.

HEY VOX?! Rename this amp and call it AC30 SUPERCHARGED!!!!!

I love this amp and it is loud!!!!!! I tried it out briefly when I bought my special edition Marshall DSL40CR in cream tolex a month ago and I knew that the AC30S1 would be my next amp! I have an AC15 in red tolex that is awesome as well, but the AC30S1 blows my mind. It is very simple to dial in any sound I want! I can get vintage Beatle sounds as well as classic power pop punchy crunch best exemplified from songs like Badfinger's No Matter What or Go All The Way by the Raspberries. I can also get into Brian May territory as well all with the simple turn of the gain knob! If I want it clean, I can just roll back the volume knob on my guitar. It sounds great with my Vox Union Jack Wah as well as with my MXR microflange and EVH phaser and chorus. I really meant it ... MoreI love this amp and it is loud!!!!!! I tried it out briefly when I bought my special edition Marshall DSL40CR in cream tolex a month ago and I knew that the AC30S1 would be my next amp! I have an AC15 in red tolex that is awesome as well, but the AC30S1 blows my mind. It is very simple to dial in any sound I want! I can get vintage Beatle sounds as well as classic power pop punchy crunch best exemplified from songs like Badfinger's No Matter What or Go All The Way by the Raspberries. I can also get into Brian May territory as well all with the simple turn of the gain knob! If I want it clean, I can just roll back the volume knob on my guitar. It sounds great with my Vox Union Jack Wah as well as with my MXR microflange and EVH phaser and chorus. I really meant it when I titled my review to rename it VOX AC30 Supercharged because it fits the bill. The price is perfect for this amp and I say go order it today! YOU WILL BE BLOWN AWAY!

Regret at First, but No More

Overall:I have a Fender Elite Stratocaster (SSS, Rosewood Fretboard), and I was in need of upgrading my amp. at the time I had an Orange Crush 35RT. It's a good amp, but I could not get good Fender tone out of it. That coupled with some bass issues (heavy bass caused booming/vibration in amp), I decided I needed something more. I heard a lot of great things about VOX, but I wanted something simple. This looked to be perfect. When it came in the mail, I loved it. I messed around with the clean channel, but when I cranked the gain all the way, it didn't feel right. It felt kind of wimpy. I thought it might have to do with the single coil configuration of my amp, so I dealt with it (I also had a pedal board with additional Overdrive/Distortion pedals so it wasn't a ... MoreOverall:I have a Fender Elite Stratocaster (SSS, Rosewood Fretboard), and I was in need of upgrading my amp. at the time I had an Orange Crush 35RT. It's a good amp, but I could not get good Fender tone out of it. That coupled with some bass issues (heavy bass caused booming/vibration in amp), I decided I needed something more. I heard a lot of great things about VOX, but I wanted something simple. This looked to be perfect. When it came in the mail, I loved it. I messed around with the clean channel, but when I cranked the gain all the way, it didn't feel right. It felt kind of wimpy. I thought it might have to do with the single coil configuration of my amp, so I dealt with it (I also had a pedal board with additional Overdrive/Distortion pedals so it wasn't a big deal). Still, I was a little bummed. Something just felt off about the tone. I couldn't dial the right tone for whatever reason. But then I thought maybe the issue was coming from the stock tubes. And so I replaced them. Two Tung-Sol Pre-Amp Tubes with Gold Pins, and four JJ Power Tubes.Wow. What a difference that made. The amp had the bite I had been wanting. The crunch was intensified, and after wearing the tubes out over a few months the amp is in tone heaven. Be it clean or crunchy, it sounds like a menace and I absolutely love it.

Review of AC30 One Twelve

The amp is excellent. It's so bright and responsive and handles pedals extremely well without losing its own tone. I haven't used it live yet but I'm sure it'll be great. It's a bit on the heavy side but it's still lighter than my old one so I can't complain - I can't see myself using any other amp for a very long time.

awesome amplifier from vox

hear this amp on youtube and figured i would give it a shop. i had no always liked vox amps but didn't like the weight of the ac30 or the thin sound of the ac15. as i got better and better at playing the guitar and also playing in the band i had gone through almost every amp out there. i was always disappointed with each and everyone. lately i bought and performed with the supro dual tone and fell in love with it. great cleans and pretty good distortion! i was surfing through youtube and came across the ac30 s1 and thought that is interesting, one speaker and lighter weight. what took vox so long to come up with that idea. so i bought it and couldn't wait to get it home and try it. i can honestly say that i have never been been blown away initially by any amp i have ... Morehear this amp on youtube and figured i would give it a shop. i had no always liked vox amps but didn't like the weight of the ac30 or the thin sound of the ac15. as i got better and better at playing the guitar and also playing in the band i had gone through almost every amp out there. i was always disappointed with each and everyone. lately i bought and performed with the supro dual tone and fell in love with it. great cleans and pretty good distortion! i was surfing through youtube and came across the ac30 s1 and thought that is interesting, one speaker and lighter weight. what took vox so long to come up with that idea. so i bought it and couldn't wait to get it home and try it. i can honestly say that i have never been been blown away initially by any amp i have bought. well, that all changed today! what an amp! i was blown away at the clean tone with beautiful bottom end and when i turned the gain knob up, holy cow, pure distortion heaven! so easy to dial in any tone on the fly! i even tried some pedals in from of it and again it sounded great. but, honestly i think it sounds best when it stands alone! maybe when you use accent pedals, like delay or chorus, pedals like that it shines also. overall i can't praise it enough! buy on and you'll see!