Vox AC30CC2X Custom Classic 2 x 12 combo

112 MAY 2005
gain range has sensibly been kept fairly
modest so that at stage volume levels
it’s easy to dial in a great overdrive tone
that blends preamp and power amp
distortion for maximum effect. The
rear panel bias and smoothing switches
act to fi ne-tune the amp’s response –
you can use these to give the Vox a
tighter or looser feel and vary the
dynamic range.
The reverb is excellent. Being able to
control tone, mix level and dwell really
capitalises on the potential of this
effect. The tremolo sounds great for
low speed pulsing effects, although we
felt that the LFO’s top speed could do
with being a little faster.
Overall, it’s a far cry from the
somewhat stiff and unforgiving nature
of a standard AC30. This is one of those
amps that makes you want to dig in, hit
the strings hard and really get into
playing with all the nuances. Anything
from vintage Beatles and Shads riffs to
Queen and beyond is possible. The
clever design means that this is an
amplifi er with a lot of versatility while
the controls remain simple and
intuitive to use.
Verdict
The Custom Classic is defi nitely an
AC30 for the modern player without
any of the frustration that comes from
using an original. The new circuit and
controls make for a much more
rewarding experience, and tonally it’s
pretty much spot on. Some might
throw up their hands in horror knowing
that this quintessential British amp is
now made in China, but that makes it
more affordable for many players and
the build quality hasn’t suffered at all.
In fact it’s much better than it has been
in recent years.
If you can’t stretch to the Alnico-
equipped version, the standard CC2
model (fi tted with specially designed
Wharfdale drivers) delivers most of the
magic at an even more attractive price.
We had both models to try out and
couldn’t fi nd fault with either of them,
although for the full-on Vox experience
the Alnico speakers really are worth
paying extra for.
There’s a lot of competition in this
price bracket, but few manage to
combine sound quality, features and
looks with quite as much success as
Vox has done with this amp – it’s a real
achievement. Check it out at your
nearest Vox dealer but we think you’ll
agree: the Custom Classic has hit the
proverbial tonal bull’s eye.
Peavey Classic 50/212
combo £749
Orange AD30R £969
HiWatt Studio/Stage 2 x
12 combo £1,361
Peavey’s Classic is
another favourite take
on EL84 power. As
you’d expect, the sound
is more American in
infl uence, but the
power amp adds an
aggressive grunt that
you won’t get from 6L6s
– great value for money.
Orange’s AD30R combo
is a well-made amp with
typical Orange styling:
big, heavy and very
orange. Typical Orange
tone too, with a boxy
mid-range coupled with
a thick, almost fuzzbox
distortion – classic
seventies rock tone.
HiWatt’s hand-wired in
the UK Studio/Stage
combo is another good
example of a classic
British guitar sound
that’s been successfully
re-issued, with bold
glassy highs and a
ferocious crunch when
wound up. It doesn’t
have the Vox’s fl exibility
or range of features, but
if one good sound is all
you need then it’s worth
checking out
The rivals
Vox AC30 CC2X
RATING
VOX AC30CC2X CUSTOM CLASSIC 2 X 12 COMBO £1,049
GUITAR AMPS GUITARIST INTERACTIVE
Some might throw up their
hands in horror knowing
that this quintessential
British amp is now made in
China, but that makes it
more affordable, and build
quality hasn’t suffered
The footswitch
toggles reverb and
tremolo effects
The top panel is clearly
laid out to make
controlling your
AC30CC a simple affair
GIT263.rev_voxac30 112GIT263.rev_voxac30 112 1/4/05 1:28:32 pm1/4/05 1:28:32 pm