NAMM 2010 Vox news
By MNJ
| Posted in Music Technology
Never out of style, Vox’s new AC Custom range to be unveiled at NAMM 2010 sees yet another update of the classic AC30 combo that’s been around for so long and is so revered that its place at the top table of rock and roll icons is assured for all time.
There are two models in the Custom range, the AC15C1 and the ASC30C2, both offering numerous up do date enhancements and delivering what Vox claims to be the most versatile AC30 design in Vox history.
Both models offer two channels – normal and top boost with their own gain control – and a volume and tone cut in the master section. The tone cut operates in the power stage, offering an extra degree of tone shaping. A tremelo circuit with speed and depth control and a spring reverb with tone control are featured on both models, switchable with the Vox VFS2 footswitch. The Custom Series can deliver everything from the classic Vox ‘chime’ to overdriven rock tones utilising the 12AX7/EL84 preamp and power amp tube, a combination loved by generations of guitarists worldwide. The AC15C1 and AC30C2 are equipped with Celestion G12M Greenbacks but if you really want traditional looks and classic Vox tone, the AC15C2X and AC30C2X offer the Celestion Alnico Blue speakers as an option at additional cost.
Staying with the Vox styling but keeping costs down, the new AC15VR and AC30VR offer a cheaper alternative to the Custom Range. VR stands for Valve Reactor, and these amps are a hybrid design, utilising a tube preamp and solid state power sections. They also differ by offering channel switching and a two stage gain button on the overdrive channel for additional tone shaping. Both are equipped with custom designed Celestion 12″ drivers. Expect these to be very competitively priced indeed and if they sound as great as they look they will be surefire winners.
Not known for producing acoustic combos, Vox has finally kicked the trend by introducing the AGA70, a two channel vacuum tube acoustic guitar amp. The normal and tube channel share the same features – guitar or mic input, volume, bass, middle, treble, overall volume and an anti-feedback control. The AGA70 also includes selectable chorus and reverb, a DI and tuner outputs, line inputs and a full range Vox 6.5″ speaker. This is a feature packed combo that offers extreme portability and low cost, all factors that will ensure its success.
Finally, the long awaited addition to the Vox pathfinder series appears at last. The Pathfinder Bass 10 is a portable solid-state combo dedicated to the bass player and offering 10 Watts into a pair of Vox Bulldog 5″ speakers. Controls are drive, treble, bass, volume and a bright switch, which adds an edgy boost to the upper harmonics. The drive control provides a modern, warm bass distortion. A headphone jack is also provided for silent practice or for direct recording.
Tags: vox, vox ac15c1, vox ac15c1x, vox ac30c2, vox ac30c2x, vox aga70, vox pathfinder bass 10, voxac15vr, voxac30vr