Vox AC30 S-12

[David Wren]

Lately, I've been using a Vox AC30 (the one with the single 12" speaker) at a friend's recording studio. The first time I used it just because it was in a convenient location... hey, it sounded pretty good!

Now, I use it every time I'm there.... the tone adjusters are interesting, just bass and treble... but for some reason I just love the resultant recorded steel sound. Reading some, I see it may be the EL84 tubes used in the British amps, as opposed to the 6V6 American amps use?

Anyone else using a Vox for pedal steel?

[Tucker Jackson]

Eric Heywood used to play through a Vox. I think it was an AC50 and he favored a lot of hair on his tone.

Son Volt - Austin City Limits:
https://youtu.be/SIHtFySoo6U?si=kqVzgwY08hVSvIkE&t=141
.

[Henry Schuellerman]

I have an AC-15 (single 12 inch speaker too) that I use for lower volume recording / quiet band / solo practicing at home. I find the tone cut and master/channel volumes are very useful for taming the highs and adding a little hair to taste. Even just 15 watts of Vox can get LOUD. That single speaker AC30 sounds awesome.

Daniel Lanois' rig (ie. Brian Eno and Bob Dylan) uses both an old fender tweed and an AC30. Wicked sounds

https://www.premierguitar.com/gear/rig- ... iel-lanois

[Larry Dering]

Never tried a Vox but the Peavey Classic 30 has EL84S and I have used mine for guitar and pedal steel. I like it more for Telecasters but it will work a lower volume pedal steel gig.

[Bob Carlucci]

started playing steel 5 decades ago with a Vox Berkley... This song was recorded at Bearsville in Woodstock NY with a Vox amp [ac 15?] around 1990... It sounded pretty good for steel in my opinion.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMaiPb2K5-4

[David Wren]

All very interesting replies.

Larry, I had no idea any American amps had the EL84 tubes....
and Bob, wow, sounds great to me.

I'm going to wait to see how my Half and Half sounds/records at lower volumes before I invest on another amp.... but for a lifelong SS guy, I'm learning a lot about class A amps (on both sides of the Atlantic).... next I'll be looking into alnico vs ceramic speakers.

Thanks guys!

[Bob Carlucci]

lots of USA built amps with EL 84's... I have one upstairs, a peavey Delta Blues.. Had several other EL 84 powered amps over the years as well ... Fender never used them much really... Not the greatest power tube for steel, but they are fine for lower power amps.. Peavey used them in the 50/50 stereo power amps they marketed years ago to rack mount guys that wanted tube tone. 8 EL 84's! Clean warm and punchy through a 2x12 cab.. Played for years with a guy that used one for fiddle and guitar in our loud band.. So yeah, EL 84's will work for a clean sound if you want them to.. To be honest, I have used tube amps with EL84/EL34/6V6/ 7591 and 6L6 and probably others, but I dunno, the 6L6 tube just seems "right" for pedal steel guitar to my ears.. a good EL84 amp can sound good with steel, but I have never been 100% sold on them for pedal steel.. They are great for armpit electric however... bob