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Vox AC30S1 30-watt 1x12" Tube Combo Amp

30-watt 1-channel All-tube 1x12" Guitar Combo Amplifier with Digital Reverb and Effects Loop
$999.99

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Delivers a Full-fledged AC30 Experience

What can you do with 30 watts of jangly British tone? Plug into the Vox AC30S1 and you'll find out. This stripped-down 1-channel guitar combo amplifier is inspired by the AC30's legendary Top Boost circuit — the sound behind some of rock's most famous riffs. The AC30S1 is loaded with top-notch components, including two 12AX7 preamp tubes, four EL84 power amp tubes, and a custom-voiced Celestion speaker. Drench your playing in studio-quality digital reverb, and integrate your pedals and external effects with a built-in effects loop. You also get an external speaker output. Whether you're craving Edge-esque chime or smooth Brian May-ish overdrive, the AC30S1 delivers a full-fledged AC30 experience.

Top-shelf components for top-shelf sound

The AC30S1 may be a stripped-down 1-channel amp, but don't let that fool you. It's got all the good stuff. A pair of 12AX7s in its preamp and four EL84s in its power section deliver the sublime all-tube tone you'd expect from a classic Vox. Its touch-sensitive Top Boost-inspired circuit delivers a wide array of tones, ranging from chimey cleans to smooth overdrive. Beyond that, it contains a 12" Celestion-made speaker that was voiced specially for the AC30S1. The guitarists here at Sweetwater are impressed by the quality of the AC30S1 — you get a lot of bang for your buck!

Loaded with essential features

The Vox AC30S1 doesn't skimp on features. Its onboard digital reverb is truly studio quality — whether you use it subtly or liberally, it sounds great without washing out your playing. This guitar combo amplifier was tailor-made for your stompboxes and other external effects — its built-in effects loop makes integrating it with the rest of your rig a piece of cake. You also get an external speaker output for pairing with other speaker cabinets.

Based on the revered Top Boost channel

Vintage AC30s with Top Boost circuitry are among the most sought-after amps ever made, and the AC30S1 mirrors that classic sound perfectly. Renowned for their trademark "chime," these amps have backed such high-profile players as The Edge, Brian May, Tom Petty, John Scofield, and Dave Grohl. That's why the Vox AC30S1 will never go out of style — countless top-tier players still depend on its design for their signature tones.

Vox AC30S1 Combo Features:

  • Stripped-down 1-channel guitar combo amplifier inspired by the AC30's legendary Top Boost circuit
  • Touch-sensitive Top Boost-inspired circuit delivers everything from chimey cleans to smooth overdrive
  • 2 12AX7 preamp tubes and 4 EL84 power tubes deliver the sublime all-tube tone you'd expect from a classic Vox
  • Equipped with a 12" Celestion-made speaker voiced specially for the AC30S1
  • Drench your playing in studio-quality digital reverb
  • Integrate your pedals and external effects with a built-in effects loop
  • Boasts an external speaker output for pairing with other speaker cabinets

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Tech Specs

  • Type: Tube
  • Number of Channels: 1
  • Total Power: 30W
  • Speaker Size: 1 x 12" Celestion VX12
  • Preamp Tubes: 2 x 12AX7
  • Power Tubes: 4 x EL84
  • Reverb: Digital Reverb
  • EQ: 2-band EQ
  • Inputs: 1 x 1/4"
  • Outputs: 1 x 1/4" (external speaker)
  • Effects Loop: Yes
  • Bias Type: Cathode Biased
  • Construction Material: Black Tolex
  • Power Source: Standard IEC AC cable
  • Height: 21.65"
  • Width: 25.91"
  • Depth: 10.43"
  • Weight: 54.01 lbs.
  • Manufacturer Part Number: AC30S1

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Customer Reviews

Write your review
Rated 5/5

AC30S1

Great sounding amp. Great addition to the music room
Rated 5/5

Very nice amp for home

I bought this combo amp for home. I am not carrying it anywhere, so I don't care about its weight. Order was processed fantastically quick and delivery was relatively fast. I would buy it again. Thank you Sweetwater!
Rated 5/5

Awesome

Had this amp a few weeks now and I have to same that it has exceeded my expectations. It may only be a single 12" speaker but it still has the output of an AC30! And it really stays true to the Top Boost channel that it's modeled after. Only wish I had bought this amp sooner.
Rated 4.5/5

Pretty Sweet. But with a few tweaks it can become really sweet!

I am extremely picky and I have been playing vintage and newer vox amps my whole life. I have played in many bands and have a lot of experience playing many different genres. My go to amp is a 2000s English AC30TBX. It has the Vox Blues in it. It has been my battle amp forever now. It's quirky, but IMHO there are few amps out there that sound better. I came across the AC30S1 at a local music store. I was looking for something in between my ac15 and ac30. I went ahead and bit the bullet. I gotta be honest, my initial impression was that the amp was pretty good, but lacked the tone of my ac30TBX. It was kinda stale. If definitely had more headroom than the ac15 which was my goal. So I got to thinking... I knew I didn't like the speaker and tubes at all. I have only ever really used blues and vox silvers. So it had to be an Alnico replacement. I swamped out the stock speaker for a Celestion Ruby. Immediately it sprang to life and had that awesome air moving sound of my ac30tbx but without driving sound guys nuts. But, I wasn't done yet. The cabinet still lacked the tight bass and crisp response of the vintage birch cabs. I do not like mdf in guitar amps. So I busted out saws and studied youtube. I set off to build a head and cab. I used birch ply and some new and old parts I had laying around. Now this thing is amazing!!! Mind you I am an amateur carpenter, but it came out pretty sweet.
Rated 4/5

Vox AC30S1

OK first off I play 85 to 90% country. I have tried several 1-12 combo amps from PRS 20watt to Fender 68 Custom Deluxe Reverb which I really liked just not enough clean headroom for un-miked situations. I have never owned or played through a Vox amp of any kind. I researched this one by listening to videos on line. Then I bit the bullet and bought it. I've had it for about 6 months now and I love it. Now that's not to say I didn't change some things, such as the speaker, the tubes, and most of all the cabinet. I'm 70 years old and even though this is a 1-12 combo it is still a little heavy at 54lbs. So you young bucks shouldn't have any problem! HA! I built a slightly smaller and lighter cabinet out of Paulownia wood which is not cheap. The original cabinet is made of 3/4" MDF which weighs 28lbs. EMPTY! I also changed the speaker to a Jensen C12N which to ME is the best sounding speaker out there. I do not like Celestion speakers. I tried several WGS but they just weren't what I like. I swapped the original tubes to some Groove Tubes I already had. I going to get new JJ tubes this week. The amp takes pedals great and I go through the front of the amp. Haven't tried the effects loop yet but I'm going to do so. The reverb is good but I don't use it because I use an MXR Carbon Copy for slap back delay. I also use an overdrive pedal for any rock/ blues tones. You can get it from the amp if you want. But I use the volume and gain knobs just to get a little grit. Hope this helps.
Music background: Retired/ Weekend Warrior
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