
Zaphod B
Raccoons-Be-Gone, Inc.
Weekend before last I went to the local devil's lair (GC) to demo some amps. I was particularly interested in the Vox AC30CC. I've been looking for an amp that isn't too big to play in the house without running everybody off, and that I can use for recording or stage (if I ever get back on a stage again).
They had two AC30CCs there, both 2X12 combos. One had the GSH12 30-watt speakers and the other had the Celestion Alnico Blue 15-watt speakers.
I demo'd both amps with a nice MIA Strat that was close by. I started with the combo loaded with the GSH12 speakers and then moved to the one loaded with the Blues. I spent a good 15 minutes on each amp, and a salesman was helping me tweak for tone, blending channels, etc.
(I'd like to say that this GC has some knowledgeable people working in the guitar / amp area - most are musicians and they have a good working knowledge of their product lines.)
Both combos sounded very good, but the combo with the Blues just blew me away. Those speakers just sing. The difference is immediately noticeable.
I came back the next night with my own Tele and LP to do a little more side-by-side comparison. With the Tele I was able to dial in a very brilliant Fender-ish tone, with some nice crunch with the guitar wide open that cleaned up well with the guitar's volume backed out a little. The LP really pushed the amps well and I got a nice full overdrive - with the channel volumes pushed up you can get a very Marshall-y sound. The amps both have a great tone when the channel volumes are down and the master is pushed - the power section has a lot of sag, and it sounds like a compressor. Pretty cool stuff. Again, the combo with the Blues had simply outstanding sound.
Guess what's sitting in my bedroom? (No, it's not some big hairy guy named Brutus.)
They had two AC30CCs there, both 2X12 combos. One had the GSH12 30-watt speakers and the other had the Celestion Alnico Blue 15-watt speakers.
I demo'd both amps with a nice MIA Strat that was close by. I started with the combo loaded with the GSH12 speakers and then moved to the one loaded with the Blues. I spent a good 15 minutes on each amp, and a salesman was helping me tweak for tone, blending channels, etc.
(I'd like to say that this GC has some knowledgeable people working in the guitar / amp area - most are musicians and they have a good working knowledge of their product lines.)
Both combos sounded very good, but the combo with the Blues just blew me away. Those speakers just sing. The difference is immediately noticeable.
I came back the next night with my own Tele and LP to do a little more side-by-side comparison. With the Tele I was able to dial in a very brilliant Fender-ish tone, with some nice crunch with the guitar wide open that cleaned up well with the guitar's volume backed out a little. The LP really pushed the amps well and I got a nice full overdrive - with the channel volumes pushed up you can get a very Marshall-y sound. The amps both have a great tone when the channel volumes are down and the master is pushed - the power section has a lot of sag, and it sounds like a compressor. Pretty cool stuff. Again, the combo with the Blues had simply outstanding sound.
Guess what's sitting in my bedroom? (No, it's not some big hairy guy named Brutus.)
