Question

[Brian_MAy]

I've noticed frequent complaints about new line amps not being able to produce a vintage sound. Even when the companies try to do so, it always turns out like shit, for example the new line VOX AC30, what the hell is up with that?

Anyways, if this is the case, why don't the companies just start manufacturing the way they did back in the 70's and what not? That way I won't have to spend 3 fucking thousand dollars to get an AC30 on ebay...

 

[ggunn]

I've noticed frequent complaints about new line amps not being able to produce a vintage sound. Even when the companies try to do so, it always turns out like shit, for example the new line VOX AC30, what the hell is up with that?

Anyways, if this is the case, why don't the companies just start manufacturing the way they did back in the 70's and what not? That way I won't have to spend 3 fucking thousand dollars to get an AC30 on ebay...

Some of the materials are not made any more, and some tubes are not available any more, and the old way was labor intensive (read: expensive), so mass producers of amps will probably never go back. There are quite a few "boutique" amp producers who produce amps very nearly like the old ones (Kendrick, for example), but they hand make them one at a time and they are as expensive as the genuine article.

I play through a '65 Deluxe Reverb, not a reissue. I paid $1400 for it and I haven't regretted it for a moment.

All that said, a friend of mine brought over a new AC30 the other night, and I thought it sounded pretty good. I have also heard really good things about the Deluxe Reverb reissue amps, but I have never played through one.