I Bought My Holy Grail Guitar Amp | 1964 Vox AC30 

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I need to not watch your videos. They make me feel spendy

Holy Grail indeed! As a 70 year old who experienced the British Invasion first hand from the vantage point of a small midwestern farming community I can't tell you how it does my heart good to see a young man like you caring so deeply about the amp that made so much of that music possible. I would never have dreamed that the music and the gear of my youth (and even before my time) would resonate with musicians for so many years. It's astonishing. Hats off to you, Rhett, for keeping the thread intact while also making it your own. You'll do great things with that amp I have no doubt. 👏

One of the best amps ever!!!

I’ll tell my kids to find someone who feels about them, the way Rhett feels about that amp

Hi I am now 76 and still playing. I had an AC 30 in the late 70’s on the back was scratched “N. Reading “ Hendrix’s bass player. Prior to joining the “experience “ he was a lead guitarist in a local band. I think. The only ones. Just a bit oh history (I think). Really like your playing. Can’t believe all you young guys how f###### good you get. Keep rocking

Congrats man, sounds legendary👍🏻✌🏻

To this day I still remember sitting on the floor in front of our tiny black and white tv with a very rounded 'screen'/tube and watching The Beatles come to America and play on Ed Sullivan. I was hooked for life... It's one of the few TV memories that I'll never forget.

I'd love to hear you playing a Rickenbacker through that amp.

The AC-30/15 pairs amazingly well with filtertron pickups. It makes my Gretsch sound so insanely good. Absolutely love it.

Much congrats man. Always such a timeless feeling to get the gear you want! Have fun with it!

I managed to score one of these today, a 1962 model judging by the date code on one of the tubes! A woman I know who works in a recycling yard sent me a WhatsApp message to say they had just found a really scruffy amplifier in a dumpster load that had came in over the weekend and asked it if was too scruffy to be worth anything. It took a few moments to realise I was looking at an early 1960s version in the beige/fawn color (not black). After finishing off a couple of chores, I was straight into the car and picked it up. After managing to get the back off (quite tricky as I suspect it hadn’t been off since 1962 and was wedged in and the rexine had stuck together), I found it was totally original inside with no parts changed and no obviously blown capacitors/resistors. It had even managed to evade the rain we had this morning because it had been covered by half a ton of wood. And how the hell it survived being transferred between dumpster and truck is beyond me. The only blown component was the original Mullard rectifier tube which was probably why somebody stopped using it some 30-40 years ago - I expect it went out with a bang and frightened the owner who just stopped using it because they figured it would be too expensive to repair (I had a spare GZ34 rectifier tube in a drawer, so not a problem). I expect I can get it running within a day or two as I now have it sitting an a current limiting Variac to see if I can chemically reform the capacitors. Ironically I have little-to-no interest in music, but the technology fascinates me. The mechanic in me just wants to get it going again and save it for another generation.

I really loved the storytelling in this video. well done Rhett, so stoked on this acquisition for you!

I own a 64 AC 30 and it is amazing!! I’m very happy to hear and see that you’ve acquired one . Great playing as usual and great video 👍

Man you are killing it with these last 2 videos. I mean your stuff is always good but with this and the fuzz one I can tell how much you love these sounds and want to share them. Great Job. I want to wish you and yours a Happy & Safe Holidays.

This a genuinely beautiful episode. I’ve been wanting a Vox for a while and it’s such a touching sound. Great work Rhett.

Congrats Mr. Shull! It's always great day when someone get a piece of their "dream" gear. Cherish it and put some great tones out there!

There is an AC30 in our rehearsal space. The other guitarist and I race from the car park to use it. They’re sublime amps.

They are VERY special. I have one that was used on a famous album. Josh would like it... he has the poster. The artist tried to buy it off my band mate but he wouldn’t sell it. Eventually I managed to get it. It’s one of the best amps out there.

Great addition to your amp collection Rhett. You make that AC30 sound fantastic.

Love the way Rhett plays, moody, atmospheric comes to mind, good tone sense 👍🏼

When I was a touring musician many moons ago supporting a country act, we played a series of shows with a fella who was using two original 64' VOX AC30's. They were sublime to hear live. There is nothing that can accurately convey the sheer magnificence of the sound of those amps. There are few amps that I've heard that can compare to an original AC30. Great video! Brought back some good memories.

Brian May lead tone❤️🙏

Congratulations! Looking forward to hearing what you do with it!

Congratulations, Rhett! The AC30 sounds killer. I am just in awe of that sound. What a lovely video too!

Congrats Rhett, what a part of history you now have. The Beatles certainly started the whole movement of music we know and love today.

Bold prediction: Rhett will never buy a house.

I really appreciate your videos. They're educational. The gear recording is world-class. You're creating a wonderful reference of iconic tones. This video helped me nail the Vox sound. Thank you.

Welcome to the exclusive club!! I've owned my '62 TB model since 1994, and it sounds as good as the day I purchased it. Rich overtones, and the envy of the local music scene. Take good care of her!!

Rhett - for a beautiful clean sound with a Strat, try the normal (not top boost) channel with bass and treble all the way down

Nice video, as always. I love my AC15 with the Blue Alnico speaker (and your Helix presets get 99% of the way there, so thanks for them too!).

Congratulations man on getting your dream gear. Hard work ALWAYS pays off in the end, sometimes it just takes a bit of grinding. Always pumped when I get to see people get their dream gear.

Iconic sound. You’re right, Rhett. Sends chills. But so damn big and heavy!!

that intro is one of the best captures of an AC30 i've heard. so many people run them too clean or to distorted, with bad settings and bad microphone capture. it sounds perfect, accurate; it sounds as quintessential "guitar" as possible.

Watching this while my 2018 AC15C1 stares at me from the corner of the room

I'm glad you got one of these, Rhett! Your videos are great, thank you for doing what you do.

I just knew we were going to hear "Tie Your Mother Down"! What an amazing sound amp, Rhett. Congratulations!

Super sick amp! sure didn't take long to get this amp, and get it on video! wasn't it just Monday you were asking Dan's advice on TPS VCQ live?

Note: I watched the 64 Ed Sullivan show, but it was not for the Beatles. Our family ALWAYS watched Ed Sullivan. We 3 kids had no control over what was watched.

Congrats, Rhett!! You deserve it! Must be an absolute thrill to have that gear. Freakin' AMAZING! Good on ya, bro!

Awesome! We are happy for you that you were able to acquire a dream piece for your rig.

Hmm...I can't agree that Dylan going electric and The Beatles blowing up was the death of folk music in the 60s...folk remained a massive influence all through that period...The Byrds, The Beatles, Zeppelin (just to name a few) all used explicitly folk influences and elements in their music and by the early 70s folk artists like James Taylor, Joni Mitchell and CSN(Y) were the biggest selling acts around

Sounds like literal magic. But now you need a Rickenbacker, Rhett!

ALWAYS love a "Grail" story!And seeing you face and expressions as you describe it and speak about it... Wonderful!

Man, that tone was bonkers! Such an amazing sounding amp. What a great find!!

The amp sounds great but the guitar player definitely deserves some respect . Great video!

And the Stand? I mean AND THE STAND. WWWOOOOWWW

This is an amazing piece of content Rhett! felt like a mini documentary on the history of this amp and it was amazing, actual gave me chills listening to josh get hyped on the 60s

Congrats on the find. Sounds great. Something about those 60s amps just sounds so perfect.

I owned exactly this Amp ...and (damn) I sold it in 1984. Nobody wanted the Vox Sound in the early eighties

2021 Resolution: Buy the rest of my gear list before Rhett drives the prices up even further.

Wow! Congratulations! An heirloom. Amazing that it is in such pristine condition. More sound samples please!

Congratulations!!! Great video of an awesome amp! Thanks for sharing, your excitement is inspiring!

I own a jmi amp and it was hand wired and soldered by Tom Jennings it's a 4 watt head and so beautiful.

The Beatles also used Selmer Amps; which also sound magical!

OMG that's a true piece of history. You're a happy man, Rhett. Congratulations. And what magnificent tones !!

Always love your tone videos, Rhett! I got my hands on a hand built modded AC30 last year and I’ve been obsessed with it ever since. Zero desire to buy any other amp because it gives me the perfect tones I picture in my head that go with my rig.

Congrats, Rhett. Now you can start saving for the holy grail 335!

I'm totally jealous. That's my dream amp too!

Rhett, this is beyond cool. Congrats on owning a piece of history. One of those guys hit the nail on the head. I've always been amazed that the Beatles went from "Please Mr. Postman" to "A Day in the Life" in less than a decade.

Congratulations on getting your dream Amp. You are now the new chapter in its story. Cheers from Canada

Me staring at my ac15- *I love you, beautiful*

After watching your Morgan fail to deliver against the real goods, I am glad that you got one of these, Rhett! Great decision. :)

Hell yes!!! First off, congrats on picking up this lovely lady. Second, the tones right off the bat you get are perfection. I’ve always liked mixing a fender amp & a vox amp and this video shows all the reasons why I love Vox. Hope you’re well man.

My favorite amp. And I am primarily a bassist. Good to see you run a bass through it.

As a bass player I like the ACs due to their focus on the mids. That leaves the lows for me 😁

The quintessential rock/pop amplifier. It has such a gorgeous midrange response. And of course the chime. But you really have to give credit to the Celestion alnico blue speaker for the crisp chime. All you need to do is plug into an AC30 with Greenbacks and then play the same amp with the alnico speakers. The alnico blue speaker makes a BIG difference and it completes the package. I wish I still had my 1968 Vox AC30.

Really well done video, Rhett! Told a good story and educated a bunch of us. Thanks.

Rhett I’ve started to really enjoy and look forward to your videos. Way to evolve

Pace yourself Rhett. Every month you have a life long dream come true with respect to gear. Save some dreams for dream time fella.

Congrats on getting that amp Rhett, it couldn't have wound up in more appreciative and musically deserving hands... I really appreciate how you always remain a fan of the music, who made it, how it was made etc and never allow yourself to get jaded...I'll never play like you can, never be a professional musician like you are, but when it comes to being a fan, well then you always make it feel like we're in lock step all the way!!!.... Congrats again!!!

Awesome video and thank you all the other great videos Rhett.The AC 30 is nothing short of awesome also!

Congrats on that amazing amp, Rhett! I'm a Fender guy myself, but damn you can't deny the greatness of that AC30!

You were so close to addressing the fact that Brian May got his tone from Rory Gallagher. He was playing gigs when Brian May was developing his tone! Also the Edge was a big fan of this amp. Crazy that the influence of it can still be heard on modern music outside of your wheelhouse.

I think you should do a Kemper Profile of this amp and then give us an honest review on how good of a job you think the Kemper does capturing the sound. I would trust your opinion on this. I'm interested because I could never get an amp like this, but would be glad to know that maybe I could get reasonably close with a well done profile.

What an awesome purchase! Vox AC30 is my dream amp! The Beatles tone alone is enough reason for that, but there are so many others ... Stones, Shadows, U2. This might be my favorite video that you have done!

Love that amp and I am thrilled that you are able to have it . Hopefully we will get to hear a lot from it.

I flew AC-30s back in Nam

Not gonna lie, I was never really into VOX sound. But this is legendary.

Killer video. So fun to see a few dudes who really value not only the sound of the amp, but also what it did for the history of music. Nice one Rhett! Dig it!

Didn’t think I could love Vox anymore than I already did, great video, informative, production quality brilliant

I never owned a VOX but I do have a beautiful Matchless DC30 which I know is based on a AC30. I’ll never part with it.

Leave your story inside it as a diary of where it was bought and places you take it etc etc...for the next person who gets it. I live in northeast UK and I'm jealous. Enjoy

This amp has that ‘it’ you were looking for... the iconic, the magical, a really great purchase. Thanks so much for the education and music history, that’s really great content.

That's so awesome Rhett!!! I'm really very happy for you. You're a great player:. Cheers!!

I guess everybody builds their worldview on a mythic homeland that must, by necessity, be something other than their everyday. Something distant in time or space that gives meaning and provenance to what they value. For Americans it seems to be the British music scene of the sixties; to the Brits it was the RnB and Blues music of the States prior to the sixties. Both are selective and even distortions that are far removed from those actual places. But myth is far more powerful than realities. Just like the sound of an AC30 in a basement club with no PA in 1965 didn’t sound like an AC30 played with loads of post-amp delay and effects closer to The Edge than Brian Jones. NIce video all the same, and as someone born in 1962 and growing up on the legacy I hope it introduces others to the possibilities explored with this amp in 1965, 1971, 1980 and 1987 (guess the users from those years!).

How’s it smell? I still remember the smell of amps, guitar cases and stuff from when I played in the 60’s. My high school band used Silvertone, Fenders, Gretschs, Vox (unfortunately the solid state version) Ampeg and Farfisa. We weren’t great but we had a great time.

Glad you were able to obtain it!!! Super happy for ya man!

A joy to watch - your love of the AC30 ouses out the screen. :)

Now you gotta do a what is the Rickenbacker Sound.

Could you do a video on the hipshot you have on that tele please?. I've been contemplating getting one for my tele so i can do the B/G bender stuff.

Great video, I never knew the details on this amp, I just know that it's talked about a lot, and also known for a sound/tone that is sought after by a lot of guitarists. Love your videos and love your channel brotha. Also, I love seeing all of my favorite RU-vidrs collaborating on and participating in each other's videos rather than competing with one another. It honestly makes for higher quality content for us viewers and fans. Have a great holiday and thank you for doing these videos!

Glad it's found a good home, with someone who loves and respects the Amp and it's history. All the best, Steve, London UK.

The AC 30 came about because of Hank Marvin , probably the most influential amp in popular music.

Unfortunately, I'm not a fan of the Vox sound. Too bright, too brittle (IMHO). However, can't deny the impact Vox amps have had on music. Arguably, they are one of the top amplifier companies in the world (along with Fender and Marshall). I acquired a Peavey Classic Head a number of years ago and finally got around to getting it up and running. I've paired it with an open back 2x12 cabinet loaded with British-made Celestion Vintage 30s and it sounds pretty good. Didn't think I'd ever like an EL-84 based amp but this combination sounds good (at least to me). I have a G&L tribute ASAT (i.e. Telecaster) type guitar that sounds pretty good with this amp and speaker combination. So I guess it isn't just the EL-84s that make or break the tone of an amp but other factors (tone stack, speakers, guitar, etc) all combine to make a sound. Just my thoughts.....

Congratulations Rhett! I'm so happy for you! I hope Tilly is as excited about the AC 30 as you are! It sounds fantastic for a 56 year old amp! Any amp will sound great with you playing through it! (I was one of those millions watching the Beatles on Ed Sullivan in 1964)

Congrats man! Such a legendary and amazing amp!

Clapton's JTM45 combo is not an amp to forget for its importance in the music world. Maybe not nearly as equally as the original Vox AC30s, but it sure has to be in 2nd place.

*and I get to use it as a tax write off! Haha all jokes, great video Rhett!

Rhett, I'm one lesson in to your number system thing, and this makes infinitely more sense than the other lessons i've taken, thank you dude. really.