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Post by malcolm on Nov 4, 2009 21:33:23 GMT
Hi everyone,
i'm new to this site and this is my first posting, i was wondering if anyone was able to roughly date the age of AC30 amps going by their serial no's ?. I have 3 of them at home which i have owned for at least the last 25 years, i usually use modelling amps these days and don't really have a use for them any more. As silly as it sounds i can barely bring myself around to parting with them but they are just in the way really. Two of them are fitted with the original blue speakers, and one has the copper coloured control panel. Any thoughts, info etc. would be appreciated, Thanks...
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Post by Charlie Hall on Nov 4, 2009 22:11:08 GMT
Hi Malcolm,
Welcome to the site.
I don't have sufficient information myself to date by serial number but the copper panel and blue speakers I think would make that amp around 1964 or earlier as I had a grey panel AC30 with silver Vox alnico speakers that was a 64 so maybe both of yours are 64 or earlier. Other features can help to give a better idea, such as whether JMI or later, the number of air vents, the type of mains selector, etc.
I think the manufacture date should be on the chassis somewhere.
Regards,
Charlie
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Post by sheendigs on Nov 5, 2009 0:33:05 GMT
This is taken form the VOX Book: (Sheendigs) ;D
1958-1959
* Blonde covering, or occasional two-tone grey-cream.
* Black control panel with screened gold legend.
* Seperate letters in Vox emblem.
* Small "Jennings" embossed badge on top margin of frame.
* Round control knobs.
* Audiom 60 Speaker (AC15) or 80 (proto-AC30).
* Small "TEN" or "FIFTEEN" type badge lower left.
* Hinged plastic carrying handles on AC4 & AC10, large leather strap on
AC15.
* Brown latticed or occasional plain speaker cloth.
* Brass ventilators.
1959-1960
* Blonde covering standard.
* Black control panel, gold legend.
* One-piece emblem.
* Pointer control knobs.
* Brass ventilators.
* Brown latticed speaker cloth.
* Audiom 60 or Rola-Celestion G12 speakers, 4-input models only.
* "A J.M.I. Product" legend between input jacks.
1960-1961
* Blonde covering.
* Copper control panel, photo-anodized legend.
* Pointer control knobs.
* Brass ventilators.
* Blue "Vox" speakers.
* Leather strap handles.
* Brown latticed speaker cloth.
* Six-input models, three channels.
* "J.M.I. Product" legend lower right.
1961-1962
* Blonde covering with occasional black, red or blue samples.
* Hardware same as 1960-1961.
* Occasional "Top Boost" units fitted in rear-panel with Treble and Bass
controls operable.
1962-1963
* Blonde or dark (smooth-textured) covering in equal use.
* Hardware same as 1960-1962.
1963-1964
* Dark cover standard, texture varies between smooth dark grey or black
to basketweave texture.
* Injection-molded vents.
* Strap handles with "Vox" logo appear in mid-1964.
* Speaker cloth still brown lattice.
* Top Boost controls integral with control panel early 1964.
* "Bass" type badge lower left on normal (non-Treble or Top Boost)
models.
1964-1965
* Change of control panel color to dark grey with metallic legend.
* All hardware injection-molded.
* Corner protectors fitted.
* Changed to black latticed speaker-cloth in 1965.
1965-1966
* Chassis and case unchanged.
* Speaker color-change to silver for Lead units, remains blue for Bass
units.
* Mains selector changed to five-way rotary switch type.
* Mains switch plastic.
1966-1967
* Metallic black ventilators used late 1966.
1967-1968
* No change due to emphasis on solid-state.
1968-1969
* Control panel indent. changed to "A Vox Product."
* Manufacture location "Erith, Kent."
* U.S. style rectangular emblem used.
* Changed to silicon rectifier system, GZ34 valve deleted.
1969-1972
* Reverb model with cylindrical aluminum control knobs, pull-enable
switches on Volumes.
* Large PCB for control section.
* Double row of ventilators (Stolec model)
1972-1974
* Reversion to pointer knobs.
* Standard circuit, no reverb.
* "Blue"-type speakers with "V.S.L." label on cover.
* Old style emblem.
* Metal mains switch.
* Tagstrip construction.
1974-1978
* Same chassis and case but Celestion G12M speakers fitted.
1978-1979
* Control panel process changed to spray-paint/screen print.
* Two rows of PCB's for control section.
* G12M speakers.
1979-1985
* Same chassis and case but (pale-blue) Fane 125283 speakers.
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Post by sheendigs on Nov 5, 2009 0:42:57 GMT
Hi Malcolm
If someone has the book 'Vox - The JMI Years' ,one could tell us more about it because this is what it says:
How to date your amplifier. The secrets of date codes, serial numbers, and serial number plates are revealed. Also included is a month-by-month chart for dating A.C.30 Twins.
Sheendigs
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Post by didier on Nov 5, 2009 8:43:47 GMT
If someone has the book 'Vox - The JMI Years' ,one could tell us more about it because this is what it says: How to date your amplifier. The secrets of date codes, serial numbers, and serial number plates are revealed. Also included is a month-by-month chart for dating A.C.30 Twins. I have the book. There is a full chapter on this subject. You can find the month-by-month chart here : www.4shared.com/file/146672162/53e2d488/Vox_dates_JMI.htmlDidier |
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Post by sheendigs on Nov 5, 2009 11:52:49 GMT
Hi Didier Thanks..it will help al the others to date their amplifiers!  Sheendigs |
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Post by malcolm on Nov 5, 2009 17:21:22 GMT
Thanks everyone for the info you have supplied it is very much appreciated. Like everyone here i'm a great Shads. fan and been fortunate to have seen them live in concert 8 or 9 times, the last time was at the M.E.N. arena in Manchester last month with Cliff, that was a great show (apart from the sound engineers falling asleep for a split second at the begining of a couple of numbers !!!)
Thanks again everyone
Malcolm
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