Making Vox AC30 Amps Sound Better

[Zippy]

I think your problem at church is one we've all had on stage. You get the guitar to the volume you can hear yourself, but the guy in the first row has bleeding ears!
You might try one of those "hot-spots" or whatever they are called. It's the pad that attaches to your grille cloth to block some of the volume directly in front of your amp.

"Beam blocker"? "Hot spots" are small, mic-stand mounted monitors.

[Cliff Schecht]

I use the trick SRV's tech used, put a duct tape X right over the center of the speaker on the grille cloth. Keeps things from getting beamy and you can adjust how far past the dust cap the tape goes to adjust how much deflection you get (too much and things get muddy).

[Travst]

I use the trick SRV's tech used, put a duct tape X right over the center of the speaker on the grille cloth. Keeps things from getting beamy and you can adjust how far past the dust cap the tape goes to adjust how much deflection you get (too much and things get muddy).

I use that trick as well, works great.

[img:500:375]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3242/293 ... 97ecb3.jpg[/img][/img]

[Phil_S]

The real solution to having amps that are too loud is to get other amps. Others have already pointed this out.

I don't think you need to resort to attenuators just yet. Try some basic dampening tricks. One person suggested blankets. Try some other things:

Turn the amps so the speakers face the rear corners of the room.

Put something in front of the amp to disburse the sound, like a pillow and/or a wedge shaped thing made of plywood and industrial carpet.

Try lifting the rear of the amp to tilt it so the speaker is pointed at the floor and put a pillow or blanket on the floor.

Tell people to use ear plugs

Try a combination of these strategies. You might be surprised at how effective they can be. If these don't work, go to the next step.

I'm guessing these amps use a 12AX7 for a phase inverter. You might see what happens with a 12AU7 or 12AT7 in that spot and the same for V1. Used for V1, you'll cut down the gain at the first stage, which sets up the rest of the signal chain. You may or may not like the result tonally.

I don't think this is a problem you can "fix" because it isn't broken.

[pdf64]

Or try a different type rectifier tube / copper cap. Simple quick and fairly cheap method of reducing power output. Pete.

[teemuk]

...Beam blocker...

There's already a "beam blocker" within the AC30 baffle.
[img:375:285]http://tone-lizard.com/images/Vox.gif[/img]

[The New Steve H]

I took my 5f6a clone to church today, with a 10" Ragin' Cajun speaker. It's more powerful than the Voxes. Nonetheless, the guitarists told me they didn't have problems with volume. My amp has better tone at the appropriate volume level. Kind of sad that they spent $2000 on Chinese Voxes.

[selloutrr]

I can't comment on that without upsetting anyone with religious views.

Though in my experience the people who are in charge of spending the money often don't have the knowledge to know what they are buying.

[The New Steve H]

I know what it's like to buy an amp and find out it's totally wrong, so I can't say I'm any smarter than whoever chose the Voxes. But it's exciting to see that what I built is exactly what they need. For that matter, it's exactly what I need, although I still want to build a version under 20 watts.

One of the guys was playing a Strat through it after services, and it sounded so good, I wondered what kind of pedal he was using. I'm talking low volume, with each of us like three feet from the speaker. Then the told me there was no pedal. Everyone who was listening to it was freaked out. I know the Bassman isn't for everyone, but it sure worked out for me.

I'd bet dollars to doughnuts the church will keep the Voxes, but at least now they know what's possible.

[amplifiednation]

Where do all you guys go to church where people are playing crunchy lead tones on electric guitar? We don't have that in New England.

If loving that is wrong I don't want to be right.

[The New Steve H]

Truthfully, I think they play too much loud stuff for the kids. The rap is the worst part.

Here's something weird: they bought those big amps, but they don't let the musicians do much in the way of soloing. Vocalists solo all day, but it's considered proud when a guitarist does it. Go figure.

[xtian]

Just a matter of finding the right church, I guess. I play at Bidwell Presbyterian sometimes, and the director is always telling me to turn up and double my solos. Let your light shine!

[The New Steve H]

I don't want to wander off in a direction that will get the thread locked, but I will say this much. I'm really hoping to help get more bluesy, soulful music going in the church, and that will require a certain amount of soloing.

Right now they play a lot of really weak music from Australia. It's like mayonnaise for the ears. White in the worst sense of the term. Zero soul.

It's sweeping a lot of churches. I don't like it at all. America has the best homegrown popular music on earth, and I cannot understand why we are suddenly listening to Australian music so bland it makes Donny Osmond look like Otis Redding.

My church is 80% black, and we have tons of musical talent, so I cant see why we are punishing the congregation with this stuff. I'm white, and even I have a hard time listening to it.

[xtian]

I'm not a member, but maybe this would help:

http://praiseandworshipforum.com/forum/index.php

[selloutrr]

SIMPLE ANSWER to why...

So that even the musical idiot can follow along.
God has such a devoted following that when you use the term or word "god" you no longer have to apply yourself or talent in order to sell. The consumer is so eager and willing to buy in hopes of whatever it is they believe.. "Never under estimate the stupidity of the consumer." Could be a case study for someones Doctorate. If you doubt.. Look at all the bands that came out in the 90's and had a very small following with one of 2 hit songs. They played a god rock festival or two on the way down the ladder of fame and now they are "god rockers" selling out and playing private churches. Toadies, Our Lady Peace, Cake... etc.

The world as a whole has adopted no child left behind. Now the one's who pushed the pack are slowly going stupid waiting for the rest to catch up. Thanks Savage Garden.