Vox Ac30

[ShimmerAndSpill]

I recently bought a Vox AC30 2x12 combo, and I'm liking it so far, but I was wondering if anyone knew a good distortion pedal to use for it. I'm using the boss MD-2 right now, and it's not getting the sound I'd like. Does anyone have a suggestion with what to use with this amp?

[The Boathouse]

Distortion or overdrive?

That is the question.

[ShimmerAndSpill]

I've never been as knowledgeable about things like these even though I've been playing guitar for 8 years. So I actually have no idea, but it's probably overdrive that would work better with a full tube amp right?

[The Boathouse]

I recommend the "Tone Candy Red Hot"

http://www.tonecandy.com/order.html

Best O/D pedal I have EVER used. Goes from a clean boost if you know your volume knob to a smooth o/d to serious crunch. Great note definition on chords, and the thing just fucking has "it."

In a cheaper ballpark, there's always the trusty Ibanez Tubescreamer. But if you're spending $180 on a TS808 already, you might as well throw in a few spare bones and get that Red Hot...

[splitsecond]

why the hell did you buy an AC30 id you are going to use a distortion pedal? maybe you should have been like all the other cool kids and bought a mesa.

[The Boathouse]

I don't care what amp I have. I'd never have a board without an o/d :shrug:

[ShimmerAndSpill]

I recommend the "Tone Candy Red Hot"

http://www.tonecandy.com/order.html

Best O/D pedal I have EVER used. Goes from a clean boost if you know your volume knob to a smooth o/d to serious crunch. Great note definition on chords, and the thing just fucking has "it."

In a cheaper ballpark, there's always the trusty Ibanez Tubescreamer. But if you're spending $180 on a TS808 already, you might as well throw in a few spare bones and get that Red Hot...

That looks pretty good, but I'd like to try it out. Know anything about the sparkle drive by voodoo labs? I used one a couple of years ago and liked it, but it was a while ago, and I'm not sure about it now.

[The Boathouse]

I was thinking about it til I tried the Red Hot. It's a good pedal, good tone, and voodoo labs has, from what I understand, pretty good warranty stuff. Tonally speaking, it's a great pedal. If you liked it before, as far as I know there haven't been any changes, so I suspect you'd like it now!

[ShimmerAndSpill]

Sweet, it's a nice price too, while that other pedal looks nice, I am on a bit of a budget, thanks for your help though.

[mylastflight]

ac30's overdrive isnt enough? maybe you bought a wrong amp for the music you are working on?
do you mean a boost pedal?

[ShimmerAndSpill]

ac30's overdrive isnt enough? maybe you bought a wrong amp for the music you are working on?
do you mean a boost pedal?

I didn't like the way it sounded too much. Plus the blendable channels confuses me a bit, so I normally keep it on clean with a pedal to switch it out with.

[splitsecond]

I didn't like the way it sounded too much. Plus the blendable channels confuses me a bit, so I normally keep it on clean with a pedal to switch it out with.

Then you bought the wrong amp.

[theguy77]

i agree.

[Qfwfq]

I recommend the "Tone Candy Red Hot"

http://www.tonecandy.com/order.html

Best O/D pedal I have EVER used. Goes from a clean boost if you know your volume knob to a smooth o/d to serious crunch. Great note definition on chords, and the thing just fucking has "it."

In a cheaper ballpark, there's always the trusty Ibanez Tubescreamer. But if you're spending $180 on a TS808 already, you might as well throw in a few spare bones and get that Red Hot...


Ever played the Sweet Drive pedal? Curious about that.

[The Boathouse]

I have not played the Sweet Drive :-(

Regarding the "wrong amp" comments...I'd say that if he's happy with his cleans, then how is it wrong? Just because he wasn't happy with one aspect of the amps tone, where its overdrive lies, does not mean the amp is "wrong."

I'm more inclined to purchase an amp based on the cleans than the drive. Because I can get a nice pedal to push it. For recording? Yea, I'd want amazing drive out of the amp. But who doesn't use some of the amps in the studio they're at anyway? For gigs where tone gets lost in room sound and mix silliness? A nice pedal is just fine.

[ShimmerAndSpill]

Then you bought the wrong amp.

Maybe, but I'm having fun with it.

[splitsecond]

I have not played the Sweet Drive :-(

Regarding the "wrong amp" comments...I'd say that if he's happy with his cleans, then how is it wrong? Just because he wasn't happy with one aspect of the amps tone, where its overdrive lies, does not mean the amp is "wrong."

I'm more inclined to purchase an amp based on the cleans than the drive. Because I can get a nice pedal to push it. For recording? Yea, I'd want amazing drive out of the amp. But who doesn't use some of the amps in the studio they're at anyway? For gigs where tone gets lost in room sound and mix silliness? A nice pedal is just fine.

I am not willing whatsoever to compromise tone live. I personally have not found a pedal that lives up to my expectations as far as overdrive is concerned, live or in studio. I do not agree that tone gets lost in the mix, especially with a good head. My Bogner still sounds like a Bogner, which is certainly better than a pedal.

Just my preferences though, to each his own.

[JLG_Matt]

i know this is not a solution to your problem now but the ac30 has a very distinct sound which a distortion pedal kinda ruins in my opinion. what a lot of people to is that they keep the ac30's for a great clean sound and for that traditional ac30 gain. to get a overdriven lead or a thick rhythm sound out you need another head and an A/B switch. you can then use that to combine the two heads and really pinpoint a tone you're happy with. some great amps to blend an ac30 with are JCM's (the old 2204's are amazing). if you wanted a decent all around amp a single or dual rec mesa would have done the trick, but i totally get why you got the ac30.

[ShimmerAndSpill]

i know this is not a solution to your problem now but the ac30 has a very distinct sound which a distortion pedal kinda ruins in my opinion. what a lot of people to is that they keep the ac30's for a great clean sound and for that traditional ac30 gain. to get a overdriven lead or a thick rhythm sound out you need another head and an A/B switch. you can then use that to combine the two heads and really pinpoint a tone you're happy with. some great amps to blend an ac30 with are JCM's (the old 2204's are amazing). if you wanted a decent all around amp a single or dual rec mesa would have done the trick, but i totally get why you got the ac30.

I love the ac30, I don't even want an amazing overdrive on it because I don't expect to get a good overdrive with the amp. The cleans with the reverb and tremolo are fantastic on the amp, I'm loving it.

[JLG_Matt]

I love the ac30, I don't even want an amazing overdrive on it because I don't expect to get a good overdrive with the amp. The cleans with the reverb and tremolo are fantastic on the amp, I'm loving it.

then you got the right amp haha

[ShimmerAndSpill]

then you got the right amp haha

haha, that's what I thought.

[The Boathouse]

Well, obviously, everybody on here knows what the right amp is for you. So you better LISTEN UP!

[Siren Silently]

its srs buisness.

[ShimmerAndSpill]

Well, obviously, everybody on here knows what the right amp is for you. So you better LISTEN UP!

Oh yes, I'm paying close attention. I don't know what's good for me.

[ReadyForAction]

Oh yes, I'm paying close attention. I don't know what's good for me.
Yeah you obviously dont since you bought the brokencyde of guitar amps!


<3

[ShimmerAndSpill]

Yeah you obviously dont since you bought the brokencyde of guitar amps!


<3

Haha, you will probably get flamed for that.

[ReadyForAction]

Haha, you will probably get flamed for that.
Bring it on!

[The Boathouse]

Yea, really, that was pretty retarded. I'm pretty sure nobody in brokencyde even knows what a tube is.

[ShadowAmI]

Remember that with a tube amp, the louder you play it, the fuller it's going to sound, especially in drive settings.

Alot of great bands use AC30s. I would advise you to find some bands that have the sound you want and look into the gear they use. Good tone is so subjective.

[ShimmerAndSpill]

Remember that with a tube amp, the louder you play it, the fuller it's going to sound, especially in drive settings.

Alot of great bands use AC30s. I would advise you to find some bands that have the sound you want and look into the gear they use. Good tone is so subjective.

As cities burn is one of my favorites, and to my knowledge, Cody Bonnette uses an Ac30. I love the cleans and the reverb effects it comes with, I wanted a little more crunch than the preset overdrive on the amp. I think I'm going to get a sparkle drive for it.

[remoteCONTROL]

we're using an AC30 in the studio right now. for a push on the overdrive we're running an old school ibanez tube screamer. i'll get sample clips out of here as soon as possible. we're mixing it with a les paul firebrand and a rickenbacker. its the best tone ive heard in a long time

[ShimmerAndSpill]

we're using an AC30 in the studio right now. for a push on the overdrive we're running an old school ibanez tube screamer. i'll get sample clips out of here as soon as possible. we're mixing it with a les paul firebrand and a rickenbacker. its the best tone ive heard in a long time

I used a tube screamer for the last show i played and I really liked it.

[darkpelican]

Ahhh. I have an ac30cc to. Before buying a pedal, I would try to look into what is known as the bight cap mod (http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=407871). I use my Ac30cc but usually just run the normal channel, for I find it takes pedals better. I am hoping to have mine modded soon, I have not found the topboost channel very useable. I do like feeding overdrives into the normal channel. A few overdrives I run into it include: the Paul Cochrine Tim (Sounds great) The Fulltone OCD (Good) and the hermida audio Zendrive (When put with my timmy creates my lead tone). Another big thing is if you got the modern ac30 with the blues, they take some breaking in. I have ran various tubescreamers and while the tone was good, their mid heavy nature and large amounts of compression, didnt play well with the ac30. The ac30s have a very strong midrange and are somewhat compressed.

[patrickhowell]

Ahhh. I have an ac30cc to. Before buying a pedal, I would try to look into what is known as the bight cap mod (http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=407871). I use my Ac30cc but usually just run the normal channel, for I find it takes pedals better. I am hoping to have mine modded soon, I have not found the topboost channel very useable.

Are you paying someone to do this mod? One of my best friends is an amp / guitar technician in Roanoke, VA and he has really good rates. It's a little far from you, but might be worth it.