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  1. Hey Edge lovers,

    I know there's already a 'Guitar&Gear' topic, but i'd really like some proper advice and thought i might get some better answers in a different thread....

    Anyway, after the recent purchase of my explorer, the next thing i need to invest in is a new amp of sorts.

    atm, ive only got a Fender Frontman 15R, which is very loud dont get me wrong, but the tone is dreadful - theres way too much emphasis on gain/distorion.

    Im in band, so will need to upgrade if we get some gigs, we're going for a radiohead/r.e.m/u2/muse sound, and was wondering if any guitarists new what sort of amp id need to be looking at? as i have literally no idea!! (obviously id LOVE an ac30, but im not made of money haha!)

    Thanks for your time

    James x
  2. I'll give it 24 hours to see if you get anywhere James, otherwise it's closed and you can re-post in the topic you mentioned. Ok?
  3. Can't argue with that i suppose.
    Cheers
  4. Hey man. I bought an AC30CC2X back in about March and I love it for U2 sounds. It has a very bright sound (more high and middle end than low end) so if you're looking for a blues sound (i know you said your not, just stating a point) you don't want this amp. I've never really listened to Muse or Radiohead (i'm ashamed to say) but for U2 this amp is gold. It is very expensive though. It cost me 1800$. After months of pushing carts at my part time job I was able to buy it, and it took me even longer to make the decision to buy it. I debated buying an AC30 for a really long time, and in the end I'm glad I made my decision.

    I don't know too much about amps, I'm more of an effects or guitars kinda guy, but if you're looking for a U2 sound this amp is for you. But it IS expensive. You could probably find a great substitute for U2 sounds, instead of getting an AC30. You could get an AC15CC1X. It's a little smaller, but also has a really nice sound. I think those go for about 1000$. (I'm talking Canadian dollars here) The other U2 forum I go on that's strictly about U2 sounds, some people use an AC15 and gig with it. It can still get pretty loud. In the end though it's all up to you man. I had tons of people telling me the AC30 was too much money on an amp, and that I could find something almost or just as good for way less. They might be right, but I just had to have the Edge's amp, and I'm glad I bought it. It has a wonderful sound, and it looks awesome.

    I'd talk to more of the senior members here that know more about amps and such though, they might be able to point you in a less pricey direction for the sound you're looking for. But if you are going after an AC30, I'm here to tell you for U2, they're beautiful.

    P.S If you go after an AC30. Or AC15. Make sure you get the Blue Alnico's, the "X" in AC30CCX2 is what that stands for. Those are crucial for getting a nice U2 sound.
  5. AC30 is simply the best james. This is because its the sam amp edge uses. lol Try that or for 400 you can do what i do and buy a pod xt live. which models hundreds of amps including an AC30 and AC15. That is easily your best bet. I get all my U2 sounds out of that NO problem. And you can plug straight into a PA. Pod XT live is the way to go...PROMISE.
  6. "It's like this and like that and like this and uh
    It's like that and like this and like that and uh
    It's like this and like that and like this and uh

    Ain't nothing but a VOX-thang, baby...
    Gonna give Edge tone thats cra-zay."


    Why Vox?
    The Edge
    Peter Buck (R.E.M.)
    Brian May (Queen)
    Ed O'Brien (Radiohead)
    Jonny Greenwood (Radiohead)...

    All great guitar players with great tone. All that use Vox amps.

    That said, avoid the Valvetronix line. Those are shite. BUT...A vintage AC 30TB is a great choice. The aforementioned AC30CC2X is also "The Goods" (tm)
  7. Originally posted by anstratdubh1979:"It's like this and like that and like this and uh
    It's like that and like this and like that and uh
    It's like this and like that and like this and uh

    Ain't nothing but a VOX-thang, baby...
    Gonna give Edge tone thats cra-zay."






    um jeff....you ok? lol classic man


  8. I'm rockin' with Dokken, baby. Errr... I mean Snoop Dogg & Dr. Dre.

    (Cold meds were extra strong today)
  9. Hey guys, thanks very much for the advice! Id relly love an AC30, but im a student so might look into a AC15 or something slightly cheaper for now
    Definitely a vox though!x
  10. I don't know your financial backing, but if you can't afford an AC30 (all tube amp) then you might want to check out a hybrid amp - in your case this could be the Vox AD50VT or the discontinued Vox AD60VTX. The "X" stands for the "Neodog" speakers who are built to simulate the famous "Blue Bulldog" sound. Of course these amps are not the "real thing", but IMHO close enough for most applications, especially the AD60VTX. An affordable option would also be the discontinued Vox VR30 which had very good reviews.

    If you don't care about brands - check this one: http://www.thomann.de/de/harley_benton_ga15.htm You can't go wrong with an all tube Class A amp for 150 Euro. It even has an effect loop.

    My own setup is a Hughes & Kettner Tubeman 2 preamp through several Danelectro mini effects into a custom built 15 Watt Class A power amp and a Celestion Vintage 30 speaker. I could replace both the preamp and the effects with a LivePOD or FloorPOD if I wanted to - but I won't do that. Drawback is that I have to carry around several small items instead of one big one.

    Alex
  11. Cheers Alex, any ideas what brands give the same 'warm tone' as the good old Vox?? you seem to be a bit more clued up on amps than i am!
  12. The famous AC30 tone comes from the Class A design and the Blue Bulldog speakers. A lot of AC30 players use a Germanium treblebooster to boost the "normal" channel. Queen's Brian May is famous for that.

    So you can either get the original (Vox AC30 / AC15) or any other Class A tube amplifier (i.e. Harley Benton GA15, Epiphone Blues Custom, Epiphone Socal50, Peavey Windsor, Orange Tiny Terror) or a digitally modeled version (i.e. FloorPOD, Vox ToneLab, VoxAD50VT, Behringer V-Ampire 112, Line6 Spider III 75-112, Line6 SpiderValve 112, Line6 FlexTone III).

    A friend of mine owns a FlexTone and loves it for sound and versatility.

    Of course, nothing beats the "real thing". But you can come quite close with a little tweaking. 99% of your listeners won't notice anyway.

    Alex
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