Serial number 17155. Woden output transformer with date code "JV" = September 1964.

Continued from the page on AC30s with serial numbers in the 16000s.

Control panels are grey. No example of a copper panel in this range has yet come to light. New-style dome voltage selectors occur as standard, as they are for most amps with serial number in the 16000s. Chassis were assembled by Burndept, the contract with Westrex having ended in early 1965, shortly after JMI's move (expansion) into Burndept's West Street Factory in Erith - the "West Street Works". Grille cloth remains brown.

Serial number 17180 was purchased new in January 1965.

The four models are still: "TB" for "Top Boost", designated "TB" on the serial number plate, the circuit's controls normally integral in the control panel; "Treble" designated with a "T"; "N" for "Normal" voicing, and "B" for Bass. The three last had their own schematics, in order: OS/056, OS/065 and OS/057. Some notes on the treble circuit, which was new in 1964, can be found on this page.

A growing collection of documents relating to the AC30 in 1965 can be found here.

Significant component date codes in amps on this page are mostly of later 1964: second and third quarters of '64 ("B/64", "B4N" and "C4N") for Mullard "mustard" caps; "JV" and "KV" = September and October 1964 for Woden transformers.

Transformers are Albions, Parmekos, and the new Wodens (with a simplified internal construction) - see this page.

Celestion silver alnicos - the T1088 - designed for JMI in the Spring of 1964 are standard. Serial number 17155 retains one its original drivers, date code "MJ" = December 1964.

Serial number plates are normally machine stamped. The voicing - "N", "T" or "B" - is still hand stamped, however.

It is interesting to note that a good number of cabinets were fitted with VOX logos formed from separate letters (instead of a single moulded piece). The relative flimsiness of these individual letters probably explains why some cabs have lost their emblems.

The logo of serial number 17843.

If anyone knows of further amps that should be incorporated on this page, do let me know.

Serial number 17037 T - currently in the USA

Grey panel, brown grille cloth, the cabinet covered in basketweave vinyl. The VOX logo is composed of separate letters.

Serial number 17092 T - currently in the UK

Grey panel, brown grille cloth, silver Celestion T1088s. The cabinet retains its "Thirty Twin" runner, lower right on the grille cloth. One-pieve moulded VOX logo.

Serial number 17111 T - currently in the UK

The plate alone - just possibly 17171, but 17111 looks most likely. No details of the amp from which it came are available at present.

Serial number 17135 T - currently in the UK

Chassis number 9134. Grey panel; brown grille cloth. Mullard mustard capacitors mainly have the date code "C4N" = third quarter of 1964. The Woden transformers have "JV" and "KV" = September and October 1964.

Serial number 17155 T - currently in Germany

Grey control panel. New-style dome voltage selector. Still brown grille cloth. Currently there is one Celestion blue and one Celestion silver, the blue perhaps being a later replacement. The silver T1088 has the date code "16MJ" = 16th December 1964. The Woden choke and output transformer have the date code "JV" = September 1964.

Serial number 17180 T - currently in the UK

Sold on ebay some years ago. Grey control panel. New-style dome voltage selector. The original Vox packing box survives. Bought new in January 1965.

Serial number 17200 T - currently in Europe

Chassis assembled by Burndept; chassis number 09070. Grey panel, brown grille cloth, silver Celestions. In the preamp, Mullard capacitors with date codes "B4N" and "C4N" = second and third quarters of 1964. The VOX logo is composed of single letters.

Serial number 17294 T - currently in Sweden

No details at present.

Serial number 17328 T - currently in the UK

Grey panel; black grille cloth; silver Celestion speakers. The VOX logo is composed of single letters. Black basketweave vinyl.

Serial number 17331 T - currently in the UK

NEW

Serial number 17405 T - currently in the USA

Chassis assembled by Burndept; serial number 9944. A treble model (as many others on this page). The Woden transformers have "JV" date codes = September 1964. In the preamp, the Mullard mustard capacitors have "D4N" = last quarter of '64. The amp was owned at one point by Brian Setzer. Thanks to Warren for the pictures and info.

Serial number 17440 - currently in the USA

Existence recorded by Jim Elyea.

Serial number 17451 T - currently in Holland

Grey panel; dome voltage selector. Celestion silvers. Originally sold by Servaas Muziekhandel in The Hague.

Serial number 17465 T - currently in the UK (?)

Old pics from ebay.

Serial number 17505 T - currently in the UK

Chassis number 07372; Albion and Parmeko transformers. Sold by Hessy's in Liverpool in January 1965, the hire purchase card indicating first payment due on 1st February. Although the serial number plate indicates a Treble model, the chassis is marked BASS (and actually is). The HP payment scheme was complete in February 1967.

The upper back panel is covered in the same type of vinyl as the amp below. The rest is basketweave.

Serial number 17530 B - currently in the UK

Dome voltage selector, still brown grille cloth. The cabinet covering is not basketweave, but a patterned vinyl, used on other amps with serial numbers in the mid 17000s. Thanks to Darren for the pictures.

Serial number 17545 T - currently in Sweden

Grey control panel, brown grille cloth, Celestion T1088s. Thanks to Olle for the pictures.

Serial number 17559 T - currently in the UK

Chassis assembled by Burndept; grey panel. Woden mains and output transformers, the latter with the date code "HV" = August 1964. The choke is a Parmeko. In the preamp, Mullard capacitors with "B4N" date codes = second quarter of '64. Silver Celestion speakers. The cabinet's VOX logo is missing.

Serial number 17629 - currently in the UK

Old pics from ebay. The speakers are from an older AC30 (autumn 1960).

Serial number 17656 B - currently in Sweden

Chassis produced by Westrex. The mustard capacitors have date codes "B4N" and "C4N" = second and third quarters of 1964. Woden choke has "JV" = September 1964, and the output transformer "KV" = October 1964. The Hunts capacitors have "HNT", "HST" and "IUT", respectively 25th, 27th and 36th weeks of 1964, .

Serial number 17663 B - currently in the UK

Chassis assembled by Burndept; grey panel; dome voltage selector. The Woden transformers and choke have the date code "JV" = September 1964. In the preamp, Mullard mustard caps with "A4N", "A/64" and "B4N" = first and second quarters of '64. The VOX logo is formed from individual letters. The original cabinet has been cut down to make a sort of Super Twin case for the amplifier alone.

Serial number 17692 - currently in the USA

Serial number hand-stamped (original) on the plate. Chassis and speakers are earlier than the cab and plate.

Serial number 17729

No indication of voicing; silver speakers. Replaced grille cloth and new double-pin corner protectors.

Serial number 17758 B - currently in the UK

Chassis number 8337. The Woden mains transformer has the date code "HV" = August 1964. Note the presence of the new but short-lived format of voltage selector (also found on certain AC10s and AC50s) - an enclosed dome case, but a slot in top to aid turning. The original EL84s that came with the amp have date code "B3J1" = 1st week of October 1963; two of the ECC83s, date code "B3E1" = 1st week of May 1963; and the GZ34 rectifier valve, "B2K3" = 3rd week of November 1962. Thanks to Rolf for pictures and info.

Serial number 17843 B - currently in Belgium

The amp is currently (October 2021) on offer here. Thanks to Peter, its owner, for info.

Serial numbers unknown

On to serial numbers in the 18000s and 19000s.

Back to serial numbers in the 16000s.