Vox AC30: copper panels
Later 1963: serial numbers in the 8000s
Serial number 8739.
Continued from the page on AC30s with serial numbers in the 7000s. Amps below, however, are mostly covered in new black basket-weave vinyl. Those in the 7000s have "dimpled" or "pebble" vinyl.
In mid 1963, the value of the cathode bias resistor was reduced in a move to run the EL84s harder and to squeeze a little more power from the circuit. The note added to schematic OA/26 on 14th June 1963 states that the change was from 80ohms to the 50ohms noted on the newly-drawn sheet.
In actual fact, one often finds original green Welwyn wirewound 82ohm or 47ohm resistors instead of the values specified.
Vox contracted out the assembly of AC30 chassis to two companies: Burndept Electronics in Erith, and Westrex in Dollis Hill (north London). A sure sign of production by Burndept is the presence of a stamped serial number on the chassis in front of the output transformer, or on the aluminium upright of the preamp:
Detail of serial number 6097. Chassis numbers begin at 1000, but they were not used in any particular order.
Also indicative of production by Burndept at this stage is the presence of Woden transformers with handsome green shrouds. The earliest batches date from autumn '62 (date codes "HT" and "JT"). Serial numbers in the 8000s have date codes for 1963, the letter for the year being "U".
On the Woden choke above (in serial number 8739B), "66311 & J/84" is the Jennings part number (for re-ordering). The transformers were specially made for JMI and do not figure in amps made by other makers. The date code is "JU" = September 1963.
The Woden part numbers were, in order: mains transformer no. 66309; output transformer no. 66310; and the choke no. 66311.
A good indication that a chassis was assembled by Westrex is the presence of Albion tranformers and dark brown 1/2 watt Dubilier resistors - see for instance serial number 8648, below.
Cabinets are for the most part covered either in new black basketweave vinyl, or a shiny textured dark grey/black. Back boards as a rule now have radiused corners rather than square.
Speakers continue to be the Celestion blue (alnico magnet, Celestion part no. T530).
Serial number plates are still hand stamped.
Where component date codes are concerned, speakers consistently have the latest - i.e. later than any of those on the electronic components used in chassis. An overview of AC30s with dated speakers can be found on this page.
The page on AC30s with serial numbers in the 6000s, is here, and the page on serial numbers in the 7000s here.
If anyone knows of further early copper panel AC30s that should be incorporated on this page, do let me know.
Serial number 8005 N - whereabouts unknown
Serial number 8021 N - currently in the UK
Chassis assembled by Westrex. Albion transformers. Pictured with an old-style footswitch (cast, round, first version.
Serial number 8048 N - currently in the UK
Chassis and serial number plate now housed in (and on) a handsome reproduction AC30 cabinet. Chassis assembled by Westrex. WIMA signal capacitors in the preamp, and gold-coloured TCC cathode bypass.
Serial number 8073 N - currently in the USA
A Super Twin. Dimpled black vinyl, brown grille cloth. Good honest wear. A replaced mains transformer.
Serial number 8102 - currently in the USA
Chassis assembled by Westrex; Haddon transformers. The cabinet has beem recovered (in black basketweave vinyl), corner protectors (repro) with double pin fixings added; grille cloth is new issue brown. The speakers are now modern Celestion blues.
Serial number 8138 B
Serial number plate on a later AC30 (grey panel, factory top boost, cabinet with basketweave vinyl.
Serial number 8142 N - currently in Japan
Serial number 8146 N - currently in the UK
Chassis assembled by Westrex. Haddon transformers. Initials "DP" in pencil on underchassis. In the preamp, WIMA capacitors; the gold-coloured TCC 25uf cathode bypass caps have the date code "UC" = March 1963. Some of the underchassis components have been rearranged. Cabinet covered in dark grey textured vinyl. Handles are plastic. The brown grille cloth is of the fine weave variety. Speakers are later replacements.
Serial number 8177 N - currently in the UK
Top Boost added on the back panel at factory. Pebble (dimpled) vinyl.
Serial number 8190 - currently in the USA
Existence recorded by Jim Elyea.
Serial number 8243 N - currently in the UK
Chassis assembled by Westrex. Superb original cover with VOX in cursive. Further pictures, below, from a subsquent sale:
Serviced by Croxford Custom Equipment, Leicester. Wima capacitors in the preamp. One of the gold coloured TCC preamp cathode bypass caps has the date code UC" = March 1963. The main TCC filter cap has "UK" = October 1963. Strangely the amplifier has three different types of transformer: Albion mains; Woden choke; and an unknown output. The choke has the date code "KU" = October 1963.
Serial number 8258 N - currently in the UK
Black dimpled vinyl. Chassis assembled by Westrex. In the preamp WIMA red-print Tropyfol capacitors. The original footswitch survives with the amp.
Serial number 8267 N - currently in the UK
The chassis accompanying the cab, which was turned into a simple speaker cabinet at some point, is later (early 1964). Chassis number 03020; Woden transformers with date code "MU" = December 1963. The speakers doubtless belong with the cab rather than the chassis. The AC30 was sold in its original form (i.e. not with the chassis pictured) either new or secondhand in Sheffield. Lesjay Ltd was certainly doing good business in 1975.
The cabinet was sold a little later with an entirely different chassis inside (Woden transformers with date codes "JU" = September 1963).
Serial number 8269 B - currently in the USA
Disparate images. It may be that the first three are not of this amp. The output transformer is a later unit - the Woden date code is "KV" = October 1964. One of the potentiometers in the fourth picture has the code "FK" = June 1963, which is in keeping with the serial number.
Serial number 8274 N - currently in the UK
Original red vinyl. Albion transformers, the mains replaced.
Serial number 8287 - currently in the UK
Known from a clip on youtube. The vinyl has been removed from the cabinet.
Serial number 8310 - currently in Ireland
A Super Twin amplifier section. Dimpled vinyl. The Woden output transformer and choke have the date code "AU" = January 1963.
Serial number 8368 - currently in the USA
Serial number 8423 N - currently in the UK
A Super Twin amplifier section. Black dimpled vinyl.
Serial number 8426 N - currently in Germany
Dark grey dimpled vinyl. Chassis probably assembled by Burndept. At one time a non-original strap handle was fitted, centre top. The cabinet now has standard SBU. New Celestion gold speakers have been installed.
Serial number 8432 N - currently in the UK
Chassis assembled by Westrex. WIMA signal caps in the preamp. The tone pot has the date code "FK" = June 1963. Cabinet covered in basketweave vinyl. The Goodmans speakers are replacements from the early 1970s. Thanks to Paul for the pics.
Serial number 8470 N - currently in the UK
Stripped. Serial number plate sold separately.
Serial number 8474 N - currently in the UK
The twin cabinet reduced to the top section only and paired with a WEM cabinet at some point before 1976. Vinyl is dimpled (pebble). Thanks to Simon for the pictures.
Serial number 8499 B - currently in the USA
Chassis assembled by Westrex; Albion transformers. Cabinet covered in black basketweave vinyl.
Serial number 8540 - currently in the USA
Existence recorded by Jim Elyea.
Serial number 8616 B - currently in the UK
Simply the serial number plate.
Serial number 8621 B - currently in the UK
Chassis assembled by Burndept. Chassis number 01017. Thanks to Tom for the info.
Serial number 8648 - currently in Europe
Excellent condition. Assembled for Vox by Westrex. Albion transformers; brown Dubilier resistors. One of the gold-coloured TCC cathode bypass capacitors in the preamp has the date code "TM" = December 1962. Top boost on the back panel - also a plaque recording the servicing of the amp by Dick Denney in 1994. The cabinet is covered in basketweave vinyl.
Serial number 8739 B - currently in the USA
The chassis probably assembled for Vox by Burndept Electronics. White Erie resistors; Woden transformers with date code "JU" = September 1963. Brass vents still on top of the cabinet, which is covered in basketweave vinyl.
Serial number in the high 8000s - currently in the UK
Chassis assembled by Burndept, chassis number 1766. The latest elements in terms of date codes (definitively known) are the Woden transformers - "JU" = September 1963. Further pictures and notes can be found here.
Serial number 8775 B - currently in the USA
Chassis assembled by Burndept. Woden transformers with "HU" and JU" date codes = August and September 1963; Wima capacitors in the preamp. The Celestion blues have the date codes "17KH" and "07LH" = 17th October and 7th November 1963 (not November and December as previously stated). Cabinet covered in textured dark grey/black vinyl.
Serial number 8792 N - currently in the UK
Chassis assembled by Westrex; Albion transformers. In the preamp, WIMA capacitors; gold-coloured TCC 25uf cathode bypass caps with date code "UC" = March 1963; and the main TCC preamp filter "UG" = July 1963. The tone pot has "FK" = June 1963. The cabinet is covered in the shiny black textured vinyl typical of other amps on this page. Vents are black - an early instance or later additions (probably the latter, though see number 8922 below). The double pin corner protectors are later additions. The Celestion blues have the date code "26GH" = 26th July 1963.
Serial number 8803 N - currently in the UK
Chassis assembled by Westrex; Albion transformers. Dimpled (pebble) vinyl. An original (early) Top Boost unit added, controls on the back panel.
Serial number 8844 B - currently in the UK
Chassis assembled by Westrex; Albion transformers. Cabinet covered in textured dark grey vinyl.
Serial number 8855 B - currently in the UK
A Super Twin Reverb, controls for the reverb in a cut-out in the back panel (standard arrangement). The cabinets are covered in basketweave vinyl.
Serial number 8857 N - currently in France
Copper panel. No shots of the electronics. The cabinet is covered in black basketweave vinyl, the brass vents still in place. In the speaker compartment, the original Celestion blues.
Serial number 8860 N - currently in Denmark
Imported early on by "Europaisk Musik Import", which remained agents for Vox in Denmark until at least 1970. The voltage selector was removed to bring the amp into conformity with Scandinavian electrical legislation. Further fuses will have been added internally. Thanks to Jan for the pictures. For another AC30 in Denmark early on, see serial number 8959, below.
Updated
Serial number 8892 B
Chassis assembled by Westrex; Albion transformers; red-print WIMA Tropyfols in the preamp. Cabinet covered with dimpled (pebble) vinyl. Now (April 2023) parted out - cabinet, chassis, and serial number plate sold separately on ebay.
Serial number 8905 N
Chassis assembled by Burndept; Woden transformers. Cabinet re-covered in a type of dimpled (pebble) vinyl. Solid plastic replacement handles added. The serial number plate is now far left on the back panel.
Serial number 8920 - currently in the USA
Existence recorded by Jim Elyea.
Serial number 8922 - currently in the UK
Chassis assembled by Burndept - number 01850. The Woden output transformer and choke have the date code "JU" = September 1963. Mains transformer replaced. In the preamp: blue Hunts cathode bypass caps and gold-coloured WIMA signal caps. The Burndept inspection stamp survives on the right-hand side. The cabinet has beend refurbished. A Celestion silver replaces one of the original blues. Thanks to Seamus for the pictures. The amp is currently (December 2021) here.
Serial number 8939 N - currently in Austria
The chassis - and indeed the cabinet - look much earlier than the serial number would suggest. Chassis assembled by Westrex, Haddon transformers. In the preamp mainly black print WIMA capacitors. The date code on the tone pot is "GJ" = July 1962. Vinyl covering is of the fine textured type.
Serial number 8959 N - currently in Denmark
Dimpled pebble vinyl. Albion transformers. In company with serial number 8860, imported early on by "Europaisk Musik Import", which remained agents for Vox in Denmark until at least 1970. The voltage selector was removed to bring the amp into conformity with Scandinavian electrical legislation. Further fuses were added (as required by law) on the preamp chassis, at left.
Serial number 8973 - currently in the UK
Chassis assembled by Burndept. Cabinet recovered, no holes provided for a centre handle. The grille cloth is Selmer. Woden transformers with "HU" and "JU" date codes = August and September 1963. In the preamp, blue Hunts capacitors with the date codes: "SWH" and "WII" = 51st week of 1962 and 13th week of 1963 respectively. A faded Burndept stamp can be seen to the right of the main preamp filter capacitor. Thanks to Colin for the pictures.