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UK VOX AMPS History of Vox in the UK JMI Era Vox Amps: 1959-65 JMI Era UL Series Hybrid Amps: 1966-67 JMI-VSL Era Solid State Amps: 1967-73 VSEL/Corinthian Era Vox Tube Amps: 1968-70 Birch Stolec Era Vox Amps: 1970-73 Dallas Era Vox Amps: 1973-78 Rose Morris Era Vox Amps: 1978-92 Korg Era Tube Amps 1993-25 Korg Era Solid State and Hybrid Vox Amps:1999-25 Korg Era Vox Valvetronix Amps - 2001-16 US VOX AMPS VOX ORGANS VOX GUITARS Vox Solid Body Elec Guitars: 1960-88 Vox Semi-Acoustic Elecric Gtrs: 1964-68 Vox Acoustic Guitars: 1964-70 Vox Bass Guitars: 1962-87 Voxton Guitars & Basses: 1969-70 Vox Gtrs & Basses, Korg Era: 1998-25 VOX FX & MISC View All Products Vox Tape Echo & Reverb Units:1963-68 Vox Microphones and Mixers Vox Boosters Vox Wah Wah Pedals: 1967-2025 Vox Effects Pedals: 1965-2025 Vox Tonelab & Stomplab FX Processors Vox Amplugs Vox Ampliphonic Accessories: 1968 Vox Accessories Vox Promotional Items VOX SALES LITERATURE VOX MANUALS MY VOX BAND SEARCH WHAT'S NEW

Vox AC30HWR2 2x12" Combo Amplifier (2024 - )
Vox AC30HWR2X 2x12" Combo Amplifier (2024 - )
Vox AC30HWRH Amplifier Head (2024 - )


Vox AC30HWR Control Panel Layout

The Vox HWR Series Stepping up their premium amplifier lineup, Vox introduced the point-to-point, hand-wired HWR Series at the 2024 Winter NAMM show in Anaheim, California. The HWR models served as the modern successors to the AC4HW, AC15HW, and AC30HW models which had anchored Vox's hand-wired offering for more than ten years. The HWR Series included four combo configurations: the AC4HWR1 (4W, 1x12"), AC10HWR1 (10W, 1x12"), AC15HWR1 (15W, 1x12"), and AC30HWR2 (30W, 2x12") - alongside the 30-watt AC30HWRH head and V212HWRX 2x12" extension cabinet. Vox loaded the 4 watt and 10 watt models with Celestion G12 Greenbacks, while the 15-watt and 30-watt combos offered a choice of Celestion G12 Greenback or Blue Alnico speakers. The V212HWR2X extension cabinet was equipped with a pair of Celestion Blue Alnico speakers. Initial retail availability of the HWR Series was severely affected by supply chain issues and the complexities of manufacturing hand-wired amplifiers. The AC4HWR1 and AC10HWR1 first arrived on the shelves of US retailers in May 2025, fifteen months after their introduction at the 2024 NAMM show. Deliveries of the AC15HWR1 and AC30HWR2 were delayed to fall 2025. The AC30HWRH head and V212HWRX2 extension cabinet finally shipped to US Vox retailers in January 2026. Reissue vs Tribute Amplifiers A "reissue" amplifier aims to create an exact, partt-for-part replica of a specific model from the past. In contrast, a "tribute" amplifier blends classic, retro circuitry essential for vintage tone with modern features and design. The Vox AC30HWR2, AC30HWR2X, and AC30HWRH from 2024 were "tributes" to the October 1963 JMI AC-30, considered by many to be the "golden era" of the amp. Following are some of the vintage and modern elements that influenced the design of the AC30HWR Series. Tone Cut Control As originally designed in 1960, the AC30/6 amp was equipped with a simple passive tone "Tone Cut" control to trim treble response. The Tone Cut control was located between the phase inverter and power amp circuits. The phase inverter circuit divided the audio from the preamp into two opposing signals that were 180 degrees out of phase with each other. The Tone Cut control circuit straddled the connection between these out of phase audio signals with a 250k control potentiometer and a .0047uF capacitor. Rotating the 250k control allowed the opposing signals from each side of the phase inverter to combine. Were it not for the .0047 capacitor wired in series with the Tone Cut potentiometer, the audio signal would be completely canceled out. The capacitor allowed only the higher frequencies to pass into the Tone Cut control, where in turn the opposing treble signals offset each other. The AC30HWR Series incorporated this Tone Cut control. Control Panel Mounted Top Boost Tone Controls Led by the UK instrumental group "The Shadows," many British guitarists were requesting more treble and bass response from their AC-30/6 Normal amplifiers. By this time, Fender had introduced active treble and bass controls that could boost or cut high and low frequency response in their amps. In 1961, Vox introduced the 12AX7 powered "Top Boost" circuit kit, creating the ability to retrofit active bass and treble controls to the Brilliant channel of the AC30/6 Normal amp. However, this upgrade required professional installation and rather inconveiently placed the new controls in an 1⅝" x 3" rectangular cutout on the amplifier's vinyl covered upper rear panel. By October 1963, demand for the optional Top Boost circuit prompted Vox to launch the AC30/6TB. This updated version of the AC30/6 moved the Top Boost tone controls from a rectangular hole on the back side of the amp to the main control panel. The AC30HWR Series mirrored the October 1963 AC30/6TB by featuring both panel mounted Top Boost controls and a deep cherry red anodized control panel surface. Treble Bypass Capacitor Vox introduced yet another version of the AC-30 in 1964, the AC-30 "Treble" or AC30/6T. It increased the high frequency output in the Brilliant channel passively by the use of a 220pF treble bypass capacitor. The treble bypass capacitor, wired across the hot and wiper terminals of the AC30/6T Brilliant channel volume control, provided an alternative path for high frequencies around the volume pot. Because the capacitor allowed the treble frequencies to pass through the circuit at a constant maximum level, lowering the volume did not reduce high-end response. Listeners will notice a brighter, enhanced treble response when the amp is played at low to mid levels but increasing the volume dial sufficiently will level out the effect. Vox added a 220pF treble bypass capacitor to the volume control of the AC30HWR Normal channel. A panel-mounted toggle switch allowed the treble bypass capacitor to be easily enabled or disabled. Thin Edge Enclosure JMI did not build its own Vox amplifier cabinets. Instead, the company outsourced enclosure production to several external contractors, with the P.A. Glock Company and Gla-Rev supplying the majority. P.A. Glock traditionally constructed Vox cabinets from 13-ply, 18mm (¾") Baltic birch plywood. In contrast, Gla-Rev utilized thinner 7-ply, 9mm (⅜") and 9-ply, 12mm (½") panels. This shift to lighter materials in these "thin edge" enclosures cut material costs, reduced the amplifier's weight, and minimized shipping fees. These "thin edge" cabinets also played a role in defining the signature tone of the AC-30. Vox shipped its first AC30/6TB "Top Boost in panel" amps in October 1963 featuring "thin edge" enclosures sourced from Gla-Rev. These baltic birch cabinets utilized an 18mm (¾") baffle and top panel, 12mm (½") sides and bottom and 9mm (⅜") back panels. In the fall of 1963, Vox transitioned away from its signature 1961 fawn amp covering. The brand briefly covered their amps in the smooth black vinyl used on Continental organs and introduced Vox logo handles. This era also marked the final appearance of brass vents. The 2024 AC30HWR amplifiers were equipped with "thin edge" enclosures that closely modeled the Gla-Rev specifications from October 1963, including smooth black vinyl, Vox logo handles and brass vents. All Tube Spring Reverb The AC30HWR did not include the "Vib-Trem" circuit found in the AC30/6. In its place, it included an all-tube Accutronics/Belton spring reverb circuit —an option JMI never offered in combo versions of the original AC30/6. This drive side of the reverb circuit utilized a 12AT7 tube and a transformer. One half of a 12AX7 tube provided reverb recovery. Controls for reverb level and reverb tone plus a VFS1 remote footswitch were included. Pedalboard Ready FX Loop The AC30HWR also included a fully bypassable MOSFET transistor buffered effects loop with -10/+4db switch. Speakers The AC30HW2 was offered with either a pair of Celestion G12 Greenback speakers or a pair of Celestion Blue Alnico speakers. AC30HWR Series Tube Layout V1a 12AX7 Normal Channel preamp V1b 12AX7 Top Boost Channel preamp V2 12AX7 Top Boost Circuit V3 12AX7 Phase Inverter V4a 12AX7 Reverb buffer V4b 12AX7 Reverb return V5 12AT7 Reverb drive V6-V9 EL84 Output tubes V10 GZ34 Rectifier

VOX AC30HWR2 Valve Combo Specifications Output Power: 30 Watts RMS Speakers: AC30HW2X - Two 8Ω Celestion Blue Alnico AC30HW2 - Two 8Ω Celestion Greenback Channels and Inputs: Ch.1 - Normal Channel, Hi & Lo Inputs Ch.2 - Top Boost Channel, Hi & Lo Inputs Outputs: Single ¼" extension speaker jack, FX send Controls: Channel 1: Volume, Bright switch Channel 2: Volume, Bass, Treble Master Controls: Reverb Level, Reverb Tone, Cut, Master Volume Tubes: 4- ECC83, 1-12AT7, 4 - EL84, 1-GZ34 Included: VFS1 foot switch for reverb Dimensions: (W x D x H): 27.76" x 10.35" x 22.32" Weight: 70.55 lbs. Street Price (2026): AC30HW2 : $2499.99 AC30HW2X: $2799.99 Origin : Vietnam