Vox av30 1x10 Combo

The current Vox amplifier catalogue has something for everyone, and sitting in the middle – between hand-wired AC30s and modern digital modellers such as the VTX series – the AV amps are for players who want the portability of solid-state, without the pre-set editing of digital amps. The AV range consists of three smart combos: the 1x8 AV10, the 1x12 AV60, and this one, the 1x10 AV30. AV stands for Analog Valve and the AV amps are effectively ‘dual hybrid’ designs, combining valve and analogue solid-state preamps with ‘analogue-voiced’ digital effects and a valve-driven solidstate power amp, providing a wide range of authentic clean and overdrive sounds.

The AV30 features two identical preamp channels, both with a choice of eight voice settings, gain, volume and three-band EQ controls. A global power control governs the output level for realistic power amp clip effects at any volume. There’s a choice of built-in modulation, delay and reverb effects, with simple controls for level and speed/delay time. Lastly, on the far-right of the panel, four slider switches tweak the AV30’s preamp and power amp valve stages: Bright and Fat modify the preamp tone structure, while Bias and Reactor work on the AV30’s valve reactor output stage, changing damping and waveform settings.

Other front panel extras include aux in, headphones and footswitch sockets, while on the rear panel there’s a handy effects loop and an extension speaker outlet.

Sounds

With a wide range of excellent clean and overdrive effects, going from pristine clarity to extreme drop-tuned metal, the AV30 impresses from the off. Our favourites are the low-to-medium gain Crunch 1 and 2 voices, which do a great job of emulating the early AC15’s EF86 channel and the classic 1964 Top Boost AC30, enhanced with a dash of onboard reverb. There are no presets to save and store; what you see is what you get, although optional Vox footswitches will let you change channels and toggle the effects on or off.

The clever mix of analogue and valve electronics provides a warm, dynamic response that’s on a different level to most digital amps, and equally flattering to humbuckers and single coils. Despite modest cab dimensions, the AV30 can sound impressively loud, thanks to a clever ported enclosure design and an excellent 10-inch custom-designed driver, which work together to maximise projection, making the AV30 ideal for un-mic’d gigs and practice sessions, as well as recording.

Verdict

Ideal for home use and small gigs, the AV30 combines old and new technologies in a refreshing mix, with plenty of real valve amp vibe, together with the expanded tonal range and onboard effects you’d expect from a modern modelling product, except that (effects apart) the AV30 is analogue, with a rich, warm response that even the best DSP’s struggle to emulate. If you want modern flexibility while avoiding the potential mire of endless presets and parameters, plus power and portability, the AV30 could have your name on it. [NG]