Vox 1960 AC30 TV Front EL34 Single 12" #4072 Blue Diamond w/ Original Cover Excellent

No Sales Tax For Customers Outside Of California.

If you're into amps like I am, and especially if you're into Vox history, you will be amazed as I was when I first encountered this amazing piece of Vox lore.

Serial number 4072 is cited by name in the primary historical literature on early Vox AC30 production — the definitive voxac30.org.uk research archive, which documents surviving examples of the earliest AC30s ever built, notes AC30 serial number 4072 as one of the earliest surviving amplifiers built with the 5-pin Radiospares socket designed to enable the detachable Vibravox tremolo control unit to be connected. This is not a general description of a type of amplifier. It is a specific reference to this specific amplifier by its serial number, in the most authoritative source on early Vox production in existence.

What is not noted there is that this amp is the only one known to have its original cover.

The original AC30 — designated the AC30/4 — had only a single 12-inch speaker in a TV Front cabinet, as opposed to the later conventional twin 12-inch speaker configuration. The EL34-powered AC30 was short-lived, superseded by a quartet of EL84 power tubes. In spring 1959, the 1x12 30-watt AC30 appeared, featuring a pair of EL34 power valves rather than EL84s — discontinued in 1960, it was superseded by the Fender Twin-inspired AC30 Twin model. The window of EL34-powered single-12 TV Front AC30 production is therefore approximately one year — 1959 through early 1960 — before the entire platform was redesigned. Around 200 TV Front single-speaker AC30s were produced in total, with the highest known serial number being 4158. Serial number 4072 places this amplifier within the first 72 examples ever built. 

These early AC30s lived in TV Front cabinets reminiscent of 1950s Fender amps, covered in thin white Rexine with a small diamond pattern and grille cloth with a larger diamond imprint. The blue diamond tolex and matching diamond grille cloth are original and intact. The Rola G12 12-inch speaker is original with original cone. The Mullard GZ34 rectifier, Edicron EL34 power tubes, and Amperex, Brimar, and Mullard preamp tube complement are period-correct British valve brands. Original pedal included. Filter caps have been replaced, the correct service approach for a 65-year-old amplifier. Pots replaced. Power cord original with grounded upgrade. Original cover included. 

The output transformer was restored by Brian Sours at Soursound - it is the original part but re-would to vintage spec.  The tremolo circuit was rebuilt.  Another tech had started the work and I wrapped it up with the help of Oso Amps in the UK.

The circuit diagrams for the early AC30 show two EL34s in the power section with cathode bias — the specific topology that produces the AC30's characteristic headroom, touch sensitivity, and harmonic complexity that made it the defining amplifier of British Invasion rock. The Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Shadows, Cliff Richard — the AC30 in this configuration is the amplifier that was present at the creation of modern British popular music. This example was built before most of those records were made.

• Case/Cover?: Yes, Original
• Color: Fawn
• Dimensions: 
• Weight: 48lbs 4oz
• Watts: 30 Watts
• Date: 1960
• Speaker 1 Brand: Rola G12
• Speaker 1 Size: 12"
• Speaker Code: See Pics
• Speaker 1 Cone: Original
• Power Transformer Brand/Codes: See Pics
• Choke Transformer Brand/Codes: See Pics
• Output Transformer Brand/Codes: See Pics
• Reverb Transformer Brand/Codes: See Pics
• Extension Speaker Out? No
  
• Reverb or other effects?: Tremulant, Vibrato
• Rectifier Tube: GZ34
• Rectifier Tube Brand: Mullard
• Power Tubes: 2 x EL34
• Power Tube Brand: Edicron
• Preamp Tubes: 2 x 12AX7, 12AU7, 12AX7, 12AX7
• Preamp Tube Brand: Amperex, Brimar, Brimar, Mullard
• Filter Caps: Replaced
• Pedal: Original
• Pots/Codes: Replaced
• Tolex/Tweed: Original
• Grille: Original 
• Knobs: Original
• Handle: Original
• Power Cord: Original w/ grounded upgrade
• Notes: 

Shipping Policy
By completing your purchase you are agreeing to this shipping policy. Shipments require signature on delivery, no exceptions. Less than 1% of our shipments are damaged in transit, and we are committed to making sure your item arrives safely. If there is damage, retain all packing materials intact, photograph them immediately, and send the photos to sales@maharsvintageguitars.com.

Amplifiers: We take additional precautions to prevent common shipping damage. Depending on the amp, this may include removing tubes, pulling the chassis from the cabinet if heavy transformers present a drop risk, or removing heavy speakers that could crack baffles in transit. Reassembly is required on delivery — we label everything clearly. These measures add to shipping costs but reflect hard-won experience. All amps are tested in our shop upon intake and again before shipping. We cover shipping damage but cannot be responsible for the failure of vintage components in instruments that are 20 to 50-plus years old.