Vox AC30 vs Vox MV50-AC in Brian May Mode

Vox AC30 vs Vox MV50-AC in Brian May Mode - Part 1

Рет қаралды 79,320

7 жыл бұрын

Andrew sets a Vox AC30 TBX and a Vox MV-50 AC against each other in Brian May mode.
Please let us know what you think in the comments section below, along with any suggestions or questions. We will attempt to address your thoughts in a response video (Part 2).
Please click the link for more information on the MV50-AC.
astrings.co.uk/amps-electric-v...

Пікірлер: 186

@mattjones8523 7 жыл бұрын

This is probably one of the best A/B comparison videos I've ever seen. Just really well done. I'm really quite impressed by the little MV50 keeping up with the famous AC30.

@astringsuk 7 жыл бұрын

Cheers Matt :)

@OligoST 5 жыл бұрын

Wow so glad I got the mv50

@antoniotaurisano8301 4 жыл бұрын

Yes! I completely agree! One of the best comparison video on the Tube!

@joethrelfall6370 3 жыл бұрын

@@astringsuk could you do a video with the vox mystic edge nutube pedal in brian may mode as it's just been released.

@sporque 4 жыл бұрын

Yeah, the AC30 sounds a little warmer and fuller, but for the lower price and insane portability I'd definitely spring for the MV-50! Great side by side comparison.

@jjccllgg 7 жыл бұрын

Best side to side comparison I have ever seen... Great !!

@astringsuk 7 жыл бұрын

Juan Carlos Lopez Thank you!

@SuitcaseJohnny 7 жыл бұрын

Agreed!!

@jjccllgg 6 жыл бұрын

Close your eyes and you will not be able to tell them apart

@joethrelfall6370 5 жыл бұрын

+astringsuk please can you do the guyton red special review?

@jjccllgg 7 жыл бұрын

On a blind test, I think that nobody could tell the difference !!

@sasselhof7052 7 жыл бұрын

Wow insane how the nutube technology can get so close to an expensive heavy tube amp

@creepshow69 6 жыл бұрын

Wow. The MV50 has a good 95% of the AC30 sound. I'm definitely picking one of these up. An AC30 sound in a box that's just over one pound? Sold! Great video and comparison! I wish all comparison videos were this good! Thanks!

@jensenhealey08 7 жыл бұрын

Undoubtedly t best A/B gear comparison I have seen. Quality editing. Thank you.

@astringsuk 7 жыл бұрын

jensenhealey08 Thank you!

@mattdiehl5429 6 жыл бұрын

Best demo ever seen. For reals. Made all differences/nuances so clear. That was evident both from your quite clever choice to play in the one Brian May mode. For one, all those riffs/sounds were already present in my mind, so I had a reference basis for subjective comparison. I had already a subjective sense of how they "should" sound. And then just using the May tone/style consistently actually made the nuances more vivid than say, the mechanical bridge pickup, then middle, etc. Also it demonstrated how much the playing itself affects the amp - in other words, we saw via your example how hand dynamics affect the amp sound because you weren't just playing little progressions as you skipped by rote through the pickups. Very, very useful. Also, btw your playing is excellent & very expressive, true to May's style but with its own mojo . I myself own the MV50 Rock & AC models which I am tri-amping through separate 1x12s with Greenback/Scumback UK voiced speakers. In addition, I have a sort of a Matchless clone 25W 7189/El84 gain stage 12AX7 pre amp GZR4 rectifier 1x12 open-back combo with Jensen speaker in the middle - both figuratively & literally. Again, impressed & appreciative.

@garygamble1963 6 жыл бұрын

Awesome side-by-side comparison. The MV stands up very well considering its cost.

@KianSparkes 6 жыл бұрын

WOW! WOW! WOW! Amazing tones! I've burnt out many a set of AC30 valves using the same set up via a THD Hot Plate ('97 Vox AC30, Fryer Treble Boost... but a Gibson Les Paul!)... but just couldn't justify the valve outlay! Love the sound of the Fryer 'Purple' Treble Booster but was going to sell it... not anymore! I need one of these in my rig! WOW! Nice playing too, man! 🕊

@SuitcaseJohnny 7 жыл бұрын

Awesome video, man! I'm continually impressed with the MV-50! Overall, I think the AC30 has an ever so slightly fuller sound/tone, but that's listening to it side by side. The MV-50 can still sound great on its own, for practice or certain gigs where you don't want to lug your AC30. Also great to have as a backup, in case your AC30 has issues. The MV-50 AC is on my shopping list.

@markdakel9253 6 жыл бұрын

The best A/B Comparison between the two amplifiers, well done

@cobowe 5 жыл бұрын

This bloke knows this articulate and complex sound inside and out, and is a valuable resource to achieve these tones, no matter what your budget is

@ivanhagen9709 2 жыл бұрын

I have recorded a full album with the MV50 AC and Celestion Gold Speaker and Greg Fryer Treble Booster Plus. The sound is incredible rich and mid tone, a real vox sound...

@rodrigobelinchon2982 Жыл бұрын

let´s hear it ! put me a link?

@TheRedSpecialGuitarPodcast Жыл бұрын

This is such a great comparison video! Nice guitar too..

@HenryC7625 6 жыл бұрын

Greetings from the U.S. Great comparison as others have stated. I currently play through a boogie M 111. But have always been a fan of The Vox and other British amps. Killer tone. Every guitar player I've ever known has chased the Brian May tone at one point or another, The little MV has a pretty good set of berries! Nice playing as well.

@hansonmick 3 жыл бұрын

Agree with Matt jones, smokin review, well done.....great job

@robertstager6538 6 жыл бұрын

Amazing how well the MV50 sounds next to the full tube Vox. I am considering the Vox Mini Super Beetle, which I believe is basically an MV50 core plus some reverb, and this video makes the NuTube amp a real contender.

@drkerador 4 жыл бұрын

Very nice way to compare these amps! I have owned AC30 back in the 70s and still miss it. Can live with a "modern" AC 15 for now. That little beast make me curious tho!

@omarmimonarrimach623 4 жыл бұрын

Omg this is incredible, im 12 years old, and im saving money taking care of my sister and making her breakfast, in some days i will have the money to buy that thing, im very excited, (sorry for my bad eanglish)

@mohamedmimonmohamed255 4 жыл бұрын

Tu es mucho patata bien

@nosoyyo5441 4 жыл бұрын

Jajajaj si pizza paparazzi radio gaga mucho bien

@benjaminfowler4513 3 жыл бұрын

Good for you little one

@Juliang61 7 жыл бұрын

Very well done. I do think the AC30 was a little fuller clean but overdriven, the difference diminished

@astringsuk 7 жыл бұрын

Julian Gunney Thank you!

@joethrelfall6370 4 жыл бұрын

@@astringsuk any news on the guyton red special review?

@peterg2636 7 жыл бұрын

Its' hard to split these for me, and the portability and convenience of the MV50 wins it overall I feel, great comparison thanks.

@Bixll09 6 жыл бұрын

I am ordering the MV50. What a bargin. Amazing little amp.

@deanbibb3680 7 жыл бұрын

That was extremely impressive

@tonyluscombe2653 7 жыл бұрын

To my ears the ac30 has more warmth and saturation the MV less so slightly less depth very slightly tinny. would love to see a comparison with the Vox AV 30 or 60

@merqury5 4 жыл бұрын

Nice comparison! I was impressed with the little 50. Could easily tell dem apart, but not more than 10%. The feedback obviously wasnt strong enough. But it showed me how big a part of the sound the guitar it is. And always a bonus in a Brian May video thay you know how to play Brian style. Even Rabea Massad could not flog that.

@dawnrussell4838 5 жыл бұрын

The ac30 has more hi end harmonics , equals better feedback. The mv50 to me has kind of a boxy mid-range, both sound good Hats off to the ac30. For me.

@dairyoma 4 жыл бұрын

I agree that AC30 has more hi end harmonics, but MV50 sounds comfortable for my ear.

@SuperZiggyCraft 4 жыл бұрын

yeah but the ac30 is heaps more expensive, takes a lot more maintenance, bigger and heavier. Understandable for that tone and feedback though lol

@JungiOlympia 5 жыл бұрын

Wow! That IS impressive. I would never have expected this from that little plastic box. Sure it can't keep up with the big boy it gets frighteningly close.

@justcallmesando 4 жыл бұрын

This is amazing.

@prody2000 4 жыл бұрын

very nice playing!

@dylanm1978 4 жыл бұрын

After watching this, I'm actually trading in my Boss Katana Artist for an MV50 and a Cab. I bought the Artist for convenience, portability and durability (not for onboard effects. I have a full analog pedalboard as well as a Boss Me-80 for that). My Vox AC15 used to be my goto. But as I play blues, I long for that natural tube response that I just can't get out of the Katana (despite it sounding great otherwise). I think this may solve my problem perfectly.

@hondafpv5932 2 жыл бұрын

How is the amp compared to the Katana? I have a Katana 50 at the moments and I want a tube amp like you said.

@miguela.migallon5055 4 жыл бұрын

Omg one vox mv50ac for me this black friday... And maybe another clean puts together...

@guitargo1326 7 жыл бұрын

It suprised me that I thought the MV than the AC sounded better when the volume was rolled off on the guitar!

@rosskoko100 7 жыл бұрын

very good but I think a brian may wig for pt2 is a must. Do the boys in the shop agree?

@johnnie3Chords 2 жыл бұрын

I just purchased my second pair of AC 30 Ampli-phones , they should be arriving tomorrow , great tone for around $110 usd

@NikonNation 2 жыл бұрын

Nice edits side by side Andrew. Slightly lighter tone from the MV but tbh, you couldn’t fault the overall tone from the MV over the AC 👍🎸

@powerbot2006 6 жыл бұрын

Excellent comparison! One cuestion: was the "deep" switch engaged in the MV-50 AC? Thanks!!

@sassycat 6 жыл бұрын

Diego Nebot - yes, exactly.

@BrettSmithDaniels 5 жыл бұрын

Question! I have an AC30 which unfortunately is in the UK... Now living in Canada, don't have the heart to sell the UK AC30, or the money to buy a new one in Canada! Need to keep my UK one for touring... At the moment I'm playing in small bars, these seem amazing substitute for gigs, if the volume is loud enough?? Would love to know how volume stacked up to the ac30?? Great video!

@jamesnortonofficial1566 4 жыл бұрын

Awesome 🤘

@sassulusmagnus 5 жыл бұрын

Very well done. The MV50AC has a different sounding top end. Definitely Vox sounding, though. Much better than most.

@vanerversori606 6 жыл бұрын

Wow, that’s impressive

@jjhbowers 7 жыл бұрын

Yup- you decided me. I need an mv 50!

@martinscalici1905 3 жыл бұрын

Some real old school queen there

@colinmortimore218 5 жыл бұрын

The MV would make a great backup to carry for my TBX.

@FrankenstratGuitar 5 жыл бұрын

Awesome A/B!! The MV seems a great budget alternative! I want one!! Any chance of hearing it with the cheap Red Specials?

@guytonrsr1822 7 жыл бұрын

Well that's the Brian May tone at low volumes and on a budget sorted then! Sounds great!

@tableface77 4 жыл бұрын

AC30 had noticeably more low end but otherwise very similar. MV50 apparently has a "deep" switch at the back so I wonder if this might have added back some of the AC30's depth if engaged or whether it would have just pushed the MV50 into muddy territory.

@fnjb007trooper5 5 жыл бұрын

MV50 is the future of amps. It needs a bit of perfection in presence wise yet it is so impressive. Have Brian playing it, the MV50 would dominate the rock industry again.

@foolforguitar 7 ай бұрын

Hi! Could you tell me where did you get / buy your Red Special? It's sounds amazing.... Congratulations from France 👌👍 Thanks!

@inuliger 6 жыл бұрын

Nice "Dangerland" reference there!

@nickhill212 7 жыл бұрын

Nice vid lads! As others have said, the AC30 edges it for me. Very impressed with the MV-50 though. There really is no substitute for proper valves and transformers. Look forward to seeing more comparison videos from you guys!

@astringsuk 7 жыл бұрын

Nick Hill Cheers Nick :)

@lothar34 6 жыл бұрын

Nice comparison. To my ears, the AC30 just sounds less hollow clean, and a bit smoother distorted- but that's at whatever volumes you are recording at. I'm guessing the MV50 is more versatile at much lower volumes. I used to have an AC15 that was stellar cranked, but the whole neighborhood could hear and things were rattling off my shelves.

@Madas905 6 жыл бұрын

Very good comparison. MV50 awesome.

@LOFIGSD 3 жыл бұрын

Just bought the Clean Version, the attenuator will allow me to use my Marshall's cab without breaking windows, for not much more than an attenuator, and gives me additional tonal ranges, the AC version does sound great, how is it in Volume next to the AC30?

@joeyeccles8749 7 жыл бұрын

They are very similar in tone, almost identical. I felt that the MV-50 was a little lacking in drive compared to the AC30. Also the MV-50 had a bit more High End than the AC30. But the MV-50 is incredible for the price and is probably one of the best ways to achieving the Brian May sound, especially on a budget.

@_patrikjay_ 6 жыл бұрын

well said

@MikeCarvin 5 жыл бұрын

If the MV50 sounds a bit thinner, then a booster can fix that.

@tomasagustinveravicentin7789 2 жыл бұрын

Yup, I think the power tube makes the difference, when you crank the AC30 it saturates on the output, the MV50 only has a preamp tube.

@melancholyman96 5 жыл бұрын

More Brian May and the Red Special!

@StillLivinTheBlues 7 жыл бұрын

Very cool. If possible, i would love to see/hear a comparison of the amps with a regular BMG guitar. Does the "budget" BMGuitar and the "budget" Vox MV-50...can they get the Brian May tone?

@1madaxeman 7 жыл бұрын

The BMG will sound almost the same....its the cab/speakers that will make a much bigger difference! He needs to try it with a cheaper amp and or speaker cab.....that will show much more noticable differences. He's still demo'in the £199 amp through an AC30 cab loaded with 2 UK alnico blue speakers....i'd much more prefer to hear it through a cheaper amp like a valvetronix or similar.

@johnnie3Chords 2 жыл бұрын

Great DEMO , I especially liked the inclusion of Great King Rat " !

@thisperfectworld 6 жыл бұрын

I wonder if the apparent tonal variations between the MV and 30 when playing the riff from "White Queen" could or would be mitigated by increasing the volume of the MV, or something.

@dickdastardly2560 6 жыл бұрын

Great 3 part series. The only thing that would have made it a little better would have been Ferris on the Drums and Sloane on the Bass then the 3 of you rocking out on some old Queen songs.🤣🤣🤣

@JJR3991 7 жыл бұрын

Great video. Some effects pedals would be good to see used.

@astringsuk 7 жыл бұрын

Jeremy Ross Good call, we'll do something with effects in the next video.

@MrButuz 7 жыл бұрын

I didn't realise you were hiring in professional male models to do these shoots. You guys are really going upmarket!!

@astringsuk 7 жыл бұрын

MrButuz PM us for make up tips ;)

@joshpaulzee 6 жыл бұрын

A little more twang and less fuzz on the MV50, but very close. Great side by side!

@gerardoromano3436 Жыл бұрын

Great comparison. The MV50 lacks the soft transition from clean to distortion the AC30 has, but in a band or mix context I think you couldn´t tell the difference. Plus the sound is in the hands, last night I saw a pair of videos Brian made during Covid years , he connected his guitar to a cheap tiny transistor Vox amp, I think he said it was 5 watt with a sinle 8 or 10 inch speaker in a small combo configuration. He performed a few solos from well known Queen songs that sound 90% like his live recordings. He was sitting in a coach in his living room. You can give me 9 vintage AC30 and his own Red Special guitar and I will sound not even close to him, and I´ve been a session player for almost 20 years, but I´m not Brian May so I will never sound like him. I wish I could play like him, the same happens with other players like Guimour or Clapton. Guimour plays a Strat a Les Paul live and It always sounds like him no matter the guitar.

@tomasmay3775 2 жыл бұрын

Hi, can the Vox MV50-AC serve as a kind of power attenuator for the AC30 perhaps?

@paulkielt9301 5 жыл бұрын

For a solid state amplifier, the Vox MV50-AC sounds really close to the Brian May's gear. But the AC30 sounds a little bit much better, just because of the tubes.

@kevinkiso2541 5 жыл бұрын

Um... Could you please play each passage just one more time? Cheers brother! Sounds great.

@bristolfashion4421 Жыл бұрын

Exceelent Fun !! They *are* different - but in a very simliar way, innit...

@ludlow555 6 жыл бұрын

I’m shocked how close this was.

@chrisdaviesguitar 7 жыл бұрын

So how would you compare this to say, the Vox VT100X, as I'm think of getting practice amp and my current set up doesn't really cut it for home rehearsals.

@philipdelgado6166 6 жыл бұрын

Chris Davies at 50w with a 4ohm cab you can easily play with a drummer

@parkerkenney6113 2 жыл бұрын

The MV50 sounds muffled everywhere besides the mids. I still have to go with the AC30

@peterschattmann8298 2 жыл бұрын

Couldn't agree more. Played on my PC in two separate windows with good speakers, the difference is immediately obvious. The AC30 sounds incredible, the MV50 AC like a pretender.

@rockguitarist931 4 жыл бұрын

As much as I want the NuTube to be a good substitute for a heavy tube amp, there's no contest between the two amps. The AC30 has the tone, the saturation, the fullness, and the vox sound. They need to revisit the NuTube and try to improve the fidelity of that component instead of coming up with 20 different ways to market it.

@peterschattmann8298 2 жыл бұрын

So true. Back to the drawing board VOX.

@mycroftholmes7003 7 жыл бұрын

thats REALLY close. the mv is abit more trebly and jangly but damn. thats close

@t-boog2173 6 жыл бұрын

The MV50 sounds great but I can't believe they left out reverb AND effects loop. No womder the "Clean" version is the best seller, it allows you to put a reverb &/or delay pedal in front. On the "Vox" and "Rock" versions, if you use the onboard distortion or push it hard, you have to play dry or else you'll distort your reverb or delay. A nice digital reverrb would have made the MV series a grand slam! In an interview I read with Hartley Peavey, he said new amps get held up in production if they have anything digital on them bercause it requires FCC approval which takes months to aquire. Maybe thats why amp companies somtimes leave it out. However, they usually put an effects loop which is not expensive to produce. I mean, come on... One or the other!!!

@victormaniaci2104 6 жыл бұрын

Go check out the Vox Mini Supper Beatle. It has digital reverb.

@joebobhenrybob2000 5 жыл бұрын

Tarrell Freeze yeah I wish they had made something like the Hotone Britwind. Those guys got all the features right. Vox got the sounds right.

@FallenDemon07 2 жыл бұрын

Hey!!! How do you have distortion with just one vox Ac30?

@akaski777 6 жыл бұрын

Sounds good but will it stand the test of time

@australier263 4 жыл бұрын

No, the MV cannot beat the AC sounds! But it is near by! Sad, it is not repairable! The MV Sounds a bit more like a Marshall amp. Good Vid and good comparison!

@linusfran 2 жыл бұрын

Whats more awesome with Mv50ac with a send / return mod, you can add reverb effects and others after pre amplification ..

@bradspence9864 3 жыл бұрын

The AC30 unquestionably sounds better. But the MV REALLY made a strong showing for itself. When you consider the portability and the price, it’s a no-brainer. 95% of the tone for around 20% of the price, and only weighs one pound. Awesome.

@akaski777 Жыл бұрын

I used to have a beige ac30 with blue speakers I did realise what I had at the time sold it for £100

@SappeninMush 3 жыл бұрын

i closed my eyes and thought i was listening to brian may himself :)

@russella5296 Жыл бұрын

I wonder how you disconnected the speakers and useed the ac 30 as a cabinet?

@gerardoromano3436 Жыл бұрын

Hi, there are male to male adapters, you unplug the speaker from the amp at the bottom of the chassis (sometimes is located at the back of the amp) , then plug the speaker male jack of the combo amp into one side of the adapter and your other amp (combo or head) into the other side. The adapter is very simple and can be made with two speaker female connectors and a cable between them. If you can use a soldering iron you can do It yourself or you can order one, They´re cheap. I use them to connect power attenators between the amp and the speaker or like this case, to use a combo amp speaker as a cab to test oher amps. The Vox AC30 combo has the same connector as a head and cab, a male jack coming from the speaker and a female conector at the bottom or back off the chassis (dependig of the year of production). It´s usefull and easy to set up, If you have a combo amp with good speakers but you like the sound from another amp ,combo or head, you can use this method. It´s amazing how different an amp can sound with different speakers, more than you´ll ever imagine. Last night I connected a Fender Deluxe Reverb combo to a Marshall combo with two Celestion Vintage 30. It´s like another amp, the Fender amp sounds way better with overdrive, before that I used It as a clean amp only. Hope this helps.

@kushtrimmusa2298 4 жыл бұрын

How does it feel to play ?Mv 50 because the sound is almost same

@goldenoldiesmusicandfilm9373 6 жыл бұрын

Hi andrew i know this is a old video .from last year but i thought it was really good your a great player . I did like the tone better on the 50 but the 30 sounded grear as well.

@brianborman8590 4 жыл бұрын

I totally understand, had to ask, enjoy, I wouldn't either 🤠

@elevatorsfromromania 4 жыл бұрын

what red special replica is that???

@ByronWarfield 7 жыл бұрын

Nice...busting out some Great King Rat and White Queen.

@dariusz705 3 жыл бұрын

Really? You don't hear differences between those amps? AC30 is the winner of that comparisjon.More Brian May is in that model.Especially clean sound is more creamy and rich on AC30.

@erikf6525 2 жыл бұрын

would the MV50 Rock be very different than the MV AC30?

@luciopooh 3 жыл бұрын

hi, vox Mv50 where is connected guitar speakers or sound card?

@astringsuk 3 жыл бұрын

Speakers

@mikkywhalan 5 жыл бұрын

Absolutely no difference (At least to me) And awesome editing, Are you sure you're not just running into the same amp?

@peterschattmann8298 2 жыл бұрын

I guess you are listening on your phone or don't have ears....AC30 kills it. MV50-AC sounds veiled by comparison.

@schmoosmith 4 жыл бұрын

What settings did you use on the MV50?

@astringsuk 4 жыл бұрын

Gain on around 1o’clock, tone right down

@KenStOnge-vg4fi 3 жыл бұрын

@@astringsuk volume on full for the MV 50? Love that you did this, BTW!

@niallhanley4815 4 жыл бұрын

How about another comparison ...the AC30 with its 2 lovely greenback speakers Vs. the MV50 with its lil 6" el cheapo speaker extension cab.. ! XD

@BIGJACKET1966 5 жыл бұрын

Very very interesting .........a question........ when u play into the mv50ac ,don’t u use a treble booster ?.... Do you think should be possible ? To obtain a closest BM sound? In any case....great fantastic test.

@stewarttomkinson3356 3 жыл бұрын

Try the Cambridge vs The ac 30

@niallhanley4815 4 жыл бұрын

Cool .Great comparison you can really hear the differences there. The AC30 sounds like its putting out 15 different frequencies across the spectrum, the MV50 more like about 5 frequencies :) If you want a simplifed version of the sound sure get the MV50 ...but you will still need those lovely 2 x12 celestion speakers in that cabinet to get your 5 frequencies ;) which will cost you oh $600-$700 extra on top of your MV50 price :D

@alexgarnett5373 7 жыл бұрын

How about a review of the Guyton red special .. there isn't a single one on KZfaq

@astringsuk 7 жыл бұрын

Alex Garnett - We'll have a think about that one Alex. Watch this space!

@clemnorman4025 4 жыл бұрын

👍

@01Ricken 6 жыл бұрын

..and as always..just wondering if the tubes in the AC30 were tested in a quality tester prior to the video being made. Be a shame to be comparing apples with oranges....(only takes one side of one dual triode to be down a little to REALLY affect the way an amp performs).

@officialWWM 6 жыл бұрын

Andy Rolfe splitting hairs...

@philipdelgado6166 6 жыл бұрын

Andy Rolfe which is why people seek alternatives