The service manual clearly delineates the two channels:
Plug the amp into a variac set to 120V (or 230V). Power on, standby off. Using a multimeter and the schematic’s voltage chart:
Unlike many modern amps, accessing the tubes on models like the AC30TBX requires removing the entire chassis from the cabinet.
While the service manual is technical, it is conservative. Vox engineers designed for 1960s reliability, not 2020s abuse. Here are three modern modifications the manual won’t cover—but every tech should know.
Unlike fixed-bias amps, the AC30 uses a cathode bias resistor (common 50Ω-130Ω, 10W-25W) shared by all four EL84s. Instead, verify correct operation:
Vox Ac30 Service Manual Jun 2026
The service manual clearly delineates the two channels:
Plug the amp into a variac set to 120V (or 230V). Power on, standby off. Using a multimeter and the schematic’s voltage chart:
Unlike many modern amps, accessing the tubes on models like the AC30TBX requires removing the entire chassis from the cabinet.
While the service manual is technical, it is conservative. Vox engineers designed for 1960s reliability, not 2020s abuse. Here are three modern modifications the manual won’t cover—but every tech should know.
Unlike fixed-bias amps, the AC30 uses a cathode bias resistor (common 50Ω-130Ω, 10W-25W) shared by all four EL84s. Instead, verify correct operation: