The Vox AC30HWRH Hand-Wired 2-Channel 30W Head is a Vox amplifier. Close alternatives include the Vox AC30CH Custom 30W Head and the Vox Valvenergy Mystic Edge. It pairs well with the Electro-Harmonix Micro Metal Muff TOP Boost and the Sola Sound Tone Bender MK1.
Vox AC30HWRH Hand-Wired 2-Channel 30W Head
Vox · amplifier
The Vox AC30HWRH is the hand-wired two-channel 30-watt AC30 head, built point-to-point rather than on the printed circuit boards used across the standard Custom line. Hand-wiring is the entire premise of this version: the same circuit assembled to a higher standard with different component choices, which owners consistently describe as more open and responsive than the PCB-built equivalents. It keeps the EL84 output section and the chiming compression that defines the AC30. It suits players who want the reference British chime built to the highest standard Vox offers.
- british
- chime
- sparkle
- jangly
- boost
- singing
- bright
- harsh
Good for
- Live
- Studio
- Worship
Genres the Vox AC30HWRH Hand-Wired 2-Channel 30W Head is commonly used in
- Rock
- Psychedelic Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Indie Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Indie
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Blues Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Classic Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Pedals that stack with the Vox AC30HWRH Hand-Wired 2-Channel 30W Head
Electro-Harmonix Micro Metal Muff TOP Boost
Electro-Harmonix
26% matchElectro-Harmonix Micro Metal Muff TOP Boost's own high gain character is the real reason this is worth trying
Sola Sound Tone Bender MK1
pedal
26% matchWhat Sola Sound Tone Bender MK1 brings here leans toward fuzzy — that's worth building a pairing around
Vox Valvenergy Copperhead Drive
Vox
26% matchVox Valvenergy Copperhead Drive's own mid-forward character is the real reason this is worth trying
Audiocade 1974 Colorsound Tremolo Clone
Audiocade
24% matchRun Audiocade 1974 Colorsound Tremolo Clone after Vox AC30HWRH Hand-Wired 2-Channel 30W Head in the signal chain, clear of Vox AC30HWRH Hand-Wired 2-Channel 30W Head's own gain stage
Citadel Bus Driver Compressor
Citadel
9% matchCitadel Bus Driver Compressor leans toward compressed, and that's a real, usable character to pair with
Strymon TimeLine
Strymon
8% matchKeep Strymon TimeLine in Vox AC30HWRH Hand-Wired 2-Channel 30W Head's effects loop, clear of Vox AC30HWRH Hand-Wired 2-Channel 30W Head's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Suhr Discovery
Suhr
8% matchSuhr Discovery's transparent voice goes in Vox AC30HWRH Hand-Wired 2-Channel 30W Head's effects loop — it's not there to compete with Vox AC30HWRH Hand-Wired 2-Channel 30W Head's own glassy character — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Origin Effects RevivalDRIVE Dual Overdrive
Origin Effects
tonal matchVoiced for Vox-style amps
Alternativessee all similar tone character →
Vox AC30CH Custom 30W Head
Vox
76% similarityShared character: ac30, benchmark, gold_sparkle
Vox Valvenergy Mystic Edge
Vox
72% similarityVox Valvenergy Mystic Edge recreates this amp's tone in pedal form
Audiocade Royal British Velvet AC30 Overdrive/Preamp Clone
Audiocade
72% similarityAudiocade Royal British Velvet AC30 Overdrive/Preamp Clone recreates this amp's tone in pedal form
Mooer Micro Preamp 004 Day Tripper
Mooer
72% similarityMooer Micro Preamp 004 Day Tripper recreates this amp's tone in pedal form
Strymon Iridium
Strymon
72% similarityStrymon Iridium recreates this amp's tone in pedal form
Matchless DC-30
Matchless
97% similaritysimilar tone character
Ceriatone Dizzy 30
Ceriatone
97% similaritysimilar tone character
Vox AC15C2 Custom 2-Channel 15W 2x12 Combo
Vox
97% similaritysimilar tone character
Vox AC15CH Custom 15W Head
Vox
96% similaritysimilar tone character
Vox AC30 Guitar Combo Amp
Vox
96% similaritysimilar tone character
Vox Ac30 1960s
Vox
96% similaritysimilar tone character
Vox AC30 Rose Morris 80s
amplifier
96% similaritysimilar tone character
See all alternatives to the Vox AC30HWRH Hand-Wired 2-Channel 30W Head (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Vox AC30HWRH Hand-Wired 2-Channel 30W Head?+
The closest matches in character are the Vox AC30CH Custom 30W Head, the Vox Valvenergy Mystic Edge, the Audiocade Royal British Velvet AC30 Overdrive/Preamp Clone.
What pairs well with the Vox AC30HWRH Hand-Wired 2-Channel 30W Head?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Electro-Harmonix Micro Metal Muff TOP Boost, Sola Sound Tone Bender MK1, Vox Valvenergy Copperhead Drive — Electro-Harmonix Micro Metal Muff TOP Boost's own high gain character is the real reason this is worth trying.