Vox AC-50 with Reproduction Cabinet Tube Amplifier (1965-6)
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Vox AC-50 with Reproduction Cabinet Model Tube Amplifier (1965-6), made in Dartford, Kent, England, serial # 05251, black tolex covering finish.
This is a very nicely preserved example of the classic early/mid '60s Vox AC-50 head, equipped with a very nice reproduction speaker cabinet and trolley made by North Coast Music. The evolution of the Vox AC-50 is particularly tied to The Beatles' story, specifically their increasing need to be heard over the pubescent hysteria that was drowning out their live performances! As the AC-30 models soon couldn't keep up, Dick Denney rushed to design and build a 50-watt head and cab for George Harrison and John Lennon just in time for the band's Christmas '64 concerts in Finsbury Park, London. Denney used a 2x12" AC-30 cabinet with an added tweeter horn for extra treble and designed a 50-watt single-channel circuit that would be the basis for the official production model to hit the market in early '64.
By late 1964/early 1965, the AC-50 had evolved to a two-channel design with 'normal' and 'brilliant' inputs and controls for volume, treble and bass for each channel. This particular version is the '50/4 MK III', featuring a solid-state rectifier and a number of improvements to the power section to increase headroom and reliability. The two EL-34 power tubes yield approx. 50 watts of power into two 12" Celestion speakers. While the model was primarily aimed at guitarists, many beleaguered bassists of the period discovered the 50-watt amp gave them a bit of headroom to be heard over their AC-30 equipped guitarists, and the AC-50 was often employed to hold down the low end in 1965-6 era Beat and R&B groups.
This 60 year old AC-50 is a very well-preserved example showing only fairly minor wear overall. The original black basketweave covering is nicely intact with hardly any notable signs of scuffing or tearing. The grey escutcheon control panel is nice and clean with only very minor wear and all the black pointer knobs appear to be original. The very accurate period-style reproduction cabinet is of comparatively recent built and is in fabulous shape, including the elaborate metal trolley unit, rarely still intact on originals. It is becoming more and more difficult to find any Vox Amplifiers from this era in pristine shape; most of those not gigged into the ground 50-60 years ago are ensconced in studios or private collections.
Electrically, the amp is nicely original. All transformers are original to the unit. The reproduction cabinet hosts two 12" Jensen P12N speakers, both testing and sounding great. One of the speakers bears the code 220-203, dating it to the 3rd week of 1962. The amp has received our typical maintenance and servicing, including replacement of all electrolytic capacitors, install of a grounded 3-prong power cord, cleaning of all sockets pots and jacks, biased to spec and any minor but necessary replacement of out-of-spec components.
Overall this is a wonderful example of one of JMI 's Beat-era masterpieces and a spectacular-sounding amp by any standard. It is more suited to guitar use with this open backed cabinet but in a pinch would serve as an excellent period-correct bass or keyboard amp, especially paired with a Vox Continental or Jaguar organ. Wheel this out on any stage and be instantly sonically transported back to the NME Pollwinner's concert in 1965 or the Richmond Jazz Festival the same year. Excellent - Condition.
This is a very nicely preserved example of the classic early/mid '60s Vox AC-50 head, equipped with a very nice reproduction speaker cabinet and trolley made by North Coast Music. The evolution of the Vox AC-50 is particularly tied to The Beatles' story, specifically their increasing need to be heard over the pubescent hysteria that was drowning out their live performances! As the AC-30 models soon couldn't keep up, Dick Denney rushed to design and build a 50-watt head and cab for George Harrison and John Lennon just in time for the band's Christmas '64 concerts in Finsbury Park, London. Denney used a 2x12" AC-30 cabinet with an added tweeter horn for extra treble and designed a 50-watt single-channel circuit that would be the basis for the official production model to hit the market in early '64.
By late 1964/early 1965, the AC-50 had evolved to a two-channel design with 'normal' and 'brilliant' inputs and controls for volume, treble and bass for each channel. This particular version is the '50/4 MK III', featuring a solid-state rectifier and a number of improvements to the power section to increase headroom and reliability. The two EL-34 power tubes yield approx. 50 watts of power into two 12" Celestion speakers. While the model was primarily aimed at guitarists, many beleaguered bassists of the period discovered the 50-watt amp gave them a bit of headroom to be heard over their AC-30 equipped guitarists, and the AC-50 was often employed to hold down the low end in 1965-6 era Beat and R&B groups.
This 60 year old AC-50 is a very well-preserved example showing only fairly minor wear overall. The original black basketweave covering is nicely intact with hardly any notable signs of scuffing or tearing. The grey escutcheon control panel is nice and clean with only very minor wear and all the black pointer knobs appear to be original. The very accurate period-style reproduction cabinet is of comparatively recent built and is in fabulous shape, including the elaborate metal trolley unit, rarely still intact on originals. It is becoming more and more difficult to find any Vox Amplifiers from this era in pristine shape; most of those not gigged into the ground 50-60 years ago are ensconced in studios or private collections.
Electrically, the amp is nicely original. All transformers are original to the unit. The reproduction cabinet hosts two 12" Jensen P12N speakers, both testing and sounding great. One of the speakers bears the code 220-203, dating it to the 3rd week of 1962. The amp has received our typical maintenance and servicing, including replacement of all electrolytic capacitors, install of a grounded 3-prong power cord, cleaning of all sockets pots and jacks, biased to spec and any minor but necessary replacement of out-of-spec components.
Overall this is a wonderful example of one of JMI 's Beat-era masterpieces and a spectacular-sounding amp by any standard. It is more suited to guitar use with this open backed cabinet but in a pinch would serve as an excellent period-correct bass or keyboard amp, especially paired with a Vox Continental or Jaguar organ. Wheel this out on any stage and be instantly sonically transported back to the NME Pollwinner's concert in 1965 or the Richmond Jazz Festival the same year. Excellent - Condition.