Vox AC-4 Tube Amplifier (1964)
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Item # 10387
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Vox AC-4 Model Tube Amplifier (1964), made in Dartford, Kent, England, serial # 03772, black tolex covering finish.
This diminutive Vox AC-4 amp, the smallest of the JMI line, is one of the sweetest sounding 60's Vox amps we have had in a long while. These were designed as a student amp but in our lower-volume environment today are far more useful than simply for practice. In the mid-60s the Beatles took one of these little babies on tour for use in their dressing rooms, there are a few pictures of Paul with his Hofner bass plugged into it!
The AC-4's top/rear-mounted control panel features two inputs, a volume control, a speed control for the tremolo and a combined tone and on/off switch. It has all the same cosmetics as the larger period Vox amps including the gold-and-white piped black covering, molded plastic top vents and diamond checked grille cloth. Running a single EL84 into an 8" speaker, The AC-4 puts out somewhere around 6-watts. Topping out at Champ-like volume when cranked, it is incredibly touch sensitive, responsive and simply great fun to play. It retains more clarity when dimed than many similar small amps, with a singing but not massively saturated tone.
Height is 15 7/8 in. (40.3 cm.), 16 in. (40.6 cm.) width, and 7 1/2 in. (19 cm.) deep.
This little amp is in terrific shape; the outer covering shows some very minor wear overall, with only a few nicks to the edges and some light staining to the left side. The JMI ID plate on the back is clean save for a few light scrape-marks. The copper control panel enamel has a few very small nicks, but looks great overall and retains all the stenciled lettering. The handle mounts have minor signs of corrosion, but the plastic handle is intact and present. The plastic vent louvres are long gone but have been creatively replaced by a pair of impressively hand-tooled brass reproductions, that, if anything, elevate the look of the amp!
Electrically, the little amp is nicely original and just as the gods (and the boffins at Jennings Musical Industries) made it. The original 8" Elac speaker has been professionally reconed and sounds great. The transformers and the pots are all original. The amp has received our routine maintenance, including replacement of all electrolytics, the installation of a 3-prong power cord and cleaning of all sockets, pots and jacks. This AC-4 has a pin-mounted voltage selector and must be set to 110V to operate properly on US line voltage; fortunately this is almost impossible to change except on purpose. The original tremolo footswitch is still intact and working.
The perfect tabletop or home recording amp, this is one of the coolest little JMI-made amps we have had of late and a joy even to just look at. There is just something endearing about a Vox amp this small; likely many spotty teenage would-be beat group players had one of these to amplify their Futurama, Burns Sonic or Vox Clubmaster in 1964. Plugging into it now takes you back to that British Invasion vibe of 1964, especially if paired with the period Gretsch, Gibson or Shadows approved Stratocaster! Overall Excellent Condition.
This diminutive Vox AC-4 amp, the smallest of the JMI line, is one of the sweetest sounding 60's Vox amps we have had in a long while. These were designed as a student amp but in our lower-volume environment today are far more useful than simply for practice. In the mid-60s the Beatles took one of these little babies on tour for use in their dressing rooms, there are a few pictures of Paul with his Hofner bass plugged into it!
The AC-4's top/rear-mounted control panel features two inputs, a volume control, a speed control for the tremolo and a combined tone and on/off switch. It has all the same cosmetics as the larger period Vox amps including the gold-and-white piped black covering, molded plastic top vents and diamond checked grille cloth. Running a single EL84 into an 8" speaker, The AC-4 puts out somewhere around 6-watts. Topping out at Champ-like volume when cranked, it is incredibly touch sensitive, responsive and simply great fun to play. It retains more clarity when dimed than many similar small amps, with a singing but not massively saturated tone.
Height is 15 7/8 in. (40.3 cm.), 16 in. (40.6 cm.) width, and 7 1/2 in. (19 cm.) deep.
This little amp is in terrific shape; the outer covering shows some very minor wear overall, with only a few nicks to the edges and some light staining to the left side. The JMI ID plate on the back is clean save for a few light scrape-marks. The copper control panel enamel has a few very small nicks, but looks great overall and retains all the stenciled lettering. The handle mounts have minor signs of corrosion, but the plastic handle is intact and present. The plastic vent louvres are long gone but have been creatively replaced by a pair of impressively hand-tooled brass reproductions, that, if anything, elevate the look of the amp!
Electrically, the little amp is nicely original and just as the gods (and the boffins at Jennings Musical Industries) made it. The original 8" Elac speaker has been professionally reconed and sounds great. The transformers and the pots are all original. The amp has received our routine maintenance, including replacement of all electrolytics, the installation of a 3-prong power cord and cleaning of all sockets, pots and jacks. This AC-4 has a pin-mounted voltage selector and must be set to 110V to operate properly on US line voltage; fortunately this is almost impossible to change except on purpose. The original tremolo footswitch is still intact and working.
The perfect tabletop or home recording amp, this is one of the coolest little JMI-made amps we have had of late and a joy even to just look at. There is just something endearing about a Vox amp this small; likely many spotty teenage would-be beat group players had one of these to amplify their Futurama, Burns Sonic or Vox Clubmaster in 1964. Plugging into it now takes you back to that British Invasion vibe of 1964, especially if paired with the period Gretsch, Gibson or Shadows approved Stratocaster! Overall Excellent Condition.