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Every inch an icon, and still one of the coolest looking amps around

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• Review

The Vox AC30: a bastion of British tone that defined a generation in sound. Since the UK-made reissues of the 1990s, the brand has been continually evolving its solution to affordable-yet-authentic new versions of its number one son.

A significant watershed came in 2005 when Vox switched production to China for the well-received Custom Classic series. Player feedback, however, told Vox's designers that the CC's myriad switches and options were largely surplus to requirements, so what better reason to revisit the design, save a bit of cash and offer an all-new, more stripped-down AC30 Custom? Intrigued? Yep, us too…

Before you read on, check it out in action on video:

The very first AC30s didn't have the fabled Top Boost section; it was originally something you could have as an upgrade if you returned your amp to the JMI factory in Kent. Later models had it as standard of course, and it's no surprise to see it included here alongside a 'normal' channel.

"It even does a good Brian May at – gasp! – a manageable volume!"

The two channels aren't footswitchable, though each has its own inputs and volume control, feeding the master volume – unlike original AC30s – and Tone Cut pots. The Top Boost channel also has a pair of tone controls while the onboard reverb and tremolo sections, both controlled by two further pairs of controls, are applicable to both channels. It's also possible to plug instruments into both channels at once.

The livery here is evocative of the old-school as always, with the chicken-head knobs and purple top panel working perfectly with gold piping and brown diamond grille cloth. One of the most important features for tonehounds and collectors when considering a vintage AC30 is the provision of Celestion Alnico Blue speakers. Our review model has the more affordable 25W Celestion G12M Greenbacks, though there is also a Blue-loaded version (the AC302X at £1292).