Stone cold crazy tone from a stripped-down, May-customized AC30.

The AC30BM is Vox's tribute to Brian May. As long as Brian has been playing guitar there has been a wall of AC30s standing behind him. The mainstay of his tone is the AC30's Normal Channel combined with a small treble/mid boost pedal, with both usually turned all the way up. With Brian's help Vox has created the AC30BM: a re-creation of Brian's stage guitar amp and boost pedal setup. Just like Brian's customized setup, it gives you everything you need and nothing you don't.

The top panel has Power and Standby switches and a single chicken-head Volume knob. The treble booster has been integrated into the amplifier and is footswitchable. Vox also incorporated a unique 15W switch on the back panel that works unlike any other half-power switch. It changes the number of output valves, the value of the output valve bias cathode resistor that biases the valves, and changes the impedance of the output transformer, resulting in a true 15W Class A circuit. The amp construction is predominantly hand wired with a few pieces of printed board circuitry used where hand-wired components on turret tags is unsuitable.

All this premium tone and serious sonic power is translated through two Celestion/Vox Blue Alnico 12" speakers. This limited edition run of only 500 combos worldwide will never be repeated.


"You, like me, are unimpressed by dozens of controls on a guitar amplifier. You want one knob, and it sounds perfect - right? Well, this is it.

To the best of our capability and belief, here is an amp you will never have to mess with. If it sounds great for you today, it will always sound great. Power up, plug in, turn up the ONE volume knob, and play. We hope you love it - the concept and the amp.

This is a very special edition of the classic Vox AC30—and we do mean classic. This amp faithfully and gloriously recreates every nuance of the legendary '50s Class A Vox AC30. Only the frills have been taken away to maximize power, clarity, and efficiency. And a couple of very important options have been added: a built-in switchable treble booster, exactly on the lines of my own units, switchable adaptability to the room size, and a standby switch. Simple. Sweet. It will sing for you."
- Brian May

Vox Custom Classic AC30BM Brian May Signature 30w 2x12 Tube Guitar Combo Amp Features:

• Brian May/Vox customized 2x12 AC30 combo
• Limited-edition run of 500 amps
• Footswitchable treble/mid boost circuit
• Power and Standby switches
• Single chicken-head Volume knob
• 30W power
• 15W/half-power switch on back panel
• Baltic birch plywood cabinet
• Steel and aluminium chassis finished in red paint with white silk-screened legend
• 2 - 12" Celestion/VOX Alnico Blue 15W speakers
• 2 ECC83 preamp tubes
• 4 EL84 power tubes
• 1 GZ34 rectifier tube
• 27.75"W x 21.25"H x 10.4"D
• 70.5 lbs.

For serious Brian May and Queen fans, this is a must have. For guitar tone fanatics, it is a revelation. Order yours now!

Vox Custom Classic AC30BM Brian May Signature 30w 2x12 Tube Guitar Combo Amp

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Average of 5 User Ratings

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One Trick Pony

Posted by MuslimMusician from Austin, Texas on Feb 12, 2008

Experience w/product: I have used it

Reviewer's Background: Semi-Active Musician

Reviewer's Play Style: Country, Rock, Jazz, Extreme Metal

Well, I love this amp. Great tone, simplicity, not too shabby. The problem is that I need versatility above a single Brian May sound (with a Brian May signature guitar and the right technique, you can get some pretty convincing tones). All in all, a good one trick pony, but just not for me.

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Great Amp, But Pricey

Posted by chetatkinsdiet from dallas on Feb 11, 2008

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: active musician

Reviewer's Play Style: rock, alternative

The Vox AC30BM is one great sounding amp. I love the fact that it's wired with a set eq and there are no controls for such. That's just more stuff out of the circuit that I don't care for anyway. They nailed the sound of vintage AC amps with this one. Unfortunately, these have some of the reliability and QC issues that the other current Vox amps have like grill cloths that don't quite fit, AC input jacks that break easily as well as other more common things like weak solders. I got mine and had to immediately (1 week later) put it in the shop. Warranty took care of it, but still... These are also pretty expensive. Even the typical street price is pretty high for something that's not a fully handwired, boutique amplifier. For that kind of money, you're getting close to the price of an original. They have their issues too though. Back to this amp...even with the few QC issues and high price, they sound amazing. If you're looking for the real Vox tone, this is your amp.

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This is going to be my fave amp!

Posted by Peter from NYC on Feb 8, 2008

Experience w/product: I have used it

Reviewer's Background: Active Musician, Recording Engineer

Reviewer's Play Style: Rock

I love it having only one knob which means the sound is cleaner and what I love about this amp the most,- is of incomparably better quality because the more the knobs, the worse the sound. I've never understood the need for trillions of knobs. What the stomp boxes are made for! So basically the minimum what I only need additionally for some rocking guitar sound is a good quality overdrive and a booster. That's all. Rock on! The sound is crisp and clear and the quality is great, much better than any other amp with the knobs, you can feel it on the spot. I don't own it yet but I've tried it many times I'm gonna buy it soon- this is exactly what I was looking for all the time. I don't know any other amp with only one volume knob + switch on/off. This is great. The quality is really high, the sound is great, what can I ask more! It seemed very durable as well- as any other AC30. Some people say they don't like the simplicity of this amp but I know I'm always gonna win because I'll always have a better signal than those who use multiple needless barricades on the way weakening the signal and getting a poor sound. Plus, Brian May knew what he was doing leaving only one knob, aye. I'm with him on this one!

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good

Posted by olilem from Purcellville, VA on Feb 3, 2008

Experience w/product: I have used it

Reviewer's Background: Active musician

Reviewer's Play Style: Everything

I love the sound of the amp, yes it is really great, but i hate how there is only one setting possible on it and you have to have all kinds of stopboxes if you want to make the sound a bit your own.

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Stunning!

Posted by Sheila Swift from Houston, TX on Sep 26, 2006

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Touring Musician/ Recording Artist

Reviewer's Play Style: Rock/Pop

Perhaps it's cause I'm blonde, but I am beyond thrilled with the simplicity of deisgn and the ease of use found in the Vox AC30BM Brian May Custom combo. Since the technical complexity lies within (due to master crafted, hand wiring), I am free to enjoy the sound, focusing on the process of playing/writing/ recording rather than pondering all the different levels and how to make them perfect. With the Brian May Custom it's all right here! And it's perfect! I am actually running my Gretsch Tennessee Rose through it which has proven to be another amazing marriage in tone. The only extraneous thing I have introduced, in order to round out my personal sound aestetic, is REVERB. So, I bought an Electro-Harmonix's "Holy Grail" which gives you a LOT of pedal for a not a lotta buck. Needless to say, I am one happy girl! : )

-Rock/Pop, Singer/Songwriter

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Vox Custom Classic AC30BM Brian May Signature 30w 2x12 Tube Guitar Combo Amp

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