singemonkey wrote:
For example, when a friend was thinking of getting a Chinese AC30, he discovered very consistent complaints about QC. Now if a "no-name" like wharfdale (in guitar) can do as well, or better, they're still easily going to be cheaper because you're not paying for a VOX AC30. So what I'm saying is, you're not necessarily getting an inferior product because its cheaper. The Yamaha Pacifica guitar line is a clear example of how that can work.
This is perhaps going on a large tangent here, but just so you and anyone else reading this knows, all the initial problems (and there weren't many in reality - mostly internet hysteria in the US) with the VOX Custom Classic Amps were related to certain models produced in 2005 only. As with any new model in any industry be it amps, effects or even cars, there are often initial teething issues, which was the case with these. In South Africa, we never actually got any of the AC30s affected, but did get some bad AC15s that had to be repaired.
As for reliability, a broken AC30 in for repair is a rather rare sight in these parts. On the rare occasions we do get them the usual issue is related to faulty GZ34 rectifier valves which causes the amp to blow fuses. Replacing the valve almost always fixes this issue. This says more about the quality and longevity of Sovtek valves than it does about VOX amps IMO. The newer Custom series actually, excuse the pun, rectifies this issue by using a solid state rectifier.
Coming back to valves, our repair techs say a good 90% of the amps we get in for repair (VOX or Peavey) have valve-related issues, with nothing else actually wrong. It's amazing how many clients (and music store employees) spit fire and demand a new amp because they insist it's faulty >☹ In many cases, this comes after the user owning the amp and using it for months and in some cases a year or two.
The reality is that a simple valve change or just changing a single valve more often than not cures all ails.
I think most uninformed users A) don't quite understand how to look after a valve amp, B) don't realize what a valve/ tube is and that it isn't a component of the amp built by the amp manufacturer, but is a third party component built by someone else and therefore associate a bad valve with the amp manufacturer and consequently the whole brand being bad, C) to use a motoring analogy, they think of the valve as an engine when it's more of a tire i.e. an integral component, but one that wears out and needs replacing at some point for optimum performance.
...rant over. ?
BTW, these Wharfedale/ Albion amps are pretty decent and actually surprised me with their tonal quality. Good bang for the buck, but not an established name yet and I can't comment on the build quality having not seen inside one.
