North Coast Music: FAQs For New Vox Amplifiers

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT NEW VOX PRODUCTS

FAQ1: What special services does North Coast Music offer to all Vox amp customers?

A: Unlike most other online Vox dealers that simply ship untested and uninspected Vox amps to their retail customers, North Coast Music offers the following services on all Vox amps we sell:

	Every Vox amp we sell has been bench tested and burned in (turned on at "idle") for twenty four hours prior to shipment to help eliminate potential "infant mortalities." Specifically, this test is performed in six stages, each four hours long, to further simulate real world usage.
	Every Vox amp we sell has been performance tested for proper operation and inspected for blemished cosmetics or inbound shipping damage prior to shipment to the customer, defective units are rejected
	Tubes that are microphonic are replaced before shipment
	Have you heard about shipping horror stories from other stores? We overpack and double box every AC-30 and AC-15 ampliifier prior to shipment.
	Do you prefer black Vox diamond grill cloth over brown Vox diamond grill cloth? We offer grill color changes on many Vox amp models for a modest additional charge.
	After you purchase your amp at North Coast Music, you will receive free technical advice and assistance via email from Gary (DoctorVox) for as long as you own the amp. This service is only offered to the amp customers of North Coast Music.

FAQ2: What are your RETURNS AND SATISFACTION POLICIES?
A: Click here to read the complete Return and Satisfaction Policies of North Coast Music.

FAQ3: Are Vox amps still MADE IN ENGLAND?

A: As of 2005, all Vox amps are designed at the Vox Research and Development Center in Milton Keynes, England under the supervision and direction of British amp engineers and are manufactured at several different Vox operated facilities in the Orient..

FAQ4: I bought my Vox VT30, VT50, AD30VT or AD50VT chrome front amplifier from another retailer or used. May I send it to you for the North Coast Music Vox grill upgrade shown in your web site? Do you have "do it yourself" instructions or kits to make this grill change?

A: Unfortunately, no, this grill kit is not available for customer installation, and furthermore, I do not offer this conversion unless you purchase your amplifier here.

This is a complicated process that requires a full disassembly of the amp. It also requires that up to ten holes to be precisely drilled through the speaker (baffle) board. These holes accomodate machine screws that hold the specially made plywood grill board assembly covered in brown or black Vox grill cloth to the amp. This is not a simple, velcro type of grill assembly, but instead, it is rather a fairly difficult installation that was developed by our "Doctor Vox" exclusively for the Vox amplifier customers of North Coast Music. In fact, both the white piping and the gold fascia used in these conversions are unique parts used in this conversion and not even offered for sale in separately in the North Coast Music web site.

FAQ5: What is the DIFFERENCE IN TONE between the standard Vox GSH12-30 speakers and Vox/Celestion Blue Alnico Speakers used in the AC-30 CC and AC-15CC amps?

A: The Vox/Celestion Blue speaker has a bit more present mid chime that breaks into a very warm overdriven distortion when pushed hard. The Alnico Blue was the only speaker offered by JMI Vox in the 1960 era AC-30 amp, so it is the speaker you heard in all the earlier Beatle recordings. It is rated at 15 watts RMS.

The GSH12-30 is a sort of "Green Back" clone made specially for Vox by Wharfedale, and it has a more "edgy" or "trebly" top end and a higher power rating of 30 watts RMS.

FAQ6: I notice that North Coast Music doesn't offer every current Vox product. Why is that?

A: North Coast Music has positioned itself in the marketplace as the "American home of the '60s British music invasion." To that end, North Coast Music only offers Vox products that in our opinion, address our target market. While such Vox gear such as the Virage guitar, Night Train amplifier, JamVox, and the Satriani effects pedals are certainly excellent products, North Coast Music does not offer them as they really don't appeal to our broader customer base.

FAQ7: Are COVERS available for the AC-15H1TV, Super Beatle, Royal (or New) Guardsman, etc?

A: The only Vox covers that we offer are shown at in our web site, click here to see these covers. North Coast Music normally offers all the models of covers that Korg USA, the US distributor of Vox, imports from Vox to the United States. If you do not see the cover you need, we will not have one, nor will we have a suggestion where to find this cover.

FAQ8: What is the WARRANTY on new Vox amplifiers purchased from North Coast Music?

A: Click here to read the detailed manufacturer's limited warranty on Vox amplifiers. This warranty is offered by Korg USA to all purchasers of Vox amplifiers within the United States. The warranty applies only when the defective amp is returned to an authorized Vox service center inside the US within the warranty period.

Warranty repairs are completed by local authorized Vox service centers that are located in most major cities. Click here to go to the online authorzied service center locator for Vox products.

Grill modifications or custom cabinetry packaged with new Vox amps sold by North Coast Music do not affect the warranty in any way.

FAQ9: Does North Coast Music RECOVER or REGRILL amps?
A: I do not offer these services. I suggest Gregg Hopkins at Vintage Amp Restoration. Email him at vintageamp@aol.com.

Click here if none of these FAQs answer my Vox amp question.