Lot 63^TP

Rory Gallagher: A Vox AC30 Top Boost Amplifier, 1960s,
flight case 31in (78.8cm) wide x 29in (73.7cm) high x 14 1/2in (36.8cm) deep

The Rory Gallagher Collection

17 October 2024, 15:00 BST

London, New Bond Street

Sold for £25,600 inc. premium

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Rory Gallagher: A Vox AC30 Top Boost Amplifier,

Serial no. 3195 on backplate, black tolex combo, with two 12in Crescendo speakers by Fane Acoustic Ltd., Vox stencilled to front, with footswitch and spare valves, in flight case with Rory Gallagher Band stencilled in white,

Footnotes

This amp was purchased by Rory in 1970 from Sound City, London.

Rory was a big fan of the AC30 and had several in his collection. Although he brought in various other amps over the years into his live rig, e.g. Fender, Marshall and Ampeg, an AC30 was invariably part of his setup. He first started using one in 1963, with the Fontana Showband, and it is arguably the amp most associated with him.

"They are the most reliable amp...really, very loud, and solid - although they do need a little bit of something...like a treble booster, I reckon. Somebody worked out once that they give the closest to the true wattage; they give 28 watts of real power, whereas some other makes only give 55 that are supposed to be one hundred watts. And they have a certain arrogant kind of tone, particularly if you get a nice treble booster like a Rangemaster. You can get amazing sounds out of them. Anyway, The Shadows were using them, and that was an instant encouragement, an endorsement."
- Rory Gallagher, November 1974.
www.roryon/gadget250.html

Please contact the dept for images of this amp being used on stage by Rory at the Lisdoonvarna Festival Ireland, 1983.

Additional information

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- Popular Culture

Rory Gallagher: A Vox AC30 Top Boost Amplifier, 1960s, flight case 31in (78.8cm) wide x 29in (73.7cm) high x 14 1/2in (36.8cm) deep

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Nadia Bellingeri

Claire Tole-Moir

Rebecca Anthony

Fred Lawton

Rory Gallagher: A Vox AC30 Top Boost Amplifier,

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Rory Gallagher: A Vox AC30 Top Boost Amplifier, 1960s,
flight case 31in (78.8cm) wide x 29in (73.7cm) high x 14 1/2in (36.8cm) deep