AC50 Mk I two-input and matching cab
Restored early (two-input) AC50 Mk I with a matching ‘Washington’ Cab. Not a museum piece but ideal if you want to play it or gig with a tribute band etc.
This amp is a genuine early AC50 - one of the two-input models that the Beatles used in 1964 (not this example, at least as far as is know). The Beatles used this setup in the lead up to, and at, their concert at the Washington Colosseum. This is therefore a very rare amp: there were probably only around 100 of these made before JMI moved to the ‘diamond’ arrangement of input jacks and, after that, to the bigger cases.
This example has been thoughtfully and carefully restored to as close as is feasible to original specifications and it comes partnered with a period-correct reconstruction of a ‘Washington’ cab complete with alnico blues and a Midax horn. The flight cases and the stand shown is also available with this rig. While it will probably appeal more to players than collectors, this amp sounds fantastic and - while not a museum piece - this does represent a very rare opportunity to experience the Beatles ‘Washington’ rig without re-mortgaging the house or selling one of your kidneys.
This amp and cab have also been captured to NAM by our partners at Blue Bell Hill studios so you can check out some of the sounds here:
https://www.tone3000.com/tones/1964-vox-ac50-mk-i-potentially-ex-beatles-66547
(note that I have no evidence at all that this amp was played by the Beatles!)
Amplifier head
The amp arrived at the Amporium from a gigging musician who had owned the amp for many years. At that time it was missing the serial plate and had been (badly) covered in Korg-era ‘fawn’ tolex. The rear panel also had additional sockets and other elements fitted. Investigation revealed that, underneath, this was indeed an original Mk I two-input amp in its original case. The ‘baffle’, rear panel and case are all original to the amp as is the baffle (including the grille cloth and piping). Internally, the original mains transformer and choke were present together with much of the pre-amp circuitry. It had already had a re-cap at some stage, but the arrangement was a mess.
The case has now been re-covered with original specification basketweave and gold piping. Restoration of the case included removing the surplus fittings to the rear panel and restoring the connections to original holes where these could be found. The base now has a reproduction serial plate showing the correct model but ‘VA100’ in place of the serial number to make clear that this is not the original serial number.
The copper panel is original and extremely well preserved. The white knobs are not correct (the amp would have originally had black knobs) but have been left in place as they were on the amp when it was acquired. They can be replaced with black if desired. Also, the HIGH and LOW wording on the panel (and the word ON by the switch) are applied clear stickers with white lettering. They have been left in place but can easily be removed if greater authenticity of appearance is required.
Internally, the pre-amp has most of the original Mullard ‘mustard’ caps are intact and many of the resistors are original. Filter caps have been replaced (and are now located in their original positions) as have bypass caps and a few resistors (replaced with carefully chosen NOS carbon composite items). The output transformer appears to be a replacement. The amp still has its original voltage selector, so could be set to run on various wall voltages.
The amp will come in a dedicated flight case, as shown.
‘Washington’ cab
When Vox first introduced this amplifier, they had no 50w (well, 40w in reality) cabs. The cab that they used for the AC30 contained two ‘blue alnico’ speakers rated at 15w each for a total of 30w. The new AC50 was also capable of producing much more bass and low mids than the AC30 leading to complaints that it sounded to dark.
Vox’s solution to both of these issues was to add a Goodmans Midax horn to the existing AC30 ‘supertwin’ cab. However, the cab was not quite deep enough to accommodate the horn requiring a hole in the back panel through which the rear of the horn is visible. These cabs are colloquially known as ‘Washington’ cabs because the Beatles used them for the concert at the Washington Collosseum in 1964.
This reproduction started life as a badly damaged, later, AC30 cab. The carcass of that cab provided the baffle and main structure. These were modified to take the horn and re-covered in original spec basketweave vinyl. Rear panels were constructed to match those of the originals and the cab was wired with a period Dubilier oil-filled 2uF cap (which acts as the crossover to protect the horn) and two well played-in (but undamaged) 1990s Alnico Blue speakers.
The cab includes a very solid flight case on castors.
Inspection, shipping and collection
Serious buyers only. At this time, I will not split the head and cab, but buyers have the option of taking this with the stand or not. You would be very welcome to visit and play this amp in Southampton or to arrange a video call if you are further afield.
Collection in person would be ideal for UK customers and I can deliver in person to much of southern England. This amp can also be shipped anywhere within the UK via specialist courier (usually takes around 2 weeks).
International shipping is quoted to include export paperwork (I have an export license) but please note that the buyer remains responsible for payment of any duty or sales tax. Please contact to confirm cost/terms of shipping if you are outside of the UK.
Quoted prices are for shipping in the two flight cases shown. Contact me if you do not want the flight cases (UK only - overseas shipping is only offered in the cases).
AC50 Mk I two-input and matching cab
Restored early (two-input) AC50 Mk I with a matching ‘Washington’ Cab. Not a museum piece but ideal if you want to play it or gig with a tribute band etc.
This amp is a genuine early AC50 - one of the two-input models that the Beatles used in 1964 (not this example, at least as far as is know). The Beatles used this setup in the lead up to, and at, their concert at the Washington Colosseum. This is therefore a very rare amp: there were probably only around 100 of these made before JMI moved to the ‘diamond’ arrangement of input jacks and, after that, to the bigger cases.
This example has been thoughtfully and carefully restored to as close as is feasible to original specifications and it comes partnered with a period-correct reconstruction of a ‘Washington’ cab complete with alnico blues and a Midax horn. The flight cases and the stand shown is also available with this rig. While it will probably appeal more to players than collectors, this amp sounds fantastic and - while not a museum piece - this does represent a very rare opportunity to experience the Beatles ‘Washington’ rig without re-mortgaging the house or selling one of your kidneys.
This amp and cab have also been captured to NAM by our partners at Blue Bell Hill studios so you can check out some of the sounds here:
https://www.tone3000.com/tones/1964-vox-ac50-mk-i-potentially-ex-beatles-66547
(note that I have no evidence at all that this amp was played by the Beatles!)
Amplifier head
The amp arrived at the Amporium from a gigging musician who had owned the amp for many years. At that time it was missing the serial plate and had been (badly) covered in Korg-era ‘fawn’ tolex. The rear panel also had additional sockets and other elements fitted. Investigation revealed that, underneath, this was indeed an original Mk I two-input amp in its original case. The ‘baffle’, rear panel and case are all original to the amp as is the baffle (including the grille cloth and piping). Internally, the original mains transformer and choke were present together with much of the pre-amp circuitry. It had already had a re-cap at some stage, but the arrangement was a mess.
The case has now been re-covered with original specification basketweave and gold piping. Restoration of the case included removing the surplus fittings to the rear panel and restoring the connections to original holes where these could be found. The base now has a reproduction serial plate showing the correct model but ‘VA100’ in place of the serial number to make clear that this is not the original serial number.
The copper panel is original and extremely well preserved. The white knobs are not correct (the amp would have originally had black knobs) but have been left in place as they were on the amp when it was acquired. They can be replaced with black if desired. Also, the HIGH and LOW wording on the panel (and the word ON by the switch) are applied clear stickers with white lettering. They have been left in place but can easily be removed if greater authenticity of appearance is required.
Internally, the pre-amp has most of the original Mullard ‘mustard’ caps are intact and many of the resistors are original. Filter caps have been replaced (and are now located in their original positions) as have bypass caps and a few resistors (replaced with carefully chosen NOS carbon composite items). The output transformer appears to be a replacement. The amp still has its original voltage selector, so could be set to run on various wall voltages.
The amp will come in a dedicated flight case, as shown.
‘Washington’ cab
When Vox first introduced this amplifier, they had no 50w (well, 40w in reality) cabs. The cab that they used for the AC30 contained two ‘blue alnico’ speakers rated at 15w each for a total of 30w. The new AC50 was also capable of producing much more bass and low mids than the AC30 leading to complaints that it sounded to dark.
Vox’s solution to both of these issues was to add a Goodmans Midax horn to the existing AC30 ‘supertwin’ cab. However, the cab was not quite deep enough to accommodate the horn requiring a hole in the back panel through which the rear of the horn is visible. These cabs are colloquially known as ‘Washington’ cabs because the Beatles used them for the concert at the Washington Collosseum in 1964.
This reproduction started life as a badly damaged, later, AC30 cab. The carcass of that cab provided the baffle and main structure. These were modified to take the horn and re-covered in original spec basketweave vinyl. Rear panels were constructed to match those of the originals and the cab was wired with a period Dubilier oil-filled 2uF cap (which acts as the crossover to protect the horn) and two well played-in (but undamaged) 1990s Alnico Blue speakers.
The cab includes a very solid flight case on castors.
Inspection, shipping and collection
Serious buyers only. At this time, I will not split the head and cab, but buyers have the option of taking this with the stand or not. You would be very welcome to visit and play this amp in Southampton or to arrange a video call if you are further afield.
Collection in person would be ideal for UK customers and I can deliver in person to much of southern England. This amp can also be shipped anywhere within the UK via specialist courier (usually takes around 2 weeks).
International shipping is quoted to include export paperwork (I have an export license) but please note that the buyer remains responsible for payment of any duty or sales tax. Please contact to confirm cost/terms of shipping if you are outside of the UK.
Quoted prices are for shipping in the two flight cases shown. Contact me if you do not want the flight cases (UK only - overseas shipping is only offered in the cases).
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