Two classic amps, two different voices. The Marshall JCM800 is midrange-forward 80s rock crunch; the Vox AC30 is chimey, mid-rich British jangle. Here is how their settings and the records made on them compare.
| Knob | Marshall JCM800 | Vox AC30 |
|---|---|---|
| Gain | 6.5 | 4.5 |
| Bass | 6 | 5.5 |
| Mid | 6 | 6.5 |
| Treble | 7 | 6.5 |
| Presence | 6 | 5.5 |
Averaged from 84 (Marshall JCM800) and 37 (Vox AC30) famous recordings. Out of 10.
Go Marshall JCM800 if you want midrange-forward 80s rock crunch. Go Vox AC30 for chimey, mid-rich British jangle. But the real point: you do not need either one. GuitarToneAdapt takes any tone recorded on these amps and re-dials it for the amp and guitar you actually own — free.
🎛️ Get either amp’s tones on YOUR rig — free →Neither is "better" — they are voiced differently. Marshall JCM800 is midrange-forward 80s rock crunch; Vox AC30 is chimey, mid-rich British jangle. Pick by the tone you want, then adapt the settings to the amp you actually own.
Averaged across the famous recordings on each (knobs out of 10), the Marshall JCM800 sits at gain 6.5, bass 6, mid 6, treble 7, presence 6; the Vox AC30 at gain 4.5, bass 5.5, mid 6.5, treble 6.5, presence 5.5. The biggest gap is gain, where the Marshall JCM800 runs noticeably higher.
Notable Marshall JCM800 tones include Master of Puppets, Fade to Black, Mayonaise. Notable Vox AC30 tones include Bohemian Rhapsody, Change (In the House of Flies), Lounge Act (Boombox Rehearsals). GuitarToneAdapt can re-dial any of them onto the amp and guitar you already own, free.