1964 Vox AC50/4 Mk II Big Box Tube Amp Head & Foundation 1x18 Speaker Cabinet, JMI

Up for sale, a 1964 Vox AC50/4 Mk II "Big Box" tube amp head and Foundation Bass 1x18 cabinet in excellent condition and in perfect working order. An uncommon transitional amp only offered briefly in '64, this UK-made JMI AC50 still retains the GZ34 rectifier of the earlier small box versions, as well as sporting the combination of the early brown lattice grillcloth paired with a (new for '64) gray faceplate. Essentially the same as the Mk I AC50 circuit with a second set of inputs and second channel, the big box version for '64 is a real powerhouse. The dual EL34 design has plenty of British sizzle and chime with big, bold overdrive when diming it out, and this amp pairs well with all manner of guitars for iconic British Invasion-worthy tonalities.

The circuit is largely original and freshly serviced, sporting all of the original transformers, with the date code on the Woden transformer translating to January, 1964. All but one of the original pots are present, and the preamp retains a majority of the original signal caps and resistors. The power supply has been recapped, and the power cable has been upgraded to a modern three-prong variety. The tube complement includes a pair of Mullard EL34 power tubes, a Mesa 5AR4 rectifier, and a combination of Phillips, Ruby, and JJ valves in the preamp.

The Foundation 1x18 cabinet features Baltic birch construction, loaded with the original 18” Celestion G18C dspeaker (professionally reconed). Pairing perfectly with the tonal range of the head for a true '60s JMI Vox sound, this speaker is rated for 50-60 watts and 15ohms (same as a 16ohm load for conventional usage), boasting ceramic magnet construction, a clean heavy duty frame with legible model stamp, and the original foil label intact.

Cosmetically, the head and cabinet retain the original black basketweave tolex and brown lattice diamond grillcloth, with some minor marks on the enclosures consistent with decades of careful use. The faceplate boasts clean graphics and the original chickenhead knob set, and the original hardware and raised Vox logos are present.