A photo of Thom’s “upside-down” AC30 from during Radiohead’s 2017 tour (photo by Aston Microphones– thank you to Matty for submitting it!).
Since late-2017, Thom’s main gigging amplifier has been a Vox AC30 with an upside-down “Vox” logo. In 2017, the logo was at an angle, but in 2018 the logo was straight. While these may indicate two different amplifiers, it seems more likely that the logo may have fallen off and was stuck back on carelessly, since that’s likely how it became upside-down in the first place. The reason that Thom switched to the amp is unknown, but it probably wasn’t due to problems with his fawn JMI AC30, since the fawn amp was also brought to all 2018 gigs (the fawn AC30 served as a backup, and was kept behind Ed’s amps).
The “upside-down” amp is an original JMI Vox AC30/6, non-top boost model. Based on the corner protectors, plastic handles, and brown grill cloth, it looks to be from 1963-1964. The amp’s covering looks like it may be the rare “smooth black” vinyl, which would date the amp to early-1963.
While interactive bass and treble knobs of the “Top Boost” EQ circuit are almost synonymous with “Vox” to many modern guitarists, in the early-60’s the “Top Boost” was not included on most AC30’s. To get those extra controls, one had to send their amp back to the Vox factory to have the “Top Boost” circuit installed on the back of the amp. Like Brian May, Thom prefers AC30’s without “Top Boost”, and almost always plugs into his amp’s “Normal” channel (in fact, Thom’s Dave Petersen Special AC30′s have no tone controls at all).
In 2017, Thom’s AC30 was mic’d with both a Sennheiser e609S and an Aston “Spirit” microphone, one for each of the amp’s speakers. The e609S is an inexpensive microphone and a long-time favorite of Thom’s for live use (he’s used one consistently since the mid-2000′s), while the Spirit is a more expensive mic and a very new acquisition. Both mics may have been used in 2018 as well.
In the photo above, the amp is resting on a custom-built stand/platform, with integrated acoustic/soundproof foam. Thom used the stand for all of Radiohead’s 2017 and 2018 performances, including when his fawn AC30 was used. The foam lets Thom turn up the amp without it being excessively loud for either the audience or the other members of the band. Usually, the stand includes another piece of foam behind the amp, which helps to isolate it from the drum kit (and vice-versa).
A photo showing Thom’s fawn AC30 in the custom-build stand, from Radiohead’s performance in Miami on March 30, 2017 (peterhutchins).
The “upside-down” AC30 can be seen on the left in this photo from the performance of Pyramid Song at Rock Werchter in 2017.
The “upside-down” AC30 can be seen on the left in this photo from the performance of Bloom in Montreal on July 17, 2018 (raph_ph).
Thom’s fawn AC30 and his “upside-down” AC30 (in its stand) can both be seen on the left in this photo from before Radiohead’s performance in Toronto on July 19, 2018 (oas_yama).
Here’s an extra picture of the “upside down” amp from the band’s Philadelphia gig on July 31, near the end of the 2018 tour. It looks like Thom had stopped using the Aston “Spirit” microphone by this point, since only the Sennheiser e609S is present. Thanks to Gio for the submission!
