AC-Tone Single
The Carl Martin AC Tone is a single channel version of it's big sister, the Pro Series AC-Tone. Carl has kept the same tone but beefed up the overdrive, and added a very useful Cut control, which acts like a low-pass filter and helps control those high end frequencies. In a pedalboard friendly size, and without compromising part quality or tones, the simple Level and Drive controls give you everything from those famous chimy cleans to full out British rock in the style of...well you know what.
The single AC-Tone also incorporates our new DC-DC converter circuitry, so the pedal can be powered by a regulated 9V Power Supply but will still operate on the same +-12V level as the original AC powered AC-Tone. This allows us to use the same high quality components which provide the same tone and headroom that make the CM Pro-Series pedals stand out from the rest!
Price EU incl. VAT 149.00 €
Price USA/Non EU $199.00
Reviews
Guitar Player (USA) February 2013
In exactly the same way that the Single-Channel PlexiTone is a condensed version of the larger and more
elaborate PlexiTone, this pedal embodies the heart of the AC-Tone, which aims to channel the Vox vibration.
It boasts the same DC-DC circuitry, and most of what is true of one pedal is also true of the other. Soundwise,
however, there’s a dramatic difference. Since clean tones aren’t the focus, there’s not a lot of “chime,” but
there is plenty of smooth Vox-y overdrive and gobs of glorious gain, which makes for one fab tone machine.
Interactive Magazine Issue
16 Starting with the AC-Tone, it was clear from the outset that I was dealing with the same quality of tone as the dual channel version. Simple tweaks with the drive channel produced some lovely AC30 tones, whether that be very low gain setting for chiming cleans, or maxed drive settings for that classic AC/DC style rock rhythm tone that everyone knows and loves. The useful cut control, which essentially acts as a low-pass filter, is a great feature allowing for taming of those high end frequencies.
From the gearpage.net
I tried one at a shop here and I find that it sounds great across all gain levels. The price is great too for the AC30 tones it has in it. Like the OP, I’m not much into the high gain Brian May sound myself. Comparing it to the Cbread CB30, it’s less bassy and has a more lively and dynamic feel to it even with it’s light compression . My favorite tone is at low gain with the cut knob up. With that setting, the sound has that signature Vox hollow/airy hi-mids that becomes gritty when you dig in pretty much like the tones of New Wave-era bands and Britrock bands. I used a VHT practice combo amp and a LP-clone guitar which serves as the shop’s test guitar.