VOX ACE
- offset double cutaway body, bolt-on neck, 6-on-a-side headstock, 2 single coil pickups, chrome hardware, volume/2 tone controls, 3-way selector switch, available in White, Red, or Sunburst finish, mfg. 1961-66.
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The Vox company, perhaps better known for its amplifier design, also built fashionable and functional guitars and basses during the 1960s. While the early guitar models produced tended to be entry level instruments based on popular Fender designs, later models expressed an originality that fit in well with the 1960s British "Pop" music explosion.
Thomas Walter Jennings was born in London, England on February 28, 1917. During World War II he saw action with the English Royal Engineers, and received a medical discharge in 1941. By 1944 Jennings had a part-time business dealing in secondhand accordions and other musical instruments, and by 1946 had set up shop. Along with fellow musical acquaintance Derek Underdown, Jennings produced the Univox organ in 1951 and formed the Jennings Organ Company not long after. Based on the success of his organs for several years, Jennings teamed up with engineer Dick Denney to build amplifiers under the Vox trademark. In mid-1958, Jennings reincorporated the company as Jennings Musical Instruments (JMI). When rock ´n roll hit Britain, Vox amps were there.
The first Vox guitars were built in 1960 and introduced in 1961. Early models like the Stroller or Clubman were entry level instruments based on Fender designs. Quality improved a great deal when Vox brought in necks built by EKO in Recanati, Italy. Tom Jennings then assembled a three engineer design team of Bob Pearson (quality and materials control), Mike Bennett (prototypes), and Ken Wilson (styling design) to develop a more original-looking instrument. The resulting 5-sided Phantom in late 1962 featured a Strat-ish three single coil pickup selection and a Bigsby-derived tremolo. Further Phantom models were developed in 1963, as well as the Mark series ("teardrop" body shapes). When production moved to Italy in 1964, Vox guitars were built by EKO. Vox also offered a 12-string Mandoguitar, and a double cutaway 12-string called the Bouzouki. A number of hollowbody models such as the Lynx, Bobcat, and Cougar were made by Crucianelli in Italy during the mid-1960s.
In order to generate funds for the company, Jennings sold a substantial amount of shares to the Royston group in 1964, and later that same year the entire shareholding was acquired. JMI was officially renamed Vox Sound Ltd. Thomas Organ was already supplying JMI for organs in the British market, and was looking for a reciprocal agreement to import Vox amps to the U.S. market. However, Joe Benaron (president of Thomas Organ) was really into transistors, and began supplementing the British tube models with solid-state amps developed at Thomas laboratories at Sepulveda, California.
The Vox line began the slump that befell other corporate-run music instrument producers during the late 1960s and 1970s. Soon Japanese-built models appeared on the market with Voxton on their headstock, including a Les Paul- derived issued in 1970. Later, the Vox name appeared on a series of original design solid body guitars (24 series, 25 series, White Shadows) during the early to mid-1980s. These were produced by Aria Pro in Japan. Distribution in the U.S. during this time period was through the Pennino Music Company of Westminster, California; and Allstate Music Supply Corporation of Greensboro, North Carolina.
The Vox trademark was later purchased by the Korg company (Korg USA in the American Market). Korg USA distributes Korg synthesizers, Marshall Amplifiers, Parker guitars, and the new line of Vox amplifiers in the U.S. market. In 1998, Korg/Vox debuted 5 "new" electric guitar models which feature designs based on previous Vox models.
In 2008, Vox introduced the Virage Series of semi-hollow electric guitars that are built in Japan.
The Editor wishes to thank Mr. Jim Rhoads of Rhoads Music for his assistance in upgrading this section. For even more information regarding Vox instruments, visit his website at www.voxshowroom.com.
Thomas Walter Jennings was born in London, England on February 28, 1917. During World War II he saw action with the English Royal Engineers, and received a medical discharge in 1941. By 1944 Jennings had a part-time business dealing in secondhand accordions and other musical instruments, and by 1946 had set up shop. Along with fellow musical acquaintance Derek Underdown, Jennings produced the Univox organ in 1951 and formed the Jennings Organ Company not long after. Based on the success of his organs for several years, Jennings teamed up with engineer Dick Denney to build amplifiers under the Vox trademark. In mid-1958, Jennings reincorporated the company as Jennings Musical Instruments (JMI). When rock ´n roll hit Britain, Vox amps were there.
The first Vox guitars were built in 1960 and introduced in 1961. Early models like the Stroller or Clubman were entry level instruments based on Fender designs. Quality improved a great deal when Vox brought in necks built by EKO in Recanati, Italy. Tom Jennings then assembled a three engineer design team of Bob Pearson (quality and materials control), Mike Bennett (prototypes), and Ken Wilson (styling design) to develop a more original-looking instrument. The resulting 5-sided Phantom in late 1962 featured a Strat-ish three single coil pickup selection and a Bigsby-derived tremolo. Further Phantom models were developed in 1963, as well as the Mark series ("teardrop" body shapes). When production moved to Italy in 1964, Vox guitars were built by EKO. Vox also offered a 12-string Mandoguitar, and a double cutaway 12-string called the Bouzouki. A number of hollowbody models such as the Lynx, Bobcat, and Cougar were made by Crucianelli in Italy during the mid-1960s.
In order to generate funds for the company, Jennings sold a substantial amount of shares to the Royston group in 1964, and later that same year the entire shareholding was acquired. JMI was officially renamed Vox Sound Ltd. Thomas Organ was already supplying JMI for organs in the British market, and was looking for a reciprocal agreement to import Vox amps to the U.S. market. However, Joe Benaron (president of Thomas Organ) was really into transistors, and began supplementing the British tube models with solid-state amps developed at Thomas laboratories at Sepulveda, California.
The Vox line began the slump that befell other corporate-run music instrument producers during the late 1960s and 1970s. Soon Japanese-built models appeared on the market with Voxton on their headstock, including a Les Paul- derived issued in 1970. Later, the Vox name appeared on a series of original design solid body guitars (24 series, 25 series, White Shadows) during the early to mid-1980s. These were produced by Aria Pro in Japan. Distribution in the U.S. during this time period was through the Pennino Music Company of Westminster, California; and Allstate Music Supply Corporation of Greensboro, North Carolina.
The Vox trademark was later purchased by the Korg company (Korg USA in the American Market). Korg USA distributes Korg synthesizers, Marshall Amplifiers, Parker guitars, and the new line of Vox amplifiers in the U.S. market. In 1998, Korg/Vox debuted 5 "new" electric guitar models which feature designs based on previous Vox models.
In 2008, Vox introduced the Virage Series of semi-hollow electric guitars that are built in Japan.
The Editor wishes to thank Mr. Jim Rhoads of Rhoads Music for his assistance in upgrading this section. For even more information regarding Vox instruments, visit his website at www.voxshowroom.com.
Instruments currently produced in Japan since 2008. Previously produced in England between 1961 and 1964, and in Italy for the U.S. market between the mid-1960s and 1969 or 1970. After Italian production ceased, some solid body models were built in Japan during the 1980s. Distributed in the U.S. by Vox USA/Korg USA in Melville, NY.
VOX Electric Guitars Models
VOX VIRAGE SEMI-HOLLOW DOUBLE CUTAWAY
- symmetrical double cutaway ES-335-style semi-hollow body, available with an ash body (Ash Blonde finish), Honduran mahogany body (Deep Cherry finish), ash top with a mahogany back (Vintage Sunburst finish), or Honduran mahogany, ash, and...
VOX APOLLO IV
- single cutaway hollowbody, four-on-a-side headstock, 1 single coil pickup, raised white pickguard, 2 f-holes, chrome hardware, roller bridge/trapeze tailpiece, volume/tone controls. "On-board" effects mounted on a metal plate features a "...
VOX PHANTOM I
- original series solid body electric, mfg. only in the UK 1962-63.
VOX MARK VI ACOUSTIC
- teardrop shaped semi-hollowbody, 6-on-a-side tuners, chrome hardware, roller bridge/tremolo system, f-hole, 3 single coils, raised chrome pickguard, volume/2 tone controls and pickup selector all mounted on metal control plate on lower re...
VOX Super Ace
- similar to the Ace, except has three single coil pickups. Pickup selector switch mounted on lower treble bout, mfg. 1961-66.
VOX VIRAGE SEMI-HOLLOW SINGLE CUTAWAY
- single cutaway Les Paul-style semi-hollow body, available with an ash body (Ash Blonde finish), Honduran mahogany body (Deep Cherry finish), ash top with a mahogany back (Vintage Sunburst finish), or Honduran mahogany, ash, and ash top, a...
VOX ASTRO IV
- violin-shaped semi-hollowbody, four-on-a-side tuners, 21-fret neck with white dot inlays, 2 single coil pickups, raised black pickguard, trapeze bridge, 1 volume/2 tone knobs, built-in "G" tuner mounted on a small metal plate, pickup sele...
VOX PHANTOM II
- similar to the Phantom I, features some variations on the first model, mfg. only in the UK with Italian necks, mfg. 1962-63.
VOX MARK VI (SOLID BODY)
- this model was originally called the Phantom MK III, mfg. 1963-67.
VOX APACHE
- asymmetrical rounded body, 6-on-a-side tuners, 3 single coil pickups, chrome hardware, vibrato bridge, volume/2 tone knobs, pickup selector switch, mfg. 1961-66.
VOX MARK VI SPECIAL
- similar to the Mark VI Acoustic, except has solid body, 6 push buttons mounted on pickguard, controls mounted to the body, and extra control knob near the pickup selector, mfg. only in the UK, 1964-67.
VOX PHANTOM VI
- 5-sided body, 6-on-a-side "spearpoint" headstock, chrome hardware, roller bridge/tremolo system, 3 single coil pickups, white pickguard, volume/2 tone controls, pickup selector knob, mfg. 1962-67.
VOX BASSMASTER
- offset double cutaway body, four-on-a-side tuners, 2 single coil pickups, white pickguard, chrome hardware, volume/tone controls, mfg. 1961-64.
VOX APOLLO
- single florentine cutaway hollowbody, 6-on-a-side headstock, 1 single coil pickup with black cover, raised white pickguard, 2 f-holes, chrome hardware, trapeze bridge, volume/tone controls. Features an "E tuner" on/off switch, a...
VOX MARK IX (9 STRING GUITAR)
- similar to the Mark VI, except has a 3+6 headstock design, 9 strings (3 single bass, 3 pairs treble), white pickguard, volume/2 tone controls, pickup selector switch, mfg. 1964-67.
VOX CONSTELLATION IV
- teardrop shaped semi-hollowbody, four-on-a-side tuners, chrome hardware, fixed bridge, f-hole, 2 chrome covered single coils, raised black pickguard, volume/2 tone controls and pickup selector. "On-board" effects mounted on a metal plate...
VOX PHANTOM XII
- similar to the Phantom VI, except has 12 strings, mfg. 1963-67.
VOX MARK XII
- similar to the Mark IX, except has 6+6 headstock and 12 strings, mfg. 1964-67.
VOX MARK IV
- teardrop solid body, four-on-a-side tuners, 2 single coil pickups, fixed bridge, volume/tone controls, pickup selector switch, mfg. 1965-68.
VOX BOBCAT
- dual cutaway hollowbody, 3+3 headstock, 3 single coil pickups, raised white pickguard, 2 f-holes, chrome hardware, roller bridge/tremolo system, 2 volume/2 tone controls, pickup selector switch, mfg. 1965-67.
VOX PHANTOM XII STEREO
- similar to the Phantom XII, except has a stop tailpiece, three split 3+3 single coil pickups, 3 volume/3 tone knobs for bass side pickups mounted on upper forward side of the body, 3 volume/3 tone knobs for treble side pickups mounted on...
VOX BOSSMAN
- single cutaway hollowbody, rounded treble bout, 6-on-a-side headstock, 1 single coil pickup with black cover, raised white pickguard, 2 f- holes, chrome hardware, trapeze bridge, volume/tone controls. Features an "E tuner" on/of...
VOX PHANTOM GUITAR ORGAN
- similar to the Phantom VI, except has extra tone generating circuitry housed in body, 2 single coil pickups, organ on/off switch, 3-way pickup selector knob, guitar tone knob, guitar volume knob, organ volume knob, 6 push buttons, octave...
VOX PHANTOM IV
- 5-sided body, four-on-a-side tuners, fixed bridge, chrome hardware, white pickguard, 2 single coil pickups, volume/tone controls, pickup selector switch, mfg. 1965-68.
VOX BULLDOG
- offset double cutaway body with beveled ridge along top edge, 3+3 headstock, 3 single coils, chrome hardware, vibrato bridge, volume/2 tone controls, pickup selector switch on lower treble bout, mfg. 1966 only.
VOX SATURN IV
- single sharp cutaway ES-125C/ES-175C-style hollowbody, snap-on back round vinyl pad, single-ply front and back binding, two bound f-holes, bolt-on maple neck, 21-fret with zero fret bound rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays, standard Vox...
VOX CHEETAH
- dual cutaway hollowbody, 6-on-a-side headstock, 2 single coil pickups with chrome covers, raised black pickguard, 2 f-holes, chrome hardware, roller bridge/tremolo system, volume/2 tone controls, pickup selector switch, "E tuner"...
VOX STINGER IV
- teardrop shaped semi-hollowbody, four-on-a-side tuners, chrome hardware, fixed bridge, f-hole, 2 chrome covered single coils, raised black pickguard, volume/2 tone controls and pickup selector, mfg. 1968 only.
VOX WYMAN BASS
- teardrop shaped semi-hollowbody, solitary slash f-hole, 2 pickups, 1 volume knob and 1 tone knob, four on a side "spear" headstock, mfg. 1966-67.
VOX CLUBMAN
- offset double cutaway body, bolt-on neck, 19-fret neck with white dot position markers, 6-on-a-side tuners, chrome hardware, bridge/fixed tailpiece, 2 single coil pickups, 2 volume/1 tone knobs, white pickguard, available in White or Red...
VOX CONSORT (FIRST SERIES)
- similar to the Super Ace, except has smaller rounded off horns, a Bigsby-styled tremolo system, Sycamore neck and rosewood fingerboard, available in Red or Sunburst finish, mfg. 1961-63.
VOX Consort (Second Series)
- similar to the Consort (First Series), except has a different Vox vibrato, mfg. 1963-65.
VOX DELTA
- similar to the Phantom model, except has knobs everywhere! Controls mounted on a black pickguard: built-in "E" tuner, distortion booster, treble/bass boost, and "Repeat Percussion" 2 single coil pickups, roller bridge/"Bigsby"-style tremo...
VOX GRAND PRIX
- single florentine cutaway hollowbody, 6-on-a-side headstock, 2 Ferro-Sonic single coil pickups with chrome covers, 21-fret neck with white block inlays, raised black pickguard, 2 f-holes, chrome hardware, roller bridge/tremolo system, han...
VOX HARLEM
- offset double cutaway body, 6-on-a-side headstock, 2 single coils, chrome hardware, white pickguard, volume/2 tone controls, pickup selector switch located on upper bass bout, mfg. 1966 only.
VOX HURRICANE
- similar to the Spitfire, except only has 2 single coil pickups (no mid body pickup), mfg. 1965-67.
VOX INVADER
- offset Mosrite-styled double cutaway solid body, 6-on-a-side tuners, 22-fret neck with white block inlays, ornate inlaid headstock design, 2 single coil pickups, chrome hardware, Bigsby-styled tremolo, hand operated wah-wah control, 1 vol...
VOX LYNX
- dual cutaway hollowbody, 3+3 headstock, 3 single coil pickups, raised white pickguard, 2 f-holes, chrome hardware, roller bridge/tremolo system, 2 volume/2 tone controls, pickup selector switch, mfg. 1964-67.
VOX Super Lynx Deluxe
- similar to the Lynx, except has two single coil pickups and black control knobs, mfg. 1964-67.
VOX MANDOGUITAR
- rounded single cutaway body, 6+6 headstock, octave-sized neck. 2 single coils, chrome hardware, white pickguard, volume/tone controls, pickup selector switch, mfg. 1964-66
VOX SHADOW
- offset double cutaway body, 6-on-a-side headstock, 3 single coil pickups, chrome hardware, white pickguard, tremolo, squarish tremolo cover has Vox logo on it, volume/2 tone controls, pickup selector knob on lower treble bout, mfg. 1960-6...
VOX SOUNDCASTER
- similar to the Super Ace, except has a mute switch (for introducing "novel banjo effects") built near bridge, and contoured body, available in Red, White, Blue, or Black finish, mfg. 1962-66.
VOX SPITFIRE
- offset double cutaway body, 6-on-a-side tuners, chrome hardware, white pickguard, tremolo bridge, 3 single coils, volume/2 tone controls, pickup selector switch located on lower treble bout, mfg. 1965-67.
VOX STARSTREAM
- teardrop hollowbody, 6-on-a-side headstock, 2 Ferro-Sonic single coil pickups with chrome covers, 21-fret neck with white block inlays, ornate headstock inlays around logo, raised black pickguard, 1 f-hole, chrome hardware, roller bridge/...
VOX Starstream XII
- similar to the Starstream, except has a 6+6 headstock and 12-string configuration.
VOX STROLLER
- similar to the Clubman model, except only has one single coil pickup, available in Red or White finish, mfg. 1960-66.
VOX TEMPEST XII
- offset double cutaway body, 6+6 headstock (12-string), 3 single coil pickups, chrome hardware, tremolo, white pickguard, volume/2 tone controls, pickup selector switch located in lower treble bout, mfg. 1965-67.
VOX THUNDERJET
- double offset cutaway solid body, 22-fret neck with dot inlay, 6-on-a-side tuners, 1 black single coil pickup, chrome hardware, roller bridge/Bigsby-styled tremolo system, 1 volume/2 tone knobs, built-in "E" tuner, Treble/Bass b...
VOX TORNADO
- single cutaway semi-hollowbody design, 2 f-holes, raised white pickguard, roller bridge/trapeze tailpiece, 3-per-side asymmetrical headstock, 1 pickup (neck position), 1 volume knob and 1 tone knob, mfg. 1965-67.