The only way to date Vox amplifiers is to know when and what models were made during certain times. Since ownership has changed so many times over this manufacturer´s lifespan, the serialization records haven´t survived through today. Cosmetics and a niche for looking at Vox amps is the best way to date amps so far. It should be noted that Vox has made U.S. and British amps. Some were special only to the U.S. or Britain and others were equivalents of each other. Make sure to take note as not to mix things up.
Here is a list of changes that happened during the years as far as cosmetics, and other features that can be detected by looking at it.
COVERING - Vox started making amps with Blonde covering in 1958. Some of the early coverings were a two-tone gray/cream. Blond covering was used until around 1962 when dark covering was introduced. There have been some models found in 1961 and 1962 that had black, red or blue samples. Cabinets remained covered in dark covering up until current.
GRILLES - In 1958 the original grille cloth was brown latticed however a plain cloth is known to exist. The brown latticed covering was in use until 1964 when it was changed to black latticed. The black grille covering is in use today.
CONTROL PANELS - The original Vox control panel was black with gold legend. This was used for two years between 1958 and 1959. In 1960, the panel was changed to a copper and this lasted until 1964. In 1965, a dark gray panel was introduced with a metallic legend. In 1978, the control panel was changed to a spray paint/screen print legend with the same color.
FEATURES ON THE AMP - There are other certain features on the amp that were changed throughout the years that help identify the approximate year.
1958 - At the beginning of 1958, amps had small letters for the Vox emblem, a small Jennings embossing on the frame, round control knobs, a small 10 or 15 badge on the lower left, Audiom speakers, brass ventilators, and a handle.
1959 - Knobs were now pointer (chicken head knobs), all models have 4 inputs, an "A J.M.I. Product" legend appears between the input jacks, otherwise same as 1958.
1960 - 6-input models with three channels, otherwise same as 1958.
1961 - Blue "Vox" speakers in amplifiers, a J.M.I Product logo on lower right part of control panel.
1962 - Top Boost models made their first appearance. These models would have treble and bass controls on the back.
1963 - Injection-molded vents introduced, dark covering varies in texture from smooth to rough, quite random.
1964 - Top Boost controls now part of the control panel, corner protectors added to cabinet, and hardware injection molding.
1965 - Black speaker cloth introduced, speakers in lead models are changed to a silver color, and the mains switch is changed to a 5-way rotary.
1966 - Black ventilators introduced.
1967 - Solid-state amplifiers begin to take off.
1968 - "A Vox Product" logo introduced on control panel, the GZ34 rectifier is replaced with a solid-state system.
1969-1991 - Information is tough to come by with all of the changes in ownership over the years. Research still underway.
Here is a list of changes that happened during the years as far as cosmetics, and other features that can be detected by looking at it.
COVERING - Vox started making amps with Blonde covering in 1958. Some of the early coverings were a two-tone gray/cream. Blond covering was used until around 1962 when dark covering was introduced. There have been some models found in 1961 and 1962 that had black, red or blue samples. Cabinets remained covered in dark covering up until current.
GRILLES - In 1958 the original grille cloth was brown latticed however a plain cloth is known to exist. The brown latticed covering was in use until 1964 when it was changed to black latticed. The black grille covering is in use today.
CONTROL PANELS - The original Vox control panel was black with gold legend. This was used for two years between 1958 and 1959. In 1960, the panel was changed to a copper and this lasted until 1964. In 1965, a dark gray panel was introduced with a metallic legend. In 1978, the control panel was changed to a spray paint/screen print legend with the same color.
FEATURES ON THE AMP - There are other certain features on the amp that were changed throughout the years that help identify the approximate year.
1958 - At the beginning of 1958, amps had small letters for the Vox emblem, a small Jennings embossing on the frame, round control knobs, a small 10 or 15 badge on the lower left, Audiom speakers, brass ventilators, and a handle.
1959 - Knobs were now pointer (chicken head knobs), all models have 4 inputs, an "A J.M.I. Product" legend appears between the input jacks, otherwise same as 1958.
1960 - 6-input models with three channels, otherwise same as 1958.
1961 - Blue "Vox" speakers in amplifiers, a J.M.I Product logo on lower right part of control panel.
1962 - Top Boost models made their first appearance. These models would have treble and bass controls on the back.
1963 - Injection-molded vents introduced, dark covering varies in texture from smooth to rough, quite random.
1964 - Top Boost controls now part of the control panel, corner protectors added to cabinet, and hardware injection molding.
1965 - Black speaker cloth introduced, speakers in lead models are changed to a silver color, and the mains switch is changed to a 5-way rotary.
1966 - Black ventilators introduced.
1967 - Solid-state amplifiers begin to take off.
1968 - "A Vox Product" logo introduced on control panel, the GZ34 rectifier is replaced with a solid-state system.
1969-1991 - Information is tough to come by with all of the changes in ownership over the years. Research still underway.