VOX SOUND EQUIPMENT LTD

Mid 1968 - 1970

"Vox Sound Equipment Ltd" flyer from early 1969, stamped on its reverse "Modern Music", Dudley. Its annotator gives the price of the Defiant as £199.0.0. in old money

The caption reads: "Like its says - this is the foundation for a group sound. Basically similar to the SUPER FOUNDATION, an 18" heavy duty bass speaker and 50W RMS (British rating) 100W Peak Power to play with. Two channels, four inputs, and some of the biggest built-in tonal variations in the book give it the characteristic big sound of the professional groups."

"Thinks: Thanks to TONE X. With roll-away stand and 3-way foot switch, and separate VOX waterproof plasti-leather covers for each section.

DIMENSIONS: Amp section - 23 3/4" x 9 1/2" x 11". Speaker section - 24" x 27" x 17".

Vox Sound Equipment Ltd was set up in early 1968, rising from the ashes of JMI, which had begun to decline in late 1967. Its executives were former JMI men.

Many of the amps initially sold by VSEL had actually been made during the last months of JMI. These were simply "rebranded" as Vox Sound Equipment Ltd, with new serial number plates, new control panels, and handsome stickers on the magnet covers of the speakers. Production of new items continued at the West Street works (the Burndept factory) in Erith.

New chassis and preamp sections were not stamped with serial numbers as JMI units had been.

New supply lines were set up for some components - Mullard mustard capacitors for instance come in.

TRANSFORMERS: Transformers were supplied by "Twickenham Transformers" of Haywards Heath, from 1967 a satellite company of the "Stow Electronics" or "Stolec" Group owned by George Stow. In mid 1970 "Twickenham" became "Lemark Electronics", still under George Stow's wing, and a member now of the new "Birch-Stolec" Group. The factory remained at Haywards Heath, though after mid 1971 the correspondence address was sometimes given as the Ponswood Industrial Estate (Windmill Road, St Leonard's-on-Sea, Sussex, TN38 9BY), the address of the "Birch-Stolec" factory.

Serial numbers of VSEL Foundation Basses begin at 2000, as do later amps throughout the solid state range. The first hundred or so plates were hand stamped.

Certain models destined for Denmark were designated simply with a letter and number:

• A1 = Supreme

  A2 = Super Foundation Bass

  B1 = Defiant

  B2 = Foundation Bass

  C1 = Conqueror

  C2 = Dynamic Bass

The schematic for the preamp is at first OS/137, the power amp OS/134. By 1970 the sheet for the preamp is OS/185.

The new circuit without standby was introduced at the very end of the VSEL period - certainly by the time serial number 2379 had been produced - see below.

Below, a register of surviving amps. If anyone knows of Foundation Basses that have not yet been included on this page, do let me know.

Early amps issued by Jennings Musical Industries (JMI, the forerunner of VSEL) in 1967 and 1968) are registered on this page.

Serial number 2006 - currently in Europe

Pictures originally posted here.

Serial number 2026 - currently in the UK

Paired with a Super Foundation Bass cab and trolley probably from an old-style JMI Foundation Bass cab. On the serial number plate of the amp, "F.BASS" and the number both hand stamped.

Serial number 2119 - currently in the UK

Serial number plate still hand stamped.

The new style of serial number plate

Serial number 2164 - currently in Europe

Some cosmetic changes; general condition reasonably good.

Serial number 2185 - currently in the UK

Serial number 2196 - currently in the UK

Serial number 2240 - currently in Europe

A good set. The original Belling Lee socket is in place, but the mains lead has been hardwired.

Serial number 2248 - currently in Germany

Sold on ebay.de some time ago. Simple tolex backboard (no cloth); black control panel; and still the early-style box with metal vents.

Serial number 2258 - currently in the UK

Sold on ebay. New style box with plastic vents. Still the twin indicator lamps.

Serial number 2316 - currently in Europe

Serial number unknown

From summer 1969 - no standby circuit

A single indicator lamp on the front of the amp

Serial number 2333 - currently in the Netherlands

Thanks to Rens, pictures of the guarantee and receipt for "Vox Sound Equipment Limited" Foundation Bass serial number 2333. The deposit for amp and cab was placed at Harald Abresch's shop in Giessen on 22nd July 1970. From point of production to point of sale to Ulrico Rocco was around 9 months. It is not known of course how long the amp had been in the shop.

Serial number 2335 - currently in Australia

This amp still has a "Foundation Bass" runner, rather than the "BASS" of those below. Its logo is in gold, that of the cab in silver. Thanks to Lindsay for the pictures.

Serial number 2363 - currently in Europe

A fabulously clean set. BASS runner on the front of the amp.

Serial number 2369 - currently in the UK

The preamp has "Vox Sound Limited" on its control panel. It may be that the power amp is VSL too - in which case, the two sections must have been reboxed at some point.

Serial number 2371 - currently in the UK

A rejigged Foundation Bass amplifier section with a single speaker Super Foundation Bass speaker cabinet. The driver is a Celestion G12 (greenback). Thanks to Andy for the pictures.

Serial number 2378 - currently in the UK

Serial number 2379 - currently in the UK

Serial number 2393 - currently in the UK

Excellent condition. VSEL plate for the amp; VSL plate for the cab. Sold on ebay in May 2014.

Serial number 2413 - whereabouts unknown

Pictures originally posted here.

Serial number 2420 - currently in Germany

Foundation Bass with a great Supreme cab - for others click here.

Serial number 2427 - currently in Spain

Serial number unknown

Just a single pic. BASS logo still. Probably a serial number in the 2300s or low 2400s. A pot now in the footswitch socket.

Serial number unknown

Complete with covers, leaflets and hangtags. Sold in Spain on ebay some time ago.

Serial number unknown - currently in Australia

A nice Foundation Bass set. Vox Sound Equipment Ltd on the control panel, but no back panel for the amp, and therefore no serial number plate. The original speaker (Celestion) still in place. Thanks to Chris for the pictures.