24th November

Coming shortly, coverage of the "Vox Sound Limited" catalogue of late 1971. This was produced to accompany the Russell Hotel Trade Fair in August and encompasses the short-lived "Slave Master" range along with much else. Text throughout is in English, French, and German.

The loose-leaf format (with removable plastic spine) had previously been used by JMI, notably for its 1964 catalogue.

VSL catalogue of late 1971.

JMI catalogue, 1964.

18th November

Thanks again to William, some great pics of the electronics of "Vox Sound Limited" Defiant serial number 2543 - extremely useful to have date codes at this point in production. The amp was probably ready for sale at some point in the third quarter of 1970.

16th November

Thanks to William, a couple of pics of a nice "Vox Sound Equipment Limited" Conqueror set, sold at one time by Joe O'Neill Limited of Glenamaddy. Interesting to see the preamp with its grey CCL capacitors, late 1967 date codes (for their manufacture). The latest visible component is a blue CCL electrolytic capacitor with the date code "6904" = 4th week of 1969. The order code for the CCLs - of all values - was "240". More to come.

13th November

Thanks to Steve, pictures of "Vox Sound Equipment Limited" PA50SS serial number 1157, a relatively early one with metal grilles across the vent openings. Plastic vents were introduced later in the production run.

At present, this is the earliest PA50SS to have come to light. The page on Vox solid state public address amps will be rearranged shortly.

PA50SS serial number 1157.

2nd November

Some updates to the page on Vox grey wah pedals. Thanks to Niels for pictures of serial number 5654.

Serial number 5654.

1st August

Just to note that the pre-production power section illustrated in the previous entry came in a Supreme formed from three separate elements - standard late JMI preamp; VSEL box with no serial number plate (none was ever fitted); and the pre-production power section.

The preamp has the latest JMI number that has so far emerged: number 2448. The sequence began at 1000. Treble preamps were common to the Virtuoso, Conqueror, Defiant, and Supreme.

It should be said, however, that following the collapse of JMI, a certain number of units were bought in by the new company "Vox Sound Equipment Limited" and given new control panels.

Treble Serial No. 02448.

28th July

Thanks to Mr Rogers, Defiant serial number 1252 now known to be in Canada (in company with an early Vox AC50 speaker cabinet):

Also to record the emergence of a pre-production Vox Supreme power section. Latest date codes of original components: June 1966. No dymo-tape number survives on the plinth. Its power transistors (replacements branded "ITT") indicate the amp was probably in the UK in the late 1970s / early 1980s; after that nothing more is known until earlier this year when it turned up in Germany.

Photos indicate that Manfred Mann had a pre-production Supreme; and there is a report that "Blossom Toes" were at some point involved in field-testing. It is not known who (if anyone) was the recipient of the one pictured below.

An overview of pre-production amps can be found on this page. More to come soon.

25th July

Three pics below of an early Dynamic Bass amplifier section, probably from the second batch, mid 1967, which generally have control panels that are (now) brown rather than black. This one is in superb condition. Further updates to come shortly.

The knob on the distortion control is from another Vox source.

3rd June

Thanks to Lee, pictures of "Vox Sound Limited" Defiant serial number 2859, the highest encountered so far. See this page. The cab - with Goodmans green label Power Range speakers - is number 739. Also extant, the guarantee card, envelope, and info brochure, this last reformulated by VSL in 1970 to omit mention of the Traveller, which had been deleted from the range.

Vox Defiant serial number 2859.

2nd June (2)

"Vox Sound Equipment Limited" Super Foundation Bass serial number 2192, with manual and inspection tag dated 21st August 1969. The pictures below now added to the entry for the amp on this page.

2nd June

A series of updates coming shortly - principally amplifiers across the range, and speaker cabinets.

29th January

Currently on sale in Germany, "Vox Sound Equipment Limited" Super Foundation Bass serial number 2192, still with the standby circuit (two indicator lamps on the front panel). The amp's inspection tag is dated 21st August 1969.

VSEL-made Super Foundation Bass amps run through to the 2300s in terms of serial numbers, so number 2192 is just short of two thirds of the way through the company's run, at least in terms of amps that were selected for sale - see this page.

22nd January

Thanks to Paul, pictures of Conqueror serial number 1558, close to the end of JMI's run, "AMPLIFIER" rather than "VOX AMPLIFIER" at the head of its serial number plate. The amp has been registered here.

18th January (2)

Also thanks to Paul, pics of JMI Defiant serial number 1092, in excellent condition. The amplifier section and speaker cabinet retain their 1960s shop labels - "Music Inn Instruments" in Nottingham (which is still in business). Further pictures can seen here.

18th January

Thanks to Paul, pictures of "Vox Sound Limited" Supreme serial number 2508 paired with a Thomas Organ Super Beatle cab. The amp has been added to the later Supreme page here.

Further updates to come shortly.

3rd January

Thanks to Chris, pictures of Super Foundation Bass serial number 2006, early "Vox Sound Equipment Limited", produced in early 1969. The Mullard mustard caps in the preamp have date codes "C8N" and "D8N" = third and last quarters of 1968. The interstage transformer still has its "Twickenham Transformers" label. Twickenham became Lemark Transformers later in the year. Further pictures here.

Vox Super Foundation Bass serial number 2006.

1st January

Thanks to Ronald, pictures of Super Foundation Bass serial number 1009, probably Spring 1967 and the lowest number encountered so far. The sequence began at 1000. Bought second-hand in Manny's Music in Manhanttan in the early 1970s. Pictured with contol knobs removed (for cleaning).

Vox Super Foundation Bass serial number 1009.

5th December

Thanks to David, pictures of late JMI Supreme serial number 1304 with a Supreme cab originally isued with a different amp.

Late JMI Supreme serial number 1304. Cab and amp both re-grilled, speakers in the latter refitted.

30th November

A note on the resistor arrays in single-speaker Super Foundation Bass cabinets (following a recent question). Their purpose was to reduce the drive of the amplifier - effectively load its output down - in order to protect the Goodmans speaker.

The resistors, four in total, 20 ohms apiece, and wired in parallel, were part of the positive line from the input socket to the speaker's terminal. The common (negative) line ran directly from the input socket to the speaker.

Wiring the resistors in parallel gave a total resistance of 5 ohms - that in addition to the 15 ohm impedance of the Goodmans. Safe to say the maths is complex. Resistance is for the most part static, impedance dynamic - but the result was to create a small "power soak" such that the speaker would be safe.

The resistors were 9 watt wirewound ceramics bought in from Welwyn, their notional power handling in total being around 36 watts. The reason for the resistor array? When new, Super Foundation Bass amplifiers were capable of putting out well over 100 watts, power exceeding the recommended rating of all Goodmans 18" drivers: the Audiom 91 "Standard" rated at 50 watts, the Audiom 91 "Bass" at around 80 watts; and the Audiom 91/100 at a full 100 watts. In most instances a cabinet with a closed back will have allowed the speaker to handle 10-20 watts more, but it may be that Goodmans had already factored that in.

At any rate, JMI felt that the single speaker on its own was not enough to cope with the amplifier. The resistors provided a margin of safety. In late 1967, when the twin-speaker Super Foundation Bass cab was introduced, no such array was required. Two 18" Goodmans could easily cope with the amplifier's output.

A detail from a single-speaker Super Foundation Bass cabinet. On the tag board underneath the speaker (the picture has been inverted for convenience), four 20 ohm Welwyn 9 watt wirewound ceramic resistors, wired in parallel for a total of 5 ohms.

13th November

The list of Celestion speakers used by Vox, 1967-1973, given below (7th November) has now been moved to a page of its own - available here. A number of the entries have been expanded.

It is perhaps worth noting that one printed source states that Celestion T1304s were used in JMI Defiant speaker cabinets. No further point of reference is given though. In fact, most JMI Defiants had T1279s (G12H - heavy magnet). T1304s by contrast had medium magnets and are likely to have been the poly grey speakers without labels fitted in Vox Gyrotone cabinets. Perhaps a small number made their way into Defiants, but without referenced examples it is impossible to know. No T1304 seems to have come up on the open market. T1279s from Defiant cabinets do surface from time to time however.

8th November (2)

Just to add to the list of Celestion speakers used by "Vox Sound Limited" (entry for 7th Nov.), a pair of T1364 Greenbacks in a Defiant speaker cabinet. The orientation of the terminals and labels and nature of the wiring indicates however that this was not their original application. Also to say, in another photo the original Goodmans purchase order sticker can be seen stuck to the baffle.

8th November

Below, a couple of details of an early "Vox Sound Equipment Limited" Multi-Link 1 speaker cabinet (4x12", 15ohm impedance) - probably mid 1969. The original drivers have been replaced, but still present the impedance transformer, wiring harness, and printed input jack wiring schema.

On the right-hand side of the schema, the jacks one above the other, the two wires from the upper one leading up to the speakers. At left, the terminal block and transformer.

The wiring is arranged such that an amplifier plugged into either of the two sockets would (1) drive the speakers and (2) any other speaker cabinet plugged into the second socket ("daisy chained").

It is not clear at present exactly what effect the transformer would have had on the overall impedance of the Multi-Link 4x12" and a second - perhaps mis-matched - cabinet. More to follow.

The serial number on the plate is unfortunately not readable definitively, but it looks like "00x" - possibly "004".

7th November

13th November: the list of Celestion speakers used by Vox, 1967-1973, has now been moved to a page of its own - available here. A number of the entries have been expanded.

Some provisional material on Celestion speakers in Vox solid state amplifiers. Remember that these amplifiers, across the range, required speaker cabinets with a total impedance of 15/16 ohms.

For the time being, speakers fitted to organs and organ speaker arrays will be left out of account. For an overview of Celestion "T" numbers, see Brian Harding's excellent list here.

Some of the speakers listed below are unlikely to have been made in large quantities.

"Jennings Musical Industries" (Spring 1967 to early 1968)

CT7721 and CT7442: 10 inch, ceramic magnets, 10-15 watts handling, 15ohm. NIB4 cones. Used in Vox Traveller combos; single 10" speaker enclosures for wall mounting; and possibly in some Line Source 40 column units.

CT7724 : 10 inch, ceramic magnets, 10-15 watts handling, 8ohm. NIB4 cones. Used in pairs, wired in series, in Vox Virtuoso combos.

T1088: G12, alnico magnet, 17-20 watts handling (JMI reckoned on 17 watts), 8ohm. Sprayed poly grey. Used in pairs, wired in series, in Vox Conqueror speaker cabinets. There is no evidence to suggest that JMI fitted Conquerors with anything other than these speakers.

T1109: G15C, ceramic magnet, 50 watts, 15ohm. Poly grey. Used in Vox Dynamic Bass speaker cabinets.

T1225: G12H, ceramic, 25-30 watts, 15 ohms. Poly grey. In 1967 some were issued with green rather than poly grey dust-covers. Used in Vox Supreme cabinets and perhaps certain Line Source 60 public address speaker columns.

T1252: G12L (sometimes called G12S), lightweight magnet, 12/15ohm. Poly grey. Used in certain Line Source 60 public address columns, one set with date codes *19KL" = 19th October 1966. A set of four of much the same date was removed from a LS60 some years ago and transplanted into a 4x12 Multi-Link 1 cabinet from 1970. At present, there is no evidence to suggest that T1252s were originally used for anything other than Line Source 60 columns.

T1279: G12H, ceramic, 25-30 watts, 8 ohms. Pairs wired in series for a total impedance of 15/16 ohms in Vox Defiant speaker cabinets.

T1279 (15ohm): two sources record instances of 15ohm versions of the T1279. If correct, these are likely to have been implemented in the same way as T1225s.

T1296: G18C, ceramic, 100 watts handling, 15ohm. Poly grey. Used in Foundation Bass speaker cabinets.

T1304: G12M, ceramic, 8ohm. Poly grey. No example has yet come to light, but these may be the speakers without labels in Gyrotone 2 and 3 rotating speaker enclosures.

T1360: Exponential horn, 20 watts handling, 15ohms. Sets with July 1967 date codes appear in certain Supreme speaker cabinets.

T1463: Exponential horn, 20 watts handling, 3ohms. Prototype horn unit containing five T1463s dated May to August 1967. Total impedance of the unit: 15 ohms.

"Vox Sound Equipment Limited" (mid 1968 to late 1969)

VSEL came into being in the summer of 1968, taking over a good deal of unsold and incomplete stock from what had been JMI - JMI ceased trading at the end of April 1968. VSEL put its own serial number plates and speaker labels on new and existing items. The company bought in very few Celestion speakers however, its preferred supplier being Goodmans.

T1088: alnico G12, 8ohm. Vox AC30s and wall-mounted speaker units (each containing a single 12" T1088).

T1096: alnico G12, 15ohm. A set with date codes "10JA" = 10th September 1968 occurs in a Supreme speaker cabinet. But this cabinet and a similar one with a "Vox Sound Limited" serial number plate may have been made up of surplus parts.

"Vox Sound Limited" (1970 into 1973)

Following VSEL's collapse in December 1969, VSL was brought into being (in January 1970) to take the Vox name forward. VSL took over a good deal of unsold and incomplete stock from its predecessor, just as VSEL had from JMI.

VSL's preferred supplier was also Goodmans, but various batches of Celestions were bought in, perhaps at times when Goodmans was overstretched. VSL did not have its own speaker labels printed up, using VSEL's instead.

T1088: Still used for runs of AC30s, 1970 into 1972.

T1096: G12, alnico magnet, 15ohm. Used in 1972 for AC30s. A set of four T1096s, one with date code AF10 = 10th January 1973, occurs in a Vox Supreme cabinet with a VSL serial number. But the cab (and one with earlier 1096s noted above) may have been made up of surplus parts after VSL had come to an end.

T1102: G15C Greenback, ceramic, 50 watts, 15ohm. A pair of T1102s with VSEL labels used in a 2x12/2x15 Multi-Link 2 speaker cabinet. Date codes unknown.

T1217: G12H Greenback, ceramic magnet, 15ohm. Used in Vox Supreme speaker cabinets, and 2x12/2x15 Multi-Link 2 cabs. Date codes June 1970, February 1971, and September 1971.

T1252: G12L Greenback, 12/15ohm. Also used by JMI (see above) but poly grey finish. Date codes July 1969 and June 1970.

*T1364: G12H Greenback, ceramic, 8ohm. A pair in a Defiant cabinet, but this is unlikely to have been their original home.

T1925: G12M Greenback, ceramic magnet, whizzer cone (tweeter), 15ohm. Used in 4x12 Vox Supreme and Vox Companion cabinets. Date codes June, July and August 1972. A couple of sets have "EF" which is probably an error for "FE". The cabinets in which they occur have inspection (completion) tags dated 11th July 1972.

T2056: G12, alnico magnet, 17-20 watts handling, 8ohm. Used in 1972 for AC30s.

6th November (2)

Just to add that pairs of Goodmans 8ohm speakers (type 241/1214/8) wired in series were used in Vox Gyrotone 2 and 3 enclosures as well as in Vox Defiant speaker cabs.

6th November

Before moving on to Celestion speakers, a final note on Goodmans - IMPEDANCE. "Vox Sound Equipment Limited" Conqueror and Defiant cabs had two 8ohm drivers wired in series for a total impedance of 15/16 ohms. Supremes used four 15/16ohm drivers wired in series/parallel also for a total of 15/16 ohms. 15/16 ohms was the impedance required by Vox amplifiers across the solid state range.

As mentioned yesterday, the various types of speaker with "241" frames produced by Goodmans in the late 1960s and early 1970s are often difficult to tell apart. There are however the stickers indicating impedance.

A detail of one of the Goodmans 241s in the speaker cabinet accompanying Vox Defiant serial number 2494.

In the absence for the time being of a good photo of a "241" in a Supreme cab, a couple from a Multi-Link 1. The full type is: 241/1214/15.

Impedance 15 ohms.

Goodmans cone code "1214".

5th November (2)

It is likely that the blue hammerite speakers mentioned in yesterday's entry were originally made by Goodmans for Selmer but for whatever reason sent out to Vox instead.

One of the two Goodmans drivers in the speaker cabinet of a Selmer Thunderbird 50 Mark II combo from early 1968.

5th November

Further notes on Goodmans speakers. First, a speaker that is almost identical externally to the one illustrated at the foot of yesterday's entry but of a different Goodmans "type": 241/1235/12.

Given the impedance of 12 ohms, this speaker was probably produced for WEM. The difference between a "1235" cone and a "1205" is not known for certain at present, but it may be that the former is lighter.

Type 241/1235/12, probably for WEM

Second, 18" Goodmans speakers for Vox solid state amplifiers. In late 1967 / early 1968 Goodmans designed a new type of Audiom 91 for JMI - 15/16ohm, cone 1803/78173, type 95062. These were used in Foundation Bass and single-speaker Super Foundation Bass cabinets. Some were sold in late 1968 / early 1969 by "Vox Sound Equipment Limited", which put its new-style serial number plate on the back panels of the cabs concerned.

A Goodmans 95062 in a Foundation Bass speaker cabinet sold by "Vox Sound Equipment Limited", the cab's serial number unusually not stamped with a number.

In early 1969, Goodmans provided VSEL with a new 15/16ohm 18" driver - type 93170, but with the same cone as the 95062. Standard VSEL labels were affixed to the dust-covers.

For twin-speaker Super Foundation Bass cabinets, VSEL contracted Goodmans to produce an 8ohm 18" driver - type 03CiF / H17 and H28. Two were wired in parallel for a total of 15/16 ohms.

In at least one "Vox Sound Limited" Super Foundation Bass speaker cabinet, however, two 15/16ohm drivers are wired up in series for a total impedance of 8ohms (SFB amplifier sections required 15/16). But it is not clear what type of amplifier the cab was intended for, or whether the resulting impedance was simply an old-fashioned error.

4th November

A note on Goodmans speakers in Vox Supreme speaker cabinets. Goodmans normally described its speakers in three ways: (1) by a model or range name; (2) a code for "type" on a paper slip stuck to the speaker's label; and (3) a purchase order number (in case a replacement was needed) also on a paper sticker.

The speakers used in Supreme cabinets (and some Multi-Link speaker cabinets) are part of the Audiom range. "Type" was a three-fold designation: code number for frame / code number for cone / impedance - for example 241/1205/15. "241" is a heavy-duty frame, "1205" a type of 12 inch cone, and the impedance obvious. As Jennings / Vox generally removed any labels that had been affixed to the dust-covers by suppliers, stickers designating "type" are lacking - or at least none has come to light so far. But a few survive on identical speakers supplied to other amplifier manufacturers.

On the other hand, purchase order numbers, glued onto the frame beside the solder terminals, have survived better. The form of words on the sticker is normally: "For replacements quote P/O" - then the number. These P/O numbers were presumably recorded by Goodmans in its log-books along with the name of purchaser, size of order, and number of items purchased.

From late 1967 / early 1968 through to 1972 Goodmans supplied Vox with three different types of "241" (heavy-duty) speaker, all with an impedance of 15/16 ohms, here called "A", "B" and "C" simply for convenience.

An overview of Supreme speaker cabinets, to be updated in the coming days, can be found here.

A) - from late 1967 / early 1968 through to mid to late 1969. Black plastic dust-cover initially with smooth outer rim. The rims of later batches had diagonal striations. Early and later versions both have a sort of spider's web pattern in the sunken roundel; and at centre, an oculus.

One of the speakers from the cabinet accompanying JMI Supreme amplifier section serial number 1094. JMI did not number its speaker cabinets. Smooth dust-cover rim.

One of the speakers of "Vox Sound Equipment Limited" Supreme speaker cabinet serial number 212, issued from factory with Supreme amplifier section 2231. Dust-cover rim with diagonal striations.

B) - between late 1969 and early 1971, occasionally a species of "241" with a hammerite blue frame. Drivers of this type were fitted in Supreme cabinet serial number 272. The accompanying amplifier will have had a number in the low 2300s.

1969 certainly, possibly the 40th week, though it is not clear how the "6" should be read.

C) - from mid 1971 into 1972. Still a black dust-cover, but now quadrants of "furrows" radiating from the outer edge, and a square panel at centre. The square panel normally had the green Goodmans label.

"Vox Sound Limited" Supreme speaker cabinet serial number 474.

Below, an example of the same type of speaker, not from a Vox amp, with its Goodmans label - and sticker designating "type" - in place.

The sticker reads: "241/1205/15".

3rd November

Thanks to Rene, pictures of "Vox Sound Limited" Supreme, serial number 2355,. with tilt-back stand. The speakers are Celestion G12H T1217s, the latest date code "BD2" = 2nd February 1971.

VSL Supreme, serial number 2355. The speaker cabinet is serial number 300.

The page on Vox Supreme speaker cabinets will be updated shortly.

2nd November

Thanks to Ray, pictures of a "Vox Sound Limited" Supreme, originally with tilt-back stand, bought from Dawsons in Warrington around 1971. Speakers are heavy-duty Goodmans.

Speaker cabinet serial number 474. Number 525 has Celestion speakers dated July 1972.

June 1972, advert placed in the music press by Dawsons, which is still in business today, probably in conjunction with Vox.

From left to right: Focus folding PA speakers; a PA100SS on top of a set of organ speakers; SG200 bass and SG200 guitar; two "Hastings" pedals (a wah and a wow-fuzz?); a discotape unit; AC30 with an unidentifiable item on top; and a Supreme in tilt-back stand.

1st November

Thanks to Heinz, pictures of a pristine "Vox Sound Limited" Multi-Link 2 speaker cabinet, 2x15" and 2x12". The 12" drivers are Celestion G12H T1217s, date codes 10th September 1970. The 15" drivers are Goodmans Audiom 81s.

Pictured with an AC50.

Complete with speaker impedance matching unit and serial number plate (serial number 95).

28th October

Thanks to Chris, pictures of "Vox Sound Equipment Limited" Conqueror serial number 2096, most likely first quarter of 1969. In the preamp a Mullard mustard capacitor is visible with date code "C8" = third quarter of 1968 for its manufacture.

Vox Conqueror serial number 2096. The footswitch is a NCM reproduction.

25th October

A series of updates coming soon.

8th September

The page on the West Street Works at Erith has been updated and expanded, further material and pictures to come shortly.

2nd September

CABINET SUPPLIERS

When Royston Industries collapsed in late 1967 the various constituent members of its Group collapsed too - the domino effect. JMI went swiftly into receivership, struggled manfully for around five months, but finally had to throw in the towel at the end of April 1968. Although little is recorded of Heslop and Company, a similar fate is likely to have befallen it.

Naturally when Reg Clark and Cyril Windiate formed "Vox Sound Equipment Limited" in the summer of 1968, a new supplier of cabinets (for amplifiers, speakers, and organs) had to be found. That very probably was "Heathpoint Timber" of Thundersley in Essex (533 Rayleigh Road).

533 Rayleigh Road a couple of years ago (from Google Street view). Heathpoint had the left-hand side of the builing and the works behind.

At any rate, Heathpoint (which had a separate arm trading as "Becket Instruments") was certainly supplying fully finished cabs - with basketweave covering, grille cloth, piping, corner protectors, and so on - to "Vox Sound Limited" in 1970/1971. At the rear of the premises the production of Gladlyn Ware - slatted teak domestic furniture which had also been produced in earlier years by Heslop - took place. In the 1970s Heathpoint did extrememly well, supplying cabinets to Orange, Hiwatt, White, Simms Watts, as well as Vox; as its fortunes rose, those of Gla-Rev, once a major force on the scene, seem to have fallen. In the late 1970s, however, Heathpoint ran into difficulties, having pinned its hopes by that time on orders from a single musical instrument manufacturer, and was revided and recast under new management.

Thanks to Andy Milner for his first-hand knowledge of Heathpoint in the 1970s.

28th August

Thanks to Tim, pictures of Vox Defiant amplifier section serial number 1050 with a Vox AC100 speaker cabinet from late 1965 / early 1966. The two were purchased together in the late 1970s. Note that the Defiant, being early, is termed "ST50R" on its serial number plate = "Super Twin 50 Reverb".

19th August

Thanks to Graham, pics of a Conqueror amplifier section from the first half of 1969 - twin lamps still on the front, "Vox Sound Equipment Limited" on the control panel. Further pictures can be found here.

VSEL Conqueror, first half of 1969.

18th August

Thanks to Alte, shots of "Vox Sound Limited" Conqueror speaker cabinet serial number 345, complete with its original mounting hardware for the amplifier section. This at present is the earliest VSL cab known. The latest VSEL unit known at present is serial number 312.

An overview of Conqueror speaker cabinets can be found on this page., which has been updated accordingly.

The speakers are a species of heavy-duty Goodmans 241s, not yet the Power Range.

12th August

A couple of Vox Multi-Link I speaker cabinets (4x12"), the first issued by "Vox Sound Equipment Limited", c. 1969, with heavy-duty Goodmans speakers (241s, as in Vox Supreme speaker cabs, 25-30W handling per driver). The second, serial number plate missing, has a species of Celestion G12L (light) - sometimes called G12S. These were also used in Line Source 60 public address cabs.

Note that the Celestions have JMI labels. Multi-Link cabs were devised long after JMI had collapsed.

22nd July

Thanks to Martin, pictures of JMI wah serial number 5524, potentiometer with date code "YF" = June 1967. The circuit board is glooped as the first 550 or so grey wahs were - see this page - a means of preventing rivals from copying the circuit.

The owner is intending to sell the pedal. If you are interested, please contact me at the site address for his details.

JMI wah serial number 5524.

11th July

Just posted on the Vox AC100 website, thanks to Andy Barratt, a picture of the party/gathering at the Royston Industries head office (Hill Street, Mayfair) following the award to JMI of the Queen's Award in early April 1967.

From right to left: Eric Summer, chairman of Royston; unknown; Dave Clark, then recently appointed roving ambassador for JMI; Reg Clark, General Sales Manager; Dick Denney; Cyril Windiate, Tom Jennings's deputy; Tom; Joan Jennings (?), Tom's wife; Colin Barratt, Overseas Sales Manager and Andy's father; Charlie Cobbett; JMI's Group Liaison Officer; and far left, unknown, though somehow familiar.

In the background, a Vox Supreme amplifier. Dick was photographed playing his Vox New Escort Special guitar in front of this, and in another shot, posing with Dave Clark, also a Dartford lad.

A page on JMI and the Queen's Award can be found here.

6th July

Posted yesterday on the Vox AC30 website, an advert for various storage-soiled items available at the Vox shop in Gees Court, London, November 1971. Some good reductions, and an early push for the Vox Discotape.

Pictures of the shop, taken at much the same time as the advert was placed, can be found lower down on this page, entry for 25th Feburary.

27th November, 1971.

2nd July

Some new material from February 1972 added to the page on the Vox Discotape - "Suddenly your're a top DJ..."

12th February, 1972.

21st June

A note in the music trade press on the provision of equipment by JMI for the play celebrating Duke Ellington's performances in Coventry Cathedral, summer 1967. The musical section of the play took place on the Cathedral's porch steps.

Photo and note above published September 1967.

20th June

On the 28th October 1970, the Patent Office register recorded that "Trix Electronics Limited" had been taken over by "Vox Sound Limited".

In the late 1950s Trix was a large concern, one branch producing Hi-Fi and Public Address equipment, the other televisions and radios. The television arm was taken over by "Ultra Electronics Limited" in 1960; the sound equipment arm evidently lasted until 1970, probably in much reduced form, whereupon VSL acquired it.

28th October 1970.

Whether any Trix designs were taken over by the "Vox Sound Limited" Research and Design team (based in a building on London Road in St-Leonards-on-Sea / Hastings) is unknown at present.

19th June (2)

There is now a new page on the "Vox Sound Equipment Limited" display at the Russell Hotel Trade Fair, August 1968, the first public outing for the new company.

Below, one of two pictures of the VSEL rooms published in the music trade press:

The organ room - 134a (?) - on the first floor of the hotel. In view, a Riviera and Super Continental organ, and two Gyrotone IIIs, one with an AC30 Super Twin amplifier section on top.

19th June

Pictures to show the general construction of the Multi Link II speaker cabinet - the main body and baffle constructed from stout birch ply; backs are chipboard. The page on the Multi-Link cabs will be updated soon.

The example below is number 93, c. 1971 ("Vox Sound Limited"). The impedance matching unit is of the twin output type.

"Vox Sound Limited" Multi-Link II speaker cabinet.

14th June

Traveller serial number 1057 now registered here. The latest date code visible in the preamp is on one of the RCA transistors - "7F" = June 1967, so the amp was probably complete (ready for sale) by August/September.

Traveller serial no. 1057.

1st June

Some notes on Vox Traveller, serial number 1026, assembled by JMI, but sold by "Vox Sound Equipment Limited" in late 1968. The inspection tag is dated 17th October '68.

The chassis number is 01139. The RCA transistors, all original, have date codes "7C", "7E", "7F" and "7G", respectively March, May, June, and July 1967. As the speaker (a Celestion T7721) does not have a readily visible date code, it is not possible to form a sense of when the amp might have been complete - certainly after July '67 and before October '68 - but within that span there is no telling how long it was simply "parts", chassis and speaker not yet fixed in the cabinet, or how long it sat complete at the rear of a pile of Travellers waiting to be sold.

Due to slow sales, the model was deleted from the catalogue by "Vox Sound Equipment Limited" at some point before February 1969.

JMI instruction card; VSEL guarantee slip and inspection tag.

Chassis number 01139, the 139th chassis to receive a stamp, though probably not the 139th to find its way to the assembly benches.

Power transformer made by Allen.

One of the two RCA power transistors, date code "7C" = March '67.

RCA 40361 and 40362 transistors, date code "7E" and "7F" = May and June 1967.

RCA 40360 transistor, date code "7G" = July 1967.

27th May

Below, the entry from the Patent Office Records recording Tom's application to trade-mark the name "Gyrotone", submitted on 3rd February, 1967, that is to say shortly before the Frankfurt Trade Fair. The working name of the Gyrotone up that point had been "Gyrovox".

When the time came for production, a slightly more developed form of the logo was adopted for the runner at front and on the serial number plate.

Gyrotone 1, serial number 5087.

8th May

An interesting Vox Gyrotone 50, probably built in the E.M.E. factory at Recanati in the early 1970s. The label inside the cabinet is certainly a Thomas/EME label. Components are for the most part Italian, but the "A.C. Outlet" socket is English - made by Bulgin. Thanks to Ivan for the pictures.

30th April

Published in a German music trade journal in August 1968 (to coincide with the Russell Hotel Trade Fair), a double page spread - "Supreme", identical in all but title to the advert headed "The Guv'nor" published in British and other European trade journals - see below, entry for 27th November 2021.

27th April

Vox Super Foundation Bass amplifier section, serial number 1191, probably made in the first third of 1968. The serial number plate has "AMPLIFIER" alone at its head rather than "VOX AMPLIFIER". The highest number known at present for a JMI Super Foundation Bass is 1234. Number 1191 still has its original RCA power transistors.

Vox Super Foundation Bass serial number 1191.

20th April

Music trade press, February 1972, two new "Vox Sound Limited" speaker systems - one for organs (illustrated), the other for the Discotape unit - both to be displayed for the first time at the Frankfurt Trade Fair in February (and presented again at the Russell Hotel in August).

A picture of the Discotape system will be posted soon.

February 1972.

15th April

Below, a rough-print picture of the new JMI solid state PA amplifiers - the SSPA50 and SSPA100 - on show at the Frankfurt Trade Fair, 3rd-7th March, 1968. The other new item displayed was the mini Riviera organ. The Spitfire VI and Bass had been launched in 1967.

It is unlikely that many PA amplifiers were produced in the form depicted (enclosed in metal cases). Following a hiatus of around a year, "Vox Sound Equipment Limited" relaunched them (enclosed in wooden cases).

25th March

A page has been started on the VSL show at the Russell Hotel Trade Fair of 1970. Material relating to Tom Jennings's company - "Jennings Electronic Inudstries" - will probably be incorporated in due course, along with further items on the "Vox Sound Limited" display.

For Vox ("Jennings Musical Industries") at Trade Fairs in earlier days, see the collection of pages on the Vox AC100 website.

23rd March

A new page coming on the "Vox Sound Limited" stand at the Russell Hotel Trade Fair, August 1970. The only valve amp on offer at this point was the AC30. The V100 - a new version of the AC100 - was still in development.

The "VOX" design with lightning bolt through the "O" mounted on the wall at the Fair was also incorporated in the catalogue and pricelist printed to accompany the display - for the catalogue, see this page.

The advert for the Fair placed in the music trade press, August 1970.

The VSL stand. A rough-print picture published in September 1970.

11th March

Vox Supreme serial number 1017, probably sold in Spring 1967, still survives in good external order - replaced handle, indicator lamps, and input jacks, but excellent otherwise. Further updates coming soon.

Vox Supreme serial number 1017.

1st March

March 1971, a new Vox van outside the Birch-Stolec factory in Hastings - the line on underneath "Vox Sound Limited" on the van's side reads "Michael Birch Group, Union House". Rick Huxley had been the bassist in the Dave Clark Five.

25th February

A short piece in a music trade journal, December 1971, on the "Vox Sound Limited" showroom in Gees Court (off Oxford Street), London. In the lower shot, PA amplifiers, a microphone, Line Source PA speakers, and a Discotape unit.

23rd February

One of the last adverts issued by "Vox Sound Limited" - August 1972, music trade press - unusual in that it features the AC30 and organs. August 1972 marked VSL's last display at the Russell Hotel Trade Fair. More to come.

4th February

"Vox Sound Limited" Defiant, serial number 2406, in excellent condition and still in good working order, has now been added to this page. Thanks to Mike for the pictures.

11th January

A quick shot of the mains transformer from a long defunct Vox PAR100SS - made by Twickenham Transformers/Lemark Electronics, part number TT4686. Further details on Twickenham and Lemark can be found on this page.

The lamination stack measures 3 3/4" long; 3 3/8" wide; 2" tall. The unit is heavily varnished. The primary is tapped for 115, 125, 205, 225, 245 volts; the secondary for 50 volts. The secondary has no 6.3v tap (as there is in mains transformers of the guitar and bass solid state amplifiers).

7th January

Vox Dynamic Bass amplifier section, serial number 1089, now registered on this page. Probably ready for sale in Spring 1967.

4th January

In 1967, as in '66, Queen's Awards were made in two categories: "Services to Export" and "Technological Achievement". Jennings's was for the former. The process of assessing candidates - overseen by various committees of the Board of Trade - was a fairly protracted one. Companies were asked to provide various details - number of employees, turnover, percentage of exports - which were checked, cross-referenced, and discussed; four provisional lists for each category were then drawn up in descending order of merit, the last being of "exclusions". In 1967 Selmer was excluded early on for being French owned. But that did not stop Timex's name proceeding a good way forward before someone realised that the company was in fact American.

Jennings, vetted initially in January (see the photo below, entry for 2nd Jan.), figures in List 1 from the outset. In the material that survives, however, little is said in detail about the selection process on a case by case basis. Some companies evidently proposed themselves, others were put forward by recommenders. It may be that Sydney Irving, the MP for Dartford, played a part in proposing Jennings.

Checks into the statements made by various companies sometimes revealed interesting infelicities - that the engines supplied by Rolls Royce for trams in Jamaica had been extremely unreliable (as they had also proved in Singapore); and that Jaguar motor cars had a terrible reputation in France, principally due to the scarcity and cost of replacement parts. Embassies and Consulates around the world were consulted along with other Whitehall departments.

In the details from the two documents below, Jennings received a whole-hearted thumbs up: - "Appraisal by Government Departments. Aggresive exporters drawing favourable comment from all departments consulted. No competitors match drive and ingenuity over whole field."

Early to mid-February, 1967. The figures given at the head of the page are the same as those in the later page illustrated below. Note the sentence at the end of the first paragraph: "This has not been substantiated by Government departments". Tom was always ready with a good line, exaggeration simply being part of the charm.

Later February 1967, Tom's claim left in place.

3rd January

Tom Jennings, along with Eric Summer (of Royston Industries), formally receiving the Queen's Award to Industry on 10th July, 1967 - picture from a local Dartford newspaper. The award - for services to Export - had been conferred on the 21st April (the Queen's birthday), having been signed off by the Prime Minster, Harold Wilson, earlier that month.

2nd January (2)

Further pics of Supreme serial number 1174, late 1967, now added here - thanks to Sebastian.

2nd January

Some material coming soon on the selecting of JMI for the Queen's Award to Industry - awarded in April 1967. The company was the second musical instrument manufacturer to win the award, the first being Premier drums (which Tom had distributed in the early 1950s). Below, a pic. from the local Dartford press of an official visit to the Dartford Road Works on 10th January, 1967.