LATER VOX DEFIANTS

Vox Sound Limited - 1970-1973

A vignette of the Defiant - actually an old picture from early 1967 - from the section on "Vox Sound Limited" in "Beat Instrumental" magazine, July 1971. By some quirk, the Defiant is presented as being "new".

In late 1969, Royston Industries, the controlling hand in "Vox Sound Equipment Limited" (VSEL) went into liquidation. VSEL was saved by Corinthian Securities, and sold a short time later to a consortium led by John Birch and George Stow, who had considerable experience in the world of electronics. With the help of the Schroder Bank, Birch-Stolec was created in early 1970 and took Vox - now Vox Sound Limited - under its wing.

For further details, see this page.

Production remained at first in the West Street factory at Erith (Kent). Then in the late summer of 1971, it moved to the Birch-Stolec factory on the Ponswood Industrial Estate at St Leonard's-on-Sea (a mile or so from Hastings). For the background, click here.

Vignettes of the Birch-Stolec factory from the Vox catalogue of 1971.

TRANSFORMERS: in mid 1970, "Twickenham Transformers", which had, under George Stow's direction, supplied "Vox Sound Equipment Limited" - "Twickenham" was from 1967 a member of the "Stolec" Group controlled by Stow - became "Lemark Electronics". Production continued at the Haywards Heath factory. Occasionally the correspondence address is given as the Ponswood Industrial Estate (Windmill Road, St Leonard's-on-Sea, Sussex, TN38 9BY), the address of the "Birch-Stolec" group, which had taken over the production of Vox equipment in mid 1971.

Lemark transformers were marked with the part code numbers assigned originally by "Twickenham". The easiest to see is usually the driver transformer, marked TT3944.

In August 1970, the Defiant (amp, cab, side stands and covers as a set) cost £252.00. The various elements could all be purchased separately too:

• Amplifier section: £161.00.

  Speaker cabinet: £91.50.

  Side stands: £13.00.

  Amp cover: £1.50.

  Cab cover: £3.00.

See the pricelist issued with the catalogue of August 1970. The prices remained the same in July 1971. See the prices published in "Beat Instrumental" magazine, given here.

The speakers used in the cabs were almost always Goodmans Power Range, 8ohms, initially with VSEL labels, then red and finally green Goodmans labels. The speakers in serial number 2748 are part no. 11558 (the "8") presumably standing for 8ohms, and the type: 01120878504.

There are a number of amps on this page that were paired up later with earlier JMI cabs (containing earlier Celestion drivers). So do beware.

Defiants remained in production until 1972. "Vox Sound Limited" subsequently produced PA gear until it folded in mid to late 1973.

Below, a growing register of surviving Vox Sound Limited amps. If anyone knows of Defiants that have not yet been included on this page, do let me know.

Defiants made by "Jennings Musical Industries" from 1967 begin on this page. For Defiants made in the "Vox Sound Equipment Limited" (VSEL) period, from mid 1968 to early 1970, see here.

Serial number 2406 - currently in South Africa

In excellent condition and still in good working order. Thanks to Mike for the pictures.

Serial number 2423 - currently in the UK

VSEL on the control panel but a VSL serial number plate. No plate on the cab, but presumably VSL too. One of the main CCL filter caps has the date code "D9" = April 1969 for its manufacture. The drivers are Goodmans Power Range, one possibly replaced. The side stands came from a different source.

Serial number 2432 - currently in Italy?

A Defiant in Fender livery. Amp is VSL, speaker cab is VSEL. A set of new control panels, with undrilled holes, can be seen in picture 3. The cab's fixing hardware is intact.

Serial number 2436

Serial number 2462 (?) - currently in the USA

Vox Sound Ltd amp with a cab with VSEL speakers. Pictures from Marcus Hardy's old Toneheaven site. Thanks to Gene for details of the serial number.

Serial number 2491 - currently in Europe

Serial number 2494 - currently in the Czech Republic

Excellent condition. Speaker cabinet number 453, original Goodmans drivers (part no. 12826/22) in place. Thanks to Jiri for the pictures.

Serial number unknown - currently in Germany

"Vox Sound Limited" amp and cab. The speakers, however, are still "Vox Sound Equipment Limited", as in the case of the amp immediately above.

Serial number unknown - currently in the UK

Number plate tantalising indistinct. No "Solid State" in the logo, one light on front - probably early VSL. The cab (re-grilled) and trolley are from a much earlier amp.

Serial number unknown

Old pictures. Another VSL amp with an earlier JMI cab - this one retains its serial number plate.

Serial number 2532 - currently in Finland

A really superb Defiant - shown in the first image with its cab and a Telecaster custom in the early 1980s. Power has been hardwired (as required by law in Scandinavian countries), and the tip of the mains switch has gone, but otherwise as close to immaculate as one could get. Thanks to Esa for the pictures.

Serial number 2534 - currently in the USA

NEW

Serial number 2543 - currently in Ireland

A good spread of date codes visible. Main CCL filter caps - November 1969 and May 1970 ("E70"); Mullard mustards with "D9N" = last quarter of '69; and the larger value RTC electrolytics in the preamp "7017" = 17th week of 1970. The small value black Callins electrolytics in the preamp mostly have mid 1969 codes. Thanks to William for the pictures.

Serial number 2558 - currently in the UK

Just a couple of pictures for the time being.

Serial number 2566 - currently in Europe

Serial number 2573 - currently in Europe

Paired with a Multi-Link 1, 4x12" Vox cabinet, complete with its impedance transformer and settings information plate.

Serial number 2575 - currently in Finland

Just the serial number plate.

Serial number 2578 - currently in the USA

Note the VSEL-labelled speakers.

Serial number 2583 - currently in the UK

Thanks to Steve for the pictures.

Serial number 2595 - currently in Europe

Serial number unknown - currently in Europe

Exported to Denmark - Alfred Christensen was the principal agent. The company's plaque can also be seen on Defiants and Supremes of the VSEL period (late 1968 to late 1969).

Serial number unknown - currently in Europe

Well used but not in too bad a condition. Back panels of amplifier and speaker cabinet are missing, but the cab's serial number plate remains - no. 638. Speakers replaced. The mounting hardware for the trolley can be seen in the last picture along with a JMI solid state brochure.

Serial number 2605 - currently in the UK

Some of the knobs are from a Vox PA. The input jacks are replacements (taken from an older JMI amp). Thanks to Steve for the pics.

Serial number 2644 - currently in Europe

Serial number 2648 - currently in the UK

Serial number 2675 - currently in Germany

Imported and sold by Musikhaus Hummel in Frankfurt. For a Conqueror and Super Foundation Bass also sold by Hummel, see this page. The original speakers, which were in poor condition, have been replaced. The Midax horn remains in place. The original power socket and connector (made by Belling Lee) are still present too. Thanks to Al for the pictures.

Serial number 2695 - currently in the UK

Serial number 2726 - currently in the UK

Serial number 2748 - currently in the UK

A rare thing, a Defiant complete with original covers, footswitch, side stands and fixings, and original Goodmans green label speakers in the cab. Thanks to Scott for the pictures.

Serial number 2760 - currently in the UK

A nice late Vox Sound Ltd amp with an earlier JMI cab - sold on ebay uk in 2016.

Pictures of the amp (offered for sale a second time) showing its superb condition. Note the designation of the speaker cab - "ST50".

Serial number 2764 - currently in the UK

Sold on ebay uk a little while ago. Something strange over the footswitch socket.

Serial number 2784 - currently in the UK

Serial number 2786 - currently in Europe

Complete with original covers.

Serial number probably in the 2700s - currently in Europe

Control panel has "Vox Sound Limited", a hole visible to the left of the legend. Original black-capped Goodmans drivers in place. The speaker cabinet has been rewired.

Serial number 2802 - currently in the UK

Serial number 2804 - currently in the UK

Serial number 2814 - currently in the UK

Small pics from an old sale on ebay. The amp has its original Belling Lee mains socket and cable.

Serial number 2823 - currently in the UK

Good condition. Speaker cabinet no. 735. Drivers are probably Goodmans Power Range.

Serial number 2832 - currently in the UK

Pretty immaculate. Complete with original footswitch and mains cable. Probably one of the last produced. Thanks to Pete for the pictures.

Serial number 2859 - currently in the UK

Thanks to Lee, pictures of "Vox Sound Limited" Defiant serial number 2859, the highest encountered so far. The cab - with Goodmans green label Power Range speakers - is number 739. Also extant, the guarantee card, envelope, and info brochure.

Serial number unknown - currently in the UK?