The Vox PA100SS - Public Address amplifier
100w, fully solid state, six channels, master volume
Detail from the "Vox Sound Limited" catalogue of August 1970.
Designed by JMI in late 1967 / early 1968, the PA100 evidently did not enter full production until early 1969, set in motion formally by "Vox Sound Equipment Limited", the company set up by Cyril Windiate, Reg Clark, and others, following the collapse of JMI in Spring 1968. For the "pre-history" of the PA100 (and PA50), see this page.
Where production by VSEL is concerned, the earliest record that has so far come to light is the pricelist issued in February 1969:
February 1969 it should be said is also the date of the first entry on OS/176, the main circuit diagram for the model. A month before the AMII Trade Fair at the Russell Hotel - an important event in the calendar of most British musical instrument manufacturers - a number of elements were modified (dated 7th July 1969).
Above, a detail of OS/176, the "Vox Sound Equipment Limited" circuit diagram (schematic). Top left, changes and dates, February 1969 running through to July 1970, when "Vox Sound Limited" took over production.
Detail of the display at the Russell Hotel, August 1969, from left to right, PA50, Midas Gyrotone amplifier, and the a PA100. Behind the three is a further Midas.
So far as one can tell, production of the PA100 extended only to 1972 - still there in the pricelist of August 1971, but gone by June '72. The PAR100 - effectively a version of the PA100 with built-in reverb - seems to have been much more popular.
Around 300 PA100s made their way to market. VSL on the other hand sold over 500 PAR100s. More on the PAR100 can be found on this page.
An overview of surviving PA100s
Serial number 1117
Vox Sound Equipment Limited. Serial number 1117. Note the wire mesh grille on the underside - also used for the early PA50SS a little way up this page. The string round the box is silver.
VOX SOUND LIMITED (1970 - 1972)
Serial number 1202
Vox Sound Limited. Serial number 1202. As above, a single mesh grille rather than plastic vents.
Serial number 1267
Vox Sound Limited. Serial number 1267.