Vox Shadow >> Vintage Guitar and Bass (original) (raw)
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Solid body electric, produced in by JMI in the UK
The Shadows circa 1961. Hank Marvin with his red Fender Stratocaster is on the left.
The story of Vox guitars is so often told, not from the beginning, but with the introduction of the Vox Phantom; Vox's first 'original' guitar. But really it starts earlier than that, and is intimately linked with a British guitar band of the period: the Shadows. They not only used Vox amplifiers, they appeared in just about all of Vox's early publicity, and guitarist Hank Marvin even designed a tremolo unit for Vox, fitted to high end solid bodies like the Vox Consort and Vox Phantom.
Under the ownership of JMI (Jennings Musical industries), Vox put out three distinct guitars named Vox Shadow. As eluded to earlier, all early Vox guitars were copies of guitars by other brands, and with some connection to the fore-mentioned Shadows. When the Shadows initially started endorsing Vox amplifiers (1958/59), guitarist Hank Marvin was playing a single cutaway Guyatone LG50 guitar (actually, his was branded Antoria, but otherwise the same). And it was no coincidence that two of the earliest Vox guitars were copies of this: the one-pickup Vox Stroller (after the popular 1950s dance the Stroll), and the two-pickup Vox Shadow.
Shadows guitarist Hank Marvin with his early Japanese Antoria/Guyatone guitar which inspired the earliest version of the Vox Shadow
These early Voxs were very basic guitars, small and lightweight, with a plywood body, the simplest of tailpieces, a very simple floating bridge and 3 on a plate open gear tuning keys. The scratchplate was simple, just single ply, and the neck had no adjustable truss rod, and no fretboard radius; but perhaps these guitars were not so different from the other guitars available in the UK at this time? They certainly must have appealed to the very many younger Shadows fans in early sixties Britain. Have a closer look at a 1963 LG-50 style Vox Shadow. Note the large scripted Shadow headstock logo.
Currency restrictions in the late 1950s, and comparatively high prices, meant American guitars were not generally imported into the UK. By the early 1960s though, better quality American guitars did start arriving, often with bands returning from US tours, or visiting American artists. These quickly set new standards in what was expected in an instrument. By 1960, Hank Marvin had replaced the Antoria LG50 with a Fiesta red Fender Stratocaster, (the first in the UK, specially imported for him by Cliff Richard) and the early 1960s Shadows sound was in some ways characterised by his use of the Strat with it's tremolo, through a Vox AC15 or AC30. Jennings became the UK distributor of Fender, outfitting the Shadows with Fender guitars, but there was still little chance of younger Shadows fans (or UK guitarists in general) being able to afford the real thing. This lead Vox to create a substitute, upgrading the Stroller and Shadow models with a Stratocaster-styled body and bright red finish. These still had one or two pickups, and a new 'Vox standard' tremolo (have a look at a 1963 Vox Shadow). Finally, the headstock was redesigned to a typical six-in-a-row Stratocaster-style. This version sold well, and is perhaps the most widely seen version of the Shadow. Soon an extra model was added to the line; otherwise identical to the Shadow, but with a third pickup, the Vox Dominator.
Finally, by the middle of 1964, the two-pickup Vox Shadow was renamed the Vox Duotone, and the three-pickup Vox Dominator became the Vox Shadow - have a closer look at a 1964 Vox Shadow. The guitar was improving, and many mid sixties onwards Vox guitars had solid bodies (usually mahogany and agba) rather than laminate. Guitars were being exported to the United States, with export guitars having a 'made in England' label on the reverse of the headstock, or a plaque, usually on the back of the body. Note the black plastic knobs that were usually fitted to these three-pickup models.
The Shadow sold well up until the mid 1960s, with the vast majority in the UK, although many were also exported. Instruments produced for the United States were distributed by the Thomas Organ company. These guitars were typically labelled 'Made in England', either with a circular plate on the reverse of the body, or a sticker on the headstock; they often had upgraded hardware, such as metal control knobs, rather than plastic control knobs and a standard jack input. Production continuing into 1966 and perhaps in small numbers into 1967. Later examples of the Vox Shadow can be characterised by the solid wood body (mahogany) and thicker scratchplate (with wide black edge).
The Shadow had a UK model reference number 234, although the Thomas Organ company gave it a code V-2-8, or V208 in the US. Have a look at the 1966 Vox Shadow parts list produced by Thomas Organ for American dealers.
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Vintage 1960s Vox Duotone / Soloist Electric Guitar Bridge JMI UK * Please read
Bristol, BS7***, UNITED KINGDOM
£60
Vintage JMI Vox Duotone / Soloist guitar bridge with adjustable saddles. May suit other models. Circa 1960s and made in the UK.
Used condition, as pictured. all screws work except one height adjustment screw which has seized and the top part of the slot has broken off so this will need replacing
Comes with original mounting screws
Free UK postage
... more
Vintage Vox Stroller 1960s - White - Electric Guitar - Made in England
Chelmsford, CM2***, UNITED KINGDOM
£235
I have for sale a white Vox Stroller Guitar - Second Generation 1963 - 1966. Six string, single pick up, shape doubtlessly influenced by Fender - I believe it is all original. A few dings commensurate with age. Please study photos closely. Any questions please ask. Viewing welcome
I love guitars but do not play. I bought this some years ago because I loved the look of it, and it is a Vox! Along with Burns, my favourite 60s guitars???
Thank you for looking.... more
Vintage Vox Guitar Case - 1960s Gold Felt / Should Fit / Clubman Dominator Shadow
Mission, British Columbia, V2V***, CANADA
C $96
Some separation of the cover, see pictures.
Hardware may have been changed or reparied.
Noted: I am no Vox expert, but through some research, it looks like a Clubman, Dominator or Shadow should fit the case, and possibly other models.
Made in the United Kingdom during the 1960s, it features a rich brown leather exterior that not only exudes vintage charm but also offers durable protection.
The interior is lined with luxurious gold felt, ensuring your guitars safety
The hard ... more
Vintage 1960s Vox Soloist Electric Guitar Neck JMI UK Made
Bristol, BS7***, UNITED KINGDOM
£130
Vintage JMI Vox Duotone guitar neck. Circa 1960s and made in the UK for Vox by Stuart Darkins & Co.
Its a Sycamore neck with Rosewood fretboard according to specs seen online
Fair condition, to be expected for age. There is no truss rod but the neck looks pretty straight when eyed (possibly a little back bow) however it will require some work as the frets look like they have been poorly dressed in the past, they are quite flat and low in places with obvious dint marks. A refret would... more
Vintage 1960s Vox Electric Guitar Neckplate & screws JMI UK Made Soloist
Bristol, BS7***, UNITED KINGDOM
£30
Vintage JMI Vox neckplate and short screws, from a Soloist model but may suit other models. Circa 1960s and made in the UK.
Good condition, as pictured. Some tarnishing, marks and signs of use.
These are more square in shape than the standard Fender style neckplates. Approx 51mm x 60 5mm, 38mm x 48mm mounting hole centres
Free UK postage
... more
Vintage Vox Stroller 1960's - Red - Electric Guitar - Made In England
Orpington, BR5***, UNITED KINGDOM
£313
This 1960's Vox Stroller is a vintage classic design. Manufactured in Dartford, Kent it is from an important era in Vox's history. The guitar has been modified to sport a modern quarter inch input jack, which is a welcome modification making the guitar much more playable
The guitar shows various signs of wear & tear commensurate with it's age. It has a few large cracks on the back of the guitar which have been glued and stabilised... more
Vox Shadow made in May 1964
Teddington, TW11***, UNITED KINGDOM
£261
This is an original Vox Shadow made in May 1964 by JMI Dartford
Both the neck and body are date stamped, please see the photos
The neck has a serial number that looks like 47158
All original and working, although there are a couple of dot markers missing from the fretboard. The frets, I think might be the originals and are the small type typical of the time
It has been cleaned, the pots treat to some contact cleaner and it is fitted with a new set of 10??s
Please remember ... more
Rare VOX White Shadow Late 1970s Bass Guitar Made in Japan Road worn Condition.
Market Rasen Binbrook, LN8***, UNITED KINGDOM
£537
Rare VOX White Shadow Late 1970s Bass Guitar Made in Japan Road worn Condition
Great vintage Bass. shows signs of use mostly on the body, neck and frets are in extremally good condition. Electrics have been cleaned and where needed re soldered. Great sounding vintage bass and action is very good to
If you like your bass guitars in mint condition this is not for you. the signs of ageing fit the age of the guitar. no damage
Collection from my music Warehouse Lincolnshire Binbrook LN8 ... more
Vintage 1960s Vox Duotone / Soloist Electric Guitar Bridge JMI UK
Bristol, BS7***, UNITED KINGDOM
£60
Vintage JMI Vox Duotone / Soloist guitar bridge with adjustable saddles. May suit other models. Circa 1960s and made in the UK.
Used condition, as pictured. all screws work
Comes with original mounting screws which are tarnished as pictured
Free UK postage
... more
Vintage 1960s Vox Soloist Electric Guitar Body JMI UK Made
Bristol, BS7***, UNITED KINGDOM
£130
Vintage JMI Vox Soloist guitar body. Early 1960s and made in the UK for Vox by Stuart Darkins & Co under subcontract to JMI ( I think).
Fair condition, laminate body, marks and wear as to be expected for age with fine lacquer checking to the finish, scuffs , scrapes and some chips and indents in places. As pictured
The Soloists were a very early JMI Vox solid body guitar. Other Vox parts available in my other listings
Neck pocket width 54 2mm approx
Free UK postage
... more
Vintage 1960s Vox Stroller Electric Guitar Body G Plan JMI UK Made Stroller
Bristol, BS7***, UNITED KINGDOM
£130
Vintage JMI Vox Stroller guitar body. Circa 1960s and made in the UK for Vox by G Plan.
Fair condition, to be expected for age with neck pocket cracks, lacquer cracks, crack between the neck pickup routing and the neck pocket , scuffs , scrapes and some chips and indents in places. As pictured
Neck pocket width 54mm approx
Free UK postage
... more
VOX WHITE SHADOW M-SERIES BLACK RARISSIMA!! 1983 BELLISSIMA MADE IN JAPAN
Ameglia, 19***, ITALY
€298
CHITARRA VOX WHITE SHADOW M-SERIES MADE IN JAPAN, ANNO 1983, TENUTA IN STATO PIU' CHE OTTIMO SIA ESTETICAMENTE CHE QUALITATIVAMENTE CHITARRA DI DIFFICILISSIMA REPERIBILITA', SUONA BENISSIMO E LA TASTIERA E' MOLTO SCORREVOLE, CON LEVA TREMOLO TUTTA ORIGINALE NO FODERO SPEDIZIONE GRATUITA CON ALTRO CORRIERE NO PERMUTE, NO SCAMBI
FREE SHIPPING ITALY ONLY
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