They also produced slightly revised versions of the solid state Vox amps introduced by JMI in 1967. The V100 head, a 100 watt, all tube, printed circuit amplifer was introduced by Birch-Stolec as were the first printed board versions of the AC-30 and AC-50. Birch Stolec owned Lemark Transformers, a major Vox creditor from the VSEL bankruptcy. Aside from a updated Jaguar Organ, ironically renamed " Corinthian," no new products were introduced in this period.īirch-Stolec Industries purchased Vox from Corinthian Securities in 1970 and moved the manufacturing facilities from Erith, Kent to Hastings, East Sussex. Vox was treading water during the Corinthian era. VSL as well filed for bankruptcy in 1969.Ī British banking firm named Corinthian Securities held the assets of VSL while in bankruptcy. VSEL was eventually shortened to VSL, for Vox Sound Limited. No new amp models were introduced in the VSEL period. VSEL also produced some hand wired AC-30 and AC-50 amps. VSEL concentrated on promoting the recently introduced solid state amplifier designs. West Street Vox Works, 1967, Erith Kent - Photo Courtesy Roland Bukalo They named their new venture Vox Sound Equipment Ltd. Through no fault of Vox, Royston filed for bankruptcy in 1968.While Royston was working through the UK bankruptcy courts, a number of former JMI executives were able to cut a deal with the bank to resume production of Vox. The UL Series ( 705, 715, 430, 730, 460, 760, 41) amplifiers and the solid state amplifiers ( Traveller, Virtuoso, Conqueror, Defiant, Supreme, Dynamic Bass, Foundation Bass and Super Foundation Bass) were introduced during the Royston era.īy 1967, Dick Denney had left Vox and Royston fired Tom Jennings. Some of the manufacturing, especially organ production, was moved from Dartford to a Royston facility in nearby Erith, Kent (see photo at right). Tom Jennings, Dick Denney and Derek Underdown were retained. Royston continued the use of the "JMI" brand on all Vox products. Tom Jennings sold a controlling share in JMI to the British electronics conglomerate Royston Industries in 1964. The main amplifier engineers were Dick Denney and Derek Underdown. JMI was privately owned by founder Tom Jennings. A brief ownership history of Vox follows.įounded in the early fifties as the Jennings Organ Company of Dartford Kent, UK and renamed Jennings Musical Industries in 1957, JMI developed and manufactured the original designs for the AC-4, AC-10, AC-15, AC-30, AC-50 and AC-100 amplifiers, amongst others. VOX AMPLIFIERS The history of the Vox amplifier line is inexplicably tied to the fortunes.and misfortunes.of the succession of the eight UK firms that have owned the Vox marque since 1957.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |