Vox Mark III
Encyclopedia
The Mark is an electric guitar
made by Vox
. The instrument is also known as the Vox Teardrop, but this is not the official name. The Vox Mark came in three variations, a 6 string (the Mark VI), a 9 string (the Mark IX) and a 12 string (the Mark XII)
introduced the pentagonal Phantom
guitar, originally made in Kent
, England
but soon after made by EKO
of Italy
. It was followed a year later by the teardrop-shaped Mark VI, the prototype of which was made specifically for Brian Jones of The Rolling Stones
, using a non-tremolo Fender Stratocaster
bridge.
The Mark VI was released in three versions, as a 6-string, a 9-string, and a 12-string.
The 9-string had three wound strings and three pairs of unwound strings.
The guitar received an international prize for best design when it was released.
Even though Vox discontinued the production of these guitars in the seventies, copies of the Teardrop and other VOX models have been manufactured by Jack Charles of Phantom Guitarworks.
For a short period in the late 1990s VOX reissued USA made Phantoms, Teardrops and Mando Guitars. These guitars were produced by John Hawkins of North Coast Music who had been an existing VOX/KORG supplier since 1992. Various components including necks, pickups, finishing and hardware for the guitars were produced through existing North Coast suppliers such as LaSido. Final assembly was subcontracted to a small Minnesota based builder, Kevin Smith of Tonesmith guitars.
In 2007 Vox commisioned Kevin Smith to produced a limited run of 50- Mark III, 2 pickup, fixed bridge, antique white Teardrops to celebrate their 50th Anniversary. This is the model made famous by Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones. Due to very low production numbers this model has always been a sought after rarity.
For 2011 VOX has reintroduced the iconic Teardrop in its exciting new APACHE Series. In addition to the authentic body designs that only VOX can provide, these tricked-out travel guitars host a 2-channel guitar amplifier, speakers, dozens of rhythm patterns, even a convenient E-String tuner – all built right into the guitar itself!
, used by Jimi Hendrix, and the Tone
Bender fuzzbox pedal, used by Jimmy Page
of the Yardbirds, were also manufactured.
guitar, originally made in England but soon after made by EKO
of Italy, the Mark VI. This guitar can be seen in Joy Division
's video Love Will Tear Us Apart
. This is not a Mark III of VI.
Electric guitar
An electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
made by Vox
Vox (musical equipment)
Vox is a musical equipment manufacturer which is most famous for making the Vox AC30 guitar amplifier, the Vox Continental electric organ, and a series of innovative but commercially unsuccessful electric guitars and bass guitars...
. The instrument is also known as the Vox Teardrop, but this is not the official name. The Vox Mark came in three variations, a 6 string (the Mark VI), a 9 string (the Mark IX) and a 12 string (the Mark XII)
History
In 1962 VoxVox (musical equipment)
Vox is a musical equipment manufacturer which is most famous for making the Vox AC30 guitar amplifier, the Vox Continental electric organ, and a series of innovative but commercially unsuccessful electric guitars and bass guitars...
introduced the pentagonal Phantom
Vox Phantom
The Vox Phantom is an electric guitar, originally released in 1962 by the Jennings company. It is unique for its distinctive, pentagonal shape, which became part of the iconic representation of the British Invasion...
guitar, originally made in Kent
Kent
Kent is a county in southeast England, and is one of the home counties. It borders East Sussex, Surrey and Greater London and has a defined boundary with Essex in the middle of the Thames Estuary. The ceremonial county boundaries of Kent include the shire county of Kent and the unitary borough of...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
but soon after made by EKO
Eko guitars
Eko is an Italian manufacturer of electric guitars, acoustic guitars and similar instruments, catering to professional level and manufacturing largely for export...
of Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. It was followed a year later by the teardrop-shaped Mark VI, the prototype of which was made specifically for Brian Jones of The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
, using a non-tremolo Fender Stratocaster
Fender Stratocaster
The Fender Stratocaster, often referred to as "Strat", is a model of electric guitar designed by Leo Fender, George Fullerton, and Freddie Tavares in 1954, and manufactured continuously by the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation to the present. It is a double-cutaway guitar, with an extended top...
bridge.
The Mark VI was released in three versions, as a 6-string, a 9-string, and a 12-string.
The 9-string had three wound strings and three pairs of unwound strings.
The guitar received an international prize for best design when it was released.
Even though Vox discontinued the production of these guitars in the seventies, copies of the Teardrop and other VOX models have been manufactured by Jack Charles of Phantom Guitarworks.
For a short period in the late 1990s VOX reissued USA made Phantoms, Teardrops and Mando Guitars. These guitars were produced by John Hawkins of North Coast Music who had been an existing VOX/KORG supplier since 1992. Various components including necks, pickups, finishing and hardware for the guitars were produced through existing North Coast suppliers such as LaSido. Final assembly was subcontracted to a small Minnesota based builder, Kevin Smith of Tonesmith guitars.
In 2007 Vox commisioned Kevin Smith to produced a limited run of 50- Mark III, 2 pickup, fixed bridge, antique white Teardrops to celebrate their 50th Anniversary. This is the model made famous by Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones. Due to very low production numbers this model has always been a sought after rarity.
For 2011 VOX has reintroduced the iconic Teardrop in its exciting new APACHE Series. In addition to the authentic body designs that only VOX can provide, these tricked-out travel guitars host a 2-channel guitar amplifier, speakers, dozens of rhythm patterns, even a convenient E-String tuner – all built right into the guitar itself!
Mark XII
In the mid 1960s, as the sound of electric 12-string guitars became popular, Vox introduced the Phantom XII and Mark XII electric 12-string guitars as well as the Tempest XII, also made in Italy, which featured a more conventional body style. Vox produced a number of other models of 6 and 12 string electric guitars in both England and Italy. Guitar effects pedals, including an early version of the wah-wahWah-wah pedal
A wah-wah pedal is a type of guitar effects pedal that alters the tone of the signal to create a distinctive effect, mimicking the human voice...
, used by Jimi Hendrix, and the Tone
Timbre
In music, timbre is the quality of a musical note or sound or tone that distinguishes different types of sound production, such as voices and musical instruments, such as string instruments, wind instruments, and percussion instruments. The physical characteristics of sound that determine the...
Bender fuzzbox pedal, used by Jimmy Page
Jimmy Page
James Patrick "Jimmy" Page, OBE is an English multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and record producer. He began his career as a studio session guitarist in London and was subsequently a member of The Yardbirds from 1966 to 1968, after which he founded the English rock band Led Zeppelin.Jimmy Page...
of the Yardbirds, were also manufactured.
Vox Phantom
In 1962 Vox also introduced the pentagonal Vox PhantomVox Phantom
The Vox Phantom is an electric guitar, originally released in 1962 by the Jennings company. It is unique for its distinctive, pentagonal shape, which became part of the iconic representation of the British Invasion...
guitar, originally made in England but soon after made by EKO
Eko guitars
Eko is an Italian manufacturer of electric guitars, acoustic guitars and similar instruments, catering to professional level and manufacturing largely for export...
of Italy, the Mark VI. This guitar can be seen in Joy Division
Joy Division
Joy Division were an English rock band formed in 1976 in Salford, Greater Manchester. Originally named Warsaw, the band primarily consisted of Ian Curtis , Bernard Sumner , Peter Hook and Stephen Morris .Joy Division rapidly evolved from their initial punk rock influences...
's video Love Will Tear Us Apart
Love Will Tear Us Apart
"Love Will Tear Us Apart" is a song by the British post-punk band Joy Division. It was written in August and September 1979, and debuted when the band supported Buzzcocks on their UK tour in September and October 1979. It is one of the few songs in which singer Ian Curtis played guitar...
. This is not a Mark III of VI.