Vox AC100 - dealer ad and small ads
Gathered together on this page, dealer ads and small ads for Vox AC100s and PA amplifiers - the key characteristic being that prices are given. For promotional flyers and brochures issued by JMI and dealers in the UK and the USA, see for the time being the blog pages.
Some of the American material is here - adverts placed in "Beat Monthly" magazine are here.
Dealer ads and small ads relating to Vox AC50s have been gathered together on this page on the AC50 site. In contrast to AC50s it's interesting to note how few AC100s are offered by dealers in the mid 1960s.
This page will grow as further material comes to hand, so do check back now and then. If there is anything that needs to be added or corrected, please contact me here.
1963 - 1964
Late 1963 and early 1964 - an exciting time, the sales push was on. Below, an ad and notice relating to the appointment of Reg Clark. "Crescendo" was a Jazz magazine. Presumably the advert was placed elsewhere too.
Advert placed by Jennings Musical Industries in "Crescendo" magazine, September 1963.
Notice in "Crescendo", January 1964. Reg Clark stayed on as Sales Manager into the "Vox Sound Equipment Limited" period (mid 1968-1970).
The first public advert for the Vox AC80/100 - published in "Beat Monthly" magazine (later to become "Beat Instrumental"), no. 12, April 1964. Note that it also mentions the Beatles' two AC50s.
1965
Melody Maker magazine, 2nd January 1965. Quite what the "Large VOX Amp" was is anyone's guess. Presumably the "100-watt VOX Amp" was either a P.A. amplifier or an AC100.
Rudall, Carte and Co. advert in "Crescendo" Jazz Magazine, May 1965, for a "Vox 80 Watt Bass Amp", either copper or black panel (too early for a second-hand grey), for £100.0.0 - in today's money £1750.
Melody Maker magazine, 29th May 1965. A Vox 100 watt PA.
33-37 Wardour Street in 1964, before Pan Music took the premises over from Regent Shoes. The famous Flamingo Club is to its right.
The "Vox 100 watt P.A. Ampliier" was either a MC100/4 or MC100/6 - see the catalogue detail below. The MC100/6 was first shown at the British Musical Instrument Industries fair in August 1964 and put into production soon thereafter.
JMI pricelist October 1965.
The £65 for the unit offered by PAN at the head of this entry is not bad given the price new. Details will also be posted on these pages.
Melody Maker magazine, 17 July 1965. Sets of PA Amplifiers and Line Source columns offered by PAN.
Melody Maker magazine, 4th September 1965 - "VOX 100w Bass with cab. £95".
Herald Citizen Tri County Shopper, 4th November 1965. Advert posted by "Shay's Music World". At this date, the "Super Beatle" is still the Vox AC100. The Thomas Organ solid state Super Beatle arrived in 1966.
Mason City Globe Gazette, 10th November 1965. Advert posted by Carleton Stewart Music. The "Super Beatle" pictured is the Vox AC100 - price $1170.
The Honolulu Advertiser, 22nd December 1965 - ad placed by "Metronome Music". Again, at this date a Vox AC100 - $899.50 a good reduction on the list price of $999.00.
1966
The Ottawa Journal, 2nd June 1966. The earliest advert that has come to light so far for a second-hand AC100 in North America. Given that full rigs were going for around $900-1000 in 1966, the advert above is probably for an amp, cab and trolley set.
The Pittsburgh Post Gazette, 23rd August 1966 - Joseph Horne and Co. still offering English amps. The AC100 (Super Beatle) for $869.95 - note the mention of two inputs and "tone circuits for split effects" (not sure what that signifies). The AC50 (Royal Guardsman). AC50 Foundation Bass (Westminster). AC30 SRT (Buckingham Super reverb twin) - note the mention of three channels, six inputs, which might just as well indicate a solid state T. Organ amp, but more likely given the context, a slope sided AC30 SRT, its cab with a split front and closed back ("separate compression type speakers").
"Melody Maker" magazine, 24th December 1966. Two AC100 amp sections.
"Melody Maker" magazine, 24th December 1966. One AC100 amp section and a full AC100 bass set.
1968
"Melody Maker" magazine, 3rd August 1968. A Supreme, a T60, an AC50, an AC30 PA amp with speakers, and an AC100 with two 2 x 15" cabinets.
Chicago Tribune, 16th August 1968
"Melody Maker" magazine, 31st August 1968. An AC100 amp section for £60. After some weeks it was reduced to £55.
1970s
Guitar Center advert in the Los Angeles Times, 1st February 1970. An AC100 reduced from $1000 to $299.
"Melody Maker" magazine, 9th May, 1970 - three AC100s on sale. The Orange shop on New Compton Street regularly had secondhand Vox amps, and not uncommonly AC100s. Occasionally the line was "Vox AC100....choice".
9th May 1970
One of Bill's adverts in the Chicago Tribune, 18th December 1973. In other weeks, the amp is priced at $150.