Vox at the Frankfurt Trade Fair, 1966
27th February - 3rd March
A shot of the Fair buildings as they were in 1966. Hall 12 is indicated with an arrow.
In 1966, as in 1965, the Trade Fair took place in Hall 12. The big thing for Vox was the "4" and "7" series amplifiers, nine models shown: 430, 460, and 4120 for bass; and 705, 710, 715, 730, 760 and 7120 for guitar. The Vox adverts for the Fair, however, deliberately gave nothing away. It is not clear what the "new Tuner Amplifier" mentioned by Reg Clark was.
Jennings had stands 2416/2417 (also in 1967). See this page. Other British manufacturers had stands close by.
Known to have been present were Tom Jennings, Reg Clark, presumably also Andrew Cameron (exports manager); Dave Roberts (Vox demonstrator); at least one engineer; and "Miss Vox", formerly "Miss Air France", taken on by Tom to promote the display.
"Beat Instrumental", February 1966. The "new range of Vox equipment" was the 4- and 7-series amplifiers, though these were not ready for general sale until June/July.
The Vox van mentioned above, probably at the West Street Works shortly before starting for Frankfurt. Published in the local Dartford newspaper in early February 1966. Tom and the others are looking at passports.
Note - it is likely that two vans were driven to Frankfurt (as in 1967), the second of the two - in the picture above to the right of the equipment van - for transport in and around the city. The drivers in 1967 were Dick Hornden and Alan Murray (JMI Publicity Dept.)
The desire for secrecy (allowing for some exaggeration) explains a good deal about the design process of the 7 series, which was the work of three companies (one being JMI). Relevant details will be set out shortly - the development of the new range ran in parallel with that of the Vox MC100/6 and MC150/6 Public Address amplifiers.
A preliminary report of JMI's preparations for the Frankfurt Fair, 1966, published in the Dartford papers a week before the photo in the previous entry.
Prototype - a much misused term - really does seem to mean prototype here, i.e. the model or models used as a basis for the design and manufacture of pre-production and standard production amps. One can have electronic prototypes, design prototypes (ie. of cosmetics and so on), or combinations of the two.
"Beat Instrumental", May 1966, signalling some further delay of the new series. The Beatles were not the first to play the new amps though.
"Beat Instrumental" magazine did not print a review of the 1966 show. Normally only the British Musical Industries Fair in August was given serious coverage. The page on the Vox showing at the Frankfurt Trade Fair, February 1965, is here.
Probably the only promotional picture released by JMI of the small-box Vox UL7120 amplifier - printed in a trade journal March 1966. The chassis of early 7120s (as issued to John and George of The Beatles) were the same size as those of the Vox UL730. Early 7120 amplifier section boxes (the wooden cases) were slightly smaller than the 730's though - for known reasons. Standard production 7120 amplifiers, first sent out for sale in the summer of 1966, have larger chassis and boxes.
The text accompanying the picture above. Note that JMI also envisaged the use of two 2x12" speaker cabinets, stage left and right. The dimensions given indicate that these were closed-back Vox UL460 cabs.
An extract from a general review of the Fair.
A note placed in the music trade press, February 1966, with the photo below.
"Miss Vox", pictured on two different days - in front of a UL4120 in the middle shot and a UL7120 in the lower. The miniature amp she is holding is an AC1 transistor practice amp.
The advert placed by JMI in the music trade press to coincide with the show - well known items. The smaller versions of the ad reserved for the popular music press can be seen below.
Three exhibitors' stickers for letters and envelopes.
Vox adverts 1966
Above, the advert placed by Vox in "Beat Instrumental" magazine, February 1966. This was taken up (below) in variant form as an advert for the Frankfurt Fair, below.
Above, "Melody Maker" newspaper, February 1966, advertising the company's presence at the Frankfurt Musikmesse - Hall 12, Stand 2416/7. The Vox ad for the 1967 show is here. Note that the logo of the AC100 cab has an edge outline.
Other ads from the "Melody Maker" Frankfurt trade show issue
26th February 1966
The Pyramid Strings stand, 1966
Advert for the Artia trumpets display at the Fair in "Crescendo" magazine, February 1966. Artia were at stand 2420 in Hall 12.
"Crescendo", March 1966, a short note on the Fair and a pointer to the British Musical Instrument Industries Fair in Moscow in July.