Tracking the Vox AC10 (G1/10, AC1/10), 1957 to 1961
Early Jennings promotional material
Glen Lambert
Below, promotional material issued by Jennings - primarily placed in music and trade magazines - relating to early versions of the Vox AC10, 1957 to 1961. Of principal importance are the prices, often though not always corresponding with a new version.
A page on the adverts placed in local newspapers by shops in the "provinces" (i.e. outside London), 1959 and 1960, can be found here.
1957
16th November, 1957, "Melody Maker" magazine, an early mention of the G1/10 (in Univox style cabinet) at 27 guineas, advertised with the AC2/30. Serial numbers of the G1/10 began at "500xx".
December 1957. The G1/10 at 27 guineas, advertised in company with the AC2/30 (as in the preceding advert).
1958
Detail from a JMI catalogue, March 1958, the G1/10 described for the first time as having two inputs.
Detail from a JMI flyer (four versions exist, this the earliest) probably issued in conjunction with the catalogue mentioned above.
1959
June/July 1959. The G1/10 (without vibrato) now termed the 'A.C.10', probably available from early 1959 in a TV Front cabinet, a new serial number sequence for the model having been kicked off at "3000".
June 1959. One of the last adverts to mention the G1/10 by name (TV Front version), price 27 guineas.
Summer 1959. The first advert to illustrate the G1/10 in a TV Front cabinet (grille cloth nine diamonds high). The model is here termed the 'AC/10'. Note that (top mounted) 'tremulant' and Goodmans speaker are mentioned.
August 1959. The G1/10 (not specifically named) in TV Front cabinet still at 27 guineas.
October 1959. The G1/10 (aka AC/10) has gone up a little to 29 guineas. It is presumably at this point too that a new model is presented at 39 guineas - see the ad below - which we expect to be the AC1/10 aka AC10 Amplifier No.1 (an amp with Tremulant and Vibrato).
November and December 1959, body and text identical: AC/10 without vibrato (29 gns), AC/10 with vibrato (39 gns), AC1/15 (59 gns), AC/30 (70 gns).
1960
March 1960, likely the TV Front G1/10 at 29 gns, the AC10 Amplifier No.2 with Tremolo (schematic drawn December 1959) at 39 gns, and a new lower-priced model appears: the AC6 at 19 gns.
By 30th April 1960 prices have risen sharply. The AC6 jumps from 19 to 25 gns. The TV Front G1/10 is replaced by the AC10 Amplifier No.2 - without rear tremolo at 35gns, with rear Tremolo at 45 gns. The AC15 Amplifier No.2 at 65 gns, and AC/30 TV Front at 79 gns, both have Bass options.
The pricelist of Spring 1960 has prices and model designations much the same as above, with the AC10 Amplifier No.2 without Tremolo called 'AC10 normal' priced at 35 gns. AC10 Amp No.2 with Tremolo at 45 gns.
30th July 1960, Paul Jennings's Music Studio, Bexleyheath (later "Musicland") - models and prices remain the same. The AC10 is explicity said to have 4 inputs and remains at 45 gns. The budget version is not listed.
19th November 1960, "Melody Maker" magazine. The version of the AC10 described as being "10 Watt 2 input vibrato" marks the return of the old G1/10 chassis housed now in a new split front fawn cab and with a tremolo module on the back panel, price 35gns. On the "AC10 Throwback", see this page. The new AC10 Amplifier No. 3, described as being "10 Watt 4 input vibrato", is listed at 45 gns.
AC10 Amplifier No.3, circuit diagram drawn in September 1960, was in stock by late 1960 - a 5-control chassis housed in a rounded corner TV Front cabinet of 11.5 diamonds width, no brass Jennings plate.
For earlier AC10s see the index page here.