31st May

A couple of shots of WIMA Tropydurs with 1961 date codes from AC30 serial number 5355, a Super Twin amplifier section from Spring 1962 (no other date codes currently known).

Date code "81" = August 1961.

Date code "111" = November '61.

29th May

Perhaps long known in some circles, it seems likely that WIMA Tropydur capacitors bear date codes, month and year. Below, a couple of examples. In the foreground "128" = December 1958, in the background "77" = July 1957. The whole thing falls down of course if a number greater than 129 turns up, but so far so good. It is perhaps worth saying that these numbers do not correlate with particular values of capacitance or voltages. Thanks to Glen Lambert for checking his collection of Tropydurs.

Jennings used these capacitors from 1954 (organs) through to early/mid 1962, at which point, where amplifiers are concerned, WIMA Tropyfols were employed. The page on WIMAs will be updated shortly. At least one TV Front AC30 for instance had Tropydurs with "70" and "80" codes - presumably, if all is correct, July and August 1960.

28th May

Just to note that five of AC30/4 serial number 4447's original valves survive, all white print Mullards: EF86 with date code "B0F" = June 1960; three EL84s with "B0F" = June '60; GZ34 with "B0J" = October '60; ECC83 with "B1B = February 1961. Pictures to follow. The page on AC30s with original valves has been updated.

27th May

Thanks to the new owner of AC30/4 serial number 4447, a couple of pics of of its Celestion blues. The amp was evidently ready for sale in spring 1961.

"27DF" = 27th April, 1961. The other speaker has "20DF" = 20th April, 1961, the earliest date code for a Celestion blue that has (definitively) come to light so far.

Note the spacing of "T 5 3 0", also found in this form on blues with May '61 date codes. From the second half of 1961 through to 1964, Celestion used a new, or at least different stamp, its characters closer together.

Details of one of the Celestion blues of AC30/4 serial number 4447.

Later form of "T530" stamp.

26th May

Below, a detail of the speaker compartment of AC30 serial number 17086, produced in the first third of 1965. "Taylor-Made" stickers have only otherwise turned up so far in AC50 amplifier section cabinets.

"Taylor-Made Woodware" is the registered (REGD) Trade Mark. The precise trading name of "Taylor" has yet to be established.

AC30 serial number 17086.

23rd May

Currently up for sale in Germany, AC30 serial number 22949, produced in early 1968. At present, this is the lowest serial number to have come to light on a plate with "AMPLIFIER" rather than "VOX AMPLIFIER" at its head. The new plates were introduced in late 1967 at some point shortly after JMI's affairs had been placed in the hands the official receiver ("administration"), the range known at present for AC30s being serial numbers 22949 to 23010.

At least one of the capacitors in serial number 22949 has the date code "YM" = December 1967.

Detail of the plate of serial number 22949.

22nd May

Thanks to Daniele, pictures coming shortly of AC30 Expanded Frequency (2 x 15" speakers) serial number 602, grey panel, late 1964 (provisionally). The existing page on Expanded AC30s is here.

AC30 X 15, serial number 602.

20th May

The Continental pictured below was sold around fifteen years ago for the princely sum of £649. It is serial number TC1207. Indications are that it was produced in 1964 - evidently before new-style rocker switches were introduced. The lid is of the "low" type; vinyl is heavy dark grey; there is silver piping round the body of the organ (always most evident at back); and a single piece of traffolyte bears the legends for the roller switches. At the outset - in late 1962 and for most of 1963 - legends were on two separate sections. Mains and speaker sockets sit on an aluminium panel set behind an opening in the rear of the case. The generators are still enclosed in metal assemblies sprayed hammerite grey, however. An overview of the development of various features of early Continentals can be found here.

Vox Continental serial number TC 1207 - pictures from this page. It is alas not a prototype of any sort - standard production, 1964.

16th May (2)

Part 2 of the overview of prices for the AC15, a digest again of around two dozen contemporary sources (for some months no source, for others multiple).

Late 1957 / early 1958 - AC.1.15

Initial design: £44 and 2 shillings.

March to September 1958 - AC1/15

March, May, July and September: 57 guineas = £59 and 17 shillings.

October 1958 to early 1960 - AC1/15 (from July '59 generally termed the A.C.15)

through to April 1960: 59 guineas = £61 and 19 shillings.

May 1960 to February 1961 - AC15 Normal and Bass

AC15 Normal: 65 guineas = £68 and 5 shillings.

AC15 Bass: 70 guineas = £73 and 10 shillings.

March to December 1961 - AC15 Normal and Bass

AC15 Normal: 70 guineas = £73 and 10 shillings.

AC15 Bass: 75 guineas = £78 and 15 shillings.

It is likely that the new prices introduced in May 1960 correspond with the move to the third circuit AC15, and that those of March 1961 stemmed from the introduction of split-front cabinets.

16th May

The prices of the various models of AC15 it turns out were far more stable than those of AC30s. Below, a digest of around two dozen JMI pricelists (1962 to 1965).

For the whole of 1962:

AC15 single speaker, Normal: 70 guineas = £73 10 shillings.

AC15 single speaker, Bass: 75 guineas = £78 15 shillings.

AC15 Twin: 85 guineas = £89 5 shillings.

For the whole of 1963 and into late 1965:

AC15 single speaker, Normal: 80 guineas = £84.

AC15 Twin, Normal: 95 guineas = £99 15 shillings.

AC15 Twin, Bass: 100 guineas = £105.

Note that in 1962 no AC15 Twin Bass is listed, and that in 1963 no single speaker AC15 Bass is encompassed. However, the latter was occasionally noted as being available for an extra 5 guineas (in other words 85 guineas = £89 15 shillings).

Prices advertised in the period 1958 to 1961 will be given in another entry.

15th May

A new page on later AC15s is taking shape here. When JMI's contract with Westrex came to an end in late 1964 / early 1965, production was evidently taken up in part, or perhaps wholly, by Triumph Electronics in Purley. The extent is not clear at the moment though. So far no grey panel Twin obviously made by Burndept has come to light - but that of course doesn't mean that none were made for JMI by the company.

14th May (2)

Another early copper panel Super Twin amplifier section, probably originally a serial number in the high 4000s / low 5000s. Typical early elements: phantom cut-out in the chassis near the rectifier valve; Haddon transformers; rectangular Egen trimmer unit for the tremolo; black WIMA Tropydur capacitors; box with square corners on the back panel.

The main Hunts preamp filter cap has the date code "YWW" = 1st week of 1961; one of the blue Hunts cathode bypass caps has either "WHW" or "WHH" = 12th week of 1961 or 1962, more likely the former.

The original Westrex inspection tag is still attached - illustrated on the page signalled in the entry below. Further pictures of the amp will be set up on the early Super Twins page in the coming days.

14th May

A new page has been started on Westrex inspection tags - survivals on an AC10 (AC/10); AC30/4 (AC/34); and several AC30/6s (AC/36). No example yet from an AC15.

13th May (2)

Unusually, an AC30 for sale on Reverb (in Canada) that is dated much too late (1964) by its owner - for understandable reasons.

The chassis is actually from early 1962 - Haddon transformers; copper panel with first style of "JMI" logo; white Erie resistors; a rectangular trimmer for the tremolo (from mid 1962 these were superceded by trimmers with a semi-circular end); and red checker's dye on the solder terminals. The Top Boost module is a repro.

The box - difficult to say for certain, but probably the original refurbished with basketweave vinyl and new vents. The corners of the back panel are square rather than rounded.

13th May

Thanks to Kevin, pictures of AC30 Twin serial number 12010T, containing a relatively early Burndept-made Treble chassis - number 02956. The earliest Treble chassis known at present (lowest number anyway) is 02901.

AC30 serial number 12010T.

12th May

Thanks to Ralf, pictures of AC30 Super Twin, serial number 4215, complete with original covers and chrome stand. The speaker cabinet is open-backed, silver Celestions ion place (though without, or no longer with, "VOX" labels). Serial number 4125 was evidently exported to Germany early on. The white dealer's shop plaque can be seen on top of the speaker cabinet.

AC30 Super Twin, serial number 4215. Top Boost controls on the amp's panel but no designation of voicing on the serial number plate. The same is true also of serial number 4179.

11th May

Just to signal that a page on Jennings stands at trade fairs, c. 1949-1960, has now been started here (on the Vox AC100 website). There is still a good deal of documentary material to add, so it may be necessary to create further pages in due course.

Positive evidence of the exhibiting of an amplifier - or amplifiers - first comes in 1954: at the "British Industries Fair" (London). But it is likely that at least one was on hand (for demonstration purposes) at the Jennings stand the year before.

The earliest known picture (at present) of a Jennings stand - "National Accordion Day", Central Hall, Westminster, November 1950.

10th May (2)

A couple of picture pages have now been set up for AC30/4 serial number 4447, black panel, probably ready for sale in the late spring of 1961 - general shots and a series of details.

10th May

Quite where the error lay in the disjunctions noted below is hard to say. Were the wrong types of chassis put in boxes that already had serial number plates? Or were plates, stamped with the wrong voicing, added to boxes already containing chassis? A new boxer-upper at work? That JMI was in the process of setting up its new factory at Erith may go some way to explaining some of the quirks apparent in Super Twins in late 1964 and 1965 - but until definitive info comes to light, naturally only in general terms.

9th May (2)

Super Twins, late 1964: four disjunctions between the voicing designated on the serial number plate and the actual voicing of the chassis (all assembled by Burndept):

9th May

Thanks to Stefan, pictures of AC30 Super Twin serial number 3072 TB, exported to Sweden in late 1964 (soon after production). Further pics on this page.

AC30 Super Twin serial number 3072 TB.

8th May

Pictures of AC/30 serial number 4047 (single speaker) have now been added on this page. Thanks to Steve.

The page has also been updated with a note of the taps provided by the mains transformer of AC/30s - 200/210v, 220/230v, and 240/250v. Sales to the USA were evidently not envisaged.

7st May

Pictures coming shortly of AC/30 serial number 4047, single speaker, early 1960 (thanks to Steve); and AC30/4 serial number 4447N, black panel, Spring 1961 (latest visible date codes March '61).

1st May (2)

First-version Schaller-made script logo Continental volume pedals are scarce these days, almost as scarce as the chrome Fender pedals modified by JMI at Dartford Road (with added Vox logo and taper resistor). Below an early Schaller unit cunningly re-purposed in the 1970s as a wah-wah pedal - not the greatest wah ever made (the circuit probably derived from one published in "Practical Electronics" magazine) but at least workable for some of the treadle's travel.

Quite how many first-version script logo pedals were produced for JMI by Schaller is unknown. Probably no more than several dozen. Large-bodied second-version script logo pedals were evidently produced in greater numbers - number 140 is pictured below, number 47 survives in Holland, and there are others.

Small-bodied second-version script logo pedals are relatively common too, along with block logo pedals (final type produced by Schaller). The latter will have accompanied the majority of organs exported to the USA in 1965.

The first type of Vox Continental pedal produced for JMI by Schaller, probably second third of 1964, large bodied, a ligature between the "O" and "X". This example turned into a sort of wah in the 1970s.

1st May

J ust to add in relation to volume pedals pictured in yesterday's entry, the smaller of the two is of the same size as at least two later ones with block "VOX" logos - i.e. pedals with cursive logos were larger to begin with, then in later 1964 reduced slightly in size.

The later type of Schaller-made volume pedal - "VOX" in block letters. A second socket has been added at left.

30th April

A series of updates coming shortly. In the meantime, some pictures of two Vox Continental volume pedals made for JMI in the second half of 1964 by Schaller (Germany). The logos are of the same general type (cursive, no flourish to the "O" and "X"), but the castings are different. Either the moulds had relatively short lives, or Schaller had two (or more) on the go concurrently. For the other types of logo used by Schaller in 1964 and 1965, see this page (around half-way down).

The larger of the two casings is 10 3/8" long; 4 3/4" wide at its widest point; and 2 1/2" tall (without base and feet). The number "140" is stamped inside.

The smaller is 9 7/8" long; 4 3/8" wide; and 2 3/8" tall. No number visible. The base however is stamped "Made in Germany". The pot has "H4", which may be August '64 (but by no means certainly).

Both are sprayed silver inside. All wiring is original. A number of units were fitted with black coaxial cable.

The "Made in Germany" stamp on the base of the smaller of the two units.

19th April

Thanks to Sean, pictures of AC30 Super Twin serial number 4821 have now been added here.

16th April

Copied over from the Vox AC100 website, the earliest report to have emerged of the acquisition by Tom of 115 Dartford Road - "Unity Works" (or "Unity House") as it came to be called a month or two later. With the new space came the expansion of the "Jennings Organ Company" - the production of console organs and further models of Univox. More to follow.

The pages on Jennings organs can be found via this index page. Material on the Dartford Road factory is being gathered together on the AC100 website.

December 1953. The magazine from which this piece came - a review of activities in the accordion and music world generally (with many good adverts) - is extremely scarce these days. The set to hand came from a seller in Turkey.

28th March

Thanks to Tom, pictures of "Vox Sound Limited" AC30 serial number 1272, late 1972.

27th March

This took ages to bring to light - the rest of the Herrburger Brooks label (showing the date of manufacture of the keyboard) on an early Vox Continental currently in the UK. Part was hidden under the front apron assembly. Removing that took a considerable time. Preceding "No." should be "Order". Herrburger Brooks, based in Camden Town (London) and Long Eaton (Derbyshire), was subcontracted by JMI to make Continental keyboards in the summer of 1962.

The date is the earliest to have surfaced so far. The next earliest is Order No. 39130, "24/4/63", in Continental serial number TC1076.

These dates simply relate to the manufacture of the keyboard assembly, not to the completion of the organs as a whole. The organ to which keyboard no. 32479 belongs has a power section date-stamped 8th May (not April as stated previously) 1963.

So far all early Herrburger order numbers for JMI appear to end either in "9" or "0". More on that later.

Herrburger Brooks label. "SC" was stamped on the company's labels through to the 1990s. "C to C" is the four octaves (49 notes). The precise meaning of "B.F" is unknown at present.

21st March

Details of an Italian-made Continental sold in Germany a little while ago, the cabinet made by Heslop and Co. and dated 5th July 1966. Quite how many cabinets were shipped out to Recanati / Monte Cassiano (for use by E.M.E.) is unknown at present.

The use of basketweave vinyl may be typical of Heslop-made cabinets.

20th March

A couple of new pages have recently been added to the section on Jennings Organs: - one on the variant versions of the Vox Continental developed in mid/late 1964, the "Portable Deluxe" evidently emerging from Denney's work on the Guitar-Organ Mark 1. The other, still in its infancy, is on the rexine used on early Continentals. More to come on the various types of black (and grey) for the case. The orange/red covering adopted for the inner lid on English-made organs - close in terms of colour to what is currently known as "Pimento" - remained fairly consistent through to 1965. Colour samples and refs are given on the new page. One question that may not be easy to answer though is: what was "Pimento" called in 1963?

15th March (2)

Thanks to Alan, a quick shot of the plate of AC30 Twin serial number 5596N, still with its original beige vinyl. Further details of the amp to follow.

15th March

Further pics of the amp below, probably originally a serial number in the 20000s, now added here - thanks to Paul.

14th March

Thanks to Paul, pictures coming shortly of an AC30 from late 1965, chassis and speakers reboxed in a slightly later cabinet.

Chassis number 12344, stamped on the left-hand side of the preamp upright (beneath the input jacks).

Celestion T1088s with date code "11KK" = 11th October 1965.

13th March

That "Heathpoint Timber", one of JMI's contract cabinet makers, did not come into being until 1965 as the advert second below seems to indicate is now certain from an ad placed by "Thundersley Cabinet Supplies Limited" in the "Daily Mirror" newspaper on 24th October, 1964. 533 Rayleigh Road was Thundersley's home from April 1963 (when the company was set up) through to the point at which Heathpoint took the premises over. Whether "Thundersley Cabinet Supplies" worked for JMI as a contract cabinet maker is an open question. No-one connected with JMI has ever said it did, however. The page on JMI's cabinet makers has been updated. Thundersley is referenced at the end of the entry for Heathpoint.

"Daily Mirror", 24th October, 1964. Thundersley placed an advert in almost every Saturday edition of the Mirror from April 1963 through to the end of October '64. Its business was principally self-assembly kitchen units and sheds.

"Beat Instrumental" magazine, July 1975.

Looping back around to the question of who made the early Vox Continental organ cases (late 1962 to late 1963), P.A. Glock in Crayford seems most likely.

12th March

A new page has been started on changes made to the Vox Continental during production, late 1962 to early 1964 - a sort of train-spottery type guide. Further details to be added soon.

Detail from the JMI fold-out brochure of 1964.

11th March (2)

A detail from a shot of Emile Ford and the Checkmates on stage in Ireland, 1963. Ford and the band were named as users of the Vox Continental by JMI in March.

The organ is typical for early 1963 - tall inner lid, catches for the outer lid on the front rather than the sides; speaker and mains sockets mounted directly on the back panel. The Tornados and The Overlanders are also seen with organs of this type. See this page. Ford's, however, has domical feet on its back panel.

Detail from an advert placed in the music press by JMI, 16th March, 1963.

11th March

A nerdy post on Vox Continental studs/feet. From 1963, Continentals had five [not four as stated previously] domical metal feet at back to help the case stand upright - that was the theory at any rate - two feet at opposite ends of the outer case top; two at opposite ends the lower case; and a fifth in the centre of the lower case.

Added: - The very earliest organs had no studs at all.

Detail of a Continental from 1965.

Below, some quick shots of a foot/stud removed (simply out of curiosity) from an early Continental (1963): - diameter 3/4" (19mm); height of dome 3/8" (9mm); length/height of split rivet fixing 3/4". Like-for-like replacements are quite hard to find in the UK these days. They are common in the USA though - sold as "guitar case feet", "luggage/suitcase base studs", and so on.

JMI also used these feet - or at least one of its contractors did - on certain guitar cases.

10th March

The plate below, which is genuine enough, was "bundled" some time ago with a TV Front AC30/4 that passed to an outlet in the USA (and presumably from there into private hands). More on the amp and the various shenanigans surrounding it another time. Safe to say the plate has / had nothing to do with the AC30. Type and serial number indicate the model in view was originally an AC10.

AC10 serial number 3433 is still black panel (split front cabinet). Serial number 3622 is copper panel. The reason for the "TEST"? Probably the point at which Westrex took over production.

9th March (2)

A small correction - Mike Smith's Continental number (2) could well have been (and probably was) an entirely new unit rather than the electronics and keyboard of organ (1) re-cased.

9th March

A couple more things on Mike Smith's Vox Continentals. The organ numbered (2) below is also seen on the set of "Ready Steady Go", June 1964.

The trafolyte panel (with legends for the roller switches) is of the later type - a single piece rather than two separate ones.

Detail of Mike Smith's Continental, picture taken in the recording studio, perhaps in late February 1964, possibly a little later. Later type of trafolyte panel - a single length.

A surviving Continental with the same type of panel as above. The organ has new-style low sloping lid, also as above.

Earlier type of trafolyte panels - one for each switch.

8th March (2)

A short (provisional) overview of Mike Smith's Vox Continentals in 1964. It is likely that (1) was partly recased as (2) - not necessarily so. Recasing was also JMI's habit for loan amplifiers, the AC80/100s issued to the Beatles being a prime example. When the original boxes had become battered and unsightly the chassis were rehoused at Dartford Road in new ones.

The keyboard assembly of organ (1) may have been rehoused in (2) - in light of the post above, this is somewhat tenuous - (2) could be an entirely new organ. Organ (3) may be (2) with a replaced lid. Organ (4) perhaps provided for publicity only.

1. Late 1963 / early 1964. Square top; aluminium music stand supports on the lid; VOX logos applied to side and back; speaker and mains sockets mounted directly on the case at back. Seen at the Dave Clark Five's residency at the Tottenham Royal (Jan. and Feb. 1964, some performances filmed); Top of the Pops (Feb. 1964); Ready Steady Go (Feb. 1964); and other early shows.

Tottenham Royal. Detail of a photo taken in late January 1964. The VOX logos were airbrushed on to the photo

Tottenham Royal, performance filmed by Pathe. VOX logos later applied to the organ side and back.

Detail of a shot backstage, early 1964, venue unknown. Note the music stand support and the sockets mounted directly onto the case.

"Top of the Pops", February 1964.

2. Cut-out in the back of the case for the aluminium panel to which the sockets are fixed; a long "Vox Continental" plaque; low sloping lid; no fixings for music stand (clear from other pics). Seen on the Ed Sullivan show, May 1964.

Ed Sullivan Show, 22nd May, 1964. Detail of a pic from Getty Images.

Mike Smith in the studio, said to be February '64. The Continental has a new-style lid (low, sloping, no mounts for a music stand), but keyboard assembly is of the old type - Radiospares indicator lamp, Morganite roller switches, trafolyte panels with legends for the switches. Detail of a pic from Getty Images

3. Old style square top lid, but with no mounts (or holes for mounts) for a music stand; long Vox Continental plaque on the back panel; cut-out for the sockets (seen in other pictures); old-style indicator lamp, trafolyte panels; roller switches. Used in the film "Get Yourself a College Girl", shot in part at Boreham Wood Studios, September 1964. The Animals, who also featured, had their own Continental (with new-style switches).

It may be that (3) is simply (2) with a replacement old-style lid.

Boreham Wood Studios, September 1964. Note the height of the lid at back. Detail of a pic from Getty Images

Detail from the film. Far right, old-style roller switches, legends, and indicator lamp.

4. A Continental with new-style rocker switches and indicator lamp. Publicity shots, date unknown at present, 1964.

Detail of a pic from Getty Images

8th March

Captured on the same sunny day in early 1965 as yesterday's photo, a slightly ethereal Vox Continental organ standing in the display area/showroom of the Vox Works at Erith. On the right, an AC10 Super Reverb Twin, rectangular thin-edged cabinet. Shots of the assembly of Continentals at the Erith Works (also early 1965) can be seen on this page.

More to come on Continentals - principally the Dave Clark Five in 1964 - shortly.

7th March (2)

Just to note that the entry below should really have been linked up explicitly with the one for 2nd March - AC30 Twins with VOX logos composed of single letters, serial numbers in the high 17000s / low 18000s, late 1964 / early 1965.

7th March

A detail of a shot taken in the display area - a sort of mini showroom - at the Erith Works in early 1965. In view two AC30 Super Twins, still with rectangular amplifier section boxes, and behind, a 2x15" cabinet. Note on both Super Twins the VOX logo composed of single letters, typical of serial numbers in the 3300-3600 range (where rectangular rather than slope-sided boxes are concerned).

5th March

The page section on AC30s with serial numbers in the 21000s, 1966 to 1967, has now been updated. 21397 is still the lowest number known so far to have a control panel with the revised presentation of "JMI" - letters on individual panels (a reversion to the early 1960s form):

Picture perspective slightly corrected.

New entries for around a dozen amps with numbers in the 22000s - 1967 - are in progress.

4th March

A series of new entries added over the past few days to the pages on AC30s with serial numbers in the 19000s and 20000s.

Also to note that a white "Gla-Rev" stamp survives in the cabinet of serial number 21056. The cab's back boards - in company with those of other amps in the 21000s - have square rather than radiused corners (the latter being the norm from 1964). Whether this means that Gla-Rev had come in anew at this point or was simply changing its normal practice is not clear at the mo. The page on AC30 cabinets has been updated.

The Celestion T1088s still have terminals on the frames.

2nd March

Just to signal the forthcomingness of further entries for amps with serial numbers in the 17000s and 18000s (late 1964 through to 1965) - part of the rolling programme of updates. A good number have logos formed from individual letters. These were evidently not as robust as the single-piece moulded units as several cabs have lost theirs.

The logo of serial number 17843.

It is likely that the relative scarcity of AC30s with serial numbers in the high 18000s is a consequence of the fire at the Erith Works in December 1965. In 1965 the gap between production (or at least component date codes) and point of sale/dispatch becomes quite large.

1st March

The page on AC30s with serial numbers in the 16000s is in the process of being updated (still accessible).

Updates for February 2023.

Updates for January 2023.

Updates for December 2022.

Updates for November 2022.

Updates for October 2022.

Updates for September 2022.

Updates for August 2022.

Updates for July 2022.

Updates for June 2022.

Updates for May 2022.

Updates for April 2022.

Updates for March 2022.

Updates for February 2022.

Updates for January 2022.

Updates for December 2021.

Updates for November 2021.

Updates for October 2021.

Updates for September 2021.

Updates for August 2021.

Updates for July 2021.

Updates for June 2021.

Updates for May 2021.

Updates for April 2021.

Updates for March 2021.

Updates for February 2021.

Updates for January 2021.

Updates for December 2020.

Updates for October and November 2020.

Updates for August and September 2020.

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Updates for June 2020.

Updates for May 2020.

Updates for April 2020.

Updates January, February, and March 2020.