The Continental music stand: one of the most handsome pieces of design produced by JMI in the early 1960s, perhaps even the 1960s as a whole, these were supplied as standard with the first 80 or so organs, late 1962 to autumn 1963. The last of the "square tops" - of late 1963 / perhaps early 1964 - evidently did not have them. So far as ome can tell, the distintive angular rendering of "VOX" was only otherwise used - in adjusted form - on the Transonic amplifier, a fellow member of the new Jennings range of transistorised equipment. The main overview page omn the Continental can be found here.

Vox Transonic logo.

The very earliest Continentals simply had the stand. Some way into production however, a perspex "stop" was provided at the front of the lid to stop the music sliding off onto the keyboard.

Below, a couple of shots of the organ used by Sounds Incorporated, one to show the stand and perspex "stop" at the front of the lid, the other showing the re-purposed Fender volume pedal (on top of the stand, still flat on the lid).

Continental used by Sounds Incorporated, perspex runner at front, fixed with three screws. Serial number TC1076 still has its runner though the stand is gone.

The Continental used by Sounds Inc. seen on stage, the chrome footswitch on top of the music stand.

JMI's promotional Continental, no perspex runner or screw holes.

In many respects, the music stand with its large "VOX" logo also served as what we would now call a "brand identifier". But what if the musician chose not to use it? By late 1963 Jennings thought it well to provide a plaque on the Continental's rear panel - just to make the name clear.

Imitators

In many respects, Tom Jennings and Derek Underdown got going with the Continental at just the right time. A few months later, the world of transistor organs began to expand exponentially - doubtless prompted in part by their lead. Below, an advert for the Harmonics "Solette" from February 1963, old-fashioned switches for stops, not really a "Beat Group" organ as such, but equipped nonetheless with a recognisably Continental-style perspex music stand.

Advert published February 1963.

Back to the main Vox Continental page.

The main Jennings / Vox organs index page.