Vox Mark XII Acoustic 12 String Solid Body Electric Guitar , c. 1966

Vox  Mark XII Acoustic 12 String Solid Body Electric Guitar ,  c. 1966
Loading
LOADING IMAGES
This item has been sold.
Item # 4113
Prices subject to change without notice.
Vox Mark XII Acoustic Model 12 String Solid Body Electric Guitar, c. 1966, made in Italy, cherry lacquer finish, laminated maple body, maple neck with ebony fingerboard, original black tolex hard shell case.

One of the all-time great "posing" guitars, the Vox Mark XII is a 1960's classic. Like most production Vox guitars sold in the US, this one was built at the Eko factory in Recanti, Italy. JMI in Dartford, Kent, was already overstreched by 1964, supplying Vox amplifiers to the UK and world markets. Instead of greatly expanding their guitar-making facilities, they outsourced the bulk of production to the Italian firm. These Eko-made Vox guitars are more consistent than their English-made cousins, and in some ways better made. By the time Thomas Organ in California had taken over US distribution of JMI's products, nearly all the Vox guitars they handled would be of Italian parentage.

The teardrop-shaped Mark series was originally a stylistic outgrowth of the trapezoidal-bodied Phantom line. Indeed, the earliest model was called the Phantom Mk.III. Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones got one of the first hand-built prototypes, and the exposure the model received in his hands in 1964-5 was quite enough to quickly make it the most sought after Vox guitar. The solid body "Mark" series quickly expanded to include 6, 12, and 9-string guitars as well as a bass, all offered in several different finishes.

The Mark "Acoustic" line followed in 1966, using the body developed for the teardrop-shape hollow body "Wyman Bass". This Mark XII's vibrant cherry is one of two standard finishes offered for the "Acoustic" models. The guitar features three standard Vox pickups, the bright sound of which is particularly well-suited to a 12-string, with a wiring rig derived from the Stratocaster, i.e. master volume, two tone controls, and a three-way switch. The vibrato is derived from JMI's "Hank B Marvin" unit and is basically copied from the solid body Bigsby. This brilliant cherry Mark XII is a 60's icon and is also quite playable...as well as eminently poseable and collectible!
 
Overall length is 41 in. (104.1 cm.), 13 in. (33 cm.) width, and 2 1/4 in. (5.7 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 13/16 in. (46 mm.).

All original except missing vibrato arm and spring (likely removed by a player who attempted to use them!) and the switch tip has been repaired. Some typical Vox checking and a few dings, but overall very nice. Excellent Condition.