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mid-60's VOX V2 pickups identification

ekoe7

mid-60's VOX V2 pickups identification
« on: March 16, 2019, 04:29:06 PM »
Hello all,
I have a question regarding mid-60's UK VOX single coil "V2" pickups (the somewhat triangular-shape fibre bobbin alnico pickups with yellow paper tape wrap around the coil and the rectangular white vacuum formed cover with holes, not the Italian EKO/VOX versions with the white plastic base and tabs that are otherwise similar in appearance).  
On one of the original UK JMI/VOX V2 single coils in my collection there is a stamp on the paper tape coil wrap.  This stamp reads "S.P1".  I'm attaching a photo below.  This is a neck pickup from a 1967/68 JMI/VOX Marauder.  I have seen other VOX V2 pickups listed online that also have this "S.P1" stamp.  I have two other original VOX V2 pickups in a '65 Ace but I have not yet lifted the scratchplate to see if they have such a stamp.  
My question is... what does this "S.P1" signify?  Do all VOX V2 pickups bear this stamp?  Could it signify neck/middle/bridge, ie- S.P1 for neck, S.P2 for middle and S.P3 for bridge?  
There is a seller on that popular online auction site who has a nice V2 pickup, and I politely inquired if there was a stamp.  He claims to have possessed and sold many V2 pickups and to have never seen a stamp on any of them.  ?      
Any clarification would be greatly appreciated as I'm looking to source a bridge pickup for the Marauder.  Further to that point, if anyone has a V2 bridge pickup I would be interested.  
Kind regards,
  ekoe

PS- Here's an old listing on Reverb for a VOX V2 pickup with the same S.P1 stamp (can be seen in 4th photo): https://reverb.com/item/765255-vintage-1960-s-vox-electric-guitar-pickup-project-w-cover-and-screws
And, another image of a UK JMI/VOX V2 pickup with what appears to be "S.P.1." stamp on the V2 pickup page of this site: https://www.vintageguitarandbass.com/graphics/vox-jmi-v2-pickup_5.jpg
« Last Edit: March 17, 2019, 03:05:51 PM by ekoe7 »

ekoe7

mid-60's VOX V2 pickups identification
« Reply #1 on: March 17, 2019, 02:52:32 PM »
Here is an old listing on Reverb for a VOX V2 pickup with the same S.P1 stamp (can be seen in 4th photo): https://reverb.com/item/765255-vintage-1960-s-vox-electric-guitar-pickup-project-w-cover-and-screws

jules

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Vox V2 pickups SP1 / SP2
« Reply #2 on: March 17, 2019, 05:40:57 PM »
I have to say, I have not looked at the windings on that many of my Vox guitars

however I know my '65 Vox Super Ace has no such markings on any of the pickups, and my late period (66?) Consort does - it has S.P.1 on the neck and middle positions, and S.P.2 on the bridge.

I put a photo here (last pic)
https://www.vintageguitarandbass.com/vox/parts/vox-v2-pickup.php

I would imagine this would be the case for most three pickup JMI Vox guitars - I should check my other guitars

As for what SP stands for... no idea.

ekoe7

mid-60's VOX V2 pickups identification
« Reply #3 on: March 17, 2019, 08:13:33 PM »
Thanks, Jules!  
Ok, so not all VOX V2 pickups had a stamp.  The arrangement on your Consort it would imply the neck pickup and middle pickup to be S.P.1. and bridge pickup to bear an S.P.2. stamp.  
Maybe S.P.2. signifies a higher kOhm rating appropriate for use as bridge pickup?  
Coincidentally, my '65 Ace was acquired directly from you last year and is the very same individual that appears on this site under '65 Vox Ace.  I haven't opened it up and am just wondering if you happen to recall or happen to have some photos that might show the stamps on the '65 Ace?  If not, I can lift the scratchplate and have a look.

jules

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1965 Vox Ace
« Reply #4 on: March 17, 2019, 10:53:20 PM »
Quote from: ekoe7;19352
my '65 Ace was acquired directly from you last year and is the very same individual that appears on this site under '65 Vox Ace.  I haven't opened it up and am just wondering if you happen to recall or happen to have some photos that might show the stamps on the '65 Ace?

ok cool! as it happens I do have a pic of the bridge pickup on your guitar (also SP1). I don't have a pic of the neck, but would imagine it to be the same.

I have not measured the resistance, in isolated pickups, but one difference is certainly related to polepiece spacing. The bridge pickup is angled, so needs wider spaced polepieces to be correctly positioned under the strings. For example, the distance between 1st and 6th pole piece (outside edge to outside edge) is around 53mm on the SP1 and 58mm on the SP2. Covers themselves are the same dimensions.

My '65 Super Ace also has a slanted bridge pickup, and the pole spacing is even for all three pickups. Although none are labelled SP1 they are all clearly the same spacing, i.e. SP1,  irrespective of the bridge pickup slant.

ekoe7

mid-60's VOX V2 pickups identification
« Reply #5 on: March 27, 2019, 07:04:46 PM »
Thanks for those details, Jules.  I inquired with the German eBay seller offering the rather clean JMI/VOX V2 pickup (minus cover), and he claims they were all the same pole spacing.  When I asked him to measure the poles edge to edge, he didn't reply.  Shame because I am seriously interested.  He's asking a lot for the pickup (279euros), so it is only fair to answer legitimate questions.  His response to my question about the stamp was somewhat dismissive as well, claiming none of them had a stamp.  Clearly many of them did.    

So, if you come across an S.P.2. stamped V2 pickup, or a bridge position pickup without stamp, I am still looking!

MGEEK

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mid-60's VOX V2 pickups identification
« Reply #6 on: April 07, 2019, 12:27:14 PM »
I think you're right and it's to do with the spacing.

I've definitely seen it before on guitars I've owned/own- a Super Ace, Phantom and Marauder.

One thing worth noting is that the post bankruptcy guitars made of various parts that were left when Vox went under don't tend to have this attention to detail. You can see it on this Phantom that sold a while back. The pickup in the neck position is way too wide, and it's not like that on mine, which is from '65

https://guitar-auctions.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/lot0205.jpg

MGEEK

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mid-60's VOX V2 pickups identification
« Reply #7 on: April 07, 2019, 12:31:36 PM »
Quote from: ekoe7;19359
Thanks for those details, Jules.  I inquired with the German eBay seller offering the rather clean JMI/VOX V2 pickup (minus cover), and he claims they were all the same pole spacing.  When I asked him to measure the poles edge to edge, he didn't reply.  Shame because I am seriously interested.  He's asking a lot for the pickup (279euros), so it is only fair to answer legitimate questions.  His response to my question about the stamp was somewhat dismissive as well, claiming none of them had a stamp.  


That seller is...notorious to say the least. Listing and relisting a bunch of broken old rubbish for twice or three times what it would sell for if clean. Stay well clear

One will turn up for way less than that. I wouldn't pay more than 40 quid. Chances are you could find a project with one on for not much money too...recently saw a 'bitta' super ace for sixty quid.

ekoe7

mid-60's VOX V2 pickups identification
« Reply #8 on: June 19, 2019, 01:56:43 AM »
Am I wrong in suspecting these pickup covers are not correct?  1965-VOX-Super-Ace-Faded-Red-Vintage-superace-electric-guitar

[ATTACH=CONFIG]3629397[/ATTACH]
« Last Edit: July 28, 2019, 02:07:52 PM by ekoe7 »

ekoe7

mid-60's VOX V2 pickups identification
« Reply #9 on: July 28, 2019, 12:41:19 AM »
Quote from: ekoe7;19380
Am I wrong in suspecting these pickup covers are not correct?  1965-VOX-Super-Ace-Faded-Red-Vintage-superace-electric-guitar


I'm in contact with the seller and it seems this guitar has a particular story to tell. The pickup covers not being exactly 'correct' are perhaps demonstrative of that distinct history and moment in time... they may be historically correct, but conventional understanding interprets them as 'incorrect' as conventional knowledge is often woefully lacking in specifics of historical detail.  It's believed to be a late era JMI or post-JMI Vox. I must publicly apologise here for casting aspersions.
« Last Edit: July 28, 2019, 12:48:00 AM by ekoe7 »

 

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