"VOX PHANTOM GUITAR VI: V209" and "VOX PHANTOM GUITAR XII: V221"

Late 1961 one of VOX' most famous guitars appeared.
With a trapezoid shaped body conceived by The Design Centre in London was named the "VOX Phantom VI - V209" originally made in Kent, England but soon after made by EKO (in cooperation with Crucianelli) site in Recanati, Italy.
British-made "VOX Phantom VI" have a higher collector value due to rarity, but as player instruments they can be inferior to those made in Italy.


The "VOX Phantom VI" features a true Bigsby bow tie Tremolo, a "Schaller roller bridge", a rotating pickup selector switch (far right) as well as a single master volume and two tone controls.
In the 60's, VOX crafted a line of distinctly designed, beautifully detailed electric guitars.

VOX Phantom XII Stereo V246 red.

Both 6 and 12 string guitars were also made as "Stereo" versions; capable of operating in stereo with a special cable which connected to two ampflifiers simultaneously.


VOX Phantom XII Stereo V246 white.

The "Phantom Stereo XII" had three special offset pickups - the equivalent of six pickups. Three individual pickup mode selectors switches; three (thank you Anonymous) separate sets of tone and volume controls for each pickup.
Another variant of the "Vox Phantom" guitars was the "Special" (photo on top of the post).
This included on board effects such as Fuzz, Tremolo, and repeat percussion. Effects were operated by a series of push buttons along the bottom neck side of the pick guard.
With sleekly styled fittings, like Bigsby Tremolo systems and chrome knobs and original style pickup covers, they look as good as they sound.
The "VOX Phantom VI"'s distinct body style is fitted with three single coil pickups and a Bigsby Tremolo system.
The "VOX Phantom XII - V221" is a twelve string, droplet-shaped model that offers VOX styling and superior playability.



The Yardbirds April 15, 1967, Holtehallen, Holte, Denmark, Photo Courtesy of Jørgen Angel. Jimmy Page plays VOX Phantom XII

The "VOX Phantom VI" was very successful and used by many top artists of the era including "The Kinks", "The Hollies", "The Yardbirds" "Dave Clark Five", "Paul Revere and The Raiders".

Thanks to Martin Palmer for great Vox Phantom VI Special photo at top (this version included on board effects such as Fuzz, Tremolo, and repeat percussion. Effects were operated by a series of push buttons along the bottom neck side of the pick guard).