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When Vox of Dartford Changed Music Forever

Founded in 1957 by Thomas Walter Jennings, Vox is a musical instrument manufacturer. The Beetles and The Rolling Stones both used Vox amplifiers. The VOX AC30 was first made at 119 Dartford Road. It is world famous and catapulted the sound of British music into the global arena.

Source: Kent Online
Jennings worked for the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers during World War II. In 1942 he was discharged on medical grounds and went to work at the Vickers munition plant in Crayford. Here he met amateur guitarist Dick Denny. Jennings started repairing accordions and trading in musical instruments in 1944. Two years later he set up his first shop in Dartford importing accordions and other musical instruments. Jennings invented the then popular Univox electric accordion. In 1957 he collaborated with Denny and they formed a partnership Jennings Musical Instruments (JMI) developing the AC15. The valves were prone to distortion due to their low headroom. This distortion was seen as a fault at first but ultimately guitar players enjoyed the effect. 


Cliff Richards and The Shadows used AC15 amplifiers in the late 1950s. Vox insisted that artists they endorsed always had the brand visible during performances which proved to be an excellent marketing ploy. The Shadows found that due to screaming fans they could not hear their amps properly and requested that JMI build them a louder amp.
  
Denny wanted to create a double amp but Jennings was vehemently against it saying it would be too loud and too big.  Denny began secretly making the amplifier  but got caught by Jennings who was livid.  After a huge argument it was agreed that 10 could be made and proving successful the  famous AC30 was born. 


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