A Brief History of the Vox Phantom
After introducing a series of "Fender inspired" student grade guitars in 1961, Vox started the development of professional grade instruments. Vox determined that "copy cat" guitar designs for their pro models would be unacceptable. Their new upscale guitar models would need to have body designs that were unique and iconic, rendering them immediately recognizable as a Vox instrument. In his 1991 book, "The Vox Story," JMI lead engineer Dick Denney reported that JMI entered into a contract with the London Design Centre in 1962 to suggest a unique body profile that would be developed into a new pro-quality guitar model. Others claim that the design for this proposed "top of the line" Vox guitar was drafted in-house at JMI. Either way, it was through these efforts that the legendary, "coffin shaped" Vox Phantom I and Phantom II six string guitars and a four string Phantom Bass were introduced in 1962.

The earliest, 1962 versions of the Phantom were assembled in the Vox plant in Dartford Kent. The production of bodies and necks was subcontracted to outside vendors. For the most part, these early Phantom instruments were equipped with the same V.1. pickups, "Standard" tailpieces, bridges and tuner keys as their student grade counterparts.

JMI made a major revision to their guitar line in 1963, largely made possible by their development of vastly improved pickups, bridges and tremolo units. Vox replaced both the Phantom I and II six string guitars with one new second generation model simply named "Phantom" that would take advantage of these new components.

The Phantom was now equipped with three Vox V.2. single coil pickups with white plastic pickup covers and six exposed pole pieces, similar to the pickups Fender installed on a Stratocaster. Vox also equipped the new Phantom with the upgraded "Hank B. Marvin Tremolo Unit," a two piece system that included a Bigsby like roller action tailpiece and a micro adjustable bridge. The tailpiece casting featured the inscribed signature of the legendary UK guitarist Hank B. Marvin.

The JMI Vox Phantom XII "Made in the UK" - 1964-1968
The original Vox Phantom XII guitar was assembled at the JMI facilities in the UK. As was the case with the six string Phantom, the bodies and necks for the twelve string models were produced for Vox by several "outside' subcontractors. The Phantom XII was created by adding a twelve string neck to the body and hardware of the six string Phantom. The headstock paddle included twelve sealed, Vox branded tuners in two rows of six. The UK made Phantom XII was offered in black, white, red, light blue, medium blue and green satin finishes.