VOX T60 SPEAKER CABINETS
In progress, Jan. 2025
From late 1962 to late 1963, when the 18" Foundation Bass unit came into being, T60 cabs were the only cabinet expressly made for bass by Vox.
And of course, production of T60 cabs continued, in hand with T60 amplifiers, all the way through to the end of 1966 / early 1967.
Care is needed in assigning possible dates to cabs based solely on the type of logo affixed. As with control panels and components in amplifiers, there is a good deal of overlap between types of logo, speakers, and so on.
Late 1962 to early 1963
2 x 15" cut-outs and 2 x 15" speakers
As the advert below indicates, the very earliest T60 speaker cabinets had 2 x 15" speakers, type currently unknown.
The cabinet pictured, with metal carrying handles in the side recesses, is probably the one exhibited at the BMII Trade Fair in August 1962 - see this page.
The same photo was re-used in JMI literature through to late 1963. Note that the logo is perspex, its background the light pink fabric that can be seen on the cabinet below. Metal carrying bars (inset in the side recesses) seem not to have been included on standard production cabs.
First third of 1963
2 x 15"
Below, a 2 x 15" cabinet from early 1963. The speakers are Goodmans Alcomax. It is possible - no more than that for the time being - that such speakers were fitted to the cabinet given to Paul McCartney in March 1963.
A detail to show the latching Cannon XLR socket and the type of vinyl covering used. The speaker cabinet of T60 serial number 304 also has a circular Cannon socket with its latch mising.
JMI promotional brochure from 1963 with image of The Beatles, Paul with his T60 set, received from JMI in March '63.
The Beatles playing Plymouth, 13th November 1963. The T60 amplifier is long gone but the cab remains. One can just see that it has 2 x 15" cut-outs. Paul took receipt of the cab in late March 1963.See this page.
Wimbledon Palais, 14th December 1963. The two 15" cutouts are perhaps even more evident in this picture.
Although much has yet to be substantiated, the feeling certainly seems to be that Goodmans Alcomax speakers preceded the use of Tannoys and Celestions sprayed Jennings blue.
Into 1963
1 x 12" and 1 x 15"
Some way into 1963 the decision was made to equip the T60 speaker cabinet with one 12" and one 15" driver instead of 2 x 15". A number of cabinets that were originally made to take two 15" units were ingeniously converted by the bolting in of a board for the 12" speaker in the upper section of the box. Below, illustrated by Jim Elyea, the prototype cabinet made by Mick Bennett of JMI.
Mick Bennett's prototype 1 x 12" and 1 x 15" cabinet.
The reason for the change? To give more definition to the sound.
Just to add that the original design of the cabinets and subsequent change had nothing to do with the AC100 (as has been ventured). The AC100 came along much later - in early 1964.
Speaker cab from 1963 (with original drivers) sold in South Africa, 2018. Cut-outs for two 15" speakers. Inside: one blue Celestion T530 12" and one blue Tannoy 15". The runner lower right is: "BASS". Note the supporting board inside for the 12" speaker.
From mid 1963
1 x 12" and 1 x 15" cut-outs
Serial number 311 - black panel. Cut-outs for one 12" and one 15" speaker. Perspex logo. The BASS runner probably repositioned.
Possibly a black panel amp. Cut-outs for one 12" and one 15" speaker. Plain perspex logo - no cross-bar across the "O".
A perspex logo devoid of letters now and detached from its cab. Note that the letters were glued rather than pinned on.
1964
A small box diamond input AC50 from the second quarter of 1964. The cab has one Celestion T530 12" speaker and one Celestion T900 15" speaker. Logo on a wooden block - individual letters, cross-bar across the "O". It should be said that this type of logo also appears on cabs known to have been made in late 1962 / early 1963.
Accompanying amplifier serial no. 593. One 12" and one 15" driver. The logo is a wooden block with individual letters attached. The runner lower right is: "BASS". Bought new in June 1964 - further pictures here - but probably made some months earlier.
One 12" and one 15" driver. The logo is black plastic. The runner lower right is "T60 BASS".
A 15" Celestion T1074 15ohm speaker
By mid 1964
Silver (poly grey) Celestions
Serial number 941. One Celestion 12" T1096 15ohm and one 15" Celestion T1109.