timmo Posted February 14, 2014 Share Posted February 14, 2014 Now this is a wierd ungly looking thing. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Unique-Vox-Phantom-Bass-Left-Handed-Lefty-L-H-with-Hard-Case-and-Accessories-/261387602832?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item3cdbea4b90 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musky Posted February 14, 2014 Share Posted February 14, 2014 Wadayatalkinbout. Actually the most horrible thing about the one in the link is the fact it's a bitsa with loads of parts that were never on a proper Vox. And it's hideously overpriced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
essexbasscat Posted February 14, 2014 Share Posted February 14, 2014 I borrowed one of these for about a week around 1973 (ish). Holds the crown as just about the most impossible body shape to play in the seated position I've ever come across. Had to constantly hold the neck up while the back end relentlessly drove toward the right (as the slope travelled across the thigh). I gave up, having found the bass unplayable. Couldn't afford a strap then. Ah, the good old days .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musky Posted February 15, 2014 Share Posted February 15, 2014 [quote name='essexbasscat' timestamp='1392416545' post='2368654'] I borrowed one of these for about a week around 1973 (ish). Holds the crown as just about the most impossible body shape to play in the seated position I've ever come across. Had to constantly hold the neck up while the back end relentlessly drove toward the right (as the slope travelled across the thigh). I gave up, having found the bass unplayable. Couldn't afford a strap then. Ah, the good old days .... [/quote] That's what happens when you get the Design Council to design a bass... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BetaFunk Posted February 15, 2014 Share Posted February 15, 2014 [quote name='timmo' timestamp='1392411882' post='2368587'] Now this is a wierd ungly looking thing. [/quote] That's a matter of opinion but the Phantom was a common guitar and bass with Beat Groups in the 60s. The Dave Clark Five & The Hollies (Tony Hicks also played a Phantom XII) both featured the guitar versions and Brian Jones played one on many Stones recordings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted February 15, 2014 Share Posted February 15, 2014 [quote name='timmo' timestamp='1392411882' post='2368587'] Now this is a weird ugly looking thing. [/quote] That's because it's a lefty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timmo Posted February 15, 2014 Author Share Posted February 15, 2014 [quote name='BetaFunk' timestamp='1392423877' post='2368753'] That's a matter of opinion but the Phantom was a common guitar and bass with Beat Groups in the 60s. The Dave Clark Five & The Hollies (Tony Hicks also played a Phantom XII) both featured the guitar versions and Brian Jones played one on many Stones recordings. [/quote]It may well have been popular with beat groups, it still looks homemade to me by someone who wanted to build a bass but didn`t have enough wood to make a proper body Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted February 15, 2014 Share Posted February 15, 2014 (edited) That's a fabulous looking instrument! [quote name='essexbasscat' timestamp='1392416545' post='2368654'] I borrowed one of these for about a week around 1973 (ish). Holds the crown as just about the most impossible body shape to play in the seated position I've ever come across. Had to constantly hold the neck up while the back end relentlessly drove toward the right (as the slope travelled across the thigh). I gave up, having found the bass unplayable. Couldn't afford a strap then. Ah, the good old days .... [/quote] Unless you are Robert Fripp no one plays and electric instrument sitting down. Edited February 15, 2014 by BigRedX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted February 15, 2014 Share Posted February 15, 2014 [quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1392458688' post='2368935'] Unless you are Robert Fripp no one plays and electric instrument sitting down. [/quote] I'm definitely not Robert Fripp, I checked. I guess I'm just no one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Burrito Posted February 15, 2014 Share Posted February 15, 2014 The reissues are about £200 and available online. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BetaFunk Posted February 15, 2014 Share Posted February 15, 2014 [quote name='BurritoBass' timestamp='1392460580' post='2368966'] The reissues are about £200 and available online. [/quote] Where online? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waynepunkdude Posted February 15, 2014 Share Posted February 15, 2014 KILL IT WITH FIRE!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted February 15, 2014 Share Posted February 15, 2014 [quote name='timmo' timestamp='1392458606' post='2368932'] It may well have been popular with beat groups, it still looks homemade to me by someone who wanted to build a bass but didn`t have enough wood to make a proper body [/quote] To those from the 'Telstar'/'Dan Dare' generation, it looks very modern. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Burrito Posted February 15, 2014 Share Posted February 15, 2014 [quote name='BetaFunk' timestamp='1392460894' post='2368968'] Where online? [/quote] Looks like they are "available to order" rather than shipping now but loads of links like http://www.soundsliveshop.com/News/Apache-Travel-Bass-Guitars-released-by-Vox Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BetaFunk Posted February 15, 2014 Share Posted February 15, 2014 [quote name='BurritoBass' timestamp='1392462296' post='2368988'] Looks like they are "available to order" rather than shipping now but loads of links like [url="http://www.soundsliveshop.com/News/Apache-Travel-Bass-Guitars-released-by-Vox"]http://www.soundsliv...released-by-Vox[/url] [/quote] These aren't 'reissues' they are just based on the shape of the original and that's where the similarity ends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musky Posted February 15, 2014 Share Posted February 15, 2014 Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and all that. The Mark IV and teardrop Mark III instruments were definitely iconic and just scream the era they were built in. The same could be said of the Steinburger L2, but unlike the L2 these were not designed by anyone who had to actually play them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Burrito Posted February 15, 2014 Share Posted February 15, 2014 [quote name='BetaFunk' timestamp='1392467307' post='2369064'] These aren't 'reissues' they are just based on the shape of the original and that's where the similarity ends. [/quote] Yeah, I know. I typed reissues as re-imagining seemed a bit pretentious Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cytania Posted February 16, 2014 Share Posted February 16, 2014 The Phantom body is a fututistic masterpiece. The headstock lets it down. It should have echoed the body colour and shape. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted February 16, 2014 Share Posted February 16, 2014 NOS Vox Phantoms are available from Wunjo for £995, they also had them in the Langley Guitar Center for a similar price where they were built to order. Brandoni guitars in Wembley http://www.brandoniguitars.co.uk/index.asp had bought all the existing parts from Italy and it's them putting them together. I played one in the Langley guitar shop, and I thought it was pretty nice. At the time I was thinking about getting one all in white. So, you could get a NOS one for more than £500 then this chap is asking! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chriswareham Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 I had a Brandoni assembled Vox Phantom guitar, and it was a great instrument. I don't recall it suffering from neck dive, although I do tend to wear a strap even when playing seated, and the "wedge" on the bottom of the body rested between my thighs so it's not an awkward shape either. Perhaps the earlier models were made from different materials to the Eko made ones, which could account for the differing opinions of the Phantom with respect to neck dive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BetaFunk Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 I've had a Vox Phantom and still have a 1960s Teisco Phantom copy and neither had neck dive and both were also comfortable to play when seated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BetaFunk Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 [quote name='timmo' timestamp='1392458606' post='2368932'] It may well have been popular with beat groups, it still looks homemade to me by someone who wanted to build a bass but didn`t have enough wood to make a proper body [/quote] Vox were clever in their marketing and asked guitarists and basses what they wanted and it was an exciting time for designers who could create these types of guitars. For anyone who wasn't around at the time this may be difficult to understand so perhaps you had to be there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 [quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1392458934' post='2368942'] I'm definitely not Robert Fripp, I checked. I guess I'm just no one. [/quote] I just see it as an instrument to be seen with on stage where you will be playing standing (unless you are Robert Fripp). Therefore the shape doesn't need to accommodate sitting down playing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timmo Posted February 17, 2014 Author Share Posted February 17, 2014 [quote name='BetaFunk' timestamp='1392643634' post='2370949'] Vox were clever in their marketing and asked guitarists and basses what they wanted and it was an exciting time for designers who could create these types of guitars. For anyone who wasn't around at the time this may be difficult to understand so perhaps you had to be there. [/quote]I can sort of see it. I guess it is a shape that is not the norm, so looks weird to the unitiated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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