guitar or microphone - to replace the keyboard or share amplification with the keyboard. The unit included a preamp with three 1/4" jack inputs and controls to allow connection of a microphone, guitar, phono player, accordion or similar high impedance device. It could be used instead of the keyboard or piggy-backed with the keyboard. The Vox Conversion Unit - An adapter box which connected directly to a Univox organ speaker using the keyboard's 7-way bus lead.
VOX AC10 VS AC15 PORTABLE
Left, the Jennings 30 watt powered speaker, May 1954 centre, the portable amplifier supplied with the J48 organ, May 1955 right the Vox Conversion Box for the Univox. They were apparently sold to accordion players. They were designed for any type of high impedance microphone or instrument pickup and thought to have been in TV-style boxes covered in the same tweed as the Univox of that period, however no images exist and nothing more is known of these. An overview of Jennings volume pedals can be found here.ĭerek recalls making at least two 5-6 watt combo amplifiers in 1956.
The F.V.2 may have evolved into the Vox Volume Control Pedal range which was first advertised for sale in December 1957. We have nothing more on either product, not even an illustration. Sadly nothing more is known of this first Jennings combo type amplifier.Īn amplifier called the E.B.1 designed for the Jennings upright Electro-Bass product was advertised for 40 guineas in three different trade journals in late 1956, with mention of an F.V.2 foot (Foot Volume) pedal to be available soon.
These were intended as add-on speakers for organs - but the pathway was now open for portable guitar amplifiers as the music scene moved in that direction. This was in the "Melody Maker" magazine which described a product as a 30W 'powered speaker'. It was in May 1954 that the first official mention of a Jennings made amplifier occured. Very little is known of these but they are mentioned for the sake of completeness. "It is ideal for accordion, guitar or string bass amplification.".įollowing Underdown's arrival at Jennings in 1952 there were an assortment of amplifiers and speaker cabinets originally made as accessories for organs but adjusted to suit accordions and guitars. The amp's final appearance was in silhouette images in an advert published in the music trade press in December 1956, after which nothing more is known of it.ĭetail from an advert placed by Jennings in "Music Trade Review", December 1951. Both predate Derek's employment at Jennings. The earliest records of these are from December 1951 in an advert published in the "Music Trade Review" (the price: £29 and 15 shillings), and "Melody Maker" magazine, 26th January 1952.
They were a 16" x 11" x 12.5" combo amp covered in imitation lizard skin, advertised as 15 watt output but was probably actually closer to 10 watts and AC /DC powered. These are thought to have been made by Weill & Co and were definately a rebadging with the Jennings name. The earliest known amplifier sold by Jennings was called the 'Univox' (not to be confused with the portable keyboards released soon after it). These products were all marketed by the "Jennings Organ Company". For some of these Derek was even granted patents. These included not only new console and portable organs, but also mechanical and electronic assemblies. According to his contemporaries Derek Underwood was a capable and efficient man and following his employment by Jennings not only did he get the Univox successfully into production but also a host of new products gradually appeared. The Univox was a portable electronic keyboard designed for Jennings by local electronics design consultant Les Hills, and much work was required to bring it to production at Jennings facility. Underdown was employed in May 1952 by Tom Jennings to train up existing staff and get things rolling with production of their new Univox product, as well as implementing more products. There was also a growing interest in amplifier products. Existing staff were skilled in repair and refurbishment of those but not in the assembly and servicing of electronic keyboards, which Jennings was keen to move into as a response to Selmer's Clavioline product. Prior to 1952 the company dealt mainly in sales and maintance of accordions and smaller instruments. Derek Underdown's Ten Watt Amplifier designs from Univox to AC10ĭerek Underdown was one of the important early engineers at Jennings Musical Industries and has not often received due credit for his contributions to the company's product heritage both electronic and mechanical, especially during its formative years.
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