'67 VOX ULTRASONIC XII, Fuzz, wha-wha, and various effect OHC EX+

code VA035

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDGpeW4sUUs

A beautiful double cutaway electric acoustic guitar. Has built-in E tuner, distortion booster, treble and bass booster, Wah-Wah, repeat percussion. Has a completely new Vox easy-to-fret fast-neck with the famous Vox double T-bar and adjustable steel rod. Two exclusive Vox Ferro-sonic pickups for wide range high fidelity, Has new positive action adjustable spring tremolo.

Pete Townsend made this guitar famous on The Smothers Brother's Show by smashing it to bits

This guitarist seems to have trouble with barre chords. Odd, as his Ultrasonie guitar boasted a fast-action neek and active electrics. These were Thomas'chief contribution to Vox guitars and found their way into J.M.I.models of this era. (Courtesy of Don Greer.)

Vox buts the industry wide open with a daring new idea electronic guitar.The world's first guitars whith built-in distortion, wha-wha.
E or G tuner, bass and treble boosters;even repeat percussion!
All made possible thrugh the miracle of miniaturized electronic modules
contained in every electronic guitar.They 've put Vox years a head of
the industry. Vox electronic guitars-together whit Vox's new strong line of amps,organs,and accessories-represent the biggest gold-mine in music sales history.Get your piece of the action.

The Vox Ultrasonic, or V268, was one of Voxs late sixties semi acoustic models sporting built in effects. It was modelled on the thinline semi acoustic models such as the Gibson ES335, but without the set neck (it was a bolt-on), and central maple block (it was completely hollow). This made it more akin to guitars such as the Fender Coronado or Hagstom Viking, but with its own unique features - teardrop headstock, and built in effects. From 1962 the necks of Vox guitars were made by Eko in Italy, and post '62 Voxs have a made in Italy decal.

It came in 6 and twelve string versions (the twelve string had a slightly different shaped headstock, and headstock markings) and in two colours, cherry and sunburst. As a high end model, it featured block inlays, front and back binding and headstock ornamentations not seen on other models.

The built in effects are rather interesting, consisting of an E-tuner (plays a quiet E note), treble/bass boost, distortion (mild overdrive to full blown 60s fuzz), repeater, and palm-operated wah wah pedal. They are powered by a 9V battery accessible through a circular cover under the pad at the rear of the body. An identical model with the exception of having no wah wah was also produced; the Vox Cheetah or V267

These effects are broadly similar to the Vox effect pedals available in the mid to late sixties, and all can be heard on the Vox Ultrasonic sound clips page. Each has an on/off switch, and all (with the exception of the wah-wah) have a control. This sets the speed for the repeater, level of fuzz for the distortion, and bass/treble response for the boost. When combined, an amazing array of psychedelic sounds can be produced without really playing the guitar at all - just letting it feed back on itself. The least useful of all the effects is the wah wah - not because there is anything wrong with it, just that it is considerably more difficult to operate than a foot pedal (you push the triangluar lever with the palm of your picking hand)

Pete Townsend on the Smothers Brothers show 1967

 (28 April 2010): Christie’s to auction “remnants” of the Vox Cheetah, as part of its Popular Culture: Rock and Pop Memorabilia sale, to be held on 24 June 2010.

Rock Stars Guitars for sale at Christie’s

A further example from Pete Townshend of The Who is a rather unusual item — remnants of Townshend’s smashed up Vox Cheetah semi-acoustic guitar, following The Who’s famous performance of My Generation on The Smothers Brothers Show in 1967 (estimate: £6,000–8,000). [...] Towards the end of the performance, Keith Moon set off an almighty explosion from his drumkit, which proved larger than he had anticipated, and Pete Townshend violently smashed up his guitar. The father of the vendor worked as a staff writer on the TV show, picked up the remnants from the stage, and has kept the pieces of the guitar in a labelled box ever since.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9-JdubfUCw