1965 Vox Teardrop
Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2025 3:58 pm
I have a beautiful, Italian made, Vox Teardrop semi-hollow body guitar in the shop. It came in along with 4 other instruments that need repairs from a musical family with a deep history in WV.
This may be the very first guitar that I'm not equipped to fix. It has by far the most extensive wiring system that I've ever encountered. The electronics aren't working. I started by replacing the 9v battery connector, also replacing most of the wiring to it, because the battery had leaked. I got the Vox running, with output to the jack from all pickups and pots, but later when I tested again, nothing.
It's obvious that the large electrolytic capacitor (of unknown mF) is totally blown and leaking. Im willing and capable of replacing this, but beyond this I have to get into mid 60s transitors, something I'm not going to attempt on a $5000+ vintage instrument.
I thought this would be something different and interesting to bring to the forum. I've already restored a violin made ~1900, a Squire Strat, and an unknown electric from the 70's. There's also one of only 200 Boxer acoustics made in the mid 60's which for some reason has a missing back that I'll be restoring. I'll be starting a different thread on that one.
This may be the very first guitar that I'm not equipped to fix. It has by far the most extensive wiring system that I've ever encountered. The electronics aren't working. I started by replacing the 9v battery connector, also replacing most of the wiring to it, because the battery had leaked. I got the Vox running, with output to the jack from all pickups and pots, but later when I tested again, nothing.
It's obvious that the large electrolytic capacitor (of unknown mF) is totally blown and leaking. Im willing and capable of replacing this, but beyond this I have to get into mid 60s transitors, something I'm not going to attempt on a $5000+ vintage instrument.
I thought this would be something different and interesting to bring to the forum. I've already restored a violin made ~1900, a Squire Strat, and an unknown electric from the 70's. There's also one of only 200 Boxer acoustics made in the mid 60's which for some reason has a missing back that I'll be restoring. I'll be starting a different thread on that one.