In 1962,
Vox introduced the pentagonal
Phantom guitar, originally made in
Kent,
England but soon after made by
EKO of
Italy. It was followed a year later by the teardrop-shaped Mark VI, the prototype of which was made specifically for
Brian Jones of
The Rolling Stones, using a non-tremolo
Fender Stratocaster bridge. The Mark VI was released in three versions, as a 6-string, a 9-string, and a 12-string. The 9-string had three wound strings and three pairs of unwound strings. The Phantom guitar received an international prize for best design when it was released. Even though Vox discontinued the production of these guitars in the seventies, accurate copies of the Teardrop and other Vox models are still manufactured by Jack Charles of Phantom Guitarworks. In the late 1990s, Vox reissued USA manufactured versions of the Phantom, Mark III Teardrops and Mando Guitars. The USA made guitars are considered by many to be the most playable versions of these instruments ever made. To celebrate their 50th Anniversary in 2007, Vox commissioned a limited run of 100 pcs to be USA manufactured, Mark III, 2 pickup, fixed bridge, antique white "Teardrops" For 2011, Vox has reintroduced the iconic droplet body shape in its new APACHE Series. These travel guitars feature the original styling and host a 2-channel guitar amplifier, 2 speakers, dozens of rhythm patterns, and an E-String tuner, all of which are built into the instrument body. ==Mark VI==