Vox Berkeley III Indicator Light

[dgwguitars]

After weeks of waiting, my new (to me) Vox Berkeley III arrived. It's in spectacular shape, with only a couple of issues. Other than a couple of corners and one of the handwheels replaced with North Coast Music repro's, it appears to be all original. I was also able to find a proper footswitch from another source.

One of the issues is a DOA reverb, which is going to be worked on next week (along with a general going-over), the other is a non-functional on indicator light that is missing the "jewel". I believe that it's supposed to be red - is this right? Does anyone know if the North Coast #NCM-108 replacement work for this application?

Larry

[jingle_jangle]

My all-time favorite vintage VOX amp, Larry. You and I have similar tastes!

In Chicago, in (I think) 1965, I saw a band with a lead player who had an orange Tennessean and a Berkeley III. It hooked me on the VOX look and sound.

A couple of years later, when I finally bought my first new rig, it was a Fender Mustang (surf group at the time; couldn't afford double the price for a Jag or JM), and a VOX Berkeley III. But it was the transistor version by then, and a piece of underpowered, anemic, junk. Had the look but nothing else. I recall a frat party gig when I was up to 10 and couldn't be heard above the drummer.

Call Gary at NCM, or email him. He's friendly and very knowledgeable, and returns emails promptly.

[johnallg]

Anyone have a closeup of what it should look like?

[dgwguitars]

My all-time favorite vintage VOX amp, Larry. You and I have similar tastes!

In Chicago, in (I think) 1965, I saw a band with a lead player who had an orange Tennessean and a Berkeley III. It hooked me on the VOX look and sound.

A couple of years later, when I finally bought my first new rig, it was a Fender Mustang (surf group at the time; couldn't afford double the price for a Jag or JM), and a VOX Berkeley III. But it was the transistor version by then, and a piece of underpowered, anemic, junk. Had the look but nothing else. I recall a frat party gig when I was up to 10 and couldn't be heard above the drummer.

Call Gary at NCM, or email him. He's friendly and very knowledgeable, and returns emails promptly.

Like you, I was imprinted on Vox amps while in high school, so they've been lust objects since then. This one's an SS amp, so yes, it's underpowered, but since it's sole use is in the house, that's not a big deal. Besides, I doubt that my wife would stand for a Beatle, which is the ultimate lust-for amp for me.

I've already talked to Gary and he doesn't know if their indicator light will work on a Berkeley. I may just live without a light (not likely), or just spring for one in the hopes that Thomas used the same lights in all their single indicator light amps.

[jingle_jangle]

I may just live without a light (not likely), or just spring for one in the hopes that Thomas used the same lights in all their single indicator light amps.

I'll bet Thomas used the same ones across the board....if not, these are pretty universal--just replace lamp and socket with one from Allparts, and save the orig for later...

[dgwguitars]

I may just live without a light (not likely), or just spring for one in the hopes that Thomas used the same lights in all their single indicator light amps.

I'll bet Thomas used the same ones across the board....if not, these are pretty universal--just replace lamp and socket with one from Allparts, and save the orig for later...

I went ahead and ordered one from North Coast, so we'll see how it works.

[dgwguitars]

FYI, I just got my Berkeley back from the amp guy, and the indicator light fit perfectly and looks great. He went through everything and it works great now. Nice amp.

Larry

[brammy]

I have an original VOX AC-15 with Blue Alnico speaker...... How does the Berkeley III compare?

[jingle_jangle]

I'm green with VOXenvy, Larry...those are such neat pieces of odd history...

Kent, there is not a whole lot to compare; it's apples and oranges. Mainly, the AC-15 is tube and this version of the Berkeley (the Thomas Organ one) is solid state, and somewhat rushed into production following the debacle of the poorly-written Jennings/Thomas licensing contract.

The AC-15 is what you wish the Berkeley could be, because it's so stylish, and you want it to have that tube grunt, growl and sparkle...but it sounds a bit thin and is down on power in comparison to the AC-15. Still, a nice practice/bedroom amp, as Larry and I agree. You just can't push it very much. Above all, it's clean, though, which at the time--1966-67--was desirable to Thomas' target market.

I hope Larry can add to this--my own recollections are no match for having the amp sitting in front of me.

[dgwguitars]

Yes, Paul, it's a bit of odd history, and now that it's been fully gone over (Bakos Amp Works here in Atlanta, for those who want to know), it's worlds better than it was when it arrived on my doorstep. The reverb works great, although it's no match to that wet Fender sound, but the vibrato is awesome. The odd part about it is that the reverb and vibrato works only on one channel (the rhythm one, which is kind of murky sounding), and the second channel (that they call "brilliant" - evidently trying to emulate the TB of its tube brothers) is the one that sings.

Paul's right, in that the Berkeley's a nice amp, but you have to consider it in context of 40-some years ago, which is when I got imprinted on that look. Seeing as I've only had it back from the shop a day, I haven't fully delved into what it can do, but it's no match for an AC-15 - either sound or volume - although I'm only personally familiar with the current-issue ones, which I'm not a fan of (throw rocks now if you want). I had one a few years back and sold it. It didn't have the alnico blue speaker, which may have made it sing. It also ate its power transformer 13 months after I bought it (yup, one month after warranty and $300 out of my pocket), so that didn't endear me to it as well. I'm also not a fan of tube amps based on PC boards, in that there's nothing like opening up a nice old tube amp and seeing wires that someone carefully soldered onto a board of old-style electronics. If you have an original AC-15 with a blue - you'd likely be disappointed, although, like Paul says, the aesthetics of the old Vox amps can't be beat, IMO.

Am I happy with it? Hell yes! Will is supplant my '66 Princeton? No. It, too, is underpowered, but it's tube and it sounds awesome, even if it's not the reverb version. I don't often play anywhere outside of the house, so they are more than adequate for my needs.

FYI, the North Coast indicator light fits like it belongs there, so if any of you guys need them - they'll likely work on your amps as well. The old one was toast, so it hit the trash bin in Jeff's shop. FYI, he's a great guy and probably one of the best (and maybe the best) amp techs you'll find. A very intuitive guy who thinks "amp" - not a parts-changer. He's also a hoot to shoot the breeze with.

Larry