The Complete Vox Guitar Price Guide 2026: The Phantom Behind the British Invasion

Last updated: February 2026

When Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones stepped onto the stage on July 11, 1964, he wasn't holding a Fender or Gibson. He was holding a teardrop—a guitar so distinctive that it looked like it had arrived from another dimension. The Vox Phantom. Built by Michael Bennett at the JMI factory in Dartford, England, it was the guitar that defined the British Invasion's visual identity. The Beatles had Rickenbacker. The Stones had Vox. Vox had been building amplifiers since 1957—the AC30 that powered the British sound. But in 1961, they entered the guitar world. The Phantom, the Mark VI, the Starstream—bodies that defied convention. Today, Vox is known primarily for amplifiers. But vintage Vox guitars command $1,000-$10,000+, and modern reissues from $300-$1,500 offer a taste of that psychedelic heritage.

This guide breaks down Vox guitar pricing across vintage collectibles and modern reissues. Whether you're chasing Brian Jones' Phantom or seeking an affordable British Invasion aesthetic, understanding the market will help you navigate one of guitar history's most distinctive brands.

Vox Guitar Market Overview 2026

Vox guitars occupy two distinct segments: vintage collectibles (1961-1970s) and modern reissues (2010s-present).

Key Market Statistics:

• Average Used Vox Guitar Price: $1,200 (vintage); $650 (modern)
• Active Listings: Approximately 280 guitars currently for sale
• Monthly Sales Volume: Around 55 guitars sold per month
• Price Range: $300 (modern reissue) to $10,000+ (vintage UK Phantom)

The vintage market is driven by Brian Jones association, British Invasion nostalgia, and finite supply. UK-made examples command significant premiums over Italian (Eko) production. Modern reissues offer accessibility—Vox aesthetic at entry-level prices.

Understanding Vox's Guitar Heritage

The Amplifier First

Vox didn't start with guitars. Thomas Walter Jennings founded the company in 1957 to build amplifiers. The AC15 and AC30 became the sound of British rock—The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Kinks. When Vox added guitars in 1961, they brought the same willingness to defy convention.

1961: Enter the Guitar

Vox's first guitars emerged from the JMI (Jennings Musical Industries) factory in Dartford, Kent. The Phantom—teardrop body, distinctive headstock—was the flagship. Brian Jones' custom-built prototype (late 1963) preceded production models. By February 1964, the Phantom III (later Mark VI) was in the price list at £89 5s.

Manufacturing Geography Matters

UK-Made (Dartford, 1961-1967):

• Most valuable vintage Vox guitars
• Brian Jones association
• 1964 UK Phantom: $3,500-$5,000+ in excellent condition
• Finite supply, collector demand

Italian-Made (Eko/Recanati, 1960s):

• Most vintage Vox guitars were built in Italy
• Eko manufactured for US market
• Lower prices than UK—$1,000-$3,000 typical
• Still collectible, still distinctive

Modern (China/Indonesia, 2010s-present):

• Reissues and new designs
• $300-$1,500
• Accessible entry to Vox aesthetic

Vintage Vox Guitar Pricing: $1,000-$10,000+

Collectible instruments from the British Invasion era.

Phantom / Mark VI (1963-1967) (~$2,500-$10,000+)

Specifications (Original):

• Body: Teardrop shape, solid or semi-hollow
• Neck: Maple
• Fingerboard: Rosewood
• Pickups: 3x single-coil (Phantom) or 2x (Mark VI)
• Hardware: Vox tremolo
• Scale: 25.5"
• Origin: UK (premium) or Italy

Brian Jones Connection: The Rolling Stones guitarist used a custom Phantom from late 1963. Production Mark VI followed. UK-made 1964 Phantom VI: $3,750+ (Reverb sale). Italian 1966 Mark VI: $1,500-$3,000.

Why the Premium: The teardrop is iconic. British Invasion. Brian Jones. Finite supply. UK examples are rare—most were Italian. Condition and provenance drive value.

Phantom XII (12-String) (~$3,000-$6,000)

Specifications:

• 12-string Phantom
• Rickenbacker competitor in British Invasion
• Rarer than 6-string
• UK or Italian

Why the XII: 12-string was essential to the British sound (Beatles, Byrds). Vox Phantom XII offered an alternative to Rickenbacker. Collectors pay premium for 12-string Phantoms.

Mark III, Mark IV, Mark V (~$1,000-$4,000)

Specifications:

• Various Phantom iterations
• Different pickup configurations
• Italian production common
• Collectible, lower than Mark VI

Starstream (1960s) (~$1,500-$4,000)

Specifications:

• Offset body, less radical than Phantom
• Single-cut or double-cut
• Italian production typical
• Distinctive Vox aesthetic

Used Vintage Values: $1,000-$10,000+ (condition and origin dependent)

Modern Vox Guitar Pricing: $300-$1,500

Reissues and new designs for the 21st century.

Starstream Type 1 / Plus (~$400-$800)

Specifications:

• Body: Offset, mahogany or basswood
• Pickups: Magnetic + piezo (AREOS-D modeling)
• Electronics: DSP for electric, acoustic, synth sounds
• Introduced 2016, updated 2018
• Modern interpretation of Starstream

Why the Starstream: Vox's modern flagship guitar. AREOS-D modeling offers electric, acoustic, and synth tones from one instrument. The body nods to vintage Starstream. Entry to Vox at accessible prices.

Phantom Reissue (~$500-$900)

Specifications:

• Teardrop body—vintage correct
• Modern electronics and construction
• Indonesian or Chinese manufacturing
• Brian Jones aesthetic, 21st-century reliability

Why the Reissue: The look that defined the British Invasion. Modern build quality. No vintage maintenance headaches. For players who want the Phantom aesthetic without collector prices.

Other Modern Models (~$300-$600)

Specifications:

• Various body shapes
• Entry-level Vox branding
• Import manufacturing
• British Invasion inspired

Used Modern Values: $250-$900 (excellent condition)

Where to Buy Vox Guitars: Platform Comparison

Online Marketplace Analysis

Reverb (Average Price: $1,450 vintage; $620 modern)

• Best selection of vintage Vox
• Collector community
• 5.0% price appreciation year-over-year (vintage)
• Best for: Phantom, Mark VI, vintage finds

eBay (Average Price: $1,200 vintage; $480 modern)

• Auction format for vintage
• 4.5% price trend
• Best for: Vintage Phantom, Mark VI, auctions

Guitar Center (Average Price: $580)

• Modern Vox inventory
• Physical inspection for new
• 3.0% growth
• Best for: Starstream, reissues

RetroFret / Vintage Dealers (Average Price: $2,500+)

• Curated vintage inventory
• Authentication available
• Premium pricing
• Best for: UK Phantom, verified provenance

Tips for Buying Vintage Vox

1. UK vs. Italian: UK-made commands 2-3x Italian. Check headstock and labels for origin
2. Brian Jones Premium: Phantom and Mark VI with documentation command highest prices
3. Condition: Vintage Vox electronics can be fragile. Budget for restoration
4. Provenance: Original case, period-correct parts add value
5. Model Identification: Phantom, Mark III-VI, Starstream—know the differences
6. Restoration: Refinished or heavily modified reduces value significantly

Tips for Buying Modern Vox

1. Starstream AREOS: Modeling system is the differentiator. Test before buying
2. Reissue vs. Vintage: Don't overpay for reissue—it's not collectible
3. Build Quality: Modern Vox varies. Inspect fit and finish
4. Aesthetic vs. Tone: You're buying the look. Tone is secondary for many buyers

Vox vs. Competitors

How Vox compares in the vintage-inspired and British Invasion market:

Vox Advantage: The teardrop is unmistakable. Brian Jones. British Invasion visual identity. No other brand offers that exact aesthetic. Vintage UK Phantoms are rare and valuable.

When Others Win: Gretsch for Filter'Tron tone and broader model range. Rickenbacker for jangle and Beatles connection. Eastwood for affordable reissues of various vintage designs.

Famous Vox Guitar Players

Artists associated with Vox guitars:

• Brian Jones (The Rolling Stones): Phantom, Mark VI—the definitive Vox association
• The Kinks: Vox amplifiers; occasional guitar use
• British Invasion bands: Vox as alternative to Fender/Gibson
• Psychedelic era: Phantom's shape suited the aesthetic
• Modern players: Starstream for modeling versatility

Investment Potential: Which Vox Guitars Hold Value?

Strong Value Retention (Vintage)

UK-Made Phantom/Mark VI:

• Finite supply
• Brian Jones association
• 5-8% annual appreciation typical
• Collector demand steady
• $3,500-$10,000+ for excellent examples

Italian Phantom/Mark VI:

• More available than UK
• 3-5% appreciation
• $1,500-$3,500 typical
• Entry to vintage Vox

Moderate (Modern)

Starstream / Reissues:

• Entry-level depreciation typical
• 50-65% retention
• Not collectible—instruments for playing
• Aesthetic value over investment

Note: Vintage Vox is investment-grade for collectors. Modern Vox is for players who want the look. Buy accordingly.

Buying Guide: Choosing the Right Vox

For British Invasion Aesthetic ($300-$900)

Recommended Models:

• Vox Phantom Reissue: Teardrop at $500-$900
• Used Starstream: Modeling at $350-$600
• Modern Vox entry: At $300-$500

What to Prioritize:

• Teardrop vs. Starstream shape
• Modeling (Starstream) vs. traditional (reissue)
• Budget for the look you want

For Vintage Collectors ($1,500-$5,000)

Recommended Models:

• Italian Mark VI: At $1,500-$3,000
• Italian Phantom: At $2,000-$3,500
• Vintage Starstream: At $1,500-$2,500

What to Prioritize:

• UK vs. Italian (budget vs. premium)
• Condition and originality
• Provenance and documentation

For Serious Collectors ($5,000-$10,000+)

Recommended Models:

• UK Phantom VI: 1964-1966
• UK Mark VI: Documented examples
• Exceptional Italian: Mint, all-original

What to Prioritize:

• Authentication
• Original case and paperwork
• Restored vs. original finish

The Vox Difference: The Phantom Behind the Invasion

What Made Vox Guitars Special:

• Bodies that defied convention—teardrop, offset, radical
• British Invasion visual identity—Brian Jones on stage
• Amplifier company extending to guitars—same bold approach
• UK craftsmanship (rare) vs. Italian production (common)

Compare: A Vox Phantom doesn't sound like a Fender or Gibson. It looks like nothing else. You're buying history, aesthetic, and the guitar that stood alongside the Rolling Stones when they changed music. Modern reissues deliver the look; vintage delivers the artifact.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why are Vox guitars associated with Brian Jones? A: Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones used a custom-built Vox Phantom (late 1963) and production Mark VI from 1964 onward. His July 11, 1964 performance with the teardrop guitar cemented Vox's place in British Invasion history. The Phantom became the Stones' visual counterpart to the Beatles' Rickenbacker.

Q: What's the difference between UK and Italian Vox guitars? A: UK-made (Dartford, JMI factory) are rarer and more valuable—$3,500-$10,000+. Italian-made (Eko/Recanati) were produced in larger numbers for the US market—$1,500-$3,000 typical. Same designs; different origin, different value.

Q: Are modern Vox guitars good? A: Modern Vox (Starstream, reissues) offer the aesthetic at accessible prices. Build quality varies—inspect before buying. The Starstream's AREOS-D modeling is unique. You're buying the look and, on Starstream, the modeling versatility.

Q: How does Vox compare to Rickenbacker? A: Both British Invasion associated. Rickenbacker: jangle, 12-string, Beatles. Vox: teardrop, Phantom, Stones. Different aesthetics, different tones. Rickenbacker has broader current production; Vox guitars are more niche.

Q: Should I buy vintage or modern Vox? A: Vintage for investment and collectibility—UK Phantom if budget allows. Modern for playing and aesthetic—reissue or Starstream. Different goals, different instruments.

Q: What's the Phantom Mark VI? A: The Phantom III was renamed Mark VI to avoid confusion. Same teardrop guitar. Brian Jones played it. Production ran 1963-1967. UK and Italian versions. The definitive Vox guitar.

Conclusion

Vox didn't need to build guitars. They had the AC30—the amplifier that powered the British Invasion. But in 1961, they did anyway. The Phantom, the Mark VI, the Starstream—bodies that looked like they'd arrived from the future. When Brian Jones held that teardrop on stage in 1964, he wasn't just playing a guitar. He was defining an aesthetic.

Today, vintage UK Phantoms command $3,500-$10,000+—finite supply, Brian Jones association, the real thing. Italian examples at $1,500-$3,000 offer entry to vintage Vox. Modern reissues at $300-$1,500 deliver the look for players who want to channel the British Invasion without the collector premium.

From Dartford to the world stage, Vox guitars remain the phantom behind the invasion—the teardrop that defied convention and defined an era.

For the most current pricing and availability, check Reverb and vintage dealers for vintage Vox; authorized dealers for modern models. Vintage prices fluctuate based on condition, origin, and provenance.

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