To many, the Vox name calls to mind roaring twin-speaker British amplifiers and quirky, Miró-esque electric guitars. But it may surprise you to learn that Vox once dabbled in the world of acoustic drums. Dabbles, present tense being more accurate, as the mighty Vox name returns once again with an exciting blast from drumming’s past: the 2020 Vox Telstar drum kit. Strap in as we take a look at this modern-engineering marvel and the late-1960s drums that started it all.
History of Vox Drums
Vox’s foray into drum branding begins with Karl-Heinz Weimer and Trixon Drums of Germany. Weimer’s Trixon drum kits enjoyed a heyday among European jazz drummers of the 1950s and ’60s. Their surrealist designs and space-saving hardware eventually caught the eye of Joe Benaron of the Thomas Organ Company — Vox’s US distributor. The two companies shared a distributor in Ireland’s Lindner-Rippen piano company. This led to a cooperative arrangement whereby Weimer’s Trixon drums could be released to the United States under the Vox name. And just like that, a new Vox legacy was born.
Leaving a Legacy
Vox cashed in its superstar chips with some heavyweight drum endorsements between 1967 and 1969. Catalogs showcasing players like Buddy Rich perched behind its head-turning sets left an impression in curious drummers’ minds. Unfortunately, though interests were piqued, the market failed to speak with its wallets. The dissolution of the Lindner-Rippen piano company in the early 1970s saw the end of Trixon and Vox Drums.
But that’s not the end of the story for Vox Drums. The Internet Age has given new life to these kooky kits. Through vintage forums and virtual marketplaces, demand for Trixon and Vox kits has increased at a steady clip, with the wackier styles — the “wastepaper basket” Trixon Telstar/Vox Fanjet and “flat tire” Trixon Speedfire/Vox Telstar — being the hottest commodities.
Today’s Vox Telstar
Players who have been waiting to get their hands on one of these far-out kits can do no better than today’s Vox Telstar. Back are the distinctive half-baked bass drum, croc-skin wrapped finish, and hideaway integral hardware. But today’s Telstar shells are made by Sakae Osaka from quality birch and alder for unmatched expression, cut, and dynamics. What’s more, the Telstar’s full set of matching flat-base hardware has been re-engineered for premium performance and a coordinating look. You also get a set of heritage Vox Ampliphonic badges and deluxe Remo USA heads for show-ready visuals and sonics. Like its Trixon and Vox forerunners, the 2020 Telstar really makes an impression in a tracking room or in a live-performance setting. And though you wouldn’t dare take your vintage Vox/Trixon kit on the road, today’s Telstar has what it takes to stand up to real-world stage and studio applications.
Available Through 2020 Only
Whether you’re a vintage-drum enthusiast or you’re just looking for a kit that commands attention onstage or in your studio, be sure to check out the 2020 Vox Telstar. These kits are only available through 2020. Give your Sweetwater Sales Engineer a call at (800) 222-4700 for more information.
