1961/1962 VOX AC30 Head and CMI Cabs

[Phil McGarrick]

My son teaches music technology and recently showed his students the video of the story of the Vox.

One of the students said he had an old Vox ac 30 in his shed (not working) and also a CMI cab.
A friend who likes all things to do with amps replaced dozens of components in the vox and now it
is in full working order - The serial number dates it to 1961/1962.

The CMI cab has 2 15inch celestian speakers and dated 22 Mar 1973
We can't find much info on the net about the CMI speakers.

Does anyone know if they are valuable ?

Here is a link to the pictures.

http://www.philmcgarrick.co.uk/cab.html

[rogb]

Hi Phil
if memory serves me correctly
CMI was Cleartone Musical Instruments which I think was something to do with Jim Marshall

http://www.jedistar.com/images/cleartone_mi_amp.jpg
In 1966 Jim Marshall made a huge mistake and signed a 15 year arrangement with international distributor Rose-Morris. Rose-Morris marked up international sales 55% vs market rate at time of around 15%. This limited the potential market for the amps, hence not many were sold overseas. Under the terms of the deal Jim was unable to market the Marshall name directly. In order to keep turn over up Jim established other brands and distribution arrangements for Marshall made products under other names eg. Park. Jim founded a wholesale business Cleartone Musical Instruments which sold Slingerland, drums and other lines. He made the Park line for his friend John Jones and distributed them under Cleartone Musical Instruments or CMI. From 1976-1977 PA gear and a small number of guitar amps were made under the CMI brand. [Source: Jim Marshall, Father of Loud, By Rich Maloof

[Phil McGarrick]

Hi Roger
Thanks very much for all that information so a Cleartone Musical Instruments is basically a Marshall under a different name.
They must be pretty rare as I hadn't heard of them before. Also it's unusual to use 15 inch speakers for a lead cab - normally that would be a bass cab.
I'll pass the info on to son Andrew who will no doubt inform the student.

Thanks again ... Phil