VOX Guitars and Basses Guide: Distinctive Designs for Modern Musicians

VOX has a long history of creating instruments with distinctive shapes, innovative electronics, and a strong visual identity. Alongside its renowned amplifiers, the brand has developed electric guitars and basses that combine recognisable VOX styling with practical features for contemporary musicians.

From the compact VOX Mark V Mini and solid-body VOX SSC-33 electric guitar to the distinctive Starstream Active Bass Artist series, VOX instruments are designed for musicians looking for expressive sound, comfortable playability, and individual character.

This guide explores the key features, construction, electronics, and applications of these VOX guitars and basses.

VOX Guitar Design and Musical Heritage

VOX guitar designs have long been recognised for their unconventional shapes and unmistakable appearance.

Classic designs such as the angular Phantom-style body helped establish a visual identity that remains associated with VOX instruments today. Modern instruments continue to incorporate elements of this heritage while introducing updated construction methods, pickups, electronics, hardware, and player-focused features.

The result is a range that includes compact electric guitars, traditionally constructed solid-body instruments, and lightweight short-scale basses.

VOX Mark V Mini Electric Guitar

The VOX Mark V Mini is a compact electric guitar inspired by the distinctive angular body shape associated with classic VOX instruments.

Its compact dimensions make it easy to hold, carry, and play while maintaining the familiar tuning and playing approach of a conventional six-string electric guitar.

The instrument features a 476 mm short-scale neck, approximately three-quarters of a conventional guitar scale.

Despite its reduced scale length, the Mark V Mini is designed to use standard E-A-D-G-B-E tuning.

Standard Guitar Tuning in a Compact Format

Short-scale guitars require careful consideration of string tension because reducing the scale length naturally changes the way the strings feel.

VOX addresses this on the Mark V Mini through the use of heavier-gauge strings.

These strings allow the guitar to maintain familiar standard tuning while providing suitable tension across the shorter scale.

Players can therefore use familiar:

• Chord shapes

• Scale patterns

• Finger positioning

• Lead guitar techniques

• Rhythm guitar techniques

• Standard guitar tuning

The compact construction does not require musicians to learn an alternative tuning system.

Mark V Mini Neck and Playing Feel

Although the Mark V Mini has a shorter neck, the nut width is designed to provide a familiar guitar-style playing surface.

This helps maintain comfortable spacing between the strings while reducing the overall length of the instrument.

The shorter distance between frets can also make certain chord stretches and note patterns easier to reach.

Its compact dimensions make the instrument particularly practical for:

• Practice

• Travel

• Home playing

• Music lessons

• Smaller playing spaces

• Musicians who prefer shorter-scale instruments

Mark V Mini Pickups and Controls

The VOX Mark V Mini uses two single-coil pickups to capture the vibration of the strings.

A pickup selector allows the player to choose different pickup configurations, while conventional volume and tone controls provide additional adjustment of the guitar's output.

The control system provides a familiar layout for electric guitar players and integrates easily with guitar amplifiers, effects processors, audio interfaces, and other standard guitar equipment.

The Distinctive Mark V Body Shape

One of the defining characteristics of the Mark V Mini is its angular VOX-inspired body.

The shape is derived from one of the brand's recognisable historic guitar designs and gives the compact instrument a strong visual identity.

Its reduced body dimensions complement the short neck, creating a portable electric guitar that retains the visual character associated with VOX.

VOX SSC-33 Electric Guitar

The VOX SSC-33 takes a different approach to electric guitar construction.

It is a full-size solid-body electric guitar featuring a single-cutaway design, sculpted body contours, set-neck construction, and VOX-designed electronics.

The guitar combines traditional tonewood construction with several distinctive VOX hardware and pickup features.

SSC-33 Body Construction

The SSC-33 uses a mahogany body with a shaped top.

Mahogany is frequently used in electric guitar construction because of its structural characteristics and ability to provide a solid foundation for sustained string vibration.

The sculpted body design incorporates contours intended to provide a comfortable playing position whether the guitarist is seated or standing.

Its single-cutaway construction also provides access to the upper section of the fingerboard.

Mahogany Set Neck

The SSC-33 features a mahogany set neck.

With set-neck construction, the neck is permanently joined to the body rather than being attached using conventional neck bolts.

The neck joint is shaped to provide comfortable access to the higher frets while maintaining a stable connection between the neck and body.

A rosewood fingerboard provides the playing surface for the instrument.

SSC-33 Scale and Fingerboard

The SSC-33 uses a scale length of approximately 638 mm, or 25.125 inches.

The fingerboard contains 22 frets, providing a familiar playing range for rhythm playing, chord work, melodies, and lead guitar techniques.

A 43 mm nut width provides conventional string spacing at the first fret.

These dimensions create a traditional full-size electric guitar playing experience.

VOX CoAxe Pickups

One of the important features of the SSC-33 is its VOX CoAxe pickup system.

The guitar features two CoAxe pickups designed to provide different electrical configurations through the onboard switching system.

The controls allow the guitarist to change the response of the pickups while continuing to use the same instrument.

This expands the range of sounds that can be accessed directly from the guitar's control panel.

SSC-33 Controls

The SSC-33 features a straightforward control layout designed for easy adjustment during playing.

Controls include:

• Master volume

• Master tone

• Three-way pickup selector

• Pickup mode switching

The three-way selector provides access to the neck pickup, combined pickup configuration, and bridge pickup.

Additional switching changes the operating character of the CoAxe pickup system.

VOX MaxConnect Bridge

The SSC-33 incorporates VOX's MaxConnect bridge design.

The bridge forms the mechanical connection between the strings and guitar body while providing stable string positioning across the instrument.

Its aluminium construction contributes to the overall hardware configuration and works together with the set neck and body structure to support string vibration.

VOX Starstream Bass Series

The VOX Starstream bass series is immediately recognisable because of its distinctive frame-style body construction.

Rather than relying solely on a conventional solid-body outline, the Starstream uses an internal instrument body combined with an external frame.

This approach produces a visually distinctive bass while also contributing to lightweight construction and balanced playing ergonomics.

The Starstream Active Bass Artist range includes different pickup configurations designed for professional electric bass applications.

Short-Scale Bass Construction

The Starstream basses feature a 30-inch short scale, equivalent to approximately 762 mm.

A shorter bass scale reduces the distance between the frets and produces a more compact overall instrument.

This design can make the bass comfortable for:

• Extended practice sessions

• Live performances

• Rehearsals

• Recording

• Players with smaller hands

• Musicians who prefer compact basses

• Guitarists transitioning to bass

The compact dimensions are combined with carefully designed body balance to maintain a comfortable playing position.

Lightweight Frame Design

The distinctive Starstream frame is more than a visual design element.

It forms part of the instrument's ergonomic construction and helps create a lightweight bass with balanced weight distribution.

The compact central body contains the essential electronics and pickups, while the external frame creates the overall body outline.

This construction produces an instrument with a futuristic appearance while maintaining practical contact points for seated and standing playing.

VOX Starstream Active Bass 1H Artist

The VOX Starstream Active Bass 1H Artist is a professional short-scale electric bass featuring a single Aguilar humbucking pickup and active electronics.

The 1H designation refers to its single-humbucker pickup configuration.

The instrument combines:

• Short-scale construction

• Lightweight frame body

• Aguilar pickup technology

• Active preamplification

• Professional hardware

• Compact body dimensions

This configuration provides a focused control layout while supporting a broad range of electric bass applications.

Aguilar AG-4M Humbucker

At the centre of the Starstream Active Bass 1H Artist is an Aguilar AG-4M humbucking pickup.

The pickup is designed to capture a strong fundamental bass response together with detailed harmonic content.

Its single-pickup configuration keeps the instrument's electronics straightforward while providing a powerful electric bass signal.

The pickup works together with the onboard active preamplifier to provide additional tonal control.

Aguilar OBP-2 Preamp

The Starstream Active Bass Artist series incorporates the Aguilar OBP-2 active preamp.

An active preamp allows the bass signal to be shaped directly from the instrument before being sent to an amplifier, audio interface, mixer, or recording system.

The OBP-2 provides control over important areas of the bass frequency spectrum, enabling the musician to adjust the instrument for different musical and performance environments.

Starstream Active Bass 1H Controls

The onboard controls give the player direct access to output and tonal adjustment.

The configuration includes controls associated with:

• Overall volume

• Bass response

• Treble response

• Pickup operation

• Active electronics

This provides practical adjustment directly from the bass during rehearsal, performance, and recording.

VOX Starstream Active Bass 2S Artist

The VOX Starstream Active Bass 2S Artist shares the same distinctive short-scale and lightweight frame philosophy while using a different pickup arrangement.

The 2S model incorporates two Aguilar Jazz-style single-coil pickups.

This two-pickup configuration allows sound to be captured from different points along the strings.

Aguilar AG 4J-70 Pickups

The Starstream Active Bass 2S Artist uses Aguilar AG 4J-70 pickups.

The two-pickup configuration captures the strings from both neck and bridge positions, allowing the musician to shape the balance between different pickup locations.

These pickups are designed to produce defined bass frequencies together with clear high-frequency detail.

The pickup system works alongside the Aguilar active preamp to provide additional control over the bass's output.

Active Electronics for Sound Shaping

Like the 1H Artist, the 2S Artist incorporates active electronics.

The onboard preamplifier allows important tonal characteristics to be adjusted without relying entirely on external amplifier controls.

This makes it possible to adapt the instrument's output for different:

• Playing techniques

• Amplifiers

• Recording systems

• Performance environments

• Effects setups

• Musical arrangements

The controls are positioned directly on the instrument for quick access while playing.

GOTOH Hardware

The Starstream Active Bass Artist instruments incorporate GOTOH hardware as part of their professional construction.

Reliable tuning and hardware stability are particularly important on bass guitars because the strings place considerable tension on the neck and tuning system.

The hardware works alongside the bass's neck, bridge, body, and electronics to provide stable everyday operation during practice, recording, and live performance.

Starstream Bass Ergonomics

An important part of the Starstream design is its approach to playing comfort.

The combination of:

• 30-inch short scale

• Lightweight construction

• Compact central body

• External frame

• Balanced weight distribution

creates a bass designed to remain manageable during longer playing sessions.

The shorter distance between frets can also make movement across the fingerboard more comfortable for certain players.

VOX Electric Guitars for Practice

Both compact and full-size VOX guitars can be incorporated into home practice systems.

The Mark V Mini's compact dimensions allow it to fit easily into smaller spaces, while its standard tuning means players can practise conventional guitar material.

The SSC-33 provides a full-size playing experience with two pickups and onboard sound-shaping controls.

Either type of instrument can connect to suitable guitar equipment such as:

• Practice amplifiers

• Headphone guitar systems

• Multi-effects units

• Audio interfaces

• Recording equipment

• Pedalboards

This allows VOX electric guitars to form part of both straightforward and more advanced practice setups.

VOX Guitars for Recording

VOX guitars and basses can also be incorporated into recording environments.

Electric guitar and bass signals can be captured through:

• Guitar amplifiers

• Bass amplifiers

• Audio interfaces

• DI systems

• Effects processors

• Amplifier modelling equipment

The SSC-33's pickup switching provides onboard control over its electric guitar signal.

The Starstream Active Bass Artist models add active electronics that allow the bass response to be shaped before reaching the recording system.

The Mark V Mini provides a compact standard-tuned electric guitar format suitable for home and portable recording setups.

VOX Instruments for Live Performance

For live playing, instrument construction, controls, electronics, tuning hardware, and ergonomics all contribute to the overall performance experience.

The SSC-33 provides conventional full-size electric guitar construction with set-neck design and dual pickups.

The Mark V Mini provides a significantly more compact electric guitar platform while retaining familiar six-string tuning.

The Starstream Artist models combine active bass electronics with lightweight short-scale construction for stage and rehearsal applications.

VOX Mark V Mini: Compact Six-String Design

The Mark V Mini is centred around portability and compact playability.

Its defining characteristics include:

• 476 mm short scale

• Standard E-A-D-G-B-E tuning

• Two single-coil pickups

• Compact VOX-inspired body

• Familiar guitar controls

• Shorter fret spacing

• Portable construction

It provides the core features of an electric guitar within a reduced physical format.

VOX SSC-33: Full-Size Solid-Body Construction

The SSC-33 represents a more traditional full-size electric guitar platform.

Its important characteristics include:

• Single-cutaway solid body

• Mahogany construction

• Set mahogany neck

• Rosewood fingerboard

• 22 frets

• Dual VOX CoAxe pickups

• Pickup mode switching

• VOX MaxConnect bridge

• Master volume and tone controls

The combination of traditional materials and VOX-designed hardware gives the SSC-33 its individual identity.

Starstream Active Bass 1H Artist: Active Humbucker Bass

The Starstream Active Bass 1H Artist combines:

• 30-inch short-scale construction

• Lightweight frame body

• Aguilar AG-4M humbucker

• Aguilar OBP-2 active preamp

• Professional hardware

• Compact ergonomics

Its single-humbucker design provides a straightforward pickup configuration supported by active tone shaping.

Starstream Active Bass 2S Artist: Dual-Pickup Active Bass

The Starstream Active Bass 2S Artist features:

• 30-inch short-scale construction

• Lightweight frame body

• Two Aguilar AG 4J-70 pickups

• Aguilar OBP-2 active preamp

• GOTOH hardware

• Compact body dimensions

• Balanced frame construction

The dual-pickup arrangement provides additional control over how different areas of the vibrating strings are captured.

VOX Guitars and Basses for Different Playing Environments

The VOX guitar and bass collection covers several instrument formats suited to different musical situations.

Compact electric guitars provide a convenient solution for practice, travel, lessons, and portable setups.

Full-size solid-body guitars provide conventional dimensions for electric guitar playing, recording, rehearsals, and live performance.

Short-scale active basses combine compact ergonomics with professional pickups and electronics for bassists working across practice, recording, and stage environments.

Distinctive Instruments with a VOX Identity

VOX guitars and basses combine recognisable styling with practical musical features.

The VOX Mark V Mini brings the brand's iconic angular guitar design into a compact, standard-tuned six-string format.

The VOX SSC-33 combines full-size solid-body construction with a mahogany body, set neck, CoAxe pickups, and VOX-designed hardware.

The VOX Starstream Active Bass 1H Artist integrates a short-scale frame design with an Aguilar humbucker and active preamp.

The VOX Starstream Active Bass 2S Artist uses the same lightweight approach with dual Aguilar pickups and active sound shaping.

Together, these instruments demonstrate different sides of VOX guitar design, from compact electric guitars and traditional solid-body construction to distinctive lightweight active basses engineered for modern musicians.