Vox Phantom IV Bass

Description

Here is a vintage VOX Phantom IV bass. Made in Italy around 1969 this bass comes with original teardrop hard case. The pickguard has  shrunken a bit and is cracking (like most are). The finish has a cool stripped craked patina showing its vintage state.
The Phantom IV Basses had the "trapezoidal" body which is so in demand today. Many are just hanging in some studio display. Therefore they are extremely hard to find in vintage condition.
It is unique for its distinctive,
pentagonal
shape, which became part of the iconic representation of the
British Invasion
.
Originally made in
England
, manufacturing was later relocated to
Italy
.
Paul Revere & the Raiders
used a Phantom IV bass.
The Vox Phantom IV bass is indelibly connected to Phil "Fang" Volk of Paul Revere and the Raiders. Phil Volk strengthened his tie to the Vox Phantom IV by taping his nickname, "Fang," to the back side of his bass. Phil often flipped the Phantom IV over to expose his nickname to the audience.
Benjamin Orr
of
The Cars
played a Phantom IV bass. Robbie Scharf of the Cowsills played a phantom IV Bass.
Michael Jay of the Fuzztones played a Phantom bass.
The Phantom IV bass featured two single coil pickups with four pole pieces. A rotary switch was used for pickup selection. A single volume and tone control were also included. The 1966 US Vox catalog described the Phantom IV Bass as follows: "Rugged and powerful solid body in striking Phantom design; fast neck with ebony fingerboard; two husky, 4-pole bass pick-ups; adjustable bridge for low action control; fast action pick-up selector switch. B
y 1965 the majority were built in Recanti, Italy. The Phantom IV bass is one of Vox's most imposing instruments; unlike the short-scale, very thin-necked layout of most of the company's basses these are built with a full 34" scale on a big wide neck closely based on the Fender Precision. The two 4-pole pickups provide a wide range of tonal options; there are not a lot of 1960's basses that provide this combination of practical playability and wicked cool looks! This is a superb example,, and comes complete with the original Vox oblong hard case. The Phantom IV is garage rock classic. Overall length is 49 in. (124.5 cm.), 12 3/8 in. (31.4 cm.) width, and 1 5/8 in. (4.1 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 34 in. (864 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/4 in. (44 mm.).  The original finish on the body has some longitudinal checks which are very cool and classic vintage indeed. . There are a few small chipped areas of finish on the body edges, the most noticeable on the top edge behind the bridge, and a couple on the headstock. (see photos).  There are no alterations or repairs. There is minor fret or play wear. This one also has a very nice straight and solid neck. This striking black Phantom is a fine player! It's a crowd pleaser of a bass. You'll have tons of interested inquires about this rare axe. And, it sounds great! This is NOT a Japanese knockoff. It's the real deal... untouched.