VOX VS SSC33

Another replica of Les Paul, this time from the eminent British Vox. Founded in 1947, the company is famous for its amplifiers, which were used for performances by the legendary Beatles and Rolling Stones. The production of guitars and basses hasn't been as commercially successful, but true craftsmanship is everywhere, and that's why we couldn't ignore the VOX VS SSC33 — a great instrument in the $700 category.

Body and neck

The body and sides of the guitar are mahogany, while the top is maple. The neck is fastened with bolts, which is not typical for the classic Les Paul, but no one promised that the British would be like the Americans in everything. Moreover, such innovations did not interfere with the sound at all and it acquired a more pronounced attack, juiciness and fatness with melodious clean overtones.

Mechanics and electronics

Other design differences include Vox's proprietary fixed aluminium MaxConnect bridge, exposed passive CoAxe pickups, and a somewhat unusual design and arrangement of control knobs. In particular, the sensor mode switch is located at the bottom, which, on the one hand, is unusual for Les Paul, and on the other hand, it is convenient, since it does not touch the hand during an active game.

It should be noted that all fittings and electronics in VOX VS SSC33 are native and of excellent quality. The extended bridge saddle base, along with the new Vox SuperSmooth tuners, provide precise tuning for any string thickness and stay in tune better than classic designs.

The guitar is available in three more colours besides Gold Top, and in fairness it should be noted that in two of them (“tea burst” and “cream vintage”), the top of the deck is not maple, but ash, but this practically does not affect the sound.