Super rare bird in excellent condition. Built in Italy in 1967/68, this closet queen is fully functional and ready for a new home.
The high E string tuner has been replaced, and like many Vox '60s models, the pickguard has warped. You’ll notice gentle wear on the neck’s back from years of playing, and the cherry finish shows charming pick marks. Approaching 60 years old, these little signs of wear tell a story full of character.
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In 1967, Vox introduced a new series of Italian made semi-acoustic guitars that were similar to popular Gibson models from that period. Four of these models, the Cheetah, Ultrasonic, Viper and Aristocrat were doubtlessly influenced by the then growing popularity of the Gibson ES-335.
The Vox V267 Cheetah guitar hoped to lure a customer away from a ES-335 by offering Gibson styling but adding battery operated internal effects. An E-tuner, treble and bass booster, distortion booster and repeat percussion were incorporated into the guitar. The Vox Cheetah guitar was offered in the 1967 "Vox, It's Whats Happening" and the 1968 "The Sound That Travels With the Stars" catalogs.
The 1968 US Vox catalog described the V267 Cheetah as follows: "An exquisite double cutaway electric acoustic guitar. Has built-in E tuner, distortion booster, treble and bass booster, repeat percussion. All new easy-to-fret fast-neck with VOX double T bar and adjustable steel rod. Two exclusive VOX Ferro-Sonic pickups. One volume, two tone controls. 3 position pickup switch. New positive action adjustable spring tremolo. Sunburst or Cherry."
The 1968 US Vox price list indicated that the retail price of the Cheetah guitar was $425 USD. In today's dollars, the Cheetah would retail for about $4000 USD.
The Cheetah guitar was produced for Vox in Italy by EKO in Recanati Italy. A decal on the back of each guitar states: "Made for Vox in Italy."