VIRAGE Semi-Hollow Double Cutaway Guitars
VGDC
VIRAGE Semi-Hollow Single Cutaway Guitars
VGSC
VH Semi-Hollow Double Cutaway Guitars
HDC-77
VS Solid Single Cutaway Guitars
SSC-55 / SSC-33
VS Solid Double Cutaway Guitars
SDC-55 / SDC-33
Owner’s Manual
Manuel d’utilisation
Bedienungsanleitung
Manual de Usuario
ii
VGDC
VGSC
HDC-77
SSC-55
SSC-33
SDC-55
SDC-33
Owner’s Manual
1
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for your purchase of a new VOX guitar and for helping us write the next chapter in the story of VOX innovation.
The history of modern music is closely entwined with the history of musical instrument design and manufacturing techniques. The founding fathers of Rock, Blues, Country, and Jazz didn’t search pawnshops for relics of past generations—they simply chose the most practical instruments and effective amplification available. In this golden era, manufacturers set out to meet the needs of working musicians, and in so doing created the guitars and amplifiers that made possible a musical revolution.
But time marches on. Today, many manufacturers are content to produce replicas of earlier efforts. Others offer technology for technology’s sake. VOX has chosen another path. In the same spirit that led to the creation of the classic equipment that inspired us, we set out to make the most practical, playable, versatile, comfortable and useable guitar possible—for today’s guitarist. In our pursuit of this goal, we used the most sophisticated design and manufacturing techniques available. Not to offer an inevitably obsolete technology product, but to create a new instrument, unencumbered by traditional limitations.
2
UNIQUE FEATURES
638mm Scale
Fingerboard
Inverse Heel Neck Joint
Three-90 Pickups
CoAxe Pickups
Three-Dimensional
Ergonomic Body
MaxContact Bridge
VGDC |
Twin Mode Select Switches |
SSC-55 |
3
638mm Scale
Fingerboard
Inverse Heel Neck Joint
CoAxe Pickups
Three-Dimensional
Ergonomic Body
MaxContact Bridge
Twin Mode Select
Switches
Master Mode Select
Switch
HDC-77 |
SDC-33 |
4
Three-Dimensional Ergonomic Body
Nothing should come between you and your music—not even your guitar. Traditional guitars force you to conform to ungainly shapes and hard edges. Our advanced three-dimensional ergonomic design removes these constraints for perfect balance, peak comfort, and ultimate playability.
Inverse Heel Neck Joint
The deeply sculpted neck joint removes the bulk of traditional neck joints to provide unfettered fingerboard access while maintaining neck rigidity and preserving the instrument’s full frequency spectrum.
638mm Scale Fingerboard
The 638mm (25 1/8 inch) scale length was carefully chosen to be the perfect blend of the shimmering harmonics and clarity of long scales and the sweetness and playing ease of short scales.
MaxConnect Bridge
The VOX MaxConnect Bridge is engineered to provide direct coupling of the aluminum alloy bridge base to the brass studs to maximize sustain and tone. The extended saddle adjustment range allows you to intonate any string gauge, while the rear-loading design makes string changes quick and easy.
Integral Tone Bar Construction (VGDC, VGSC, and HDC-77 only)
In semi-hollow VOX guitars, Integral Tone Bars provide a direct connection between the neck and bridge. This innovative construction method creates an instrument with the warm resonance of a semi-hollowbody with the focused attack of a solidbody—an instrument that is both lightweight and highly resistant to feedback.
5
Multi-Mode Pickup Systems
Three-90 Pickup System
The VGDC and VGSC are powered by the refined and articulate Three-90 Pickup System. Twin Mode Select Switches, mounted above the master volume and tone controls, give you instant access to three distinct, musical, and humcanceling tones from each pickup.
CoAxe Pickup System
The focused aggression of the CoAxe Pickup System is managed by either Twin Mode Select Switches (on the SSC-55 and SDC55 and HDC-77) for individual control of each pickup, or a Master Mode Switch (on the SSC-33 and SDC-33) controlling both pickups simultaneously.
6
Controls—Twin Mode Select Switches
Mode Select
Bridge Neck
Clean
Crunch
Lead Volume
Tone
Pickup Select
Neck
Both
Bridge
Controls—Master Mode Select Switch
Mode Select
Clean
Lead Volume
Tone
Pickup Select
Neck
Both
Bridge
7
SETUP AND ADJUSTMENT
Each VOX guitar is carefully adjusted at the factory for a wide range of playing styles, with .010" to .046" strings. You may want to finetune the playability for your own personal style, different string gauges, or after seasonal environmental changes.
Before making any adjustments, you’ll need to verify the proper neck relief. With the guitar tuned, press the low E string down at both the 1st and 22nd frets (a capo comes in handy here) and check the distance between the top of the 8th fret and the bottom of the low E string. Ideally, you’ll see a gap about the same size as the diameter of the high E string.
Press Here |
And Here |
Check Gap Here
If you see too much relief, you need to increase the truss rod tension, by turning the truss rod adjusting nut
clockwise with the included tool. (Remove the cover first, of course!) If you don’t see enough relief, or if the string is touching the 8th fret, you need to decrease the truss rod tension, by turning the truss rod adjusting nut counter-clockwise. Never force the truss rod, and if you are uncomfortable or unfamiliar with this kind of
adjustment, take your guitar to a qualified service center.
8
The MaxConnect bridge can be easily adjusted for string height (action) and string length (intonation). To lower the action of either the treble or bass strings, turn the appropriate bridge post clock clockwise with the supplied tool. To raise the action, turn the appropriate bridge post counter clockwise. The MaxConnect is designed to fit the bridge posts tightly, so don’t adjust one side too far without also adjusting the other.
Clockwise = Lower String Action |
Clockwise = Shorter String
Length
Changes in neck relief, string action, or string gauges can all change intonation. Luckily, the MaxConnect bridge provides a wide range of intonation adjustment. You’ll need either a good tuner or good ears to verify correct intonation. For each string, just compare the pitch of the note fretted at the 12th fret to the pitch of the 12th fret harmonic. If the fretted note is flat (lower than the harmonic), you’ll need to make the string shorter by turning the intonation adjust screw clockwise. If the fretted note is sharp (higher than the harmonic), you’ll need to make the string longer by turning the intonation adjust screw counter clockwise.
The height of Three-90 and CoAxe pickups adjust the same way—by turning the mounting screws either clockwise (down, lower output) or counter clockwise (up, higher output). Remember to leave plenty of clearance for the vibrating strings.
Clockwise = Lower Pickup Height
9
CARE AND MAINTENANCE
A little effort will keep your new VOX guitar looking great for years to come. When you finish playing, wipe the guitar down with a clean, soft cloth. Use a quality guitar polish occasionally, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Protect your instrument from temperature extremes and sudden changes in temperature. A guitar left in a hot trunk of a car at full string tension can literally pull itself apart. A sudden blast of warm air on a cold guitar can crack the finish.
Your VOX guitar will sound best with fresh strings. Luckily, string changes are easy. Clip (or unwind) and remove the old string, and load the new one through the rear of the bridge. As you wind the string around the tuner post, keep in mind that the top wind should be over the free end, while the rest should be under. String tension will pull these winds together, clamping the free string end for better tuning stability. You need a 2 or 3 winds to secure the wound strings, and 4 or 5 for the plain strings.
First Wrap Over
Then Under
10
VGDC
VGSC
HDC-77
SSC-55
SSC-33
SDC-55
SDC-33
Manuel d’utilisation
11