Vox Spyder IV

No idea where or when it was made,I assumed Britain. I loved the hollow violin body due to almost no weight, when playing it back in the early '70's never got shoulder sore! The pickups sucked, if you plugged any bass in to the same amp side by side, the Vox was weak.
The finish on mine purchased new was beautiful, one main reason I bought it...it was just a beautiful instrument. The tuners were average, but the neck was THE BOMB!!!! Fastest neck of any bass I've played before or since. The thing gave me on stage confidence to do stuff I otherwise wouldn't attempt (or maybe it was the crappy tone that masked what I was doing?)

As I mentioned, the sound was thin, lots of overtone on some notes, dead on others. I ran it through a early '70's Kustom 200 with 3 fifteens, so that could have been part of the tone problem, but at least it had the power to get the weak notes across. The sound was very bright and plunky, had to try to pull feedback out of the amp to get any sustain (it wasn't hard to do with the hollow body).

I would never have tried to record with it unless it was for something really notey with no sustain required.

As I mentioned, it was really beautiful, the sunburst was striking. Got many compliments on the looks from non-players. Didn't play the factory setup, adjusted it as soon as I got it. In those days the factory didn't seem to do much setup unless you like a ski slope neck. I was suprised how low I could set the action without buzz with such a skinny neck.

This was my only instrument in those days, played out weekly for a couple of years and never had a failure. Didn't own it long enough to decide how well the hardware would last, but it didn't look too durable compared to the Fender "P" bass I replaced it with. Had to adjust the neck every few months, expected with a hollow body thin neck bass. Also had to handle it like an acoustic guitar since essentially thats what it was.

Well.....

Playing 40 years now, but only about 4-6 years when I owned it. If I could have found one, I would have purchased it again (still would!)

The neck on this thing was incredible. The tight string spacing and relatively short scale made it the fastest thing I ever touched, almost had to learn to play over again when I went to the Fender (and it had a custom taper [Jazz] neck on it.)

I've owned Gibson, Rickenbacker and Fenders as well as Peavey and several real junk basses. They all sounded better than the Vox, but were harder to play. I could overlook a lot due to that superfast spaghetti neck.

I wish I had another chance at a Spyder IV with a modern bass rig I think I could make it sound passable now. If not, I'd hang it on the wall and just LOOK at it. I too haven't seen another one since my own.

Made in 1968 by EKO for the USA market, the Spyder IV was a lower priced version of the Astro IV without the onboard electonics, made in 1968 only. The 21 fret neck is super thin (makes a Fender Jazz look clumsy) but yet there is plenty of room to play. When combined with the huge neadstock with the VOX name in big gold letters stuck on the neck looks tiny. Short scale at 30 1/4 inches, the string tension is low, making playing easier still. The body is orangey sunburst, violin archtop style with 2 single coil pickups with exposed magnets and chrome covers. Body material is laminated, with a good flame maple back, unfortunately covered by the usual Vox pad. Controls give 3 switching options with 1 volume and 2 tones. Bridge is archtop style detatched with adjustable height and saddles. Tuners are traditionally exposed typical of the period. The tailpiece is a big caring, Bigsby style without the trem, and the word VOX cast into it. All in all, a really cool looking period bass.

I play in a covers band, 50's thru to modern day, and th bass is perfect for the band with its cool looks and great sound. It has a warm richness that sits underneath everything else and really drives the band. There is no noise from the controls. I use it with an Ashdown MAG 250 head and 4x10 cab. As might be expected with a light archtop bass there isn't a lot of sustain and it needs to be EQ'd carefully so that resonant frequencies are kept under control, but a little care pays off handsomely. There isn't much of a variety of sounds but what it does it does extremely weel. I love its sound so I score it highly.

This bass is almost 40 years old and the polyester finish is remarkably good. There are 2 lacquer cracks and one small ding - not the bass's fault! Hardware has lasted extremely well. I don't think it has been worked over hard, but for its age it is pretty good - 95%. I have been able to set the neck and action perfectly. The truss rod adjustment which is at the body end of the neck is the easiest I have ever seen and used. My high score here is supported by the bass's age - I don't need to guess how well it will age!

Live playing is a breeze. The hardware has stood the test of time, with just a little flaking of the chrome on the tailpiece. The finish HAS lasted, although being an archtop it won't stand the abuse that a solid will. I gig it without a backup with no worries.

I think the warranty has expired.

I have being playing for 40 years. I own a range of guitars and basses including 60's Fender and Epi basses. If it were stolen or lost I would be lucky to find another as it's the only one I have ever seen. (Perhaps I don't get out much....) I love its cool 60's image, its sound, its playability and its exclusivity.

If there are any other owners out there I'd love to hear from you.