Vox 33/55/77 Series: A More Affordable Virage

2010-2020

In 2010, Vox introduced the Series 55 and 77 guitars.  These were 'basically' Korean-made Virage II's at a lower price point.  As example, where the Virage II was $2,999 USD, the Series 55 was $1,700 USD, which resulted in a 'street price' of $999 USD in 2010. The HDC-77 was $2,000 USD with a 'street price' of $1,399 USD in 2010.

The series 55 and 77 have the same electronics, bridge, wiring, controls, inlays, and tuners as the Virage II.  The body shape has the same '3d curve' as the Virage.  The silhouette of the SSC-55 is the same as the Virage II single cut, but it's a solid body.  The SDC-55 is the silhouette of the Virage II single cut, but with a double cut.  The silhouette of the Virage II double cut was used on the Series 99. The HDC-77 does not have an exact Virage silhouette, but shares the '3d curve' features of the Virage, and has a body similar to the Virage double-cut but with 'pointy' horns.

The difference in playability between then Japanese Virage II and the Korean Series 55/77 is slight.  Certainly noticeable, it's more like variations between different instruments than, say, a Squire vs. a Fender.  These are pro-level instruments and really a good deal when you consider there's no difference in hardware/electronics.

And: the lower line SDC and SSC Series 33 were made in Indonesia but shared the same features as the Series 55, with a street price of $700 USD in 2010.  Same hardware, same electronics, but 'lower appointments' - the inlays, no pickguard, different CoAxe selector (just 1 switch).  But these are of the same quality as the 55, and as such, quite a deal in a relative sense.

In 2011, Vox announced some additional colors for the line.

The Vox HDC-77 was the last production guitar that Prince played (he had seven of them), which results in these selling for much more than Series 55...  Did I mention they're pro-level instruments?  Don't be fooled into thinking otherwise due to the Korean manufacturing!

More info from the Web:

Vox Showroom Series 55 Page

Vox Showroom Series 77 Page

Music Radar review of the SDC-55