Editing Univox (section)

==History==
In 1964, Unicord (a manufacturer of electric [[transformer]]s acquired by [[Gulf and Western Industries]] in 1959) purchased the Amplifier Corporation of America and began marketing a line of amplifiers under the name of Univox.

Univox-branded fretted instruments (electric and acoustic guitars and electric basses) began being imported from Japanese contract manufacturer [[Matsumoku]] in 1968,{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} In 1978 Unicord phased out the Univox line of guitars and equipment. They switched to an original guitar line called "Westbury", and an amp line called Stage which lasted until about 1982. The Unicord Corporation was purchased by [[Korg]] in 1985, effectively ending the line.

Univox was best known for its copies of instruments from better-known companies such as [[Fender Musical Instruments Corporation|Fender]], [[Gibson Guitar Corporation|Gibson]], [[Rickenbacker]], [[Ampeg|Ampeg/Dan Armstrong]], [[Epiphone]] and others. The [[Univox Hi-Flier]] was based loosely on the distinctive [[Mosrite]] "reverse swept" shape; it was popularized in the early 1990s by [[Kurt Cobain]], almost two decades after original production had ceased.

===Change to Stage amplifiers===
The Univox name developed a market reputation as cheap because Unicord had copied amplifier designs from companies such as [[Shure]] and [[Electro-Voice]] instead of doing major original research and development. Univox used time-proven electronic circuits and quality components, but to avoid the negative market perception Unicord introduced the Stage brand; the only difference between the Univox and Stage equipment was the nameplate, attached prior to shipping.