Pathfinder V-1 (1966) - Introduced in late 1965, the original Pathfinder was an all tube amp intended to be the US made replacement for the JMI Vox AC-4 amplifier. The four tube circuit featured two ECC83 preamp tubes, one EL84 output tubes, and one EZ80 rectifier tube. This tube model was only made for less than a year and is extremely rare.

The single channel amp had two inputs and foot switchable tremolo. Like the British AC-4, the approximately seven watt RMS tube output stage of the Pathfinder V-1 was cathode biased. The preamp used a slight variation of the "top boost" circuit from the AC-30. An 8" Vox "Gold Bulldog" speaker, made by the Oxford Speaker Company of Chicago IL was used in all versions of the Pathfinder.

The control panel featured two instrument inputs plus volume, treble, bass, tremolo speed and tremolo depth. The lower control panel included a foot switch jack and a line reverse switch. The cabinet of the Pathfinder V-1 was constructed of fir plywood and was covered in a pebbled pattern vinyl. A horizontal Vox logo, eight one pin corners, a handle with brass colored end caps.