The 1967 is back – a new wah pedal from the original creators

Introduced by VOX in 1967, the Wah-Wah pedal sprouted from the Midrange Boost feature of the VOX amplifier design and was initially marketed as a way to emulate the sound of a muted trumpet. However, an unintended but music-changing use on the electric guitar led to the Wah pedal being re-released as the V846, with artists such as Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton using it unintentionally but music-changingly on the electric guitar. From the 1960s to the present, the Wah pedal has become an indispensable tool for guitarists.

The new V846 Vintage wah pedal perfectly emulates this second wah model on a component level. VOX engineers have worked intensively to unlock the secrets of the vintage V846 wah model, resulting in a pedal that reproduces its tonal characteristics precisely.

The V846 Vintage is voiced with a distinct tonal profile with a strong emphasis on high frequencies and an extended frequency range – perfect for pairing with fuzz for classic rock tones. This model is the definitive version of the widely recognized wah sound.

Finally in Search of the Legendary Vintage Wah

The new V846 Vintage wah is unlike any wah pedal available today – it’s built from custom-designed parts to precisely recreate the original. This includes newly designed inductors, transistors and potentiometers, along with hand-selected resistors, capacitors and wires to complete the circuit. This exact re-creation extends to the exterior, featuring a body molded from a 3D scan of the vintage model, with attention paid to details such as the screw and font on the bottom.

The Journey to Decipher the Iconic Sound

The path to the V846 Vintage wah pedal began with the acquisition of a mint condition vintage V846 wah from 1967, which VOX called the “Holy Grail” – the pinnacle of the ideal unit. Extensive A/B testing was conducted, systematically comparing the frequency response to more traditional vintage units. This discovery unraveled the alchemy found in vintage components, revealing that these were the collective elements that shaped the unique frequency curve of the holy grail unit.

Inductors: A Key Component of Wah Technology

The core of the vintage wah pedal is the “Halo” inductor. By meticulously analyzing the inductor characteristics of vintage units, we have successfully reproduced the Halo inductor and integrated it into our wah pedals. The V846 Vintage offers a more distinct tone profile, with an extended range of motion and a structure that emphasizes high frequencies. This is the definitive version of the widely recognized wah-wah effect.

Potentiometer: An Integral Component of Wah Dynamics

The potentiometer, the variable resistor, is the critical component that drives the wah sweep. In replicating the potentiometer from the vintage unit, meticulous adjustments were made to ensure a virtually identity-free curve. The VRM-1 and V846 Vintage models feature different resistor values ​​and curves.

Transistor: Precision in Component Matching

The use of correct transistors, especially the BC109 model, which has the same numbering and appearance as its vintage counterpart, ensured correct component matching. This structure requires careful assembly due to interaction with the transistor terminals, as the bottom plate is an integral part of the transistor terminals. Although similar transistors are available, the observed tonal differences compared to 60s-era components required a special circuit for tone adjustment.

Resilience: Navigating the Evolution of Resistant Elements

In guitar amplifiers, “carbon composite” resistors were once highly regarded. However, by the late 60s, “carbon film” resistors became the standard because they were cost effective and consistent in quality. The VOX Wah, introduced in 1968, also began using carbon film resistors. However, newer VOX Wah pedal models use larger 1/2W carbon film resistors to faithfully recreate the tonal characteristics of the vintage Wah. By moving away from chip resistors and 1/4W resistors, we can achieve a more authentic sound.

Technical Specifications

Links
INPUT input (monophonic jack), OUTPUT output (monophonic jack)

Power supply
9V dry cell batteries (6LF22/6LR61) (sold separately)

Battery life
about 100 hours or more (with alkaline batteries)

Power consumption
540μA (9V DC)

Dimensions (W x D x H)
102 x 252 x 80mm

Weight
1300g (excluding batteries)

Specifications are subject to change for development purposes without prior notice.