Vox V846 Vintage Wah Pedal

Introduced by VOX in 1967, the Wah-Wah pedal stemmed from the Midrange Boost feature of a VOX amp design and was initially marketed as a way to emulate the sound of a muted trumpet. However, it was soon revoiced for rock guitarists and rereleased as the V846, to keep up with the unintended but music-changing use with electric guitar from renowned artists such as Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton. From the 1960s to today, the Wah pedal has become an essential tool for guitarists.

The new V846 Vintage wah pedal perfectly emulates this second wah model down to the component level. VOX engineers have worked hard to unravel the mysteries of the vintage V846 wah model, resulting in a pedal that meticulously replicates the exact tonal characteristics.

The V846 Vintage is voiced with an assertive tonal profile, with an extended frequency sweep and a strong emphasis on high frequencies – perfect for pairing with fuzz for classic rock tones. It stands as the definitive version of the widely recognized wah sound.

The Pursuit of the Ultimate Vintage Wah

The new V846 Vintage wah is unlike any wah on the market today – it is built with custom-designed parts to fully replicate the original. This includes newly designed inductors, transistors, and potentiometers, with hand-selected resistors, capacitors, and wiring to complete the circuit. This exact recreation extends to the exterior as well, with a body molded from a 3D scan of the vintage model, and a focus on details down to the screws and font on the underside.

Unlocking the Mystery Behind the Iconic Sound

The journey to the V846 Vintage wah pedal was started by acquiring a mint condition vintage V846 wah from 1967, referred to at VOX as the “Holy Grail” – the epitome of the ideal unit. Exhaustive A/B testing was conducted, systematically comparing its frequency response against that of other more conventional vintage units. This exploration unraveled the alchemy inherent in vintage components that collectively shape the unique frequency curve characteristic of the holy grail unit.
Inductors: The Crucial Component in Wah Technology
The “Halo” inductor stands as the quintessential element in the vintage wah. By meticulously analyzing the inductor characteristics of vintage units, we have successfully replicated the Halo inductor to incorporate it into our wahs. The V846 Vintage presents a more assertive tonal profile, characterized by an extended sweep range and heightened emphasis on high frequencies. It stands as the definitive rendition of the widely recognized wah-wah effect.

Potentiometer: An Integral Component in Wah Dynamics
The potentiometer, a variable resistor, is the pivotal element driving the wah sweep. When the potentiometer from the vintage unit was copied, meticulous adjustments were made to ensure a near-identical curve. The VRM-1 and V846 Vintage models employ distinct resistance values and curves.

Transistor: Precision in Component Matching
Employing the appropriate transistor, specifically the BC108 model with identical numbering and appearance as its vintage counterpart, delivered precise component matching. This configuration requires careful assembly due to the interaction with the bottom plate, an integral component of the transistor’s terminals. Despite the availability of similar transistors, the tonal variance observed when compared to 60s components required a custom circuit for tone adjustment.

Resistor: Navigating the Evolution of Resistive Elements
In guitar amplifiers, “carbon composite” resistors were once highly regarded. However, by the late ‘60s, “carbon film” resistors, cost-effective and consistent in quality, became standard. The VOX Wah, introduced in 1968, also adopted carbon film resistors. However, in the new VOX Wah pedals, larger 1/2W carbon film resistors are utilized to faithfully replicate the vintage Wah tonal characteristics. By moving away from chip resistors and 1/4W resistors, we can deliver an even more authentic sound.