Vox V846 Vintage Wah Pedal

Vox V846 Vintage Wah Pedal 

1967 is back – the new wah pedal from the original creators
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 BC109 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.

Specifications

Connections:  INPUT jack (monaural phone jack), OUTPUT jack (monaural phone jack)

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

Battery life:  approx. 100 hours or more (with alkaline batteries)

Current consumption:  540μA (9V DC)

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

Weight:  1300 g (excluding batteries)

Accessories:  1300 g (excluding batteries)

Shipping Policy

Flipside Music ships items within 2 days of purchase. UPS, FedEx or USPS will be the parcel carrier used to ship your purchase, if you have a preference for another shipping service provider, please contact Ike or Dylan and we will work with you and the company you choose.

International orders may be subject to destination countries sales, VAT or import tax. Please contact your country's duty center, prior to purchase for more information regarding these fees. Flipside Music will not reduce listed price to avoid said duties, taxes, or export/import fees.

Return Policy

New Items:

We honor a 14 day return window on all new items.

If you feel the need to return an item, it must be in the sellable condition, no paint chips, scratches or broken parts. Sellable Condition means that the product(s) is in exactly the same condition as it was when you received it. The item must have all the original packaging, included accessories owner’s manuals and blank warranty card, no sign of wear or abuse.

Used and Vintage Gear:

We honor a 3 day return window on all used and vintage items.

All our used gear is tested for functionality prior to being available for purchase and therefore only carries a 3 day approval period. If you would like to make a return just let us know within the 3 day window.

Damaged or Defective Items:

We visually inspect all items before shipment. If you believe you have received a damaged or defective product, please contact us immediately so we can work through the issue. Guitars, basses, and other equipment returned to us with pick marks, "buckle-rash", or any other damage or evidence of use may be subject to a 20% restocking fee, repair charge or disqualification of return. All items must be returned to us in the same condition they were when shipped to qualify. We reserve the right to refuse any return if we determine the item has been misused, modified or damaged by the purchaser. If the item turns out not to be defective upon inspection, we will have to deduct the cost of shipping from your return credit.

Shipping Charges incurred through the return of an item:

You will be responsible for the shipping charge for the return of your item, and if your item qualifies for Free shipping on its way to you, this shipping charge will also be deducted from your refund. If your item is determined to be defective, we will pay the shipping charge, equivalent to ground service.