VOX V846 Vintage Wah Pedal Reissue
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.
FEATURES
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, VOX has successfully replicated the Halo inductor to incorporate it into VOX's 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, VOX 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)
Bananas At Large Inc
We accept major credit and debit cards - Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express. We also accept Paypal. Please contact us for Western Union. Orders must be approved by our authorization process. This includes validation of the shipping address with the issuing bank.
About Shipping and Delivery We utilize legitimate bonded and licensed shipping carriers only (UPS, Fed Ex, USPS etc). We are not the shipping company and therefore cannot be held responsible for faults that lay with the shipping company. By placing orders with us you agree to be present to receive packages sent to you. Bananas cannot be held responsible for lost packages once they are logged as delivered by the shipping company. Once a package is logged as delivered by the shipping company the customer is responsible for any issues related to the delivery of the package at that point. Packaging and Shipping Information Due to conditions beyond our control (weather, shipper's handling etc.) some boxes that products originally come in cannot be re-used to ship out to customers. In those rare cases we will remove and inspect all items and repackage them in acceptable boxing to make it safe to you. All items are still considered brand new, under full warranty and fall under our same guarantees. Note: Bananas recycles unused boxes when possible.
Online Returns: In order to return a product, Request a Return Authorization Number (RA Number). To request a Return Authorization Number (RA Number), please email info@bananas.com with your full name, order number, item that you are returning, and what type of return you would like us to process - either exchange for the same item, exchange for another item, or return for refund. In addition, if you can include the reason for your return, and any other comments, that would be appreciated. Once we process your RA request, we will send you a Return Authorization Number, and instructions on how to return the item. Return and Customer Satisfaction Policy: Any item (other than as noted below) purchased from Bananas at Large online store may be returned, within 45 days of the shipment date, for a full refund of the purchase price minus shipping costs, or for exchange or credit. Rather than make you click elsewhere for the 'small print', here it is in not-so-small print: The following items may not be returned: Consumable items such as (but not limited to) strings, picks, drum sticks, drum heads, phono cartridges and replacement speakers. Any item that is worn on the body or is blown into, such as (but not limited to) earplugs, wind controllers or harmonicas Computer software, items that can be copied and copyrighted material such as (but not limited to) books, videos and CD's Installed items such as (but not limited to) guitar pickups, drum heads, headphone parts and other installed parts If you agree to back order or special order a product, you agree that order may not be canceled unless approved by Bananas. Special orders already in transit either from manufacturer or Bananas cannot be canceled. Special order items may be returned if defective for exchange. You will be notified what items qualify as special order status. *In-store sales, please see posted Return Policies Other Things You Need to Know about Online Returns Shipping and/or handling charges are not refundable. It is your responsibility to pay return shipping and to fully insure the unit(s) you are returning. Also, it is your responsibility to cover shipping charges for sending the item to you. If you are quoted free shipping and return the item, you will be required to cover the actual shipping costs incurred by your order. Items that are returned must be in the original packaging, with all accessories and paperwork included in the original shipment, such as owner's manual(s) and warranty card. Items must be free from signs of use or wear, and both warranty card and manual(s) must not have any writing in them. If your order was shipped to you in outer packaging it must be returned in that packaging as well as the inner box or boxes. Returned items that do not arrive in the condition described above are subject to a $25 repackaging charge, plus the cost of replacing missing, soiled, worn or marked-on items. Obvious signs of use that reduce the value of a returned unit will be subject to additional charges based on how much we need to mark down the unit to make it sellable.