Image 1 of 8
Image 2 of 8
Image 3 of 8
Image 4 of 8
Image 5 of 8
Image 6 of 8
Image 7 of 8
Image 8 of 8
More Info
In February 1967, the Clyde McCoy wah changed guitar sound forever. The Real McCoy VRM1 Wah takes you back to that moment with a meticulous recreation of one mint-condition original, often hailed as the “Holy Grail” of wahs. From its warm, mid-focused tone to its distinctive vocal sweep, it’s like stepping directly into the “Summer of Love” era.
Every component has been custom designed to match the character of that legendary unit. VOX’s engineering team faithfully replicated the legendary Halo inductor, perhaps the most crucial component in delivering the distinctive mid-range response of vintage units. In addition to the bespoke inductor, VOX has included a proprietary potentiometer with accurate resistance value and EQ curves, as well as vintage-accurate BC109 transistors, and ½ watt carbon film resistors in this meticulously crafted custom circuit. Even the enclosure itself was redesigned from 3D scans of vintage units to capture every curve and detail of the original. The result is a pedal that not only looks the part but speaks with the same unmistakable voice that powered Clapton and Hendrix’s era-defining performances.
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 Real McCoy – renowned for its iconic nasal tone – accentuates the midrange, imparting a warm and melodic quality for expressive lead guitar playing that underscores the articulation of each note. 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.
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. 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.
Fab Gear is a factory-authorized VOX dealer. We are fully certified by VOX Amplification LTD to sell brand-new, genuine VOX equipment with a full manufacturer’s warranty.