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 Clyde McCoy's trumpet muting technique. However, an unintended but music-changing use with the electric guitar transformed the Wah pedal into a vital tool for such celebrated artists as Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton, creating now-legendary performances and songs. From the 1960s to the present, the Wah pedal has become a must-have tool for guitarists.
The new Real McCoy wah pedal perfectly replicates the original wah down to the component level. VOX engineers have worked hard to unlock the mysteries of the vintage McCoy wah model, resulting in a pedal that faithfully replicates its exact tonal characteristics. The Real McCoy Limited wah pedal is also available in limited numbers in a striking chrome finish.
The Real McCoy is voiced in the iconic nasal tone of the original wah model, with an accentuated midrange tone that gives your guitar a warm, melodic character.
In Search of the Best Vintage Wah
The new Real McCoy wah is unlike any other wah on the market today – built with custom-designed parts to exactly mimic the original. These parts include newly designed inductors, transistors and potentiometers, hand-selected resistors, capacitors and wiring to complete the circuitry. The makeover extends to the exterior as well, with a body molded from a 3D scan of the previous model and attention to detail down to the screws on the underside and even the font.
Uncovering the Mystery Behind the Legendary Voice
The journey to the true McCoy wah pedal began with the acquisition of a vintage McCoy wah from 1967 in excellent condition, referred to at VOX as the "Holy Grail" - the epitome of the ideal unit. Extensive A/B testing was conducted and its frequency response was systematically compared to that of other, more traditional vintage units. This discovery revealed the alchemy contained in the vintage components that collectively shape the unique frequency curve characteristics of the holy grail unit.
Inductors: A Key Component of Wah Technology
The “Halo” inductor stands out as the most important component of the vintage wah pedal. By meticulously analyzing the inductor characteristics of vintage units, we have successfully reproduced the Halo inductor and integrated it into our wah pedal. The Real McCoy – known for its iconic nasal tone – emphasizes the midrange, providing a warm and melodic quality that emphasizes the articulation of each note, supporting expressive lead guitar playing.
Potentiometer: An Integral Component of Wah Dynamics
The potentiometer, a variable resistor, is the key component that drives the wah sweeps. When copying the potentiometer from the Vintage unit, meticulous adjustments were made to achieve a nearly identical curve. The VRM-1 and V846 Vintage models have 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.
