Wah Pedals
Real McCoy Wah
Sku: VRM1
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 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.
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.