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Photo provided by VOX
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Since its founding in the late 1950s, VOX has been synonymous with innovation in music technology, shaping the sound of generations of musicians. While the brand is often celebrated for its iconic amplifiers, VOX has also left an indelible mark on the music industry through its effects pedals, particularly the legendary VOX Wah pedal. By providing musicians with new tools for expression, VOX helped redefine what was possible on the electric guitar.
The VOX Wah pedal, first introduced in the late 1960s, quickly became a staple in the rigs of iconic guitarists like Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and Brian May. Its signature sweeping filter allowed players to create expressive, vocal-like tones, adding a new dimension to solos and rhythm parts alike. The wah pedal became more than an effect—it became a voice, a tool for emotional and dynamic storytelling through music.
Beyond the wah, VOX’s range of effects pedals, including overdrives, fuzzes, modulation, and delay units, gave musicians the ability to experiment with tone and texture in ways that were previously impossible. By integrating intuitive controls with high-quality circuitry, VOX pedals offered reliability without sacrificing creative freedom, enabling artists to explore new sonic territories both in the studio and on stage.
VOX’s influence is also evident in the way effects pedal shaped genres. The wah pedal became a defining sound in psychedelic rock, funk, and blues, while VOX overdrive and modulation pedals contributed to the evolving tons of rock, alternative, and modern metal. Musicians could now express subtleties of feel and articulation, expanding the language of the electric guitar and inspiring countless innovations in playing technique.
Today, VOX continues to innovate, combining classic tonal qualities with modern technology. The legacy of the VOX Wah and their broader pedal lineup demonstrates how a single brand can transform the tools of music-making, influencing not only how guitarists play, but also how audiences experience music. By empowering artists with expressive effects, VOX has cemented its role as a pioneer in the evolution of modern music.
About VOX Pedals
VOX Pedals are crafted by the iconic VOX brand, renowned worldwide for shaping the sound of modern music. With a legacy rooted in the legendary VOX AC series amplifiers, VOX Pedals deliver the same distinctive tone, innovation, and quality that generations of musicians have trusted. From classic overdrives and fuzzes to versatile modulation, delay, and reverb effects, VOX Pedals are designed to inspire creativity and help players craft their unique sound.
Engineered with both reliability and tonal excellence in mind, VOX Pedals combine intuitive controls with rugged construction, making them ideal for studio sessions or live performances. Whether you’re chasing vintage tones, experimental textures, or modern sonic landscapes, VOX Pedals provide the tools to push your music further.
VOX continues to honor its heritage while embracing innovation, ensuring that every pedal embodies the spirit of classic VOX sound with a contemporary edge.
VOX Real McCoy Wah Pedal — Review
The Real McCoy Wah is VOX’s faithful resurrection of the original 1967 Clyde McCoy wah — a model often regarded as the “Holy Grail” of wah pedals. Rather than just copying the look, VOX went deep, recreating the circuit down to the component level to capture that vintage tonal magic.
Build & Design
VOX’s attention to detail is immediately apparent. The casing is molded from a 3D scan of the original unit, capturing every curve and even the screw placements. Internally, it features custom-designed parts: VOX recreated the “Halo” inductor, used vintage‑accurate BC109 transistors, and selected carbon-film resistors that closely mimic the resistance and tone curve of the originals. This isn’t just retro styling — it’s a high-fidelity rebuild of a classic circuit.
Tone & Performance
Sonically, the Real McCoy delivers a warm, mid-focused “nasal” tone that’s very reminiscent of the original McCoy wah sound. The filter sweep is expressive and nuanced, giving players both subtle, slow “vocal-like” sweeps and more aggressive, biting high‑end peaks.
One of the standout qualities is how clean the pedal remains underfoot — good build quality means very little noise, even under heavy filter sweeps. The real magic appears at the extremes of the sweep: the heel-down position delivers rich, thick lows, while the toe-up end fires off searing, top-end clarity.
Feel and Playability
The treadle of the Real McCoy feels solid and responsive, striking a good balance between stiffness and fluid motion. According to Guitar Thrills Magazine it's very capable for both slow, expressive sweeps and rapid, fluttering wah movements — ideal whether you’re doing fluid funk rhythm or screaming lead lines.
Value & Verdict
Priced at around $279 street, the Real McCoy sits in the higher tier of wah pedals. But for players chasing the classic McCoy character — the same tonal profile that defined wah solos in the late ’60s — it’s one of the most authentic modern recreations you can get.
Pros:
Cons:
Bottom Line:
If you’re a guitarist who yearns for that classic, “Summer of Love” wah voice — the kind used by Hendrix, Clapton, and other legends — the VOX Real McCoy Wah is a top-tier option. It’s not just a reissue; it’s a carefully engineered tribute to one of wah’s most iconic origins.
Comparison: Real McCoy vs. V846 Vintage Wah
1. Circuit & Tonal Character
2. Components & Build Quality
3. Playability & Feel
4. Application & Musical Context
5. Value & Pricing
Verdict: Which One to Choose
In the end, choosing The Real McCoy comes down to more than specs or nostalgia—it’s about connection. For many guitarists, this pedal resonates because it mirrors the intent behind their playing: authenticity, nuance, and a certain refusal to compromise. It captures the emotional contour of touch, responding not just to the notes you play but to how you play them. That interplay—between player and pedal, between intention and expression—is what makes it stand apart.
When guitarists reach for The Real McCoy, they’re often seeking something that feels grounded rather than manufactured, something that preserves the raw honesty of their sound instead of reshaping it into something else. Its voice doesn’t demand attention; it earns it. And in an era full of endless options, menus, algorithms, and modeled approximations, the simple immediacy of a pedal that just is what it is becomes not only refreshing, but reassuring.
Ultimately, The Real McCoy is the better fit for many because it aligns with the internal compass of players who value integrity—of tone, of feel, and of identity. It doesn’t try to be the solution for everyone. It simply strives to be the right one for those who want their gear to disappear into the music, leaving only the player and the moment. And for countless guitarists, that is exactly what “better”
