Boss VB-2W Vibrato reissue covered in Waza Craft write-up
January 17, 2024 · 3 sources
Boss announced the VB-2W Vibrato as the latest addition to its Waza Craft line of special edition pedals at NAMM 2016, according to Guitar.com and Guitar World, both publishing on the announcement in January 201612. A Delicious Audio page on the pedal was updated on January 17, 20243.
The pedal is based on the VB-2 Vibrato, which Guitar.com and Guitar World say Boss produced from 1982 to 1986 and which has become highly prized on the used market12. Both describe the VB-2W as using 100 percent analog circuitry to recreate the original's sound, with a new Custom mode and real-time control functions12. Delicious Audio describes the Waza Craft technology as employing classic BBD (bucket brigade) chips3.
Controls and features, as listed by Delicious Audio3:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Standard mode | Reproduction of the vintage VB-2 vibrato sound |
| Custom mode | New vibrato sound with a unique filter wave |
| Rise Time knob | Controls the initial onset of the vibrato effect |
| Unlatch mode | Activates the effect only while the pedal is pressed |
| Bypass mode | Takes the BBD out of the signal path to eliminate latency when the effect is off |
| Expression jack | Controls effect depth in real time with an optional expression pedal |
| Warranty | BOSS five-year warranty |
Guitar.com and Guitar World say Custom mode offers more depth than the original and adds a low-pass filter that moves along with the pitch for bold low-range tones12. Both describe a Latch setting for normal stompbox on/off control and an Unlatch setting that engages the effect only while the pedal switch is held12. The expression jack can also be controlled via the Boss ES-8 Effects Switching System, they say12.
"The new Waza Craft technology employs the classic BBD chips to authentically reproduces the original unit's sound and adds a new vibrato mode with a filter wave (Custom Mode) and real-time control functions."
No US price is given in these reports.
Sources (3)
- NAMM 2016: Boss unveils Waza Craft VB-2W Vibrato | Guitar.com, guitar.com
- NAMM 2016: Boss Unveils Waza Craft VB-2W Vibrato | Guitar World, guitarworld.com
- BOSS VB-2w Vibrato | Delicious Audio, delicious-audio.com