The Chase Tone Script Wah is a wah pedal replica built by Chase Tone, a small USA maker specializing in vintage wah recreations. Chase Tone describes it as a "Fine-tuned replica of the mid-late 1960s highly sought after Vox Clyde McCoy Script Wah," the original script-logo wah that players associate with the muted, vocal "wah" sounds of the late 1960s. According to Chase Tone, the pedal's "unique and recognizable curved sweep offers a smooth, wet sound and thus operating the pedal in a rapid motion offers Univibe like pulsating tones very easily1."
What it is and how it sounds
Chase Tone positions the Script Wah as a faithful recreation rather than a reinterpretation. The maker says the pedal can be further custom tuned toward the quick, fast "midnight lamp" muted trumpet wah sounds, including the "White Room Studio" character, a reference to the Jimi Hendrix recordings players commonly cite when talking about this style of wah. Chase Tone sells related replicas alongside it, including the Chase Tone Picture Wah, the Chase Tone Vox Gray Wah Replica and the Chase Tone Italian Crybaby Wah Replica, each aimed at a different point in vintage wah history1.
The maker's product page includes sound clips recorded through replica amplification: a Brite Channel Input clip using a 1966 JTM45/100 replica with an angled pinstripe replica cabinet and 30 watt speakers, a 1968 Fender Stratocaster replica neck pickup and a Korg digital recorder with reverb, mic'd 10 inches from the center cone; a Bright Channel Input clip in a similar format; and a Dark Channel Input clip using the same JTM45/100 replica with a tall pinstripe replica cabinet and a Gibson Firebird, mic'd 12 inches from the center cone1.
Parts and construction
Chase Tone specifies period-correct and reproduction components throughout, which is the core of the pedal's pitch to players who want the original circuit's parts1:
- Inductor: Handmade Halo inductor as found in the 1960s Vox Clyde McCoy Picture and Script wahs, wound to proper specs and dual potted with High Temperature Military Epoxy1
- Capacitors: Real vintage 1960s Mullard Tropical Fish polyester capacitors, the same used in original 1960s Vox Clyde McCoy Wah Wahs1
- Resistors: New production carbon film resistors to 1968-1969 material and cosmetic spec1
- Transistors: Custom made low gain silicon transistors built to the exacting specs of the best NOS European transistors found in the original Italian Vox wahs1
- Circuit board: Military grade fiber glass circuit board with plated-thru-holes, described by Chase Tone as giving a superior connection able to withstand years of work1
- Wiring: PVC stranded copper wire1
- Jacks: High quality Switchcraft open jacks1
- Enclosure: Ultra lightweight aluminum, weighing a fraction of the traditional zinc wah enclosures, with a black bottom plate and large vintage replica rubber feet, the same as transitional wahs in the Clyde McCoy to V846 era1
- Pivot: Improved pivot mechanism offering a smoother performance that will not flop forward when left in one position1
The wah pot is central to how a vintage wah responds, and Chase Tone sells its own replacements separately: the Chase Tone Tru Talk 100K Wah Pot and the Chase Tone Tru iCar Wah Pot.
Bypass, buffer and adapter jack
The standard build is true bypass, with a ribbed front bumper to prevent accidentally turning the switch off while still allowing easy turn-on1. For players whose rigs prefer it, Chase Tone offers a Vintage-Bypass custom option: "This lessens high end offering a smoother warmer response from some vintage tube amplifiers," and it changes the wah tone in the ON position slightly1.
The pedal also includes a Wah Output Buffer, which Chase Tone says "Ensures impedance matching with various distortion devices for uncompromising wah sweep." That matters because wah pedals placed before distortion or fuzz can lose sweep range when the following pedal's input impedance loads the wah's output; the buffer is aimed at keeping the sweep intact in that arrangement. Chase Tone sells a standalone Wah Output Buffer Upgrade for players modifying other wahs1.
Power comes via an adapter jack on the output jack side of the chassis, intended for negative (standard) ground adapters, with polarity protection and noise filtering circuitry installed1.
Buying one
The Script Wah is built in production runs. As of 2026-10-26, Chase Tone asks players to contact them to get on the CHASE TONE Script Wah Wait List for the next production run.
- Price: $410 USD for the Closet Classic Vintage Black Texture and Hexvalent Hot Rod Chrome Rocker version1
- Finish: Authentic 1960s Vox Black Texture powder coat finish with Hexavalent Hot-Rod Show-Room Chrome rocker top1
- Shipping: Free shipping anywhere in the world, USPS Priority Mail with tracking, insurance dependent upon country1
- Returns: 30 day return policy for USA buyers1
- Discount: 5 percent discount for United States Veterans1
Videos
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Joseph Kocherhans
Questions
Is the Chase Tone Script Wah true bypass?
Yes. The standard build is true bypass, with a ribbed front bumper that keeps the switch from being knocked off by accident while still letting you turn the pedal on easily. Chase Tone also offers a Vintage-Bypass custom option, which lessens the high end for a smoother, warmer response from some vintage tube amplifiers and changes the wah tone slightly in the ON position.
What is Vintage-Bypass on the Chase Tone Script Wah?
Vintage-Bypass is a custom option Chase Tone offers in place of the standard true bypass. According to Chase Tone, it lessens the high end, giving a smoother and warmer response from some vintage tube amplifiers, and it changes the wah tone slightly in the ON position. Players who want the standard hard-wired-off behavior of true bypass can order the pedal without it.
Where is the Chase Tone Script Wah made?
Chase Tone builds the Script Wah in the USA. The maker's product page says each unit is built with pride and care, and individually fine-tuned and tested one at a time in the U S A. The pedal can also be further custom tuned toward the quick, muted-trumpet 'midnight lamp' wah sounds, including the 'White Room Studio' character.
How much does the Chase Tone Script Wah cost?
The listed price is $410 USD for the Closet Classic Vintage Black Texture and Hexvalent Hot Rod Chrome Rocker version, as of the maker's product page dated 2026-10-26. Chase Tone also offers a 5 percent discount for United States Veterans.
Can I buy a Chase Tone Script Wah right now?
Not directly off the shelf. As of 2026-10-26, the pedal is on a wait list for the next production run, and Chase Tone asks interested players to contact them to get on the CHASE TONE Script Wah Wait List.
Does the Chase Tone Script Wah ship outside the US?
Yes. Chase Tone offers free shipping anywhere in the world via USPS Priority Mail with tracking, with insurance dependent upon the country. USA buyers also get a 30 day return policy.
Sources (1)
- Vox Clyde McCoy Script Wah Replica, Chase Tone (chasetone.com)
