The Real McCoy Custom RMC10 is a wah pedal developed and built by Geoffrey Teese of Real McCoy Custom12. Teese and his wife worked on it through 2013, in his words to "bring this classic piece to reality"1. It carries a US MSRP of $2351.
What sets the RMC10 apart from many wahs is a circuit built around licensed Foxrox Electronics fuzz-friendly technology, so it is designed to behave properly with a fuzz pedal in front of it, a combination that troubles many vintage-style wah circuits12. Inside, it uses a double-clad circuit board, a low-noise inductor, an exclusive RMC-ICAR potentiometer and tight tolerance through-hole components, with free-standing Switchcraft jacks and a heavy-duty Italian on/off switch1.
Controls and construction
The RMC10 is a treadle wah in the classic format: you rock the pedal with your foot to sweep the filter, and press the rocker to switch the effect on and off. The on/off switching is handled by a heavy-duty Italian switch, and the rocker tension is easily adjustable, so the pedal can be set to feel loose for fast sweeps or firm for slower control1.
Internally, the build is aimed at players who care about the parts inside a wah1:
- Double-clad circuit board1
- Custom Low Noise inductor1
- Exclusive RMC-ICAR potentiometer1
- Tight tolerance through-hole components1
- Free-standing Switchcraft input and output jacks1
Powering it
The RMC10 runs on 9V DC and draws under 10 mA, so it is a light load on a pedalboard power supply1. When an AC adapter is used, the maker specifies a 9V DC regulated Class II supply with 20 mA to 200 mA maximum current output, and the adapter requires a 5.5/2.1mm coax plug with a negative center post1. West Coast Pedalboard's listing gives the same requirement in pedalboard terms: any quality pedalboard power supply with a 2.1mm center negative barrel connector2.
The center negative polarity matters. A center positive supply with the same barrel size will not power the RMC10 correctly, so check the marking on the plug before plugging in.
Finishes and limited editions
The standard RMC10 wears a black crinkle-finish base with a chrome rocker and a black footpad12. Beyond the standard finish, the pedal has appeared in limited runs:
Where it came from
The RMC10 came out of a year of work by Teese and his wife in 2013, aimed, in Teese's words, at bringing "this classic piece to reality"1. It is built around a double-clad circuit board, a low-noise inductor, an exclusive RMC-ICAR potentiometer, and tight tolerance through-hole components1.
What reviewers said
Published coverage of the RMC10 is thin, and the maker's own pages carry most of the detail. Writing at Gearnews about the wah's character, author Asad found it stands on its own rather than copying a vintage original3:
"It's not identical, but it has its own thing going."
A reviewer found the RMC10's sound "not identical" to the VOX, noting "it has its own thing going," and preferred its simplicity3.
The same review noted a preference for the pedal's simplicity3.
Availability and warranty
The RMC10 carries a limited one year warranty12. West Coast Pedalboard, a US retailer, lists the pedal as made by hand in Oregon, USA, and as shipping in 1 to 2 days2. The maker's listed price is $235 US MSRP, as of 20201.
Videos
David Curtis
Sam Vilo
Real Standard Music
Questions
Is the Real McCoy Custom RMC10 true bypass?
Yes. The RMC10 is a true-bypass wah, so when it is switched off the signal passes through without the circuit loading it. It also carries an easily adjustable rocker tension, so you can set how stiff the treadle feels under your foot.
Where is the RMC10 made?
It is made by hand in Oregon, USA. Geoffrey Teese develops and builds every RMC wah himself, including the RMC10, which uses a double-clad circuit board, tight tolerance through-hole components and free-standing Switchcraft jacks.
Does the RMC10 work with a fuzz pedal in front of it?
Yes. The RMC10 includes licensed Foxrox Electronics fuzz-friendly technology, which addresses the impedance problems that traditionally make wahs and vintage-style fuzz pedals behave badly when chained together. Real McCoy Custom lists this as a built-in feature of the pedal.
Can I adjust the rocker tension on the RMC10?
Yes. Real McCoy Custom describes the RMC10 as having easily adjustable rocker tension, so the pedal can be set to swing loosely for fast sweeps or stiffly for slower, more controlled use without any special tools or modification.
What warranty comes with the RMC10?
The RMC10 is covered by a limited one year warranty from Real McCoy Custom. The same warranty term is given on the maker's own product page and on the West Coast Pedalboard listing for the pedal.
What power adapter does the RMC10 need?
It runs on 9V DC with a current draw under 10 mA. The adapter jack takes a 5.5/2.1mm coax plug with a negative center post, and the maker specifies a 9V DC regulated Class II supply with 20 mA to 200 mA maximum current output. Any quality pedalboard power supply with a 2.1mm center negative barrel connector works.
Sources (3)
- RMC10, realmccoycustom.com, 2020
- Real McCoy Wah RMC10, West Coast Pedalboard
- The VOX Clyde McCoy Wah: A classic wah pedal and its history, Gearnews, 2021-02-20
