The Vox Straight 6 Overdrive is a tube-driven overdrive pedal from Vox, part of the Tone Garage range the company announced in 201312. Its circuit is built around an ECC83, also known as a 12AX7, vacuum tube running at a 200 V operating voltage, a high-voltage design Vox described as delivering "maximum tube tone"13. Vox positions it as an all-around overdrive for a wide range of styles, with what the maker calls the wide dynamic range of its signature British-flavored distortion1.
The pedal is no longer in production: Vox lists it as a Legacy product1.
The Straight 6 is discontinued. Vox marks it "no longer in production" on its product page, so it is found on the secondhand market rather than new from dealers1.
What it does and how it sounds
Vox describes the Straight 6 as an overdrive that "overflows with the wide dynamic range of VOX's signature British-flavored distortion," suited to a wide range of styles1. The design has a clear lineage: reviewing the pedal for MusicRadar, Trevor Curwen wrote that "Vox obviously had its iconic AC30 in mind when designing the Straight 6," and counted the valve-powered, AC30-inspired overdrive and rugged construction among the pedal's reasons to buy5.
The tube sits in a prominent housing on a solidly built chassis, taking advantage of the company's tube-driven design for the range5. Guitar World's launch coverage described the pedal as a "Classic British overdrive with wide range of dynamics" in a high-voltage design featuring a 12AX73.
The bright switch and the controls
The control that defines the Straight 6's character is its bright switch. Vox says turning it on "will give you a sparkling British sound with defined highs, even from a guitar equipped with" humbucking pickups1. Curwen put it in AC30 terms in his MusicRadar review: the bright switch "kicks in some top boost chime," a reference to the Top Boost channel of the AC305.
The pedal also carries a standby/on switch of the kind you might find on a valve amp. Curwen noted that all the pedals in the Tone Garage range have one, and that in standby you get neither silence nor the effect5.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Bright switch | Adds top boost chime; sparkling British sound with defined highs, even with humbucking pickups51 |
| Standby/on switch | Valve-amp-style standby; in standby you get neither silence nor the effect5 |
Power: six AA batteries or a 9V adapter
The Straight 6 runs on six AA batteries or an optional DC 9V AC adapter1. Battery life is rated at approximately 7 hours, and the supplied batteries are six AA alkaline cells described by Vox as being for verifying operation1.
The current draw is worth noting: Vox lists consumption at 240 mA1, which is high for a compact pedal and reflects the high-voltage circuit running the 12AX7 at 200 V1. Input impedance is 1M ohm and output impedance is 2.2k ohm1.
The 240 mA draw is well above what a typical compact overdrive needs, and the adapter is an optional extra rather than included. A power supply with enough current headroom for the tube circuit is the practical choice for regular use1.
Part of the Vox Tone Garage range
The Straight 6 shipped as one of the Tone Garage pedals, a series of tube-driven analog effects Vox announced in 20131. The range launched with a $159 US street price across the V8, Straight 6, Double Deca Delay and Flat 4 models4. A shared owner's manual, dated 27 April 2015, covers the Tone Garage pedals1.
MusicRadar's review found the Straight 6 a solidly built pedal, with the valve-powered AC30-inspired overdrive and rugged construction listed among its plus points5.
How it compares with other Vox overdrives
The Straight 6 sits among several Vox overdrive designs. Within the Tone Garage range it was joined by the V8 distortion, its sister pedal2. Elsewhere in the Vox line, players comparing British-flavored drives can also look at the Vox Straight 6 Drive, the Vox Big Ben Overdrive, the Vox Ice 9 Overdrive and the Vox Cooltron Over The Top Boost, each of which takes a different route to the company's distortion character.
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VOX Amps
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Questions
Is the Vox Straight 6 Overdrive discontinued?
Yes. Vox lists the Straight 6 Overdrive as a Legacy product and states it is no longer in production. It was part of the Tone Garage range announced in 2013, and secondhand units are the way to find one today.
How long do the batteries last in the Vox Straight 6?
Vox rates battery life at approximately 7 hours on the six AA batteries the pedal takes. The supplied alkaline batteries are described by the maker as being for verifying operation, so players running the pedal regularly will want a fresh set or the 9V adapter.
How much current does the Vox Straight 6 draw?
Vox lists the consumption current as 240 mA. That is high for a compact pedal and reflects the high-voltage tube circuit inside, which runs the 12AX7 at a 200 V operating voltage. A standard 9V power supply should be checked for adequate headroom.
Does the Vox Straight 6 come with a power supply?
No. The listed accessories are six AA alkaline batteries, included for verifying operation. The DC 9V AC adapter is listed as an option, so an adapter has to be bought separately.
How much does the Vox Straight 6 weigh?
Vox lists the weight as 420 g, or 14.81 oz, not including the battery. With six AA cells installed it will weigh a little more than that.
Sources (5)
- Straight 6 Overdrive, Vox Amps, 2019-04-09
- Vox Tone Garage V8 Distortion review, MusicRadar, 2013-11-08
- Vox Announces Tone Garage Series of Tube/Analog Effect Pedals, Guitar World, 2013-07-18
- Vox Announces Tone Garage Line of Pedals, Premier Guitar, 2013-07-11
- Vox Tone Garage Straight 6 Drive review, MusicRadar, 2013-11-05
