The Vox V8 Distortion is a high-gain distortion pedal from Vox's Tone Garage range, built around a real ECC83/12AX7 preamp tube. Vox's Hi-Volt technology runs that tube at 200 volts, the operating voltage it would see inside an amplifier, even when the pedal is running on batteries12. The result, in Vox's own description, is a high-gain distortion unit aimed at heavy riffs, soloing, and cutting lead sounds2.
The pedal is no longer in production, so it is now a second-hand buy. It was announced in July 2013 as part of the Tone Garage line at a $159 US street price3.
Vox lists the V8 Distortion as no longer in production2. It was priced at $159 US street when announced in 20133.
What it does to your sound
The V8 covers a wide range of gain. MusicRadar's reviewer Trevor Curwen found it "can deliver full-on high-gain distortion when cranked up" and is also capable of a useful overdriven-amp sound with the gain knob at its lowest setting4. Vox positions it for heavy riffs, soloing, and cutting high-gain lead sounds2.
The tone control shapes the top end: Curwen found it can ramp up the upper mids and highs for metal sounds4. His overall verdict was favorable for rock players:
"It's a practical source of harmonic-rich distortion that will work for plenty of styles of music, but especially rock4."
MusicRadar, Trevor Curwen4
The mid-shift switch
The V8's signature control is a mid-shift switch that changes the frequency band where the midrange peaks4. It gives you two voicings:
| Mid-shift position | Sound |
|---|---|
| Off | Broad midrange with emphasized attack24 |
| On | Subtle shift to a more cutting tone, which Vox says suits lead playing4 |
Curwen described the difference in practice: with the switch off there is a broad midrange, and set to on there is a subtle shift to a more cutting tone4.
The tube and the standby switch
The V8 uses a real ECC83/12AX7 tube, run at 200 volts through Vox's Hi-Volt technology, which Guitar Interactive Magazine reported at the range's launch allows the internal tube to operate at that voltage even on battery power12. Most battery-powered pedals run their circuitry at 9 volts, so this is the V8's main technical distinction.
The pedal also has a standby/on switch, as you might find on a valve amp4. Curwen noted the thinking behind it is admirable and should extend valve life4.
Controls and connections
The front panel keeps things simple: guitar input on one side, line output on the other, gain and tone knobs, the mid-shift switch, and the standby/on switch24.
- INPUT jack (guitar input)2
- OUTPUT jack (line output)2
- Gain and tone knobs2
- Mid-shift switch4
- Standby/on switch4
Power and batteries
The V8 runs on six AA batteries or an optional 9V DC adapter2. Battery life is rated at approximately 7 hours, and six AA alkaline batteries were included in the box for verifying operation2.
The pedal draws 240 mA on an adapter2, which is well above what a typical 9V battery-powered pedal draws, so make sure your pedalboard power supply can deliver that much current per output.
Where it came from
The V8's black chassis with baby blue knobs set it apart from the rest of the Tone Garage range, which Curwen described as normally day-glo4.
Videos
Sweetwater
VOX Amps
VOX Amps
Questions
Is the Vox V8 Distortion still made?
No. Vox lists the V8 Distortion as no longer in production. It was part of the Tone Garage range announced in 2013 at a $159 US street price, and remaining units are only available second-hand or from leftover retailer stock.
Does the Vox V8 Distortion use a real tube?
Yes. The V8 uses an ECC83, also known as a 12AX7, a standard preamp tube. Vox's Hi-Volt technology runs the tube at 200 volts, the kind of voltage it would see in an amplifier, even when the pedal is running on batteries.
How long do batteries last in the Vox V8?
Vox rates battery life at approximately 7 hours on the six AA batteries the pedal takes. Six AA alkaline batteries were included in the box for verifying operation. A 9V DC adapter can be used instead.
Can the Vox V8 run on a 9V power supply?
Yes. The V8 accepts a 9V DC adapter as an option alongside its six AA batteries. Note that the pedal draws 240 mA, which is more than many small pedalboard power supplies offer per output, so check your supply's rating per outlet.
What does the mid-shift switch do on the Vox V8?
It changes the frequency band where the midrange peaks. With the switch off you get a broad midrange with emphasized attack; switching it on shifts the band for a more cutting tone that Vox says suits lead playing better.
Sources (4)
- Vox Announce Three Tube Stomp Effects & Two Analog Stomp Effects Pedals, Guitar Interactive Magazine, 2013-07-17
- V8 Distortion, Vox Amps (voxamps.com), 2019-04-09
- Vox Announces Tone Garage Line of Pedals, Premier Guitar, 2013-07-11
- Vox Tone Garage V8 Distortion review, MusicRadar, 2013-11-08
