The Vox VRM-1 is a wah pedal from Vox, announced ahead of NAMM 2024 as part of the company's recreation of its first two production wah pedals. Nicknamed "The Real McCoy," it is described by Guitar World as a "meticulous recreation of the original wah pedal" produced by Vox in 19671. It was shown alongside the V846 Vintage, the second of the two original designs being recreated1.
A wah pedal sweeps a frequency peak up and down as you rock the treadle with your foot, shaping the midrange of your tone. The original 1967 pedal the VRM-1 recreates was created to emulate Clyde McCoy's trumpet mute technique, and Guitar.com reports that the VRM-1 seeks to recreate the "nasally" tone of the original by accentuating the midrange for a warm and melodic sound that underscores each note's articulation2.
A recreation of the original Vox wah
Vox produced the original wah pedal in 1967, and the VRM-1 is built to match it. Guitar.com reports that both of the new pedals are crafted "as they were," with no modern re-interpretations or additions, using hand-selected and custom-designed parts2. Guitar World gives the same account, noting the pedals feature "hand selected and custom designed parts"1.
The original pedal has its own story. It began with a trumpet player rather than a guitarist342:
- Clyde McCoy was a famous big band trumpet player known for his muting technique3.
- Analog Man's history of the wah records that Clyde asked Vox for a device that could simulate the sound of a muted trumpet for his guitar players4.
- The resulting pedal was created to emulate his trumpet mute technique1, and it took his name: the original is known as the Clyde McCoy wah, and the VRM-1 carries the nickname "The Real McCoy"1.
"Clyde McCoy was a famous big band trumpet player who was known for his muting technique."
The pedal quickly outgrew its trumpet origins. Guitar.com notes it gained popularity for its use with guitar, and Guitar World reports that Geezer Butler used one to create the intro of Black Sabbath's "N.I.B."12.
The VRM-1 and the VRM-1 Limited
Alongside the standard VRM-1, Vox announced a VRM-1 Limited. The two share the same circuit: Guitar.com reports the limited version features an all-chrome finish and the exact same internals as the standard version2. Guitar World describes it as containing the same hand-selected hardware and vintage craftsmanship, in a sparkling chrome finish1.
| Version | Finish | Internals | Price at announcement |
|---|---|---|---|
| VRM-1 | Standard | Hand-selected, custom-designed parts | £279 (approx. $350)1 |
| VRM-1 Limited | All-chrome | Same internals as the standard version | £329 (approx. $415)2 |
Both the VRM-1 and the V846 Vintage were on display at NAMM 20241.
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Questions
What is the difference between the Vox VRM-1 and the VRM-1 Limited?
The VRM-1 Limited is a limited version of the VRM-1 with an all-chrome finish and the exact same internals as the standard version. Both use the same hand-selected hardware and vintage craftsmanship, so the difference is cosmetic. The Limited was priced higher at launch, £329 (approx. $350 to $415 range depending on version) versus £279 (approx. $350) for the standard.
Is the VRM-1 a copy of the original Vox wah?
Vox describes the VRM-1 as a meticulous recreation of the original wah pedal the company produced in 1967. It is built as the original was, with no modern re-interpretations or additions, using hand-selected and custom-designed parts.
How much does the Vox VRM-1 cost?
At the 2024 announcement, the regular version was priced at £279 (approx. $350). The chrome-finished VRM-1 Limited was priced at £329 (approx. $415).
Who is Clyde McCoy and what is his link to the wah?
Clyde McCoy was a famous big band trumpet player known for his muting technique. He asked Vox for a device that could simulate the sound of a muted trumpet, and the first Vox wah pedal, which the VRM-1 recreates, was created to emulate that sound. The pedal earned the nickname The Real McCoy.
Did Geezer Butler use a Vox wah on N.I.B.?
Yes. Guitar World reports that Geezer Butler used the original Vox wah pedal to create the intro of Black Sabbath's N.I.B.
Sources (4)
- Vox's Real McCoy & V846 Vintage recreate early wah pedals, Guitar World, 2024-01-19
- NAMM 2024: Vox unveils recreations of first-ever wah pedals that are built “as they were”, Guitar.com, 2024-01-23
- Voodoo Lab Wahzoo Review, Premier Guitar, 2009-01-15
- Wah Wah Pedal article, Analog Man Vintage guitar effects (analogman.com), 2015
