Legendary Wah-Wah Pedal VOX Clyde McCoy Wah-Wah Pedal
Hello everyone! It's been a while since I've written an effects column, but I'd like to take a look at the VOX Clyde McCoy, the world's first commercially available wah-wah pedal. What does that mean? That's right! Our THE used music instrument store has secured a very rare actual machine that is not so easy to find even if you search all over the world (^O^)v And there are many of them!
First of all, we have to say that "The EFFECTOR BOOK," published by Shinko Music, a company that we often work with for interviews, is the very bible for effector maniacs. In Vol. 2 of the book, writers Shinpei Hosokawa and Kazuhee (TEXAS BLOOD) have written a detailed and wonderful article, so I am ashamed to write a second article in the book while paying homage to the article, knowing that I am duplicating it.
The wah pedal is one of the oldest effect pedals in existence, along with the fuzz pedal, and produces a sound similar to that of a muted trumpet player (Wah-Wah). In principle, it is an effect pedal that uses a filter circuit with a unique resonant frequency, and the variable resistor (pot) is operated directly with a pedal to continuously move the frequency point to change the tone. The variable resistor (pot) and pedal are linked by a rack-and-pinion system. Although it can be said to be an extremely primitive circuit today, this classic circuit is still preferred by many guitarists and remains the mainstream in terms of tone quality, even today with the development of electrical technology.
This filter circuit is an LC resonance circuit using an inductor and a capacitor (capacitor). The resonance frequency (resonance) and peak height (Q) determined by the inductor and capacitor create the tonal character. It is a simple circuit with a very small number of parts, but the differences in inductors and capacitors, as well as pots and transistors (including individual differences), can make a big difference in the resulting sound.
Let's start with the history of the wah pedal.(*Dating is an estimate)
VOX was the most successful brand in the British Invasion represented by The Beatles and The Rolling Stones in the mid-1960s, releasing the Phantom series guitars and AC-15, AC-30, and AC-100 (Super Beatle) amps. VOX is the most successful brand in the British Invasion. The company that supplied the VOX brand was JMI (Jennings Music Industries) of the U.K., and Thomas Organ of the U.S. took over the import agency business when the company entered the U.S. market.
Thomas Organ was not only an importer, but also worked with JMI to develop VOX amplifiers. The AC-100 "Super Beatle" used by the Beatles was also made by Thomas Organ. It is said that Thomas Organ engineer Brad Plunkett accidentally created the mid-range booster circuit in the "Super Beatle" amp when he was improving it. JMI built a prototype of this circuit into a VOX volume pedal, which was already in production at the time. This was around 1966. The prototype was delivered directly to famous musicians such as Jimi Hendrix.
EME (Electonica Musicale Europea) was established in the early '60s as a joint venture between JMI, Thomas Organ, and three Italian instrument makers, EKO, which also manufactured VOX guitars and organs. VOX guitars and organs were also manufactured by EME.
In February '67, the first commercially available VOX wah was named "THE CLYDE McCOY WAH-WAH PEDAL. Clyde McCoy (1903-1990) was the name of a trumpet player known for his use of the wah-wah mute (a technique in which the horn part is covered by a hand or mute), and his portrait was painted on the back of the pedal. The timing of the release of the pedal is inferred from the timing of the release of the VOX/Thomas Organ promotional recordings of the wah pedal. Clyde McCoy's portrait disappeared around 1968 and was replaced by a logo only. In the later years, there are some watches with no mention of Clyde McCoy on the caseback. In particular, models with a portrait are called "Picture," models with only a logo are called "Signature," and models with no description are called "No-Logo," to distinguish them.
The sound of the wah pedal can be heard on "Tales Of Brave Ulysses" (recorded in May '67), which appeared on Eric Clapton's second album "Disraeli Gears" (Colorful Cream). Eric Clapton apparently purchased a Clyde McCoy Wah at Mannys, a music store on 48th Street in New York City, during that recording session. It is amazing that Clapton is able to create that wonderful and historic song using an unknown effects pedal that he just acquired.
In late '67, "Crybaby" was introduced at the request of Thomas Organ, VOX's distributor in the US market. Like the "Clyde McCoy," it was manufactured by EME in Italy and had the same contents, but the early version had a slimmer, rounded case and the logo was on the top of the pedal, giving it the name "Top-Logo.
Around 1968, the "Clyde McCoy" was changed from "Picture" to "Signature" with only the logo, and the "Crybaby" was changed to a regular case, becoming the "Crybaby Model 95-910511".
Around 1969, "Clyde McCoy" was renamed "WAH-WAH MODEL V846.
Around '69-'70, JEN ELECTRONICA became independent from EME and took over the manufacturing of VOX wahs and released "Crybaby" under its own brand.
JEN then manufactured the VOX "WAH 250.049/250.414" for Europe through the mid '80s, the "Crybaby 310.001 (250.046)" under its own brand, and the "Crybaby SUPER 250.422/250.394" from the late '70s.
Around '72, Thomas Organ's Sepulveda factory also began producing "WAH-WAH MODEL V846" and "Crybaby 95-910511".
The birth of the American-made wah.' In the mid 70's, the factory moved to Chicago. At the same time, JEN registered the name "Crybaby" as a trademark, so Thomas could no longer use the name "Crybaby" and changed the model name to "WAH-WAH MODEL 9-3704". Some transitional pieces have stickers over the "Crybaby" logo on the front plate and back cover.
Also, during the Chicago period, the company name changed from Thomas (THOMAS INTERNATIONAL CORP. CHICAGO, ILLINOIS) to Thomas (Thomas Organ Co. CHICAGO, ILLINOIS) and the company was closed in '79.
As OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) models, we have produced models from "VOX-WAH Top-Logo" made in Italy in the '60s to "VOX-WAH Model 95-932011" made in the US in the '70s for KING, an American wind instrument manufacturer, and models from DALLAS-ARBITER ( SOUND CITY), and the "WAH FACE" model manufactured by JEN.
In the mid-1980s, JEN transferred the rights to sell "Crybaby" to Dunlop, and the model disappeared.
Introduction of actual machines
VOX '67 THE CLYDE McCOY WAH-WAH PEDAL "Picture" #120X
It has a "kwah-kwah" bite (quick start-up) and a loud chuckapoko sound. It has an impression of a very bright and clear tone.
SPEC.
Inductor : HALO (large hole)
Pot : ICAR 100KΩ
Switsch : ARROW(Initial bake plywood structure)
Transistors : BC109b x 2
Capasitors : DUCATI 0.01×2, Mullard Tropical-Fish 0.22×2, DUCATI BIPORARE 4μF
w/ Original Softcase
VOX '68 Clyde McCoy Wah-Wah Pedal "Signature" #9724
It has slightly thicker mids and the wildest feel than the individual in the above pictured.
SPEC
Inductor : HALO (small hole)
Pot : ICAR 100KΩ
Switch : ARROW (initial bake plywood structure)
Transistors : ses 131DT2 x 2
Capasitors : DUCATI 0.01×2, ARCO 0.22×2, DUCATI BIPORARE 4μF
Bush rubber is replaced.
VOX '68 Clyde McCoy Wah-Wah Pedal "Signature" #8286
Mature and elegant sound among HALO-equipped pedals.
SPEC.
Inductor : HALO (large hole)
Pot : CTS 100K (#1377440) *replacement
Switch : Carling (#0713) *replacement
Transistors : BC109b x 2
Capasitors : DUCATI 0.01×2, Mullard Tropical-Fish 0.22×2, DUCATI BIPORARE 4μF
Replacement of 3 or 1 rubber foot setscrews, replacement of 3 rubber bushings
VOX '68 Clyde McCoy Wah-Wah Pedal "Signature" #9410
This pedal has the characteristic HALO sound with full transparency and a peppy startup. The unique "bite" when the filter opens, and the rich overtones emitted like rays of light, are very intense.
SPEC
Inductor : HALO (small hole)
Pot : ICAR 100KΩ
Switsch : ARROW(Early Bake Plywood Structure)
Transistors : ses 131DT2 x 2
Capasitors : DUCATI 0.01×2, ARCO 0.22×2, DUCATI BIPORARE 4μF
Bush rubber is replaced.
VOX '67-'68 cry baby "Top-Logo
In addition to the intense top end, it has a profound bass tone. Especially when used in combination with an overdriven tube amp, it produces a more dynamic and aggressive wah sound.
SPEC.
Inductor : HALO (large hole)
Pot : ICAR 100KΩ
Switsch : ARROW(Initial bake plywood structure)
Transistors : ses 131DT2 x 2
Capasitors : DUCATI 0.01×2, Mullard Tropical-Fish 0.22×2, DUCATI BIPORARE 4μF
VOX E70s #250.049
Although the transparency is slightly reduced, the characteristic tone curve and colorful treble give the impression of being quite similar to Clyde McCoy.
SPEC.
Inductor : Red cylindrical inductor
Pot : BA811-6678
Switch : MARQUARDT
Transistors : 109C,BC318B
Capasitors : BELLCON
There is a lack of rubber bushings.
JEN E70s cry baby "Early/FASEL-RED"
Compared to the HALO-equipped model, the frequency range is slightly narrower, the sound is less clear, and the tone texture is softer.
SPEC
Inductor : FASEL-RED(500mH)
Pot : COSMOS B500K
Switch : Unknown (original)
Transistors : 2SC1815 x 2
Capasitors : ARCO 0.01×2, ARCO 0.22×2, DUCATI BIPORARE 4μF
Rubber foot x 1 is replaced.
About main partsExcerpts from our past delivery data
Inductors
Halo
'67-'68 VOX(Italy) Clyde McCoy Picture(Large)/Signature(Large/Small), VOX(Italy) Crybaby Top-Logo(Large)
Film Can
'69-'70 VOX(Italy) V846, VOX(Italy) Crybaby 95-910511, JEN(Italy) Crybaby(Early)
Stack Of Dime 48 type03 (1st. Generation)
'69-'70 VOX(Italy) V846, VOX(Italy) Crybaby 95-910511
Red(Unknown Type)
L60s? VOX 250.049
Fasel
E70s to M80s VOX(Italy) WAH 250.049/250.414, JEN(Italy) Crybaby(early), JEN(Italy) Crybaby 310.001, Crybaby SUPER 250.422/250.394
TDK 5103
'72-'79 VOX(Italy) V846, VOX(US) V846, VOX(US) Crybaby 95-910511, Thomas Organ(US) Crybaby 95-910511, Thomas(US) WAH-WAH 9-3704
Stack Of Dime 48 type03 (2nd. Generation)
'70s Thomas(US) WAH-WAH 9-3704
Transistor
BC109b
'67-'68 VOX(Italy) Clyde McCoy Picture/Signature
109C/BC318B
L60s? VOX(Italy) 250.049
ses 131DT2
'67-'68 VOX(Italy) Clyde McCoy Signature, VOX(Italy) Crybaby Top-Logo
2SC1815
'69-'70 JEN(Italy) Crybaby(Early)
2N5232A/SIP5172
E70s VOX(Italy) Crybaby 95-910511, JEN(Italy) Crybaby 310.001
5117
'70s VOX(Italy/US) V846, Thomas Organ(Thomas)
BC238B/BC239C
'70s JEN(Italy) Crybaby SUPER 250.422
Pot.
ICAR (Italy)
'60s VOX (Italy) Clyde McCoy Picture/Signature, VOX (Italy) V846, VOX (Italy) Crybaby Top-Logo, VOX (Italy) Crybaby 95-910511, JEN (Italy) Crybaby (early)
ERT
L60s-'70s VOX(Italy) V846, VOX(Italy) Crybaby 95-910511, JEN(Italy) Crybaby 310.001
Centralab
'70s-'80s VOX(Italy/US), JEN(Italy), Thomas Organ(Thomas)
COSMOS
'69-'70 JEN(Italy) Crybaby(Early)
COSMOS RV24
'70s JEN(Italy)
BA811-6678
L60s? VOX(Italy) 250.049, '70s-'80s JEN(Italy)
Switch
ARROW(Early Bake Plywood Construction)
~'68 VOX(Italy) Clyde McCoy Picture/Signature
ARROW
L60s-E70s VOX(Italy) V846, VOX(Italy) Crybaby 95-910511
CARLING
'70s VOX(Italy/US) V846, Thomas Organ(Thomas)
MARQUARDT
L60s-'80s JEN(Italy)
CAPACITOR
MULLARD "Tropical Fish
VOX (Italy) Clyde McCoy Picture, VOX (Italy) Crybaby Top-Logo
DUCATI
VOX(Italy) Clyde McCoy Picture/Signature, VOX(Italy) Crybaby Top-Logo, VOX(Italy) Crybaby 95-910511, JEN(Italy) Crybaby(Early)
ARCO
L60s-E70s VOX(Italy) Clyde McCoy Signature(Small Halo period), VOX(Italy) V846, VOX(Italy) Crybaby 95-910511, JEN(Italy) Crybaby(Early)
PROCOND
VOX(Italy) Crybaby 95-910511, JEN(Italy) Crybaby 310.001
PHILIPS
'70s VOX(Italy) V846, Thomas Organ(Thomas)
Speaking of the first Clyde McCoy wah, Eric Clapton of CREAM, who left us the aforementioned "Tales Of Brave Ulysses" (recorded in May '67) and "White Room", "Burning of the Midnight Lamp" (recorded in July '67) and "Voodoo Child", and also played on "Voodoo Child" and "Tales of the Brave Ulysses" (recorded in May '67). Jimi Hendrix is known for his wild wah play on "Star Spangled Banner" at Woodstock, "Burning of the Midnight Lamp" (recorded in July '67) and "Voodoo Child". Both of them were influenced by Frank Zappa, who was one of the first to use wah pedals on stage at the time. Both of them were influenced by Frank Zappa, who was one of the first to use wah pedals on stage at that time. After that, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Santana, Nile Rogers, Michael Schenker, Stevie Ray Vaughan... the list goes on and on. These pedals are loved across a wide range of genres, from blues, psychedelic, and soul music to hard rock.
The wah pedal is a very simple effect pedal, but it is very deep because the sound varies greatly depending on the parts it contains.
It is also a very human instrument that can be directly manipulated by the guitarist, making the guitar scream and sob as per his/her sensitivity!♪ The guitarist can add expression and color to phrases, create effects as if the guitar were speaking, use it as a tone booster, and so on, and the guitarist's individuality comes out in the way he or she steps on it and uses it.♪ Also, by shifting the gear mesh by one or two mountains, you can adjust the frequency range to your liking! (^ ^)b
