VOX V847 Union Jack Wah Pedal

It's always a bonus when pedal makers add a killer visual treatment to a pedal. What that won't change, however, is what's inside, and in the craft of making music, it's better to sound good than to look good. No amount of custom silkscreening is going to change that. When a tried-and-true favorite gets a custom treatment, like VOX has given to their V847 Wah, it's even better. To celebrate the British legacy of VOX and the contributions of their iconic wah, they've released the limited edition Union Jack Wah that delivers the trusted sound of the V847 in an eye-catching new finish.

VOX's Union Jack Wah blends the tone and sweep of the V847 with a striking finish

VOX Populi

Since the original VOX V846 Wah pedal found the feet of rock musicians, wah has been one of the most recognizable effects in modern music.  Though it had been used elsewhere, with "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)," Hendrix cemented in the minds of future generations of musicians the power of the effect, and its legacy can be found across every genre going on a half century later.  So while there are plenty of options out there when it comes to wah pedals, there's a reason why VOX wahs continue to dominate in the category. The legacy of that original pedal still shines through today.

Today's V847A wah is designed to the specs of the '60s original, with a couple of modern enhancements, namely a buffered input jack and a redesigned inductor that's closer to those used on the original pedals. The V847A also allows for an external power supply. The V847A is among today's standards thanks to its dynamic response and sweep, that takes you from a nice, throaty low end through articulate mids and an enhanced higher range that works particularly well with overdrive and distortion effects. Across the sweep are

Jacked Up

The British flag, AKA the Union Jack, is as iconic on a global scale as the Stars and Stripes, particularly in music. Pete Townshend single handedly made it a fashion statement (which culminated in those unfortunate Def Leppard outfits—you know the ones I'm talking about). In music, the Union Jack reminds us of the contributions that countless English musicians have made to rock and roll since The Beatles invaded. So to bring it to a VOX wah makes perfect sense.

The design is put on the pedal using a water transfer printing process that gives the decal a smooth, painted-on look and feel and brilliant finish. The rocker pedal is white and topped with a blue tread, making for a pedal that looks great from any vantage point. It's as solidly built as it's standard sibling, meaning it's ready to stand up to the demands you put on it.

Join the Union

The V847 is already a wah that you can't go wrong with. If you're after some flash on your pedalboard as well, then the Union Jack V847 is a no-brainer. Even more appealing is that this limited edition finish costs the same as the standard model ($89.99 street). For something that's functional and bound to be a collector's item once they sell out, the VOX V847 Union Jack is a solid choice when it comes to the world of wah.

Resources

Read more about the VOX V847 Union Jack Wah Pedal at voxamps.com

Pricing and purchase info from musiciansfriend.com

 Water Transfer Printing Process Demonstration

 Ara Ajizian, Harmony Central's Editorial Director, has been playing bass and guitar as well as singing since he was 18, and soon that love of music combined with a passion for writing; launching what's now a decade-long career immersed in the gear world. He's thrilled to be back on the Harmony Central team after two years as Managing Editor for Musician's Friend covering gear, bands and events and gigging in the Los Angeles area.