Vox V847 Wah

This second hand guitar effect pedal is in great condition

The Vox V847 Wah is one of the most recognisable effects pedals ever made. Based on the legendary Vox wah from the 1960s, it delivers the unmistakable vocal sweep that helped define the sound of players such as Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Michael Schenker and countless funk, blues and rock guitarists. While there are now dozens of modern wah pedals packed with adjustable controls, the V847 remains popular because it focuses on doing one thing exceptionally well.

Classic Tone

The biggest strength of the V847 is its unmistakable vintage character. The pedal produces a smooth, musical sweep that never feels harsh or overly aggressive. It has a warm midrange emphasis that allows solos to sing while adding expression to rhythm playing. Whether you're playing clean funk grooves or saturated rock leads, the V847 feels natural under your foot.

Unlike some modern wah pedals that can sound overly bright or exaggerated, the Vox offers a balanced frequency range with a vocal quality that sits comfortably in a mix.

Build Quality

The V847 is built like a tank. Its heavy metal chassis inspires confidence whether it's being used in the studio or taken on tour. The treadle action feels smooth and solid, providing excellent control over the wah sweep without feeling stiff.

Modern versions include a DC power input alongside traditional 9V battery operation, making it much easier to integrate into contemporary pedalboards. Vox also redesigned the inductor to more closely match the original vintage units and added a buffered input to help preserve your guitar's signal when the pedal is bypassed. 

Performance

The V847 excels with a wide range of musical styles.

For blues, it adds expressive vocal phrasing that makes lead lines come alive.

Classic rock players will appreciate its ability to recreate many of the iconic wah sounds heard throughout the late 1960s and 1970s.

Funk guitarists will enjoy its smooth, rhythmic response for tight chord work and percussive grooves.

Even modern players using higher gain amplifiers will find the V847 cuts through a mix without becoming piercing.

The pedal responds particularly well to picking dynamics, making it feel like an extension of your playing rather than simply another effect.

The V847 deliberately sticks to a traditional design. Players looking for adjustable Q controls, switchable frequency ranges or built-in boost functions may find it somewhat limited compared with more feature-rich alternatives.

It is also buffered rather than true bypass, which may not suit every purist, although the buffer is designed to maintain signal integrity when the pedal is disengaged.

Pros

• Authentic vintage Vox wah tone
• Smooth, expressive sweep
• Extremely rugged construction
• Excellent for blues, rock and funk
• Modern DC power input alongside battery operation
• Reliable and simple to use

Rather than chasing modern features, it faithfully delivers the expressive, vocal tone that made the original famous. Its robust construction, timeless sound and straightforward operation make it an excellent choice for players who want a traditional wah without unnecessary complexity.

For guitarists seeking authentic vintage character, the V847 continues to be one of the finest classic wah pedals available. It may not offer endless tweakability, but when it comes to delivering that unmistakable Vox wah sound, it remains a true classic.