Guitarsenal: Wah Wah Wah

Jimmy Page didn't use too many effects pedals while in Led Zeppelin, but one of the key weapons at his disposal, especially during the early years was a wah pedal. For this installment of Guitarsenal, we I wanted to highlight the Wah pedal Jimmy Page used with the Yardbirds and for the first years of Led Zeppelin, a Vox Grey Wah.

Led Zeppelin in 1969, on the right you can see Jimmy with his foot depressing his Vox Grey Wah

The Vox Grey Wah was released in the U.K. in 1967 which is consistent for the time frame in which Jimmy used his. This pedal is heard all over Led Zeppelin's first album, with great examples being the beginning intro to "How Many More Times" and the song "Communication Breakdown" where Jimmy turns the pedal on, but keeps it closed for the majority of the song in order to achieve the 'guitar in a shoebox' sound. These pedals measured in at around 250mH, and did not come equipped with a Q resistor, meaning they were able to obtain higher frequencies.

Today these pedals are highly sought after for their association with British bands who used them in the later 1960's, Jimmy Page being one, The Beatles being another; you can hear this pedal on the song "Across the Universe". These pedals are extremely hard to come by, and if you do see one on Ebay, they range anywhere from $700-$1500.

Early ad for the Vox Grey Wah

Jimmy Page used his Vox Grey Wah from 1967 to July 1970 when he replaced it with a Vox King Wah Pedal.