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Zvex Wah Probe
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Audiofanzine FR Audiofanzine FR
Published on 03/09/09 at 05:48
(Originally written by poufinou/translated from Audiofanzine FR)
The Wah Probe is a wah pedal combined with a Super Hard On (SHO). If you don't know Zack pedals, the SHO is a preamp pedal, which means it boosts the guitar's signal without coloring and altering it...

The pedal doesn't use a foot plate but an "antenna" in the form of a copper plate that captures foot, hand and head movements.

It's totally ZVex: vintage and modern. The device is heavy with a metal bottom side and a plexiglas cover containing the copper "antenna". The pedal is hand-painted and has a sturdy construction.

It obviously has an on/off switch and an input/output. On the rear panel you have a drive control that allows you to adjust the gain of the SHO. The pedal requires a 9-volt battery and has no PSU operation (except via an optional ZVex socket). Luckily this product has a very low power consumption like all ZVex pedals! The bottom side must be unscrewed to access the battery compartment. It's not very pracical but it allows you to admire the handcrafted construction of the beast!! Stunning!!

You can also adjust the sensitivity and the frequency response using two trim controls in the pedal!!!

Each pedal is a custom product because it's handmade. You might even find one with a custom finish! The pedal is signed by the painter (Jason Mylord) and Zack Vex, who engraves his signature on the bottom side and on the copper antenna.

The pedal is sold in an original cardboard box and cloth bag.

That's right it's a high-class, handcrafted pedal whose quality and originality make it a work of art.

UTILIZATION

Plug and play.

The user's manual is also atypical and very funny. ZVex pedals are a totally different species.

Access to the battery is not easy, the lack of PSU operation is a turnoff, and the sensitivity and frequency response controls are not practical (you need a screw driver).

But it's the typical ZVex style. It's handcrafted!!

Using the "antenna" is easy, responsive and effective. Better than a rocker pedal! And you can use your hand to play with the wah. The effect response is very accurate even when you make fast moves!

I give it 9/10 due to the small annoying details (which actually add to the personality of the product).

SOUND QUALITY

The sound of the Wah Probe makes it a high-class product.

No emulation effect but a real wah with its own personality.

The SHO circuitry is very interesting. It gives more punch to the sound, which gets thinner due to the wah effect (normal for a pass-band filter!!), but it also allows you to add saturation, sharpness and aggressiveness to the sound with the drive control. When the drive is maxed the wah effect becomes spectacular.

In short, it's a wah pedal providing modern and vintage sounds thanks to the SHO circuitry.

OVERALL OPINION

Once again ZVex delivers a vintage concept with a very modern sound processing.

It's a high-class product with a finish that almost makes it a work of art.

Original and handcrafted like every other ZVex pedal, it's a totally new sound experience.

i know, the price... do we really have to talk about it?